Kas in Turkey - what to do and the best beaches

Kas in Turkey – what to do and the best beaches, how to get there, what to see in Kas, where to stay – hotels and apartments.

We visited Kas when we were traveling along the Lycian coast from Fethiye to Antalya. We spent a few days at Kas and didn’t regret it – it’s wonderful, inexpensive and very cozy. It’s worth staying in Kas for a few days. Especially because it has one of the most beautiful beaches on this coast.

Where is Kas located?

The small town of Kas is located 280 km from Antalya Airport, on the shores of a sea bay surrounded by numerous islands. Kas, unlike Kemer and Antalya, is very quiet. There are no packagers here, and that’s great. The town is popular with Turkish youth and divers, so it has the right atmosphere.

Kas was a Greek city until 1923, and that’s why its streets are so reminiscent of Greece. The Greek island of Castellorizo is 7 km from Kas and can be reached quickly by ferry. And you’re already in Greece!

Kas means eyebrow in Turkish. Indeed, the town curves like an eastern eyebrow along the coast, going to a small peninsula. Mountains hang over Kas – a highway was built in the rocks along the coast, which is a great way to get here by car. The Chukurbag Peninsula is separated from the land by a wind-safe bay. Yachts moor here, a kind of natural marina.

Getting to Kas

You can get to Kas by flying into Antalya or Dalaman airports. If you don’t want to bother with a regular flight, buy a charter from Poland, Romania or Chisinau to Antalya. That’s exactly what we did, hopping on a cheap plane compared to Turkish Airlines.

Ideally, rent a car and include Kas on your trip to the Lycian coast.
We did this in July 2020 and visited all the interesting places and the best beaches from Fethiye to Kemer. Renting a car in Turkey – nothing could be easier. You can use the aggregator Rentalcars to find a favorable option at the airport of arrival.

Kas can be reached by bus from Antalya or with transfers from Fethiye. Find the schedule on the bus station website in Antalya. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the website of the bus aggregator Omio.

Recommend to know: Car rental in Turkey – review and own experience of choosing a rental company

What to do in Kas?

The city is small but very cozy. It has many nice restaurants with Turkish and Greek cuisine. At the same time, their prices do not bite at all. The average check for two people is $15-25.

What struck me about Kas was how the history was harmoniously intertwined with the modern life of the town. You are walking down the street, and then a Lycian tomb, which is more than 3000 years old, appears in front of you. Cats sit near it, and artists paint pictures. It looks really cool and it’s great that the tomb didn’t become part of the museum, and you can just sit by it in the evening and listen to music from a nearby cafe.

There is a well restored ancient Lycian amphitheater in Kas. Here you can spend the sun in the evening, look at the sea, and breathe the cold air. Entrance is free.

Go to the lighthouse at sunset, located near the boat station near the Kas embankment. The place is very beautiful and romantic.

What to see around Kas

There is another nice town 25 km from Kas Kalkan. It is located in a cozy bay, almost the entire coast of which is occupied by a marina. But there is a cool beach near the central promenade. The city is very nice – you can go for one day, for example, for dinner. You can also spend the night here if you want.

If you visit these places in August, be sure to plan a trip to Patara Beach. It is in August that the loggerhead turtles hatch from their eggs here. The beach is also a nature reserve, and it is forbidden to enter at night. But you can also be lucky enough to see turtles running to the water during the day, crawling out of their sandy nests. To get to Patara Beach, you need to pay an entrance fee to the national reserve. And at the same time see the ruins of the ancient Lycian city of Patara.

More details: Patara Beach – instructions for independent travelers

Between Kalkan and Pataru Beach, there are also the ruins of the towns of Xanthos and Letoon. The ancient amphitheater in Letoona is well preserved.

Diving in Kas

Diving is another specialty in Kas. This coastline with clear water is full of caves, canyons and rocky tunnels. The marine fauna is quite rich, you can meet turtles underwater, see soldierfish, octopus, moray eels. Underwater reefs have become natural traps for ships, turning them into sunken artifacts.

As an option, you can take a boat trip to Kekova Island. Most tourists buy one-day tours (170 lira) to see the local sights, but divers also dive around the island, as there is very good diving here, in addition to the land part. The main attractions of Kekova are the ancient ruins of Dolihiste, which have gone underwater. No less interesting are the ones in the villages of Uchagiz (ancient Teymus), Kalekai (ancient Simena), and Aperlai.

Lycian trail – hiking route

The Lycian Trail also passes through Kas. However, almost no one walks it here, because walking along the track for about 15 km is not the most pleasant experience. And the mountains often miss this area.

But if you’re staying in Kas for a couple of days and want to take a walk along the sea, you can organize a mini-hiking trip by walking along the path to the Limonadzhi Bay. I haven’t been here, but my friends recommended this place and the trail, which is very picturesque and deserted. Bring water and panamas – it’s very hot during the day! But at the end of the trail you will find a secluded beach without tourists.

Beaches in Kas

In Kas itself and on the Chukurbag peninsula, the beaches are small and pebbly. Many cafes overlooking the sea have their own pontoons with ladders for descending into the water. If you just want to swim, you can use them. If you want to spend a few hours on the beach, you will need a car or you can use public transportation – dolmush.

Kaputash beach

The most beautiful beach on this coast is located 15 km from Kas. Kaputash Beach with turquoise water and small yellow pebbles. It is located in a small gorge of rocks – the road from Kalkan to Kas passes over the beach.

