Patara Beach is within easy reach, voted the world’s best beach in Sunday Times surveys of 1998 and 2005 – the warm white sands stretch out over an incredible 18 kilometres and only 20 minutes’ drive away from the villa. The shallow sea and continuous sea breeze make it perfect for swimming, wind surfing and horse riding.
Kalkan Beach, Kalkan has a carefully maintained municipal pebble beach.
Kaputas Beach, a sandy beach at the foot of a steep rocky gorge, is also nearby; it regularly features in magazines as one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful and undiscovered beaches.
Canoeing
An exciting day of sun, fun and nature. Canoeing can be had along the beautiful (Esen) river. No canoeing experience required to share and exhilarating day in Patara national park as your experienced guides show you one of the most unspoilt places in the area.
Lycian Way
The famous Lycian Way (www.lycianway.com) is a spectacular walking route along the Lycian coastline, following the line of ancient Roman and Ottoman roads, mule tracks and nomad trails for over 500 kilometres.
With its highest point at about 1800 metres, it leads past limestone peaks, sheer cliffs, deep valleys, secluded coves, coastal plains and white sandy beaches.
The route passes through many of the Lycian archaeological sites, and through the villages of Üzümlü, Kalkan, Kaş and Finike.
You can also take the opportunity to enjoy the Lycian Way via horse back.
In fact, the route passes by Kalkan Mountain Villas.
Cruise and Boat hire
During the day you can take a cruise from Kalkan’s marina to the nearby islands in a wide flat gullet fitted with sun beds. Swim in crystalline blue waters; enjoy lunch on board and afternoon tea before returning to stroll the narrow streets of Kalkan lined with many small shops offering carpets,kilims, silver and gold jewellery, glass and pottery articles and various types of clothing.
Boat and fishing trips are easily arranged – you can rent by the hour, day or week.
Or hire a gullet – a traditional wooden yacht – and take your time cruising around the waters of Kalkan Bay.
Gullet boat trips are also available to the famous sunken city of Kekova.
Deep Sea Diving
From Kalkan marina you can also go deep sea diving with licensed diving instructors.
Restaurants and Bars
In the nearby village of Islamlar you can treat yourself to delicious traditional Turkish food, with fresh local trout the speciality.
Drive the short distance to Kalkan and you’ll be spoilt for choice – a hundred restaurants, eateries and bars, often with live jazz, piano and guitar music.
Feeling Active
If you’re feeling physical, there’s no shortage of sporting activities to choose from.
Water sports include scuba diving, water skiing, jet ski, white water rafting and canoeing.
And if you want to go up….you can take a gentle balloon ride or go parapenting.
Going Shopping
Local produce
Kalkan Market Thursday
Silver ware, carpets, Turkish delight
The town never closes….the amazing thing about Kalkan is that from the moment the town rubs its eyes and slowly wakes up, every shop is open for business till the wee small hours. Friendly shopkeepers will remember you from year to year. A few times I’ve even found I have no money to be greeted by “don’t worry, pay me next time you pass”.