Kash is a Turkish city that stands on a hill on the Mediterranean coast next to Antalya. From here you can enjoy a wonderful view of the turquoise expanse, spreading forests and the Greek island of Kastellorizo. Everyone will find something to their liking here. Kas is famous for its beautiful beaches, excellent food, local brands, paragliding and boat trips.
The tiny town is not as popular among tourists as its resort comrades. However, during the summer season it gets quite crowded. From October to mid-June the sea remains cold and Kaş is empty, and during this time you can safely explore the local attractions. We tell you what to pay attention to.
Entry rules
Russians will only need a foreign passport to enter Turkey. Without a residence permit, you can stay in the country for up to 60 days within six months. The local currency is the Turkish lira (about four rubles).
How to get there
The nearest airports from Kas are located in Dalaman and Antalya, where there are direct flights from Moscow. The cheapest tickets to Dalaman are offered by Pegasus Airlines – for a 4.5-hour flight you will pay from 17,000 rubles*. It’s more expensive and takes an hour longer to get there by Aeroflot – a one-way ticket costs from 26,000 rubles*.
Russian airlines Pobeda, S7, IrAero and Aeroflot fly to Antalya in 5.5 hours. Turkish Airlines spends 4.5 hours in the sky. One-way tickets cost from 20,000 rubles*. From Dalaman or Antalya you need to get to Fethiye and take a bus to Kas. The trip will take about 2.5 and 5 hours respectively.
Where to stay
Upperhouse (rating 9.0) – hotel in the center of the old city with small rooms and glass bathrooms from 4,700 rubles* per night.
Linda Boutique Class Hotel(rating 8.7) —boutique hotel with its own pool. The rooms have balconies and panoramic windows overlooking the sea. A night in a standard room with breakfast will cost 5,300 rubles*.
Kaş Artemis Hotel (rating 9.0) — hotel in the city center with swimming pool and views of the Kas coastline, surrounded by mountains. A night in a standard room costs from 8,900 rubles*.
What to see
Old Town
It consists of colorful buildings and narrow cobbled streets, among which it is so pleasant to get lost or suddenly come across a cozy cafe with national dishes, a craft shop, a stall with handmade jewelry or the Doğruúol Caddesi alley full of flowers. The central square of Cumhuriyet Meydanı overlooks the city harbor. There are many restaurants with terraces where you can relax and eat fried ice cream.
Harbor
Kash is the starting point of many boat tours. Most excursions are full-day and include snorkeling or diving, but there are also short boat trips. The most popular are trips to the sunken ancient city of Kekova and the city of Simena. Typically, an excursion costs from 150 to 200 liras per person (from 600 to 800 rubles*), but you can bargain with the sellers. A boat tour is a great way to see the sights without having to rent a car.
In the evening, Kasha Harbor turns into a great place to watch the sunset. If you want to enjoy the peace, we recommend that you do not stay in the square, but go to the rocks along the path to the lighthouse.
In addition, this is an attraction point for paragliders. From here it is easy to reach the 650-meter Mount Asas. Paragliding does not require special training; before you start, you will have a short introductory flight. And then you will spend about 30 minutes in the air. During this time you will be able to explore the entire coastline, the old town and the Greek island not far from Kas.
Lycian Tombs
The most ancient burials have been preserved in the vicinity of the city. Some were built long before the beginning of our era and were even carved into the rock.
One of the main attractions is located at the intersection of Atatürk Blv. and Bilginler Sk. You won’t be able to pass by – the Kral Mezarı tomb looks like a huge ancient sarcophagus, which is decorated with four lion heads. The roof of the tomb resembles a boat – the Lycians believed that it was on it that the souls of the dead sailed to the kingdom of the dead.
There are two rock tombs in the city. One of them, Likya Kaya Mezarları, is located east of Kral Mezarı, and the second is on the path leading to the amphitheater. There is nothing left inside the caves, but along the way you can see arches carved into the rocks, carved roofs, faces and inscriptions.
