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Kaş

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Overview

Wikivoyage guide · 15 sections

▸Introduction338 chars

Kaş (pronounced Kaash) is a beach resort in Lycia on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. It attracts a mixed crowd of British, German and Russian tourists but isn't on the package-holiday circuit, as its beaches are small and stony, and there are better beaches within a shorter transfer from the airports. In 2022 its population was 9084.

▸Understand492 chars

Kaş has beach activities, and ancient ruins in its hills, but is mostly a relaxing sort of place. Standing at 36°12′ N, on about the same latitude as Tunis in North Africa, it has a subtropical Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and sticky, with average daytime highs of 35°C, with very little rain. Winters are mild with daytime temperatures around 15°C, albeit with occasionally very heavy rains. September is a good time to visit, with warm seas but without the sweltering summer heat.

▸By plane279 chars

Dalaman Airport (DLM IATA) is the closest, with seasonal package flights from Europe and the UK. It's 180 km west of Kalkan, and the drive might take 2½ hours via D400 (toll tunnel). You could take the airport bus as far as Fethiye then change to the regular bus (below) or taxi.

Facts

Rank

—

Coordinates

36.20, 29.63

Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage Wikipedia

Media

From Wikipedia1,228 words

Introduction

This article is about the Turkish town. For the surname, see Kaş (surname). For other uses, see Kas (disambiguation). District and municipality in Antalya, TurkeyKaşDistrict and municipalityKaş town seen from the sea LogoMap showing Kaş District in Antalya ProvinceKaşLocation in TurkeyCoordinates: 36°12′00″N 29°38′30″E / 36.20000°N 29.64167°E / 36.20000; 29.64167CountryTurkeyProvinceAntalyaGovernment • MayorErol Demirhan (CHP)Area1,750 km2 (680 sq mi)Population (2022)62,866 • Density35.9/km2 (93.0/sq mi)Time zoneUTC+3 (TRT)Area code0242Websitewww.kas.bel.tr Kaş (Turkish pronunciation: [kaʃ]) is a small fishing, diving, yachting and tourist town, and a municipality and district of Antalya Province, Turkey. Its area is 1,750 km2, and its population is 62,866 (2022). It is 168 km west of the city of Antalya. As a tourist resort, it is relatively unspoiled.

History

[edit] Although the Teke peninsula has been occupied since the Stone Age, it seems Kaş was founded by the Lycians, and its name in Lycian language was Habesos or Habesa. It was a member of the Lycian League, and its importance during this time is confirmed by the presence of one of the richest Lycian necropoleis.[citation needed] In the Hellenistic period and under the Roman Empire it served as the port of Phellus called Antiphellus (Greek: Αντίφελλος, romanized: Antífellos), the name by which it was known at that time.[citation needed] Historic map of Kaş by Piri Reis A street in Kaş with traditional houses and a Lycian tomb in the background Artificial wreck of a Douglas DC-3, one of about 50 dive spots in the vicinity of Kaş The town suffered because of Arab incursions,[citation needed] then was annexed (under the name of Andifli) to the Anatolian Sultanate of Rum, led by the Seljuks. After the demise of the Seljuks, it came under the Ottomans.[citation needed] In 1923, because of the forcible exchange of populations between Greece and Turkey after the Greco-Turkish War, population of Greek origin in the area left for Greece. In the early 1990s tourism started booming in Kaş, with visitors mainly from the UK and Germany. This growth of tourism brought an explosion in apartment building (often without license), which is seriously threatening the landscape and the environment. Particularly affected is the Çukurbağ Peninsula, west of the town, which now has luxury hotels built on it.[citation needed]

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The closest major city is Antalya, where you can take a bus from the bus terminal (Otogarı) which runs every 45 minutes and the journey usually takes about 4 hours. Look for buses with signs "Kaş" or "Kalkan" on the windshield.

Buses from Istanbul run 2 or 3 times a day and take 15 hr 30 min via Gebze, Bursa, Izmir, Aydın, Muğla, Akyaka, Dalaman, Fethiye and Kalkan. Bus lines include Pamukkale and Flixbus.

1 Kaş Otobüs Terminali is the new bus station, 5 km east on the highway to Demre. In other Turkish out-of-town bus stations, a dolmuş ride downtown is included in your inter-city ticket. That appears not to apply here, but try asking when booking. The dolmuş will bring you to the old otogar in town centre (main square off Atatürk Bvd) but for accommodation on the peninsula you might as well take a taxi. Local buses along the coast (from as far away as Fethiye) may also bring you to the old otogar.

▸Get around952 chars

Kaş is small and easy to walk around. Dolmuşes (mini buses) run to the Çukurbağ peninsula, to villages such as Çukurbağ (where Phellos Ancient City is) and along the coast to Kalkan and Demre (which are other small cities, not a part of Kaş).

