Once you discover Kaş, you will never want to leave, trust me! In Kaş, a magic spell will surround you and won’t let go.
When you wander this magnificent fishing village, you will feel the spirit of the streets. And once you’ve experienced the Mediterranean blues in Kaş, you’ll become obsessed with spending here every summer of your life!
However, before we step together into the city of Kaş, let us take a journey to witness the miraculous beauty of the local nature and the cultural richness that this city has been offering for centuries…
Kaş has been a very popular spot since prehistoric times, and it continues to be attractive today due to its natural beauty and location. Being at the intersection of the Lycian Way and the Caria Road, it has also doubled the historical and cultural value of the region. With its climate, nature, and historical texture, Kaş is one of the places you should visit in Turkey.
If you are ready for limitless joy and amazing views, let’s discover this stunning city.
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Where to Stay in Kaş
If you’re spending some time in Turkey, you will probably be arriving in Istanbul, So, why not check our giant neighborhood guide and hotel recommendations? If you don’t have a clue about where to stay in Istanbul, read about our favorite Sultanahmet hotels near the Blue Mosque or our favorite Bosphorus view hotels.
Once in Kaş, there are plenty of places where to spend a great time. These are our top picks for each budget category.
Budget: For a great budget-friendly hotel, you can stay at Kaş Artemis Hotel, only 700 m to the seafront. Another great and affordable option is Hideaway, a few meters from the center.
Mid-Range: For an affordable stay, we recommend Club Çapa Hotel, ideal for a seaside holiday. One more place we suggest is Aqua Princess, close to the sea and the center too.
Luxury: There are many fabulous hotels to choose from, but we love Suna Sun Boutique Hotel for adults only. For a fantastic stay in the city center, then check the pretty Erdem City Hotel.
Amazing Things to Do in Kaş
In no particular order, check these amazing things you can do when you visit Kaş, on the coast of Turkey…
Tour the Center of the City
The cobblestone street lined up with wooden houses adorned with flowers which run through in the middle of Kaş welcomes visitors with amazing views, bohemian cafeterias, and hundreds of cats.
On the streets, you can find small boutiques, antique shops, gift shops, jewelers, and carpenters featuring their crafts. If you want to better know local life, just take a walk along the streets in the old center of Kaş. They can be crowded at peak times though, so you can enjoy a more quiet time if you visit in spring.
Enjoy the Amazing Blue of the Kaputaş Beach
Kaputaş Beach is located on the Kaş-Kalkan road. It is a very special natural beach only 20 from Kaş.
Kaputaş is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. The beach embraces visitors with an amazing turquoise sea. Known as Canyon Beach, the sea here is normally wavy, but the view remains simply outstanding.
Kaputaş beach definitely deserves to be on the list of places to visit. If you decide to make a stop in Kaputaş, remember to carry flippers, goggles, and snorkel with you. You won’t regret it.
During the whole summer season, there are regular minibusses covering the route Kaş-Kaputaş Beach and Kaputaş Beach-Kalkan-Patara. If you prefer to relax and enjoy a guided visit, check this value-for-money jeep safari that also takes you to Patara beach and Saklıkent.
Feel the Historical Spirit in the Ancient City of Xanthos
It was the largest administrative center of the Lycian civilization in antiquity. The ancient city of Xanthos is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a history that goes back all the way to the 7th century BC. It’s located 70 km from the Kaş-Fethiye highway.
Most of the historical art in Xanthos belongs to the Hellenistic period. The Harpy Monument, the city walls, the agora, the church with mosaic floors, the theatre, and the Tomb monuments in the necropolis can be seen here.
Many of the artifacts were discovered by British Fellows who carried out excavations in the ancient city in the 1840s. Today, these are on display at the British Museum.
There are many historical monuments that are worth visiting in this fascinating ancient city. The ancient settlement was destroyed many times, continuously burned down, and rebuilt.
They said that this is the site where most artifacts in the region can be found, so much so that the excavations are still ongoing. To have a better idea, researchers confirm that all the artifacts that we can see here today are only a fraction of what the city used to be. Want to put both Patara and Xanthos on a day trip? Then we suggest you this tour.
