If you’re looking for a hip but not commercialized, trendy but not snobs, refined but also cozy beach holiday in Turkey, Antalya’s charming seaside town of Kas is the place. Take it from a Turkish travel blogger who has been all along the coast of the country: kas, has incomparable beauty, unique offerings and a relaxed atmosphere that are quite unmatched.
first of all, it is nothing like the rest of antalya. Let’s put it this way: Antalya is the most popular tourist destination in the country. If Antalya is the best model in the country, always in the spotlight, catering to mass tourism, then Kas is the free-spirited artist boyfriend. with a smaller fan base, he’s a bit bohemian, incredibly charming, appeals to young professionals, and hasn’t caught on (yet). Far from being elegant, he is approachable and elegant in an intellectual way, and perfectly content to live apart from the glory of his mate.
Reading: Kas turkey
kas is hard to find, but once you get there, there are amazing things to do. I mean, where else in the world can you kayak over an ancient sunken city and snorkel with sea turtles in the same day? Kas also has some of the best dining and nightlife options in Antalya. its cobblestone streets are filled with bustling cafes and restaurants, live music venues, and small bars.
It’s also home to some of the most picturesque beaches in the country, including the stunning Kaputas. pristine nature, dreamy sands, once-in-a-lifetime activities, delicious food, great people; In short, kas has it all.
In this blog, we will share all the information you need for a great trip to kas. Let’s start with:
what is the best time to go to kas?
summer is the high season for kas. It will be crowded and very hot, but it will still be nice. however, April-June and September-November are even better.
how to get to kas?
kas is under the jurisdiction of antalya but it is so far from the city that flying to dalaman airport instead of antalya makes more sense. antalya airport to kas takes 3 hours and 20 minutes by car. dalaman airport to kas takes 2 hours and 15 minutes by car.
Either way, getting to kas isn’t exactly a piece of cake, and in fact, that’s something we’re very thankful for, as it keeps kas, antalya the way it is.
you can take a shuttle to kas from the airport or rent a car. I like to rent a car because it also gives me more freedom in the city.
how long in kas?
the minimum you should consider is 3 days, because getting to kas takes a long time. You can even spend another 2-3 days discovering the surroundings of Kas, Antalya. if you come in the summer, there are plenty of things to do in and around kas. you won’t get bored before a week is up.
the best things to do in kas, turkey
you can see the map by zooming in.
places to see
- kaputaş beach
- kaleköy village
- kaş city center
- meis
- uzun Çarşı
- kaş camping
- saklıkent canyon
- düşler akademisi
- patara beach
- kaş panorama
where to eat
- pell’s
- hijazz
- echo slash
- gagarin
- slash without 11
1. swim in the beautiful beaches of kas
The beaches in Kas have this special tone of turquoise that makes them ridiculously beautiful. Nope, we didn’t use Photoshop or filters in any of these pictures; it’s just the way it is. You will have an urge to stop the car and swim in every bay you drive past.
of course you will have to see kaputas which is the most famous beach in kas. however, it does get crowded during peak season, so you may want to explore other options as well. you can always drive along the coast until you find some secluded spot, but most people prefer beaches with facilities. It’s good to have a cafeteria and bathroom around.
we made a list of the best beaches in kas, turkey. on top of that, we have listed the antalya beaches: where to swim in antalya. number 1 on the map.
2. canoe over the ancient city of simena in kekova
If you still haven’t made up your mind about whether or not Turkey inhabits one of the most beautiful and varied geographies in the world, then you have to see this (and of course, the Gulf of Gokova, Artvin, Kars, and Cappadocia).
a great earthquake that struck the ancient city of simena flooded it. tombs jut out of the water, and you can paddle over walls and between churches and houses built on hills that have become islands. Because the historical artifacts here have often been looted, swimming is not allowed in the area, and ships are not allowed to stop here, but they can sail without a problem. you can take a boat tour from demre. (We will also talk about boat trips in the rest of the article).
but the best way to visit this place is by canoe. There are daily tours that take you on a tour of the ancient city and nearby cave, as well as Kalekoy. if you prefer something a little more adventurous, you can take a couple of days to camp on the beach or stay a couple of nights. there are some adventure companies that organize tours on request. we booked with bougainville travel.
