Make use of the small beach adjacent to the harbour for local sea bathing, or travel just a few miles to experience the dramatic and beautiful Kapatus beach, a scene from paradise itself (accessible by  dolmus water taxi and taxi).  A little further out lies Patara beach which offers 18 km of beautiful sand covered shoreline.

Join a boat trip to explore the outlying islands, or for real indulgence, charter a gullet from the harbour in order to explore this incredible coastline.  Drop anchor for lunch in your private bay, or take a dip in the turquoise waters.

For the more active, water sports such as jet-skiing, banana rides, water skiing, power boating and parasailing are available in the harbour or at the local beach clubs.  Scuba diving is also a great way to explore these rich waters.

Kalkan, being part of Lycia, is an area surrounded by sites from antiquity and the modern world alike.  Within an easy drive are many centres of interest.

Taurus Mountains that rise steeply from the Mediterranean offer a fantastic and unique backdrop to the turquoise coast.  This natural wonder contains a diversity of flora and fauna.

Walking Opportunities

Kalkan, being part of Lycia, is an area surrounded by sites from antiquity and the modern world alike.  Within an easy drive are many centres of interest.

Taurus Mountains that rise steeply from the Mediterranean offer a fantastic and unique backdrop to the turquoise coast.  This natural wonder contains a diversity of flora and fauna.

Boat Trips

In addition to the trips available directly in Kalkan harbour you can book trips from nearby Kas.  This town itself is worth a visit and from here boat trips are daily to the Greek Island of Meis and the not to be missed sunken city at Kekova-Simena.  Here you can sail past staircases that descend into the depths and view the ruins of Simena through the blue waters.  By contrast the preserved part of this ancient city stands proudly and upon the hill top Lycian ruins acting as foundations for the more recent crusader castle.  This castle was built by the Knights of St. John who made the relatively nearby Greek Island of Rhodes there headquarters following the fall of the Holy Lands.

Lycian Historical Sites and Ancient Cities

The Lycian may be a lesser known civilisation from the ancient world perhaps partly due to their success.  The Lycians were enjoying political calm under the Democratic Lycian Federation long before other ancient civilisations could subdue the endless infighting.  This galvanising of the Lycian City states ensured independence for Lycia and allowed their peaceful and prosperous existence to endure.  Today of course Lycia is more famous for its enduring burial tombs that dot the coastline throughout the region.

Xanthos was the capital city of Lycia the ruins of which are quite proximate to Kalkan and well worth a visit.  In addition to the monuments the site itself affords spectacular views of the Xanthos valley and the Taurus Mountains.  If hiring a car for just the day make the most of it and combine Xanthos with a visit to Saklilent Gorge.

Patara was the major port to Lycia and one of the six principal Lycian cities.  It can be visited in conjunction with taking in Patara beach which is a wonder in itself.  Not far from Patara is
Letoon which although not a Lycian city was its spiritual heart.  The remains of the three temples each dedicated to one of their three deities take centre stage at the site.

Somewhat more remote is the ancient city of Pinara.  Sitting high on a mountainside it is reached via a twisty track type road.  The city is immersed in the wonderful mountainside

flora and fauna creating a really peaceful setting and the visitor will be assured of sharing the site with only a handful of others.

Myra is off the main road to the east of Kalkan towards Finike.  The rock tombs above the amphitheatre cut into the cliff are quite a site.  St. Nicholas was bishop here in the 4th century and the church of St. Nicholas with his empty sarcophagus can be visited.

Places of Interest

Kalkan

Kalkan descends to the sea in terraces of whitewashed houses, with cobbled streets and a pretty harbour.  After sunset, dine out at a roof top restaurant or wander around the Aladdin’s caves that line the principle streets.  Every Thursday there is a colourful market, providing fruit and vegetables, shoes, clothes, gifts and house wares.

There are simple restaurants serving fresh trout or chicken, salads, goat cheese, Mezze and fresh fruit.  All can be eaten whilst taking in the wonderful views of Kalkan and Patara in the distance, to the music of the mountain streams.  Walking in this immediate region or along the Lycian Way is nothing but spectacular.

Berzigan 11km – by car, taxi
Watch carpets being woven and view the traditional Turkish village.

