Kaş Travel Guide: Lycian Ruins, Diving & Kekova Sunken City

Kas guide covers Lycian tombs above the harbour, world-class scuba diving, the Kekova sunken city and why this small town beats the larger resorts.

Kaş is Turkey’s most complete small coastal town - a genuine harbour community with whitewashed houses and bougainvillea, Lycian rock tombs cut into the cliff directly above the main street, a Roman theatre with sea views 300m from the town centre, and what many divers consider the best scuba diving in the eastern Mediterranean within 20 minutes by boat. The Greek island of Kastellorizo (Meis) is 4km offshore and served by daily ferry. The Kekova sunken city - a Lycian city submerged by an ancient earthquake - is one of the most remarkable sites in Turkey, accessible by day boat from Kaş.

Unlike Bodrum or Marmaris, Kaş has avoided the large-scale resort development that defines much of the Turquoise Coast. The town has strict height regulations; the historic character of the harbour area is intact; the tourist presence is significant but hasn’t overwhelmed the local rhythm. This makes it the most authentically charming coastal town between Fethiye and Antalya.

Key facts

Population: Approximately 9,000 permanent residents; significantly more in summer
Currency: Turkish Lira (₺). Kaş prices are moderate - higher than inland Turkey but lower than Bodrum
Best months: April–June and September–November. July–August: full, hot (30–33°C), and expensive
Airport: Dalaman (DLM), 150km west, or Antalya (AYT), 200km east. Transfer by bus (3 hours from either)
Ferry to Greece: Daily service to Kastellorizo (Meis) in season; ₺300–500 return

Getting around

Kaş town is entirely walkable - the harbour, the theatre, the Likya Yolu (Lycian Way) trailhead, the main market street, and the beach access points are all within 15 minutes on foot. For beaches outside town (Küçük Çakıl, Büyük Çakıl, more remote coves), walking or taxi (₺50–100).

Dolmuş connections:

Kaş to Kalkan: 30 min, ₺25
Kaş to Demre/Myra: 30 min, ₺30
Kaş to Fethiye: 2 hours, ₺80

Kaş town

The harbour promenade (Cumhuriyet Meydanı) is the social centre - tea houses, fish restaurants, and boat-trip operators. The main shopping street (Uzun Çarşı) runs perpendicular to the harbour: silver jewellery workshops, local textile producers, and a few genuinely good food shops.

The Lycian tombs: Two massive Lycian rock tombs cut directly into the cliff above the town - the Lion Tomb and the Doric Tomb. Visible from the harbour; the Lion Tomb is one of the most impressive Lycian monuments on the coast. Free to view from below; the town streets directly adjacent allow close approach.

Hellenistic Theatre: A small but well-preserved Hellenistic theatre (1st century BCE) 300m from the harbour, with sea views toward the Greek island. Free entry; often used as a sunset viewing point.

Scuba diving

Kaş is one of the best diving destinations in the eastern Mediterranean - exceptional visibility (20–40m on good days), diverse underwater topography (walls, caves, tunnels, wrecks), and several protected marine areas within 20 minutes of the harbour.

Best dive sites: Uçağız wall dive, the Kekova tunnel system, the 1979 aircraft wreck (Kaş Ucak), and the Rocky Island canyons. Visibility: typically 20–30m. Water temperature: 24–28°C in summer, 16–20°C in winter. Browse Kaş tours and activities on GetYourGuide for dive courses, boat trips to the Kekova sunken city, and guided Lycian Way excursions.

Dive operators: Multiple PADI and SSI certified operators in Kaş town. 2-tank fun dive: ₺500–800/person. PADI Open Water course: ₺3,500–5,000. Day trip with 2 dives, equipment, and lunch: ₺800–1,200.

Kekova

The flooded ruins of the ancient Lycian city of Dolchiste - partially submerged by a 2nd-century CE earthquake - are accessible by boat from Kaş or Üçağız village (15km east).

From Kaş: Day boat trip including Kekova (glass-bottom boat available), Üçağız village, and Simena castle. ₺300–500/person. Departs 10am, returns 5pm.

From Üçağız: Shorter boat ride to the Kekova coastline; better value for access to Simena castle (which has the most accessible Lycian ruins at the site). Dolmuş from Kaş to Üçağız: ₺30.

Sea kayaking and boat trips

Kayaking is the other activity Kaş is best known for — specifically the guided sea-kayaking route to the Kekova sunken city, which allows passage through coves and over submerged Lycian ruins that motorboats cannot reach closely. The combination of above-water Lycian tombs and below-water walls is genuinely unique.

Sea kayaking to Kekova: Half-day and full-day guided trips depart from Kaş. The route typically covers the coastline between Kaş and Üçağız, with stops above the submerged ruins and at quiet coves for swimming. Full-day trip approximately ₺800–1,200/person including equipment and lunch. Book through operators on the harbour or via GetYourGuide.

Boat trips: Daily group boat tours depart from the harbour around 10am and cover Kekova, the bays east of Kaş, and return by 5pm. ₺300–450/person. Glass-bottom boats give clear views of the sunken city without entering the water. Private gulet hire is available for groups (₺3,000–6,000/day full boat).

Blue Cave: The Blue Cave on the Greek island of Kastellorizo (Meis), 4km offshore, is one of the most dramatic sea caves in the eastern Mediterranean — a narrow entrance opens into a chamber where the water glows electric blue from refracted light. Access by small boat; only possible in calm conditions. Day trips combining the ferry to Kastellorizo, the Blue Cave by local boat, and lunch at the harbour are easily arranged from Kaş in summer.