3. snorkel with caretta turtles & fish
The ground, rocks and water in Kas are all precious. The ancient city springs forth from the water, and it’s hands-down the best diving spot in Turkey. Unfortunately, diving in the country typically ends in frustration. You probably won’t see colorful fish – if any at all.
but thanks to the intact ecosystem of kas, it is very likely that you will see both fish and sea turtles. and since the waters are so warm, there are also semi-tropical fish. the waters here also offer a sunken ship and tank and a stunning underwater valley. there are a thousand companies you can dive with, but we have already compiled a list in our article on diving in kas, turkey.
4. kalekoy is one of the most special villages in turkey
kalekoy is a small and quiet town that can only be reached by water. this is actually a peninsula, but there is no connection outside of a trail, so you’ll have to take a boat to get to it. this means that all the women in the village are ship captains. 😉
The locals settled on the historical remains of Lycia and Byzantium, and have lived there for centuries. so the town has a very old and unique feel. the koc family (owner of one of the largest holding companies in turkey) also has a house here.
There are a couple of restaurants and hotels, but other than that, not much else. It remains a must on our list of things to do in Kas, Turkey. the castle, which gives its name to the city, offers a spectacular view of the area. the best thing you can do here is eat ice cream and watch the sunset. If you are planning to do one of the boat or canoe tours mentioned above, then Kalekoy will already be on the road. number 2 on the map.
5. join the republic day celebrations on October 29th
Every October 29th, we celebrate the foundation of the Turkish Republic and the best celebrations happen in Kas, Turkey. How the people of Kas came to have the best celebration culture goes a long way back.
Even today, it’s hard to get to kas and it was even harder in the old days. because kas was not well connected, the people of kas celebrated the declaration of the republic after learning about it two days later. that day, they gathered in the center of the square and lit a big fire. the fire was large enough to be seen from the islands. a group of 150-200 people gathered, shared a meal and celebrated by singing traditional Turkish songs for hours.
This tradition has continued with the same enthusiasm for the last 94 years. therefore, we find it interesting to be in kas to see the celebration as it has been almost a century ago. number 3 on the map.
6. our favorite breakfast spot in istanbul has moved to kas – don’t miss out!
For those of you who think that all Turkish breakfast is the same, we recommend that you try Pell’s. You won’t be disappointed. The little touches make a big difference. Pell’s used to be located in Cihangir, a neighborhood in Istanbul, and we used to be regulars. The owner of the place, Pelin, then moved to Kas and left us nowhere to go on Sundays. 😉
the new place in kas is adorable and located in the garden of a historic house under three lemon trees. This provides natural relief from the summer heat, and you can cool off even more with a Bacardi cocktail made in front of you with one of the lemons from the trees. We also recommend dinner: the salad of roasted red peppers and salty vegetables and a little goat cheese puree.
sometimes the venue can turn into an open-air jazz concert, a neighborhood pub with Balkan music blaring, or a tasting spot that can turn into a gourmet event. demirhindili, sari hindi, gul and adacayli peri-dudagi cocktails are made by the owner with great care. It is open from 9am to 2am. highly recommended! address: andifli mahallesi, topcu sokak, no: 20, 07580. tel: (0242) 836 43 82. click here for location . number 1 on the map.
7. opt for an adrenaline rush and try canyoning
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canyoning is one of the most fun and adrenaline filled natural activities not only in kas but also in turkey. canyoning involves a bit of canyon hiking, a bit of climbing, and jumping into rivers or ravines (as you can see in the photo). kas is one of the few ideal places in the world where you can do this and, more importantly, there are regular canyoning tours.
The outdoor companies with the most experience in this are bougainville and dragoman. They will provide you with all the technical equipment you need, but you will need to bring your own outdoor boots. It is not necessary, but we recommend that you also bring your own sports gloves.
