Kalkan in Turkey

HeadFairy · 2025-05-09T09:45:09+00:00

Has anyone been there? Looking for honest reviews. Is the town nice? We’ll have a couple of teenagers in tow so wondering if the beach clubs are quite sociable.

Untery · 09/05/2025 14:59

Following as I have exact same question. I believe it’s a rocky beach though. But my research says it’s a very nice town. Hopefully someone will come along with more info

didldidi · 09/05/2025 16:12

Yes, I have been twice with DH and two teenagers. It's lovely but very hilly. Lots of boat trips and other excursions available.
More self catering than hotels. Several beach clubs which are all good and plenty of water sports.
Shout if there's any other questions 😊

didldidi · 09/05/2025 16:12

and yes rocky beach there but two sandy beaches nearby

Skipthisbit · 09/05/2025 16:20

I thought it was absolutely awful.

You could be absolutely anywhere in the world …… there isn’t a hint that you are in Turkey. The street are lined with junk tourist shops and shops selling knock off English premiership football strips. The harbour itself is just rows of mid range restaurants and bars that serve burgers and pizzas and cheap 2for1 cocktails. The beach clubs are just the same as you’d find in Spain or Dubai or anywhere really.
You will not meet anyone Turkish there apart from a minority of the people who work there.

UsedtoliveinKalkan · 09/05/2025 16:40

Skipthisbit · 09/05/2025 16:20

I thought it was absolutely awful.

You could be absolutely anywhere in the world …… there isn’t a hint that you are in Turkey. The street are lined with junk tourist shops and shops selling knock off English premiership football strips. The harbour itself is just rows of mid range restaurants and bars that serve burgers and pizzas and cheap 2for1 cocktails. The beach clubs are just the same as you’d find in Spain or Dubai or anywhere really.
You will not meet anyone Turkish there apart from a minority of the people who work there.

Really genuinely surprised to hear this review. I lived there for some years and knock off football strips, maybe in one shop (which is now a jewellers so not sure where you mean?), and pizzas and burgers, again, maybe in one or two restaurants, but certainly not down on the harbour when I lived there. Kalkan is known for its upmarket restaurants. It's a classy town, and although I've not been to either Spain or Dubai, I really would doubt your statement that it's similar. Kalkan is an old Greek harbour town, previously called Kalamaki. You will absolutely meet plenty of the very lovely Turkish people who live and work there. It's a great place for a holiday.

Icanthinkformyselfthanks · 09/05/2025 16:41

We liked it a lot although it’s not a great beach but it was a few years ago when we went. Lots of stray and very friendly dogs.

WhyamIinahandcartandwherearewegoing · 09/05/2025 16:46

Maybe look at Kas nearby instead?

www.theguardian.com/travel/2023/aug/05/why-i-keep-returning-to-kas-turkeys-unspoilt-seaside-hideaway

Untery · 09/05/2025 16:49

UsedtoliveinKalkan · 09/05/2025 16:40

Really genuinely surprised to hear this review. I lived there for some years and knock off football strips, maybe in one shop (which is now a jewellers so not sure where you mean?), and pizzas and burgers, again, maybe in one or two restaurants, but certainly not down on the harbour when I lived there. Kalkan is known for its upmarket restaurants. It's a classy town, and although I've not been to either Spain or Dubai, I really would doubt your statement that it's similar. Kalkan is an old Greek harbour town, previously called Kalamaki. You will absolutely meet plenty of the very lovely Turkish people who live and work there. It's a great place for a holiday.

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from my research I thought it was more authentically Turkish than other resorts. And more classy. Was surprised to see that review but I haven’t been myself so interested to hear if anyone else agrees

NewBinBag · 09/05/2025 16:54

We're going this summer.
We last went 10+ years ago before kids and it was very hilly but lots of nice rooftop restaurants.

I'll be honest, I'm hoping to pick up some knock off crocs for the kids, so I hope it's not too classy 😜

I'd love to visit Kas but the transfer is forever.

UsedtoliveinKalkan · 09/05/2025 17:01

I'll be honest, I'm hoping to pick up some knock off crocs for the kids, so I hope it's not too classy 😜

Go to the market on Thursday - hopefully you'll find what you're after there!