Patara – 21km – by car, taxi, or dolmus (bus)
Stunning underdeveloped and protected 12km long stretch of soft golden sand, where evocative ruins of a one a fine city protrude out of the encroaching sand dunes.   Beach closes every night for the nesting turtles to lay their eggs.  Patara was also a wealthy naval and trading port in Lycia until the 7th Century AD when the Xanthos river silted up.  Now it is a national  park rich in wildlife living amongst the ruins of the old city.

Kas – 25km – by car, taxi or dolmus (bus)
Another picturesque harbour town, with a warren of cobbled streets full of colourful shops and antiques.  Kas is the site of the ancient Lycian port of Antiphellos and still boasts sarcophagi, an amphitheatre and a collection of cliff tombs.

Kaputas – 7km – by car, taxi or dolmus (bus)
This is a dramatic sand and pebble cove at the mouth of a steep sided gorge, five minutes taxi drive from Kalkan.

Saklikent Gorge – 50km – by car, taxi or organised trip
This is Turkey’s deepest gorge which is best explored by paddling through its cool waters.

Fethiye Market – 80km – by car, taxi or dolmus (bus)
Held every Tuesday, it is the largest in the area and an absolute must for all you bargain hunters.  Haggle for designer shoes, clothes, bags and gifts.  Taste delicious Turkish Delight, fruit teas, and stock up on spices fresh fruit and vegetables bursting with flavour.  Why not take time out and try the local kebabs or pancakes, all freshly prepared in time-honoured fashion.

Olu Deniz – 83km
Cruise along the reed-beds, where the African Queen was filmed, admiring the dramatic scenery as you pass the ancient tombs on our way to the beautiful unspoilt Iztuzu beach, famous as a nesting site for Loggerhead Turtles.  Then wallow and rejuvenate in the famous sulphur mud baths, which are said to knock years of your appearance.

Pinara – 40km
Religious centre dedicated to Apollo, Athena and Aphrodite.  Many large house type tombs including the ‘Royal Tomb’, free standing sarcophagi, and a 2nd Century BC Amphitheatre built to accommodate 3200 people.

Kekova – 40km by car, taxi, organised trip or boat
Take a boat trip to Kekova, the sunken city.  From Kas you can take an elegant Gulet to explore the mostly submerged remains of the ancient Lycian City of Kekova, where the remains of the city and its harbour are just below the surface after an earthquake caused a down shift in the land mass.

Adventure Activities

DIVING
Kalamar beach club offers Diving in the best areas with wrecks, caves and reefs to explore, whether experienced or a complete beginner.

PARAGLIDING IN KAS OR OLU LDENIZ
For all you thrill seekers, why not jump off tops of mountains and glide over the dramatic scenery.

GULET TRIPS
Take a relaxing cruise around Kalkan bay on a graceful wooden Gulet.  Explore hidden coves, beaches and islands or snorkel in the clear blue water.  Alternatively take a romantic moonlight cruise and dine under the stars.

KAYAKING CANOEING
Kekova is a favourite for sea kayaking, or you could try canoeing along the Xanthos river behind Patara beach.

HORSE RIDING
Saddle up, head off across Patara beach and beyond into the National Park.

CANYONING
Saklilkent Gorge may be the perfect place for abseiling down water falls, jumping off boulders, or swimming through clear water pools.

WHITE WATER RAFTING
If you want to cut through the mountains, riding the Dalaman river rapids, then this is the day out for you.  Not for the faint hearted.

HIKING
Lycia has a wonderful variety of walking experiences.  Pine and Cedar clad slopes lead away from tiny coves up steep mountains affording glorious views over countryside and the Mediterranean Sea.

If you like a challenge, the n the Lycian Way is perfect.  Beginning in Fethiye, the 509km trail leads to Antalya, predominantly over way marked footpaths and old mule trails.  Pension houses, small hotels, private homes all welcome walkers or you can camp out under the stars.

MOUNTAIN BIKING \ JEEP SAFARI
Enjoy the spectacular wooded mountains, authentic Turkish villages, streams and valleys, the easy way.  One way descents, by mountain bike leading from mountain top to the sea, all down hill!  Alternatively, you can go by 4x4.