Things To Do in Kalkan

Shopping is a late-night activity in Kalkan – shops in the old town don’t close ’til midnight. The narrow streets are lit up and you can wander among bustling stands selling ceramics, hand-blown glass, decorative Turkish rugs and belly-dancing outfits. And should you want a new suit, the men’s tailors will measure you up ready for you to collect your purchase a few days’ later.

Patara is just a 20-minute dolmus ride away – this ancient village is set in the middle of a national park that costs 2 lira to enter. A short walk around the village takes you past 2,000-year-old Lycian ruins like the magnificent amphitheatre and triumphal arch. There’s a cay, or tea garden, in the village centre, plus the beautiful Patara Beach nearby.

Sandal is a waterside restaurant and bar with top-notch views across the harbour. The bar is set apart from the restaurant and boasts its own stylish rooftop terrace with potted palm trees. Drinks wise, there’s ice-cold beer, wine and cocktails – they all go well with a mini Turkish meze. As for the music, the soundtrack is set to low-key jazz.

This charming little restaurant is hidden away in the old town. Outdoor tables are set up on the bougainvillea-filled cobbled alleyway outside. The meat and fish dishes are authentic – an al fresco barbecue lets you see the mixed grill or filleted bream being prepared. Whatever you’re tucking into, a bottle of local Bogazkere red will go do very nicely, too.

Kalkan comes with over 150 restaurants, most of them packed along the promenade. There are rustic, candlelit eateries and more elegant places with rooftop terraces overlooking the harbour. Some even have floor seating with traditional Turkish cushions to sit on. Mantisi, boiled dough balls filled with mince meat, is a local speciality – as is the chicken stew called keshek.

Nightlife in Kalkan is a laid-back affair. There are rooftop wine bars along the water that serve local Kabarcık white with sea views. You’ll find the fun, authentically Turkish places along the narrow streets of the old town – here there are gypsy bands playing most nights and hooka bars, too. Meanwhile, serious clubbers get a couple of all-night places just outside the town.

Any festival compared to It’s A Knockout is worth a visit. This annual 1-day event features swimming races, kayaking, water-skiing and jet-skiing – the highlight, though, is the greasy pole competition, where locals try to shimmy along a slippery mast over the water. There’s free seating on Kalkan Beach, or take a boat out to watch the races up close. At the end of the day, there’s a prize-giving ceremony with the local mayor.