Best Things to Do in Kaş, Turkey + My Tips

Kaş (pronounced “Kash”) is a small town on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast and one of the highlights of our 7-day itinerary.

The old town is small and easy to explore on foot, with cobbled lanes, whitewashed houses draped in bougainvillea, and plenty of little cafés and shops to pop into. We also found some of our favorite sundowner spots in Antalya Province here.

What makes Kaş special, though, are its pebble beaches and turquoise water. Several are within walking distance of the old town, while the old harbor is the starting point for boat trips to Limanağzı Bay, the sunken city of Kekova, Lycian ruins, and even a tiny Greek island.

In this guide, I’ll cover the best things to do in Kaş, where to stay, how to get there, and a few tips from our time in town.

Disclaimer: This post probably contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through one of these links, I might receive a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

How to Get to Kaş

If you’re flying in from Istanbul or elsewhere in Turkey, the closest airport to Kaş is Dalaman, about a 2.5-hour drive away. You can book an airport transfer here. 

If you’re coming from abroad, you’ll likely land at Antalya Airport, like we did. From there, it’s about a 3-hour drive to Kaş. 

The easiest way to get to Kaş (and around the coast) is by renting a car. I recommend booking a car online in advance here. It gives you more flexibility, especially if you want to visit nearby beaches, ruins, or towns like Kalkan and Demre. Just make sure to book early, especially in summer. We left it until two days before our flight and paid the price—literally. All the budget-friendly cars were gone, and we were stuck with something way bigger (and more expensive) than we wanted.

If you’re flying into Antalya Airport and planning to rent a car, here’s a heads-up: Terminal 2 only has three rental desks inside — Europcar, Enterprise, and Filo. Most others, including the one we booked with, don’t have a counter there. Ours didn’t even answer the phone when we tried calling. 

We eventually figured out that we had to take a shuttle bus to Terminal 1, since most of the rental car offices are located just outside there. The shuttle is free, and you’ll find it near the Starbucks outside Terminal 2’s exit. The area can get pretty busy, especially late at night, so keep an eye out for the large orange shuttle sign.

If you’re not planning to drive, there are also buses from Antalya to Kaş, or you can book a private transfer. Both options are cheaper than renting a car, but they’re less flexible — especially if you want to explore the nearby beaches and towns.

How Many Days to Spend in Kaş

We spent five days in Kaş, and it felt like the perfect amount of time to balance beach days, exploring, and relaxing—without the hassle of repacking every other day.

Most of the info I found online suggested staying around three days, which is fine if you’re mostly sticking to the old town. But if you’re planning to do a few day trips — like visiting Kastellorizo, Kekova Island, the ancient ruins at Patara, or Turkey’s deepest gorge — I recommend staying at least four or five days.

Best Things to Do in Kaş (+ Map)

Before we dive into the good stuff, here’s a quick map. It shows the beaches, sights, restaurants, bars, and cafes from this guide to help you get a better sense of where everything is in Kaş. Zoom in and click the pins for details, then read on for my tips on each spot.

Wander Around Kaş Old Town

One of the best things to do in Kaş is wander through the cobblestone streets of the old town. Most people stick to Republic Square (the main square), which overlooks the harbor, and while it’s a nice spot, the real charm is in the little alleys with their shops, cafés, and bars.

If you’re looking for souvenirs, you’ll come across everything from Turkish rugs and textiles to jewelry. I bought some beautiful towels at KAŞmirr Handmade Gallery and a pair of gold earrings at AYA. For ceramics, though, I thought Kalkan had a nicer and more authentic selection.

The prettiest street in the old town, at least in my opinion, is Doğruyol Cd, with colorful shopfronts and old wooden balconies covered in bougainvillea. It’s also where you’ll find the Kral Mezarı (King’s Tomb), a Lycian sarcophagus carved with lion heads that’s been here since the 4th century BC.

Another street worth checking out is Süleyman Sandıkçı Sk. It’s lined with restaurants, many with rooftop terraces, and it’s also where we had the best şaşlık we’ve ever had.

See the Antiphellos Ancient Theater

Just a 10-minute walk from the town center, Kaş has its very own ancient amphitheater (see location) dating back to the 1st century BC. It’s not huge, but it’s one of the few theaters in Turkey that faces the sea, which makes the setting pretty special.

