If you are bored with the standard Turkish all-inclusive holiday and are looking for new unknown corners, then we advise you to go to the city of Kas, Turkey. It is in this area that the route of the famous Lycian Trail passes, which is famous for its unique landscapes and historical sights. In Kasha, you will see a seemingly long-known country in a completely new perspective. And this will contribute to the unique terrain of the city: its sea bays, mountains, coves and forests, combined with traces of ancient civilization, will give you the most exciting impressions that a real traveler is so desperately looking for.
General information
Kas is a small town located at the intersection of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas in southwestern Turkey. Framed by mountains and pine forests to the west, north and east, the city is a rather closed area with a cozy atmosphere. The population here is only 6 thousand people. Kash means “eyebrow” in Turkish, and indeed, if you look at an object from a height, its shape is very similar to the shape of an eyebrow.
Useful information: the distance from Adrasan in Turkey to Kash in Turkey is 110 km.
Kas has quite a rich history, which is reflected in numerous attractions. It appeared in the 4th century BC in the state of Lycia and was called Antiphellos at that time. Being a major port facility, the city was of great importance for trade, which is why it was often subjected to pirate raids. Until 1923, it was ruled by the Greeks, who later left these territories, which passed into the possession of the Turks.
It is noteworthy that the city of Kas in Turkey is little known to mass tourism. After all, it is located 200 km from Antalya Airport and 150 km from Dalaman Airport, so travel agencies are in no hurry to bring this resort to the tourist market. Independent travelers come to this Turkish resort.
Nevertheless, Kas is a unique Turkish corner consisting of the center, the old town and the Chukurbag peninsula. Miniature snow-white houses spread out on picturesque slopes, gently falling to the turquoise sea waters, creating a unique romantic atmosphere.
Although only knowledgeable travelers know about this small resort, the city has a fairly developed tourist infrastructure with a wide selection of hotels, restaurants and shops. There are a lot of entertainment and attractions here, but lovers of noisy parties are unlikely to find what they are looking for. Kash is more suitable for a leisurely and informative holiday in a quiet environment that encourages relaxation and tranquility.
Attractions and entertainment
If you look at a few photos of Kash in Turkey, you can understand that the city is rich in historical and natural attractions. And the clear sea waters surrounding it have become a real godsend for scuba divers. And when you happen to visit this romantic corner of the planet, we recommend visiting the following iconic places.
Kalekey Bay and Simena Castle (Kekova)
Once in the village of Kalekoy, you will be able to observe a unique natural phenomenon, when three sea arms, each of which has its own color, flow into the bay. Here are the ruins of an ancient Lycian city that sank into the sea after a strong earthquake. Some of the ruins have been preserved on the surface of the earth, so many will be interested in exploring the remains of ancient buildings.
Start your sightseeing tour with the historic castle, which is located nearby on a hill, offering a breathtaking panorama of charming landscapes (entrance to the castle costs $2 per person). You will not be able to get to it from land, you will have to walk about 2.5 km.
After that, many travelers go on a boat trip on a yacht, enjoying the pristine views and diving from the deck into the open sea. In the village there are several good cafes, especially popular among which are fish restaurants. In general, it is quite an interesting attraction of Kasha in Turkey, combining natural beauty and historical monuments.
Hellenistic Theatre
Another iconic place in Kasha is the ancient Greek amphitheater. The antique building is in excellent condition thanks to a long restoration. The amphitheater is active and often hosts a variety of concerts and performances. On the territory of the attraction, good acoustics have been preserved, and any word spoken on stage can be heard with a hum to the audience.
You can get here at any time of the day, and admission is free. The attraction is located just a 10-minute drive from the city center. Many tourists come here in the late afternoon to enjoy the sunset and the sea from the upper tier of the theater.
On a note! The ancient city of Mira is 45 km from Kas. Why you should definitely see it here.
Free diving
Kas is one of the best freediving grounds in Turkey, because in addition to the marine flora and fauna, the local waters contain ruins of ancient cities and underwater caves. Dive to a depth of 6 meters and discover ancient statues and marble columns, the ruins of a once thriving port and the remains of stairs and houses. Of particular interest is Cape Uluburun, where a sunken Phoenician ship dating back three millennia was found.
In total, there are more than 20 diving spots in Kasha in Turkey, each of which hides its own treasures. In addition to the diving spots where you can spot the Big Five sea bass, caretta, moray eel, lyre and octopus, Kasha features amphorae from ancient times, sunken ships and tanks, wall dives, canyon dives, tunnel dives and cave dives. In some places, visibility reaches 40 meters.
Estimated prices:
- One dive (3 hours from departure to arrival) — $35.
- Day tour (2 dives, time from 9: 30 am to 2 pm) — $60.
- Package for 3 days — $165.
- Daily equipment rental — $7.
- Instructor services — $50-55 per lesson.
