Kalkan Things to Do

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Great for kids and adults alike. Whether it's just sun bathing or getting involved in all the water sports, it has to be the best place in town.
Food is excellent and if you can't forget about work, then there's internet access.
Free to use canoes and pedalos.
Sun beds and shades are 9Ytl for the day.

Kalkan has lots of watersports, offered near beach clubs. This picture is from Aquasports at the Kalamar Beach Club (in Kalamar Bay). They have ringo, banana, water skiing, jet skiing, pedaloes and canoeing. They also rent out masks and snorkles (2 TL ). A friendly bunch of young lads!

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Kalkan has a perfectly fine local pebble beach just to the east of the harbour but it’s worth making the effort to take the 10 minute dolmus trip round to Kaputas beach which is a gorgeous unspoilt sandy cove at the foot of a mountain gorge. It’s only 150m long and the only way up and down is via a considerable number of steps. There are no facilities of any kind so bring everything you’ll need for the day with you. The sea here is a brilliant shade of azure blue with bright turquoise shallows at the water’s edge.

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We were taken on a day boat trip by Mehmet, on the Mardi Grass, (yes grass!). Wonderful sunshine, calm sea and plenty of factor 25.
One of the stops was to a very pebbly beach, which did not seem to bother Mehmet, who ran over them to collect a bucket of grey dirt. This he mixed with water and then let us cover ourselves in it and stand there for 15 mins to dry, then wash off in the surprisingly warm, crystal clear sea. Our skin was surprisingly smooth, we noticed, when re-applying sunscreen on the boat as we waited for lunch to be served, a mezze followed by a tasty chicken dish with Turkish rice. We watched a local man fishing beside us until another boat barged in and spoilt his fishing for the day. (not a happy bunny!!)
We moved on to another island and to cool off (this is an understatement) FREEZING water, only slightly warmer than the gorge, those who have visited the gorge will know exactly what I mean! Tea and cake were served then gently sailed back to harbour. WONDERFUL.

Hello!

I am living in Kas ( a small town very close to Kalkan) And here is many cafes which you can watch live footbal match. I am sure it would be also possible to watch matches in Kalkan.

Also I suggest you to see Kas when you come to Kalkan. Really nice place!

Enjoy your trip

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Sidyma is a less frequented site - which suited us we had the village virtually to ourselves. Its a scenic winding journey over mountain roads - perhaps what puts many off. The road has been improved in recent years, the last section is still a dirt track but quite passable in the car.
The village encompasses part of the long distance hiking path - The Lycian way. We parked in the main square amongst the trees, wondering where to go but soon a lady from the village greeted us and showed us the main ruins of the area - I doubt we would have known where to look without her - she took us over stones walls and fields to proudly show us the ancient relics. Note the double tomb of a father and son, one of the occupants was a court physician honoured by the emperors. Sidyma is totally unspoilt, a rare chance to see a Lycian site much like those seen by the first European explorers. The village of Dodurga has been charmingly built among the remains too incorporating pillars as props in some places. The village mosque has been made out of the stones too and look out for the inscription on its back wall referring to the deities

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Xanthos was one of the six principal cities of Lycia - the capital city of Lycia for much of its history too - so this site within easy reach of Kalkan (by trip or Dolmus) is a definite must. It is one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Turkey and hence has been registered in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. Lots of info on the web site but of note are the pilar tombs (unique to Lycia) and the Harpy column tomb with frieze - original in the British museum thank to the site's discover, Charles Fellows. I really must have a visit there next time in London to see the best artifacts such as the Nereid Monument, a very large and elaborate Lycian tomb dating from about 380 BC.

The "Harpy Tomb" is so called as it was believed that the winged women figures in the frieze were harpies (monsters from Greek mythology with the head of a woman and the body of a bird).
As well as many tombs there is also an Amphitheatre, dating from the 2nd century AD, recently excavated street, once lined with shops on both sides and probably once spanned by an arched gate. At the south-east of the excavated road are the remains of an arcade of shops and a Byzantine Basilica - so plenty to see here.

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Another favourite spot re-visited was the gorge of Saklikent. Saklikent Gorge is the second-largest (20 km-long) gorge in Europe, the longest and deepest gorge in Turkey and always a popular excursion - open from the April 1 to September 30. Again much more touristic now but the fee is still ridiculously cheap (about £1) and we had the chance to explore the gorge much further than before - I braved the icy cold water this time to cross into it and had my picture taken as a souvenir. The shape of the rocks and the high cliffs is an amazing sight. and parts are so narrow you have to squeeze over large boulders. Afterwards there are lovely restaurants with Turkish seating over the river - a wonderful place to relax and enjoy a meal. Boards over the water take you so far - then you have to cross the water - knee deep and fast flowing. Wear swim shoes - these can be hired if you don't have any. Any problems and willing hands will help you - for a small fee of course ;-0