27 BEST Things To Do In Kas For A Unique Experience (2026)

Kas is a charming and relatively undiscovered coastal town located on the southwestern coast of Turkey. What was once a quiet fishing town has now evolved into one of the hidden gems of the Turkish Riviera. Along cobbled streets, lined with cozy terraced cafes and restaurants, with a remarkably beautiful punch of pink bougainvillea flowers across the outcropped balconies, Kas is perfect for those who prefer a more laid-back Mediterranean atmosphere. 

After spending 5 incredible days in the desert landscape of Cappadocia, we were excited to experience the famous Turkish Coast. To our surprise, Kas turned out to be one of the favourite parts of our 2-week trip in Turkey. Now having spent close to a week in Kas exploring its hidden beaches, day tripping to ancient Greek fortresses, to sailing the Turquoise coast, we’re compiled our list of 27 best things to do in Kas! Let’s get right into it!

27 Best things to do in Kas

To help you better navigate the best things to do while in Kas, we have subdivided the activities into 4 main experience categories. In this way, you can quickly see the activities that most interest you.

• Beaches around Kas
• Day trips from Kas
• Local activities in Kas
• and food experiences. 

Beaches around Kas

1. Kaputaş Beach

Kaputaş Beach is one of the most famous beaches along the Turkish Riviera and is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey. Located right off the side of the highway road, this beach is wedged within a cove surrounded by the dramatic white cliffs of the Lycian coast. 

Kaputas Beach, located only 25 minutes drive from Kas, is very popular among both locals and tourists. For this reason, if you plan on visiting, we would recommend going very early. When we passed by at around 11 a.m., there were already over 50 cars parked along the highway close to the staircase down to the beach. Gazing down, we could already see that the beach was packed and most of the sun beds were occupied.

Although this beach is pretty, we personally preferred finding our own unofficial roadside beach along the highway. It was a lot more quiet and local, and we still had access to the same beautiful Mediterranean waters. Otherwise, we also loved Demre Beach, which we visited as part of our day trip to Myra Ruins. It is less turquoise than Kaputaş Beach but so much more peaceful!

All the important amenities are available at Kaputaş Beach including umbrellas and sun beds for rent, as well as showers, bathrooms, and changing rooms.

2. Küçük Çakıl Beach

There is certainly no shortage of beautiful beaches around Kas. If you want to visit one located right inside the town of Kas, make sure to stop by Küçük Çakıl. Only a few steps away from Livia Hotel where we stayed, Küçük Çakıl is a small bay with a pebble beach. 

What makes it unique is how narrow the beach is, lined both sides with cozy beach clubs. It is perfect for a quick dip to cool off from the hot summer day. If you want to hang out longer there, we would recommend Spoon Coffee Co., Meyhane Myra, or Derya Beach restaurant where they have a terrace overlooking the Küçük Çakıl with some beach chairs (for a fee ofcourse!). 

There are even steps down that bring you right into the water. If you do visit the pebble beach, make sure to bring some water shoes as the small pebbles can hurt your feet.

3. Discover hidden, free, cliff-side beaches

If you have a rental car, which we highly recommend, then you will have undoubtedly seen countless beach alcoves along the drive towards Kas. Right beside the highway, down the slopes of the white rocks, you will have access to natural and unofficial beaches and the turquoise blue waters. 

While driving, you will notice that at certain turns, there are several cars parked right on the side of the highway. This usually indicates that there is a beach there. If you want to go and explore it, just stop your car safely behind them, or right off the edge of the paved road. 

Carefully cross the road when no cars are passing and descend the stairs/slope. Most of the time, there will be only a few locals there enjoying the crystal clear waters. As these are unofficial beaches, there will be no lifeguard or amenities present, but it provides an incredible local and remote experience.

4. Day trip to Patara sand dunes and beach

After visiting the Patara ruins, make sure to also visit Patara beach. Patara Beach is a 500-meter-long fine golden-sand beach renowned for its sand dunes. What also makes it special is that it is a nesting ground for the cute Ceretta turtles. 

