Between Kaş and Patara, Kalkan is one of the most graceful towns on the Mediterranean coast, its whitewashed houses tumbling down a mountainside to a small bay.
From Kalamaki to Kalkan
In the 19th century the town was a Greek harbour village known as Kalamaki. Timber, charcoal, olive oil and grain from the mountain villages were loaded onto ships here. After the population exchange of 1923 it became a quiet fishing village, and from the 1980s onwards tourism brought it back to life.
Stone houses and bay windows
Kalkan's old quarter, with its stone walls, wooden bay windows and narrow lanes covered in bougainvillea, is protected. Many of the old houses have been restored as guesthouses and restaurants. The old mosque in the middle of town was a church before the population exchange.
Kaputaş and Patara
East of Kalkan, on the road to Kaş, Kaputaş beach with its turquoise water is one of the symbols of the region. To the west stretches Patara, one of the longest beaches in Turkey, whose dunes and sea turtle nests are protected.
Bezirgan plateau
Just above Kalkan, on a high plain between the mountains, Bezirgan is a plateau village known for its traditional wooden grain stores and stone houses. Its cool summer air and farmland make it a lovely escape from the heat of the coast.
İslamlar village
High above Kalkan, the village of İslamlar is known for its mountain springs. Old water mills still stand in the village, and trout raised in its spring water is the local speciality. The view down over the Bay of Kalkan is well worth the trip.
When to go
The sea in Kalkan is warm enough for swimming from late May to late October. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for walking and village visits.
