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Why Kaş is my Favorite Town on the Turkish Riviera

I was once having a conversation with someone about Kaş, and she said, "But there's nothing to do there." My response? That's exactly the point! Now, it's not that there's actually nothing to do... in fact, there's hiking, ancient ruins, stunning turquoise bays, a gorgeous old town with local boutique shops, and incredible boat trips. Rather, by "nothing to do", I mean if you want to escape the long bustling promenades lined with loud clubs and restaurants, trade party boats for a peaceful day on the sea, avoid massive summer crowds, and feel like you've found a hidden gem along the Riviera, Kaş is where you should go.

There are no overwhelming, crazy bazaars—just a lovely weekly market—and really no giant chains (aside from like two Carrefours and Migros). Instead you find charming local boutique shops with handmade and vintage treasures.

It's a destination to slow down, breathe, and get in touch with nature. You wake up and grab a cappuccino, go for a morning swim before anyone else is around, then head out to hike through pine forests past ancient Lycian rock tombs. I love everywhere I've ever visited along the Turkish Riviera - even the livelier, busier towns have their own time and place - but this quiet, slow-paced gem holds an extremely special place in my heart.

Best Time to Visit Kaş

As I always say for literally every summer destination ever, I'd avoid July and August since it's peak heat and peak crowds. While Kaş never gets that busy (not as busy as many other destinations along the Riviera), those months still bring the most people of the year. Plus, it's the hottest period of time so hiking is more unpleasant and sticky. To avoid all this but still enjoy beautiful weather and swimming at the beach, the Kaş sweet spot is the shoulder season - specifically September through early October.

The Mediterranean retains all the heat it absorbs during peak summer, so in September, the sea is at its absolute warmest (around 27–28°C / 81–82°F), and even into October it remains comfortably warm for swimming. The air temp drops just enough to explore historical sites (of which there are many) without the oppressive heat, while still being nice enough for beach or boat days. Plus, there's fewer crowds.

I also hear that late spring (May to June) is a lovely time to visit. I've actually never been to the Riviera during this time - I've only visited during the months of August—November because for some reason my Türkiye travels always work out that way! But, during late spring, it's great weather and fewer crowds, and you'll have super lush greenery since it was raining all winter. Keep in mind for this season, though, that the water temp will be colder since it's just starting to warm up for the summer.

How to Get to Kaş

To get to Kaş, you'll have to fly into either Dalaman Airport (DLM) or Antalya Airport (AYT) - usually with a quick layover in Istanbul - then hop on a bus down the coast. Dalaman is closer, but Antalya can work too depending on pricing.

The buses outside the airports don't go directly to Kaş - you have to transfer first at either a nearby bus terminal (otogar) or in another town along the way.

• From Dalaman: You can take the airport shuttle bus to Fethiye and transfer to a Kaş-bound bus, OR head to the main Dalaman Bus Terminal to catch a FlixBus straight to Kaş.
• From Antalya: Take the AntRay tram or HAVAŞ shuttle from the airport straight to the Antalya Bus Terminal and catch a local coastal bus like Batı Antalya. You can buy tickets in advance via Obilet.

Of course, you can also either rent a car or book a private transfer in advance such as this one, which picks you up directly outside of the airport and takes you to your accomodation in Kaş, making your whole arrival extremely hassle-free.

Before heading down, be sure to check out my post How to Get to the Turkish Riviera: Ultimate Airport & Transportation Guide where I break down the entire process step-by-step and explain all the local transport methods!

Beaches, Beach Clubs and Hidden Coves in Kaş

I actually prefer pebble beaches because they're typically small and smooth pebbles here in the Med (so, not sharp!), and you don't get sand stuck to every part of your body... lol! There are so many insanely beautiful beaches, from hidden coves like Küçük Çakıl Plajı and my favorite hidden gem by the Helikopter Pisti, to famous Blue Flag beaches like Kaş Belediyesi Halk Plajı and Kaputaş. They feel so secluded even when they're right near town because they're tucked into stunning coves surrounded by high cliffs. Instead of long sandy strips, these beaches feel raw and wild.

Büyük Çakıl Plajı

There are lots of beach clubs along Kaş's coastline, but they aren't loud/rowdy. They're the most perfect way to spend the day - quiet, relaxing, and peaceful. Just walk down the road along the coastline (on both sides of the marina) and you'll pass so many. A few of them are private for hotel guests, but most just have a minimum spend of around 1,000–1,500 lira (~$25–35 USD). The ones I went to that I highly recommend are Leymona, D'azur, and a couple over at Limanağzı Bay that are only accessible by boat or hiking path! While I can't speak for the ones I didn't visit, I can say they all looked so beautiful.