8. a classic kas: jazz nights
Kas is the type of place where you can swim in the sea all day, get a little buzz from sipping on a bit of raki (an anise seed liquor) and relax while listening to some jazz. For that, you can check out these spots:
hello jazz
jazz music has a different history in kas, turkey. this place is the home of this history, and it is one of the few places that only offers live performances. hi jazz showcases rock jazz blues as well as other types of alternative music and has hosted many big names in turkey including ediz hafizoglu, feti caglayan, suleyman bagcioglu, tumer dalgakiran, ercan temel, fatma baba, sinem yilmaz. It is a great option to listen to quality live music while having a beer. address: andifli mahallesi, zumrut sk. click here for the location. number 2 on the map.
echo bar
echo is housed in a fine historic stone building and is one of the most famous show bars in kas. The bar, which has a large space, also hosts famous Turkish names and bands throughout the summer. Some of the names include Yeni Turku, Birsen Tezer, Bulent Ortacgil, Jehan Babur, Sibel Köse, Can Gox, Yuzyuzeyken Konusuruz, Sarp Maden, and Adamlar. there is a garden where you can drink and talk before the concerts start. phone: 0539 633 32 46. click here for the location. number 3 on the map.
9. nightlife (you can catch up on the beach the next day)
gagarin
This is a laid back rock bar. it is also the most fashionable place in kas. here, they house many famous dj names. Aylin Aslim, who owns the place and came to Kas only two years ago, plays herself and lets visiting DJ friends play too. chances are you’ll meet someone new every time you go. If you start the night off with a bacon burger while enjoying the serene scene of Kas Marina, then you won’t feel hung over the next day, no matter how crazy the night has gotten. that’s what everyone says. the cocktail menu is also quite nice. we recommend trying the tourist omer. address: İskele geçidi sokak no: 2 andifli mahallesi, 07580. tel: 0531 838 78 64. click here to see the location. number 4 on the map.
#:11
in kas, turkey, the bars are very close to each other, almost in line formation. No. 11 is a very beautiful place right in the middle. they have many cocktails, and we recommend gelincik vodka and damla sakizli vodka shot. another favorite is the pear martini. the staff that work there have obviously been in the tourism industry for years and know how to make you feel comfortable. They also play nostalgic Turkish pop music a couple of times a week. this is one of the places that is so popular that people spill out into the streets. address: terzi sk.no: 1 andifli mahallesi. tel: +90 536 482 43 32. click here for the location. number 5 on the map.
10. visit the island of meis and eat octopus
“We don’t see Meis as a Greek island… it’s a part of us. It’s our neighborhood. The land has borders but not our hearts,” said Uncle Mehmet, one of the inhabitants of Kas. People who live in Meis often come to Kas to visit people and to shop. Locals from Kas also frequently go to Meis thanks to the regular transportation offered by ferry boats. The scene in Meis is idyllic with rows of colorful wooden houses and octopi drying in the sun.
meis is a small greek island located just opposite kas. there are around 400 people who live there, and there are churches, museums and “the blue cave”. As the second largest cave in Europe, the Blue Grotto is located at the back of the island. In high season, a ferry leaves every day, but only once a week during the winter.
The companies that organize these tours are located in Plaza Kas. one is called kahramanlar turizm and the other is meis express. If you don’t have a schengen visa (and you need one), you’ll need to hand in your documents a couple of days in advance to go to meis. number 4 on the map.
11. hang out at uzun bazaar
If you’re not sure what to buy while in Kas, Turkey, we’ll tell you: handmade silver jewelry, Lycian rugs, kilims, glass artwork, carved wood figurines, and clothing by local designers.
You may be glad to know that the vendors in the kas bazaar have a different attitude than the vendors in other tourist areas. nobody who works in the market jumps on you to try to sell you something, but they are always there to help you if you need something. number 5 on the map.
