Areas of Kalkan
Kalkan is a charming coastal town that began as a small harbor settlement and has grown into a vibrant destination with distinct neighbourhoods, each offering something special.
This map highlights Kalkan’s different areas.
Enjoy stunning sunset views from Körmürlük and Kışla, soak in the elevated wide panoramas from Kızıltaş & Akbel & Kördere, or experience the convenience of Ortaalan and the lively atmosphere of the Old Town.
Kalamar Bay, with its beautiful sea views, offers a quieter, more residential feel.
Walking from the farthest points of Kışla, Kalamar, or Kızıltaş to the town center takes around 25–30 minutes, but taxis provide a quick and easy alternative.
Explore the sections below for a brief guide to each area.
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Old Town and Harbour area
This is the vibrant heart of the resort, where you’ll find most of Kalkan’s bars and restaurants, along with an array of quirky independent gift shops, stunning jewellery stores, and stylish boutiques. A stroll along the harbour wall to the lighthouse offers a breathtaking view of the town, especially magical when illuminated by evening lights.
Many restaurants are perched on rooftop terraces in the Old Town, offering spectacular dining experiences, while others sit right by the harbor and beachfront. These long-established eateries serve everything from breakfast to late-night dinners.
The steep, cobbled streets leading up from the harbour are a delight to explore, lined with colourful shops, charming cafés, and lively bars. Venture into the side streets to admire the town’s beautiful Greek-style architecture—whitewashed houses with wooden balconies draped in vibrant bougainvillea.
Kalkan’s public beach is equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas for hire from May to October. As it’s a pebbly beach, swim shoes are recommended for comfort.
Nearby, you’ll find two children’s play parks, and just beyond the harbour wall are excellent swimming and relaxation destinations of Indigo Beach Club and Çakıl Beach Club.
For those who prefer to stay in the heart of town, accommodation options range from larger hotels, including the original Pirat Hotel on the harbour and the boutique The Pier House Hotel near the beach, to charming boutique hotels, villas, and apartments in the upper part of the Old Town.
Kışla
Kışla is a peaceful residential area of Kalkan, located at the junction of the D400 highway and the side road leading to Club Patara, extending further south along Kalkan Bay. The roads in Kışla are steep, so taxis are often needed for trips to and from the Old Town.
Many villas of varying sizes are available for rent in this area, most offering stunning sea views. Due to its location beneath the surrounding hills, Kışla enjoys a slightly later morning sunshine compared with other areas but stays sunlit much longer, offering spectacular west facing sunsets. At night the twinkling lights of the Old Town create a magical view.
Several boutique hotels are located in Kışla, some of which offer restaurants open to non-residents, such as the charming Fidanka Hotel. The long-established Club Patara holiday complex offers a mix of hotel rooms, villas, apartments, and long-term residences, as well as tennis courts, swimming pools and a spa, and along a beach club, which is open to day guests.
Nearby, the exclusive Villa Mahal provides luxury villa accommodations and a beach club, which transforms into a romantic seaside restaurant in the evening, offering candlelit dining and live music nights. This charming location is accessible via a limited boat service.
Kışla is also home to two additional beach clubs. Kalkan Beach Park features a small shingle beach and water sports, perfect for young children, and can be accessed by boat taxi from the harbour. The neighbouring Green Beach Hotel beach club is also accessible using the Kalkan Beach Park boat service.
Kömürlük
Kömürlük is nestled between the Old Town and the large holiday complex, Club Patara. This residential area features a mix of villas and apartments, with the popular beach clubs—Denizim, Palm, and Zest—lining the shore. These clubs offer direct sea access from platforms, along with sunbeds, umbrellas, restaurants, and bars.
Much of the accommodation in Kömürlük boast stunning views across the bay towards Mouse and Snake Islands. Some of the larger villas make exceptional wedding venues, offering a breathtaking turquoise sea backdrop.