Kaş Old Town

Wandering through the Old Town (Çarşı) is easily one of the best (and free) things to do in Kaş. While it's pretty compact and walkable, the streets are more spacious compared to the super narrow alleys of other old towns on the coast. Of course, though, it still has all the best features and is actually one of the most vibrant. No old town is complete without the cobblestone streets lined by the most charming Greek-Ottoman style homes with those iconic enclosed wooden balconies (cumba) draped in pink bougainvillea. And Kaş is no exception to this!

The most photographed spot in town is Uzun Çarşı, a long street sloping gently upwards from the main harbor square towards the King's Tomb (Kral Mezarı). A piece of history right in the heart of the city, it's a 4th-century BC Lycian stone sarcophagus guarded by carved lion heads, and is surprisingly well preserved for its location—despite the occasional disrespectful people who throw trash inside it (like, literally... WTF?!).

As you stroll through, you'll pass unique local boutique shops, artisanal goods, cute tiny bookstores, and cafes. Everything is seamlessly connected, from stunning sea-view restaurants and peaceful tea gardens to street gelaterias and kebab shops.

Nightlife in Kaş

All said about Kaş being quiet and peaceful during the day, don't get me wrong - the locals definitely know how to have a great time at night! There are plenty of local bars where you can watch live bands or DJs, dance, and enjoy the evening. My absolute favorite part is that 9 times out of 10 you'll hear Turkish music rather than generic tourist-centered Western pop.

Most of the nightlife is centered in and around the Old Town. One thing I really respect is that every single bar closes by around 2 AM out of courtesy to local residents so there is not loud music all through the night. A few of my favorite spots include:

• Dragoman Bahçe: Beautiful garden bar with live bands
• Dotts: Open-air bar with DJs and dancing
• Koos Bar: Rooftop bar overlooking Kaş square and Uzun Çarşı with live bands
• The alley around HiJazz: Famous open-air spot in the Old Town with live music - you can enjoy from several surrounding bars
• Queen Bar: Multi-level spot - rooftop terrace with views over town and lower floor with a pub vibe and live bands

Kaş Sunsets: My Favorite Spots

The sun setting over the sea and mountains in Kaş is beautiful. As the sun sinks below the horizon, the sky and water absorb the most incredible warm, golden-orange glow. While you can get golden hour views from almost anywhere along the coast - especially the seaside bars and restaurants - a few specific (and free) spots quickly became my personal favorites.

The Helipad (Helikopter Pisti) is one of the best sunset locations in town. Because of its position on the coast, you get a unique panoramic view over the entire town, harbor, surrounding mountains, and all the way across the open Mediterranean. People bring their chairs and blankets here at dusk to watch one of the most beautiful shows the Earth puts on, sip drinks, and socialize. I even saw a wedding photoshoot here once because it's such a stunning spot.

Antiphellos Ancient Theater is located just as you head out of the main part of town onto the Çukurbağ Peninsula. Facing west, you can sit on the historic stone steps of this 1st-century BC theater and watch the sun set gently over the sea.

Lastly, there are multiple hilltop viewpoints along Yeni Antalya Cd., the large main road above town. This gives a more aerial view over the entire Kaş coastline, and most have wooden benches or picnic tables at set up. Just start walking uphill from town and you'll stumble across these spots.

I definitely recommend planning a sunset picnic - grab a blanket and pack a bag with some fresh fruit, local cheese, and wine from the town market, then enjoy a relaxing evening with the sinking sun! 🧡

The Most Beautiful Hiking Trails in Kaş

Kaş-Limanağzı

You can find the start of this trail in the small village past Büyük Çakıl Plajı - it's located here on Google Maps. You'll find a narrow trailhead marked by a sign post. It's around 1.3 km (0.8 miles) to Limanağzı Bay and takes around 45 min each way. The path is well-marked the whole way with the classic red and white painted stripes of the Lycian Way.

(L) Beginning of the trail - bottom left rock has red and white Lycian Way stripes (R) Views along the way

This trail is a gorgeous half-day section of the Lycian Way - Türkiye's famous multi-day coastal trek - that leads directly to Limanağzı Bay, where you'll find a series of quiet beach clubs. If you keep going past Limanağzı, the trail continues along the coast towards secluded coves like Ufakdere Bay.

Views over Limanağzı Bay from the trail

The hike starts really easy and flat, flowing over narrow dirt tracks through coastal shrub and past some remains of ancient stone walls. It soon opens up to sweeping sea views as you approach the iconic Lycian rock tombs!

