Opulent and somewhat off the beaten track, the Kalkan area of Turkey is a unique Turkish Riviera experience. Upon entering, one first sees a beautiful azure sea. A steep hillside leads to a safe harbour and a hazy Mediterranean Sea-view with small islands as the picture-perfect backdrop for all areas.
As the epitome of modern luxury living, Europe's most breathtaking town combines contemporary lifestyle aspects like yachting, lounging, and fine dining with nostalgic beginnings. The old quarter, made up of lovely traditional buildings with bougainvillaea hanging off balconies, has taken another direction in recent decades with the construction of large, luxury mansions. Still, the perfect blend doesn't distract from its nostalgic roots, and over 300 days of sunshine a year.
Guide to the Kalkan Area of Turkey
The Rich History
The sizeable village was initially called "Kalamaki." It developed into an important port during the 19th century, because of its strategic location between Kaş and Fethiye. Settled around 150 to 200 years ago by people of both Greek and Turkish heritage, the town flourished into a key trading hub. Camel brought goods from Xanthos Valley and Elmalı, then shipped across the Ottoman Empire. Cargo such as cotton, grain, wine, and timber departed to destinations far and wide.
By the early 1900s, the historic centre had grown into a thriving village. By 1915, the town boasted seventeen restaurants, a customs office, a goldsmith, a shoemaker, and several tailors. The city held its first local elections in 1928, and the elementary school opened in 1937.
Following World War I and the Turkish War of Independence, a population exchange with Greece occurred in 1923. Most Greek residents left to relocate to the Greek island of Meis or to resettle as a community near Athens. In honour of their former home, they named their new settlement "Kalamaki."
In the 20th century, cargo ships declined as overland transport became more efficient with the expansion of Turkey's road network. This led to a gradual population decrease, as residents moved to larger coastal cities for employment. However, in the 1960s, English yachters began visiting, sparking tourism growth.
Coming to be known as Ottoman Greek architecture, traditional houses are now homes to shops and over 100 restaurants, the highest ratio of restaurants to inhabitants. Eateries and evening drinking spill out onto rooftop terraces of stone buildings, where the chiming of cutlery continues until the morning hours.
Venturing away from the main town, you meet ultra-modern villas approaching the sea. Here, the more recent history becomes clear. Infinity pools and floor-to-ceiling windows are a testament to brilliant sea views. These new homes are surrounded by beautiful scenery and sunsets. Shrouded in history and with brilliant landscapes, this exclusive Turkish Riviera destination offers the best of Mediterranean Turkey.
Where is Kalkan in Turkey?
Kalkan is on the southwest Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Belonging to the vast Antalya region, the town sits between Kas, another delightful coastal resort and Patara, a rustic village famed for its long sandy beach. Known for the absence of mass tourism and the brilliant blue, crystal-clear sea, drivers easily find the town because it sits off the D400 highway alongside the Mediterranean coastline. If travelling by bus, small dolmuses run to and from neighbouring resorts like Kas, although if you are coming from other areas, first get a bus to Antalya or Fethiye and then catch a connecting route.
Where is the Nearest Airport?
The nearest airport is 120 kilometres away with a transfer time of 90 minutes. As one of Turkey's top tourist airports, it has a frequent summer flight schedule that serves thousands of people. Scaling down in winter to essential services, residents use the busier Antalya Airport with its year-round flight schedule, a three-hour drive away.
Weather and Climate: When is the Best Time to Visit?
Kalkan's Mediterranean position makes the area an ideal weather trap, with residents enjoying hot summers and mild winters. From January to March, the rainy season can dampen the spirit, but temperatures are still higher than in other regions, like the Aegean coast. People who like to explore the great outdoors should visit from April to June and September to November, for cooler temperatures and lower humidity.
Anyone who wants to relax on beaches and build up a golden sun-kissed tan should visit between May and October, but temperatures rise and days are longer between July, August, and September. For expats, the year-round climate is a perfect blend of Mediterranean temperatures.
Kalkan Old Town and Harbour
Sitting aside the crystal-blue water, the harbour district is where the roots are, and the beating heart of any holiday experience. For locals, life revolves around the harbour during summer as anglers bring in fresh catches and holidaymakers depart on a lazy day cruise along the coast. This neighbourhood offers easy access to the main public beach where sunbeds and umbrellas are available to rent, and nearby restaurants serve full menus for lunch and refreshments. The area brims with impressive Ottoman-Greek buildings on the granite-paved streets.