Walking into town from Kömürlük is an easy stroll along a small road that runs parallel to the main D400 highway. Alternatively, a rough footpath leads directly down to town, coming out near the public beach.
OrtaAlan
Ortaalan is the larger part of Kalkan, stretching from the top of the Old Town up to the D400 road and extending toward Kalamar Bay. As Kalkan expanded beyond its Old Town core, this area developed into one of the town’s main commercial and residential districts, home to many long-term residents who live here year-round alongside their summer holiday neighbours.
Ortaalan offers a variety of villas and apartments to suit all tastes—some located near Kalamar Road and others along the steeper streets leading up to the D400. Walking into town takes approximately 20 minutes from the higher areas, whilst those in the lower parts can reach the centre in 5–15 minutes. A notable landmark in this area is the large primary and middle school situated near the centre of town.
The main road leading into town from the D400 roundabout is the commercial hub of Kalkan, home to banks, cash point machines, accountants, DIY stores, and the council building. Several major national supermarket chains, including Migros, Şok, BIM, and A101, can be found here, along with smaller local grocery shops. Fresh produce is available from local fishmongers, bakeries, butchers, and greengrocers, whilst the weekly Thursday market brings additional traders into town. The area also offers essential services such as dental clinics, a physiotherapist, pharmacies, hammams, and hairdressers.
Ortaalan features several well-established Turkish-style restaurants, ranging from kebab and pide eateries to lokanta-style establishments where diners can choose from a selection of daily-prepared dishes. Some restaurants have an alcohol license, whilst others do not, and most offer takeaway and delivery options. You will also find a few inviting coffee shops, offering a range of enticing cakes, the perfect pit stop as you stroll into town.
Left of the town centre is the locally named Kalamar Road is Cumhuriyet Caddesi, which leads toward Kalamar Bay, where there is a mix of villas, apartments, and hotels, including the Oasis Hotel, noted for its spectacular rooftop views, and the well-known exclusive Lykia Residence and Regency Hotels.
Along the Kalamar Road, you’ll find the Health Centre (Sağlık Ocağı), which operates Monday to Friday and has English-speaking doctors. While primarily serving the local community, tourists can also visit for GP consultations or minor medical treatments. To book an appointment, you will need to bring your passport, and a small donation is expected. Directly opposite the clinic, there is a pharmacy for prescriptions and medications. Further along there is also a vets, which does excellent work with Kalkan’s community of cats and dogs.
As Kalamar Road winds toward Kalamar Bay, it is lined with a variety of excellent restaurants and bars, all offering unique dining experiences, many with live music evenings, and well worth exploring.
Kızıltaş
The residential area of Kızıltaş is located on the hill behind and above Kalkan’s Old Town, featuring a mixture of villas and apartments along with a couple of well-known hotels, The Samira Resort and The Mediteran.
Kiziltas sits above the D400 main road that cuts through Kalkan, where there are safe and accessible crossing points, including two footbridges and a pedestrian crossing at the traffic island controlled by traffic lights. Depending on your location in Kızıltaş, walking into the Old Town can take as little as 10 minutes or up to 20 minutes from higher up.
The views from Kızıltaş across Kalkan Bay to the islands are simply stunning. On clear days admire the views over the harbour, Kisla and Kalamar Bay. The higher elevation also offers a cooling breeze, especially in the early evening—a refreshing relief during the hot summer months.
The Mediteran Hotel features an excellent restaurant which is open to non-residents, and a laid-back bar which makes the most of those incredible views. The relaxed Samira Resort boasts one of the largest pools in Kalkan, and its restaurant is open to non-residents for food and drinks throughout the day. The resort also hosts a BBQ night with live music once a week, and guests can watch sporting events on the bar’s TV screens.
Nearby, you’ll find Tesoro, a well-regarded pizza and pasta restaurant just down from The Samira Resort, as well as the traditional authentic Acıktım Izgara, a Turkish kebab and pide restaurant located by the traffic lights/roundabout.