Lycian rock tombs along the trail

You can actually walk inside of them, which is VERY cool because often these tombs are high up on the cliffs and inaccessible. The path gets a little trickier here: you descend while using rope-holds along the cliffside to ease down the rock face near the tombs. It looks a little intimidating but it's very manageable - just take your time!

Sleeping Giant

Also along the Lycian Way, this trail has the most beautiful views ever from the top, looking out over all of the Kaş coastline and peninsula. The reason it's called the "Sleeping Giant" hike is because if you look up at the mountain from town, the rock formations actually look like a giant person lying on their side asleep.

The trailhead is here on Google Maps, just off the main road above town (Yeni Antalya Cd.). It's a bit obscure to spot, so just go to the map point and look for the trailhead sign indicating Çukurbağ. Be sure to initially follow the path to the right (sort of like you're following the road), rather than going straight up, or you'll quickly lose the trail.

It's about 1.8 km (~1.1 miles) each way, taking around 1 hour to get to the very top. It's a moderate, steady, uphill climb with a series of switchbacks. It winds most of the way through the pine forest, so the path receives plenty of shade. Once you reach the highest point (over 500 meters / 1,600 feet), you're met with absolutely breathtaking aerial views of the town, marina, and Mediterranean below.

Like the Kaş–Limanağzı trail, you can also extend this hike. From the Sleeping Giant peak, you can continue along for another ~3.2 km (~2 miles) to the mountain village of Çukurbağ—this takes about another 45 minutes to 1 hour. Alternatively, if you want an easier option, you can take a local dolmuş up to Çukurbağ first and go for a steady downhill hike all the way back into Kaş!

Kaş's Weekly Friday Market (Cuma Pazarı)

Every Friday, the town sets up a covered market (Pazar) where local farmers come down from surrounding mountain villages to sell their fresh goods directly! Located near the bus terminal under a shaded canopy, you can easily walk there from the center of town.

They have all the fresh basics like affordable fruits and veggies, but also incredible local specialties like raw pine honey, homemade jams (I probably say this every time I mention jam and Türkiye in the same sentence, but seriously—get the fig jam), a huge variety of fresh cheeses, and authentic Turkish delight. It's the best place to stock up on these kinds of goods for the duration of your vacation!

Toward the back of the market, there are food stalls where local women make freshly cooked gözleme right in front of you. It is my FAVORITE casual Turkish dish - a thin, savory crepe stuffed with melted cheese, spinach, potatoes, or other fillings. Near this area you'll also find a much smaller section filled with traditional bazaar-like goods such as faux designer clothes and shoes, traditional woven blankets, and a selection of handmade jewelry.

Day Trips From Kaş

Located right in the middle of ancient Lycia, Kaş is completely surrounded by sunken ruins, ancient cities, and dramatic gorges. The historic sights and natural landscapes on this part of the coast are truly breathtaking. Since Türkiye has one of the best transportation networks I've ever used, these day trips are super accessible via local dolmuş (minibus) or rental car. Alternatively, you can go on one of the many daily tours where everything is taken care of for you, so you can just enjoy the day without any stress.

Some of the best day trips from Kaş are:

• Kekova Sunken City & Simena Castle: Ancient ruins submerged in turquoise waters and a car-free village with a Byzantine castle
• Demre (Myra Ancient City & St. Nicholas Church): Rock-cut cliff tombs and the historical origin of Santa Claus!
• Saklıkent Gorge: One of the deepest canyons in the world
• Xanthos Ancient City: UNESCO World-Heritage site with tombs and ancient Lycian inscriptions
• Meis Island (Kastellorizo), Greece: Colorful Greek island just a 30-min ferry ride away

I took this boat tour and got to go to Kekova, Simena, and several secluded snorkeling coves all in one day, plus a van ride to the tock tombs and theater at Ancient Myra. Complete with a fresh (& delicious) lunch on board, it was so much fun and made exploring the coast super easy and hassle-free and I highly recommend it!!

Whether you're spending your days scrambling up mountain trails along the Lycian Way, gliding over ancient sunken cities in a glass-bottom boat, or sipping coffee at a seaside cafe while watching local life go by, Kaş has a magic that's hard to put into words. It manages to perfectly balance my favorite things: slow, laid-back Mediterranean charm, rich ancient history, and endless outdoor adventure. It's easily my favorite town on the Turkish Riviera, and I hope this guide helps you fall in love with it just as much as I have!