Turkey leads the list of the most popular tourist destinations. Travelers have come to love it for a long time. Tourist infrastructure is established here, vacationers have plenty of clean beaches, and dozens of hotels are always open to accommodate guests. If you add to this the architectural sights, local flavor and rich nature, then a vacation in this country seems truly ideal.
For those who want to choose the Mediterranean among the many resorts in Turkey for a quiet holiday with their families, the city of Kalkan is ideal. Over the past decade, it has gained great popularity due to its quiet charm, comfortable hotels and wonderful nature.
Where is?
The picturesque city of Kalkan (Turkish means "round shield") is located on the Mediterranean coast (in the western part) on the Teke Peninsula. Nearby is another resort town - Fethiye.
You can get to the resort by air. There are 2 options. You can purchase a ticket:
- to Antalya (the road from the airport to the resort village is 215 km, the trip will take about 4 hours);
- to Dalaman (distance from the airport 180 km).
These options are almost equivalent, so you have to choose according to your taste.
History of Kalkan
Until the 19th century, there was no settlement at all in the place of the modern city, but the convenient bay was actively used as a refuge for ships during severe storms. During the Ottoman Empire, a harbor appeared here, which was called the Greek name Kalamaki. This place was one of the most important ports of the sea trade route.
By the beginning of the 20th century, in Turkey, Kalkan was a fairly large fishing village. The situation changed after the sea routes were less commonly used for trade. The population of the village has declined markedly. Travelers' interest in this corner began to appear only after 1960. It was at that time that English yachtsmen arrived in Kalkan, thanks to which foreigners learned about this village.
Climate and temperature in Kalkan
This part of the peninsula has a rather mild climate. This is largely due to the location of the city. A light, refreshing breeze always blows from the sea, so there is no sweltering heat. At the same time, the bay blocks strong winds.
The temperature in the summer months is usually kept at around +28 degrees. In winter, the thermometer does not fall below +15 degrees. The holiday season starts here in early April, and ends in mid-late October. Despite this, in the winter months there are also many tourists, including from Russia. This option is good for those who are looking for where to relax in Turkey in August. A good pastime is provided by many hotels and restaurants that operate all year round. The advantage of such a holiday is the silence and lack of a large number of tourists, pleasant prices for trips.
sights
Connoisseurs of excursion tourism will enjoy incomparable pleasure strolling around the surroundings of Kalkan.
Islamlar village . Nearby (only 8 km) from the resort is a small fishing village. It is famous for its water farms where trout are bred. You can taste the fish here. High-quality fresh produce is delivered to local restaurants. You can get here from Kalkan by taxi, they ply in large numbers between the nearest cities.
Patara Nature Reserve . It is located west of Kalkan near the ancient Lycian port. Tourists will need only 20 minutes to get there. Centuries ago, this place was the main port on the Lycian coast of Turkey. He gained wide fame because of the temple of Apollo with an oracle located here. You will have to pay (about 3 euros per person) to enter the reserve.
Kalkan beaches
Near the resort town of Kalkan in Turkey is the beach of the same name. It is relatively small and rocky, so it is suitable only for those tourists who are not looking for a sand strip and are good enough at swimming. The clear clear waters of this place are perfect for diving.
More demanding travelers are advised to go to neighboring villages. One of the most famous coastal areas in the vicinity is Kaputash Beach (located at a distance of 7 km). The descent to it goes through steep steps. It is ideal for a classic beach holiday. Golden sand and turquoise waves do not allow to regret traveling here.
Tourists who came to Kalkan should definitely go on a yacht - this is the most popular entertainment in these parts. It is in this way that you can get to the Blue Cave, Snake and Mouse Island.
Where to stay?
In the town there are hotels with different levels of comfort and room rates. At the same time, hotels are significantly different from those that can be seen in Antalya, Belek and other resorts in Turkey. Here the hotels are built in the form of 2- or 3-story buildings.
They are comfortable mini-hotels in which tourists can feel cozy and at home comfortable.
Reviews about holidays in Kalkan
Despite the charm of this place, not everyone can enjoy a vacation in Kalkan (Turkey). This can be judged by the reviews left by travelers.
Among the advantages are called:
- clean sandy beaches in the vicinity (in particular, Kaputash beach );
- thought-out excursion program in historical places;
- tasty local cuisine (various dishes, fresh products);
- long velvet season (a great place in Turkey, where they rest in August and the autumn months).
However, among the reviews there are not so enthusiastic. Most often, among the shortcomings indicate:
- the need for independent planning (few tour operators offer permits to this part of Turkey);
- a long bus ride to the sights (it makes sense to rent a car for travels);
- lack of a lot of entertainment.
The resort town of Kalkan in Turkey is a beautiful and quiet corner, in which hundreds of tourists come annually. This direction should be chosen only for those people who are looking for opportunities for a classic beach and sightseeing vacation. Young people who prefer entertainment and nightlife in this town will be bored.