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Kalkan & Islamlar

The archetypal Mediterranean harbour.

Kalkan is a harbour village set in the heart of the old Lycian region. It is relatively cosmopolitan, with wonderful restaurants and great places to stay. The Taurus Mountains – home to the nearby rural escape of Islamlar – provide a stunning backdrop, whilst the views across the bay are remarkable.

This beautiful and sophisticated bougainvillea-covered harbour town is set in a breathtaking landscape in the heart of the old Lycian region.

The ancient sites of Xanthos, Letoon, Pinara, Tlos and Patara are all close by, with Kekova, Demre, Myra, Phaselis, Olympos and Aspendos slightly further afield, but all easily accessible.

Strict conservation laws have ensured that the heart of the old village retains an authentic ambience that attracts (according to the Sunday Times) the sort of visitor who might also be enchanted by, say, Tuscany or the Dordogne. The result is a discerning mix of predominantly British guests together with Istanbul Turks attracted by Kalkan’s reputation within Turkey.

Winding cobbled streets, colourful shops and excellent harbour-side or roof terrace restaurants and bars are combined with stunning views – whether you are looking up to the dramatic mountains behind the town, or down across the harbour to the broad sweep of the Mediterranean – a view of which we guarantee you will never tire!

The many roof terraces are a highlight of the evenings, a time when Kalkan is at her significant best. You can dine by candlelight to the strains of jazz or classical music whilst admiring the stunning views across the tiled rooftops to the harbour and out to sea.

Kalkan has grown over the past few years, albeit with predominantly private villas being authorised outside the periphery of the old village. Kalkan’s many official ‘Green Areas’ are being carefully preserved and we are genuinely optimistic that Kalkan will retain its special charm and ambience for many years to come.

With so much of interest in the surrounding regions and the village itself, Kalkan is a destination that encourages guests to return time and time again. Whether your interests are historical, cultural, epicurean or you just wish to relax, Kalkan is sure to satisfy.

Kalkan has managed to retain that most elusive of mixtures – an authentic ambience with the relative sophistication that makes it an unusual, picturesque and uniquely welcoming destination.

DINING IN KALKAN
The standard of dining in Kalkan is a wonderful surprise. With restaurant ownership shared between locals and Turks from Istanbul, a wider variation of Mediterranean cuisine is offered than perhaps might be expected from a Turkish town of this size. Certainly, the range and style of cuisine on offer exceeds what is generally available throughout coastal Turkey.

BEACHES & BEACH CLUBS
Swimming and water sport opportunities abound. The town pebble beach has been carefully and attractively extended. There are stunning beaches in the immediate vicinity, with Patara Beach an obvious example.

Patara Beach
With the new road Patara is now just a 30-minute journey by local dolmuş or 15 minutes by car or taxi, and is regularly featured as one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful and undiscovered beaches.

The only building on its entire 18 kilometres of sand is a small café. The only real signs of civilisation are Lycian, with the crumbling ruins of the ancient port of Patara and Letoon scattered along the coastline.

Kaputaş Beach
The dramatic Kaputaş beach is a ten-minute dolmus or taxi ride from Kalkan. It is a beautiful sandy beach found at the foot of a ravine down many, many steps!

Beach Clubs
Several beach clubs complete the swimming options available in Kalkan.

Accessible by water-taxi, taxi or on foot, these clubs are much more than simply platforms cut into the cliff side – they provide a stunning setting and a peaceful haven in which to relax by the water’s edge.

The swimming at the beach clubs is fabulous, with access steps leading directly from the rocks into the clear waters of the bay, some parts of which are freshened by natural underground springs. Most of the clubs also provide water sports for the more active.

Mahal Beach Club
The most elegant of these beach clubs is the Mahal which is available to Exclusive Escapes guests on an entirely complimentary basis.

ISLAMLAR INFORMATION