Kaş is the Mediterranean’s gem: a small town of stone houses and bougainvillea, set between the turquoise sea and the Lycian mountains. The town is the diving capital of the coast, the gateway to the sunken city of Kekova, and the base for the Lycian history, and the first visit rewards the relaxed pace. This guide covers the essentials of Kaş.
Why Kaş
Kaş is the different Mediterranean: a small, unspoiled town that the mass tourism never overwhelmed, and the charm is exactly in that. The town sits on the southern coast, and its position — the harbor, the peninsula, the mountains behind — gives the setting; the stone houses of the old town climb the hill, and the bougainvillea drapes the lanes; and the town is the center of the diving, the boat trips, and the Lycian exploring of the region. The visitors come for the water, the history, and the relaxed pace, and the town delivers all of it.
The practical why note: Kaş is the authentic, the active end of the Mediterranean, and the pace is the relaxed one; the town is the diving capital of the coast, and the boat trips and the hikes fill the days; and the charm is in the harbor and the old town. The first-timer comes for the water and the history, and the town delivers them in spades.
Getting to Kaş
Kaş sits on the Mediterranean coast of the Antalya province, and the journey from the region’s airports is the scenic one. The nearest airports are Antalya, about three hours away by road, and Dalaman, about two and a half hours away; the shuttle buses and the rental cars connect, and the buses of the region run to Kaş; and the drives run along the coast, through the dramatic scenery of the Lycian shore. The journey to Kaş is the scenic one, and the arrival at the bay is the reward.
The practical arrival note: the flight to Antalya or Dalaman plus the transfer is the common route; the bus from Antalya runs the coastal route; and the rental car gives the freedom of the region. The journey to Kaş is the scenic one, and the coastal road sets the tone.
The Old Town and the Harbor
The heart of Kaş is the old town and the harbor, and the two together give the town its character. The old town — the stone houses, the narrow lanes, the bougainvillea — climbs the hill behind the harbor, and the life of the town runs through it; the harbor holds the fishing boats and the tour boats, and the waterfront is the meeting place of the evenings; and the ancient Lycian theater of the town, set into the hill, adds the history. The old town and the harbor are the Kaş of the postcards, and the first visit starts there.
The practical town note: the old town rewards the wandering, and the lanes give the views over the sea; the harbor restaurants serve the fish of the day; and the ancient theater, set above the town, gives the history and the views. The old town and the harbor are the essential Kaş, and the first day finds the rhythm there.
The Diving
The diving of Kaş is the famous sport of the town, and the underwater world of the coast is the draw. The waters around Kaş hold the reefs, the walls, and the wrecks, and the visibility of the Mediterranean is the clear one; the diving schools of the town teach the beginners and guide the experienced, and the certification courses run through the season; and the underwater life of the region — the fish, the sponges, the coral — rewards the divers. The diving of Kaş is the essential experience, and the water delivers the world below.
The practical diving note: the schools of the town offer the introductory dives and the courses; the summer is the season, and the water warms through the summer; and the beginners find the shallow, the gentle dive sites. The diving of Kaş gives the town its identity, and the water delivers the adventure.
The Boat Trips and Kekova
The boat trips of Kaş are the classic excursions, and the sunken city of Kekova is the highlight. The boats run from the harbor to the coves and the bays of the coast, with the stops for the swimming and the lunch; the sunken city of Kekova, with its ruins beneath the clear water, gives the unique sight; and the villages of the coast — Üçağız, Simena — give the stops with the castles and the harbors. The boat trips of Kaş give the essential days, and the water delivers the perspective.
The practical boat note: the Kekova trips run daily through the summer, and the bookings come at the harbor; the swimsuit and the towel are the essentials aboard; and the sunken city is best seen from the glass-bottomed or the clear waters. The boat trips of Kaş give the classic excursion, and the sea delivers the memory.
The Beaches and the Coves
The beaches of Kaş give the swimming, and the coves of the town and the peninsula deliver the water. The small pebble beaches of the town — the Küçük Çakıl and the Büyük Çakıl — give the convenient swims; the coves of the peninsula give the quieter options; and the famous Kaputaş beach, between Kaş and Kalkan, gives the dramatic setting between the cliffs. The beaches and the coves of Kaş give the range of the swims, and the turquoise water ties them together.
