Kas

Kaş is small enough that you can walk the entire town in twenty minutes, but large enough to spend a week without running out of interesting things to do. The streets are narrow and paved with stone and lined with bougainvillea, the small Roman theatre sits above the harbor and you can watch boats moor from the stone seats, and the Lycian rock tombs stand in the hillside behind the town as naturally as trees. I arrived expecting a diving base and left having also kayaked over a sunken ancient city, walked a section of the Lycian Way, and eaten the best seafood of the trip at a restaurant where the owner knew every fisherman by name.

The Kekova sunken city is the defining experience of this section of the coast. Ancient Simena (now the village of Kale, with its own Lycian sarcophagi in the harbor and a Knights Hospitaller castle above) sits on a peninsula accessible only by boat. The adjacent Kekova island has Byzantine ruins partially submerged by tectonic subsidence — you paddle a sea kayak directly over the mosaic floors, doorways, and staircases of a city that has been slowly disappearing into the Mediterranean since the 2nd century AD. The clarity of the water means you can see the architecture at two to three meters depth as clearly as if it were behind glass.

Kaputaş Beach, 20 minutes east of Kaş by minibus, is one of the finest small beaches on the Turkish Mediterranean — a pocket of sand and turquoise water at the foot of dramatic cliffs, accessible by a 187-step staircase from the road above. Arrive before 10am or after 4pm to have it without the tour crowds.

The Greek island of Kastellorizo sits 18km offshore and is visible from the Kaş waterfront. A daily boat makes the 30-minute crossing for a day trip that produces a genuine small-island Greek experience at a fraction of mainland Greece’s cost. The Kastellorimzans speak Turkish alongside Greek as a living legacy of the Ottoman-Greek coexistence here before 1923.

Why Kaş deserves your attention

Kaş is the best small town on the Turkish Mediterranean for independent travelers. It has avoided the mass-tourism infrastructure that has changed Bodrum and Marmaris while remaining fully serviced for visitors — good diving operators, boat tours, hiking trails, and a restaurant scene that punches above its population.

The diving here is genuinely excellent. The Mediterranean around Kaş has underwater canyons, ancient amphora fields, aircraft wrecks from World War II, and the kind of deep clear water visibility that makes the coast’s reputation. Several dive centers run daily trips for all experience levels.

The Lycian Way passes through Kaş and the immediate surrounding area has some of the finest day-hiking in Turkey — paths through phrygana scrub to hilltop tombs with sea views, or down to coves inaccessible by road. The 4km walk from Kaş to the neighboring village of Kalkan through ancient Lycian ruins, olive groves, and sea-view paths takes about two hours and requires no guide.

What should you do in Kaş?

Kekova Sunken City Sea Kayak — Half or full day sea kayaking tour over the submerged Byzantine ruins of ancient Simena, with stops at Kale village (Lycian sarcophagi in the harbor, castle above) and Kekova island’s submerged ruins. Approximately 600–800 TL per person. The most distinctive experience in the region.

Scuba Diving — Canyon dives, aircraft wrecks (WWII Consolidated Catalina flying boat at 30m), and ancient amphora fields. Sun Diving and Bougainville Travel are the established operators. Two-dive day trip approximately 1000–1500 TL ($30–45 USD) including equipment.

Kaputaş Beach — 187 steps down from the cliff road to one of the finest small beaches in Turkey. 20 minutes from Kaş by dolmuş. Arrive before 10am or after 4pm. Bring water — no facilities in high season.

Day Trip to Kastellorizo (Greece) — 30-minute boat crossing to the nearest Greek island, visible from the Kaş waterfront. Spend the day in the small harbor village, eat at the waterfront restaurants, return by the afternoon boat. Approximately 400 TL ($12 USD) for the crossing.

Lycian Way Day Hike — Multiple trail sections accessible from Kaş: the 4km walk to Kalkan through ancient Lycian sites; the climb to the hilltop tombs above Phellos; or the coastal path toward Limanağzı cove. Download the Lycian Way app for trail data. No guide needed for marked sections.

Ancient Theatre and Rock Tombs — The small Roman theatre above the harbor is free and offers the best view of the bay. The Doric Tomb (4th century BC) above the town is an extraordinary single-chamber Lycian tomb carved with Ionic columns. Both within easy walking distance.

Where should you eat in Kaş?

• Bi Lokma — The best traditional Turkish home cooking in Kaş: slow-cooked lamb dishes, fresh böreks, and vegetable plates that change daily with what came from the market. Approximately 300–400 TL per person (~$9–12 USD). Book ahead in season.

• Bahçe Balık — Garden fish restaurant on the harbor side, serving fresh catch grilled over charcoal. The owner knows every fisherman personally and the quality shows. Fresh sea bass approximately 300–400 TL per fish; meze and raki additional 200–300 TL.

• Smiley’s Restaurant — Seafood terrace overlooking the harbor, popular with both Turkish and international visitors, consistently good. Full meal approximately 400–600 TL per person.

• Mimoza Restaurant — Good meze selection and reliable grilled fish with harbor views from the upstairs terrace. A reliable standard for lunch.

• Noel Baba Pub — The most consistently popular evening spot in Kaş, not primarily for food but for cold Efes, music, and the kind of outdoor terrace setting that makes a Turkish summer evening complete. Open late.

Where should you stay in Kaş?

Budget ($35–60/night): Hideaway Hotel and Santosa Guest House both offer clean rooms with harbor views at reasonable rates. Several pansiyon in the old town streets run $35–50 for simple but characterful rooms.

Mid-range ($80–160/night): Aqua Princess Hotel has a pool and good location; Kaş Ayas Boutique Hotel is consistently reviewed as the best mid-range option with a genuine hospitality character.

Luxury ($180–350+/night): Kaş Marina Suites and the Argos Hotel offer the most comfortable options in the upper range, both with sea views and better-than-average design.

When is the best time to visit Kaş?

May and June are ideal — the coast is warm, the sea is swimmable (22–24°C), and the town hasn’t reached its summer peak. September and October are when the experienced Turkish coast travelers come: warmest water (28–29°C in September), reduced crowds, and the best diving visibility of the year.

July and August are very busy — accommodation books out, the Kekova kayak tours fill up, and Kaputaş beach is crowded. The diving remains excellent; book everything in advance.

Kaş sits between Fethiye (2 hours west) and Antalya (3.5 hours east) on the Lycian coast circuit. It works as a 3-day base in a longer Turkey itinerary. Plan the full circuit at /plan/ or see all Turkey destinations.