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kalamar bay



Local area

The historic town of Kalkan is an enchanting place and one of the most beautiful locations along Turkey's gorgeous Lycian Coast. With the absence of mass tourism, Kalkan remains a charming and unspoiled haven of lush nature, brilliant blue crystal-clear sea, historic architecture, ancient history and warm traditional Turkish hospitality.


The village shops stay open until around midnight and are well stocked with interesting antiques, crafts, jewellery, carpets and clothing. The narrow streets of the old town are lined with whitewashed shuttered buildings festooned with brightly coloured bouganvillea intermingled with shops and terrace-topped restaurants. These streets twist down to the harbour, which is the focus of the village and here you can enjoy a meal whilst watching the world go by or by looking at the array of elegant 'gulets' a traditional wooden coastal sailing boat.


Despite its rugged and stunning coastline, Turkey does not have that many beaches. But Kalkan has some of the best, with glorious sand at Patara and Kaputas. Xanthus and Letoon, both important Lycian cities and Unesco World Cultural Heritage Sites, are also within easy reach. If you don't have a car, you can take a dolmus (shared taxi), an easy and cheap arrangement with lots of stops.