# Kaş Old Town and Harbour

> Kaş is a small resort on Turkey’s Lycian coast, between Fethiye and Demre, looking straight across at the Greek island of Kastellorizo. The old town is the harbour full of wooden gulets, Republic Square and cobbled, bougainvillea-draped lanes. It’s free and open around the clock; allow 1.5 hours, or a whole evening with dinner.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-old-town

- City: [Kaş](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas), Turkey
- YesGo score: 52/100 (Yes, go)
- Time on site: 1 h 30 min
- Opening hours: Open 24/7 — public streets and waterfront; shops and cafés stay open late in season
- With kids: Fine with kids
- Entry: Free — public streets and waterfront
- Time needed: 1.5 hours for the centre; an evening with dinner
- Where: Antalya province, Lycian coast between Fethiye and Demre
- Friday market: Weekly, near the old bus station; sources disagree on the exact spot
- Boat trips: From the harbour quays by Republic Square
- Ferry to Kastellorizo: From Kaş port, ≈ 20 min; passport needed
- Bus station: Old otogar above the centre; new terminal on the Demre road
- Coordinates: 36.19931, 29.64142
- Facts checked: 30.10.2026

## Key facts

- **Free** — the harbour, square and old lanes are an open town centre — no tickets, no opening hours (source: Wikivoyage (Kaş); Turkey's For Life)
- **6–7 km** — to the Greek island of Kastellorizo (Meis) — about 20 minutes by ferry (source: English Wikipedia (6 km); Russian Wikipedia (≈ 7 km port to port); Wikivoyage)
- **Friday** — weekly market day — produce, cheese, olives and honey from the villages (source: English Wikipedia (Kaş); Wikivoyage; Turkey's For Life)
- **Antiphellos** — the town’s ancient name — the port of Lycian Phellos (source: English and Russian Wikipedia)
- **Habesa** — the earlier Lycian name of the settlement (source: English Wikipedia (Habesa / Habesos); Russian Wikipedia (Habesos))
- **Mediterranean** — the sea Kaş sits on, on slopes dropping straight to the water (source: English and Russian Wikipedia)
- **Uzun Çarşı** — “Long Bazaar”, the main shopping street, with the Lion Tomb at its top (source: Wikivoyage (Kaş); Turkey's For Life)
- **Antalya province** — Kaş is the seat of its own district (source: English and Russian Wikipedia)
- **Diving** — some of the best diving on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast; the dive centres are in the port (source: English and Russian Wikipedia)

## Is Kaş old town worth visiting?

Yes — and it costs nothing. Kaş is one of the few resorts on this coast that still feels like a small town rather than a hotel strip. You come for the **harbour, the lanes and the evenings**, not for a long sandy beach: the beaches here are pebbly, the water is clear, and the town is built for walking.

Don’t come expecting a walled medieval old town or a big museum. “Old town” in Kaş means the historic centre between the harbour and Uzun Çarşı — white houses, wooden balconies, craft shops and a few Lycian tombs right on the street. Two hours covers it; the rest of the time goes on boats, swimming and dinner.

> **Come twice: early morning and after sunset** At 8 in the morning the waterfront is empty, fishermen sort their nets and the light is perfect for photos. After dark the town fills up, the lanes light up and the shops open. In the midday heat the centre goes quiet — that’s your time for a boat or a swim.

## Things to do in Kaş old town

- **The harbour** — fishing boats and wooden gulets at the quay, waterside restaurants and a view of Kastellorizo.
- **Republic Square** (Cumhuriyet Meydanı) — the meeting point of the town, overlooking the boats; Republic Day on 29 October is celebrated here.
- **Uzun Çarşı** — the cobbled “Long Bazaar” lined with carpet, ceramic, jewellery and textile shops; nicknamed slippery street after rain.
- **Bougainvillea lanes** — pink flowers spilling over wooden balconies and café courtyards.
- The [Lion Tomb](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-lion-tomb) — a 4th-century BC Lycian sarcophagus standing in the street at the top of Uzun Çarşı.
- The [Antiphellos Theatre](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/antiphellos-theatre) — about a 10-minute walk west of the centre, the town’s sunset spot.
- Küçük Çakıl, the little pebble beach in the centre — free, for a quick dip between walks.
- The Friday market — local produce, cheese, olives and honey, usually cheaper than the boutiques.