The Luxury Kisla Area: Holiday Highlights and Spectacular Views
Around the glorious stretch of the bay, residential Kisla hosts holidaymakers who rent large, luxury, waterfront villas. During summer, its west-facing beautiful stretch of coastline gives way to fantastic sunset views, but throughout the year, a marvellous view over the bay emphasises the Mediterranean lifestyle. During summer, an alternative and quirky method of transport, the local water taxi, takes just 10 minutes.
Along with the Kisla area and centre, four other neighbourhoods comprise the central and outskirts regions. Ortaalan, often called New Kalkan, is home to supermarkets and the central bus station. Kalamar and the renowned beach clubs are the perfect places to head in summer. Komurluk is like Kisla because its prestigious status leads to millionaire mansions, while Kiziltas offers extraordinary views because of its elevated land status.
Nightlife: Bars and Restaurants
Enjoyment on summer evenings means indulging in the seaside, alfresco dining scene. Atmospheric Rooftop restaurants on bohemian streets serve international, Mediterranean, fresh fish and seafood, and Turkish cuisine. Expect famed rooftop restaurants in desirable locations serving sumptuous steak dinners. You won't find large, pulsating nightclubs, but plenty of after-dinner bars serve cocktails, wine, spirits and beers while providing family-friendly sit-down entertainment.
Is There Much to Do in Kalkan?
Popular excursions include daily boat trips, Lycian cities, jeep safaris, horse riding, and village tours. Sign up for excursions to Patara, Letoon and Xanthos, the two UNESCO World Heritage sites. Three-night gulet cruises explore places like Fethiye's 12 islands with lovely views, while our favourite activity is heading to neighbouring Kas to catch the Meis ferry and indulge in the alternative Greek culture, which, despite being related, is vastly different.
Scuba diving is big business, whether you want to start with a poolside try-dive or qualify for your PADI certificate. The nearby Kaputus beach is also a firm favourite with families. Still, some holidaymakers and residents hire a car to visit places like Tlos' ancient ruins and Saklikent Gorge.
Whether lying on the beach, sailing the Riviera, indulging in water sports like scuba diving or exploring the Lycian Way, there is no such thing as staying indoors during spring, summer, and autumn. From the Taurus mountains to ancient history, and beautiful locations, this is just one big playground. Enjoy fishing trips, lush nature, and the Lycian coast. Other nearby places include…
Patara: As a better alternative to Kalkan beach, just a 30-minute drive away, Patara, Turkey’s longest beach, is a stunning coastline worth seeing. The village, beach, and spectacular city ruins spread considerably, so it just takes a morning to stroll around. Parking facilities are available, and after exploring, head to traditional restaurants for lunch.
Kas: Also sitting just 30 minutes away but in the opposite direction, delightful Kas, a small coastal resort, keeps a quaint, unique ambience. Explore the old part, and on the way back, stop by Kaputas Beach, the most photographed stretch of sand.
Xanthos and Letoon: Driving 25 kilometres northwest, Xanthos and Letoon Lycian ruins, a collection of two UNESCO World Heritage sites, will excite history lovers. As the ancient Lycian capital, the ruins shot to modern fame after uncovered inscriptions revealed the ancient Lycian language, which had long been lost to the sands of time.
Delightful Fethiye: Also on the Turquoise coast, this central city and smaller coastal resorts have a wealth of attractions to explore for one day. It takes just an hour to reach, and attractions include Kayakoy Ghost Village, Amyntas Rock tombs, Paspatur old quarter, the Blue Lagoon, Babadag Mountain, Gemiler Bay, and a museum.
Saklikent Gorge: Everyone, regardless of age, adores this natural wonderland. At 18 kilometres long, this spectacular canyon is 300 kilometres deep, hence running water never gets warm from the sun. Visitors walk into the canyon or see it from the viewing platform before heading to nearby restaurants for trout.
Demre and Myra: Head east for one hour to arrive at Demre, a traditional working town with two major attractions. The ancient ruins of Myra include a stunning theatre and Saint Nicholas Church, which is better known as the home of jolly Santa Claus.
Tlos: Further afield, Tlos is a 90-minute drive into the mountain highlands, but combine a visit with lunch in the nearby Yakapark mountain restaurant. Displaying a combination of Roman, Lycian, and Ottoman architecture, this place rarely sees crowds, making it a pleasant place.