When we visited after exploring Patara Ruins, the water was unfortunately quite choppy and it was very windy so we only stayed for half an hour. However, we can certainly see the charm of this beach. 

If you are there close to sunset, make sure to catch a few photos of the sand dunes. Also, be very careful where you lie down or put down your stuff. There are designated and marked zones where the Caretta turtles are nesting so make sure not to disturb them.

Here you’ll find all the usual required facilities including changing rooms, showers, restaurants, and rentable beach chairs/umbrellas.

Day trip from Kas

5. Day trip to Myra Ruins

The Myra ruins were an absolute surprise to us. Located around 40 minutes drive away from Kas, the Myra ruins are one of the largest amphitheatres in Turkey, once believed to seat up to 12,000 spectators. 

Having just driven through the local neighbourhoods of Demre to reach the ruins, we truly didn’t expect very much. But as we stepped through the gates of the Myra Amphitheatre, there was a palpable energy, almost as if we could hear the cheers of the crowd as theatre shows and gladiator battles took place. Before us was a beautifully preserved Roman ruin with incredibly detailed decorative sculptures depicting the masks of the actors and the theatrical acts that existed back then.

In those times, actors would wear a different mask to portray a different expression or an alternate person. At certain times, a single actor would switch masks several times to portray different characters. I wondered why their mouthes were all so circularly agape, and discovered that those masks had funnel-shaped openings to help project the actor’s speech across the amphitheatre.

Back then, theatres were their primary source of entertainment and thus would gather large crowds. due to this fact, this setting was often used for political influence, moulding the opinions of their listeners, as well as for business deals. Later on, they converted it for gladiator and animal battles, raising the walls of the stands to prevent any escape.

Learning about this rich history at Myra ruins was absolutely fascinating.

You can purchase an audio guide which, over 13 different stops, explains the history of the theatre, the tombs, the construction etc… We highly recommend renting the guide as the physically written information panels are very poorly translated and do not have that much information. 

Although the site is fairly small, properly exploring the cliff wall tombs and then all the nooks and crannies of the amphitheatre will keep you busy for at least 1 hour. We ended up spending around 2.5 hours there. In fact, this was one of the most spectacular archeological ruins we have seen, rivalling that of the Acropolis in Athens.

6. Day trip to Demre town and local beach

After visiting the Myra ruins, make sure to stop by Demre. It is a small local town but make your way toward the beach for a totally off-the-beaten-path experience. The municipal beach in Demre stretches over several kilometres, with soft pebble rocks and gentle waves. When we went, there were only a couple of local families there sunbathing and playing with their children. 

Seeing as the beaches in Kas are far more popular and crowded, this beach in Demre was the perfect escape. We laid down on the pebble rocks and listened to the gentle lapping of the waves. If you get hungry, there are also multiple restaurants nearby.

7. Day trip to Xanthos ruins

At the ancient city of Xanthos, you will have the opportunity to explore some beautifully preserved Lycian artifacts as well as ruins. Other than the amphitheatre that dates back to around the 2nd century AD, you will also see the Lycian Acropolis, multiple rock tombs and sarcophagi, and a Xanthian obelisk.

The obelisk here was fascinating, as it was somewhat like the Rosetta stone of that time. On the four faces of the pillar were inscriptions written in three languages: Greek, Lycian, and Milyan. This served as a funerary monument dedicated to the achievements of the local king Kherei, and was the perfect artifact to better understand and translate the different languages. 

Although the Xanthos ruins lack much of the touristic infrastructure as compared to Myra or Patara, this added to the authenticity of the experience. Walking through the gates of the theatre, there was a palpable atmosphere of tension and ruination. It reminded us of the movie Gladiator when Maximus walks through the Colosseum gates to face off against the tigers and opposing fighters.

In fact, maybe this feeling was due to the fact that during the war times, in order to avoid being captured, the inhabitants of Xanthos ended up committing suicide and burning the city down. A truly tragic story that added to the mystery of these archeological ruins.

8. Day trip to Patara ruins

The Patara ruins was one of our favourite experiences while in Kas. You may be thinking “Ok, more ruins?”. But this one is absolutely worth it! 