## Boat trips and the Kastellorizo ferry

The harbour is where Kaş goes to sea. **Day boats** leave from the quays for the [Kekova sunken city and Simena](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-kekova), swim stops in bays such as [Limanağzı](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/limanagzi), and short sunset cruises. You buy at the quay or from the agencies around the square; in season boats go out daily.

The **ferry to [Kastellorizo](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kastellorizo)** takes about 20 minutes and counts as leaving Turkey, so bring your passport and check your Schengen entry rules. A day trip from Kaş to the island works; the reverse — a day trip from the island to Kaş — doesn’t, because there is no matching return sailing.

## How to get to Kaş old town

1. Fly into Dalaman (DLM) or Antalya (AYT). Buses and transfers run from both; from Antalya the bus takes about four hours along the coast road.
2. Intercity buses arrive at Kaş otogar. Some sources still describe the old otogar on the hill above town — about a 10-minute walk downhill; others say buses now use a new terminal on the Demre road, from where you take a dolmuş or taxi in. Ask when you book.
3. Walk down Atatürk Bulvarı towards the sea — it brings you out at Republic Square (Cumhuriyet Meydanı) and the harbour.
4. Stroll along the quays — this is where boat trips and Kastellorizo ferry tickets are sold.
5. Climb cobbled Uzun Çarşı to the Lion Tomb, 3–5 minutes uphill.
6. For sunset, follow the shore road west to the Antiphellos Theatre, about 10 minutes.

## Where is Kaş, and how long to stay?

Kaş sits in the **south-west of Antalya province** on the Lycian coast, west of Demre and Kekova and east of Kalkan and Fethiye. It’s too far from either airport for a quick look, so most people stay at least one night.

One evening is enough for the old town itself. Two or three days let you add a Kekova boat, [Kaputaş Beach](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-kaputas-beach), a dive, or a stretch of the [Lycian Way](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-lycian-way) — the coastal trail runs right past town.

## A short history of Kaş

The Lycians called the settlement **Habesa**. In Hellenistic and Roman times it was **Antiphellos**, the harbour of Phellos up in the hills. That era left the theatre, the Lion Tomb and the [rock-cut tombs](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-rock-tombs) in the cliff above town.

For a long time Kaş was a quiet fishing port. It grew into a resort without losing its scale — low white houses, a working harbour and lanes too narrow for cars.

## Before you go: checklist

- [ ] Shoes with grip — the lanes are cobbled and steep
- [ ] Water and a hat — the centre is hot at midday
- [ ] Some cash in lira — market stalls and small shops may not take cards
- [ ] Passport — if you plan the Kastellorizo ferry
- [ ] Swimsuit — for a dip at the town beach
- [ ] A free evening — Kaş is at its best after dark

## Old town walk, Kekova boat or Kastellorizo?

|  | Old town and harbour | Kekova boat trip | Kastellorizo ferry |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| What it is | Walk around the centre | Day boat with swim stops | Day trip to a Greek island |
| Cost | Free | Paid, sold at the quay | Paid ferry ticket |
| Time | 1.5 hours or an evening | Full day | Full day |
| Documents | None | None | Passport |
| Best time | Morning or evening | Warm season | Warm season |

You don’t have to choose the old town — it fits into any evening. The real choice for your day is Kekova or Kastellorizo.

## Kaş by the water: compare and choose

Waterside places in and around Kaş rated by YesGo.

