Arriving at the stunning
bay of Kalkan is a breathtaking experience.
Descending down from the surrounding hills and awesome mountains to this
quaint luxury Mediterranean resort and ancient fishing town nestled on the
‘Turquoise Coast’ of Turkey makes visitors truly fall in love at first sight
with Kalkan.
From the initial vision
of the sparkling blue sea and lush green tropical planting to the ancient
narrow streets and quaint white washed stone buildings it is clear that Kalkan
is one of the most romantic and tranquil settings in the World. Visitors take pleasure in the stunning views
from the roof top restaurants over a candle lit meal enjoying the magnificent
view of the sea and splendid sunsets.
Kalkan has not been
touched by mass tourism and exists as an example of tasteful sophistication for
visitors who wish to totally relax and rejuvenate. With only the necessary number of quality restaurants
and cafes serving delicious local produce and the quaint boutiques offering tasteful
gifts; Kalkan maintains its beautiful atmosphere of unspoilt luxury.
The local architecture is
strongly influenced by the closely neighbouring Greek Islands with original
carved ottoman timber balconies covered with masses of brightly coloured
bougainvillea cascading onto the ancient streets lined with petite original
stone houses.
An old Greek Orthodox Church,
now used as a mosque, can be found in the small town square. From there, traditional houses with small
courtyards and hidden gardens line the streets beautifully down to the harbour
of Kalkan Bay and the Mediterranean Sea beyond.
From the beach and bay private
boat tours are available to visitors wishing to lose themselves and totally
relax for the day in the warm turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Diving and snorkelling are highly recommended
as the coves are full of ancient ruins and exciting marine life.
Shopping in
Turkey is always a pleasure from the famous leather and jewellery boutiques to
the wonderful bargains to be had in the weekly local markets. Kalkan boasts its own local market (Bazaar) every
Thursday in the old town square.
Understandably, visitors
to Kalkan and the surrounding areas are drawn to the beautiful beaches and sea
sides of the Mediterranean. Close to
Kalkan are many beaches to visit all with their own distinct attractions and
natural beauty:
Kalkan beach has recently been awarded the prestigious ‘Blue Flag’ for its clean beaches and
waters. It is possible to swim and enjoy
the sea here for at least nine months of the year. If desired, a whole holiday
can be spent totally relaxing by the turquoise sea at this gorgeous beach. There is enough space to find an entirely
private area on the beach for complete tranquillity and peace.
A mere 10min
journey by road towards the nearby Kas resort is Kaputas Beach. It is located at the mouth of the Kaputas
Canyon, an amazing location shown in several Turkish travel advertisements. The World famous Kaputas Beach is reached by
187 steps to the bottom of the canyon; fresh mountain water cascades down and joins
the sea water which causes a bright and magnificent turquoise colour.
Patara beach is located
near the ancient city of Patara and is one of the greatest and most beautiful
beaches in the World. At 18 km, it is
the longest and the most magnificent beach in Turkey. The crystal clear water is shallow and the
beach is pure fine golden sand making it perfect for families with children. The continuous gentle breeze makes it suitable
for wind surfing and cooling visitors on hot summer days.
Patara beach
is famous for the yearly return of Caretta Turtles who bury their eggs in the vast
area of perfect sand and wait in safety to hatch and return to the sea. Due to these amazing creatures visiting Patara,
the beach is a protected area of natural beauty and is fiercely preserved for
future generations of turtles.
Gerenlik
beach can be reached by boat from Kalkan harbour as it is a place that can only
be reached from the sea. Close to Firnaz
village, the most famous characteristic of Gerenlik beach is the remarkable natural
mud-bath which, many believe can make skin look and feel younger.
Ellyhan have a beautiful range of apartments, villas and holiday rental properties available for purchase in and around this area. Enquiries can be made through the website or by contacting the Ellyhan sales team directly.