Where to stay in Kaş

Harbour area (Cumhuriyet Meydanı): The town centre — within 5 minutes of the restaurants, the harbour, and the Lycian tombs. Boutique hotels in converted stone buildings, pensions, and guesthouses. Best for visitors who want to walk everywhere. Rooms here are in demand in July–August; book 3–4 weeks ahead.

Çukurbağ Peninsula: The peninsula southwest of town has quieter, often more upscale boutique hotels with private sea access. No beach (rocky entry), but good swimming platforms and better privacy. 10-minute walk from the town centre. Most of the town’s genuinely luxurious properties are here.

Around the beaches: Küçük Çakıl (Small Pebble Beach) and Büyük Çakıl (Large Pebble Beach) have a cluster of hotels and pensions — good choice for beach-focused stays, 10 minutes on foot from the harbour.

For a full breakdown with named properties at each tier, see where to stay in Kaş.

Day trips from Kaş

Kekova and Simena

The Kekova sunken city and the hilltop Simena castle (with the most photogenic Lycian sarcophagi on the coast) are 25km east of Kaş. By dolmuş to Üçağız village (₺30), then boat to the Kekova coastline and Simena castle. Allow a full day. See the Kekova section above for boat trip details from Kaş directly.

Demre and Myra

Demre (ancient Myra) is 35km east of Kaş — 30 minutes by dolmuş (₺30–35). Two things make it worth a half-day:

Myra rock tombs: One of the largest and best-preserved Lycian rock-tomb necropolis on the coast — dozens of tomb facades carved directly into the cliff face 20–30m above ground level. Entry ₺120. Combined with the Roman theatre at the base (free to walk around outside).

Church of St Nicholas: The 4th-century church where the historical St Nicholas (the origin of Santa Claus) served as Bishop of Myra. The building has been restored and rebuilt repeatedly; the crypt contains his original tomb. Entry ₺120. Demre is one of the most-visited pilgrimage sites in Turkey.

Patara

Patara is 40km east of Kaş — 40 minutes by dolmuş. The beach is 18km long (the longest in Turkey) and access is protected: no development behind the dunes, no sunbeds in peak season at the far end. The Patara ancient city ruins (Lycian and Roman — lighthouse, parliament building, granary, theatre) are directly adjacent to the beach, entry ₺120. See our Patara guide for full details.

Kalkan

Kalkan is 26km west of Kaş — 30 minutes by dolmuş (₺25). A hillside village with good fish restaurants, rooftop bars, and a small harbour. Best known for the Kaputaş Beach gorge between the two towns — a famous photograph spot, accessible by steps from the road. See Kaş vs Kalkan if you are choosing between them as a base.

Getting there from Antalya

By bus: Kamil Koç, Pamukkuk, and other regional bus operators run Antalya Otogar (bus terminal) to Kaş directly. Journey approximately 3.5 hours. Fare: ₺200–280. Buses depart throughout the day; the route follows the scenic coastal D400 highway via Kemer and Kaş. Antalya bus terminal is accessible from the airport by taxi (₺120–150) or the Havalimani bus.

By dolmuş/local bus: Antalya to Fethiye minibuses stop in Kaş; change if coming from Fethiye direction (2 hours, ₺80). From Antalya city, the dolmuş network connects through Kemer and then Kaş.

By car: Antalya to Kaş is approximately 200km on the D400 coastal road — allow 2.5–3 hours. The road through Olympos, Finike, and along the Lycian coast is scenic but winding; some sections single-lane. Petrol stations in Kaş and Finike.

By air: Antalya Airport (AYT) is the closest international airport, 200km. Dalaman Airport (DLM) is 150km to the west — useful if flying from the UK on direct Dalaman routes. Transfer from either airport by bus (as above) or private transfer (₺1,200–1,800 from Antalya, ₺900–1,400 from Dalaman). See Istanbul to Antalya for flight options from Istanbul.

Daily costs

Budget level	What it includes	Daily estimate
Budget	Pension, eating at lokanta + market	₺600–1,000 ($19–31)
Mid-range	Boutique hotel, restaurant meals	₺1,500–3,000 ($47–94)
Comfortable	Good hotel, diving or boat trip	₺3,000–5,500 ($94–172)

Practical tips

Kastellorizo ferry: The daily service to Kastellorizo (Meis) in Greece allows a day trip to the Greek island - 30-minute crossing, ₺300–500 return. Kastellorizo has excellent fish restaurants and one of the most photographed harbours in the Mediterranean.

Booking diving in advance: July–August, reputable dive operators fill up. Book 2–3 days in advance from your accommodation.

For full detail, see where to stay in Kaş, Kaş beaches, things to do in Kaş, and day trips from Kaş.

Patara - 40km east of Kaş - has the longest beach in Turkey (18km) and the ruins of a Lycian city. It’s an easy half-day from Kaş. See our Patara guide for details. Comparing Kaş with other coastal destinations? See Fethiye vs Kaş.

Search hotels in Kas Turkey on Booking.com

Getting there: Flights to Turkey connect via Istanbul with most European carriers. For a door-to-door arrival, pre-book an airport transfer for fixed-price, hassle-free pickup. An eSIM for Turkey activates before you land and keeps you connected from the moment you clear arrivals.