To go to Çukurbağ Peninsula near Kaş, look for bus station right near Merkez Süleyman Cami mosque in the center of the city near the waterfront, near its northern side there is a bus stop with several mini buses which go to peninsula regularly. As of 2025 the ride costs 50₺.

Midnight buses to Peninsula are no longer active, and taking a taxi there will, as of 2025, cost 350₺, even when the ride will be just under 10 minutes. Due to the lack of ride-hailing and some kind of agreement between the drivers - they are not willing to negotiate and all name the same price, even starting to be visibly annoyed or angry when someone tries to point that 7 euro for 7 minute long taxi ride is too much for Turkey.

▸See1,961 chars

Town centre is modern, including the main mosque in retro-Ottoman style. Yeni Camii or New Mosque at the foot of the peninsula was a Greek Orthodox church, little altered.

1 Antiphellos is the ruins of the port for the inland city of Phellos (below). It was populated from the 4th century BC and outgrew Phellos but declined after an earthquake and tsunami in 141/2 AD. The main features are the amphitheatre, and the "king's tomb" the best of many sarcophagi and rock tombs. The site is free to explore 24 hours.

Rock tombs line the cliffs behind town, with a good selection accessible from Likya Cd.

Sleeping Giant (Uyuyan Dev) is the rocky ridge above the cliffs. You can hike up from the east, the direct approach from town is steep and hazardous.

2 Çukurbağ is the straggling settlement that you come through to reach Phellos.

3 Phellos remains only as a few acropolis walls and tombs on the hill north of Çukurbağ. Wear long trousers, or the hawthorn undergrowth will rip your legs, and watch out for bears.

4 Isinda is the scattered remains of a city, by the village of Belenli. Around the 1st century AD its inhabitants abandoned it for Antiphellos on the coast.

5 Aperlae is the scrappy remains of a Lycian city. Remarkably, it seems to have been built with the help of snails: their shells were found in such profusion that they were probably used as a source of lime. The site is free to access 24 hours but it's a long rough hike to get here, and most visitors come on a boat trip.

6 Apollonia is another ruined city, on the hill south of Boğazcık and difficult to find.

Oninda 5 km northeast of Boğazcık is even harder to find, and not much there.

7 Kyaneai is a straggle of three ruined cities, on a ridge near Highway D400 so they're straightforward to reach by a hike, but you'll probably have them to yourself. There's a theatre and many tombs and sarcophagi.

See Demre for sights further east, such as the island of Kekova and ruins of Hoyran.

▸In town1,399 chars

Town centre has several pansiyons, but the main accommodation strip is the beachfront south along Hükümet Cd.

Memories Pension (formerly Ani), Süleyman Çavuş Cd, ☏ +90 242 836 1791. Basic backpacker stop, some large rooms with a balcony, others closet-size. Friendliness of reception variable, and bookings through third-party sites are often not honoured. (updated May 2024)

Ateş Pension, Yeni Camii Cd 3, ☏ +90 532 492 0680. Almost at the foot of the peninsula, this is a friendly well-run place near the beach. (updated May 2024)

1 Aphrodite Pansiyon, Zeytin Sk 10, ☏ +90 544 107 0770. Charming whitewashed guesthouse on the slopes back of town, with great sunset views. B&B double 2000 TL. (updated May 2024)

2 Livia Hotel, Koza Sk 2/1, ☏ +90 242 836 1088. Great value at this clean friendly hotel at the top of Hükümet Cd. B&B double 2000 TL. (updated May 2024)

3 Gardenia Hotel, Hükümet Cd 41, ☏ +90 242 836 2368, info@gardeniahotelkas.com. Clean modern hotel south edge of downtown, with great views over the bay. But it's 4 storeys with no elevator, the aircon is ineffective, and they don't accept children under 12. B&B double 5000 TL. (updated May 2024)

Medusa Hotel, Hükümet Cd 53 (100 m south of Gardenia), ☏ +90 242 836 1408. Small friendly hotel on the beachfront. No elevator, and some noise from people clattering up and down the stairwell. B&B double 5000 TL. (updated May 2024)

