Kas Holidays

Overlooking the clear turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, Kas is a small fishing village perched on a hillside below sheer, imposing cliffs. It has a long and interesting history, being built on the spot of the former ancient Lycian town Habesos, later named Antiphellos by the ancient Greeks. Remnants of this older history can still be seen today in the scattered rock tombs around the town and the ruins of a Greek amphitheatre. The resort itself has a quiet, laid back atmosphere, with narrow cobbled streets, stunning coastal views and small, unique boutiques. Those looking for a relaxing holiday in Turkey will find Kas particularly appealing. The mountains that overlook the town provide numerous opportunities for trekking, hiking and climbing, great for those after activity holidays and walking holidays.

Those looking beach holidays in this area will tend to visit nearby Patara, as both the Buyuk cakil (Big Pebble Beach) and Kücük cakil (Little Pebble Beach) in Kas are shingled. There is still good access to the clean blue waters of the Mediterranean from this resort, however, with the town being one of the leading spots in Turkey for diving holidays. Submerged beneath the crystal clear water lies the ruins of ancient civilisations, shipwrecks and shoals of colourful fish. Glass-bottom boat trips also run regularly from here, and there is a range of watersports to try including banana boat rides, sea kayaking, swimming, snorkelling, and parasailing. Like much of Turkey, this area is steeped in ancient history and there are many ruins such as Nisa, Komba (in the village of Gömbe), Kandyba, Istlada, and Phellos to explore.

Accommodation in Kas ranges from small boutique hotels and guesthouse to seaside bungalows, private villas and spacious pensions. Bigger groups and those on family breaks may find the more spacious villas and apartments a better choice; often these also come with a private pool. Dining in Kas is a superb experience; the proximity to the Mediterranean and the fact that the resort is a fishing village means the fresh seafood here is exquisite. There is also a range of other types of food, including authentic Mediterranean dishes and meze, to be had at the numerous restaurants and cafes here. The nightlife in Kas is befitting of a small, sedate fishing village; there are some pubs and cafes serving alcohol, but this is not a clubbing holiday destination by any means; younger holidaymakers looking for late nights and wild parties would do better to book a stay in one of Turkey’s larger, livelier cities such as Istanbul or Bodrum.