The practical beach note: the town’s beaches are the walkable ones, and the coves of the peninsula need the car; the water shoes help at the pebbly spots; and the Kaputaş beach fills in the summer, and the earlier arrival finds the space. The beaches and the coves of Kaş deliver the swimming, and the turquoise rewards the swimmer.
The Lycian History
The Lycian history of Kaş gives the depth, and the ancient sites of the town and the region reward the explorer. The town of Kaş sits on the site of the ancient Antiphellos, and the Lycian theater of the town and the rock tombs of the surrounding area give the ancient scenes; the Lycian Way, the famous hiking trail of the coast, passes through the region; and the ancient sites of the area — the ruins, the tombs, the cities — fill the countryside. The Lycian history of Kaş gives the texture, and the ancient stones deliver the depth.
The practical history note: the theater and the rock tombs of the area are the walkable sights; the Lycian Way gives the hiking of the region; and the ancient sites of the surrounding area reward the day trips. The Lycian history of Kaş gives the first-timer the context, and the layers of the region reward the curious.
The Food of Kaş
The food of Kaş is the Mediterranean food, and the table of the town runs on the sea and the region. The fish of the day comes fresh to the harbor’s restaurants, and the mezes of the Turkish table precede it; the local produce and the olive oil of the region dress the dishes; and the lokantas of the town serve the honest home cooking. The food of Kaş is the taste of the coast, and the harbor delivers the freshest.
The practical food note: the fish of the day is the order at the harbor’s restaurants, and the meze spreads precede it; the lokantas of the town give the affordable, the honest meals; and the local produce of the region fills the markets. The food of Kaş is the fresh, the local, and the honest, and the table rewards the slow diner.
The Practical First-Timer Notes
The practical notes for the Kaş first-timer: the pace is the relaxed one, and the itinerary should be the unhurried one; the cash is the useful one, as the smaller places take the card less often; the Turkish phrases help, though the English works in the tourist spots; and the sun protection, the water, and the comfortable shoes are the essentials. The first visit to Kaş is about the water and the wandering, and the town rewards the traveler who lets it happen.
The Takeaway
Kaş is the Mediterranean’s gem: the old town and the harbor, the diving, the boat trips to Kekova, and the Lycian history. The first visit rewards the relaxed itinerary, and the town gives the different Turkey — the one of the turquoise water, the ancient stones, and the long evenings. Arrive, dive, sail, and let the Mediterranean town do the rest.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kas worth visiting?
Yes — the diving, the boat trips to Kekova, the Lycian history, and the relaxed charm make it one of the best towns of the Mediterranean coast.
How do I get to Kas?
By flight to Antalya or Dalaman plus the transfer, by bus, or by rental car along the scenic coastal road.
What is Kas known for?
The diving, the boat trips to the sunken city of Kekova, the ancient Lycian theater, and the relaxed harbor life.
Is Kas expensive?
No — it is the authentic end of the coast, with the simple stays and the honest restaurants.
How many days do I need in Kas?
Three to five days give the time for the diving, the boat trip, and the relaxed pace; a week allows the full exploring.
All Over Information
The All Over Information editorial team researches and writes practical English-language guides to Turkey. Facts are checked against official and local sources before publication, prices are published as dated ranges rather than quotes, and guides are revised when things change. We accept no sponsored posts, paid placements or paid links.
More guides like this
History and Culture of Kas
The history of Kaş reaches back to the ancient Lycians, and the town's story runs through the ancient city of Antiphellos, the…
Best Time of Year to Visit Kas
The timing of the Kaş trip shapes the experience: the summer gives the peak of the diving and the swimming, the shoulder…
Where to Stay in Kas: Neighborhood Guide
The stays of Kaş match the town's character: the old town's stone houses, the harbor's water views, and the peninsula's quiet coves.
Nightlife Guide to Kas
The nightlife of Kaş is the Mediterranean one: the long dinners at the harbor, the evening promenade, the bars of the waterfront,…
Photography Spots in Kas You Can’t Miss
Kaş is the photographer's Mediterranean town: the turquoise coves, the ancient theater, the harbor with its boats, and the long light of…
How to Get to Kas from Istanbul
The journey from Istanbul to Kaş runs across the country to the Mediterranean, and the options balance the time, the cost, and…