Side→Kalkan

Leaving the Temple of Apollo and the old harbour of Side for the whitewashed lanes of Kalkan is one of the longest hops a holidaymaker is likely to make along this coast. The distance is about 185 km, and the drive takes around 3 hours 15 minutes (195 minutes) in normal conditions. You start on the flat, sandy eastern side of the Antalya bay, pass the city, and finish among the steep, pine-covered Lycian hills on the far western side. It is a change of scenery as much as a change of address.

On a journey this long, the way you travel matters. A public bus means a walk to the station, a change in Antalya, another change further along the coast, and a final hop to your accommodation with all your luggage. A private transfer from Turkey Transfer (antalyatransfer.taxi) removes all of that. A driver meets you at your Side hotel, loads the bags, and drives to your door in Kalkan. You can sit back, watch the coast unfold, and arrive without having carried a suitcase up a single bus step.

The first leg runs west from Side along the D400 coastal highway. You pass Manavgat and the resort strips around it, then continue through the busy belt of hotels and shopping malls that lines the road towards Antalya. The ground here is flat and fertile. Hotel signs, roundabouts and holiday traffic dominate the view, and the Taurus mountains stand in the distance on your right-hand side as you head west.

Antalya itself is passed on the ring road. This is the part of the journey where traffic matters most. In the high season, the stretch around the city can slow down at the start and end of the working day, and on days when many guests change hotels. The 195-minute duration is a realistic figure for normal traffic, and your driver will choose the best way through the city for the hour you travel.

Once Antalya is behind you, the character of the road changes. The highway turns south-west, and the mountains move closer to the sea. You travel along the foothills of the Taurus range through the Kemer area, where pine forest runs down almost to the water and the bays below are a deep blue. If you look to the left on a clear day, you can see the mountain slopes drop into the Mediterranean.

Further on, the road passes Kumluca. Here, the landscape is covered with greenhouses, a sign of how much fruit and vegetable growing happens on this warm, sheltered plain. Next comes Finike, known for its orange groves, and then the plain near Demre, the town linked to Saint Nicholas. Past Demre, the road climbs again and follows the coast towards Kaş. This is the most beautiful stretch of the whole drive. The sea sits far below you on one side, with small bays and islands, and the rugged Lycian slopes rise on the other.

The last part of the journey runs from Kaş to Kalkan along a winding coastal road. The turquoise water, the rocky headlands and the Greek island of Kastellorizo in the distance make this section a pleasure for passengers. If you sit on the sea side of the vehicle, keep a camera ready.

A drive of over three hours is easier in the early part of the day. Many guests leave Side in the morning, which means they reach Kalkan in the early afternoon, in time for a late lunch and a swim. If you prefer to leave later, that works too, but remember that you will cross Antalya in the afternoon rush and that the last part of the road, with its many bends, is less comfortable in the dark.

In July and August the roads are busiest, especially on weekends, when many holidaymakers move between hotels. Outside these months, the road is quieter and the trip moves closer to the lower end of the range. Whatever the season, the 195-minute estimate is a good planning figure. Add a margin if you plan to stop, and tell your driver the time you must arrive.

A private transfer lets you turn the transfer into part of the holiday. The route passes several places that people usually reach only by booking a separate excursion. Tell us before the journey which stops interest you, and your driver will plan the day around them.

• Phaselis and Olympos area. After Kemer, the coast road passes the turns to ancient sites hidden in pine forest and small bays. These are good if you like ruins in a natural setting.
• Demre and the Church of St Nicholas. The church is one of the best-known stops on the coast, and a short visit fits well into the middle of the journey. Nearby are the rock-cut tombs of ancient Myra, carved into the cliff face.
• Üçağız and Kekova. From the Demre area, a side road leads to the small village of Üçağız and to Simena (Kaleköy), where the sunken remains of an ancient city lie in shallow water. A boat trip from here is a popular half-day outing, so many guests treat it as a separate excursion on another day.
• Kaş. The town of Kaş is a natural place for a coffee, lunch or a short stroll through its small harbour and old lanes. It is the last major town before Kalkan.
• Viewpoints on the coast road. Between Kaş and Kalkan, there are a few places where the road runs high above the sea. A short photo stop here costs little time and gives you one of the best views of the day.

Each extra stop adds to the total time, so decide which one matters most. For example, a long Demre visit and a boat trip at Kekova on the same day will make the journey very long. A single stop at Demre or Kaş is easy to combine with the transfer.

