KASH - a detailed guide
Getting to Kas
You can get to Kas from two airports – Dalaman and Antalya. However, getting there by public transportation, especially from Dalaman (as there is no public transportation), is problematic: from Antalya Airport, you need to take tram T1A or bus #600 to the bus station. From the bus station, you can travel to Kas. Schedules are subject to change.
Therefore, the easiest way to get to Kas from the airport is by booking a transfer.
Hotels
In Kas, you can book a hotel either in the city or on the peninsula – depending on your needs. If you don't want to spend evenings strolling around the city or visiting cafes, and would rather spend time at the hotel/by the pool/by the sea with a beautiful view, then choose a hotel on the peninsula. However, if you prefer a more active vacation or don't want to constantly spend money on taxis/wait for a bus, I recommend staying in the city proper.
In the city, consider the Luna Kas or Hera Hotel, and on the peninsula, the Villa Tamara. However, when choosing a hotel, consider your preferences, reviews, and location.
Mobile Communications
Buying a physical SIM card isn't cost-effective; an eSIM is easier and cheaper. Consider your budget and needs. Be sure to check if your phone supports eSIM before purchasing.
Currency
It's best to bring dollars and exchange them for lira in Turkey. DO NOT exchange them at the airport—it's not cost-effective, especially if you don't need public transportation to Kas.
The most profitable exchange office in Kas is the SILA Jewelry Store.
You can also get a Letim card, but you'll see the commission when you transfer money. Payment will be via QR code; a physical card will not be available.
Pharmacies: All pharmacies have the address of the pharmacy on duty posted on the counter.
Taxi
There are no taxi apps in Kas, Kalkan, Antalya, Fethiye, Kemer, and other cities on the southern coast of Turkey. Taxis in Kas and Kalkan are ordered via WhatsApp. They don't use a meter, so the prices are high.
Buses
In Kaş, the first thing you need to do is go to the bus station and take a photo of the schedule (Kaş-Çukurbağ (Peninsula), Kaş-Fethiye, Kaş-Kaputaş, Kaş-Kalkan, and others that interest you).
Kaş-Çukurbağ - runs in a circle approximately every half hour from the stop near the mosque.
Grocery stores:
- M Migros
- CarrefourSA
- Muhtar Market
- Bim
- Şok Market
- A101
On Fridays, the market is open from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM (behind the bus station).
Where to eat
I've listed the most popular places and recommended dishes:
Kas Bistro - delicious breakfast and dinner (pasta, seafood).
Bekos Kitchen - delicious breakfast, smoked salmon croissant, toast, and menemen, beautiful view.
Dudu Mutfak - delicious Turkish breakfast. During peak season, it's best to book in advance for a beautiful view. Their specialty is small round pishi with mulberry jam.
Fika Garden - delicious breakfast, coffee shop, burger buns with scrambled eggs, croissants, toast, acai bowls, and a cozy garden.
Pisi Kahvalti - delicious breakfast, a cozy courtyard hidden from view, Turkish flatbreads similar to savory donuts with spreads.
N8 Bakery - delicious breakfast, a cafe with a variety of pastries and desserts; they bake their own delicious bread and pastries.
Taşbahçe Kahvaltı - delicious Turkish breakfast, accessible by car. Rustic breakfast in a cozy garden.
Godo coffee - the most famous coffee shop with a piano where patrons sometimes play. A great place for a relaxing break. Lapero, a French restaurant, is nearby. Naturel - a restaurant for lunch and dinner. The restaurant focuses on fresh fish, located near Sempati.
L'Apéro - a restaurant for lunch and dinner (atmospheric, pleasant music, French cuisine). A French restaurant with very high prices.
Market - gozleme at the market on Fridays (flatbread with fillings, similar to khychin).
ROLLING ROLLS - breakfasts and rolls, Russian founders.
Panu - burgers, very filling sandwiches, granola, toast, with a beautiful view.
Oxygen - lavender cocktail at the new Marina.
Pells (expensive) - breakfast, beautiful view. Good bread, even croquemadame. Several breakfast options, including sparkling wine and English-style.
Linkia Coffee - Coffee shop, they roast their own coffee, the largest menu of coffee drinks. Located on the way to the amphitheater. Mama Afrika - Coffee Shop
Sahika Bahce - Coffee shop, Turkish breakfast, far away. Aesthetically pleasing, beautiful, 40 minutes by car, in a village above Kalkan.
Volk Byhera
Sempati - Beef Cheeks
Zaika - Turkish cuisine, a wonderful view of the yachts in the marina, the most expensive restaurant in town.
Masuk - Classic Turkish restaurant: meat, breakfasts, and a varied menu.
Sunrise Breakfast Kaş - A large and hearty Turkish breakfast near the marina. 3 minutes by car, or within walking distance.
Olive Garden Kaş Kahvaltı - Turkish breakfast, beautiful, green, and cozy. 8 minutes by car from the center, filling, delicious, beautiful grounds. Hold and Bite - burgers with truffle sauce
Beaches
The most important and beautiful beach is Kaputaş (entrance 50 TL, umbrella 230 TL, hammock 230 TL – prices subject to change). It's a 20-25-minute bus ride from the bus station.
Halk - Kas belediyesi Halk, or simply Halk, or the public city beach, is free. Located on a peninsula, take the bus from the stop near the mosque. There's plenty of space, a cafe, sun loungers, and umbrellas. The entrance is gently sloping and pebbly.
Beach Clubs
You can choose a beach club in Kas or go to Kalkan.
Kas: Leymona, Doria, Helios (Kas Camping)
Kalkan: Zest, Lures Hotel & Beach Club, Mahal Beach Club
If you're staying in a hotel in town, I recommend looking into day passes, such as Villa Tamara.
Where to go or what to see.
1. The Lycian Way and the Sleeping Giant (beautiful viewpoint). The hike to the nearest point (the flag) takes 1-1.5 hours, with stops, and 1 hour back. The view is worth it!
2. Patara (ancient city and beach, dunes), beautiful sunset.
3. Abandoned water park. Almost at the very end of the peninsula, to the left of the Kumsal Hotel, there's an abandoned hotel with a water park (next to Villa Tamara).
4. The amphitheater (to watch the sunset), located at the junction of the peninsula and Kaş.
5. Walk to the new marina.
6. Kaş Harbor (you can also book a boat excursion to Kekova there; they're all pretty much the same).
7. Stroll the streets of Kaş.
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