Opposite the Samira Resort is Ekonomi, a small convenience store, making it easy to pick up essential supplies and alcohol without heading into town, and they will even do delivery too.
Kalamar Bay
Kalamar Bay was one of Kalkan’s first residential developments, emerging in the 1980s with a cliffside hotel and charming Mediterranean-style properties nestled around the inlet. Over time, many of the older villas have been replaced by sleek, modern residences, and the area has welcomed a new addition—the luxurious Lures Hotel, boasting an impressive seafront presence.
Several well-established hotels, such as Kulube, TrueBlue, Happy, and Soothe, continue to operate here, offering both package deals through travel companies and direct bookings.
At the heart of the bay, Kalkan Beach Club, Kulube, and Lures Hotels provide sunbeds, umbrellas, and full food and drink service.
For those opting for self-catering, a Carrefour supermarket serves the area, while several smaller local shops provide delivery services to villas and apartments.
With its peaceful and relaxed atmosphere, Kalamar Bay is around a 20–25 minute walk from Kalkan’s Old Town. However, with several excellent restaurants nearby, venturing into town isn’t always necessary.
During the cooler months, hikers in full trekking gear are a common sight, as the famous Lycian Way trail enters Kalkan from Kalamar and continues up through Kördere and beyond.
Lavanta-Incebel
Lavanta is an exclusive retreat of luxury villas and apartments, perched on the hillside overlooking Kalkan Bay. It can be accessed via the main D400 road as you are coming into Kalkan, or via Akbel north of Kalkan.
While some properties are occupied year-round, many are available as holiday rentals, offering a blend of residential living and vacation retreats. At the heart of the complex is the clubhouse restaurant and a superb 25-meter pool, both of which are open to non-residents at selected times of the year. The restaurant hosts BBQ nights and special events throughout the summer season, providing a lively yet relaxed atmosphere.
One of Lavanta’s standout features is its breathtaking panoramic views from the pool area, making it a perfect spot to unwind and soak in the beauty of Kalkan Bay.
Akbel
Akbel is a relatively new area above Kalkan town and was on the original main road from Fethiye to Kalkan until the new part of the D400 road was built. It was initially developed as a temporary village to house many local families from the mountain village of Islamlar following the large earthquake of 1957. The single storey older houses that you see were built quickly as prefabs, but still stand to this day.
İn the early days of Kalkan tourism the transfer buses came through here and the tour guides for fun would sometimes tell guests that they had arrived in Kalkan. In recent years many new villas and apartments have been built and the area has almost joined up with Kalkan as the town slowly starts creeping up the hill.
The weekly market on a Sunday which occupies most of the street parallel and to the left side of the main road sells locally produced vegetables, eggs, cheese, honey as well as household items and clothes. There are two fish stalls selling seasonally available fresh fish. There is the option to buy and take home or you can have the fish cooked to eat there with a simple salad and bread.
Akbel has a new DIY store and several other building suppliers of marble and other materials including ironwork and wood. A number of car and motorbike maintenance garages and a car wash are all available.
The large building on the crest of the hill overlooking the sea is the secondary school for Kalkan and the surrounding villages. Until the schools break up for the summer from mid-June to mid-September the young people of Kalkan make their way to and from Akbel daily.
The regular minibus (dolmuş) service from Kaş via Kalkan to Yeşilköy, Patara and Kınık passes through Akbel in both directions, just tell the driver when you want to get off.
Kördere-Sarnıçbaşı
Kördere is located high above Kalkan, clustered around the mountain road that leads to Antalya. The elevated position offers breathtaking panoramic views over Kalkan and Kalamar Bays, as well as toward Kaş.
While Kördere has recently grown as a residential area with the construction of many new villas, remnants of its past remain. One notable historical feature is an Ottoman-era water cistern, known in Turkish as a sarnıç. This domed structure, perched on the roadside, was traditionally used for collecting and storing water. A road branching off to the right behind the sarnıç leads to more villas in an area called Sarnıçbaşı and the small village of Ordu.
