Kalkan Turkey October 2022
What an amazing combination of hot sunny weather, delicious food, jaw dropping views, amazing friends and loads of fun. Our week was simply perfect at Villa Sapphire. Kalkan is the prettiest town with charming, cobbled streets, a weekly local market and top-notch rooftop restaurants.
The food and drink in Kalkan were incredible! It's always a real highlight of travelling to Turkey. Kalkan's best restaurants are hidden high up above street level, in a series of small rooftop restaurants. Lit with twinkling fairy lights, these little gems serve up delicious fresh food with views over the pretty town and harbour below. Luxury beach clubs offer the indulgence of fresh cocktails delivered to your sun lounger, and local markets are overflowing with produce, showcasing local flavours and ingredients.
We visited Likya Residence & Spa, a luxurious adult-only retreat a short stroll from the heart of the charming harbour town of Kalkan. Most impressive here is the terrace restaurant with a wide menu of delicious Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine, a fabulous spot to marvel at the stunning views over Kalkan and out to sea. This excellent restaurant is probably one of the best, if not ‘the’ best in Kalkan. All the light, airy and incredibly spacious rooms and suites offer unrivalled sea views and have a large balcony or terrace, a superb spot to sit and watch the sun go down over the deep blue Mediterranean.
Asfiya Sea View Hotel, a modern boutique hotel with sea views from every angle and in an exceptional location, within a stone's throw of the centre of Kalkan. With only 34 stylish en-suite rooms, 15 have their very own plunge pools, 3 rooms have direct access to the communal swimming pool, and all enjoy breathtaking sea views. Guests are invited to use the nearby Yali Beach Club, easily accessible on foot, a 10-minute stroll downhill from the hotel. Parasols and day beds are scattered on rocky platforms and waiter and towel service is available to your daybed.
A highlight of any time in Turkey is the opportunity to visit a Turkish hammam, which offers a classic hamman experience with intense steam room massage and exfoliation with lots and lots of bubbles!
There's also loads of things to do in Kalkan and the area, from luxury beach clubs to boat trips for lunch and snorkelling and easy access to Saklikent Gorge and Patara beach. There's a local market every Thursday, which was a great experience. Bougainvillea spirals from every house in Kalkan, and the sunsets here are breath taking. A perfect holiday!
Here are my top tips from Kalkan:
General: - Taxis to/from the centre are 60 to 100 lira (£3 to £5) each way in Kalkan. - Cash is king in Kalkan! British pounds or Turkish lira are both widely accepted. There are several ATMs dotted around town. - You will need to prebook almost everything in Kalkan over peak summer months, it does get very busy. You will need reservations for a boat trip, tables at restaurants, hammam and sunbeds at beach clubs.
Restaurants: - Rooftop restaurants we tried in central Kalkan include Blue Terrace, Kalamaki and Lal, all excellent with amazing views. Book ahead! - Trio is on the waterfront overlooking the harbour and has amazing food and service is second to none. Go here for balloon bread! (Authentic Turkish Lavas Puff Bread) - Likya Residence & Spa hotel has an incredible restaurant, with a terrace that overlooks the bay. - If staying in a villa or apartment then you can get pizza /pide/ kebabs delivered, and inexpensive too. The supermarkets also offer a shopping delivery service.
Hammam: - We had the hammam starter package at Nur & Hakan Spa at Elixir Boutique Hotel, which was so good we went twice! Two people go in at a time. - The spa/hammam at Lykia Residence hotel is also lovely.
Things to Do: - Don’t miss trips to nearby Salikent Gorge and Patara Beach. It’s inexpensive to get taxis there or use local dolmus (minibuses which act as public buses and are fast and cheap) for an authentic taste of travelling in Turkey. - Kalkan has a colourful weekly market every Thursday morning, don’t miss the fresh orange juice, and pancakes that are made in front of you while you wait. - BSG handbags in the centre of Kalkan have the best reputation for ‘genuine fakes’ and have a great selection of real leather handbags that look just like the real thing!
Boat Trip: - Common consensus is that Eylul boat is the best. Lunch on the boat was utterly delicious, and we stopped at beautiful bays to swim/snorkel.
Beach Clubs: - Zest: We thought this was the best one. Book well in advance for Bali beds/ the best location. Built in 2019, it has a huge infinity pool and really comfy sunbeds. Access to the sea is from steps and platforms. You can get a free shuttle bus here from the harbour to/from the club. - Yali Beach club: has a couples/adult’s atmosphere, not so great with kids. - Indigo: right by the harbour. - Kalamar is the most basic of the beach clubs, but has a restaurant/bar and a sea trampoline for kids, kayaks etc. Very family friendly. Lovely at sunset, as it faces west.
Call me to plan your holiday in Kalkan, I can find you the perfect Kalkan holiday from hotels to apartments and private villas.