Patara was once one the leading cities of Lycia along with Xanthos and Letoon. There you will not only find exceptionally preserved ruins but also a 500-meter wide beach with fine golden sand and a nesting ground for cute caretta turtles. But first, let’s talk about the ruins. 

Within the city, you will get to explore the Roman triumphal arch, several temples, a necropolis, theatre buildings, bath houses, and even a parliament building. But what truly stood out to us was the colonnaded Harbour Street, which served as their main boulevard in the cities. 

Wandering along the avenue, we could imagine the chariots and carriage carts rolling by, men working to unload the cargo as the nearby storekeepers hawked their produce. Both sides of the street were the remains of perfectly aligned marble columns, the coloration and fine grain detail of each beautiful and distinctive. 

Behind the columns were the foundational remains of what was once the storehouses and shops. Even the cobbled stones and mosaics on the floor were intricate and of visibly high-quality material. The same applied to the bathhouse where you can see the fine marble mosaic decorations of the floor, as well as the remains of the ancient drainage system. 

Visiting the Patara ruins was truly like traveling back in time. This also makes for one of the most beautiful locations for sunset photography.

9. Day trip to Oludeniz to paraglide

Seeking some adrenaline? Oludeniz, located a 2-hour drive from Kas, is home to not only one of Turkey’s most beautiful beaches but also one of the world’s best locations do to Paragliding. 

From atop Badabag mountain, the thermal wind conditions are ideal for paragliding and people from all over the world flock there to experience it. Launching from the top of the mountain, you will overlook the beautiful Oludeniz lagoon, and over the next 45 minutes get to have a bird’s eye view of the Turkish coast. 

If you want, you can also ask the pilot to demonstrate some flight maneuvers to get extra thrills! There are usually 5 departures per day and should be booked in advance to guarantee your spot. You can also purchase in the package both pictures and a 360-degree video of your tandem flight. It will sure make for some incredible souvenirs!

10. Day trip Saklikent National Park

For those after some nature adventure, Saklikent National Park is for you! Saklikent, known as the hidden valley, is about 18 kilometres long and 300 meters deep, making it one of the longest canyons in Turkey!

There, you can experience trekking through the waters of a gorge, go rafting, or even try out canyoneering. Canyoneering is a relatively new activity where you climb through the canyon, abseil down waterfalls, and plunge into clear pools of water. 

Having experienced canyoneering before during our Utah Road Trip, it is truly an adrenaline-filled activity and you feel like you are the first explorer discovering a never-before-seen location. This also reminded us of when we trekked through the canyons in the red-rose valley, by far one of the best things we did in Cappadocia. 

After an exciting day, make sure to dine at one of their restaurants with cushioned seats right at the water’s edge.

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Saklikent Gorge Recommended Tours

If you will be self-driving like we did, it is possible to visit Saklikent Gorge independently. However, in order to to experience the best of the Gorge, we would recommend going with a tour. There are several options available:

• Saklikent gorge Jeep Safari: Tour departs from Kas and will bring you through a local village, you’ll then get to explore both the Saklikent Gorge and and Gizlikent Canyon. After lunch, you’ll then get to visit the famous Kaputas beach!

• Saklikent Gorge + Blue Lagoon Tour: This tour departs from Marmaris and you’ll get to experience both the Saklikent Gorge and sun tan along Oludeniz’s most famous blue lagoon!

11. Day trip to Kyaneai Ören Yeri (abandoned amphitheatre)

The final ruin you should visit in this list is Kyaneai Ören Yeri. Located only 26 minutes drive from Kas, at Kyaneai Ören Yeri you will find the remnants of an ancient amphitheatre and the city that once stood there. 

There is not much historical documentation of this town but it was believed that there was an important source of divination there. Out of all the ruins, this one has the least tourist infrastructure and is in fact abandoned. For that reason, reaching it requires a hike up an overgrown path. 

The road to get there is also in poor condition. However, if you do make the trek, you will likely get the entire place all to yourselves. At Kyaneai Ören Yeri, you will see a large amphitheatre, several necropolis and tombs, and the foundation of many of the buildings that once stood there.

