Ultimate Travel Guide To Kaş, Turkey
Updated: Apr 21
When my best friend moved to Kaş, I had no idea, how to react: for me, choosing a small town in Turkey as a place to live permanently was an absurd idea.
However, after at least one year of sceptical listening to her stories about life in Kaş - the best place in Turkey, as she used to repeat constantly - I decided it was time to visit this place.
In this post I will tell you more about this charming town, and the best places to see there, I will also share some tips & tricks and provide some recommendations regarding where to eat, drink and sleep in this town.
So, let's get started!
2) How To Get To Kaş
Things You Need To Know About Kaş
Kaş is a picturesque town located on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, situated between Antalya and Fethiye. Kas is known for its natural beauty, crystal-clear waters, and panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Kaş enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. The summer months (June to August) are popular for tourists due to warm temperatures and ideal beach weather.
The area around Kaş has a rich history dating back to ancient times: it was inhabited by the Lycians, an ancient Anatolian people. During the Hellenistic period, Kaş fell under Greek influence and after the decline of the Greeks - under Roman control around the 1st century BC. With the division of the Roman Empire, the region became part of the Byzantine Empire.
The Seljuk Turks expanded into Anatolia in the 11th century and gradually gained control of the region, including Kas. The Seljuk territories were then absorbed into the growing Ottoman Empire and remained under Ottoman control until the empire's dissolution in the early 20th century.
How To Get To Kaş
Kaş is not the easiest place to be reached by tourists - maybe that's why tourists do not spoil it in the same way as the nearby city of Antalya. The closest airports are Dalaman (140 km) and Antalya (210 km) - during my recent trip I tried both, and if you have a choice I recommend flying to Dalaman.
There are shuttle buses from the airport to the centre of Kaş for around 500 TRY, and the journey will last for around 2 hours. I tried this option on my way back and was pleasantly surprised (compared to my experience of flying to Antalya, the journey to Dalaman was fast and comfortable).
Suppose you have to fly to Antalya and do not want to pay a fortune to arrange a private transfer. In that case, the easiest option is to take a taxi from the airport to Antalya Main Bus Station (around 20-30 minutes) or use public transport (the tram will bring you to the city centre and then you can easily catch a bus), and then - take an intracity bus from the bus station. For only 180 TRY and in around 4 hours the bus will bring you to the bus station of Kaş.
The journey was long, but I enjoyed the views.
Best Things To Do In Kaş
I spent 1 week in Kaş, and I think it's enough to get to know this charming town, explore the most remarkable places and rest in amazing beach bars. So, what are the best things to do in Kaş? Check out the below travel guide to Kaş:
- Start with exploring the Old Town: wander through its narrow streets filled with colourful houses, and discover boutique shops, art galleries, and local cafes.
- If you are lucky enough to be in Kaş on Friday - do not miss the Kaş market, which appears in the centre of the town every Friday morning. It's a great chance to experience the vibrant atmosphere and buy fresh fruits, vegetables and traditional Turkish sweets.
- Explore the well-preserved ancient theatre in Kaş, which dates back to the Hellenistic period. The theatre offers panoramic views of the sea and the surrounding landscape. I think it's the best sunset spot in Kaş!
- If you enjoy hiking, consider tackling a section of the Lycian Way, a long-distance trail that passes through Kaş. The trail offers stunning views and a chance to explore the Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliffs around Kas. These ancient burial sites offer a glimpse into the region's rich history.
- If you love spending time on the beach, reading books and drinking cocktails, then you will like the beach clubs in Kaş. Alternatively, you can walk 20 minutes to the Peninsula, where you will find nice beaches and admire breathtaking views of Kaş Marina.
- One of the best (and most popular) beaches in Kaş is Kaputas Beach, known for its turquoise waters and white sand. It's just 20 km from the centre of Kaş, and if you don't rent a car you can easily take a bus from the bus station, and in 30 minutes you will reach Kaputas.
Where To Eat & Drink In Kaş
In Kaş, there are plenty of nice cosy bars and restaurants. Check out the below list for some verified recommendations:
Breakfast & Brunch:
- Dudu Mutfak is one of the best places for breakfast in Kaş, especially if you want to get an idea of what the traditional Turkish breakfast looks like.
- Pell's is another good spot for breakfast or brunch. They also serve European dishes and are open for lunch and dinner. If you feel hungry during the day, you know where you can go.
- Bekos: this one is also a good option to start your day - similar to Pell's they also have European food on their menu, and you can also come back for lunch or dinner.
Dinner
- Demetri is one of the best places to eat fresh fish and seafood in Kas. We went there for my last dinner in Kas, and it was amazing: I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food, and I highly recommend trying the calamari there.
- Zayka is a good option for meat lovers, it's located on the Peninsula: if you are staying near the Old Town, the location of this place will help you to spend some of the calories you gained during your dinner on your way home ;)
- Momus Oborus is the must-go for vegetarians (or those who already spend all their previous Kas evenings in Zaika). It's a nice place with interesting plant-based food and amazing views from their terrace.
Drinks
- Dost is my favourite place for cocktails. The service, the variety of cocktail options, the overall ambience - everything is at a very high level. Try their pizza - they have nice tasty options.
- Diva is another great place for cocktails and other drinks. Check it out!
- Zühtu is a very nice place to go out for cocktails lovers. Their variety of appetisers is great!
Where To Stay In Kaş
If you haven't booked your accommodation yet, I suggest you look at some of the options close to the Old Town and the seaside. Peninsula is a great option if you are travelling with kids or overall looking for a nice quiet area and do not mind waking 30-60 minutes to the centre of Kaş.
- Defne Hotel: this nice small hotel is located within 1 min walking distance from the nearest beach clubs and super close to the Old Town. Depending on where you want to go in the Old Town, you can reach most places in 5-15 minutes by foot. I stayed there and was satisfied with the price-quality ratio. This view is from one of their rooms, by the way :)
- Linda Beach Class Hotel: another nice option in the same area, a bit more expensive than Defne, but with breakfast included.
- Hotel No 37 and Hotel Ferah are your alternative options, if you want to stay in this area, close to the sea and the old town.
- The Kaş Old Town Hotel is nice if you want to stay close to the Old Town and the Peninsula.
- For those who prefer to stay a bit far from the Old Town, but closer to nice beaches and in a quiet area, I would recommend choosing a hotel on the Peninsula, such as, for example, Radisson Blue Hotel (if you are ready to pay a bit more for this brand's standards) or a cheaper (but very good) option Molino Hotel.
As I am a person who spent 5 years in Cyprus, it's hard to surprise me with nice coastal towns, but Kaş managed to impress me with its charm and authenticity.
This small charming town has its unique vibes and atmosphere - I recommend visiting it if you would like to spend a relaxing vacation where every day you can choose a different activity: from enjoying your time on the beach in one of the numerous cosy beach clubs to exploring the ancient remaining of Lycian civilisation.
Kaş is small, but it has a lot to offer. It is super cosy, friendly and comfortable - what else do you need from your perfect beach vacation? I hope this post gave you another vacation idea, and that you have already added Kaş to your travel bucket list.
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