Kaş & Kekova: the back story

About Kaş & Kekova: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Istanbul Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Kaş, ancient Antiphellos, is a small, relaxed harbour town on the Lycian coast, loved for its lanes of bougainvillea, its diving and its boat trips to the sunken city of Kekova. The Greek island of Kastellorizo (Meis) lies just across the water.

The town

Kaş curls around a small harbour beneath steep mountains, with an ancient theatre facing the sea, Lycian sarcophagi in the streets and lanes of bars and boutiques. It is known as one of the best diving centres in Türkiye.

Kekova

Boats from Kaş and Üçağız visit Kekova, where the ruins of an ancient town lie half-submerged along the shore, and the castle village of Simena (Kaleköy) above the water. Swimming over the sunken ruins is forbidden; look from the boat or a kayak.

Kaş is a long way from any airport: that is part of its charm.

Beaches

Between Kaş and Kalkan, Kaputaş is a small beach at the mouth of a gorge, reached by steps from the coast road. Further west, Patara has one of the longest beaches in Türkiye, backed by dunes and an ancient city; sea turtles nest there in summer. The Lycian sites of Xanthos and Letoon are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Our advice: stay at least three nights, take the Kekova boat on a calm morning, and swim at Kaputaş early before the coaches arrive.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Kaş & Kekova: the back story before you go.