Kalkan, Turkey. A place that draws you back time and time again. April 2024
As avid travelers it is hard to go back somewhere when there are so many places to visit and see, however Kalkan may be the exception!
Kalkan is a village in South Turkey, what was originally a fishing village has expanded into an expat heaven, with lots of villas that are owned / rented by expats who are drawn back to this idyllic town.
We arrived at Dalaman airport, the drive to Kalan is about two hours, and as such we booked a private taxi, which boosted to be a “party” taxi, with a large screen TV, Netflix and youtube it kept Frankie entertained for what felt like a short journey.
We stayed at “Asfiya Sea View Hotel” (https://www.asfiyaseaviewhotel.com/) which was a smallish boutique hotel, upon arrival we were advised that it was just us and one other couple staying at the hotel. This did change over the time we were there, but it was never busy. We had booked a swim up room, and felt like we had a private pool for majority of our stay.
It was an easy walk into the town which took no more than 10-15 minutes. We found two routes, the first was taking the backroads, the second took you through the greenery heading down to the ocean then following the sea road until we hit town. Both are easily walkable, but Kalkan is built into the mountains and as such there is always a hill.
This was very much a relaxing trip, and as such we spent most of the time by the pool. Kalkan while on the Mediterranean Sea, there is only a small beach, but with plenty of beach clubs there is a feast of things to do.
We are planning to return during 2025, so will venture out of the town more, but for now here is a list of our recommendations:
Weather
We visited in June, which is usually one of the cooler summer months and the start of the season. However when we visited temperatures hit 38 degrees, and everyone we met told us this is very unseasonal.
Restaurants.
OK don’t be fooled, what may look like a boring, quiet restaurant from the road, but when you venture up to the roof, you will be treated to the most amazing selection of roof top restaurants this wonderful town has to offer, we really didn’t have a bad meal or experience so here is the selection of the ones we visited (and will go back !)
Baharat – (https://kalkanbaharat.net/) – a great steak and meat restaurant ! the meat is cooked in front of you on a portable BBQ – ladies watch out for your hair.
Indigo Beach Bar – (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g297964-d3335088-Reviews-Indigo_Beach_Club-Kalkan_Turkish_Mediterranean_Coast.html) This is a lovely beach bar down by the harbour, we had lunch here on more than one occasion, and a great place for sun downers in the evening.
Luna Restaurant – (https://www.instagram.com/lunarestaurantkalkan/) We had amazing fish here, the childrens portion were basically adult sizes. Try their traditional lamb dishes you will not be disappointed.
Pasta House – (https://www.facebook.com/gpkalkanpastahouse/) Also a cooking school, great fun, and great for the kids.
Tempus – (https://www.facebook.com/Tempusrestaurantbar/) – amazing views, albeit the food was good but not as good as others we had during the week.
Belgin Kitchen – (https://www.facebook.com/belginskitchen/) – this is a very quirky traditional Turksih restaurant, you have a choice of sitting at a table or on the floor in a Bedouin tent set up, lovely food and great atmosphere
Lal – (https://www.facebook.com/p/LAL-Restaurant-Kalkan-100063674166259/) maybe one of the best, you must try it !
Mey – (https://www.facebook.com/p/Mey-Meze-Terrace-Restaurant-100065119967004/) This was one we kept wanting to try and ended up their on our last night, cant recommend high enough !
Cocktails and Bars
Gusto (https://www.facebook.com/p/Gusto-Lounge-Cocktail-Bar-61559704860600/) In the main harbour, we stopped here a couple of times for early evening cocktails, what isn’t there to love about cocktails, sunsets and a harbor !
Backyard no. 10 (https://www.facebook.com/BackyardNo10kalkan/) Our favourite, hidden down a side street, with tables on the street, amazing cocktails for the end of the evening, we may of gone here virtually every night, and never failed to impress us!
Pirate Café (https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g297964-d6962704-r711487029-Johnny_s_cafe_bar_restaurant-Kalkan_Turkish_Mediterranean_Coast.html) Hidden away, and near the hotel we stayed at. A small bar on the side of the road, that meant we didn’t need to eat in the hotel on our last day, not worth a trip, but if you are passing, stop by !
Beach Bars and Activities.
Zest Beach Club (https://zestbeach.com/) Kalkan is all about beach clubs as the beach itself is very small, we went to Zest which is nestled in the rock, it is spread over 4-3 levels, with multiple pools, access to the sea and a number of restaurants. Quite pricey but nice for a day.
Falcon Cruise – eclipse boat (https://www.kalkanboattrip.com/) Getting a boat is still one of our favourite things to do, we hired the Eclipse boat for a morning, and had it to ourselves. The price was very reasonable. The wooden boat is very authentic, and we were taken around a number of different places where we could swim off the boat. While we only had it for half a day, a full day hire with lunch is available. We have already rebooked it for our next visit.
Lures beach club (https://lureshotel.com/en) We stopped here on our way back to the hotel, for lunch. A lovely beach club, very modern and the food was amazing – will aim to go back for a day next time we are in town.
Coffee shop
Moc coffee (https://moc.com.tr/) Kalkan isn’t overrun with western coffeeshops, but I did find this one that had amazing home made cake and the coffee was well worth the walk, a little way from the town, but if you are passing stop in and grab a coffee and some cake.
