Today's weather for Kalkan, Turkey25th Nov 2009 08:50

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Weather Overview for Kalkan

‘Mediterranean’ is a word that just seems to ooze ‘beach holiday’ - whether it be on the south coast of France, the Greek Islands or the west coast of Italy. The latitude of these places ensures long, hot summers, while the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea provide a moderating influence, staving off uncomfortable extremes in the summer and keeping cold at bay in wintertime. Kalkan lies on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey and is no exception. Much of Turkey’s long coast line is perfect for almost year-round beachside escapes and unfortunately this has meant that many resort areas have sacrificed their integrity for the financial rewards of mass tourism. Kalkan has so far managed to keep the hordes at arm’s length and is considered a last bastion of authentic coastal Turkey.

Summer could really be said to last from May till October as the average high temperature is in the mid 20s and hire, and the sun is almost inescapable for the entire period. The average high temperature rises to 24°C in May and on to a peak of 32°C in July and August before stumbling back down to 24°C in October. At the fringes of the season night time temperatures can be rather nippy, around 11°C in May and October, but they soon warm up. The low humidity of the region means that night time temperatures are subject to dramatic drops so even in the peak of the season the heat is usually at bearable levels. Sea breezes and low humidity help to keep the daytime heat in check, but many might find it better to avoid the peak months. June and September still see scorching heat in the days, but their average highs are just below 30°C and night times are quite refreshing at around 15°C. The sun shows itself off for an astounding 14 hours per day in the sunniest month of July and sunshine levels in the surrounding months remain exceptionally high. Rain is almost unheard of though showers can be expected to fall occasionally at the very beginning and end of the season. You should not let the chance of light rain scare you off: these are some of the best times to visit the town as there are fewer tourists.

Autumn, a brief affair in November, is still pleasantly warm but can be a bit wet. The average high temperature is 18°C and the sun comes out for a good 6 hours per day. However, night times are decidedly nippy with average lows at 7°C. The pleasant days are perfectly suitable for sight-seeing holidays though visitors at this time of year must be prepared for the night time cold. The month sees a few rain storms but the sea is still warm enough for swimming.

Winter, from December till February, is mild and wet. The average high temperature falls to 14°C in December and 12°C in January, creeping back to 13°C in February. It rarely gets down to freezing but it can still feel very cold at night and frosts sometimes occur. December and January are the wettest months in the year; rainfall is slightly reduced in February. While rain means clouds, though that is somewhat backwards, the sun can still be relied upon for around 5 hours per day which is five times sunnier than London in December. Despite the rain, Kalkan is still quite pleasant in winter; there are many sunny days and the sea is still just warm enough for a dip. However, visitors should not expect to get a tan or even get down to their t-shirts.

Spring, in March and April, is mild and sunny with falling rainfall levels. The average high temperature increases to a pleasant 16°C in March and up to a very warm 19°C in April. Sunshine steps up to 7 hours per day in March and 9 in April. April is warm, dry and sunny enough for an early beach holiday, though clearly it is not quite warm enough to be called hot. 

In 2007 Kalkan was voted by Britain’s ‘The Independent’ newspaper as one of the best tourist destinations in the world - and it’s not hard to see why. The old fishing town basks in 300 days of sunshine per year, making picture-perfect its white-washed houses that crowd the slopes around the turquoise bay. The charming jumble of ancient architecture is interspersed with the obligatory cypress trees and fuchsia bursts of bougainvillea. The town is largely unspoilt with its ancient roots on display; historical sites are plentiful and the ruins of ancient civilisations are but a drive away. Culture and a suntan - who’d have thought it?

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