What to do in Kaş
After spending time on the beach and soaking up the atmosphere in a waterfront café, visitors to Kaş can discover the wider region’s rich history, from the town’s own amphitheatre to nearby Roman and Lycian ruins at Kekova, Demre, Patara and Xanthos. Gulet trips, meanwhile, hop along the coast and even over to the nearest Greek island.
Antiphellos amphitheatre
During the Roman period, Kaş was known as Antiphellos. There isn’t a huge amount of this ancient settlement remaining, with the honourable exception of the amphitheatre. Just outside the town centre, the 26-row curve of limestone seating has been sensitively restored, and is sometimes used for public events.
It’s a lovely spot for a picnic, with gorgeous views over to the Greek island of Kastellorizo, or Meis as it’s known in Turkey.
Kekova and Kaleköy
Along the shore of the uninhabited island of Kekova, the crystal-clear waters provide a perfect window onto the sunken city below. Destroyed by an earthquake in 2 AD, you can see several houses, some public buildings and a harbour.
Opposite Kekova, the pretty hamlet of Kaleköy has a narrow main street lined with cafes leading up to a crusader castle on the hilltop, with views over a field of Lycian tombs. Day-long gullet trips out of Kaş visit both spots, and stop for swimming and sunbathing.
Saklikent Gorge
A 300m-deep, 18km-long gash through red rock, Saklikent Gorge is one of the deepest and most dramatic in the world – and it’s just over an hour ’s drive from Kaş.
Hike along the canyon and you’ll be met with towering walls of rock punctuated by shafts of sunlight and gushing waterfalls. You can also river raft on the gentle rapids in an inflatable ring.
A Greek island escape
The island of Meis is only a mile off the Turkish coast, but you’ll still need your passport – this is Greece, you see, and here the island is known as Kastellorizo. It’s small, but that’s exactly why it makes an ideal day trip.
The harbour-front is a rainbow of colourful houses, with plenty of cute cafes vying for your attention. Don’t miss a trip around the island to the Blue Grotto – a stalactite-scattered sea cave that glows an unearthly shade of sapphire. A ferry from Kaş will get you there in half an hour.
Dive with a Dakota
With 30 dive sites all within 30 minutes of Kaş harbour, it’s little wonder the town is making a name for itself within the scuba community. Off Limanağzı Beach, you can dive down to the wreck of a wooden Ottoman boat, as well as a scrapped Dakota airplane from World War II.
On the nearby reef, you’ll find triggerfish, groupers, rays and turtles. At the other side of the bay, Pigeon Island is a great starter dive site.