Geography

[edit] As the tenth most populous district of Antalya as of 2022, Kaş is on a hill running down to the Turquoise Coast of southwestern Turkey. The district has a typical Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, which allows the growth of oranges, lemons and bananas.[citation needed] The lowland areas are also planted with cut flowers and a variety of fruits and vegetables. Many are grown all year round under glass.[citation needed] The hillsides produce honey and almonds, while at high altitudes there are extensive pine forests. The weather is drier at high altitudes. Although agriculture is still important, tourism is the main source of income in the district, which has many hotels and guest houses. About 6 km (4 mi) offshore from Kaş is the Greek islet of Kastelórizo (in Turkish Meis Adası) served by a Turkish ferry daily with the option of same day returns. Climate data for Kaş (1991–2020) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 15.9(60.6) 16.1(61.0) 18.1(64.6) 21.1(70.0) 25.2(77.4) 29.5(85.1) 32.5(90.5) 32.9(91.2) 30.2(86.4) 26.3(79.3) 21.8(71.2) 17.5(63.5) 24.0(75.2) Daily mean °C (°F) 12.2(54.0) 12.4(54.3) 14.2(57.6) 16.9(62.4) 21.0(69.8) 25.2(77.4) 28.3(82.9) 28.7(83.7) 25.9(78.6) 22.1(71.8) 17.7(63.9) 13.9(57.0) 19.9(67.8) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 9.2(48.6) 9.9(49.8) 11.4(52.5) 14.0(57.2) 17.9(64.2) 22.1(71.8) 25.1(77.2) 25.7(78.3) 23.0(73.4) 19.6(67.3) 15.1(59.2) 11.0(51.8) 17.0(62.6) Average precipitation mm (inches) 179.07(7.05) 122.84(4.84) 74.81(2.95) 40.61(1.60) 15.83(0.62) 2.54(0.10) 0.89(0.04) 0.15(0.01) 14.7(0.58) 74.12(2.92) 111.31(4.38) 197.27(7.77) 834.14(32.84) Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 11.3 9.0 6.3 4.8 2.4 1.2 1.0 2.0 1.8 3.8 5.8 10.5 59.9 Source: NOAA

Tourism

[edit] Old Town of Kaş The tourist industry is centered on the town of Kaş, but many other coastal towns and villages in the district have plenty of accommodation for visitors including Kalkan and Gelemiş. The district can be reached from both Antalya and Dalaman airports, as there is no airport in Kaş. Kaş itself is a town with its turquoise blue sea and narrow streets scented with jasmine flowers. Kaş has an annual arts festival, jazz concerts in the Hellenistic theatre and the Kiln Under the Sea arts collective have held underwater ceramics exhibitions here. Ancient Lycian tomb in Kaş. Kaş is one of the leading spots for scuba diving in Turkey. Its visited by beginners as well as advanced divers. There are more than 15 dive centers and diving schools, mostly located at the local port. They offer guided diving trips to the 50 dive spots in the vicinity. Diving in Kaş offers an array of fish and other sea creatures like octopus and sea turtles.[citation needed] Besides the biological diversity, Kaş offers a vast variety of underwater cultural heritage. Among various wreck sites, six artificial wrecks are worth visiting. These wrecks are submerged to create artificial reefs and touristic diving spots. There are two historically important wreck sites, an airplane from World War II and a cargo ship from the 1950s sunk near the small islands in the extremities of Kaş. One last important diving spot is the "Kaş Archaeopark Site", an experimental archaeology project conducted by the Underwater Research Society (Sualtı Araştırmaları Derneği-SAD) in 2006. In this scientific project, an interpretative reconstruction of the Uluburun wreck and its cargo is placed underwater.[citation needed] Outdoor sport activities attract the more adventurous visitors of Kaş, especially small group holidays from Europe and independent travellers[citation needed]. Popular adventures include: Sea Kayaking at Kekova Mountainbiking the backcountry Trekking the Lycian Way Canyoning in the Kibris Canyon On Fridays, Greek visitors from Kastelorizo visit the markets of Kaş, including the central city market full local products and produce grown in the surrounding villages.[citation needed]

Places of interest

[edit] Kaputaş Beach in Kaş The town of Kaş has a Hellenistic theatre and many other places of historical interest, as well as beaches, and a number of caves, some of them underwater.[citation needed] For scuba divers there are several spots underwater, one of them being an underwater sculpture of a shark sculpted by Kemal Tufan and another being a submerged Douglas DC-3 plane. Beaches worth visiting: Kaputaş Plajı, small Seyrekcakil Plaji or Belediyesi Halk Plajı The ruins of the antique cities of Komba (in the village of Gömbe), Nisa, Kandyba, Phellos, Istlada, Apollonia, Isinda and Kyaenai. A common excursion from Kaş is Kekova island in the neighbouring district of Demre. Here in the bays there are a number of wrecks of ancient ships and ancient cities sunk under the sea by earthquakes over the centuries. The sea is so clear that the details of city buildings such as staircases or columns can be seen from the boat.[citation needed] The area is also used for sea kayaking. In December 2006, Kaş was added to the specially protected Kekova marine area in order to preserve its rich biodiversity.