Kalkan sits on a steep hillside above a small bay, and its streets are narrow, sloping and often one-way. Many villas and apartments are built on the hill, with stairs and short paths from the nearest road. The old town in the middle of the resort is the most compact part, and large vehicles cannot always reach the exact door.

Because of this, the exact address is important. When you book, give us:

• The full name of your hotel, apartment complex or villa.
• The street name and any landmark nearby, such as a restaurant or a mosque.
• A mobile phone number that works in Turkey, so the driver can call the owner or the manager on arrival.
• The number of passengers and bags, so we send a vehicle with enough space.

For villas on the hills around Kalkan, it often helps if the owner or the property manager can send a map pin. Your driver will then follow the final approach, even when the road is steep. If the driver cannot get right to the door, the driver will stop at the nearest point and help you carry the bags.

Check-in times at hotels and villas are often in the afternoon. If you arrive earlier than that, ask the property whether it can store your luggage, so you can walk to the harbour or the beach while you wait for your room.

Kalkan is a small resort, so you can walk from one end to the other. Even so, each area has a different feel.

The old town is the heart of Kalkan. Its stone and whitewashed houses are covered with bougainvillea, and the lanes run down to a small marina. Many restaurants have rooftop terraces with views over the bay. In the evening, the air smells of grilled fish and jasmine. This area suits couples and friends who want to walk to dinner, and travellers who prefer a lively evening to a quiet one. Remember that the lanes are steep, and that a long transfer with luggage ends with a short climb.

The hills above Kalkan are covered with villas, many with their own pool and a view of the sea. Visitors who stay here enjoy privacy and space. Families and larger groups like it because children can swim in the pool without leaving the garden. The compromise is distance: you may need a taxi or a short drive to go to dinner, and the walk back uphill is hard after a day in the sun.

Kalkan itself is better known for its sea platforms and beach clubs than for a long stretch of sand. If you want to swim from a deck and then walk to lunch, this part is easy. If you want a long sandy beach, plan a trip to nearby Patara instead.

Kalkan's pace is slow, and the sights are as much about atmosphere as about monuments.

A morning walk through the old lanes shows the best of Kalkan. You can visit small shops, buy ceramics and local products, and watch the boats at the marina. Climb to a rooftop terrace in the evening to see the sun set behind the headland. On a clear evening, the Greek island of Kastellorizo is visible across the water, and it is a topic of conversation for many visitors.

Patara is a long, wide beach with fine sand and dunes, a short drive from Kalkan. It is one of the best-known beaches on the Turkish coast, and it is protected, so there are few buildings behind it. The ruins of ancient Patara, which was an important city of the Lycians, lie behind the dunes. Many guests combine a swim with a walk among the ruins. Take water and sun protection, because there is little shade on the sand.

Between Kalkan and Kaş, the road crosses a deep, narrow gorge that opens to the sea at Kaputaş. A short flight of steps leads down to a small beach with very clear water. The place is popular in summer, so go early or late. If your transfer from Side leaves in the morning, you can stop here on the way to Kalkan, but only if you tell the driver in advance and keep your luggage secure in the vehicle.

Inland from Patara, the sites of Xanthos and Letoon are linked with the Lycian civilisation and are recognised as important heritage sites. They are easy to visit on a half-day excursion from Kalkan, and a private driver can arrange this for another day of your holiday.

Kalkan has a reputation for good food, and evenings are the main event. Many restaurants sit on terraces above the sea, so a table at sunset is part of the pleasure. Menus focus on fish, meze, grilled meat and fresh vegetables, with Turkish and Mediterranean dishes side by side.

Because the lanes are steep, wear comfortable shoes in the evening. If you stay on the hill, plan how you will get back after dinner, since the last climb can be tiring. Ask your hotel or villa host to call a taxi for you.

Compared with Side, where the evening centres on the old harbour and a relaxed, family-friendly bar scene, Kalkan is more refined and quieter. There are no big nightclubs. Think about what kind of evening you want before you choose where to sleep.

Turkey Transfer can provide child and infant seats on request, so tell us the age and weight of each child when you book, and we will prepare the right seat. This is better than trying to bring your own seat through the airport.

A few tips make the journey easier:

• Leave at a time that suits your children's routine. Many families leave straight after breakfast, so that younger children sleep for part of the drive.
• Pack a small bag of toys, books and snacks, and keep it within reach.
• Plan one short stop, for example at Kaş, so the children can stretch their legs.
• Choose a minivan if you have many bags or a pushchair, since space matters on a long journey.

