Hotels in Kalkan

Holidaymakers booking hotels in Kalkan know they are on to a good thing. This beautiful and historic small town on Turkey's glittering Mediterranean coastline is a picture-perfect resort, where loved-up couples stroll hand in hand and grown-up families play games on the beach.

Far from the heady nightlife of some of the bigger resorts in Turkey, Kalkan sways to a more chilled-out set of tunes...

In Kalkan you'll hear the gentle clinking of the rigging on yachts and boats that curtsey to visitors in the harbour, the chattering of pebbles as warm water rolls onto the beach, and relaxed sighs as glasses chink together to a hushed round of “cheers”. Feeling relaxed yet? You will when you check in at Kalkan hotels on Turkey's glorious Turquoise Coast.

With ancient sites to see, crystal clear waters in which to swim, fresh seafood to savour and sublime views of the Turkish coastline to admire - you'll never be bored in this haven of rest and relaxation.

The white-washed stone buildings that cling to the hillside in Kalkan house many of the resort's hotels. Access to parts of this cosmopolitan seaside village can be steep at times, so holidays here are not ideal for families with very young children or travellers with mobility issues.

Where will you stay in gorgeous Kalkan? Use our guide to find the best hotel for you...

The song dictates that there are three steps to heaven, but you might need to climb a few more to find heavenly hotels in Kalkan as the resort rises fairly steeply. There are many luxury hotels around this upmarket resort, though most are on the smaller side, more akin to boutique beach hotels found elsewhere around the Med. You won't find sprawling holiday resorts in this small town. That's part of the charm of Kalkan for most visitors, who prefer to lounge pool-side by day and enjoy a stroll to the seafront promenade of an evening for a couple of cool drinks and a delicious dinner under the stars.

Unusually for a hillside resort, many of the hotels in Kalkan feature swimming pools. It's worth checking that your chosen hotel does have one if this is an important holiday requirement.

When you tire of soaking up the sunshine, discover what else will create your perfect holiday in Kalkan...

From boat trips to journeys back in time, there's plenty to keep holidaymakers occupied during breaks in Kalkan.

Top five attractions

Boat trips

Head down to the harbour and take your pick from a range of day trips that explore the Turquoise Coast. Kekova is a popular destination from Kalkan.

Patara Beach

There's a small pebbly beach in Kalkan, though the sands of Patara are less than half an hour away. It's a huge beach with safe, shallow waters and there's plenty of space for visitors to fan out and find a quiet spot.

Xanthos

The ancient Lycian city of Xanthos is around a 30-minute drive from Kalkan. Book a day trip with a local operator or hire a car to visit at your own pace. It's an incredible look at the history of this nation.

Letoon

Not far from Xanthos is Letoon, a religious site that is more than 2,000 years old. Roam the foundations of the temples and let your imagination run wild.

Watersports

The beach isn't home to a riot of watersports activity, Kalkan is much more sedate than that, but there's enough to have a go at if you fancy seeing the resort from a different angle.

Discover the region at the festivals and major events that attract big crowds to this part of Turkey...

Kalkan itself doesn't offer a huge range of events, but you can make the short journey to nearby towns for a taste of Turkey.

Kas Lycian Festival; June: Journey to nearby Kas (it's a 30-minute drive along the coast) to attend this feast of traditional music and dance.

Festival of the Sea; July: There are water-based competitions during this fun-filled day in Kalkan, but the undoubted highlight is the attempts to reach the flag at the end of an oiled-up pole that hangs over the water. Expect plenty of “oohs” and “aahs”.

Oludeniz Air Games; October: The tempting beaches of Oludeniz are hard to resist, but you'll have to look up during this annual event to see paragliders performing in the blue skies above. It takes just over an hour to reach this beach resort, but it's worth it at any time of the year to enjoy some of the finest beaches in Turkey.