Things To Do in Kalkan
Living in Kalkan for 40 years and hosting thousands of guests, True Blue family has prepared a guide for you.
Beaches, bays, tours, restaurants, historical places you should see in and around Kalkan...
We have compiled it on a single page for easy reading.
Kalkan is an elegant and authentic coastal town, where those seeking a peaceful atmosphere consciously stay away from the noise of mass tourism.
This unique identity of Kalkan aligns with new-generation travel trends that focus on elements like sustainability, cultural depth, and peaceful accommodation.
Accordingly, Kalkan has become a center of attraction for travelers who aim to explore off-the-beaten-path routes and immerse themselves in the local cultural and gastronomic fabric.
As True Blue Boutique Hotel family, we have hosted guests from 26 different countries in the last 1 month. These countries:
England, 
Germany, 
Ukrainian, 
Russia, 
France, 
Italy, 
Holland, 
Belgium, 
Serbia, 
Armenia, 
Azerbaijan, 
Hungary, 
Chinese, 
Denmark, 
South Africa, 
Switzerland, 
America, 
Australia, 
Estonia, 
Albania 
Canada, 
Finland, 
Ireland, 
India, South Africa 
Morocco
The increasing interest of visitors seeking a truly local experience shows how much the town's unique atmosphere is appreciated on a global scale.
Is Kalkan only good in summer?
Kalkan is not just a holiday consisting of beaches and daily boat tours. Spring and autumn are also beautiful in Kalkan, where 300 days of sunshine are experienced. You will find an ideal environment to explore the surroundings without the sun burning you. The best times to hike the Lycian Way, ride mountain bikes, visit ancient Lycian cities with your vehicle and stop by at delicious places while traveling are spring and autumn.
In autumn, you can participate in the grape harvest and wine tasting at Likya Wines.
Although the melting snow of the Taurus Mountains cools the sea water a bit in the spring, the green nature, the wonderful smell of the blooming orange and lemon trees, and the yellow gentian trees covering the mountains will accompany you on your walk on the Lycian way.
Although the peaks of the mountains are still white, Saklıkent Canyon or Gizlikent Waterfall is filled with melted snow due to warming weather. The best time for rafting or kayaking is spring. During this period, Saklıkent and Kaputaş Canyons welcome all canyoning enthusiasts.
Lycia Region Travel Map
The map below gives a nice overview of the must-see places in the area.
Kalkan is located in the middle of the historical Lycian geography from Fethiye to Finike.
Place names in orange are historical places. If you have time, we recommend you to visit these areas especially in the cool seasons.
Very close to Kalkan you can find 2 of the best beaches in Turkey: Kaputas (7 km) and Patara (17 km), marked in green.
True Blue Boutique Hotel Kalkan
We have been in Kalkan for 40 years. We are not business owners, we are homeowners. This is our home.
For years, we have been hosting our guests with the motto of “making them feel at home”.
One of the 10 options is surely for you
Suites / Residences / Villas
While the studio with garden terrace and the stone house studio are suitable for 2 adults and 1 child, we can host 4-5 guests in total in 3 different types of 2-bedroom residences. Details on our page.
For large families and groups of friends, 2 villas of 200 m², a jacuzzi, stone walls, 4 bedrooms and large terraces are at your service for your holidays longer than 5 days.
Turquoise Beaches
True Blue Boutique Hotel is located in the middle of Kalamar Bay, Kaputaş Beach and Patara Beach.
We have compiled brief information about the beaches in the vicinity for you and marked their locations on the map.
True Blue Boutique Hotel We have an agreement with Yalı Beach Club for the summer of 2025. With its wooden pier equipped with comfortable sun loungers, colorful cushions and restaurant, Yalı Beach Club offers a perfect environment to relax all day long. Children are welcome.
If you want to have an active day, you can also try various water sports such as water skiing, sailing or paddle boarding. It is located 2 km from our hotel.
Kaputas Beach is a canyon mouth beach 7 km away on the way from Kalkan to Kas. Its water is cool and turquoise as a result of the water flowing underground filtering through the sand.
The stunning turquoise waters of the beach, accessible after descending 187 steps, are well worth the effort. Facilities: Cafe, sunbed, sunshade and changing room.
Entry: ₺50
You can reach Patara beach, which is 17 km away from Kalkan by car, by minibus from Kalkan.
It is the longest beach in Türkiye with a length of 18 kilometers and a width of 1,500 meters. Although the sea is sandy and shallow, it is constantly wavy throughout the year. Do not choose it in windy weather.
The beach is the spawning ground for the Caretta caretta turtles and is therefore closed to visitors from May to October, except for 08:00 - 18:00. Beach entrance €15
It is the closest beach to our hotel, a 5-minute walk away. It has a rocky platform entrance to the sea. It has a restaurant overlooking the bay.
There is a fun trampoline for children. It has a water sports area. There is a PADI diving school.
Entry: ₺400-₺500
It is located in the city centre, right next to the port. You can go snorkelling on this blue flag beach and get food and beverage service at the municipal cafeteria above it. Renting sunbeds and umbrellas on the beach is subject to a small fee. It is important to remember that it is the most crowded beach on our list.