12. Embark on a Blue cruise leaving from Fethiye

Blue Cruise, also known as Blue Voyage, describes the popular activity of sailing and cruising in a traditional Turkish Gullet along the Turkish Riviera. The gullets are large wooden sailing vessels comprising several cabins and a long open deck and are unique to the area of Bodrum and Marmaris (We also had the chance to sail down Egypt’s Nile river on a traditional wooden Dahabiya which was an experience we’ll also never forget!). 

Cruising on the Mediterranean for 4 days on the gullet was one of our favourite experiences in Turkey. Although you can road trip from town to town along the Turkish coast, there is something truly magical and freeing about being on a boat. We also got to visit the famous 12 islands nearby Fethiye and had countless hours to unwind, take a swim, snorkel, paddleboard, and do some hikes into local remote villages. 

There are also blue cruise itineraries available that bring you from Fethiye to Marmaris, Fethiye to Gocek, or Antalya to Kekova. Since our next stop after Kas was to discover the city of Istanbul, a 4-day blue cruise was the perfect way to fully relax and explore the Turkish coast.

We went with MyBlueCruise and loved our experience with them!

If you don’t have time for a 4 day blue cruise, you can instead enjoy a full-day 12 islands Sailboat tour with delicious onboard lunch! It’s not the full experience, but you’ll at least get a taste of sailing the Turkish Coast!

13. Day trip to the Greek island of Kastellorizo

If ever you want a quick change of scenery, how about taking a day trip to the nearby Greek island of Meis? Meis, also known by the name of Kastellorizo, is located just 2.5km across the water from Kas and makes for a great day trip. 

Just a short ferry ride away, on Meis, you can enjoy delicious Greek food and peruse the streets lined with Anatolian Greek-style homes. All the buildings are painted a soft powdery white, blue, and yellow, making for an utterly picturesque town to unwind in. 

In fact one of the best spots to go to would be the Athina Seafood Tavern located right on the border of the water where you can indulge in freshly caught calamari, shrimp, and fish, all cooked in the typical Greek style. 

If you are searching for a bit of adventure, you can take a boat trip to the blue grotto where you can swim in the turquoise blue waters within a cave. Otherwise, the true way to appreciate Meis is by simply enjoying the rich Greek atmosphere.

14. Day trip to the neighbouring town of Kalkan

If ever you are curious to explore another beautiful town along the Turkish coast nearby Kas, take a day trip to Kalkan. Located around a 40-minute drive from Kas, I would recommend making a stop here after visiting Oludeniz, Xanthos, or Patara as they are all in the same direction. 

Kalkan is an old town right by the Mediterranean and what we enjoyed most was strolling through their cobbled streets and having a romantic supper. They have several streets only for pedestrians where the road is lined with restaurant terraces. At night, we enjoyed a dinner at Salonika 1881 on their terrace with the streets lit up romantically. The architecture there is also really unique and while waiting for our food, we admired every doorway and balcony. 

I know I have repeated this many times before, but it really feels like you are in a quaint town in Greece. If you have more time, you can also go down to the water where they have several beach resorts.

15. Hike the Lycian Way

The Lycian Way is a 509 km long hiking trail that spans from Fethiye all the way to Antalya, connecting 18 ancient cities. It is often done as a multi-day hike but you can also do a short section of it leaving from Kas. 

Along the Lycian way, you will not only get to see the spectacular views of the Turkish coast but also explore much of the ancient Lycian history including their mountain tombs. 

We unfortunately did not have time to embark on a Lycian hike but we wanted to mention it here anyway to at least let you know that it is an option. There are Lycian Way Hiking Tours available, including this 7-day Lycian Way Trek starting from Fethiye and ending in Kas!

Local activities in Kas

16. Antiphellos ancient city

Located just around a 10-minute walk from the centre of Kas, Antiphellos ancient city is the perfect spot to enjoy the sunset. Due to its convenient location, there will usually be crowds there but it still provides you with a high-elevation view of the Mediterranean as well as the coastal part of Kas. 

