Kalkan | A Small Cosmopolitan with the Big Heart

Kalkan is a small Mediterranean town on the Southern coast of Turkey and become famous for its whitewashed houses with colourful bougainvilleas. Lovely village comes alive with the tourism, during the summer months, and pretty much hibernates in the winter.

Kalkan is preferred especially by European tourists. They usually buy houses in Kalkan and enjoy the lovely city for all year along. Even though it is developing, the old texture of the city is kept. It is a must-see place with its natural beauties, restaurants, cafes, view, and handmade jewellery. Kalkan is a stone’s throw away from historical landmarks like Tlos, Xanthos, Patara and the sunken city of Kekova –all of which are remnants of the ancient Lycian peoples who once inhabited the area. Nearby beaches are the famous Patara and understated Kaputaş beach.  1923 was a significant date for Kalkan, which was affected by the ‘exchange of populations’ after the Greco-Turkish war. This involved a swap between the two countries of ethnic Turks residing in Greece and ethnic Greeks residing in Turkey. The majority of Kalkan’s inhabitants before then were Greeks. During the exchange they immigrated to Attica, eventually to found the town of Kalamaki.

Previously a fishing town, Kalkan is still the only safe harbour between Fethiye and Kaş. Said harbour once made this place the primary seaport for the area up until the 70s. This was when the Fethiye road was constructed, leading to Kalkan’s gradual decline. Things changed of course when tourists happened upon the place, and it’s been booming ever since. Well ok, not exactly booming. We wouldn’t love it as much as we do if it was too booming. Things to Do in Kalkan, A set tour, travel to the Unesco ruins of Xanthos, the natural gorge of Saklikent and the long, sandy beach of Patara. The bustling region of Fethiye can be reached within one hour on public transport. Ideally two days is needed to explore it properly so consider an overnight stay. Explore the old town; with its quaint sit down bars and souvenir shops The Lycian tomb of King Amyntas is high in the hillside overlooking the main town. Within a short bus ride from the centre is the ghost village of Kayakoy. Tour providers in Kalkan also operate excursions that head directly there.

Mythological stories say the large rock tomb in the side of a cliff face, that is inaccessible to man, was the home of Pegasus, the winged horse. Every day a ferry heads to the neighbouring Greek island of Meis from Kas. The recommended activity while there, is to visit the amazing and stunningly beautiful Kaputas Beach.

Scuba diving in this area is big business. Shipwrecks attract the most admiration while beginners prefer to start off in shallow waters. More than 15 sites sit between the coastline of Kalkan and neighbouring Kas, making it a haven for experienced scuba divers. Alternatively, go jump off a mountain. No seriously, all jokes aside. You don’t need to jump, you run instead. Kalkan has many fine qualities, but without a doubt, it is the people of Kalkan who make the town extra special. The people of Kalkan warmly welcome you, and you may at first be surprised by the universal friendliness within the town.  This, along with warm Turkish hospitality is the basis of life here and the people of Kalkan sincerely enjoy getting to know their guests.   So don’t hesitate to accept one of the many tulip-shaped glasses of çay (tea) you will be offered while you amble along. You won’t be hassled while you are a guest of Kalkan – the town is hassle-free and is proud to be so. You will find a mixed population here, consisting of locals, some Istanbul Turks and Turks from other cities who have made Kalkan their home and own small businesses, as well as a small number of well-educated foreigners who have settled in the town.