Situated on Turkey's south west coast, 2 miles north of the charming old town of Fethiye, Calis is renowned for its stunning sunsets and relaxed atmosphere. The compact, easily accessible resort boasts a fine selection of hotels, bars and restaurants that line the extensive beachfront road, and is an ideal destination for families and couples seeking a peaceful beach holiday.
The nearest international airport to Calis is Dalaman Airport, which is 40km away, and connects to over 120 destinations across the rest of Turkey, Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
The easiest way to get from the airport to Calis is by taking a shuttle buses to Fethiye. From Fethiye you can catch a connecting public bus for the remaining 4km journey to Calis.
Weather in Calis is very warm and dry virtually all year round, creating an ideal climate for sun lovers. From May to October, daytime temperatures average in the late 20s, with over 10 hours of sunshine a day. Spring and autumn are cooler, but still very pleasant.
In the winter months, the amount of sunshine drops to around 5 hours a day, though temperature still remain high at 15 to 20C. The wettest months are from December to February.
Calis Beach is the focal point of the resort and where many visitors will spend the duration of their trip. The beach’s long arc of dark sand and shingle extends round a broad bay with sheltered waters, backed by a picturesque boulevard that is ideal for evening strolls.
A number of water sports are offered on Calis beach, though for true aquatic excitement, the Sultans Aquacity water park is just a stone’s throw from the beach.
Shopping in Calis is fairly limited, though a small selection of shops with jewellery, clothes, shoes, beachwear and water-sports equipment are scattered throughout the resort, as well as numerous minimarkets. For greater choice, head to nearby Fethiye, which has an abundance of shops and a large covered market on Tuesdays. Fethiye can be reached from Calis via a dolmus (minbus) or water-taxi.
For eating out, there is an ample choice of restaurants, cafes and snack bars, with the best of the bunch lining the beachfront boulevard, offering dining with fine views of the bay. Again, nearby Fethiye offers more variety.
The nightlife in Calis is pretty low-key, with beachfront bars, cafes and cocktail bars supplemented by a couple of discos. Some of the larger hotels in the resort offer seasonal evening entertainment such as live music and traditional belly-dancing. For a more raucous night out, head to Fethiye.
There are several local excursions that are worth sampling, including boat trips to nearby islands and fishing trips (including shark fishing). Dalyan turtle beach makes for an interesting day out, while the hot springs at Pamukkale (Cotton Castle) are one of Turkey’s great natural wonders, with their sparkling white cascades.