The Myra and Patara ruins are far more impressive to see, but given that Antiphellos is just a 10-minute walk away, you can easily squeeze it into your evening stroll.

17. Scuba diving in Kas

Who would’ve guessed that there would be amazing scuba diving sites in Kas? In fact, Kas provides scuba divers with the opportunity to explore sunken wrecks, ancient relics, rock formations and canyons, and even spot a couple of turtles. It is one of the few places where you can still find many of the ancient artifacts of Turkey. 

These include amphorae, which were vessels that were used to transport wine and oil, ancient Lycian remains, and some incredible wrecks including a World War II C-47 DAKOTA plane!

With excellent visibility all year round, you might even have a chance to spot the underwater “Big 5”: Caretta, Grouper, Moray Eel, Jackfish, and Octopus. There are over 20 dive sites in Kas so for those who enjoy scuba diving, this is a must-do activity!

For a recommended tour operator, we would go with Nautilus Diving Kas! They have been a dive centre since 1997 and are authorized by the Turkish Underwater Sports Federation as well as being a certified 5 Star IDC Center of the PADI network.

Alternatively, you can book This Guided Scuba Diving Tour where you’ll get to see some of the underwater wrecks!

18. Shop in cute local boutiques

Kas had a surprising amount of cute local boutiques to shop at. Most of the items found there are produced by local artisans. Turkey is renowned for their textiles so you will find several stores selling Turkish scarves, blankets, throws, and bathrobes. The material is light, very soft, breathable, and warm. We ended up buying a bathrobe and a throw and use it every day now! 

Nan also bought some locally crafted jewelry for a very affordable price (usually 5-10$). What we appreciated in Kas was that the merchants were very friendly and never pushy. They were very happy to share with you their passion for their products, but never got angry if you didn’t buy them. 

We stopped at many of the shops and were happy to stay and chat with the owners. There are countless boutiques in Kas so you can easily spend an afternoon or half a day there.

19. Kayaking the sunken city of Kekova and visiting Simena Castle

One of the most unique things to do in Kas is taking a tour to explore the sunken city of Kekova. Departing from Kas, you will have the option of taking a boat tour or kayaking to see the ruins. 

We would highly recommend kayaking since the boats are not allowed to stop so you will be passing by the underwater ruins rather quickly. Also, on the boat, there will usually be some glare over the water making it hard to see what’s underneath. 

In the past, it was possible to snorkel at the ruins, but since tourists were stealing pieces from the ruins, it is now restricted. 

During this tour, you will also have the chance to visit Kekova Island, Simena Castle, and Aquarium Bay. 

As you coast over the sunken city of Kekova, you will witness the outline of the buildings that once stood there, see the shards of pottery and tools from that era, as well as some tiled mosaics that once decorated the streets. It is like exploring the ancient city of Pompeii, except on water. 

This definitely makes for a very unique and memorable experience in Kas. Before embarking on the tour, make sure to familiarize yourself with the tipping etiquette in Turkey.

To book your Kekova Kayaking tour, check out this great option!

20. Enjoy the sunset in the central plaza (Atatürk Heykeli)

The central plaza in Kas is very charming and exudes European vibes. Lined on one side with restaurants, and the other side overlooking the Mediterranean seas, the central plaza is a large square where local families congregate. 

Take a seat on one of the stone benches or on the terrace at one of the restaurants and enjoy watching as the people go by. If you’re hungry, there are usually a few food stands selling stuffed oysters as well as Turkish Ice cream. We strolled through the plaza at sunset after visiting Antiphellos Theatre and it was the perfect way to end the evening.

21. Visit the local farmer’s market on Friday

If you are there on a Friday, make sure to visit Kas’s local farmer’s market to find the freshest fruits and local produce. There you will find local cheeses, olives, honey, eggs, fruits, and vegetables. It is a special experience to shop among the locals and see the hustle and bustle in their daily lives. There are also a couple of shops selling clothing and artisanal goods.