For hiking enthusiasts, a section of the famous Lycian Way trail—connecting Fethiye and Antalya—passes through Kördere. The trail continues over the mountain toward Bezirgan, following an ancient path believed to have Roman origins.
Kördere is also well-equipped with several supermarket branches, including Migros, BIM, and Şok, all located along the main road, making grocery shopping convenient without needing to venture into Kalkan. Additionally, a few small Turkish cafés in the area offer both dine-in and takeaway options, providing a local authentic alternative to the restaurants in town.
Ulugöl
The semi-rural area of Ulugöl is just a 5-minute drive from Kalkan town centre along the D400 road heading towards Kaş. Since the construction of the new sidewalks, joggers and walkers regularly visit this mini suburb of Kalkan as its only about 5km from the resort.
The area is a mix of traditional Turkish houses, modern luxury villas, and some small, prefabricated, triangular one-bedroom villas. A large new mosque is located near the main road, with other roads branching off into the flat former lakebed, where you'll find more houses and small farms.
In recent years, new villas have been built in the area, offering a more peaceful countryside experience surrounded by olive groves and fields. Beyond the fields, rough tracks provide walking access to the sea at Frenk Bay. The elevated locations in Ulugöl offer spectacular sea views.
For convenience, there are a couple of chain supermarkets nearby for grocery shopping. The main road also hosts several long-established traditional restaurants (Adams, Gurus, Gümüş) that serve great Turkish breakfasts, gözleme pancakes, mantı, and other delicious local dishes. Ulugöl is also a host to a much newer tranquil spot called Sedir Taş Evleri featuring homemade delights, located inside the village.
Bezirgân
Bezirgan is a mountain village behind Kalkan, offering a completely different environment from the coast. Nestled on a plateau (yayla in Turkish) in an ancient lake bed, the village boasts fertile soil ideal for growing grains, vegetables, and fruit, while its open fields provide excellent grazing for sheep and goats.
Bezirgan remains an authentic, working Turkish village where life continues much as it has for generations. During the hot summer months, many Kalkan families retreat to Bezirgan, where the cooler temperatures provide relief from the coastal heat. In contrast, the colder winter months are spent in Kalkan, where the climate is considerably milder.
The village is reached via a scenic drive high above Kalkan, following road signs to Elmalı. Along the way, travellers are treated to breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and its islands. Taking the older road, rather than the slightly shorter but steeper new route, offers a glimpse into the dramatic depths of Kaputaş Gorge as the road passes through the village of Sarıbelen.
Bezirgan is full of charm, with traditional stone and wooden houses, each surrounded by gardens and orchards. In spring, the almond blossoms create a stunning display. Depending on the season, visitors may witness villagers harvesting crops, shearing sheep, processing wool, winnowing grain, or drying fruit and vegetables for winter use.
One of the most distinctive sights is the cluster of wooden storage huts, known as ambars, found at one end of the village. These raised structures, each owned by a Bezirgan family, were historically used to store food and grain through the winter.
There are two main restaurants in Bezirgan, Pırha Köy Sofrası serving classic Turkish breakfasts and hearty homemade dishes, and Şahika Bahçe, offering luxury Turkish breakfasts and exquisite seasonal menu dinners, as well as a couple of smaller, more traditional cafés. The village is a peaceful retreat where locals extend warm Turkish hospitality to visitors. Get there by taxi, or the bus from Kalkan Otogar that takes the village route to Antalya, a charming fifteen minute journey.
Bezirgan makes for a fascinating day trip, whether you prefer to stroll through the village, observing the relaxed pace of rural life, or hike the surrounding mountains. The village is also home to several Lycian ruins, and the famous Lycian Way hiking trail passes through the area.
Sarıbelen
The village of Sarıbelen is perched high above the gorge that opens onto Kaputaş Beach, the small cove known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, visible on the way to Kaş. It's about a 15-minute drive from Kalkan.