Walk Saklıkent Canyon
The canyon of Saklikent is about 14 kilometers long and is believed to have emerged as a result of an earthquake. This unique beauty is one hour away from to center of Kaş.
At the end of the canyon, there is a small waterfall. On hot summer days, it is a good idea to walk through the canyon and to refresh in its ice-cold water. There are very nice restaurants lined up by the river where you can relax after the walk too.
Say Kalimera to our Greek Neighbor Meis Island
No matter where you look when in Kaş, you can always spot the island of Meis (Kastellorizo for the Greeks), which adds even more beauty to the scene. The island of Meis, located just 2.1 km from Kaş, is also one of Greece’s most distant islands to their mainland.
Meis is a lovely little island that hasn’t surrendered to urbanization. After a 20-minute ferry ride from Kaş, you’ll find yourself in a different country.
Enjoy the Amazing Views of the Ancient Theatre of Antiphellos
This is my favorite place in Kaş, I like to come here just to enjoy the great sunset over the sea… These Lycians really knew their business. Everything they designed has a beautiful view.
There are not many structures remaining from Antiphellos to the present day except the Ancient Theatre of Antiphellos. Although it has been restored, you can still feel its historical aura.
When you access the theater, you can feel that the atmosphere isolates you from your surroundings. When you get to the top seating area, it is a pleasure to watch the sunset combined with the views from Kaş and Meis Island.
You can stay long after the sun has gone down to witness the glittering view of the sea in the evening.
Visit the Church of Saint Nicholas
Do you know where Santa Claus comes from? St. Nicholas, worldwide known as Santa Claus, was born in one of the important cities of the Lycia region, Patra, but in general, it’s said that he lived in Demre.
Saint Nicholas had a great influence on the city of Mayra, where the Church of St. Nicholas is located, ıt became the capital of the Lycian region and increased its reputation. The Church of Saint Nicholas is an important monument and the most outstanding example in Byzantine art history,
The Church of Santa Claus, which was heavily damaged by floods, earthquakes, and invasions, was rebuilt under the orders of Emperor Constantine IX and his wife Zoe in 1042, and also by the Russian Tsar I in 1862. From mosaic floor coverings to a terrific interior design, everything is waiting to be discovered.
Take a Short Trip to Kalkan
If you come to Kaş, you shouldnt leave before visiting Kalkan, which is located about 25km from Kaş. It was founded 200 years ago by Greek sailors and bears traces of the Lycian civilization.
Those seeking tranquility should know that here it’s quieter than in Kaş. Kalkan does not offer that small boutique hostel culture and yet you will find luxury small hotels and villas, prefer for a stay when exploring the area.
Another characteristic of this place is that the majority of the population is British. The British who own villas in Kalkan make up almost 80% of the population.
Feel the Hot Sand in Patara Beach
There are many beautiful beaches around Kaş, Patara is one of them. And you should really see it. Patara is only 40 minutes away from Kaş, near the ruins of the ancient city of Pattara.
Patara Beach is approximately 12 km long and its most important characteristics are the soft, fine sand, and the extension of the coast. This shore is protected since it’s a place where sea turtles lay their eggs.
Pattara also has a very ancient history. The old city of Patara was one of the most important cities of the Lycian civilization. This is due to having the first parliament building in this region, which gave it an important place in history.
Also known, as one of the birthplaces of the god Apollo, other important structures you can check in Patara include the Vespasianus Bath, the Theater of Patara, a Corinthian Temple, and a Byzantine church.
Dive into the Amazing Blue Underwater World
If you are interested in diving, Kaş is one of the most important diving centers in the world. The underwater exploration will offer you beauty, sunken cities, and forgotten ships to discover… The beauty beneath the turquoise color of the sea, coupled with warm temperature and transparency is undefeated.
Here, you can train to become a professional or experienced diver through an unforgettable holiday that includes daily training and a final certification.
Jump from the Asas Dağ
Are you an adventurer? If you say yes, you shouldn’t miss a paragliding adventure in Kaş to enjoy a great view from the sky.
Do go for the 650-700 meter high track at the foot of Asas. The runway height is ideal for those who will experience it for the first time. The flight time takes approximately 20-25 minutes. If you’re eager to try this activity, then check this fantastic tandem paragliding fly over Lycia, Kas, and Meis.
