Turkey Holiday Packages – Kalkan – Unspoilt Turkish Delight

Many people who come to Kalkan say that they will never again go anywhere else for their holidays.  Come with me and find out why these people want to keep Kalkan all to themselves.

So what is it that draws people back to Kalkan time and time again?  Well, Kalkan is not a destination of typical Turkey holiday packages.  Oh no.  Kalkan is very special.  Enchanting.  It was an important harbour town until 1970, but when the main Fethiye road was built, it developed very carefully into a tourist resort retaining all of its many charms that I am going to share with you here:

Turkey holiday packages kalkan street, by flickr.com user: slrjester

Stunning Beauty

The town of Kalkan nestles beside its ancient harbour in a sheltered bay at the foot of the Taurus mountains.  Narrow streets are lined with carefully preserved historic buildings almost smothered in brilliantly-coloured bougainvillea, offering stunning views of the bay beyond, staggeringly picturesque with impossibly blue water.

Unlike the resorts you will find on many Turkey holiday packages, Kalkan has been ruled with a rod of iron when is comes to preserving and maintaining the old buildings that give the place so much character, and tourist development has only been allowed on a small scale and in such a way that the natural and man-made history is retained.  But the staggering beauty of Kalkun is just one piece of the jigsaw that will make your holiday here so wonderful..

Eating

It is said that Kalkan has the highest number of restaurants per head than any other town where Turkey holiday packages go.  Now, I cannot verify the truth of this claim, but look – it’s only a small place and there are more than 100, so that IS a lot – and unlike the banal international eateries that you will find on many Turkey holiday packages, many of the restaurants of Kalkan has a somewhat unusual feature:

The unusual thing about restaurants and bars in Kalkan is that many of them are set on roof terraces from where you get the best views over the harbour and the bay beyond – a magical backdrop to your meal.  Eating out here can be rather a sophisticated affair, as there are some cracking top-class restaurants offering a wide range of very high quality dishes.  If you prefer to eat vegetarian, the Ilban and also the Doy Doy have some lovely choices for you.  Black Sea Lamb (!) is a speciality of the Korsan Meze restaurant, and fresh bread, made by a little old lady outside, is served with olives to whet your appetite at Baharat.

Of course, as you would expect, seafood and fish dishes are also a something of a speciality here – the fish on your plate could well have come straight out of the crystal clear water of Kalkan bay that same morning – and what water, what beaches..

Turkey holiday packages - Kaputas beach by flickr.com user: lula1977

Beaches

Kalkan itself also has a pristine blue-flag pebble beach, gently shelving into the clear water and great for swimming whatever your age.  If you prefer your beach to be of the golden sand variety, there is a stunning, unspoiled beach only 10 minutes drive from Kalkan that is at the same time internationally renowned yet totally unspoiled and undeveloped.

I am talking about Kaputas beach, a sheltered cove at the bottom of a steep gorge, where you will find staggeringly turquoise water and clean, golden sand.  This is a real magnet for people on Turkey holiday packages to this area, and you will have to go a very long way to see a prettier beach than this.  Arriving back in Kalkan, after after a reviving shower it’s time to open your eyes to yet another wonderful experience in Kalkan:

Bars

Bars is not a word that does any justice to the heavenly places where you can relax and unwind in Kalkan.  Pre-dinner cocktails at the Kleo bar, with the waves crashing in below, is something you will remember for years to come.  The Utopia has sweeping views across the bay and don’t forget to take your camera at least once to do a “David bailey” on the setting sun.  Sunbathing, eating, drinking – for many, these things are enough for a relaxing holiday, but if you feel the need to be a little adventurous; a little more active – does Kalkun come up to scratch?

Doing Stuff

Whereas some Turkey holiday packages are based around a single man-made resort with nothing of interest for miles, having Kalkan as the base for your holiday in Turkey means, to be honest, that you will be faced with an embarrassment of riches.

About 30 minutes’ drive away is Kas, renowned for its diving schools where you can spend a day in warm, clear water, exploring the dramatic reefs and underwater “walls” for which the area is known.

There are many ancient Lycian sites to explore in the surrounding area, so if you like poking around old ruins, leave the mother-in-law alone for once and head for Patara, Kekova, Arykanda, Letoon or Myra – all within easy driving distance.

The island of Meis – in Greece – is only 20 minutes away from the nearby town of Kas, and a boat trip there is for many people one of the highlights of Turkey holiday packages to this part of the world.  Known as Castellorizo by the Greeks, it is unspoiled, protected, and very beautiful.

Where to Stay

Hotels are low-key in Kalkan, so as to preserve the appearance and feel of the place.  Several Turkey holiday packages will bring you to the cutely named Happy Hotel.  One recent visitor, who recommends the hotel, says: “The rooms are very clean and spacious (my son and I stayed in a sea view suite with an enormous balcony and brilliant views of Snake and Mouse islands). The staff are laid-back and friendly and the facilities for children were excellent.”

Verdict

Kalkun is a very special place and one that captures hearts.  Many of those who come here  become perennial visitors and there is a good chance that you will be one of them if you are not already.
There is limited accommodation in Kalkun, so it’s best not to book at the last minute here.  You can check prices and current availability by clicking this link: Turkey holiday packages.