Why Kas is A Holiday Hotspot

Holidaymakers and expats purchasing second homes, love the idyllic holiday resort of Kas in Turkey. Reasons for this are bountiful, but the initial lure and appeal come from a Turkish town ambience that has embraced the modern world yet stayed true to traditions while outgrowing the status as a small village. Unlike so many other touristic places in Turkey, it has not sold out culture and traditions to bring in tourism.

Foreigners have a wide choice of B&B accommodation, all-inclusive hotels, or self-catering apartments to choose from. They arrive via one of two airports; Antalya, a four-hour transfer or Dalaman, just 2 hours away. Mostly visiting during summer months, Kas’s hot weather is only broken by a few months of rainfall at the beginning of the year. Turks and foreigners alike love picturesque Kas, that offers all amenities and facilities for a perfect breakaway. Indeed visit for one day, and you won’t be disappointed.

Why Everyone Loves Kas in Turkey

1: Adventure Sports in Turkey

The Kas peninsula specialises in four activities; canyoning, paragliding, scuba diving and sea kayaking. Professional instructors teach eager beginners or accompany advanced experts on the best areas and spots for canyoning. During favourable wind conditions, tandem paragliders often sail down from nearby mountains, while others sign up for sea kayaking lessons to Kekova sunken ruins and Simena castle. Lastly, Mediterranean waters surrounding Kas have an impressive collection of sea life and plane and shipwrecks. All these make for an exciting excursion.

2: Attractions in Kas

Thanks to a strategic D400 highway position, Kas is an ideal base position to explore surrounding coastline attractions. The neighbouring resort of upmarket Kalkan is as impressive or, just 18 kilometres away, is Kapatus, one of Turkey’s most famous beaches. Known for sparkling, clear waters, many visit the small beach tucked into a small mountain cove despite winding, long stairs to reach it.

Further up the coastline is Patara, one of the first resorts to embrace mainstream tourism nearly 50 years ago. These days, Patara is more of a rustic backpacking village, but many people visit for the day to see a ruined city and Turkey’s longest beach. For those who enjoy history, Xanthos and Letoon and Tlos historical sites open every day. Reach neighbouring attractions using the all-encompassing public transport system, but many people hire a car instead and travel with a free schedule to go where the road takes them. Find out more about things to do in Kas, Turkey.

3: From Turkey to Meis Greek Island

Kas is also the centre port of call for the daily ferry across to the colourful Greek island of Meis. Reached within 20 minutes, this small island, stuck in time, boasts of traditional restaurants, small boats, and architecture style that amazes everyone because of a dollhouse-like appearance. From the hilltop, visitors marvel at a fantastic panoramic view, but the favourite part is to catch a small speed boat sailing around the island to the Blue Cave, of which the boat can only go through the entrance if everyone lies down! Once inside, the sparkling blue waters reflect off the cave walls leading you to believe you have landed in a magical fairy-tale place.

4: Turquoise Coast 

Kas belongs to the Turkish Rivera stretching from the Aegean coast to the Mediterranean region of Antalya. Typically on four-day cruises, traditional Turkish gulet boats dock daily at Kas for passengers to spend a couple of hours exploring coves and places of natural beauty. Otherwise, day-trips leave the harbour every morning to trip to small scenic bays for swimming breaks and BBQ lunches. The sunken ancient Kekova city ruins are one highlight, as is exploring the rustic village of Simena while sampling their world-famous homemade ice cream. Unless you hate the sea, most travellers when visiting Kas join a whole day boat trip. Yachting is also big business from the nearby marina, and you can set your itinerary on a private yacht charter or follow the captain’s knowledge on a blue cruise. In Kas, one motto is “to the sea” we go, and nobody is disappointed.

5: Dining Out and Culinary Delights

Kas is a typical tourist destination in that when the sunshine goes down; the resort town swaps its focus to al fresco dining. Taking advantage of the Mediterranean climate, roof-top dining is a popular trend since Kas is built in a bay with a magnificent coastline and the Mediterranean Sea view. So with pride, this peaceful town boasts extensive facilities in terms of bars, cafes, restaurants and hotels, but the lure goes even further. Seaside restaurants serve up a delightful range of fish and seafood, while traditional lokantas serve diners hampering conventional Turkish food. Other places accommodate international tourists by offering a stunning range of worldly cuisines and wines sourced from wineries all over Turkey.  Indeed, any foodie will feel right at home in Kas.

6: Modern Houses of Kas

Whether you want to rent a private villa for a getaway or invest in the Turkish housing market, Kas delivers in abundance. New modern villas feature everything a Mediterranean home should, including a terrace with a sea-view, balcony for early morning breakfast, ample bedrooms for the whole family, and in many cases, an outdoor pool, or even an infinity pool to watch sunsets full on. Covering various neighbourhoods, some sit in privacy while most are within walking distance of bars and restaurants. Alternatively, opt for a rustic, traditional stone house to indulge in a bit of Turkish culture. Where you stay in Kas is one of the best things for a tourist. See apartments and villas for sale here.

7: The Spotless Old Town

Cute whitewashed houses with wooden shutters, covered with trails of pink Bougainvillea, are reminiscent of Greek history, while the old Roman theatre portrays an era even further back in history. Along the harbour front, small fishing boats distribute their fresh catch of the day while strolling uphill on old cobbled streets, takes you past family-owned boutique shops, eventually ending at the ancient Lycian sarcophagus, the prominent landmark of Kas. Indeed for a coastal destination, the heart of Kas is a pleasant reflection of days gone by.

8: Neighbouring Kalkan

For sightseeing with a difference, uses buses to get to neighbouring Kalkan. Covering a steep hillside, anybody visiting Turkey who knows their stuff will testify as to its upmarket ambience. This puts Kalkan off-the-beaten-path for mainstream tourism, but this exclusive atmosphere makes it the best place on the Mediterranean coast if you want upscale. Relax in a high-profile beach club, enjoy fine dining, or enjoy breath-taking views of surrounding landscapes. On the list of places to visit in Turkey, Kalkan consistently ranks highly as the perfect honeymoon travel destination. Find out more about Kalkan here.

More Reading About Turkey

Kas belongs to the larger Antalya province, the second most popular destination for travellers when they visit Turkey and expats who choose to live here. It is easy to understand why, as the year-round region backed by the Taurus mountains boasts of stunning waterfalls, archaeological sites, ancient cities, water sports, trekking routes, beautiful beaches, and lively resorts. Our Antalya area information guide includes everything to know, including nightlife, ancient ruins, sights, villages, excursions, best places, tours and activities, and more about Kas in Turkey.