Skipthisbit · 09/05/2025 19:29

UsedtoliveinKalkan · 09/05/2025 16:40

Really genuinely surprised to hear this review. I lived there for some years and knock off football strips, maybe in one shop (which is now a jewellers so not sure where you mean?), and pizzas and burgers, again, maybe in one or two restaurants, but certainly not down on the harbour when I lived there. Kalkan is known for its upmarket restaurants. It's a classy town, and although I've not been to either Spain or Dubai, I really would doubt your statement that it's similar. Kalkan is an old Greek harbour town, previously called Kalamaki. You will absolutely meet plenty of the very lovely Turkish people who live and work there. It's a great place for a holiday.

Show quote history

It was recommended to me by a Turkish friend who hadn’t been for 15 years but who described it exactly as you did; that’s what I expected. It absolutely was not (went in 2023). We did meet a Turkish guy in a restaurant who was there to open up his Airbnbs for the summer and he says it used to be wonderful (he was bought up there) but now it’s totally overrun with Brits and “ruined”
….. sadly I’d agree and I do absolutely understand the irony of me ( Brit ) wanting to go somewhere as a tourist that isn’t full of tourists!

Lovetheants · 10/05/2025 08:32

My family and I adore Kalkan! It's the only place our DC's (21&16) still want to come with us. I think the old town is lovely, yes, there are the shops selling knock off sportswear but also some beautiful local gift and craft shops and nice jewellers.
The beach clubs, for us, make the holiday. Reasonably priced, direct access to the beautiful sea and comfortable sun beds and nice food and drink.
The rooftop restaurants and some on the harbour, imo, are much nicer than other similar ones in other resorts.
I would suggest joining "friends of Kalkan" Facebook group for lots of advice.
There are indeed a lot of Brits that go there, many of them own villas and apartments. In our experience however, the bars and restaurants are all local owned. You won't see "The Red Lion" or "Only Fools & Horses" type bars.

This article sums it up:https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/turkey/ive-been-going-to-this-turkish-town-for-30-years-and-its-still-as-enchanting-as-ever-fvk3gczd5

‘I’ve been going to this Turkish town for 30 years — and it’s still as enchanting as ever’

It was on my second loop of the backstreets of Kalkan that I realised I was going to have to ask someone for directions. Normally, this wouldn’t be a surprise

https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/turkey/ive-been-going-to-this-turkish-town-for-30-years-and-its-still-as-enchanting-as-ever-fvk3gczd5

Whiskeywithwater · 27/07/2025 18:28

Untery · 09/05/2025 16:49

from my research I thought it was more authentically Turkish than other resorts. And more classy. Was surprised to see that review but I haven’t been myself so interested to hear if anyone else agrees

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Also amazed at this review too. Yes, there are a couple of knock off football shirt shops, but absolutely stunning rooftop restaurants. The beach clubs are relaxed, and don’t know what the poster was on about re no Turkish people. Loads of Turkish tourists. And the daily call to prayer? And the beautiful cobbled streets and alleyways? It is a truly beautiful part of the world.

ScottishStag · 28/07/2025 07:55

Love Kalkan. We have been twice and planning on going again and we never go back to a place. Loads to do and a lovely feel - very comforting but also quite chic.

User2346 · 28/07/2025 08:33

Skipthisbit · 09/05/2025 16:20

I thought it was absolutely awful.

You could be absolutely anywhere in the world …… there isn’t a hint that you are in Turkey. The street are lined with junk tourist shops and shops selling knock off English premiership football strips. The harbour itself is just rows of mid range restaurants and bars that serve burgers and pizzas and cheap 2for1 cocktails. The beach clubs are just the same as you’d find in Spain or Dubai or anywhere really.
You will not meet anyone Turkish there apart from a minority of the people who work there.

Are you sure you went to Kalkan? Seriously the harbour restaurants such as Aubergine and Trio are very upmarket. There are a couple of knock off shops but they don’t dominate the town and when we visit it is full of Turkish families. The beach clubs are gorgeous and I am a super fussy holiday snob. I am one of the few that think the Ikos resorts are no great shakes, ok but not worth the money and the pool areas are certainly not 5 Star standard,

BlankBlankBlank14 · 28/07/2025 08:39

Ben there and loved it 🥰

someon · 28/07/2025 08:48

I went in June for first time it’s not as bad a described it’s still very Turkish. I saw a lot of Turkish people around there and on the beach and there were quite a few big Turkish weddings when I was there it’s definitly a mix of both. I liked the beach clubs too if you have teens they will love Zest