22. Stroll through the cobbled streets of Kas

The streets in Kas are an absolute delight to explore. Lined with pink bougainvillea flowers, colourful balconies, boutique shops, and cobbled roads, you can spend an entire afternoon exploring. 

The true uniqueness of Kas is how laid back and relaxing it feels, so after your day trips to see ruins and archeological sites, make sure to schedule some time just to enjoy the local town of Kas.

Grab a Turkish coffee, peruse the local artisanal boutiques, stroll the central square, and speak with the locals. These are some of the most authentic ways to experience Kas and to discover the local culture there.

Favourite Food Experiences in Kas

23. Enjoy the fresh seafood

Given the location of Kas and its close proximity to Greece, the food available here is a blend of Turkish and Greek seafood cuisine. Every evening, we dined on the cobbled street terraces of Kas, lined with colourful white and turquoise blue tables and chairs. The atmosphere was laid back and vibrant and really made us feel like we were in Greece.

Make sure to try their freshly caught sea bass, grilled octopus, fried calamari, and stuffed oysters. You will likely also notice a lot of friendly cats roaming around your table with cute beady eyes waiting for your leftovers. Since the food is delicious, there likely won’t be any leftovers!

Make sure to check out our guide on tipping etiquette in Turkey before going to the restaurants. Also, if you want to have a better idea how much food and other activities cost in Turkey, check out this post!

Here are a couple of our favourite restaurants in Kas:

• Demeti Kas
• Cafe Corner Restaurant
• Sempati Türk Mutfağı
• Note: Most restaurants there do not have websites or online menus

24. Try burnt ice cream

Burnt ice cream? Doesn’t sound very appetizing right? But it is in fact one of Kas’s local specialties. Also called yanıksı dondurma, burnt ice cream uses a particularly fatty milk from goats that feed on the wild thyme growing in that region. 

To make the ice cream, milk is stewed in a large boiler and due to its high-fat content, it will start to stick to the pot, thus creating that burnt taste. It is then cooled and then churned in an ice cream-making machine for a couple of hours. Whether you will like burnt ice cream will depend on you, but it is surely a unique taste and something we would recommend at least trying.

For one of the best places to try burnt ice cream, check out Tatlı Dükkanı, also known as Dessert shop.

25. Play the Turkish ice cream game

We’ve all seen that video online where the unsuspecting customer tries to buy Turkish ice cream, but the vendor flips the ice cream around dodging the hand of the customer. So you definitely cannot leave Turkey without trying this at least once.

If ever you are not into games, then at least do it for the ice cream. The Turkish ice cream, called dondurma, is actually made with goat’s milk and has salep and mastic, making it very dense. Once we succeeded in catching the ice cream from the vendor, we were surprised by how delicious and addictive the dondurma was!

These vendors are available all over town and you will know they are there since they ring and bell and make clanging noises to draw attention.

26. Try local pomegranate pressed juice

When we met one of the locals from Turkey and she asked us what are some of the things we wanted to do, I mentioned “I want to drink the local pomegranate pressed juice!”

She gave me a puzzled expression and asked why that would be something special.

I explained that back in Canada, pomegranates are not fresh and cost around 3-4$ each! judging from how the locals seem to press around 6 pomegranates to make one small cup of juice, this would end up being a very expensive drink back home! 

So make sure to take advantage of the fresh Turkish fruits and vegetables and try out their pomegranate-pressed juice. You will be able to find them in just about every town at a fruit cart. 

There is usually the option of pomegranate or grapefruit. The fruits are freshly pressed right in front of you, juice and pulp included, into a small plastic cup. It doesn’t get any fresher than that! As a reference, a cup of pomegranate juice will cost the equivalent of around 4$.

27. Try the steamed/fried oysters stuffed in rice

In both Istanbul and Kas, we frequently saw these food stands selling steamed/fried oysters stuffed with rice. So eventually, we just had to try it! The midye dolma are a local delicacy where the oyster is stuffed with herb-marinated rice and then drizzled with fresh lemon. They are absolutely delicious and feel like you are eating an entire meal’s flavours packed into one bite! 

