Kalkan→Evrenseki

This is one of the longest town-to-town drives on the Turkish Mediterranean. It covers 190 km and takes about 200 minutes, or 3 hours and 20 minutes, in normal traffic. You start on the western Lycian coast, in the stone-walled hillside lanes of Kalkan. You finish on the sandy shoreline of Evrenseki, a few kilometres from the ancient town of Side. In between, you cross almost the whole length of the Antalya coast.

There is no airport in this journey. A private transfer from Kalkan to Evrenseki is a town-to-town ride. Your driver collects you at your door in Kalkan and drops you at the entrance of your resort in Evrenseki. Nobody asks you to change vehicles, find a bus terminal or carry cases across a station forecourt.

Many guests book this transfer when they move between two parts of the same holiday. They may spend the first week in quiet, upmarket Kalkan and the second week at a big beach resort near Side. Some plan the move around a stay with family or friends. Others simply want a different kind of coast. Whatever the reason, three hours in a private car is a very different thing from three hours on public transport.

This page walks you through the drive, the arrival, the places you can use in Evrenseki and Side, and a few ways to make the day easier.

A 190 km route is easier to enjoy when you know what each part looks like. The road follows the coast almost all the way, so the view keeps changing.

The journey starts in Kalkan. The town climbs a hillside above its small harbour, and its lanes are narrow and steep. Your driver collects you at your accommodation, so you do not need to drag luggage down to a main road. If your villa sits in the hills above town, the driver takes the hillside roads down to the coast.

Once you leave the town, the road runs east toward Kaş. Soon you pass above Kaputaş, the narrow cove with turquoise water at the foot of a long staircase. The road here is cut into the cliffs, and the sea is far below on your right. This is the most dramatic stretch of the whole transfer. If you want to take photographs, tell your driver before you leave and he will stop at a safe point.

After the first part of the journey you reach Kaş. It is a small, relaxed harbour town known for diving, boat trips and Lycian ruins. The old stone tombs cut into the rock above the town are a reminder that this whole region was ancient Lycia long before it was a holiday coast. The island of Kastellorizo, which belongs to Greece, sits just off the shore here and is a classic view from the waterfront.

Many travellers who pass through Kaş say they wish they had stopped longer. If you have time, ask your driver for a coffee break here. The harbour is only a short walk from the road, and the town is pleasant to stroll through.

Beyond Kaş the road turns inland a little and the character of the journey changes. The mountains step back, the valleys widen, and you pass through Demre, Finike and Kumluca. This is farming country. Greenhouses cover the flat ground, and orange and other citrus groves line many of the roads. Demre is also known for the ancient city of Myra and the church linked to Saint Nicholas, which is the main reason many visitors stop here.

The sea disappears for some minutes and then comes back at the next bend. The D400 coast road keeps winding between mountain and shore. It is a working road, so you share it with lorries, farm vehicles and local minibuses. A good driver reads these sections calmly and does not rush.

North of Kumluca, the road passes the Kemer area. Pine forest runs down the mountainside to the water, and the Beydağları range rises behind it. Names on the signs along this stretch, such as Adrasan, Olympos, Çıralı and Phaselis, point to ancient sites and small beaches off the main road. You do not need to visit them, but they show how much of this coast is still wild.

Kemer itself is a large resort area with a marina and many hotels. The road around it is busier, with more junctions and more tourist traffic in summer.

Past Kemer the road reaches Antalya. The city is large, and the ring road lets you bypass the centre. The landscape flattens here and the sea is further from the road. If you want a short view of the old harbour, tell your driver in advance, because it requires a detour into the city.

East of Antalya you travel through the broad coastal plain. Belek appears with its pine forests, golf courses and large resort hotels. After Belek, the road continues toward Serik, Manavgat and the Side area, and finally you turn toward Evrenseki.

The 200-minute estimate is based on normal traffic. It does not include stops. A realistic plan is to add time for a rest break of 15 to 20 minutes, which most guests need on a drive of this length. If you also want to see a viewpoint or eat a meal, add more.

Busy periods can add time. The sections most likely to slow down are the Kemer area and the Antalya ring road, especially in July and August and around the morning and evening peaks. The mountain road near Kaş and Demre can also slow down behind lorries. In spring and autumn the road is generally quieter.

If you have a deadline, such as a check-in time, a ferry, a dinner booking or a flight later in the day, tell us when you book. We will choose the pickup time with a margin built in.

