Kaş and Kalkan sit on the Lycian coast between Antalya and Fethiye — small, white, vertical, and built around harbours so sheltered the water looks lit from below. This is the prettiest stretch of Turkish coastline.
Why this stretch
- The water is unusually clear — cold springs and few rivers mean visibility that makes diving here the country’s best.
- The Lycian Way — Turkey’s long-distance walking trail runs along this coast, and day sections are easy to pick up.
- Lycian and sunken cities — Kekova’s half-submerged ruins are reached by boat from Üçağız; Simena castle sits above them.
- Scale — both towns are small. Kalkan especially is still low-rise and walks are short.
Which one
| Place | What it is |
|---|---|
| Kaş | Bigger, livelier, better diving and nightlife, more to do in town |
| Kalkan | Smaller, quieter, smarter restaurants, steep streets down to the harbour |
| Çalış / Patara | Long sandy beaches, the Lycian ruins at Patara, more room |
Getting there
Dalaman (DLM) is the nearer airport for Kalkan — about 1h45 by road. Antalya (AYT) is further for both, around 3 hours to Kaş. The road is winding for the last stretch; if you are prone to travel sickness, plan for it. Buses run along the coast, and dolmuş services cover the shorter hops.
When to come
May, June, September and October. July and August are hot and crowded, and the harbours fill with gulets. Water temperatures stay swimmable into late October.
A note on the beaches
Several beaches are shingle rather than sand — Kaputaş, the famous one in the gorge, is pebbles all the way. Sea shoes are not a joke here.
If your trip includes treatment
There is a small clinic sector around Kaş and Kalkan, but nothing comparable to Istanbul or Antalya. Treat this as recovery or holiday. The calm water and short distances make it genuinely good for a slow week after a mild procedure — and the steep streets make it a bad choice if mobility is limited.
Other places we plan
Istanbul · Cappadocia · Antalya and the Turquoise Coast · Ephesus and Pamukkale · Bodrum · Gaziantep and the southeast
All destinations → · Tours and packages →
Plan this with us
Tell us what you are planning and we will come back with options and an itemised price. info@gen.gen.tr