While most of the village is home to local Turkish families year-round, there are also a number of British and other European families who have settled here.
In recent years, several newly built villas have become available for short-term holiday rentals. The village itself is long and linear, stretching along two main streets that branch off the primary mountain road leading to Elmalı and Antalya. A very scenic route runs through the village, crossing the mountain and passing through quaint Turkish villages on its way to the town of Kaş.
There are several family-run traditional restaurants in the area, where you can enjoy a spectacular Turkish breakfast. For dinner, some places offer the unique experience of cooking your own meat on a small charcoal barbecue at your table. These restaurants do not serve alcohol and are popular with holidaying Turkish families in the summer, but they are also very welcoming to anyone seeking a more authentic Turkish dining experience.
Gelemiş / Patara
The Patara area is a designated national park, home to an extraordinary blend of archaeological treasures, pristine sand dunes, and a breathtakingly beautiful beach. This key biodiversity area supports a rich variety of plant, animal, and birdlife.
Visitors must pay an entry fee to access both the beach and the ancient ruins. The managed section of the beach offers sunbeds, umbrellas, a small café, and essential facilities such as toilets and changing rooms.
Nearby, the small village of Gelemiş developed as a tourism hub and, until about 25 years ago, was more popular than Kalkan. It was a favoured destination for major tour operators from the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands, offering accommodation in hotels, guesthouses, and budget-friendly campsites.
While large-scale tourism has since diminished, Gelemiş remains a welcoming spot for day-trippers visiting the beach or exploring the ruins. The Lycian Way hiking trail passes through, attracting walkers in the cooler months. The village has several restaurants serving traditional Turkish food and one well-established bar, Medusa, which recently celebrated its 35th anniversary. With its laid-back, bohemian charm and occasional live music, it offers a nostalgic escape into a different era.
Patara is famous for several reasons. First, it boasts the longest beach in Turkey—a 20km stretch of soft white sand and rolling dunes. This protected area serves as a nesting ground for endangered Caretta Caretta loggerhead turtles. From dusk, the beach is off-limits to protect their habitat, and conservation volunteers carefully monitor the nests. If you visit during hatching season, you might even witness tiny turtles making their way to the sea at sunrise.
Patara is also known as the birthplace of Saint Nicholas, who was born here in 270 AD before becoming the Bishop of Myra (modern-day Demre). Legends of his generosity—such as secretly leaving pouches of gold on doorsteps, led to the evolution of the Santa Claus story.
Historically, Patara was a major naval and trading port of ancient Lycia, situated at the mouth of the Xanthos River until it eventually silted up. It was one of the six principal cities of Lycia, flourishing with grand temples, civic buildings, and bustling trade. During the Roman period, Patara became the judicial seat of the Roman governor and later the capital of both the Lycian and Pamphylian provinces. By 138 BC, it had a population of approximately 20,000 and was one of the most important cities in Anatolia, second only to places like Ephesus. However, piracy, looting, and shifting trade routes led to its gradual decline. During the Byzantine era, Patara diminished into a small village, and eventually, the once-thriving harbor was lost beneath layers of sand.
Today, much of ancient Patara still lies buried beneath the dunes, but ongoing excavations continue to reveal new discoveries. Restoration efforts are underway, with one of the most significant projects—the reconstruction of the Roman-era lighthouse—nearing completion. The ruins are extensive and well worth a visit.
In the summer season, minibuses (dolmuş) run directly from Kalkan otogar to the beach entrance. Outside of peak season, they stop at Gelemiş village, requiring a short taxi ride, or fascinating walk to reach the beach and ruins.
İslamlar
Islamlar is a scenic, hillside village that winds its way up the mountainside behind Kalkan. Originally a Greek settlement known as Bodamya, the village developed around freshwater springs that still flow down the mountains today.
For many years, Islamlar has been renowned for its trout restaurants, which take advantage of the abundant mountain water. These establishments serve delicious Turkish breakfasts, as well as lunch and dinner menus, often with stunning views stretching back to the coast. During the hot summer months, Islamlar’s cooler, less humid climate makes it a perfect escape from the coastal heat.
