| If you want to experience some of the history of the area, why not hire a car and visit some of the area's most prominent attractions. The ones listed on this page are all within about an hour's drive from Kalkan (see map below). The following texts are based on other sources that reflect our own experiences. |
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 Saklikent Gorge |
Saklikent Gorge is a 20km-long canyon 45 minutes drive from Kalkan. It is a lovely place to come and while away an afternoon, and for those with a more active frame of mind, it's an excellent place to indulge in outdoor pursuits including canyoning, hiking or rafting.
Enterprising locals have set up a series of wooden platforms suspended just a foot or two above the bubbling snow-melt of the Xanthos River. Decked out with Turkish rugs and comfy cushions and shaded by fig trees, they serve freshly-caught trout for lunch or supper and beer cooled by the ice-cold waters. All in all, quite a romantic place!
Four kilometres of the gorge are walkable after April, when most of the snow in the Taurus Mountains has melted and has passed through on its way to the Mediterranean Sea.
However, water levels can still be fairly high in April or May, so it is a better idea to visit in late summer when the water is not quite so cold and the 4km are an easy paddle rather than a death-defying adventure!
Click on the button to see a video clip (1.5Mb): 
Our tips:
- Mornings are less busy in peak season.
- It is much cooler in the gorge.
- Kebabs here are good and the chips are very tasty.
- Don't be intimidated by the crossing - there are plastic shoes to borrow and there are obliging young men to give you a helping hand through the initial icy cold current to the gorge.
- The official car park is by the gorge itself, even though eager restaurateurs try to persuade you otherwise on your way in.
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| Tlos |
Spectacular in the spring with snow on the mountains that stand tall behind the theatre, it's an interesting Lycian site in Asia Minor because of the presence of the Ottoman fortress of "Bloody Ali" (Kanli Ali), a local brigand in addition to the Lycian and Roman remains.
The 19th century archaeologist Charles Fellows who rediscovered Tlos, and several other nearby sites, had this to say about the approach to Tlos. The whole ride down this upper valley is beautiful and varies continually; it's scenery, on approaching the bold Greek like situation of the ancient city of Tlos, is strikingly picturesque.
Nice to approach on foot if you feel up to it. A dolmus (local transportation) running along the little road that serves Xanthos and Saklikent can drop you at the bottom of the access road and the 4km hike gives you a feeling for the situation of the city. It's the sort of site you can take in quickly or linger on for an afternoon.
Here you can see the Tomb of Bellephoron. The carvings on the tomb represent Tlos' main claim to archaeological significance, unfortunately rather to often frequented by goats. Another feature is Yedikapi, The seven doors or gates. Following signs for the Hamam or baths you'll come to a very dramatic set of seven arches overlooking the whole valley. Don't miss The Theatre. Some charming carvings scattered about and the backdrop of the mountain range and the valley is hard to beat for spectacle.
Click on the button to see a video clip (1.4Mb): |
| Kas |
Kas is situated about 25km to the east of Kalkan along the coast road. The drive takes about 30 mins and you are rewarded with breathtaking scenery. It is worth stopping in Kaputas Beach on the way for some photos.
Kas was originally called Habesos or Habesa in the ancient tongue of Lycia and later was given the name Antiphellos. Kas was founded on the ancient town of Antiphellos and the Lycian style sarcophagus at the beginning of the avenue running down to the port is almost the symbol of this lovely town near Antalya in the Mediterranean region south of Turkey.
Antiphellos, which once was a member of the Lycian League, is known to have gained reputation and importance as a port town during the Hellenistic period, sustaining its significance as one of the leading towns during the Roman period as well.
Today's Kas is a coastal town of the Lycians. "Phellos" is the Greek word for "stony place" and this name is very well suited to Kas. It's well preserved rock tombs and theatre are well worth seeing. Kas today is a small and charming coastal resort where many sailing boats anchor in its small marina.
Trips to Kekova (the sunken city) are very popular and are a pleasant and interesting experience.
In the centre of Kas is a statue of Ataturk, who was the first president the new Republic of Turkey. It has been said that he was one of the most important world leaders of the 20th century and certainly the most decisive figure in modern Turkish history.
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| Xanthos |
Xanthos was the capital city of the Lycian Federation and its greatest city for most of Lycian history. It is very old, dating back to the 8th century BC, but it is possible that the site may have existed during the Bronze Age or during the first centuries of the Iron Age.
The city itself consists of the Lycian acropolis and the parts remaining outside it, as well as the Roman acropolis. The most interesting building is the Roman theatre and the edifices of the theatre's western shoreline. Of these the most famous is the Harpy Monument, which is a family sarcophagus situated on a rock.
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| Ancient City of Patara |
Patara was the major naval and trading port of Lycia, located at the mouth of the Xanthos River, until it silted up and turned into a malaria-plagued marsh. It was a very wealthy city due to trade and was one of the six principal cities of Lycia.
Following its capture by Alexander the Great, Patara became an important naval base as well. Alexander promised the revenues of four cities, including Patara, to one of his commanders, thus its value at that time was quite clear. During the Roman period, Patara was the judicial seat of the Roman governor, and the city became the capital of both the Lycian and Pamphylian provinces at one time. Patara was frequently called 'the chosen city' and 'the metropolis of the Lycian nation'.
Much of Patara remains undiscovered, buried in the shifting sand, including the famous Temple of Apollo. However, excavations have been going on recently revealing many structures previously hidden by the dunes. Among them, liberated from the many hundreds of truckloads of sand that covered it, is the parliament building where the elected representatives of the Lycian League met.
In its Christian history period Patara became famous for being the city where St. Paul landed and worked during his third missionary passage en-route to Jerusalem. Patara is also known to be the birthplace of St. Nicholas, better known as Santa Claus.
Our tips:
- Well worth parking and walking the moderate distance to the theatre. Look out for:
- The carvings on the wall as you enter and on some of the stones.
- The row of seating with backs on the benches for the elite.
- On a lighter note - the goats seem very friendly. Look out for tortoises on the way.
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| Maps |
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You can download a PDF map of the route to the places mentioned (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).
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 Driving Route From Kalkan |
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