Located on the stunning Turkish Riviera, the charming coastal town of Kalkan is one of the best-kept secrets on the Turquoise Coast of Turkey. With its crystal-clear bay, luxury beach clubs, rooftop restaurants, and vibrant nightlife, Kalkan offers the perfect mix of beauty, luxury and hospitality for the lucky holiday maker.
Whether you’re here for the beach life, delicious food, high-end shopping, or cultural excursions, Kalkan delivers in every way.
The Stunning Bay of Kalkan and Its Famous Beach Clubs
One of the biggest attractions in Kalkan is its gorgeous bay, framed by lush hillsides and dotted with whitewashed villas. The sea here is warm, calm, and exceptionally clear, ideal for swimming, snorkelling, and paddleboarding.
Kalkan is home to some of the best beach clubs in Turkey, each offering a unique experience. Most beach clubs are built into the rocks with terraces, wooden platforms, and easy sea access via ladders or jetties. We decided we needed to sample Beach Club life for ourselves.
Beach Clubs in Kalkan
Palm Beach Club Kalkan: A standout spot known for its relaxing atmosphere, sun loungers nestled under staggered wooden platforms with an upscale food and drink offer. Must try cocktails include the Basil Tree which is a super refreshing and the Palm Beach Martini with its real citrus tang. It offers the cutest free water taxi from the harbour, a sea trampoline and amazing cocktails by the sea. The view out over the bay is breathtaking
There is even a small beach which slopes gently into the glittering green water. Plus a small cave to explore under the rocks. You won’t find a warmer welcome than from Hash and his wife Charlotte and the Palm Beach Boys many of whom have worked here for decades and are childhood friends of the owner.
The Indigo Beach Club:
This stylish club is also worth a mention. It has decking platforms and sunbeds right over the water. It is perfect for sunbathing and enjoying lunch with panoramic views. Indigo beach club is in a great location right down by the harbour. It is super popular with locals and visitors alike. Family friendly film nights on Thursdays are very popular and the Indigo is a real part of the local community hosting fundraising events for organizations like KAPSA (Kalkan association for the protection of street animals). Street animals are often an important part of people’s holiday experience and if you see a dog here with a tag on its ear you know someone is looking out for its welfare.
Dining in Kalkan: Rooftop Restaurants and Local Cuisine
Chicken with pomegranate sauce
Kalkan is famous for its rooftop restaurants. Diners enjoy fresh, locally sourced food while gazing out over the bay at sunset. The town’s elevated position means that almost every rooftop offers incredible sea views. There’s nothing quite like being high up looking out over the most beautiful bay with the lamps gently swaying in the breeze being served delicious food with fine wine by friendly locals.
Kalkan’s cuisine blends Mediterranean flavours with Turkish tradition, including favourites like grilled sea bass, lamb shish, aubergine dishes, and homemade baklava.
Kalkan Nightlife: Chic Bars and Open-Air Cafés
Evenings in Kalkan are pretty laid back. The town boasts a range of stylish bars, open-air cafés, and courtyard lounges. You can enjoy everything here from a glass of Turkish wine to a carefully crafted gin and tonic.
For daytime indulgence, head to Eskiev Café, a beautifully designed spot offering refreshing iced coffees, smoothies, and homemade pastries—a perfect spot to break up a morning of shopping or sunbathing.
High-End Shopping in Kalkan Old Town
Shopping for magnets (or cats?) – Kalkan
Shopping in Kalkan is a delight. The cobbled streets of the Old Town are filled with boutique shops and artisan stalls selling unique Turkish goods. My favourites are the hand painted ceramics perfect for presents, or just to use with pleasure at home.
Turkey is famous for its high quality cotton. You can buy delightful cotton goods in a pastel rainbow of beautiful colours. Make sure you get a Turkish cotton towel (peshtemal) ideal for your beach adventures.
There are some lovely jewellery shops here with elegant designs of both gold and silver on offer. Don’t miss the locally made fragrant soaps, oils and spices.
Many shops offer international shipping, and the quality of products is excellent This makes it easy to bring a piece of Kalkan home with you.
Where to Stay in Kalkan: Accommodation on the turquoise caost
Kalkan offers a wide range of accommodation options, from luxurious sea-view villas to affordable boutique hotels and family-run guesthouses.
Our Stay: A Family-Run Boutique Hotel
The Guest Relations Manager
We stayed at a charming family-run Kelebek hotel with a private pool, comfortable sunbeds, and daily breakfast served on the rooftop terrace. The view from here is perfection. It’s basically as beautiful as the world famous Caldera in Santorini without the volcano, the cruise ships and the crowds.
What made the stay even more memorable was Ruby, the resident family dog and self-appointed Guest Relations Manager, who greeted us with a wagging tail every morning.
For larger groups or families, private villas with infinity pools and panoramic sea views are available across the hillsides of Kalkan.
Exploring the Region: Dolmuş Buses and Day Trips
Kalkan is not just beautiful—it’s also conveniently located for exploring Turkey’s ancient and natural wonders. The town is well connected by dolmuş mini buses. These small buses offer affordable and efficient transport to nearby towns and beaches for around £1 per journey.
Popular Day Trips from Kalkan
Patara Beach and Ruins: One of the turquoise coast’s longest sandy beaches, with nearby Roman ruins including an ancient theatre and a triumphal arch. You will need to allow a couple of hours for this attraction at the very least, it’s quite an extensive site and well worth a visit.
Kaputaş Beach: Just 10 minutes away, this stunning cove features turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs—one of the most photographed beaches in Turkey.
Saklıkent Gorge: A must-visit for hikers and nature lovers. Trek through icy waters, climb rocks, and cool off in the shade of towering canyon walls. This is one of the deepest canyon’s in the world and Saklikent gorge is stunning. The colour of the water and the play of the sun through the canyon walls is beautiful but it can get really busy here so go as early as you can.
Kas: A laid-back harbour town great for shopping, boat tours, and exploring Lycian tombs. From here you can catch the ferry to the idyllic little Greek island of Kastelliorozo. This glittering gem of an island is the smallest of the Dodecanese islands. It is a picture postcard must see.
Outdoor Adventures and Watersports in Kalkan
Kalkan is perfect for outdoor lovers. The bay is ideal for snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, sailing, para sailing and jet-skiing. Many beach clubs and tour operators offer equipment rentals and guided trips.
For hikers, the Lycian Way passes through the area, offering incredible coastal and mountain trails.
Endless Sunshine and the Sounds of Summer on the turquoise coast
Kalkan enjoys a Mediterranean climate with over 300 sunny days a year, making it a year-round destination for sunseekers. Summer temperatures hover around 30–35°C, with cooling sea breezes.
And of course, no visit to Kalkan would be complete without mentioning the cicadas. Their rhythmic buzzing begins like clockwork each afternoon, adding a uniquely Mediterranean soundtrack to your stay.
Why Kalkan Should Be Your Next Holiday Destination
With its stunning bay, luxurious beach clubs, incredible food scene, friendly locals, and convenient access to history and nature, Kalkan is one of the premier holiday destinations on the turquoise caost and in the whole of Turkey. Whether you’re looking to relax in luxury, dive into ancient culture, or savour delicious Turkish cuisine, this beautiful town on the Turquoise Coast is the perfect escape.
