After our visit to Kas Turkey it was obvious why travelers fall in love with this charming seaside village. Set in the middle of the famous Turquoise Coast between Fethiye and Antalya, it’s well worth including on any Turkey itinerary! From the lively restaurants in the town center to boat tours and beautiful beaches, here are some of the best things to do in Kas!
How to Get to Kas Turkey
One of the things that make Kas so unique is that it’s not so easy to get to! Its location in Southwest part of Turkey is popular with domestic travelers and tourists driving along the Turkish Riviera. Here are some quick tips for getting to Kas.
Closest Airport: Dalaman Airport is a 2.5 hour drive from Kas. There are not many direct flights so you will most likely have to transfer through Istanbul depending on where you are flying from.
Rental Car: The easiest way to explore the Turkish Coastline is by booking a car. Make sure to reserve it in advance especially in the summer to get the best rate. With a rental car, you can explore many of the small towns along the ocean and include Kas Turkey in your itinerary.
Public Transport: There are buses that run from Fethiye and Antalya multiple times daily. The bus is inexpensive but make sure to arrive early if you want to guarantee yourself a seat. You can read all about our experience using the bus in Turkey below!
→ Using the Turkish Bus System: How Reliable are the Buses in Turkey?
What Makes Kas Turkey So Special
From the minute we stepped foot in Kas we could tell it has a special vibe about it. The entire town is filled with life, and the Kas restaurants and cafes are always packed with people. Boats buzz around the small harbor and the Kas beach clubs are the place to be!
While Kas Turkey is actually quite small, there are a maze of small walking streets, shops, and viewpoints to explore. It also has a fun nightlife scene with both locals and travelers enjoying drinks in the main square well into the evening.
Kas is the type of place that you get to and never want to leave. I know that’s how we felt even after one amazing week!
→ Turquoise Coast in Turkey: 12 Best Tips For Visiting the Turkish Riviera
Where to Stay in Kas Turkey
The best place to stay in Kas Turkey is right in the town center! Here you’ll be close to all the great restaurants, shops, and Kas beaches. This is especially true if you don’t have a car as it’s very walkable.
We stayed at Yenier Apart Kas which we list below. The apartment-style was perfect for us as it gave us more room to relax and work during our stay. If you do have a car then you may choose to be up on the hillside to enjoy the stunning ocean views.
When traveling to Kas during the popular summer months make sure to book your hotel well in advance. It gets super busy with many of the best hotels booking up first!
Kas Turkey Hotel Recommendations
Boutique Hotel: Hotel Sonne – Adults Only – Spacious rooms and just a one-minute walk from the beach clubs in Kas. Breakfast is included and served on the terrace overlooking the sea.
Sea View Rooms: Payam Hotel – Set just back from the town center, Payam hotel has an outdoor pool and gorgeous sea view rooms.
Central Location: Arnna Hotel – Arnna is a great choice if you’re looking for something closer to the main area of Kas. It’s just a short stroll to the restaurants and swimming cove of Pebble Beach.
Apartment Stay: Yenier Apart Kas – One bedroom apartments with balconies and full kitchens. Awesome for travelers who would like to be close to the action but also want a more apartment-style accommodation.
Ultra Luxury: Suna Sun Hotel – An upscale escape just outside of Kas on a small peninsula. Suna Sun has a swimming pool, bar, and private beach to relax on.
Kas Beach Clubs
One of the things we loved most about visiting Kas Turkey was the fun bars and swimming spots. Most of them are concentrated to the right of the main harbor area along the coastline. Here you’ll find Kas restaurants with large decks built over the ocean and sunbeds in the perfect position!
Some places have a minimum spending amount to sit, while in others you can use a chair or swim by simply ordering a drink. Our go-to spot was “The Kas Beach” which we went to almost every day in Kas Turkey! You can get big local beers for around 50 Lira ($3 USD) and delicious frozen smoothies for around the same price.
All of the Kas beach clubs have ladders going down into the crystal clear water when you’re ready for a dip. However, some have diving platforms for you to jump off, too! This is a great place to cool down on a hot day without going all the way to the Kas beaches.
Where to Eat in Kas Turkey
We should start off by saying there are endless delicious cafes, bars, and Kas restaurants to enjoy! On each winding backstreet, we discovered more and more charming places to eat in this lovable town. The food in Kas ranges from traditional Turkish cuisine to seafood, vegan delights, and everything between.
Below we share some of our favorite places we ate at during our trip to Kas Turkey. With that said, there are so many more amazing spots we didn’t get to try. If you have one you loved make sure to let us know in the comments!
→ Beginners Guide to Food in Turkey: 25 Delicious Dishes & Drinks to Try
Our 7 Favorite Kas Restaurants
Yeşil Restaurant: This local restaurant serves up a range of Turkish specialties and was our favorite place to stop in a grab lahmacun. If you’ve never had Turkish Pizza, it’s a spiced flatbread that you filled with the mixed veggies and lemon that come on the side.
Bay Köfte: The owner assured us these were the best meatballs in Turkey and they didn’t disappoint! The menu is simple but very tasty and delicious. You can get the Turkish meatballs on a plate or sandwich and also make sure to try the bean salad.
Aysun Pastanesi: This small bakery in the center of town is great if you are looking for a quick and inexpensive breakfast. We got a meat and spinach burek on the way to our boat cruise from the marina.
