Kaş: the Riviera's small harbour town
Kaş is a small town of whitewashed houses and bougainvillea around a harbour, facing the Greek island of Meis across the water. There are no big resorts and few sandy beaches; instead you swim from wooden platforms into very clear water, dive, kayak and eat well in the old town. It is the most relaxed and characterful base on the coast.
Where to stay in Kaş
Kaş is compact, so the main choice is between walking everywhere and having your own sea access.
| Area | Character | Beach | Best for | From DLM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old town & harbour | Boutique hotels and pensions in narrow lanes, restaurants and bars a few steps away | Small pebble beaches and swimming platforms nearby | Couples, foodies, no-car holidays | 2 h 15 min |
| Çukurbağ peninsula | Hotels and villas on the peninsula west of town, each with its own swimming platform; 5–10 minutes by car or taxi | Rock platforms and ladders into deep clear water | Sea views, quiet, swimming from your hotel | 2 h 15 min |
| Limanağzı & east coast | A few hotels and beach clubs on the bays across the harbour, reached by boat | Small pebble coves, calm water | Beach days, seclusion | 2 h 15 min |
Times are from Dalaman Airport (DLM), the closest airport. From Antalya (AYT) allow about 3 hours 15 minutes.
Things to do
Swimming in Kaş
The coast here is rocky, so beach clubs and hotels build wooden platforms with ladders into the sea. The water is clean and deep, among the clearest on the Mediterranean. Small pebble beaches such as Büyükçakıl and Küçükçakıl are a short walk from town; the Limanağzı coves across the bay are reached by water taxi.
Kaputaş beach
About 20 km west on the road to Kalkan, a small cove of fine pebbles and bright turquoise water sits at the bottom of a gorge, reached by a long staircase from the road. Go early in summer; parking is limited. Dolmuş minibuses between Kaş and Kalkan stop there.
Diving
Kaş is Türkiye's best-known diving centre, with clear water, walls, caves, a sunken aircraft and amphorae. Dozens of dive schools offer try-dives and courses.
Meis (Kastellorizo)
The Greek island of Kastellorizo, called Meis in Turkish, is a 20-minute ferry ride away: a pastel harbour village with tavernas and a blue cave. You need your passport; it is an EU border, so check entry rules for your nationality.
Kekova and paragliding
Kekova's sunken city is the classic day trip by boat or kayak; see our Kekova guide. For a different view, tandem paragliding flights launch from the mountain above town and land by the harbour.
Antiphellos
Kaş was ancient Antiphellos: a Hellenistic theatre faces the sea just west of the centre, and a Lycian sarcophagus stands at the top of the old town's main lane.
Getting there
Kaş sits between two airports. From Dalaman (DLM) it is about 150 km, around 2 hours 15 minutes; from Antalya (AYT) about 190 km, around 3 hours 15 minutes along a beautiful but winding coast road. Compare flights to both. Intercity buses connect Kaş with Antalya, Fethiye and Kalkan; inside town you walk.
When to go
May to October for swimming, with June and September the sweet spot. Kaş is a living town, so many restaurants stay open in winter, a good time for hiking and diving with fewer people. See our weather guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport is closer to Kaş, Dalaman or Antalya?
Dalaman is closer: about 2 hours 15 minutes against 3 hours 15 minutes from Antalya. Antalya often has more flights, so compare both.
Does Kaş have sandy beaches?
Not really. Kaş has small pebble beaches and swimming platforms. The nearest famous beach, Kaputaş, has fine pebbles; for long sand, Patara near Kalkan is 45 minutes away.
Can you visit Meis (Kastellorizo) from Kaş?
Yes, ferries take about 20 minutes. Bring your passport; it is an EU external border, so entry rules depend on your nationality.
Is Kaş good for families?
Yes for older children who swim well and enjoy snorkelling and boats. Families with small children who want sand and shallow water are better off in Kalkan with day trips to Patara, or in Side or Belek.