12. enjoy the sea at kas camping
We’ll tell you straight: camping in kas is a bit expensive for camping, but it’s one of our favorite places to camp in kas, even in turkey, as the concept is so well thought out. It’s also right on the water and calm and in a convenient location. be sure to contact them in advance for pricing information, as they change seasonally.
You can come with your own tent or caravan, or stay in the bungalows. there are communal toilets and there is a cafeteria with healthy options like granola and Turkish summer classics like watermelon and white cheese. sometimes they organize yoga camps. Even if you don’t stay here, you can still come hang out. click here for the location. number 6 on the map.
those who like to camp can check out our post on the best camping sites in turkey.
13. see saklikent canyon
saklikent canyon is a good alternative to escape the heat of kas during the summer with its cool waters. the canyon runs 18 kilometers and reaches a height of 200 meters and has narrow passages. the esen river crosses the canyon and gives life to a huge pine forest, which is now under protection.
There are several businesses in the canyon. some older women sell gözleme (Turkish-style pancakes) in front of their houses and men sell walking shoes. For those of you who have traveled through Turkey, this is a familiar place. 🙂 the canyon offers a lot of adventure, but if you do take the plunge, make sure you bring water and wear (or buy) proper footwear. definitely not a place you can get to wearing flip flops.
There are also companies in kas that organize excursions to the canyon, but you can also go on your own with a car and parking. tours that go there usually last 1-2 hours. we recommend bougainville or dragoman. click here for the location. number 7 on the map.
14. walk the lycian way, one of the 10 most beautiful walks
Kill three birds with one stone on the Lycian Way: Trekking, mysterious ruins and fantastic views abound on this historically significant and famous long-distance trail in southern Turkey. The massive 535-km route starts in Fethiye and crosses through to Antalya, hugging the coast of what was known as Ancient Lycia (hence, the name). The trail is often included on many a top-10 hiking list, and we recommend hiking a small portion of it.
The more time you spend on the Lycian Way, the better. nowadays, many say to plan a part of the trek over four days (hiking the entire trail takes an average of 29 days), but you can even plan a day, and you won’t regret it! we suggest you start at either demre or hoyran. Even if you can’t walk the trail, we recommend driving to see the scenery, views, and ruins it has to offer.
if you start too late…
demre, home to the ancient city of myra, the st. nicholas church and tasty blue crabs, is 40 minutes from kas, antalya. st. Nicholas Church is a major pilgrimage stop for many Orthodox Christians, and the church organizes activities to celebrate St Nick every year on December 6. even the logo of the municipality of demre is a santa claus.
and now about those blue crabs: you’ll be happy to know that you can easily find them served in demre. click here for the demre location. number 8 on the map.
If you want to spend a few days on the trail and prefer not to camp, the hoyran wedre hotel is a nice stop for both walkers and harcore hikers, even just for lunch.
what’s so good about lycia?
The ancient Lycians had no kings, instead it was a matriarchal society. many small settlements would come together to decide who would rule over them. that is, they built the first democracy in the world. 😉
During times of war, young men and doctors who were deemed valuable were sent to the mountains so that they could start a new settlement once the fighting was over. we would have known a lot more about civilization if a violent earthquake hadn’t flooded the area.
15. try coasteering, you won’t find anywhere else to do it!
Coasteering is one of the most fun sports that combines sea and rocks. basically you explore a rocky coastline by swimming, climbing and jumping, no boats or rafts. Of course, the level of difficulty varies depending on the route you take, but we can say that the tours in Kas, Turkey are suitable for beginners. if you are afraid of water or heights, this may not be for you. someone who has difficulty jumping into the water from a height of one meter could stop the whole group.
16. volunteer at the dream academy (dusler akademisi)
Düşler Akademisi /Dreams Academy helps socially disadvantaged people to participate in society. At their Kas Campus, they’ve created opportunities people with disabilities, Roma and any disadvantaged individuals – but they’ve also displayed an understanding for the environment that is rare in Turkey by producing their own electricity and engaging in ecological agriculture. And they’ve done all this with the support of volunteers.