- [Kaş Old Town and Harbour](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-old-town) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · Free
- [Lycian Way](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-lycian-way) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Free, no tickets
- [Kastellorizo (Meis) Island](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kastellorizo) — YesGo score 31/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Ferry ≈ €28–40 return
- [Limanağzı Coves](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/limanagzi) — YesGo score 31/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · Free entry; boat and sunbed paid
- [Kaputaş Beach](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-kaputas-beach) — YesGo score 25/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ≈ 60 TL in season, sunbeds extra
- [Kekova Sunken City and Simena](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-kekova) — YesGo score 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Boat priced by operators, castle €4

## Kaş in one evening

Harbour and square, up Uzun Çarşı to the Lion Tomb, the rock tombs, then sunset at the ancient theatre. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and walks.

1. [Kaş Old Town and Harbour](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-old-town) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · Free
2. [Lion Tomb](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-lion-tomb) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 15 min · Free, no ticket
3. [Kaş Lycian Rock Tombs](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-rock-tombs) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free
4. [Antiphellos Theatre](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/antiphellos-theatre) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free

## Good to know

Kaş is both the town and a large district of Antalya province that also includes Kalkan and Kaputaş. Holiday listings marked “Kaş” can be a long drive from the harbour — check the map before you book.

## Tips

- Book a waterside table for sunset — in high season the harbour restaurants fill early.
- Go to the Friday market in the morning, before the best produce is gone.
- For the view over the bay, walk up to the rock tombs above town.
- Buy your Kekova boat ticket the evening before at the quay — more choice than in the morning.
- Haggling in the Uzun Çarşı shops is normal, especially for carpets and jewellery — keep it friendly.

## Questions

### Is Kaş old town worth visiting?

Yes. It’s free, compact and one of the prettiest small harbours on the Turkish coast. Plan an evening, not a full day — the rest goes on boats and beaches.

### How much time do you need in Kaş old town?

About 1.5 hours to walk the harbour, square and lanes; a whole evening if you add dinner, the shops and sunset at the theatre.

### Is there an entrance fee for Kaş old town?

No. The harbour, Republic Square and the lanes are public streets, open around the clock.

### What is there to do in Kaş?

Walk the harbour and Uzun Çarşı, see the Lion Tomb and the Antiphellos Theatre, swim at the town beach, take a boat to Kekova, dive, or hop over to Kastellorizo.

### Where do boat trips leave from in Kaş?

From the harbour quays next to Republic Square. Tickets are sold at the boats and at agencies around the square.

### Can you take a ferry from Kaş to Kastellorizo?

Yes, it takes about 20 minutes from Kaş port. You leave Turkey, so bring your passport.

### When is the market in Kaş?

On Fridays, near the old bus station in the upper part of town. Sources describe the exact spot differently, so ask locally.

### How do I get to Kaş?

Fly into Dalaman or Antalya, then take a bus or transfer. From the otogar, walk down Atatürk Bulvarı to the harbour, or take a dolmuş if your bus stops at the new terminal.

### Is Kaş good for an evening out?

Yes — bars and cafés line the lanes and the harbour, but it stays relaxed rather than clubby.

## How we checked

The centre of Kaş is open public streets, so there is no ticket price or opening time. Facts are checked against at least two sources. The distance to Kastellorizo differs — 6 km and about 7 km — so we show both. Sources disagree on where the Friday market sets up and on the bus station: some describe the old otogar above the centre, others a new terminal on the Demre road; those rows are marked “verifying”.

## Sources

- English Wikipedia: Kaş — Habesa and Antiphellos, Kastellorizo, Friday market
- Russian Wikipedia: Каш — Antalya province, distance to Kastellorizo, diving
- Wikivoyage: Kaş — bus stations, markets, Uzun Çarşı, Kastellorizo ferry
- Turkey's For Life: Kaş guide — harbour, square, boat trips, market, beaches
- Wikidata Q1004438

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