Why Invest In Property?
Keeping a discreet but exclusive reputation, the resort receives little attention from leading street travel and property markets, and luxury circles, including those who sail the turquoise waters, want to keep it that way. However, they need not fear, because Kalkan will never become an urban concrete jungle thanks to its geographical layout and lack of space for new buildings.
When coming in from the D400 highway or by sea, visitors witness historic architecture and modern villas scattered over hillsides that slope down to the Mediterranean Sea and a traditional harbour with small fishing boats. Some holidaymakers return to buy property. Attracted by ultramodern architecture and those stunning sea views, other benefits lay in wait for real estate investors.
Although luxury holidaymakers provide locals with a lucrative income, real estate captures everyone’s attention. Industry insiders criticise other places for the “build them quick, sell them fast” attitude, resulting in poor urban planning and buildings presenting nothing more than a landscape eyesore.
For Kalkan, they have nothing but praise. Developers, realising there is no room for mistakes, hire only the best Turkish and international architects to design homes, maximising the hilly landscape and providing oodles of space, a concept familiar with luxurious living.
Three key features of homes are front-facing ceiling-to-floor windows that take in a gorgeous Mediterranean Sea view, and wide-open spaces with some homes featuring large, sliding doors and windows to merge indoor and outdoor living spaces.
This ensures homeowners enjoy a cool breeze during hot summer, a popular feature of Turkish coastline resorts. Lastly, infinity pools are a big business. With water flowing over the outer edge, the view merges to provide the ultimate luxury experience.
Six Neighbourhoods to Choose From
When comparing its size with destinations like Antalya, Fethiye, and Bodrum, Kalkan pales in comparison, but do not think this means you have to compromise on locations. Budget buyers adore Kiziltas, which offers the lowest price per square meter and outstanding sea views because of the elevated land status. Kalamar on the bay’s west side enjoys a beach club ambience, making it a popular choice for house buyers who want a summer getaway.
The old town and exquisite harbour with colourful boats and waterfront restaurants present a nostalgic glimpse. Nearby Ortaalan, called New Kalkan, provides convenience with the largest concentration of shops, bars, restaurants, supermarkets, banks, and bus transport links.
Lastly, Komurluk and Kisla are two neighbourhoods considered prestigious Turkish Riviera destinations. Known for their large, millionaire, luxury mansions, these destinations perfectly portray Turkish high society.
Where do Expats Live?
Combining a Mediterranean climate, blue waters, stunning landscapes, and fantastic sea views explains the instant attraction to first-time visitors. The geographical layout of the small bay, leading uphill, further away from the coastline, presents a picture-perfect postcard scene and a sea view that is hard to match from most positions.
One bonus is that the bay’s position evokes a constant breeze throughout summer, so in hot months like July and August, it provides welcome relief against boiling temperatures. From nostalgic fishing craft to day trips and culinary experiences, this is the best of this corner of Turkey. All nationalities integrate and live side by side, so expats buy property in all six prominent neighbourhoods.
The old and new (Ortaalan) parts are hubs of business, shops, restaurants, banks, and vital transport links to other places along the south coast. Kiziltas, on the other side of the highway, presents low prices per square meter due to its inland location, but offers stunning views. Meanwhile, Kalamar, home to beach clubs, attracts buyers looking for summer or buy-to-let holiday rentals. Lastly, Komurluk and Kisla, two prestigious areas, have a property portfolio that easily outranks other swish destinations. Think waterfront, millionaire villas with unique architecture, swish design and décor.
Is it Easy to get to Kalkan year-round?
Most customers looking to buy on Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean coasts ask about year-round transport access. Getting there via road, sea, or air is easy from May to October. Dalaman airport, a two-hour transfer away and one of Turkey’s top tourist air travel hubs, has frequent flights from many countries. This scales from October to April, although flights from the UK and European destinations remain. During these months, residents use Antalya Airport, the number one tourist air travel hub, which is an hour's drive away. Otherwise, bus services run year-round and driving here is pleasant.
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Antalya Region: The Kalkan area of Turkey belongs to the larger Antalya region, stretching east up to Gazipasa. Many smaller coastal resorts like Kemer, Belek and historical Side comprise Turkey’s second most popular holiday and foreign property sales region. Our blog articles include helpful information for first-time visitors and advice for overseas property buyers investing in Turkish real estate.
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