Frequently Asked Questions
We've tried to include as much "good to know stuff" as we can here, but please do contact us if you can't find the answer to your question.
The charming town of Kalkan sits within Turkey’s Antalya province, and our local neighbourhood is Kızıltaş. It is quieter than other areas and provides a gentle and welcome breeze in the height of the summer.
Villa Andrea is peacefully nestled on the hillside, perfectly positioned for spectacular views across Kalkan, the harbour, the bay and the surrounding islands.
A safe 10-minute downhill walk - via one of the nearby footbridges - or a short and inexpensive taxi ride, takes you into the centre and the famously picturesque Old Town.
Licences are a relatively new requirement for holiday rentals in Turkey. Ours was issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on 31st May 2024. It demonstrates that we comply with all the rules, regulations and safety requirements laid down by the Turkish government. Click here to check the register https://www.ktb.gov.tr/genel/bakanlikbelgelikonutlar.aspx and use Belge/Document Number 07-2326 in the search bar for our entry.
Dalaman (DLM) airport is the closest at around 1.5 hours away by car. Out of the main holiday season, or as an alternative, Antalya (AYT) airport is a 3-hour drive from the villa.
We are happy to arrange private transfers and use a local company Volume Travel for these. Their drivers are wholly professional and their vehicles are comfortable, air-conditioned and have wifi.
There are flights from most of the UK's regional airports. Operators include Easyjet, Pegasus, SunExpress, Wizz Air, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, Corendon, Jet2, Ryanair and TUI. We use SkyScanner to find the best prices.
Kalkan is a foodie's paradise and has some 170 restaurants listed on TripAdvisor!
Competition is fierce and, wherever you choose, you're very unlikely to have a bad meal. The restaurants on the harbour and the many rooftop terraces make for an especially fabulous dining experience. In high season though you will need to book to be sure of a good table and at a time to suit you.
Vegetarians are well catered for and to a certain extent vegans now too. If you have allergies or intolerances be sure to draw attention to them and don't expect necessarily to be asked up-front.
We're very happy to recommend restaurants or venues if you're looking for something in particular, or for a special occasion.
If you'd rather eat at home, we've tried to cover all bases! There is a gas BBQ on the terrace and the kitchen is fully equipped with all the crockery, appliances, gadgets and cookware you're likely to need.
If you prefer to have someone else do the cooking - inside or outside - we can provide details of a chef or catering team that will come to Villa Andrea and do just that.
Kalkan has its own "Villa Eats" app to order takeaways for delivery or collection.
A Welcome Pack will be waiting for you when you arrive. It includes a supply of pods for the coffee machine provided, as well as bread, milk, eggs, juice and water.
All towels (including beach towels), bedding and linen are supplied and laundered. The villa sleeps a maximum of 6 people in two double rooms and one twin.
Cleaning is undertaken weekly, with a full linen refresh, on a day to suit guests.
There are hairdryers in each of the bedrooms.
Kalkan is a very safe destination, with little crime, and the local community takes great pride in ensuring visitors feel welcome and well looked after. Stories of lost phones or wallets being safely returned are not uncommon, as are shopkeepers chasing after customers who’ve forgotten their change.
As with anywhere, it’s still wise to take sensible precautions. For example, making sure the villa gate and doors are securely locked when you’re out and overnight. The villa has a key fob alarm system and, for added peace of mind, there is a safe in the villa for your use.
English is very widely-spoken in Kalkan and those working in shops, chemists, restaurants, etc. will be happy to practice their language skills with you.
Cash is king in Turkey and often the preferred method of payment. Though all shops will take major credit and debit cards, taxis and market stalls are unlikely to.
You may find a better rate of exchange in town, if you prefer to bring Sterling with you, but there are plenty of cashpoints around too.
Don't be surprised to see prices in shops and for tours, etc. to be quoted in £s. This method of pricing is simply for consistency and they will happily convert to and take Lira at today's rate.
There are a number of larger supermarkets - Migros is our Tesco equivalent - plus smaller independent and more specialist stores such as a bakery, greengrocers and butchers. If you don't have a car and want to do a "big shop" then most of the taxi drivers will be happy to take you and then wait to bring you back again.
We now have our own corner shop (search "Ekomini Samira Market") only a few minutes walk away. Perfect for ice-creams, daily bread and even cold beers and snacks.
If you like to shop and are fond of a bargain you are going to LOVE Kalkan. Famous for "genuine fakes" - watches, jewellery, bags and clothing - every brand and quality is here in spades. Thursday's market offers plenty of choice and, while likely to be cheaper, don't expect the best copies from here (or the unofficial Kalkan branch of JD Sports!) to last too long! Venture into the Old Town though and some of the goods on offer are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing.
Bartering is expected on the market but many of the shops now are "fixed price" unless you're spending a huge amount or buying in quantity.
If you can drag yourself away from the pool, we recommend Alper Bektas at Alper Tourism who can arrange day trips and a whole raft of activities to complete your holiday stay. Whether it's horse-riding on Patara Beach, a jeep-safari, quad-biking or even car hire, Alper is your man! He is on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/alperbektas1453 or can be reached by WhatsApp on +90 545 480 82 84.
A number of small boats and larger gulets offer boat trips around the bay and islands. These can booked via agents in the town, or at the harbour itself with the skipper.
Our favourite though is with Captain Osman Mutlu whose boats are moored in Kas but who will collect you from Kalkan. There's a number of trips to choose from (our favourite is Aperlai) but you can also venture to the Greek island of Meis with him. He's on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/omuslu/ or you can reach him on WhatsApp +90 532 540 7040