Kalkan Property

Kalkan has been a place of settlement since antiquity with the important location as the only safe harbour between Kas and Fethiye. Kalkan was a very important port during the 19th century - even more so than Fethiye or Antalya, its two larger neighbors.

MYRA - KEKOVA

This is a group of Islands that include Simena and its Castle and the village of Üçagiz. Often referred to as the most scenic ancient ruins along the Lycian coast. Most of the ruins are half submerged in water due to the earthquakes, but still visible. The most notable ruin at Simena is the Sarcophagus that stands in the shallows of the harbour along with Roman Baths dating to 1AD, and a medieval castle with its walls still intact. Kekova is also home to one of the smallest Theatres, seating just 300. Kekova is best reached by boat from Kas, which is twenty minutes from Kalkan.

BEZIRGAN

This authentic Turkish village will delight you. If ever the phrase, the land of milk and honey was appropriate, when talking of Bezirgan it is befitting. Just 17 km from Kalkan it is well worth a visit to see traditional village life. You can view the village on foot or horseback. On you journey through Bezirgan you may witness raw wool being processed and other everyday workings of village life. Fruit orchards are abundant here as are the cattle that gently graze among the fantastic mountain scenery. An ancient Ottoman cemetery also is situated here, as yet unexcavated.

PATARA

Home to impressive ruins and Birthplace of Father Christmas and one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful and undiscovered beaches. 7 km from Xanthos lies the impressive beach of Patara. 18 km of pure white sand that has formed dunes over the ruins of ancient Patara. Here you will see the Theatre 2nd BC which is partially covered by a dune, over 100 ft high. A triple arched gate from the 1BC stands at the entrance of the ruins, nearby is the Necropolis and a Lycian tomb.

XHANTOS - LETOON

The ancient city of Xhanthos was Capital of Lycia and the grandest of Lycian cities. Dating to the 8 Th Cent and surviving up to the 12 Th Cent, Xhanthos has some excellent ruins, just thirty minutes from Kalkan. Located here is the Tomb of Harpies, adorned with scenes from the underworld and winged females transporting souls. Later speculation was that these figures were in fact Sirens taking sailors to their watery graves. This tomb is a Sarcophagus on top of a pillar. Poetry was found inside believed to date to the 3 rd Cent. Xhanthos has a chequered history of destruction and War. Indeed when faced with superior enemies inhabitants would destroy their own city. Towards the end of a war with the Persians, the women of Xhanthos killed themselves before their surrender. This city was virtually intact until 1842 when Sir Charles Fellows and his Crew spent two months removing many of the monuments. Luckily there are still many ruins to be seen at Xhanthos, including a Theatre opposite the Agora, and Lycian pillar Tombs. Amazing ruins and of great historical interest.

SAKLIKENT

Saklikent, is a huge valley and a canyon which goes inside 14 km. It is unbelievably high and narrow between two mountains. A cool refuge on hot summer days, Saklikent is a favorite picnic spot, with rustic restaurants serving delectable fresh trout. You'll have to walk through an ice cold waters to get to the other side of the river, if you want to see the beauties inside the canyon. You can also drink this ice cold water if you want to, because it is a very cold natural spring which comes out just where you walk through! It is so cold that you feel like you are loosing your feet inside the river, even in Summer time. This place was found about 15 years ago by a goat shepherd. And rented the place from the government for 49 years. Now, he runs the cafe-restaurant in Saklikent.

FETHIYE - OLUDENIZ

The popular resort Fethiye, southwest of Kalkan, boasts an important marina at the head of a beautiful bay strewn with islands. A hill crowned by the ruins of the crusader fortress built by the Knights of Rhodes overlooks the little port. Above the town, (called Telmessos in antiquity), numerous Lycian rock tombs,reproducing the facades of ancient buildings, were cut into the cliff face. The Tomb of Amyntas, which probably dates from the fourth century B.C. is the most remarkable. Swimmers head for the popular Calis Beach, four kilometers west of town, or to Sovalye Island, opposite the harbor, which blazes with flowers in the spring. Oludeniz is 12 km. south of the local town, Fethiye. Nestling on the foothills of Babadag mountain a glistening white beach stretches 3 kilometers to a saltwater lagoon. This is now a National Park. The lagoon area is ideal for children learning swim, and lives up to its name... Oludeniz or the Calm Sea.

KAPUTAS

By day Kalkan is a ghost town, as everyone deserts her for the nearby beaches and beach clubs. A dolmus (local bus) from Kalkan centre takes ten minutes and 65p to reach Kaputas Beach, a lovely sandy beach dramatically positioned at the foot of a ravine - though be warned about the many steps! Kaputas is a mountain gorge with a small shingle cove beach under a bridge crossing the gorge, with a steep set of steps up/down to the beach, and a steep drop off into the clear blue sea.

The beach area offers a choice of different cuisines, several bars and shops. As the resort is small, there is a friendly atmosphere, and within a few days you will get to know most of the "locals". On the main beach, from which Rhodes can be spied on clear days, the shingle drops away fast, and after a few steps you are swimming. The beach is backed by family-run hotels, all built within the last 10 years. There are also several holiday villages.