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- Destinations
- Europe
- Turkey
- Mediterranean Coast
- Calis
Calis
The holiday retreat of Calis (pronounced Chalish) in Turkey is
renowned for its spectacular sunsets and its laid-back atmosphere.
Situated in the southwest of the country on the beautiful
Mediterranean coast, Calis has a selection of hotels, bars and
restaurants that line the extensive beachfront road, designated a
car-free strip.
The Calis beach is long and narrow, with a mix of sand and
shingle, and as in Dalyan, a population of Loggerhead (Caretta
Caretta) turtles gathers here to lay its eggs at certain times of
year.
Calis is also a dolmus (minibus) or water-taxi ride away from
neighbouring Fethiye, for those seeking bigger crowds. The best way
to enjoy a Calis holiday, however, is to grab a seat at a
beachfront café with cameras at the ready, and enjoy a cocktail as
the sun dips below the horizon.
Information & Facts
Activities
The beach in Calis is ideal for sunbathing and swimming, and
there are more active pursuits available, including scuba diving,
windsurfing and waterskiing. There are a number of activities to
enjoy in Calis, including boat trips to nearby islands, jeep
safaris, canoeing, horse riding, fishing, quad biking and micro
lighting. The Sultans Aquacity waterpark, a stone's throw from the
beach, provides a wealth of entertainment for families on holiday,
and other watersports are also available during the day. A short
distance from Calis you'll find the limestone hotsprings of
Pamukkale, the mud baths of Dalyan, the gorge in Saklikent, the
deserted village of Kavakov, and the archaeological and
ethnological Fethiye Museum.
Language
Turkish is the official language, but English is widely
understood in the main tourist areas.
Money
The official currency is the New Turkish Lira (TRY), which was
introduced on 1 January 2005, whereby six zeros were dropped from
the TL and the sub-unit New Kurush was created. Currency can be
exchanged at banks, exchange booths, post offices, airports and
ferry ports; banks have the worst rates and highest commissions,
but will exchange lesser known foreign currencies. Banks open
mainly Monday to Friday, but some are open daily in tourist areas.
ATMs are widely available in major cities and tourist areas, but
Turkish ATM keypads usually do not have letters of the alphabet on
their keys. Most bank branches have ATMs which accept Cirrus and
Plus. Major credit cards are widely accepted; the most popular are
Visa or MasterCard, but American Express is accepted in many of the
more expensive places. Travellers cheques can be exchanged at some
banks and currency exchange offices, but are not as welcome as cash
or credit cards. US dollars or Euros are preferred. Some pensions
and hotels in the most popular destinations accept US dollars as
payment.
Negatives
Calis is quiet, and not suited to those looking for a lively
nightlife. It's best-suited to families and older couples, but
teenagers will be bored.
Night Life
The nightlife in Calis is very laidback with a few late-night
bars which host events like foam parties, karaoke and salsa nights,
but for a wild party tourists can head to nearby Fethiye. Like most
resorts, the most popular clubs are located along the
beachfront.
Restaurants
Calis has a variety of restaurants, with an emphasis on Chinese,
English, and local Turkish cuisine. The Sultan Bakery is known for
its great baklava, or you can visit the fish market in Fethiye and
choose your own fresh seafood. The Meeting Point is a great spot
for vegetarians.
Shopping
A little way out of town is a lovely market that takes place on
Sundays, with the usual selection of very well priced fake designer
items, as well as spices, teas and foods. There is also a small
selection of shops selling beachwear, sporting equipment, and local
handicrafts.