Amphitheater Antiphellos
It is located in a small national park near the main square and admission is free. It’s pleasant to walk here during the day: spreading trees will hide you from the sun. And in the evening it’s even better: from the top rows of the amphitheater there is a wonderful view of Kas, surrounded by the sea. This is one of the best places to watch the sunset, although it can get crowded in the evening. Photography and video shooting in the park are allowed, but flying drones is not allowed, this is monitored by the local police.
Kaputas Beach
Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey. It is formed by a gorge that opens onto a sandy strip, so it is hidden from prying eyes by steep rocks. There is an observation deck at the top, and stairs lead down. The beach is equipped with areas with toilets, showers and changing rooms; here you can rent a sun lounger and an umbrella; there is also a food mall with different corners.
Kaputas is popular with tourists, so if you want to rent a sun lounger during the summer season, arrive early in the morning or after 16:00. The beach is about 30 minutes drive from Kas and is accessible by bus, but the easiest way to get there is by car or taxi. A one-way trip will cost about 150 Turkish lira (600 rubles*).
Küçük Çakıl Beach
The beach in the city center has an unusual shape. This is a small lagoon surrounded by rocky cliffs. Several calm currents intersect near the shore, so the water can be simultaneously cool at the very bottom, warm a little higher, cool again in the middle and the most comfortable temperature at the surface. The beach is equipped with areas with toilets, showers and changing rooms; here you can rent a sun lounger and umbrella, and there are many cafes and restaurants around. Küçük Çakıl is quite popular among tourists, so it’s better to come here first thing in the morning.
Bilal’s Beach
This beach is located next to three others, together they are called Limanağzı plajı. Bilal’s is the farthest one and therefore the least crowded, quiet and cozy. Here you will be provided with a free bungalow or sun lounger for the day if you buy food and drinks on site in the amount of 80 liras per person (about 320 rubles*).
You can get here by boat taxi from Kasha Harbor. Tickets are sold at a kiosk on the pier; for a round trip you will pay 40 liras (about 160 rubles*) per person. The taxi departs in the opposite direction from 14:00 to 18:00 every half hour.
Lycian Way Hiking Track
The Lycian Way is an equipped hiking trail that stretches along the coast of ancient Lycia from Fethiye to Antalya past Kas. In total, its length is about 500 km. The peculiarity of this trail is that you can “enter” it in any of the coastal cities along the route and just as calmly stop the journey.
The tourist center on the main square provides maps of the area and short guides. The trail itself is equipped, completely safe and suitable for tourists of any level of training. Along the route there are signs indicating ancient places or significant events.
The key point is the “flag”. This is the name of the observation deck on Sleeping Giant Mountain, which offers views of the coast from a height of 480 m. And the mountain itself is easy to see from the ground – it seems to hang over the city and looks like a giant lying on its side.
Saklikent National Park
Saklikent Gorge is one of the deepest canyons in the world. There are two routes for tourists here: the first four kilometers of the trail are fully equipped and will be comfortable for travelers with any level of training, and the remaining 14 km are suitable only for professionals who come with their own climbing equipment. The first route ends in front of the waterfall, and the second begins in the same place – you need to cross the water stream, so you won’t be able to accidentally get to a difficult level.
There will be various adventures along the way: you will have to climb rocks (with the equipment that will be given at the entrance, it is safe) or walk along an ankle-deep river. Depending on the time of year, the current may be different, so for convenience there is a rope stretched across the river. During the rainy season (especially in the wettest months, January and December), visiting the canyon is dangerous: the water level may rise, and then the route will be closed.
In the gorge along the trail there are several natural mud pools where you can get a free face mask or even take a mud bath.
Near the park there is a cafe, a toilet and a tourist center where rubber boots are available for rent. Entrance costs about 20 Turkish lira (about 80 rubles*) per person.
Meis Island
This is a bonus location for those who have a Schengen visa. A 20-minute boat ride from Kas is the Greek island of Kastellorizo (aka Meis). This is a great idea for a day trip or a weekend trip. Explore the ruins of Paleokastro Castle and, a 15-minute walk from the port, visit the rock-cut Lycian Tomb. People also come here to look at the famous blue grotto, go to restaurants serving Greek cuisine and wander through cozy narrow streets with handicraft shops and colorful buildings.
*Prices are current at the time of publication.
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