You can reach Zest Beach in 10 minutes by car or by free boat transportation from Kalkan port. This beach, which also has a salty pool, offers a restaurant discount to its True Blue guests.
Entry: ₺650
Denizim Beach Club in the Kömürlük area of Kalkan is known for its wonderful harbour views and relaxed atmosphere. It offers sunbathing platforms, a shallow beach suitable for children and activities such as table tennis, billiards and a water trampoline.
Entry: ₺350
Located right next to Kalkan harbour, it has a stylish and friendly atmosphere.
The two-story venue has a scenic restaurant and bar on the upper floor, and a sun terrace with swimming access on the lower floor. It is an ideal location to watch the boats returning to the harbor at sunset.
Entry: ₺300
Mahal Beach Club is one of the quietest places and has a quality restaurant. Dinner is served after 19:30.
Entry: ₺650
Private Gazebo: ₺2000
Boat Tours
Adventure Activities
Riding
Take amazing photos in Patara, enjoy the freedom of horseback riding among breathtaking views at sunset.
Contact: 0530 447 30 01
Paragliding
Dive
You May Want to See
Meis Island
Lycian Museum
Kayakoy
Lycian Grape Harvest
In the autumn, you can participate in the Lycian Wines grape harvest. After touring the vineyards and seeing how the new products are made in the winery, you can join a wine-tasting dinner prepared at the vineyard house.
Elmalı district is famous for its traditional Turkish houses from the Ottoman period.
Tangala Cheeses
To develop a variety of cheeses inspired by Europe, the Caucasus and the Middle East with a local, artisanal business model.
You can make a reservation for the open buffet cheese tasting.
+90 533 617 3100
Patara Sand Dunes
Patara Sand Hill is 15 minutes away from Kalkan and is a place where you will be enchanted while watching the sunset and the horizon. The sand dunes attract the attention of the whole world with their fine sand and magnificent view. You should also visit the beach and the ancient city while you are there.
On a clear day when the sun goes down, it is possible to see the Rhodes Island silhouette.
Historical places
Myra
Sidyma Ancient City
Tlos
Arycanda
Xanthus
Letoon
Patara Ancient City
Patara is one of the most valuable ancient cities to visit and is still being excavated. The magnificent gate of the city welcomes you within the national park area. There is a huge ancient theater, the world's first parliament building, which has been recently restored, a lighthouse and impressive Roman baths.
Entry fee €15
Kekova
St. Nicholas Church
Discover Nature
Saklikent Canyon
Gizlikent Waterfall
Butterfly Valley
Lycian Way
Where to Eat in Kalkan?
True Blue Boutique Hotel guests can order from the phone numbers below to dine on their rooms' balconies.
By clicking on the name of the restaurant, you can access the photo, location and comment information about the place.
Enjoy your meal!
You can also find information about other cafes and restaurants you can visit on-site below.
History of Kalkan
Formerly a crucial coastal trade port, Kalkan is still a new holiday resort with the old Kalkan at the city's heart. After sunset, along winding streets of traditional houses, restaurants, small boutiques and local shops, the taste and smell of Kalkan's famous cuisine lead one to the harbour and the streets around it.
With an eclectic mix of Greek and old Kalkan architecture, rooftop restaurants and beautiful sea views, the old town is a place you'll want to explore and have fun.
Located on the harbor side of Kalkan and converted into a mosque, the Greek Orthodox Church is the best example of Greek architecture in Kalkan. The history of Kalkan is revealed in stone and wooden buildings with domes and wooden windows.
From Kalkan port, many beaches around the bay are reached by small colourful boats that provide a free shuttle service to the guests. Traditional wooden Gulets offer boat trips to nearby beaches and islands. Water sports, diving and fishing trips are also provided.
Although Kalkan was not seen as an important settlement in the distant past, it gained importance in the 19th century as it was the only safe harbor in the area between Kaş and Fethiye. It was known as "Kalamaki" by the Greeks who settled in the region 150-200 years ago.
Camels transported the goods arriving at the ports from the nearby Xanthos valley and the mountain plateaus near Elmali. From the port of Kalkan, cargo ships travelled to distant parts of the Ottoman Empire with loads of cotton, grain, wine and timber.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Kalkan became a fairly large village. At the turn of the century, in 1915, there were seventeen restaurants, a jeweler, a shoemaker, and a few tailors. The first local elections were held in 1928 and in 1937 the present primary school was opened.
In 1923, after the War of Independence, the population exchange between the new Turkish Republic and Greece took place. Most of the people of Greek origin living in Kalkan left Turkey. Some went to the nearby Greek island of Meis, but most were settled around Athens. Those who left Turkey were perceived as immigrants in Greece. They named their new city "Kalamaki", the old name of Kalkan.