To arrange the pickup, we need your date, the number of passengers and your exact address in Kalkan. Kalkan has many villas and hotels that sit on narrow roads and are hard to find from a map. Give us the name of your property and, if you can, a pin or the villa name on a gate. A hotel or a well-known complex is easy to find. A private villa on a hillside lane may need a phone call.

Your driver contacts you on WhatsApp before the pickup. If you are staying in a villa with a steep or narrow access road, the driver may ask you to meet him at the nearest point where a car can stop. This is normal in Kalkan, and it keeps your bags from having to travel further.

A few simple steps help the morning go well:

• Pack the night before, and keep important documents and medicine in a small bag you carry with you.
• Check out of your hotel or villa before the driver arrives, so you do not delay the start.
• Eat breakfast before leaving, or ask the driver to stop at a suitable place on the road.
• Have a water bottle and a light jacket for the car, because the air conditioning can feel cold after a hot morning.
• Keep a few small coins or a card for the toilets at rest stops.

When you reach Evrenseki, the car goes to the reception of your resort or hotel. You do not walk from a drop-off point. Many properties in this area are large, so give us the exact name of the property, and not only the area. In some resorts, the road to the main entrance is long, and the driver will follow the signs to reception.

Evrenseki is known for its large resort hotels, its wide sandy beach, and its position close to Side. Most guests arrive in the afternoon after a long transfer, and check-in times matter. Many hotels allow check-in from the early afternoon. If you arrive earlier, the hotel can often store your luggage so you can go to the beach or the pool until the room is ready. Ask the hotel about this in advance if you can.

Remember that the driver will stay with your luggage until it is in the right place. Check that you have your belongings, then say goodbye.

Evrenseki is a resort district in the Manavgat area, on the coast near Side. It is a good base for a beach holiday. Behind the shoreline there are pine trees and farmland, and the Taurus mountains show in the distance on a clear day. The sea is shallow near the shore in many places, which many families find useful.

It helps to know the neighbouring areas, because many hotels advertise them together.

Evrenseki has a long beach, large hotels, shops and restaurants. It suits guests who want to stay in one resort and spend most of the day at the beach or the pool. Guests who like a quiet holiday with set mealtimes and an organised pool area often choose a hotel here.

Side is the old town, a few kilometres away on a small peninsula. It suits guests who want more to see, with ancient ruins, a harbour, narrow streets and many places to eat. You can visit Side as a day or evening trip, or choose a hotel in the town itself.

These are neighbouring beach areas on either side of the Side–Evrenseki stretch. They have a similar mix of large hotels and long sand, and some hotels here are quieter than those in the main resort centres. Check the exact location of your hotel before you book transport, because the driver needs the correct entrance.

These lie east of Side along the coast. They are good for guests who want a more peaceful setting with forest behind the beach. If your hotel is in one of these areas, the drive from Side will take a little longer.

The beach at Evrenseki is wide and sandy, and it slopes gently into the water. The sea can have waves on windy days. Most hotels keep their own section of beach with sunbeds and umbrellas, and the water at the shore is calm in the morning.

Compared with Kalkan, this is a very different kind of beach holiday. In Kalkan the sea is reached by steps, rocky coves and boat trips. In Evrenseki you walk straight from your hotel to the sand. Many guests like this change after several days of climbing hills.

Remember to protect yourself from the sun. The summer sun on this coast is strong, and the afternoon heat can be intense.

A visit to Side is the best addition to a stay in Evrenseki. The old town sits on a small peninsula, with the sea on both sides. Parts of the Roman and Greek city remain among the modern streets.

• The ancient theatre. It is one of the largest in the region and stands close to the town centre. Climb to the upper rows for a view over the rooftops.
• The Temple of Apollo. The columns stand at the water's edge on the headland, and they are especially beautiful at sunset.
• The harbour. Small boats, cafes and restaurants line the waterfront. It is a pleasant place for an evening walk.
• The old city walls and gate. You enter the old town through these remains, and the streets inside are full of shops.

The centre of Side is closed to most private cars, so your driver drops you at the edge. From there you walk in. Wear comfortable shoes, because the ancient paving stones are uneven.

Evrenseki is a resort area, and most guests eat at their hotel. Many hotels serve buffet meals with a wide choice, including Turkish dishes. Outside the hotel, you will find restaurants, cafes and shops in the nearby streets.

For a dinner away from the hotel, Side is the easiest choice. The harbour restaurants serve fish and grilled dishes. The old town has a lively evening atmosphere, with shops open late and music in some bars.

If you are coming from Kalkan, you may notice the difference. Kalkan is famous for its quiet rooftop restaurants and its candlelit evenings. Evrenseki and Side have a busier, more open feel. Both have their own charm.

