Kalkan, Turkey

Kalkan is a small town nestling on the Turkish Lycian coast less than two hours ride from Dalaman airport which is serviced by low-cost airlines. This is an historic fishing town with wonderful Ottoman Greek architecture, little winding streets and alleyways to explore both day and night. The old buildings are still traditionally whitewashed giving the town a very old Mediterranean feel. The historic ancient harbour is the focal point of life in this traditional fishing town.

There is no mass tourism here - this is a place for a calm easygoing sun-drenched and relaxing holiday. By day, the town is quiet, particularly in the hot afternoon sun when most tourists take a very short hop on a boat to one of the unspoilt, beautiful local sandy beaches to laze the day away under an umbrella.

You can swim in the absolutely crystal azure waters where you will always be able to spot fish swimming in the warm shallows. If you like something a little more energetic, there are snorkelling and scuba diving trips with a good chance of seeing some of the many exotic sea creatures such as barracudas, stingrays and seals.

Nightfall brings the streets to life as locals and tourists emerge after the long hot day into the cooler evening air. There are many shops that are open until very late that you can browse and haggle your way through. They sell a large variety of traditional local wares such as Turkish Delight and traditional ‘evil eye’ blue glass jewellery. Gold and silver are also available at very reasonable prices and in unique Turkish designs.

No trip to Turkey is complete if you don’t spend time in a shop selling kilims - the traditional hand woven and knotted rugs. You will find local people here slightly different from other Turkish areas as they are not inclined to hassle you into buying. They seem to have a more laidback approach to selling their goods.

There is no wild nightlife in Kalkan but that is not to say there is nothing going on. There are, way over one hundred bars and restaurants in this small town. One great feature is large numbers of bars and eating places are located on rooftop terraces giving wonderful views out over the harbour and sea while you enjoy a glass of raki (a local strong aniseed drink), or sample the excellent local freshly-caught seafood cooked in traditional Turkish style.