Kalkan can be found in the district of Kaş, which is in the Antalya Province in Türkiye.
Until the early 1920s, the town was mostly populated by Greeks and called Kalamaki. However, most residents left during the population exchange between Greece and Türkiye in 1923.
Kalkan was an important harbour town until the 1970s as it was one of the only sea ports. Unfortunately it saw a decline in popularity after the road to Fethiye was constructed.
Kalkan has since been revived due to its popularity with tourists. Luckily it has not yet been affected by mass tourism as you are most likely to find cosy restaurants as opposed to noisy nightclubs.
The town itself is nestled at the base of the Taurus Mountains and focussed around a small harbour.
Due to its location close to the mountains, most properties are built on the hillside. It may not be the perfect place to cycle but you can guarantee that nearly every window will have a spectacular view!
Things To Do In / Near Kalkan
Like most coastal resorts Kalkan offers visitors the opportunity to indulge in water based activities. You can take boat trips, go diving or indulge in some aqua sports. The resort also has a range of shops and restaurants which stay open long in to the night during the summer season.
There is also the opportunity to take a day trip to the sunken city at Kekova from Kaş , which is around 30km from Kalkan.
Around 7km from Kalkan you’ll find the stunning and uniquely positioned Kaputaş Beach. However, you’ll need to be fairly fit to negotiate the 187 steps that take you down to the cove. The water here is fairly cold as it mixes with water that comes down from the mountains. Parking can be a challenge so taking a taxi would be highly recommended. It can also get extremely busy in the height of summer.
If you want a quieter beach you can travel to Patara Beach which is around 16km away.
Alternatively, if you enjoy a bit of adventure, you can visit Saklikent Gorge; around 40 minutes away from Kalkan.
If you are interested in hiking the section of the Lycian Way that visits Kalkan, click here to see one of our itineraries.