4-Day Vacation Guide to Kaş and Kalkan

Kalkan is a quiet town that welcomes visitors with its clean air and orderly atmosphere. As you walk through its narrow streets, the well-maintained and painted facades of historic Greek houses immediately catch your eye; some of them are used as hotels, restaurants, or small shops. The streets are free of traffic, making it very comfortable to walk around. The charming cafes and restaurants you come across as you wander through the side streets are ideal for taking a break. One of the historical details that catches your attention during your walk is the bell of an old church; built in the 1800s, this church was later converted into a mosque, but the bell displayed in the streets evokes traces of the past. Kalkan's sea enchants with its blue and turquoise tones. The public beach operated by the municipality next to the marina is quite reasonable in terms of both umbrella and deckchair facilities and food prices. There is also a park for children right next to the beach. On the Patara Houses side, there are several beaches serving on platforms built on the sea; transportation to these beaches is provided by boats, which is a great option for those who want to enjoy the sea from a different perspective.  Over the past twenty years, British expats who have settled in Kalkan have contributed to the development of tourism in the region. Many of them have purchased their own homes here and laid the foundations for villa tourism by renting their villas to other British expats during the summer. Kalkan is also home to Club Patara Houses, completed in 1993 by renowned Turkish architect Turhan Kaşo. This resort, consisting of 250 villas and 60 rooms, has become one of the classics of the region with its architecture in harmony with nature, its round structure, its natural stone texture, its landscape adorned with abundant greenery and flowers, and its magnificent location overlooking the sea. Kaş and Kalkan, which are part of Antalya, attract both local and foreign travelers with their unique bays and ancient cities. There are countless natural beauties and ancient settlements in the region, so it is very important to plan well before your vacation. If you're unsure about which activities to participate in or which places to add to your itinerary, the four-day plan we've carefully prepared will guide you in exploring these two towns.

Day 1

Start your first day of vacation in Kaş with a delightful breakfast. There are plenty of options for breakfast in the town center and its surrounding bays. Some places offer standard breakfast menus, while others serve a more homely breakfast experience, which is highly popular. These places offer a variety of homemade delights, from warm pastries to various types of jams. After breakfast, head to the beaches. The main reason travelers from all over the world flock to the town is the bays where human impact is still minimal. Limanağzı Beach is the first stop within the town limits, accessible by boats from the center of Kaş. This beach was once the port of the ancient city of Sebeda. The Big and Small Pebble beaches, surrounded by cliffs, also attract considerable attention. If you visit the Big Pebble Beach during the Nevruz festival, you can join colorful celebrations. In the late afternoon, you can choose between two different activities. For the first option, return to the town center and spend some time in the bazaar. The Kaş Bazaar, spread over a larger area than before, offers many shopping opportunities and restaurants serving cuisine from various cultures. After dinner, head to the entertainment venues in the same area and immerse yourself in the tavern culture. Alternatively, for the second activity, you can visit a horse ranch. Horseback riding towards the sunset offers an unforgettable experience. At the end of this journey to Kaş Uyuyan Dev, you can enjoy the breathtaking view of Kaş from a bird's eye view. You can also spend some of your time visiting the Dream Academy on your way to the Kaş Horse Ranch.

Day 2

As the second day begins, it's time to diversify your activities and explore the ancient settlements that shed light on the rich history of the town. If you share our opinion, you can arrange with a tour agency to explore the underwater wealth of the region by boat or go on a Kekova tour. There are many areas suitable for scuba diving or snorkeling off the coast of Kaş. Boat tours include visits to many beautiful places such as Pirate Cave, Sunken City, and Kaleköy. If you're traveling to Kaş and Kalkan with a large group, you can arrange with a tour agency to create a customized tour itinerary. Kaş offers numerous alternatives for activities, including paragliding for those who have already tried the activities mentioned above. Paragliding holds a special meaning for adventure enthusiasts. You can fly from the foothills of Mount Asas on a track suitable for beginners, with flights lasting an average of 20-25 minutes. While the experienced pilot takes care of everything in the air, you get to enjoy the view. After the high-adrenaline activities, you can spend the rest of the day visiting ancient cities. In the vicinity of Kaş, ancient Lycian cities still bear the traces of their former glory. Phellos, Antiphellos, Apelai, and İsinda still carry the echoes of those days. Some villages in the district also bear the traces of this heritage. If you have already visited the ancient cities and villages, you can visit Demre this time and see the Museum of St. Nicholas. If you feel hungry on the way, we recommend sitting down at one of the restaurants along the coast and trying the grilled blue crab.

Day 3

With the start of day 3, preparations for the journey to Kalkan begin. If you haven't rented a car, you can easily reach the touristic town by minibus or taxi. By the way, taxis have a fixed price tariff between the two destinations. After this reminder, without further ado, we will tell you what you can do on your first day in Kalkan. As you drive from Kaş to Kalkan, you can take a break at Kaputaş Beach, which mesmerizes its guests with its exquisite view. Kaputaş is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean region and it is reached by following a long ramp. However, both the golden sandy beach and the turquoise sea make visitors forget this effort within minutes. Indeed, one never gets bored of enjoying the sea, sunbathing and taking photos for hours. Towards noon, although it is difficult, you can leave Kaputaş and go to Patara, another dazzlingly beautiful beach of Kalkan, which Herodotus called "the closest place to the stars in the world". Patara Beach is one of the places where local and foreign travelers spend the most time in the town because it is both the spawning ground of caretta caretta sea turtles and the coast of the ancient city. It is also believed that St. Nicholas lived in the ancient city, which was once the capitalof Lycia. If you can't get enough of archaeological discoveries, there are many more historical settlements waiting for you in the region.To search for the glorious traces left behind by the Lycian Civilization, we recommend you first go to Xanthos and Letoon, and then to the ancient city of Pirha near Bezirgân Village.

