Kaş is small but the region around it is enormous. Within a 90 minute drive you have a sunken Lycian city, the longest beach in Türkiye, an icy 18 km gorge, eternal flames burning from a mountainside, and a Byzantine church where Santa Claus lived. Here are the eight day trips locals would actually send you on, ordered roughly by how essential they are.
Kekova sunken city (the headline)
If you only do one day trip from Kaş, make it Kekova. The full day boat trip is the one local experience nobody regrets: cruising over the underwater Lycian ruins, climbing to Simena Castle, and swimming in turquoise bays you can't reach by road. Boats leave Kaş harbour around 10:00 and return by 17:00. For a quieter version, book a sunrise private charter that has the sunken city to itself at 07:00.
Saklıkent Gorge: cold water, dramatic walls
Saklıkent is an 18 km gorge an hour north of Kaş, where ice cold mountain water rushes through walls 300 metres high. You wade in (literally — water shoes essential), reach platforms strung above the river, and turn back when the water gets too deep. Combine it with breakfast at a village stop like Tlos or a swim at Patara on the way home. The whole loop is about a 6 hour day from Kaş by car or organised tour.
Patara: ancient city and 18 km of sand
Patara, 45 minutes west of Kaş, gives you two attractions in one. The ruins of the ancient capital of Lycia (with its theatre, council chamber and famous Lycian arch) sit at the edge of an 18 km wild beach backed by dunes. No buildings, no music, protected turtle nesting; you bring everything yourself. A morning at the ruins, lunch under the pine trees, a long afternoon swim — and you're home by sunset. Use the same ticket for both sites.
Demre, Myra and St Nicholas Church
An hour east of Kaş, Demre packs the Lycian rock tombs and Roman theatre of Myra and the Byzantine church where Saint Nicholas (the historical Santa Claus) lived and was buried. Together they make a perfect cultural half day, often paired with a Kekova boat trip in the afternoon if you start early. There's a full guide in our travel section.
Kalkan: villa town and seafood evening
Kalkan, 30 minutes west of Kaş, is the smarter, hillside cousin with whitewashed villas and rooftop restaurants. It's an easy half day: dolmuş there mid afternoon, sunset drink with a harbour view, a long dinner at one of the destination rooftop kitchens, and a taxi home. Pairs especially well with a beach morning at nearby Kaputaş.
Olympos, Çıralı and Yanartaş flames
Two and a half hours east, the twin valleys of Olympos and Çıralı combine ancient ruins half buried in pine forest, a long pebble beach beloved by turtles, and the eternal flames of Yanartaş, where natural methane has burned out of the mountainside for thousands of years. Best done as a 6 ‑ 8 hour long day with an early start and an after dark visit to the flames (they're more dramatic in the dark). A driver is the easiest option from Kaş.
The Lycian Way: a morning hike out of Kaş
The Lycian Way passes through Kaş itself, so you can walk a beautiful section straight from town. The eastern path along the coast toward Liman Ağzı is the gentlest, with sea views every step and a swim stop at the end. A morning is enough; bring water, a hat and sturdy shoes. For something tougher, a half day section out toward Boncuklu Cove is rewarded with one of the best swimming bays on the whole trail.
Photos
