Villa Lale

Tucked on Turkey’s gorgeous Lycian Coast, just 3.5km from the village of Islamlar, in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains, Villa Lale is in an idyllic location, with both the centre of Kalkan town and the nearest beach just 13km away! You’re also within 3km of restaurants and shops, making it incredibly practical, too!

Nearby Kalkan is an enchanting former fishing village that has undergone a spectacular transformation over recent years to become an increasingly popular beach resort, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Taurus Mountains! In the centre of the town is a small pebble beach, perfect for snorkelling and from here you can take a boat trip out to the impressive Blue Cave, or just a little further south on the coast to the hidden Kaputas Beach. Indeed, Kalkan is renowned for its scuba diving and water sports.

And while we’re on beaches – just a 25-minute drive away is the picture-perfect beach of Kaputaş, a striking gorge where luminous turquoise seas meet the dazzling white beach, a perfect bay of beauty set against the striking backdrop of the impressive cliffs dramatically dropping off into the sea! And only about half an hour north is the world-famous twelve kilometre stretch of golden sands of Patara Beach, backed by ancient Lycian ruins and with the most magnificent sunsets!

The town boasts stunning architecture, with whitewashed houses reminiscent of the nearby Greek islands, with the contrasting and dazzling ubiquitous bougainvillaea creating endless photogenic streets. Over 200 restaurants, serving everything from wholesome Turkish meals to sophisticated local delicacies can be found, whether you fancy one of the waterfront cafes or one of the rooftop restaurants amid the tree-lined hills with unrivalled views of the bay! Indeed, from the laid-back atmosphere during the day, during which you can visit these bustling markets selling spices and rugs, jewellery and foods including traditional fresh golmeze, these pretty cobbled streets begin to burst with life as the sun sets.

In this location you’re just less than three hours from Antalya, a city rich in history and art, centred around the winding streets of Kaleiçi, the old quarter, making it a perfectly accessible day trip! Meanwhile, you’re also just over an hour from Fethiye, well worth a visit on market day. And if you’re looking to explore the surroundings, you can’t get much better than a brief saunter along the historic Lycian Way hiking path, a marked walking route covering over 500km offering breath-taking views across this impressive coastline and the endless azure sea. There are also innumerable fascinating sites of ruins, including Canthos, Patara, Tlos, Myra and Letoon, while there are also world class walking, biking and hiking routes that wind through the olive groves and forests of this luscious landscape.

Read more about Islamlar

Islamlar sits 8 km above Kalkan. Once the place Kalkan folk went to cool off at one of the trout farms built to make use of the mountain’s springs. Today Islamlar houses many a villa, enjoyed by Istanbul Turks who prefer a holiday in slightly cooler and cleaner air. Here the locals grow grapes and pomegranates, but you’ll mainly see the men sat gossiping next to the local teahouse. The trout farms remain a place to come for a wonderful fresh meal, or a breakfast consisting of fresh local fare. The rocket will be the freshest & most tasty you’ve ever had; and the fresh chips cooked in olive oil take some beating.