Day 4

Just like in Kaş, in Kalkan you need to take boat tours to see some of the natural beauties. On the last day of your vacation, you can join one of these tours and visit beautiful sea caves and even swim in some of them. The Blue Cave, one of the most important stops of the journey, fascinates its visitors with its light plays. Travelers can enter Güvercinlik and İnbaş by swimming.One of the best things to do during your Kaş-Kalkan vacation is to visit Meis Island. Meis, which you can reach by ferries departing from Kaş, is the closest Greek island to Turkey. Despite its small surface area, it easily manages to fascinate vacationers with its beauty. With its stone houses, rich culinary culture and many more surprises hidden in its narrow streets, the island is one of the most important places to visit during your Kaş-Kalkan vacation. For a different experience, you can head to Islamlar Village near Kalkan. The village has a much more natural atmosphere than the center of Kalkan. In this cozy settlement full of old mills and rock tombs, you can first shop at the stands selling local products and then have dinner with breathtaking views.

Kaş & Kalkan Dining Recommendations

1. Eating in Kaş and Kalkan is as colorful and diverse as the towns themselves. If you want to try French cuisine in this small town, L’Apero is a must-visit. Run by a real French chef, the restaurant has a cozy, “your family’s French chef” kind of vibe. The beet-mango tart makes a perfect starter, while moules-frites (mussels & fries) and boeuf bourguignon (beef stew) are among the favorites for the main course. Escargot is another classic worth trying, and if you prefer simpler tastes, the French steak is also on the menu.
2. Another sweet stop is Bi’Lokma. The story of this place begins with its founder, Sabahat Hanım, falling in love with Kaş. She started selling her mother’s lokma recipes at a small stall, which eventually grew into the restaurant it is today. You can visit for breakfast, watch the sunset, or enjoy daily Turkish dishes.
3. If you love Far Eastern flavors, Bunbun is perfect. The restaurant serves soft steamed buns filled with Turkish ingredients, offering a quick and tasty snack in a unique fusion style.
4. For breakfast enthusiasts, Pell’s is unmissable. Every visit we make, we can’t resist stopping by. The breakfast spreads sourced from small producers in Marmaris olives, honey, homemade sausage, and wild herbs offer a perfect start to the day. In the evenings, the menu surprises with Mediterranean fusion dishes such as beet carpaccio or roasted vegetable frankfurters.
5. In Kalkan, Taş Bahçe is worth the short trip for a long, relaxed breakfast. With pastries, eggs, pancakes, and organic options, it’s a meal that delights both the eyes and the stomach.
6. In Kaş’s Uzun Çarşı, Zühtü Meze Cocktails is a cozy spot for the evening, offering creative meze dishes with live music. Try specialties like octopus with spinach or halloumi shrimp for something a little different.
7. If you’re after something sweet or refreshing, Ninja Frutti offers rolled ice cream made to order. You choose your fruits, sauces, biscuits, and nuts, which are then frozen with liquid nitrogen and rolled into personalized ice cream. It’s one of the most fun treats in Kaş.
8. For seafood lovers, Voyn Meyhane stands out. Daily fresh fish, calamari, shrimp, and octopus paired with meze transform every meal into a feast. The view at sunset makes it an ideal spot for dinner. In the center of Kaş, Smileys Restaurant offers fresh fish and meze options that make every meal special.
9. For fans of Italian cuisine, Bella Vita Pizza serves carefully crafted pizzas and pastas with the Kaş view as a backdrop. The freshness and harmony of the ingredients are noticeable in every bite.
10. In Kalkan, Aubergine Restaurant shines for dinner with fresh seafood and Mediterranean dishes. Sitting on the terrace while watching the sunset adds an unforgettable touch. Salt & Pepper, housed in a historic Kalkan home, offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere with fresh pasta and seafood on the menu. Sade Restaurant combines traditional Turkish cuisine with modern twists, making it an ideal spot for a romantic evening, especially at night.

Accommodation Recommendations in Kaş

Hamarat Hotel: Hamarat Hotel is designed with the principle of placing living spaces within nature and bringing nature into living spaces. It reflects the spirit of Kaş, covered with bougainvillea, facing Hidayet Bay, in this colorful place.  It has gardens that you won't want to leave, and rooms with balconies overlooking the sea... In the mornings, they prepare a delicious breakfast spread, infused with the sun, soil, and air of Kaş. The views of Meis Island, Hidayet Bay, and Kaş accompany these breakfasts like a glass dome.

Mavilim Hotel: For those who want to wake up facing the sea in the morning and gaze at Meis in the afternoon, this place is like a window opening to the heart of summer. I am at Mavilim Hotel; as blue as its name, as calm as its name. And if you are reading these lines, your heart is probably seeking a bit of vacation, a bit of peace, and a bit of escape. Believe me, you are in the right place.

For more accommodation suggestions, please visit our Kaş Hotels page.