Kaş Gurme Falafel: If you like Falafel this is the place for you! The menu has three things: Falafel plate, Falafel wrap, or hummus… And you can’t go wrong with any of them.
Biiisstt Coffee & Sandwiches: Refreshing iced coffee and snacks with a cute view of the harbor. We made regular stops here during our time in Kas Turkey.
Oburus Momus: Known as one of the most popular Kas restaurants, you’ll make sure to make a reservation for dinner at Oburus Momus. The menu specializes in vegetarian food, tapa-style snacks, and local Turkish wine. When we went practically every table was relaxing in the garden, sharing different plates, and enjoying a pitcher of sangria.
Nazende: Beautiful sunset spot with an amazing view overlooking the town. Great for dinner or drinks.
Day Trip From Kas Turkey to Meis Island
Did you know one of the best things to do in Kas is to actually take a boat trip to Greece? That’s right! The charming island of Kastellorizo is straight across the water from Kas and makes for an exciting day trip.
Also known as Meis Island in Turkey, it’s easy to get there from the harbor by taking a quick ferry ride. The boats are easily booked in town and can be included in part of a larger day tour.
Travelers can enjoy some Greek culture and food while taking in the colorful bays. There are also museums, castles, and Lycian rock tombs to experience. If you have more than just a couple of days in Kas, it’s definitely worth the day trip to Greece!
Morning Visit to Kaputas Beach
Kaputas Beach has the reputation of being the best in all of Turkey! While there are plenty of great swimming spots closer to town, a trip to Kaputas makes for such a fun morning.
Morning is the key word here! This beach gets super crowded in the summertime so you’ll want to go early if you want a sun bed.
If you have a car you can even stop at Kaputas Beach on your way in and out of Kas heading towards Fethiye. We took the minibus from town which took about 20 minutes.
This was ideal especially considering there is not much parking on the cliffs above Kapatus.
→ Kaputas Beach Guide: How to Visit the Best Beach in Turkey
More Beautiful Kas Beaches
There is a small beach called Kucuk Cakil near the actual town center of Kas Turkey . While it is stunning first thing in the morning, if you want to swim in Kas we have a better option.
Grab a beach chair at one of the beach clubs we mentioned above. Kucuk Cakil is tiny and can barely fit 8-10 people on the small patch of pebbles.
Just outside the city center, you have several other Kas beaches within reach. The most popular is Buyukcakil Plaji (Big Pebble Beach). You can also check out Incebogaz Cinar Beach and Kas Belediyesi Halk Plaji if you have time.
Kas Turkey Boat Trips
We told you about the boat trip to Greece, but there is an even more popular tour to do on the water from Kas! Hands down, the full day Kekova Island Boat Tour is a must-do on your visit.
Sailing along the Turkish coastline from Kas was one of our favorite days in Turkey. Another highlight of the tour was seeing the Sunken City of Kekova Island and its unbelievable Lycian ruins.
Just across from the ruins is the ancient Simena village and castle, too! The boat will stop here for one hour so you can hike up to the 15th century castle and get a view of your surroundings.
On the climb up, you can even taste the villager’s homemade ice cream at the many stands. We loved the pomegranate, chocolate, and honey with walnut the most. If you couldn’t tell, this tour is absolutely amazing!
Have any questions about this article or want to share your own favorite things to do in Kas Turkey? Let us know in the comments below.
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
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Turkey Travel Inspiration
- Bodrum Turkey: Complete Travel Guide & 6 Things You Can’t Miss
- Fethiye Tuesday Market: What to Eat, Shopping, & More Fun!
- Kos to Bodrum Ferry: Our Boat From Greece to Turkey & Day Trip Advice
- 10 Best Things to do in Fethiye Turkey on Your First Visit
- Oludeniz Beach Turkey: 9 Fun Things to Know Before You Go!
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Turkey Travel Planning
Flights: We always find deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. That’s how we got flights from Thailand to Siem Reap Cambodia for under $50 USD!
Rental Car: Discover Cars is our company of choice when abroad. It is especially popular to rent a car and explore the famous Turquoise Coast.
To pre-book long distance buses check Omio for the best routes all over the country.
Accommodation: Compare competitive sites for hotels such as Booking.com and Agoda. Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for fun activities all over Turkey. You can book everything from a Hot Air Balloon ride in Cappadocia to a Turkish Dance show in Istanbul and even take a Full-Day Jeep Safari in Kusadasi to the National Park!
Travel Insurance: Never travel internationally without being covered. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Here’s all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists! Including electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials.
We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
Thanks for the info! My family and I are travelling to Kas in a week. What is the passport situation like when taking the ferry to Meis Island? Thanks!
Author
You’re welcome! I believe it would be the same passport rules that would apply entering anywhere in Greece. Enjoy your trip!
This was such a thorough, well written and super helpful summary of Kas !
Wish you were joining us. We’ll be there in July!
Author
You’re welcome! It was our favorite town on the Turquoise Coast. Hope you have an amazing trip!
Thank you so much for this guide! I’m visiting Kas at the end of September and you’ve given a lot of inspiration for my visit. I’m wondering which restaurant is in the first picture under “Where to eat in Kas”? It has a gorgeous view!
Author
Hi Angela! We hope you have an amazing time in Kas! It was definitely one of our favorite places in Turkey. The restaurant is called Nazende and the view is certainly amazing. Have fun!