In Kas, you can go to the central plaza to find the midye dolma stands or sometimes they will come to you while you’re dining at one of the outdoor terraces. We had the opportunity to discover so many amazing Turkish foods during our Food tour in Istanbul!

This post is part of our series about Turkey. If you want to learn more about Turkey, planning your trip, and some of the best experiences there, check out the guides below:

3 Days in Istanbul: Perfect Itinerary for First-time Visitors (2026)

Is Uber in Istanbul? Guide To Getting Around The City 2026

Is Cappadocia Worth it? 10 Best Reasons & Things To Do 2026

10 Day Turkey Itinerary: Ultimate Guide

Is Turkey Expensive to Visit? Budget Breakdown and Tips (2023)

8 Things To Know Before Taking A Food Tour In Istanbul 2026

Do You Tip In Turkey: Tipping Etiquette For Every Situation

Where to stay in Cappadocia, Turkey (2026): Complete Guide

How many days to spend in Kas

Ideally, we would recommend spending between 3-5 days in Kas. We stayed 3 days and felt like it was barely enough and would’ve wanted to stay longer. We met other travelers that stayed there for a week and thoroughly enjoyed their experience there. 

With one day in Myra, one day in Patara, one day at the beaches, one day paragliding Oludeniz, and one just exploring the town of Kas, you can easily spend 5 days there.

We however decided to stay for 3 days since we were going to then do the Blue cruise for 4 days and will have the chance to further explore the Turkish coast.

Kas Itinerary

We would recommend ideally to spend around 5 days in Kas. Here is an example itinerary you can follow, that includes cultural sites, archeological ruins, beaches, and some local attractions:

• Day 1: Explore the cobbled streets of Kas, shop at the boutiques, go for a dip at Küçük Çakıl beach, then end the day at the ancient amphitheatre
• Day 2: Day trip to Demre Beach and Myra Ruins
• Day 3: Day Trip to Patara Ruins and Patara Beach
• Day 4: Day Trip to Oludeniz to do Paragliding, then spend the afternoon at the Blue Lagoon
• Day 5: Blue Cruise sailing Day trip to the 12 islands

Best time to go to Kas

The best time to visit Kas is during the summer months of June, July, and August.

The shoulder seasons of May and September can also be great but will be less warm. If you enjoy doing water activities and swimming at the beach, then I would definitely recommend late June to September.

We went in early June and the water was still quite chilly but the air temperature was hot.

How to get to Kas

The two closest airports to Kas are Dalaman Airport and Antalya Airport.

Dalaman is a closer drive to Kas at 2.5 hours, however, there are generally fewer flights arriving there. Whereas Antalya may take over 4 hours to drive, but is one of Turkey’s most popular airports.

Renting a Car in Antalya

We would recommend renting a car to drive to Kas. Many of the best activities to do in Kas are day trips and drives out of the centre of town, so having a car would make it far more accessible.

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Take the Bus from Antalya to Kas

Alternatively, you can take a bus (called Dolmus) from Antalya airport. This route however is fairly complicated as you will need to take a bus/taxi from the airport to reach the centre of Antalya where you will find the main bus station. Then from there, you will hop on to one of the dolmus for the long 4.5-hour journey.

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Take a Taxi

Taking a taxi is another option. If you are considering Uber, first check out the post explaining our experience with Uber in Turkey. The drive from Antalya Airport to Kas takes close to 4 hours so it the ride will likely be expensive.

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Private Transfer (Best)

Finally, if you are not renting a car, we would recommend a private transfer. We have used Welcome Transfer before during our stay in Istanbul and their service was excellent!

Is Kas touristic

Kas certainly has all the touristic amenities but has successfully retained the local Turkish culture. It is for that reason that many consider Kas the hidden gem of the Turkish coast.

Kaş has a charm and authenticity that we didn’t encounter often elsewhere in Turkey. In the evenings, locals gather in the central square, kids run around playing, and you get a genuine glimpse into everyday life. We also loved that the boutique shops here focus on locally made, artisanal goods rather than the generic souvenirs you often see in bigger, more touristy cities.

