Kalkan Harbour Town, Turkey This postcard pretty and quietly sophisticated bougainvillea-covered historic harbour town is set in a breathtaking landscape on Turkey’s evocatively named Turquoise coast. This coastline is gorgeous, few places can rival it for unspoilt natural beauty with pine covered cliffs plunging into the sea, secluded coves, fine-sand beaches and sprinkled abundantly with picturesque ruins.
Nestling at the foot of the Taurus Mountains this once tiny fishing village is now a small resort appealing to the discerning visitor, many who return year after year. The narrow winding cobbled streets of the old town descend to the harbour lined with its elegant array of ‘gulets’ (traditional Turkish sailing boats) and pretty restaurants.
Original Ottoman timber balconies, spilling over with brilliantly coloured bougainvillea overhang white-washed houses and roof terrace restaurants and bars. Colourful shops stocked with antiques, crafts, pottery, jewellery, carpets and clothing, combined with warm Turkish hospitality and stunning views, historic architecture and ancient history add up to making Kalkan an absolute gem.
More importantly than all these glowing descriptions however are the people of Kalkan: genuinely open, friendly, and willing to help in any way. They are rightly proud of their village and you can relax in the knowledge that you will not be hassled whilst ambling around the town.
The Independent newspaper listed Kalkan among the best tourist destinations for 2007, “especially for those seeking a romantic destination”. Strict conservation laws have ensured that the heart of the old fishing village retains an authentic ambience that attracts (according to the Sunday Times) the sort of visitor who might also be attracted by, say, Tuscany or the Dordogne.
Kalkan is fast becoming Turkey’s premier resort for private villa holidays. So if you are looking for nightclubs and British style ‘pubs’ Kalkan is definitely not the resort for y
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