About Kas

Kas was founded by the Lycians, a civilization which dominated the Teke Peninsula in ancient times. Nevertheless, today’s city of Kas is best remembered historically as Hellenistic-Period Antiphellos, which served as the port to the ancient city of Phellos (located today overlooking Cukurbag). Ancient ruins dating to this time of prominence can still be seen scattered around Kas. Serving as an important port through the Roman Period, the town was eventually annexed by the Seljuks and later the Ottomans and entered into the Turkish Republic as a quiet fishing village; only growing with the tourism boom of the 1990s.

Kas’s narrow, cobblestone streets, historic houses, beautiful coastline, and classic Mediterranean nature made it a favorite of new visitors to Turkey. With the influx of tourism came new hotels, small cafes, shops, and a wealth of activities for tourists to choose from. Today Kas still holds on to its legacy as a touristic gem. Wandering the streets you’ll find tour agencies offering everything from diving to mountain biking, hiking to canyoning. The less adventurous among us will enjoy exploring Kas’s charming shops, many of which still sell handmade jewelry and crafts. A bit further into Kas’s narrow streets you’ll find row after row of lively bars, home to the town’s famous nightlife. Restaurants serving local specialties also line the streets and seaside. No visitor to Kas should miss the town’s ancient ruins, the ancient theatre and unmistakable ‘Lycian-style’ tombs in particular. Cafes, shops, and cultural sites aside, the thing that most of us look forward to most is the beach, and Kas has no lack of beaches either. While nearby Big Pebble, Small Pebble, and Incebogaz Beaches are some of the most popular places to swim in town, a bit of a longer journey reveals a multitude of possibilities. Limanagzi is one destination not to miss; boats headed for this pristine bay depart from the town square regularly.

The region is also home to famous sites like the sunken city of Kekova, photogenic Kaputas Beach, and Patara, known for its ancient ruins and 16 kilometer long sandy beach. Whether it’s history, beaches, nature, or nightlife that you look for in a holiday, Kas has it all. This quiet fishing town turned touristic hotspot still manages to retain its laid-back roots, all while offering visitors countless possibilities.