During our stay, we even bought a Turkish bathrobe. The quality was great, beautifully made, and noticeably cheaper than anything we found in Istanbul. Overall, Kaş feels like a place that still celebrates its roots, from local life to handcrafted traditions.

Is Kas expensive

We did not feel like Kas was expensive. Relative to the other areas in Turkey, it was actually cheaper than both Istanbul and Cappadocia. We were able to find a nice hotel accommodation for 80$ per night, meals were on average 50$ for two people, and many of the day trips require to only pay for the museum entrance. In terms of pricing, we would consider it moderate.

How to get around Kas

Although Kas itself is very walkable, getting in and out is rather difficult without a car. The reason for this is that the primary highway is located high up the mountain, a very steep uphill climb from the Centre of town.

Although certainly possible to walk up, we would not recommend it in the summer heat. We rented a car and at times even the car struggled a bit while going up the steep slope.

Once you are in the town, then all the restaurants, hotels, and local beaches can be accessed in under 10 minutes of walking. However, to visit some of the nearby beaches or ruins, you will likely prefer having a car rather than taking the bus. 

Overall car rentals are quite affordable. We averaged around 30-40$ per day.

Where to stay in Kas

There are plenty of hotels in Kas, ranging from quaint boutique hotels to beachfront resorts. Here are a couple of our top suggested hotels in Kas:

Budget: Livia Hotel

Located conveniently just a few minutes from the central Plaza of Kas, Livia is a boutique hotel beautifully decorated in white and turquoise. Most rooms have a small balcony overlooking the Mediterranean and their breakfast was one of the best we’ve had in Turkey. We stayed there for 3 nights and have no complaints!

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Mid-range: Hideaway Hotel

Located on the western side of Kas, also very close to the center, Hideaway offers spacious apartment-style rooms with a living room included. They have free breakfast included and you can dine on their large rooftop terrace.

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Luxury: Suna Sun Hotel

With over a 9.6 rating, located on the more secluded peninsula of Kas, Suna Sun Hotel offers luxurious accommodations with a pool and private deck directly on the Mediterranean Ocean. Some of the Deluxe rooms even have a private jetted jacuzzi with a garden view.

Where to eat in Kas

Kas, located right on the coast of the Mediterranean, has countless restaurants serving delicious and fresh seafood. Here are some of the restaurants we would highly recommend:

• Demeti Kas: Seafood and Turkish
• Cafe Corner Restaurant: Seafood and Greek-style
• Zaika Ocakbaşı: Grill restaurant
• Sempati Türk Mutfağı: Turkish/greek

Where to go after Kas

There are several amazing options for stops after Kas. We personally headed west and departed for our 4-day Blue Cruise experience leaving from Fethiye. 

If you missed out on the paragliding, you can spend a couple of days in Oludeniz. 

Willing to go further? There is also the famous Pammukale or the definitely unmissable Cappadocia. 

If you want to head east, you can find Gocek, Olympos, and the big city of Antalya. Or if you’re finished with the Turkish coast, you can take a flight north and spend a couple of amazing days in Istanbul.

Using WISE card in Greece

When taking cash out of an ATM while abroad, you will most likely be charged both a foreign exchange fee and a foreign transaction fee by that country’s ATM. With my Canadian card, this can easily be 3-4$ + 2.75% + a markup on the exchange rate charged by my bank, and then another 3-5$ charged by the foreign ATM.

This can be really costly. For this reason, we recommend using WISE card which has only minimal fees and just about no foreign currency exchange markup. This helps me save at least 5-7$ every time I take out money from an ATM. If you want to see our full review of the card showing exactly how WISE can help you save, check out our WISE Travel card Review post.

Recap: 28 Best things to do in Kas

Kas was one of our favourite places in Turkey and provided us with countless unforgettable experiences. From the exceptionally preserved ancient ruins, the laid-back atmosphere, the stunning beaches, to the local food, Kas certainly did not disappoint. 

Although no longer a hidden gem, Kas is definitely still worth visiting. Maybe it is due to the fact that it is harder to get there that it has not become overcrowded. Let’s hope it stays that way and you get to enjoy many of our top recommended activities.

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