Turkey
Kaş and Kalkan sit on the western Lycian coast of Turkey, where mountains drop straight into a deep blue sea and the water is clear enough to see ancient stairways beneath the surface.
Kaş is a lively harbour town of whitewashed lanes, bougainvillea and a Hellenistic theatre facing the Greek island of Meis, only a couple of kilometres offshore. Kalkan, half an hour west, is a quieter hillside village of stone houses and terrace restaurants above a small marina. From here, boats run to the sunken city of Kekova, divers explore cliffs and caves, kayakers paddle over drowned Lycian ruins, and day trips reach the cold-water canyon at Saklıkent, the long wild beach at Patara, the church of St Nicholas at Demre and the rock tombs of Myra. This guide covers 26 things to do, 12 hotels in Kaş and Kalkan and 6 travel guides.
Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip from Kaş
The classic Kaş day on the water: a boat east along the coast to the Kekova shallows, where the walls and stairways of a drowned Lycian town lie just under the surface, with stops for swimming and the hilltop village of Kaleköy.
Kekova Sea Kayaking over the Sunken City
Paddle a double kayak over the shallows of the Kekova sunken city in a small group, at water level where the stairways and walls are closest and the only sound is the paddle.
Saklıkent Gorge Jeep Safari from Kaş and Kalkan
A day in the high country behind the coast: a jeep convoy up to Saklıkent, one of the longest and deepest canyons in Turkey, where you wade through icy water between rock walls hundreds of metres high.
Patara Beach and Ancient Patara
Around eighteen kilometres of pale, wild sand backed by dunes and the ruins of a Lycian capital, one of the longest and least developed beaches on the Turkish Mediterranean.
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
The classic Kaş day on the water: a boat east along the coast to the Kekova shallows, where the walls and stairways of a drowned Lycian town lie just under the surface, with stops for swimming and the hilltop village of Kaleköy.
Paddle a double kayak over the shallows of the Kekova sunken city in a small group, at water level where the stairways and walls are closest and the only sound is the paddle.
A small-group day that ties the coast together: the church linked to St Nicholas in Demre, the rock tombs and theatre of ancient Myra, then a boat over the Kekova shallows.
A day in the high country behind the coast: a jeep convoy up to Saklıkent, one of the longest and deepest canyons in Turkey, where you wade through icy water between rock walls hundreds of metres high.
A day tour that pairs the cold-water canyon at Saklıkent with Kalkan and a swim at Kaputaş beach, so you get mountains and sea in one outing.
Around eighteen kilometres of pale, wild sand backed by dunes and the ruins of a Lycian capital, one of the longest and least developed beaches on the Turkish Mediterranean.
A small crescent of pale sand in a narrow gorge, fed by a stream and framed by cliffs, between Kaş and Kalkan. The colour of the water is the reason the beach is on every postcard of this coast.
Kaş has long been one of the best dive bases in Turkey, with clear water, cliff walls, caves and swim-throughs only a short boat ride from the harbour. Certified divers can book guided dives with all equipment supplied.
No certification needed: a half-day introduction to scuba diving with an instructor in the clear water off Kaş, with a briefing, equipment and a shallow guided dive.
A boat from Kaş harbour to clear coves and offshore islets, with time to snorkel over rocky reefs and fish, swim off the deck and relax in the sun.
A short crossing to the tiny Greek island of Meis, called Kastellorizo in Greek, where pastel harbour houses, a blue cave and quiet tavernas make a very different day out from Kaş.
A short evening cruise from the harbour as the light turns gold over the Greek island of Meis, an easy and romantic way to end a day in Kaş.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Kaş town centre
A small, central Kaş hotel for travellers who want to walk to the harbour, the old town and the boats. A practical base rather than a resort.
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A straightforward Kaş town hotel for travellers who want an easygoing base close to the harbour and the shops.
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A mid-range Kaş hotel to consider for a comfortable stay close to the old town, the harbour and the evening scene.
Check rates →Kaş old town
A hotel that puts you in the lanes of old Kaş, among the galleries, cafes and shuttered houses, a few minutes from the harbour.
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A boutique-style Kaş hotel with a spa focus, for travellers who want a more relaxed and pampered stay after days on the water.
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A small boutique hotel in Kaş for travellers who prefer a calm, characterful stay with attention to detail.
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A comfortable Kaş hotel to compare for a mid-range stay with straightforward facilities and an easy base for boat trips and day tours.
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A friendly Kaş stay named for the citrus that grows around town, a sensible choice if you want a simple, welcoming base.
Check rates →Kalkan old town
A hotel in the lanes of Kalkan, for travellers who want to be in the old town with its restaurants, galleries and harbour views.
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A spa hotel in Kalkan for adults who want a calm, relaxing stay with wellness facilities and views over the bay.
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A Kalkan stay that combines hotel rooms with villas, a good choice for families and groups who want more space and a private feel.
Check rates →Kalkan old town
A small adults-only stay in the old town of Kalkan, for couples who want lanes, terraces and a quiet evening at their doorstep.
Check rates →Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
What to book ahead, how to get around Kaş and Kalkan, how many days you need and how boats, ruins, beaches and the gorge fit together, season by season.
Compare the places to stay in Kaş and Kalkan: old town lanes, harbour-side hotels, boutique and spa stays and hotel-and-villa options, with tips on steps, noise and seasons.
A three-day itinerary for Kaş and Kalkan that mixes a Kekova boat day, a gorge or beach day and slow time in the old town, with tips on timing and alternatives.
What to eat in Kaş and Kalkan: meze, fresh fish, home-style dishes, breakfast, markets and cooking classes, with tips on where and when to eat.
When to visit Kaş and Kalkan: month by month and season by season, covering sea temperature, boat seasons, crowds, heat, hiking and what stays open in winter.
The best day trips from Kaş and Kalkan: Kekova, Demre and Myra, Saklıkent Gorge, Patara, Tlos, Meis and Pamukkale, with distances, timing and how to combine them.
