Kalkan is an old fishing town, and the only safe harbour between Kaş and Fethiye; it is known for its white-washed houses, descending to the sea, and its brightly coloured bougainvilleas. It averages 300 days of sunshine a year. The word "Kalkan" in Turkish either means shield or turbot referring to the town's fishing status.
Kalkan was an important harbour town until the 1970s as the only seaport for the environs. It declined after the construction of the Fethiye road but revived after the emergence of the tourism industry in the region.
Although part of the Antalya province administratively, Kalkan is connected more closely to Fethiye economically and for transportation.
The Independent listed Kalkan among the best tourist destinations for 2007. The paper recommended Kalkan, especially for those seeking a romantic holiday and who do not want to travel far from their home country in Europe.[6] According to a 2012 survey 96% of visitors to Kalkan during 2011 were from the United Kingdom.
^ abDarke, Diana (1986). Guide to Aegean and Mediterranean Turkey. M. Haag. p. 160. ISBN9780902743342. The Greek ghost town of Kaya in the hills behind Fethiye is the most dramatic reminder of this exodus, but derelict Greek houses can also be seen at Kalkan, Kas and Demre.