Kaş & Kalkan Guide: Turkey's Most Charming Mediterranean Towns

Anna Schmidt
Anna Schmidt🇩🇪 Germany · Joined 2025-02-08
1 min readCoastal Turkey

About Kaş

Kaş is a small, picturesque town on the Mediterranean coast known for its laid-back atmosphere, excellent diving, beautiful harbor, and colorful bougainvillea-draped streets. It is a favorite among independent travelers and couples.

Things to Do in Kaş

Scuba diving and snorkeling (some of Turkey's best sites), sea kayaking to the sunken city of Kekova, boat trips to Greek island Meis/Kastellorizo, hiking the Lycian Way, and exploring Lycian rock tombs scattered around town.

Kalkan

Just 25 minutes from Kaş, Kalkan is a more upscale village with excellent rooftop restaurants, boutique hotels, and a charming old town. It has a small beach and is a great base for visiting Patara Beach (Turkey's longest beach at 18 km).

How do I get to Kaş?

Fly to Antalya or Dalaman airport, then take a bus or transfer (3–4 hours from either airport). The scenic drive along the coast is stunning.

2 Replies

57 upvotes
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James W.Backpacker
2025-12-05✓ Best Answer

Kas is my favorite place in all of Turkey. It is a small, charming town with incredible scuba diving, sea kayaking to Kekova sunken city, and day trips to the Greek island of Meis. Much less touristy than the bigger resorts. Perfect for adventurous travelers.

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Sarah M.Frequent Visitor
2025-12-06

Kalkan has more upscale villa rentals and rooftop restaurants with stunning bay views. It is a great base for exploring the Lycian coast. The Friday market is excellent for souvenirs and local produce.

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