This transfer suits families, but the length of the drive needs some planning.

• Tell us the ages of your children when you book, so we can prepare a child or infant seat. Seats are provided on request.
• Bring snacks, water and something to occupy the children. Tablets, books and small games help.
• Plan for a rest stop. Children often need a break after about 90 minutes.
• Choose a morning departure if your children sleep in the car. Some families prefer to leave early so the children sleep for part of the drive.
• Keep a change of clothes and wet wipes within reach, not in the boot.

Evrenseki is easy for families once you arrive. The beaches are gentle and many hotels have children's pools and activities.

A 200-minute drive can start very early or end very late, depending on your plans.

If you leave Kalkan at dawn, the road is quiet and you arrive in Evrenseki before the heat of the day. This is a good choice in summer. The cliff road near Kaputaş is also at its calmest at this hour.

If you leave later in the day, the afternoon heat and traffic may slow you down. You may arrive in Evrenseki in the evening, and the hotel reception should be open. Tell the hotel your expected arrival time so that they are ready.

For a late-night transfer, tell us in advance. A long drive on a mountain coast road in the dark is slower, and your driver will plan more carefully. You may also prefer to sleep for part of the journey.

Many guests who stay in Evrenseki fly home from Antalya Airport. The airport lies on the way back west, between Belek and the city. Evrenseki is in the Side area, so the drive to the airport is much shorter than the transfer from Kalkan.

For a departure flight, plan to leave your hotel early. A good rule is to arrive at the airport with plenty of time before check-in closes. Summer is the busiest season, and the road to the airport and the terminal itself can be crowded. Tell us your flight time and we will recommend a pickup time. Give yourself a margin, and do not plan to arrive at the last moment.

If your flight is in the early morning, book your pickup the evening before so that the arrangement is clear. If you stay in Evrenseki before a late flight, ask your hotel about late check-out, or store luggage at the front desk.

You can also arrange a return transfer from Evrenseki to Kalkan if you are travelling back. The same road works in the other direction, and the same timing advice applies.

Evrenseki is a good base for exploring the eastern part of the Antalya coast. With your own driver, you can plan a day that suits you.

• Manavgat Waterfall. This is a short drive from the Side area. It is a popular place for a river stroll and a lunch break.
• Aspendos. The Roman theatre here is one of the best preserved in the Mediterranean, and it makes a good half-day visit.
• Köprülü Canyon. This national park inland is known for river rafting and mountain scenery. It is a longer day.
• Alanya. East of Side, Alanya has a castle on a hilltop and a long beach.
• Belek. On the way back toward Antalya, Belek has golf courses and forest walks.
• Antalya old town. Kaleiçi, the old quarter, has narrow lanes, an old harbour and a Roman gate.

Ask your driver about these when you plan the day, or talk to the hotel about local tours.

Because the car is private, you can ask for stops along the road. These are the most popular:

• Kaputaş. A viewpoint above the cove, right at the start of the journey.
• Kaş. A coffee break at the harbour or a walk through the old town.
• Demre. The ancient city of Myra and the church connected with Saint Nicholas.
• Antalya. A lunch break in the city, or a quick look at the old harbour.
• Side. The ancient theatre, if you want to see it before reaching your hotel in Evrenseki.

Each stop adds to the 200-minute driving time. Plan the stops with your driver before you leave, and keep the check-in time of your hotel in mind.

The Turquoise Coast has a hot, dry summer and a mild winter.

Spring (April to June). The weather is warm, the roads are quieter, and the hills are green. It is a pleasant time for the drive, with the cliff road at its best.

Summer (July and August). Heat and traffic are at their highest. Start early if you can. The sea is warm, and the beaches at Evrenseki are at their busiest.

Autumn (September and October). The sea is still warm, and the crowds thin out. This is a good time for both the drive and the beach.

Winter (November to March). Many resort hotels reduce their service, and some restaurants close. The coast road is quiet, but rain can make the cliff section slower. Check with your hotel before you travel to find out what is open.

To book, tell us the date, the number of passengers, your exact address in Kalkan and the name of your hotel in Evrenseki. Add any special needs, such as child seats, a lot of luggage or stops on the way.

On the day, your driver arrives at the agreed time and is in contact with you on WhatsApp. If something changes, for example a late checkout or a delayed ferry, tell the driver and we will adjust.

A drive of 190 km is long, but it is also one of the best ways to see the Turquoise Coast. With Turkey Transfer, you get a private car, a local driver, and the time to enjoy the view.