Kalkan beach

This white pebble beach, to the left of Kalkan harbour, is perfect for families. Its clear, calm water makes it ideal for swimming and snorkelling, and sunbeds/umbrellas can be hired at reasonable rates. There are toilets and changing facilities to the rear of the beach, and shops, cafes and harbour-side restaurants nearby. The beach has a blue flag award for cleanliness and is popular with both visitors and locals. This is also a lovely place to watch the attractive wooden gulets sail in and out of the tiny harbour.

Kaputas beach

A beautiful, sandy cove just 10 mins drive by dolmus or car from Kalkan. Since 2017, there are now sunbeds on the beach and a toilet. There are 200 steps down to the beach, and no buildings in sight to spoil the view. But there is a man on the beach who sells cold drinks and rolls. The clear turquoise water is perfect for swimming but it gets deep very quickly.

Patara beach

With its 11 miles of white sand, Patara is not only one of Turkiye’s longest beaches, but it has also been voted one of the top beaches in the world. Thanks to its sand dunes, the ancient ruins of a once mighty city that lie behind the beach in the national park, and the protected loggerhead turtle that lays its eggs in the sand, Patara has escaped development, with the nearest low-rise town of the same name just over a mile inland.

The bus from Kalkan bus station will take you all the way to the beach (20 mins drive), where there are sun loungers, a couple of cafes, toilets and changing areas. Or walk further along and have the beach to yourself. With its acres of sand and shallow waters, Patara is perfect for young families. But take care when swimming as there are strong undercurrents. A small charge is levied to enter the national park and beach, which is used to maintain this lovely, protected area.

Beach clubs

At the last count Kalkan had 13 beach clubs dotted around Kalkan and Kalamar bays. These are bathing platforms and gardens built into the bottom of the mountainside with sun loungers, café/restaurants, toilets and changing areas, all of which provide direct access into the sea, usually by way of metal ladders.

While you can walk to Indigo beach club next to Kalkan harbour, the others all provide either free water taxis from Kalkan harbour or free transportation. Some clubs have water trampolines or water slides and most provide water sports, including private boat hire, water skiing, ringoes, banana boats and jet skis. Kalamar beach club also offers diving trips and instruction. All beach clubs charge small entrance fees for use of the sunbeds, and each has crystal clear waters and stunning sea and mountain views.