You can get here by car (there is a parking lot near the beach) or by dolmush – there are frequent minibuses from Kas to Kaputash Beach. To get to the beach, you need to go down the stairs from the track. There is a toilet and shower on the beach, and for a small amount of money, there are umbrellas and sunbeds. Entrance to the beach is free.

Seyrek Chakil Beach

The next one is a small beach called Seyrek Çakıl, a little closer to Kas. The beach is covered with large pebbles, there are sunbeds and straw mushrooms. The beach offers beautiful views of the Greek island of Castellorizo. Seyrek Çakıl Beach is not recommended for those who do not swim well and is not suitable for families with children. The depth immediately after entering the water.

The municipal beach is free and has a small parking lot for 5-7 cars above it. Sunbeds with umbrellas are charged. You can get there by car or by dolmush.

Akchagerme Beach

Akçağerme is located on the western outskirts of Kas and was awarded the blue flag. A great beach where you can go with the whole family and have a great time. There is an amusement park with water slides, a swimming pool, a cafe, and a picnic area – you can come with friends and grill meat here.

The entrance to the water is a gentle, pebble beach, there are pontoons for diving – you will need beach slippers. Grass grows in the relaxation area, so you can walk barefoot. There are umbrellas and sun loungers and parasols, a toilet and a shower. Sunbeds and umbrellas are paid, there is a parking lot for cars, you can get there by dolmush.

Inchebogaz beach

Inchebogaz is located on the isthmus between the Kas mainland and the Chukubag Peninsula. The beach overlooks the bay with a marina, there are almost no waves and the water warms up well. There are pebbles on the shore, a gentle entrance to the water, and a couple of pontoons. There are sun loungers and umbrellas, a cafe, and music on the beach all day. So we decided not to stop there.

Municipal beach Hulk

Opposite it, on the left, if you drive towards the peninsula, there is another beach called Hulk. Entrance is free, and the beach is covered with large pebbles – it hurts to walk in without slippers. There are beds for 10 lira. The small parking lot along the road is free of charge. Dolmushis go to the peninsula, you can walk or drive there.

Chinarlar Beach

Chinarlar is a narrow strip of pebbles and water between the rocks, where there are sun loungers with umbrellas. Located almost in the center of Kas, near the lighthouse and marina. There is a very narrow entrance to the water here, and it is quite dangerous in a storm – waves can hit the rocks. But the place is wonderful and very beautiful.

Hidalgo CoveBeach

Hidalgo Cove is already on the peninsula. In fact, these are pontoons built for sunbeds and umbrellas. A narrow gentle entrance to the water with pebbles, the water is clear. Sun loungers for 10 lira, umbrellas for 35 lira. There is a cafe and good parking. For those who settle on the Chugubag Peninsula, this will be the nearest beach. By the way, it’s good to dive with a mask and snorkel here – there are a lot of fish, and you can meet carriage turtles.

Buyuk Chakil Beach

It is located in a picturesque bay, among a pine grove, on the eastern part of Kas. There are sunbeds, a toilet, a shower, and a changing room. If you buy drinks or food in a cafe, you can use all the amenities. If you do not want to pay for a sun lounger, you can come with your own towel – the entrance to the beach is free. The water here is clean and clear, but it can also be cold – underground keys are flowing nearby.

Where to stay in Kas

Kas has a huge selection of accommodation: hotels, guesthouses, apartments. The cost depends on which part of the city you decide to stay in.

The largest selection of housing closer to the center is near Old Kas. It’s very convenient from the point of view – you walk out and there are beautiful streets, cafes, shops around you. But there may be problems with parking here – keep this in mind.

Hotel options in Old Kas:

Zakkum Pansiyon – from $55 for a double room with breakfast.
Melisa Boutique Hotel – from $75 for a double room with breakfast.
Pera Pansiyon – from $80 for a double room with breakfast.

It is cheaper to settle in the part where the Chukurbag peninsula is adjacent, near the ancient amphitheater. There’s a place to park your car, and it’s a five-minute walk to Staryi Kas and the waterfront. I thought this place was perfect – we went to the beach during the day and walked around the city in the evening.

Accommodation options near the Amphitheater:

Santosa Pension – from $40 for a double room with breakfast.
Yaz Apart – from $60 for a double room with breakfast.

Hotels on the Chukurbag Peninsula are stylish, with swimming pools and views of the sea and the Greek island of Castellorizo. Some hotels have stairs down to the sea. The place is just gorgeous!

Hotels on the Chukurbag Peninsula:

Mavilim Hotel – from $110 for a double room with breakfast.
Sunset Villa Hotel – from $135 for a double room with breakfast and sea view.
Villa Hotel Tamara – from $200 for a double room with breakfast and sea view.

A little away from the center of Kas, near the beach of Büyük Çakıl, there is a large selection of villas and apartments with sea views. Secluded villas surrounded by pine trees, small bays with beaches are 200% romantic.

Apartments near Buyuk Chakil:

Villa Dundar – Kas Apartments – apartments with pool for families from $95
Villa Aktan – apartments for six people from $ 140

Recommendations for planing a trip to Turkey

Rent a car – I highly recommend it, because without it, you will spend a lot of time waiting or adjusting your plans to public transportation. You can find the best option for a rental company on the aggregator Rentalcars.com – Here you can find a budget option and read reviews about rental companies.

Book your accommodation in advance – remember that in Turkey Booking.com is not allowed in Turkey, so it’s better to find and book a hotel at home. Or use a VPN while in Turkey.

Kas – the most romantic and cozy city in Turkey

Where is Kas located?

Getting to Kas

What to do in Kas?