Port trade gradually declined with the improvement of the road system and the adoption of road transport and only continued until the 1950s. Due to dwindling maritime trade, the population of Kalkan declined as people moved to larger coastal cities to find work. With the arrival of wealthy British yachters in the 1960s, Kalkan's leading economy was tourism. Therefore, Kalkan has retained its historical charm. Historic buildings have been preserved with the enactment of strict construction and conservation rules.
Xanthos, the capital of Lycia, is only 17 km from Kalkan and is a UNESCO world heritage site. Other major Lycian cities are Tlos, Myra, Pinara and Patara. Visitors from all over the world see ancient ruins that date back over 2000 years. The British Museum in London also has an extensive collection of Lycian artefacts.
The Taurus Mountains rise more than ten thousand meters and the highest peaks are covered with snow until the beginning of summer. Its lakes, forests, magnificent turquoise coastline and magnificent ruins of two dozen cities make Lycia a place of pleasure to explore. Hundreds of kilometres of Lycia's coastline draws yachters close to the crystal-clear waters and perfect climate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kalkan?
Kalkan is located 87 km west of Fethiye and 27 km east of Kas, on the Southern Mediterranean coast known as the Turquoise or Lycian coast. We can say that it is the place where the Mediterranean and the Aegean meet. It is located in the middle of Turkey's two most important beaches, Kaputaş and Patara.
Which is the closest airport to Kalkan?
Dalaman Airport (also known as Muğla Airport) is the nearest airport and is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from Kalkan. You can also use Antalya Airport to come to Kalkan. However, the transfer time is 3 hours.
How is the nightlife in Kalkan?
Located in the middle of Kalkan, the old Kalkan houses many cafes, bars and restaurants with lively nights. On the banks of Old Kalkan and Harbor are a number of bars that usually stay open until the end of the night. Venues are small and intimate, welcoming everyone with a wide mix of music for all tastes and ages. Others have small dance floors. Due to Kalkan's strict principles, loud music broadcasts are avoided in bars.
Would you recommend renting a car in Kalkan?
There are many interesting places around Kalkan. By renting a car, you can have a different experience and get the most out of Kalkan. However, it is not always necessary to rent a car as there are many things that are within walking distance and public transport is available depending on where you are staying. The speed limit in Kalkan is 50 kilometers per hour (30 mph), increasing to 90 kilometers per hour (56 mph) on highways and open roads. If you have an accident or the unfortunate event that your vehicle is damaged in any way, it is necessary to call the police on the scene before moving the vehicle as the insurance will be voided without a police report. You should also contact our local car rental partner immediately and take a photo (if possible) before doing anything else. You will need to carry your passport and driver's license to the vehicle documents and license (normally found in the glove box of drivers' sunglasses). The gendarmerie (traffic police) routinely stops cars and if you are stopped you will be expected to show these documents. Child seats for infants and young children are available free of charge on request. Please indicate the ages of the children so that we can provide a suitable seat for your child.
Are there local health services in Kalkan?
Healthcare is not covered by the EU, so private health insurance is required. Kalkan has a number of private doctors and the closest hospital is in Fethiye.
Medical Center:
Tuana Medical Center (close to Tesko in Kalkan), Squid Road, Kalkan.
Kalkan Medical Center, Kalamar Yolu: (009) 0242 844 1000. There are 2 English speaking doctors.
Chemist:
There are 3 pharmacies in Kalkan
Working hours are normally; 09:00 – 19:30
How is the weather in Kalkan?
The average precipitation ranges from approximately 167 mm/m² in December and January, and between 78-125 mm/m² in February and March.
Storms bring precipitation in the fall and between January and March. But even during this period, the weather is clear and sunny on average 7 days in November, 8 days in December, and 8 days in January and February.
Meltem winds are effective in summer months. They tend to come from the north to the northwest, warm air from the Aegean Sea rises during the day and blows from the land in the evening.
The breezes also have a cooling effect in the summer heat.
Mostly hot, dry and dusty, the Khamsin winds determine high air temperatures but little or no humidity.
Kalkan Event Calendar 💙
What events are there in Kalkan today? What events are there next week? There is a very nice calendar prepared to answer these questions.
If you are coming to Kalkan, be sure to save this calendar to your favourites. https://www.visitkalkan.online/whatson
Also for up-to-date news and posts about Kalkan, follow Tony's Visit Kalkan Facebook and visitkalkanonline Instagram You can also follow the page
We are waiting for your contributions 💙
If you have any questions, suggestions, corrections, or additions to the information on this page, we'd love to hear from you.
Communication: WhatsApp
True Blue Boutique Hotel Kalkan
We have been in Kalkan for 40 years. We are not business owners, we are homeowners. This is our home.
For years, we have been hosting our guests with the motto of “making them feel at home”.
One of the 10 options is surely for you
Suites / Residences / Villas
While the studio with garden terrace and the stone house studio are suitable for 2 adults and 1 child, we can host 4-5 guests in total in 3 different types of 2-bedroom residences. Details on our page.
For large families and groups of friends, 2 villas of 200 m², a jacuzzi, stone walls, 4 bedrooms and large terraces are at your service for your holidays longer than 5 days.
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