Hotels
In this cozy city of Turkey, tourists can choose from a fairly large number of hotels and apartments of different price categories. Of course, there are no all-inclusive hotels here, but there are many establishments that include breakfast in the price. And among the most worthy options are:
Hotel Hermes
Modern hotel with all amenities, located in the center of Kas in close proximity to many attractions. The cost of staying in a hotel for two people per night with a free breakfast is $75 .
Sardunya Andifli Hotel
Located on the Mediterranean coast, this popular hotel is 200 metres from the city’s train station and 100 metres from the Lion’s Tomb attraction. Hotel rates start at $70 per night in a double room.
Nur Beach Hotel
Located in the city center, close to the marina, this hotel offers rooms with a TV and air conditioning. Next to the hotel there is a small beach. The price for a daily check — in at the hotel for two people starts from $80 (breakfast included).
Rhapsody Hotel Kas
One of the best hotels in Kasha in Turkey is located 300 meters from the center on the beach and provides its guests with all kinds of amenities, including a minibar and a safe. There are rooms with comfortable large beds, new furniture and sea views. Breakfast options are varied, delicious and included in the room rate.
A room for two will cost at least $137.
Beaches
Kas is sure to delight its guests with cozy and clean beaches, among which they deserve the most attention:
Kaputas beach
The beach, which is 200 meters long and 30 meters wide, is characterized by clear azure waters and cleanliness. The coastline is covered with sand, and the entrance to the sea is smooth, the depth starts at 2-3 meters. It has all the necessary infrastructure: sun beds with umbrellas (15 lire for one), free toilets, showers and changing rooms. In high season, Kaputash is quite crowded, especially during daytime hours. It is noteworthy that smoking is prohibited here.
On the coastline there is a rock, climbing on which tourists enjoy beautiful views. A 192-step staircase leads to the beach. Downstairs there is a cafe where you can order snacks, coffee, ice cream, etc.
You can get to Kaputash by public transport or a rented car, there is a parking lot nearby. Admission is free. By the way, this beach is included in the list of the best on the entire coast of Turkey.
Big Pebble Beach
A miniature beach with a length of no more than 100 meters, squeezed between rocky hills, is clean and comfortable. There is a cafe here, where you can use the facilities such as sun loungers, toilet and shower completely free of charge. The surface of the beach is pebbly with large stones, and the entrance to the water is uneven and not very convenient.
But picturesque landscapes and clear sea waters more than compensate for this disadvantage. The sea in this area is characterized by an abundance of cold currents, so the water temperature here is much lower than on other beaches of the resort. During the day, you can meet a lot of vacationers on Big Pebble Beach, but after lunch the sun beds begin to empty. It is best to visit the object during the high season, when the water warms up to a comfortable temperature for swimming.
Hidayet koyu
This tiny beach with a length of several tens of meters will delight vacationers with its crystal clear waters. The coastline is covered with pebbles, often with sharp pebbles. In high season, it is very crowded here, since several hotels are located near the area at once. The entrance to the sea is uneven, there are rocks on the bottom. However, Hidayet koyu has received a Blue Flag certificate for its cleanliness and safety. Here you can sunbathe on a towel or use the sun loungers and beach facilities of the nearby hotel for an additional fee. On the shore there is a bar and a restaurant where tourists can taste sea delicacies.
Weather and climate
The Porridge season starts in May and lasts until the end of October. At this time, the air can warm up to 40 °C, and the sea to 27 °C. Since all the beaches of the resort are quite small, be prepared for the fact that it will not be easy to find a free place on the shore during this period. If you are not interested in a beach holiday, then you can visit Kas in March, when the sun is really warm here, and local hotels offer accommodation at reduced prices.
You can also visit Kas in Turkey during the autumn months: during this period, the thermometer does not fall below 25 °C, and the water is still comfortable for swimming, although precipitation can often fall in October. In winter, the resort is windy, heavy rains fall, the daytime temperature does not exceed 15 °C, and many hotels and restaurants are closed until the next influx of tourists.
Thus, the ideal time to visit the resort will be from May to September, when the minimum amount of precipitation falls, the water in the sea is warm, and the city’s infrastructure is working at full capacity, providing tourists with all the necessary conditions for a full rest.
How to get to the resort from Antalya
In order to get to the resort, you need to get to the central bus station of Antalya (Otogar). You can get to the station from the airport by bus number 600, which will take you to the desired point for only $0,6. Minibuses to Kash run from the station every half hour until 20: 00.
If you are traveling to the train station from another point in the city, you can use the city’s public transport or taxi. Tell the driver “Otogar” (train station in Turkish), and he will immediately understand where to take you.
Inside the station building, you need to find the Bati Antalya company counter, where tickets for the Kas-Antalya route are sold, pay for the trip ($4), specify the departure time of the flight and the departure platform. In total, the drive to the resort takes about 4 hours. Following our recommendations, you can easily get to the unusual town of Kas, Turkey.