Many visitors enjoy lingering over a traditional Turkish breakfast or a leisurely lunch in August. In the winter, the Village Restaurant hosts a weekly film night with a set menu, offering a cosy dining experience.
As you drive up to the village, the roadside gardens are filled with grapevines, and in autumn, locals harvest the grapes to produce pekmez, a traditional molasses-like syrup enjoyed at breakfast.
Although many modern villas have been built in Islamlar, the village still retains its authentic charm. Traditional houses with wooden balconies can be found near the village square, where an historic watermill continues to grind grain for breadmaking.
Life here moves at a relaxed pace—you’ll often see men playing backgammon or Okey in the local coffeehouse while sipping çay (Turkish tea), while women gather in the shade to chat and make bread.
Islamlar is also part of the Lycian Way, the famous hiking trail stretching from Fethiye to Antalya. Hikers can enjoy a day’s trek from Kalkan, with spring and autumn offering the best temperatures for longer walks.
The easiest way to get there is by car or taxi, it’s a long steep walk, but not unknown for some hardy travellers to trek the hills, there is no public transport, but hitching a lift is also an option.
Üzümlü
Üzümlü is a charming mountain village that can be reached by car or taxi by following the road from the Akbel junction toward Islamlar, but hanging a left where the road to Islamlar continues right.
At that junction, you'll find restaurants and supermarkets, and the Keyfi Bahçe café, known for serving the best homemade ice cream in the area—perfect for a quick treat, either to enjoy in the café or to take away.
The name Üzümlü translates to "with grapes," and the village has long been known for its Margaz variety grape cultivation. In recent years, tourism has grown significantly, with many new villas being built on the surrounding hillsides, offering beautiful views toward Patara Beach. These villas primarily attract Turkish visitors from major cities and Turks living in Europe, especially during the summer school holidays.
The village square is home to a mix of traditional stone houses with wooden balconies, and a selection of cafés and restaurants. Most of these establishments don’t serve alcohol, but they do offer delicious kebabs, pides, and rich Turkish breakfasts. From the square, side roads lead further up the mountain toward Islamlar, passing by newly built villas and a few small cafés along the way.
Yeşilköy
Yeşilköy is a small, traditional village located just a few kilometers from Kalkan, nestled between the main D400 road and the fertile plains that extend toward Patara.
The name Yeşilköy means "Green Village," a fitting tribute to its lush surroundings filled with olive groves, citrus orchards, and vegetable fields. Unlike Kalkan, which is largely geared toward tourism, Yeşilköy remains an authentic working village where farming is still a way of life.
Over the past decade, new villas and boutique accommodations have sprung up, offering visitors a more peaceful, countryside experience while still being within easy reach of Kalkan’s amenities. Many of these villas are set on spacious plots with gardens, providing an ideal setting for those seeking tranquillity.
Yeşilköy is also home to a Wednesday market, a lively and colourful weekly event where locals and visitors alike can shop for fresh, locally grown produce, honey, cheeses, olives, and traditional Turkish delicacies. Alongside food stalls, the small market also sells clothing, household goods, and textiles, making it a great place to experience village life and pick up a few unique souvenirs.
The village has a handful of local restaurants and roadside eateries serving simple but delicious Turkish meals, including pide (Turkish pizza), grilled meats, and traditional breakfasts. While Yeşilköy is not a major nightlife destination, its charm lies in its peaceful atmosphere, making it a great escape from the busier tourist areas.
For those who love walking, the surrounding countryside offers scenic trails, including routes that connect to the ancient Lycian Way. Whether you're looking for a rural retreat, a glimpse of traditional Turkish village life, or just a quiet place to stay near Kalkan, Yeşilköy is an excellent choice.
The local Kinik to Kas bus service runs through the village of Yesilkoy, and stops at Kalkan Otogar in both directions.