Kalkan is situated in the heart of the Lycian region in South Western Turkey which is home to many ancient sites and places of interest. These are just a few example of some of the places to see - day trips can be arranged via various agencies in the village (our recommendation would be ABI Travel - www.abitravel.net - a well-established agency who operate a small programme of well-run excursions to some interesting places).

Xanthos

Xanthos, the ancient Lycian capital, was buried under an earthquake and is still being excavated. You will see a magnificent amphitheatre, several monuments and the ruins of a large church with some clearly visible coloured mosaics.

Letoon

This was an important religious centre for Lycian people and has remains of temples to Leto, Artemis and Apollo. It also has an amphitheatre and the remains of many buildings.

Kekova, Ucagiz & Kale

A day trip to Kekova, Ucagiz and Kale could be the highlight of your stay in the Lycian region. Usually reached by boat from Kalkan or nearby Kas, this little bit of the coast is full of history and surprises. A typical day trip will include the sites of three ancient cities - Aperlae, Teimiussa and Simena (Kale). The island of Kekova will probably be the next stop on the itinerary and here you will be able to see the remains of buildings beneath your boat. A couple of swimming/snorkelling stops are usually scheduled also.

Saklikent Gorge

This is home to the rushing torrent of the Xanthos river, which has carved itself into the rock. With the aid of a guide and a ropeway, it is quite safe to enter the gorge if you don't mind getting wet - a great way to cool off on a scorching hot day.

Kas

The slightly bohemian town of Kas is a 30 minute drive away from Kalkan (roughly 25km). The stunning coastal road snakes its way along the edge of a rocky coastline providing truly spectacular views out to sea. It’s well worth a visit just for the journey alone! Kas itself is situated in a sweeping curved bay (the name ‘Kas’ translates as ‘curved’). It was first mentioned in Lycian times as ‘Antiphellos’ and the modern town is built on the ancient site with the ruins of Antiphellos still scattered around the town. Wandering around the winding streets, you may stumble across the ancient sarcophagus. Out of town, 500 metres along from the harbour on the Hastane Caddesi Road, sits a small well-preserved Hellenistic amphitheatre. Situated behind the amphitheatre on the top of a hill is a Doric tomb.

Local Villages

Many of the villages around Kalkan remain untouched by tourism and their way of life has remained unchanged for centuries. Bezirgan Village is 11km inland and has several Lycian rock tombs to explore. Islamlar is situated in a cool, green valley next to Kalkan. The village itself has a rambling collection of old houses, a beautiful mosque and an original water-powered flour mill. It’s also famous for its trout farms and restaurants (typical food on offer consists of freshly prepared local meze, fried goats cheese, local trout and fresh fruit – delicious!).

Scuba Diving

The waters off Kalkan provide some of the best venues for scuba diving along the Mediterranean. If you’re interested in arranging a dive, there is an excellent dive centre based in Kalamar Bay. Please click here for further information.

Watersports

For watersports enthusiasts, Kalkan offers a wide array of activities, including water-skiing, ringos, jet-skiing and bananas. These activities are available from most of the previously mentioned Beach Clubs.

Canoeing

Canoeing along the Xanthos River is an exhilarating way to spend the day. A typical day tour usually includes a stop at a mud bath, lunch and a few hours at Patara Beach.

Gulet Cruising

A lazy day at sea will include a BBQ style lunch, afternoon tea and several interim stops at various bays for swimming & snorkelling. A very relaxing experience!

Walking

The lush green countryside, fertile plains and rolling hills that surround Kalkan are perfect for long walks. There are a series of well-known trails to explore and the area also boasts a diverse array of wildlife (storks, eagles, tortoises and snakes to name a few).

Other options open to you, include Jeep Safari’s, Parascending or Horse Riding. Our agent in Kalkan can provide you with further information and in some cases, can arrange tours / excursions for you. 

© Villa Dolluca

Villa Dolluca, Kalkan, Turkey