Taste Local Turkish Food in Bi Lokma
So you are in Turkey, a country with an amazing history, and with gastronomy spanning from the Ottoman Empire to the Turkish Republic. It’s now time to taste the delicious Turkish cuisine.
Bi Lokma is my favorite restaurant in Kaş which serves fresh homemade dishes. If you want to taste local Turkish food, I recommend you to visit Bi Lokma and eat its Sarma, and the Mantı. You can also taste their delicious Turkish breakfast.
5 Things to Bring to Turkey
First of all, check our essentials ist of what to pack for Turkey, and also consider these five things you definitely want to bring with you!
The Lonely Planet Turkey: a good guidebook that can help you with the kinds of safety tips you need if you’re out in the city and feel a bit lost, especially if you don’t have internet or a cell signal. These also have specific neighborhood information that will help you in different parts of the city, and it’s a great supplement to blog posts like this one!
Unlocked Cell Phone: Stephanie and I both have unlocked cell phones that we bought in Europe (I use a Samsung and Allison uses an iPhone). This allows up to get sim cards when we travel so that we always have the internet. This has gotten us out of so many jams! If you don’t have an unlocked cell phone that can use a Turkish sim card, you can buy a cheaper unlocked phone online and bring it with you!
Pacsafe Citysafe or Other Anti-Theft Bag: This is the bag both Stephanie and I use for all our travels. It has a pouch with RFID technology so our credit cards can’t get scanned from afar, interlocking zippers to make it harder to pickpocket, and it’s roomy enough to be a perfect sightseeing day bag, yet it’s still quite stylish for all of its security features. If you’d rather bring something smaller, you can pack a money belt instead.
Grayl Water Filter: While the water is *technically* safe to drink now, I would still avoid it. If you don’t want to be buying millions of plastic water bottles, you can get a reusable water bottle that comes with a water filter so that you can stick to the tap water and reduce your plastic waste. If you’ll be traveling outside of the major tourist centers, check if the water is potable locally.
Sea bands: If you get seasick easily, pack some Sea bands or seasickness pills so you don’t miss out on the best parts of Turkey – being on the water! A trip to Turkey isn’t complete without a cruise or at least a quick boat trip, so make sure you’re prepared to enjoy it to the fullest!
More Turkey Travel Resources
We have a ton of resources to help you plan your trip to Turkey!
If this will be your first trip to Turkey, check out this guide to planning a trip to Turkey (including visa information) and this guide of beautiful places to visit in Turkey. You can also check out our Balkan currency guide, which explains how the Turkish lira works and guidelines for tipping in Istanbul.
If you’re heading to Istanbul, we have you covered. Start with our essential Istanbul Travel Tips and guide to staying safe in Istanbul
We’re working on our massive things to do in Istanbul post, plus you can check out our guide to the best Instagram spots around Istanbul, tips for shopping in Istanbul, the best Turkish food to eat, how to plan an Istanbul honeymoon, and what to do in Istanbul at night.
If you will be visiting in winter, we have a special winter in Istanbul guide plus an overview of Istanbul weather in January.
If you want to be in the city for just a few days (four or less), check out our Istanbul city break guide, which breaks down the best of the city so you won’t miss anything!
Headed to Cappadocia? If you’re curious about the most Instagrammable places in Cappadocia, we’ve got you covered. We also have posts on the best things to do in Cappadocia, and how to plan a perfect 3 day Cappadocia itinerary, plus how to get to Cappadocia from Istanbul.
We have tons more Turkey and Balkans resources, and we publish new content nearly daily. Bookmark our Turkey and Balkans travel pages so you can find any new resources that come out before your trip!
Don’t Forget About Travel Insurance!
If you’re planning a trip to Turkey, make sure to travel with a valid travel insurance policy. While we feel safe in Turkey, it’s a good idea to be covered in case of an emergency. Travel insurance covers you in case of theft or an accident, which can save your trip if there’s an incident.
For travel insurance, Allison and I use World Nomads. I’ve been a happy customer of theirs for almost three years, and I’ve never had an issue when making a claim. I’m happy to refer them to anyone I meet.
>>Get a travel insurance quote for your trip here.<<