The site is free to visit and is especially popular at sunset. When we were in town, the Kaş Film Festival was being held here, and it felt like the perfect spot to watch a movie. The festival has been running since 2022 and takes place every June.

I visited during the day, and it was pretty neat to have it almost entirely to myself. If you’re coming out this way, you could easily combine it with a beach club — both Leymona and Mumi are nearby. And if you’re into Asian food, the bao at Bunbun Kaş are amazing.

Swim at Küçük Çakıl Beach (Kaş Small Beach)

Right in town, about a 5-minute walk from the main square, you’ll find Kaş’s very own tiny public beach, Küçük Çakıl Plajı, which means Little Pebble beach. 

And honestly, they weren’t kidding when they called it “little.” It really is just a short stretch of pebbles with limited space, so it’s not exactly the kind of place you’d spend a full day (Kaputaş is better for that). But it’s a decent photo spot — and a good option if you don’t want to go too far for a quick swim.

The beach is wedged between two beach clubs — Derya Beach Restaurant and Çınarlar Plajı — where you’ll find loungers, umbrellas, drinks, and food if you want a bit more comfort. They looked a little dated when I walked past, so maybe have a quick scroll through the reviews on Google Maps before committing.

Take a Water Taxi to Limanağzı Bay

While there’s no shortage of beaches in and around Kaş, taking a boat over to Limanağzı Bay is a nice change of scenery.

It’s only accessible by boat, so it doesn’t get nearly as busy, and the vibe’s way more chilled than the beaches in town. Several beach clubs line the bay, all with loungers, umbrellas, restaurants, and swimming platforms. 

Yılka Beach and Halikiki Beach Club are two popular spots, but I decided to go to Bilal’s Beach Club, which had a relaxed, unpretentious vibe and turned out to be a great place to spend a lazy day by the water. I spent the whole day lounging under my gazebo, swimming, and enjoying a few beers — and honestly, it was hard to leave.

Water taxis to Limanağzı leave regularly from the old harbor and return in the late afternoon. The ride takes about 10 minutes, but make sure to check the return time so you don’t get stuck — there’s no way back unless you’re up for a long, strenuous hike over the cliffs.

A return boat ticket costs TL 350 (cash only), and you can buy one at the little Limanağzı Beach Servis gazebo near the harbor (see location). I had trouble finding it since there are a million tour operators around, so just look out for a green shack with a blue sign.

Swim at Tek Kişilik Plaj 

If there’s one spot I wish I could gatekeep forever, it’s Tek Kişilik Plaj — a tiny bay whose name literally means “one-person beach.”

We stumbled upon it while driving from Kalkan (see location) and pulled over to check it out. And I’ll admit, whoever named this little patch of paradise wasn’t exaggerating! It’s basically just a small strip of pebbles below the D400 road, with barely enough space for four people — but the water was some of the clearest and prettiest we found anywhere in the area.

It instantly became our favorite swimming spot in Kaş, and we ended up coming back every other day to cool off and float around.

There are no facilities, and you get down via a short set of concrete steps built into the cliff. Just don’t bring much — stick to the basics: a towel, sunblock, and maybe a cold Efes. You’ll also want your hands free to balance on the way down (there’s no handrail).

Visit Kaputaş Beach

Kaputaş Beach is one of the most stunning spots near Kaş — and what first put this stretch of the Turkish Coast on our radar. And honestly, once you see it for yourself, you’ll understand why it’s so popular. The color of the water is unreal, and the whole setting, wedged between steep cliffs, is pretty hard to beat.

Getting down to the beach involves trekking down around 190 steps, but trust me — it’s worth the effort (even if you’re not planning to swim).

Like most beaches along the Turquoise Coast, Kaputaş is a mix of sand and pebbles. The pebbles get hot quickly and aren’t great for bare feet, so definitely bring water shoes — I really regretted not having any. You can also rent loungers and umbrellas for about TL 230 each, and while it might seem pricey, we were glad we had them. 

Compared to other beaches in Kaş and Kalkan, Kaputas has decent facilities, including toilets, showers, changing rooms, and a café where you can grab gözleme, burgers, fries, and even cold beers.