It is also well known that they take good care of their volunteers. You can get more information about volunteering on their website. click here for the location. number 9 on the map.
17. explore ancient cities
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Take a break from the sea, sand and sun to explore the historical riches of this unique geography. Although the ancient cities here are not as well known as other places such as Ephesus, Aspendos and Hierapolis, there are some worth seeing on the border of Kas-Kalkan. We recommend checking out the Antiphellos Antique Theater, Xanthos Antique City and Patara Antique City. To find out more information, head over to our Places To See In Kas post.
18. take a boat ride
One of the best ways to explore Kas and its surroundings is by boat, and we recommend that you spend at least one day on a boat tour. Boats depart from the old harbor.
kekova tours usually include a full day boat trip with meals. Kekova is a place visited and preferred by thousands of visitors to Kas, Turkey.
what to expect from the boat tour:
Each tour follows approximately the same outline. the boat leaves early in the morning and first goes to inonu bay, where you can see a canyon and a cave. then, you will go to the aquarium bay. here, you will be able to snorkel and see the gradually increasing marine life in the area. You will have lunch and then head to Tersane Bay, where many historical artifacts ended up in the sea after major earthquakes hit the area.
you can swim. after that you will go to kalekoy where you will spend an hour or two and eat fabulous homemade ice cream. There are only three types of ice cream (but it changes from time to time): peach, banana and hazelnut, which are absolutely delicious. all the ingredients that go into the ice cream are made locally. then the boat will take you to ucagiz which is a charming fishermen bay. the trip ends around 6 p.m.
19. try your luck with paragliding
As soon as you’re in Kas, you’ll notice the number of colorful parachutes in the sky. Tour agencies put you on a minibus 9 kilometers up Kirdavli Peak or Asas Mountain at an altitude of 600 meters. After training, they give you suits for flying, and you’ll be paired with a pilot before taking off. You can pay extra for videos and photos.
20. swim at caretta turtle beach in patara
You know those beaches you see in the movies that have long and winding shores? This is it IRL. The silky sand stretches for 18 kilometers, making Patara Beach one of the most important breeding grounds for the caretta caretta sea turtles in Turkey.
For that reason, there are a couple of things to watch out for here. do not place an umbrella on the sand, as you could be harming a baby sea turtle that has not yet hatched. do not stay the night as the turtles hatch and run to the sea at night. if you do, then don’t talk loudly or shine a light so you don’t scare them. Thanks in advance. 😉 click here for the location. number 10 on the map.
21. see an unforgettable sunset
It turned out to be raining the day we took this photo, so imagine how much more epic a sunset is on a clear day. It’s popular to enjoy a beer while watching the beautiful sunset from this spot, but you’ll need a car. number 11 on the map.
22. try burnt and fried ice cream
One of the best (or, for some, worst) things you can try in this region is burnt or fried ice cream, a local antalya specialty. the ice cream is made with goat’s milk that is burned on purpose during cooking. the burnt ice cream itself has a bit of a smoky flavor to it, like it’s caramelized, and some people really like it. honestly i’m not a fan but you should still give it a try. you can get it at nur pastanesi, located at bankalar caddesi in the square. they’ve been doing it for years.
Another original dairy treat is fried ice cream, also very popular in the Far East. it has only recently become fashionable in kas. ice cream starts out as cream and you can add whatever flavors you like. they are mixed together, then smoothed out in a frozen pan and scraped into rolls. it’s fun to see how it’s done. In the square you can also find fried ice creams.
what to eat and drink in kas, antalya
We’ve included a couple of things in this list of where to get some grub, but we have many more recommendations for Kas, Antlaya. You can find all our suggestions in our Kas Restaurants & Specialties post.
where to stay in kas
in the kucuk cakil area
lantana apart
this is parallel to the coastal road (kucuk cakil sahil). the rooms and apartments were recently renovated in 2017. half of them face the sea and many of them face me. these are the largest apartments you can find so close to the square.
