Villa Zeki

With the vast horseshoe bay of Kalkan behind, a single inauspicious road turns in land. Passing through the bountiful valley plains, the fields are alive and bursting with all manner of voluptuous fruit and vegetables ready to be picked. Simple stone dwellings are eye catching as vines crawl luxuriously from every nook and cranny. The road soon begins to climb, spiralling between pine trees and dense foliage. It is not long before the air begins to cool and the flow of spring water running off the mountain’s beckons. The air is thick with the heavy, fragrant, scent of pine and the gentle murmur from insects.

The village of Islamlar is a serene paradise that remains very much undisturbed by tourism. You may hear the growls of wild boar which roam the land, although you will probably rarely see them before night fall. The narrow criss-cross road is just as busy with all sorts of four legged friends as it is motor vehicles. Expect to be greeted by a trip of goats who insist on having the right of way, in contrast to some smaller and unwieldy tortoises who sometimes lose their way.

Nowadays, Islamlar is largely inhabited by local agriculturalists and interspersed with a sprinkling of holiday homes. The village also attracts some visitors from the nearby harbour towns of Kas and Kalkan who are keen to experience the local cuisine and slow pace of life. There are several humble restaurants serving the renowned freshwater trout, bred in this region along with other local delicacies and the brightest daily selection of meze. Guest diners visit as much for the awe-inspiring scenery as they do the culinary delights. The sensational views across lush and tumbling terrain towards the golden sands of Patara really set this region apart.

The village is rather sleepy, in the winter, when the main hive of activity is the tea garden in the heart of the village where local men can be spotted playing back gammon while slurping bottomless cups of cay. There is a flour mill in the centre that was in use until recently turning grain into flour. The village has several simple restaurants scattered around, most selling Turkish Breakfasts, or suppers of trout, kofte with tasty rocket salads and fried local cheese.

Islamlar is beautifully situated for exploring the many attractions on the Lycian Coast. Take a short saunter back to Kalkan and enjoy an afternoon pootling on a paddle board from cove to cove. There are many Lycian sites within a short drive. Maybe head up the road to the ancient Lycian site of Tlos, followed by an afternoon in the surf at Patara Beach. Slightly further afield, but well worth the effort, is the sunken city of Kekova. Explore the coastline by gulet or kayak and sail over the silhouettes of buildings from a foregone era.

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.