In Kalkan, the main thing to know is that the town is steep. A pushchair is hard to use on the hill, so a baby carrier is more practical. Villas with pools are popular with families, but remember to check that the pool is fenced. Patara beach is a good choice for children because the water is shallow and the sand is soft, though the beach is open and has little shade.

Sometimes the travel plan does not fit a normal day. A flight that lands late at night or a departure at dawn may mean you start or end the journey in the dark.

For a late arrival, remember that the road after Finike has many bends, so a night journey is slower and more tiring. If you can, plan to rest in Side or Antalya, and leave in the morning. If you must travel at night, tell us the flight number and the expected arrival time. Our meet-and-greet service includes flight monitoring, so the driver follows your flight and waits if it is delayed.

For an early start from Kalkan, give yourself enough time and confirm the pickup time the evening before. Make sure your accommodation knows you will leave early, because the owner may need to give back a key or a deposit.

Many guests use the same road for the trip home. The airport lies on the eastern side of Antalya city, so the drive from Kalkan to the airport is shorter than the full Kalkan to Side run, but it is still a long road. Plan the return carefully.

For an international flight, you should be at the terminal in good time for check-in and security. Because the road has many bends and may be slow behind trucks or in holiday traffic, add a generous margin to the driving time. As a rule of thumb, leave Kalkan earlier than you think you need to. A relaxed arrival at the airport is better than a rushed one, and you will have time for a coffee before the flight.

If your flight is early in the morning, you will need to leave in the middle of the night. If your flight is in the afternoon or evening, a morning departure gives you a comfortable day with a lunch stop on the way.

On the way back, the same stops are possible. A lunch in Kaş or a quick visit to Demre can make the day more pleasant, provided there is enough time before check-in. Tell the driver the flight time and the stops you want, and the driver will help you decide if they fit.

Kalkan is a good base for exploring western Lycia. Many places are a short drive away, and a private driver can take you on a day trip.

• Patara and its ruins. A swim at the beach and a walk among the ancient city make a pleasant half-day trip.
• Xanthos and Letoon. These sites give a good picture of Lycian history, and they are close together.
• Saklıkent Gorge. Walk through cold water in a narrow canyon inland, a welcome break from the summer heat.
• Kaş. A lively harbour town with shops, cafes and diving centres. It also has the starting point for boat trips.
• Kekova and Simena. A boat trip to the sunken city and the village of Kaleköy is a favourite excursion from Kaş or Üçağız.
• Demre and Myra. The Church of St Nicholas and the rock tombs make a cultural day out.

Because Kalkan is small, there are few big attractions in the town itself. This is why many guests rent a car or use a private driver for day trips. Ask your driver about a full-day hire if you want to see several places in one day.

The Mediterranean climate means long, hot summers and mild winters. Summers are hot, often above 35°C, and winters are mild, around 15°C. The sea season runs from April to November.

In April and May, the countryside is green, the sea is still cool, and the sights are quiet. It is a good time for walking, visiting ruins and enjoying the old town without crowds. The drive is pleasant, and you can stop at viewpoints without a queue.

June to August is the hot season. The sea is warm, beach clubs and restaurants are full, and the roads are busy. Leave early to avoid the midday heat, bring water, and book your transfer well in advance. Sights like Patara are best visited early or late in the day.

September and October are among the best months. The sea is still warm, the crowds are smaller, and the light is soft in the evening. Many guests prefer this season for the road trip, since the traffic is lighter and the temperatures are easier to bear.

From December to February, the weather is mild but the sea is cold, and many seasonal restaurants and beach clubs close. The coast road is quiet, and Kalkan feels like a small village again. Some guests like the calm, but check that your hotel or villa is open before you book.

Your fare covers a private air-conditioned vehicle, a local driver, road and fuel costs, and child seats on request. The vehicle is yours alone, with no other passengers added. You see the fare when you book, so there is no surprise on arrival. You can pay the driver on arrival.

Reserving takes only a few minutes. Send us your date, pickup time, number of passengers and bags, and the addresses in Side and Kalkan, either online or on WhatsApp. If you arrive by air and your Side transfer starts at the airport, give us your flight number. We will confirm your details, and your driver will contact you before the journey.

It is a comfortable way to finish your Side holiday and begin the next chapter in Kalkan, with its stone houses, its small marina and the long sands of Patara a short drive away. If your plans change, contact our team and we will help you adjust the booking.