It’s about a 25-minute drive from Kaş, so you’ll need wheels to get there. We had a rental car, which made the trip easy. Just a heads up, though: parking along the cliffside road is limited, and it gets tricky during peak season — aim to arrive before 10 a.m. or later in the afternoon. If you don’t want to deal with that, you can hop on a dolmuş (local minibus) or even book an Uber.

For more details, including how to get there, I’ve put together a full guide to visiting Kaputaş Beach.

Watch the Sunset

The sunsets on the Turkish Riviera are really something. And while there are plenty of bars and restaurants to watch them from, one of our favorite things to do in Kaş was just sitting by the harbor.

Behind the Old Harbor parking lot, there’s a stretch of boulders where you can scramble down and grab a spot. (Wear decent shoes — the rocks are slippery and uneven.) You won’t find many other tourists here, which makes it a nice little hidden gem. The view back over town is just as beautiful, and it was a welcome change of pace from the busy bars.

We didn’t bring drinks, but saw a few locals enjoying beers on the rocks. There’s a small food truck near the parking lot that does coffee, but if you’re after something stronger, Muhtar Market is your best bet.

If you want a different perspective, you can also head up to the observation deck. It’s a popular photo stop with a wide view over the town, marina, and peninsula. We drove a little further up the same road and found an even better spot. It’s not an official viewpoint, just a big gravel parking area, but the view over the sea and islands was incredible. I pinned the location for you here.

Take a Day Trip to Kalkan

We stayed in Kalkan for a few days, and if you have some room in your itinerary, I definitely recommend doing the same (here’s where we stayed). If not, Kalkan makes for a great day trip and is easy to combine with other attractions in the area, like Patara or Kaputaş Beach.

Like Kaş, Kalkan is built into the steep hillsides of the Taurus Mountains, with whitewashed houses, bougainvillea, and a lively old town full of cobbled streets, boutiques, jewelers, cafés, and rooftop restaurants. For coffee in the cutest setting, we loved Mina Art Cafe. And for a proper Turkish dinner, Salonika 1881 did not disappoint — it really was as good as our hotel promised.

Kalkan feels a bit more upscale than Kaş, but it still has a lovely, laid-back vibe that reminded me a little of Paros, Greece.

If you’re driving to Kalkan, parking can be tricky. I recommend leaving your car down by the marina (see location). It’s paid, but much easier than trying to find a spot on one of the steep backstreets.

Take the Ferry to Kastellorizo

One of the things I loved most about Kaş is that you can literally pop over to Greece for the day. Kastellorizo (or Meis, as it’s called in Turkish) is a beautiful little Greek island just a 20-minute ferry ride from Kaş.

Despite its name (which actually means “biggest”), Kastellorizo is the smallest island in Greece’s Dodecanese archipelago. It’s super charming, with pastel houses lining the harbor, waterfront tavernas serving up Greek staples, and even the ruins of a castle you can climb for a view.

Once you’re on the island, you can take a small boat out to the Blue Cave, a sea grotto you can only reach at low tide. The entrance is so low you have to lie down to get inside, but once you’re in, the whole place turns bright blue. It was already high tide when I got to the island, so I missed out and instead hopped on a boat to St. George’s Island — a rocky little islet where you can rent loungers and spend a few hours swimming and sunbathing.

Ferries run daily and cost about €30–35 return. You’ll need your passport for the border check and a valid Schengen visa if your nationality requires one. Book your ferry at least a day in advance — either at the offices near Kaş’s main square or online here.

I’ve written a full guide to visiting Kastellorizo from Kaş with everything you need to know. And if you’re planning to island-hop a bit more, you can check out my Greece guides too.

Other Activities & Day Trips from Kaş

There are a few popular day trips and activities around Kaş that we didn’t get around to, but they’re worth checking out if you’ve got extra time:

• Patara Beach and Ruins – About 45 minutes from Kaş, Patara has one of the longest sandy beaches in Turkey (18 km) plus the ruins of an ancient Lycian city. Entry is around €15, and the ticket covers both the ruins and the beach. If you don’t have a car, you can also join a guided day tour that includes stops at Xanthos and Saklıkent Canyon.

