Coastal Towns Near Kaş: Kalkan, Kekova, Demre and Patara

Kaş is positioned between some of the most interesting coastal and archaeological sites on the Turquoise Coast — Kalkan (15km west) for architecture and Patara beach, Kekova (15km east) for the sunken city, Demre (45km east) for the Church of St. Nicholas and Myra rock tombs. Each is accessible as a day trip; several merit an overnight.

Kalkan (15km west, 25 min by dolmuş)

Kalkan is one of the most distinctive small towns on the Turkish coast — a whitewashed hill-town of Ottoman architecture (some with the original Greek-era buildings) cascading down to a small, boat-filled harbour. The building restrictions that have kept Kaş compact apply here too; Kalkan has retained its physical character.

What makes Kalkan worth visiting: The town itself — walking the steep stepped streets, the rooftop restaurants with panoramic bay views, the quality of the fish restaurants around the harbour. And access to Patara Beach (15km from Kalkan).

Rooftop dining: Kalkan’s most characteristic experience — restaurants built into the hillside with terraces overlooking the bay. Dinner here at sunset: excellent seafood and meze, ₺400–700/person including drinks.

Patara Beach: 18km of uninterrupted sand — Turkey’s longest beach. Protected as a turtle nesting site. Entry ₺100 (includes the archaeological zone). Ancient Patara city ruins are at the beach entrance: a Roman arch, a lighthouse, and a theatre in the sand dunes. Dolmuş from Kalkan: ₺20.

Getting there: Dolmuş from Kaş, ₺25, 25 minutes. Several services daily.

Kekova and Üçağız (15km east, 30 min by dolmuş)

The Kekova area — the sunken Lycian city visible through clear water along a protected coastline, with the Simena castle above — is one of Turkey’s most remarkable historic landscapes. Üçağız is the small Lycian village that serves as the gateway.

Üçağız village: Ancient Lycian sarcophagi stand at the water’s edge in the village streets — some partially submerged in the lagoon. Fish restaurants with terrace views over the water. Small pensions (₺400–700/night). A genuinely unusual place to stay overnight.

Kekova boat: From Üçağız, hire a small boat to the Kekova island coastline (₺150–250/hour). The boat passes above the submerged ruins — walls, stairs, ceramic fragments clearly visible through the clear water 1–3m below the surface.

Simena castle: From Üçağız, a 20-minute walk up to the Byzantine-era castle with one of the smallest ancient theatres in the world (seating approximately 300) carved into the slope below the castle walls. ₺50 entry. Views over the Kekova islands are exceptional.

Getting there: Dolmuş from Kaş, ₺30, 20 minutes.

Demre and Myra (45km east, 30–45 min by dolmuş)

Myra ancient city (entry ₺200): The most impressive Lycian funerary landscape — a massive cliff face honeycombed with rock tombs in multiple registers, dramatically scaled. The Roman theatre below is large and well-preserved. Myra was one of the most important Lycian cities; the scale of the tomb complex reflects this.

Church of Saint Nicholas (entry ₺200): In Demre town (the modern settlement over ancient Myra) — the actual church of the historical Nicholas, bishop of Myra in the 4th century CE. The church is a working archaeological site with 4th–11th century CE layers. The Nicholas-to-Santa Claus transformation is a complex story involving Byzantine hagiology, Dutch Protestantism, and 19th century American advertising — worth reading before visiting.

Combine Myra + Demre in a day: Dolmuş to Demre from Kaş (₺30, 30 minutes); Church of St. Nicholas first (in the town centre); taxi to Myra (4km, ₺50 return); back to Kaş by evening.

Kastellorizo / Meis (Greece), 4km offshore

The Greek island of Kastellorizo — 4km from Kaş, served by daily ferry in season — is the closest access point to Greece from the Turquoise Coast. The 30-minute crossing covers what is, technically, the entire width of the Aegean here (the island is very close to the Turkish coast while the nearest Greek island to the rest of Turkey is much further).

The island: One of Greece’s smallest inhabited islands (population c. 400), with a perfectly preserved traditional harbour (horseshoe bay, neoclassical and Italian-period houses), a Crusader castle ruin, and exceptional fish restaurants.

Ferry logistics: Daily departures in season from Kaş harbour (tickets from harbour offices: ₺300–500 return). Check seasonal schedules — winter service is reduced to 2–3 days/week.

What to do: Walk the harbour; visit the castle; take a small boat to the Blue Grotto (sea cave with bioluminescent water); eat fish at a harbour restaurant. A satisfying full day.

Patara Beach (45km west via Kalkan)

Transport: Dolmuş from Kaş to Kalkan (₺25), then dolmuş to Patara (₺20); total 50–70 minutes Entry: ₺100 (includes archaeological zone)

The longest beach in Turkey — 18km of uninterrupted sand, protected for sea turtle nesting. No hotels or large commercial development on the beach (by law). The ruins of ancient Patara (the Lycian League’s administrative capital and oracle site) are at the entrance — a Roman triumphal arch, a lighthouse (one of the best-preserved Roman lighthouses in the world), and a theatre rising from the sand dunes.

Best time: Morning arrival. The beach is large enough to absorb significant visitor numbers in July–August, but early arrival ensures the best position.

Town comparison

Town	Distance	Transport	Time	Best for
Kalkan	15km	Dolmuş ₺25	25 min	Architecture, Patara beach
Üçağız/Kekova	15km	Dolmuş ₺30	20 min	Sunken city, atmosphere
Patara	45km	2 dolmuş ₺45	50–70 min	Turkey’s longest beach
Demre/Myra	45km	Dolmuş ₺30	35 min	Lycian tombs, St. Nicholas
Kastellorizo	4km (by sea)	Ferry ₺300–500	30 min	Greek island day trip

For the wider coastal context from Kaş, see Fethiye coastal towns and Antalya coastal towns.