Kalkan which is famous for its white-washed houses, was an ancient Greek fishing village known as Kalamaki until 1920. It is believed that this city was founded 150 – 200 years ago by merchants who came here from the Greek island of Meis. Kalkan is located between Antalya and Fethiye Region in where the Lycian civilization was living and built countless cities almost 3000 years ago

Throughout history, due to being a safe harbour, Kalkan was known as an agricultural and forest products trading port in which the trading was being made by merchants from Elmalı, Gömbe and Bezirgan territories. However in 1970’s after the opening of Antalya Highway,  the floating trade has lost its power and eventually come to an end.

For many years, with the effect of transportation challenges Kalkan couldn’t gain popularity like other territories and due to that reason Kalkan could protect its natural landscape and beauty. In recent years Kalkan was mostly discovered by foreign tourists and the residential areas started to expand but still on the mountain side the old structured houses has been successfully preserved.

The public beach within the town is formed out of stones; but the shore which is located inside Ancient City of Patara presents a great opportunity for the ones who would love to enjoy the most of their holiday with its long beach and shallow sea level. With its quality and beauty, whole Kalkan Bay is entitled to receive the Blue flag award which represents the required criteria’s of lake and sea water that are being used for swimming purpose by the International Foundation for Environmental Education.