• Kekova Island – If there is one boat trip everyone does in Kaş, it’s this one. It takes you past the Sunken City of Kekova and on to Simena (Kaleköy), where you can hike up to the castle and try the village’s homemade ice cream. Boats leave daily from the old harbor in summer, or you can just book a cruise online if you want to plan ahead.

• Scuba diving and snorkeling – Kaş is one of Turkey’s top dive spots, with clear water, reefs, and wrecks. Even beginners can join an intro dive, and you can check available trips here.

• Hike the Lycian Way—Kaş sits right on this long-distance trail, and you can walk shorter sections for incredible sea views. If you want the full experience, there are also guided multi-day hikes.

Where to Stay

We stayed at Melisa Boutique Hotel & Spa and found it to be a great base after splurging on a boutique hotel in Kalkan. It’s right in the old town, walking distance to the harbor, restaurants, and swimming spots. Our room was spacious and had a nice view of the ocean from its balcony. The staff were friendly, and breakfast was filling, too. I’ve written a full review of our stay, plus more hotel options in my Kaş accommodation guide.

If you’re after something more upscale, Radisson Blu is a newer luxury option out on the peninsula with big rooms, a sea-view pool, and private beach access.

For a solid mid-range pick, Luff Boutique Hotel is a good alternative. It’s modern, well-located, and gets consistently good reviews for service and comfort.

Where to Eat in Kaş

Kaş has a mix of casual cafés, rooftop bars, and proper sit-down spots. Here are the ones we tried and loved:

Dinner

Bekos Kitchen — A low-key restaurant with a rooftop terrace overlooking the harbor and genuinely friendly staff. We liked it so much we went back twice, and it easily became one of our favorite dinner spots in Kaş. Try the lamb chops, the Bekos Burger, and the meze platter.

Salkım Ocakbaşı Meyhane — A classic Turkish grill tavern with a garden setting. Get the şaslık (tenderloin kebab). It was easily the best kebab I had in Turkey.

Bunbun Kaş — A great casual spot for bao buns and fries when you want something different from Turkish food.

Sundowners

Queen Bar — Good sunset spot with a view over the harbor. It does get a bit crowded once the day-trippers are back, so go early if that’s not your vibe.

ChaCha’mma — A cozy little bar with views over the main square and harbor. It’s not very big, so come early if you want a seat on the balcony.

YAZ RÜYASI Pell’s — A colorful cocktail lounge tucked into one of the alleys in the old town.

Biiisstt Coffee & Sandwiches — Another low-key café overlooking the harbor that does beer, coffee, and a surprisingly good G&T.

Coffee & Sweets

GODO Coffee & More — A super Instagrammable cafe with great iced coffee.

Yomumu Frozen Yogurt & More — We stumbled on this place by chance, and it quickly became our go-to dessert spot in Kaş. There are loads of toppings to mix and match, but the blackberry sauce was my favorite.

N8 Bakery — A minimalist café with a lovely terrace.

When to Visit

The best time to visit Kaş is between May and October. 

The shoulder seasons — May to June and September to October — bring pleasant weather, swimmable sea temperatures, and fewer crowds. It’s still a busy time, but you don’t have to elbow your way through town.  

We visited in early June, and it was a great time to go. The days were warm, the sea was perfect for swimming, and while the town was lively, it hadn’t reached peak summer levels yet.

July and August are peak season. The days are hot and the sea is warm, which makes it great for swimming and long beach days. But since it’s the summer holidays in Europe, the beaches fill up quickly and prices go up. It’s a good idea to book your accommodation, tours, and restaurants in advance.

November through April is the off-season. The sea is too cold for swimming, the weather is less reliable, and some places shut down for the winter. It’s not the best time to visit if you’re coming for beach time or boat trips.

Final Thoughts

Kaş might be small, but it packs a lot in — turquoise beaches, hidden swim spots, ancient ruins, boat trips, and long evenings with good food and drinks. We loved our time here and can’t wait to go back. If you’re planning a trip along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, definitely set aside a few days in Kaş.

Have you been to Kaş, or are you planning a trip? Drop your questions or favorite finds in the comments — I’d love to hear from you.

FAQs About Visiting Kaş

Pin it for later!