Activities around Kalkan are in abundance. Browse this page and explore
the links in order to get the most from your visit to Lycia.
Popular Activities close to Kalkan
Explore Saklilent Gorge the deepest and longest gorge in Turkey at some 18km. The icy cold mountain waters make there way through the vertical limestone canyon walls providing the walker a refreshing mist in the heat of the day. Take a dip in the waters or just finish off the trip at one of the riverside restaurants.
Horse riding is available at Patara beach with its endless run of dunes. Trek past ancient monuments whilst inhaling the incredible scenery.
A visit to one of the local mountain villages close to Kalkan can be a refreshing trip particularly on the hottest of days in the height of summer. Many of these villages work trout farms in lakes fed by the abundant mountain waters cascading down from the higher peaks. Islamlar is one such village 5 miles from kalkan where you can dine looking down across the mountains and valleys out onto the Mediterranean.
Venture a little further into the mountains to experience the highland pastures. Here semi-nomads continue to populate the Taurus mountains. The air here is refreshing and Green Lake is worth a visit some 6500ft above sea level.
Another place of interest is Kayakoy the deserted ghost down abandoned in 1923 following a population exchange. Walk its empty streets and feel the presence of its ghosts.
Walking Opportunities
In such rich and varied terrain the walker is spoilt for choice. Recently the Lycian Way has had its walking trail marked from beginning to end. Stretching from Fethiye in the west to Antalya in the east the trail is in total 509km and passes directly through Kalkan and the surrounding area.
Further afield St.Paulâs Trail is also marked and encompasses much of the terrain St.Paul covered during his first missionary journey in Asia Minor.
Boat Trips
In addition to the trips available directly in Kalkan harbour you can book trips from nearby Kas. This town itself is worth a visit and from here boat trips are made to the Greek island of Meis and the not to be missed sunken city at Kekova-Simena. Here you can sail past staircases that descend into the depths and view the ruins of Simena through the blue waters. By contrast the preserved part of this ancient city stands proudly and upon the hill top Lycian ruins acting as foundations for the more recent crusader castle. This castle was built by the Knights of St. John who made the relatively nearby Greek island of Rhodes there headquarters following the fall of the Holy Lands.
Lycian Historical Sites and Ancient Cities
The Lycians may be a lesser known civilisation from the ancient world perhaps partly due to their success. The Lycians were enjoying political calm under the âDemocratic Lycian Federationâ long before other ancient
civilisations could subdue the endless infighting. This galvanising of the Lycian City states ensured independence for Lycia and allowed their peaceful and prosperous existence to endure. Today of course Lycia is more famous for its enduring burial tombs that dot the coastline throughout the region.
Xanthos was the capital city of Lycia the ruins of which are quite proximate to Kalkan and well worth a visit. In addition to the monuments the site itself affords spectacular views of the Xanthos valley and the Taurus mountains. If hiring a car for just the day make the most of it and combine Xanthos with a visit to Saklilent Gorge.
Patara was the major port to Lycia and one of the six principal Lycian cities. It can be visited in conjunction with taking in Patara beach which is a wonder in itself. Not far from Patara is Letoon which although not a Lycian city was its spiritual heart. The remains of the three temples each dedicated to one of their three deities take centre stage at the site.
Somewhat more remote is the ancient city of Pinara. Sitting high on a mountainside it is reached via a twisty track type road. The city is immersed in the wonderful mountainside flora and fauna creating a really peaceful setting and the visitor will be assured of sharing the site with only a handful of others.
Myra is off the main road to the east of Kalkan towards Finike. The rock tombs above the ampitheatre cut into the cliff are quite a site. St. Nicholas was bishop here in the 4th century and the church of St.Nicholas with his empty sarcophagus can be visited.
