Kalkan Turkey - property and information
Kalkan
lies on Turkey’s Lycian coast on approximately the same latitude
as Rhodes. With its warm, dry summers and clement winters Kalkan
has a superb and tourist-friendly climate reminiscent of southern
California; indeed, with its many luxury villas and high-profile
residents Upper Kalkan is sometimes referred to as “the Turkish
Beverly Hills”.
The town itself is split between Old Kalkan – a delightful collection of old whitewashed houses decked out for most of the year in a cornucopia of brightly coloured flowers; the harbour area and the renowned marina; and the newer suburbs stretching up into the hills where most of the town’s luxury properties are built.
While
Kalkan’s previous prominence as a trading post has faded over the
last century the town’s economy is still thriving, based on the
burgeoning tourist industry and an assortment of smaller trades
and crafts. Fishing is still profitable here, although on a much
smaller scale than was previously the case; the harbour is now
home to many more recreational vessels and the marina must be considered
one of its biggest assets.
Kalkan is one of Turkey’s more exclusive coastal resorts and property values reflect this kudos, with prices noticeably higher than in many other nearby locations. Nevertheless, homes are still highly affordable when compared with the UK or other more established Mediterranean markets and those looking for a touch of class in their investment could do much worse than to check out this beautiful and increasingly popular little gem.
Tourism
Kalkan
has, so far, managed to avoid the ravages of mass tourism while
developing its own thriving tourist industry targeting visitors
who prefer more laid-back, cultural holidays. Tight restrictions
on development (which also benefit the area’s property market)
mean that the area has comparatively few hotels and rental opportunities
are high here. The town’s 300-plus days of sunshine a year mean
that visitors are expected all year round, although the season
proper lasts from April to October, peaking in July and August.
Transport
Kalkan is served by Dalaman airport but is a good couple of hours’ drive away; Antalya airport is a further hour distant but is served by more airlines, especially during the winter. Regular ferries from Italy, Greece and other Mediterranean countries, as well as numerous private vessels, dock at Kalkan for those looking for a more serene form of travel. Within Kalkan itself several rental companies offer their services, while bus links are good and taxis affordable and numerous.
Lifestyle
Nightlife: Kalkan
has a good number of quality bars, many of which offer traditional
Turkish music and dancing and a couple of dance halls/discos; however,
the town prides itself on its tranquility and strict noise restrictions
are in place. Those looking for a more boisterous evening can head
a short drive – taxis recommended! – outside town to one of the
area’s larger nightspots. Nights in Kalkan are best described as
“festive” rather than “hectic”.
Restaurants: Kalkan has some 50 restaurants – said
to be the highest concentration anywhere on the Turkish coast.
The cuisine is diverse, with a good selection of traditional
Turkish fare, some excellent seafood specialists, and a smattering
of more western establishments. Meals here are an integral
part of the culture and should be savoured, with relish, for
several hours.