The area of 50 square meters is comfortable for groups and families, especially if you have a limited budget. Even though the location is central, it’s still away from the noise, and we have to say this place stands out because their concierge, Onur, is there to make your trip better. even though the apartments have their own kitchen, they will pamper you a bit by providing you with your first meal for free. this price includes breakfast.
aphrodite pension
aphrodite guesthouse is an option close to the center and within walking distance to kucuk cakil beach, overlooking kas, antalya.
diva residence hotel (all suites)
diva residence hotel is a boutique hotel consisting of 11 suites, with one or two bedrooms, overlooking the island of kas y meis. It has a swimming pool and it is far from the sea. your own private beach is 12 minutes away.
in the center
kuytu pension
This is a charming hostel offering home-like comfort right in the center of Kas. Located behind Uzun Bazaar, it has one of the best locations as it is close to bars, taverns, the sea, shopping and entertainment. Kuytu has modest rooms that vary in size and decor and offer nice little touches. the plants you see in the corridor of the pension are all from kas.
Right in front of the pension there is a café that plays beautiful jazz tunes. you can have breakfast while contemplating a view of the sea. unlike anywhere else, breakfast time is not fixed here – if emine abla isn’t gone, then you can get up whenever you want and ask her to make you something. They do things like Turkish pastries and cakes that will ensure you have a good start to the day.
near the old theater
kas camping
This is located on the road from the old theater to the peninsula. Waking up to the cool blue waters, Kas Camping has a 37 year old giant sycamore tree. At the campsite you can stay in both bungalows and tents, and it’s close to the city.
pay pension
Paydos pension is located just 50 meters from the city center and the port and overlooks the rocky tombs, the famous kas bazaar and its beaches. the owners baris and merve will not treat you as clients but as friends. They also have a beautiful terrace. you can come for breakfast or a beer at night and they will welcome you with open arms.
kas hotel
This is the closest lodging the sea has to offer. but it’s also the most expensive on our list.
nefeshane
this place offers rooms for two, three and four people in the town of cukurbag. it’s great for those who want to be in nature and clear their heads. some minibuses leave at regular intervals to come here, and you will arrive in just 15 minutes. just think, it will only take you 15 minutes to get to heaven!
on the cukurbag peninsula
lukka exclusive hotel
this is a boutique hotel on the cukurbag peninsula, with balconies and great views.
in demre
simena pension
simena pansiyon is a traditional village house in kalekoy. ideal for small groups or families.
in Kalkan
villa mahal hotel
this boutique hotel was voted “europe’s most romantic hotel” by conde’ nast johansens in 2007. even if you don’t decide to stay at the hotel, you can still come and enjoy dinner at its restaurant.
where is kas in turkey?
kas is a city in the mediterranean region west of antalya. fethiye and kemer are nearby.
kas is found:
- 126 kilometers from fethiye, or about 2 hours by car,
- 147 kilometers from kemer, or about 2 hours and 28 minutes by car,
- 192 kilometers from the center of Antalya, or about 3 hours and 20 minutes by car,
- 323 kilometers from alanya, or about 5 hours by car,
- 647 kilometers from ankara, or about 8 hours and 15 minutes by car,
- 808 kilometers from istanbul (besiktas), or about 9 hours and 55 minutes by car.
transport to kas
by bus
If you like to travel by bus and are not in a hurry, you can take buses that leave at frequent intervals. even out of season, you will be able to find bus tickets every day from the bus stations in the bigger cities. The trip takes about 13 hours from Istanbul, 8 hours from Ankara and 6 hours from Izmir.
by plane
there are two alternatives for those who want to fly: you can go to dalaman airport or antalya airport. after that you will have to use minibuses or shuttles to get to kas. you can share your transport with other people on facebook (there is a page for that). The trip takes 2.5 hours from Dalaman and 3.5 hours from Antalya.
by car
you can go to kas via fethiye or from antalya, kemer, kumluca, finike and demre. for those of you coming from ankara, after passing bucak province, you will pass through korkuteli and head to the coastal road that goes to elmali-gombe.
