Kaş and Kalkan: the quiet end of the coast

Some people want the big resort with the water slides and the evening show. Others want coffee on a terrace above the sea, a swim off the rocks before lunch and an unhurried dinner in a harbour town. If you're in the second group, the far western end of Antalya province, around Kaş and Kalkan, is worth the journey.

And it is a journey. That's the trade-off for the calm, so let's start there.

Getting there

Kaş can be reached from two airports, Antalya and Dalaman. According to the hotels on our site, Dalaman is about 150 km away, roughly two and a half hours by car, while Antalya Airport is roughly 200 km away by road, a drive of around three hours.

Which airport works best depends on your flights. For a weekend break, that drive can feel long; Kaş makes more sense if you're staying several nights.

Once you're there, the coves and ancient sites are spread out, so hiring a car can make life easier. If you'd rather not drive, a pre-booked transfer plus local boat trips will cover most of what you want to see.

Kaş

Go Türkiye paints Kaş as a town of narrow cobbled streets, houses with wooden balconies and bougainvillea everywhere. The centre is compact, and the restaurants, cafés and lanes down to the harbour are easy to explore on foot. If you like eating out, you'll have plenty of choice in the evenings.

Kekova and Simena. Kekova is a classic stop on blue cruises, according to Go Türkiye. Boat tours take in the Sunken City, Aperlai and Simena. Simena, also known as Kaleköy, can only be reached by sea and is known for its rock-cut theatre and castle views.

Kaputaş. This small beach on the road between Kaş and Kalkan is singled out by Go Türkiye for the colour of its water. It's a short drive from Kaş and makes a good swim stop.

Kalkan and around

Kalkan is a small coastal town close to Kaş. It's a handy base for ancient sites such as Patara and Xanthos.

Patara. Go Türkiye describes Patara as the ancient capital of Lycia, with a sandy beach of about 12 km that is also a nesting ground for loggerhead turtles. Follow the conservation rules when you visit.

Xanthos and Letoon. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Xanthos was the Lycian League's largest administrative centre, and Letoon its religious centre. Allow half a day.

Where to stay in Kalkan. All the Kalkan hotels on our site are bed and breakfast, and dinner is usually eaten in town.

• Kalkan Beach & Hotel: opened in 2022, 28 to 30 rooms, family friendly. Beachfront, with its own Blue Flag sand-and-gravel beach and pier.
• Patara Prince Hotel & Resort: beachfront, with ladders from a rocky platform and jetty into deep water. Family rooms available.
• Likya Gardens Hotel: accepts children, with its own beach club on the shore just below.
• Likya Bay Hotel (formerly Likya Residence): under-16s accepted only from 1 July to 31 August, adults-only the rest of the year. The arranged Yalı Beach Club is a 5 to 10-minute walk.
• Payava Hotel by True Blue: accepts children; the arranged Kalamar Beach Club is about 900 metres away.

Swimming: think platforms, not sand

This is the thing first-time visitors most need to know. Many hotels in Kaş aren't on a sandy beach. As the hotels on our list show, you often get into the sea from platforms on a rocky shore.

If you're comfortable in the water, it's a lovely way to swim. Families with toddlers who want to dig in the sand may prefer to head to sandy beaches such as Patara.

Where to stay in Kaş

Hotels here are mostly small. On our site you'll find (the last three are bed and breakfast):

• Radisson Blu Hotel Kaş: opened in 2023 with around 50 rooms and suites, including suites with private pools. It isn't on the sea; a free shuttle runs to a beach area about 800 metres away.
• Lukka Exclusive: around 19 rooms on a hillside overlooking the sea, listed on a booking site as "Adult Only +12". Guests swim from a private platform on the rocky shore.
• Hotel Aysima: a tiny boutique hotel with about 8 rooms, an outdoor pool and a hot tub. Breakfast is served. Ask the hotel about sea access options.
• Hotel Aquarius: on the Çukurbağ Peninsula, beachfront with its own beach; ask the hotel what the beach is like.
• Olea Nova Hotel: on the Çukurbağ Peninsula, a 150 to 200-metre walk from the sea, with no beach of its own.
• Payam Hotel: in central Kaş; children aged 7 and over only, with the nearest swimming platform about 50 metres away.

Don't expect big-resort extras like water parks, full entertainment programmes or a long list of restaurants. That's rather the point of Kaş.

Is Kaş for you?

It suits couples looking for calm, travellers who like to set their own pace, strong swimmers, fans of boat trips and walking, and anyone who enjoys eating at local restaurants.

It suits you less if you want a short transfer, need a sandy beach for small children, or prefer to have everything inside the hotel. Lara or Belek may be a better fit in that case.

FAQ

Which airport is closer to Kaş? According to hotels on our site, the drive is about two and a half hours from Dalaman and around three hours from Antalya.

Are there sandy beaches in Kaş? Many hotels have platform access to the sea. For sand, head to Kaputaş or Patara.

Is Kaş good for families? It can work well with children who swim well and enjoy exploring. Note that Lukka Exclusive doesn't accept children under 12, and Payam Hotel doesn't accept under-7s. For small children, the sand-and-gravel beach at Kalkan Beach & Hotel may be easier.

Are there hotels in Kalkan on your site? Yes. We list five: Kalkan Beach & Hotel, Patara Prince, Likya Gardens, Likya Bay and Payava. All are bed and breakfast.