photo: Kaputaş Beach by Eva Barbier
Kas & Fethiye
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Kas - I adored this small beach town built into a cliff along the sea. You can either stay in town or along the peninsula (5 min drive from town). We elected to stay on the peninsula because we wanted to have some time to relax and enjoy the water. It worked out well because we stayed cool in the water during the day and visited the town at night after the temperature dropped to bearable. Parking was easy since there are a few lots (called Oto lots). We usually found street parking and then walked through the pedestrian only streets. There are so many restaurants, bars and little shops along the marina or up the hill. People were out and about enjoying the evening making it a great scene for people watching but it wasn't too crowded. Kas was a great home base for exploring the coast.
Kaputaş Beach - Stunning beach pictured above with golden rocks and Turquoise water. This is located right off the main road in between Kas and Kalkan. You have to park on the side of a busy road and then walk down a large set of stairs to get to the beach. Definitely worth it! If you are traveling by gulet they will probably stop here for a swim.
Kekova Island & Simena - This was another highlight for us. Kekova island used to be a city, but all that is left are partially submerged ruins. The city was destroyed by an earthquake during the 2nd century and was rebuilt during the Byzantine Empire period. It was finally abandoned because of enemy incursions. Nearby Simena is a fishing village that dates back to the 4th century. Simena is still an active village only accessible by boat. Hike up the hill to the ruins of the ancient castle for sweeping views of the region.
We decided to take a boat cruise through the islands on the day of our anniversary. Originally we were going to take a boat from Kas to Kekova but the owner of the hotel advised against it because it was a long boat ride to the island and it would take all day to get there and back. Instead, he recommended we drive to nearby Üçağız and negotiate a private boat tour there since it was very close to the islands. It worked out brilliantly. Upon arrival to Üçağız we asked a guy in the parking lot about a boat tour and he brought us to his friend. We negotiated a price (~230 TL) and got a 2.5 hr private boat tour of the area which included 2 swims and a stop at Simena island. We were so happy we chose the private boat because we passed many boats carrying groups and they were packed full. The rates for the group boats were not much less than our private tour (~180 TL).
Fethiye & Calis Beach - Much larger than Kas, Fethiye is a popular vacation spot for local and foreign families. It is very flat and full of holiday homes and a long strip of hotels that line the beach. The crowd in Fethiye was more family oriented and in Calis Beach where we stayed it was much younger (college aged kids) making it more of a party town. It was incredibly hot during the day here, but cooled down at night so it was tolerable to walk around and try the restaurants on the boardwalk.
Oludeniz Beach - Pretty beach but it was way too hot and crowded when we were there. It may have been better to go here by boat vs. drive and sit on the beach.
Kayakoy- This is a ghost town that was deserted after World War 1 and is the inspiration for the book Birds Without Wings. After the first world war, Turkey's new president (and national hero), Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, agreed to a treaty with Greece with the condition of a population exchange. All the Ottoman Christians were sent to Greece an the Greek Muslims were sent to Turkey. The town of Kayakoy had a very large Christian population so most of it's inhabitants were sent to Greece. When the Greek Muslims arrived they thought that the Ottoman Christians put a curse on their homes and were afraid to live in their former houses so they city was eventually abandoned. Now it is preserved as a museum. Kaykoy is about a half hour drive from Fethiye. We went before sunset and then had dinner at the Levessi Garden.
Kaputaş Beach - Stunning beach pictured above with golden rocks and Turquoise water. This is located right off the main road in between Kas and Kalkan. You have to park on the side of a busy road and then walk down a large set of stairs to get to the beach. Definitely worth it! If you are traveling by gulet they will probably stop here for a swim.
Kekova Island & Simena - This was another highlight for us. Kekova island used to be a city, but all that is left are partially submerged ruins. The city was destroyed by an earthquake during the 2nd century and was rebuilt during the Byzantine Empire period. It was finally abandoned because of enemy incursions. Nearby Simena is a fishing village that dates back to the 4th century. Simena is still an active village only accessible by boat. Hike up the hill to the ruins of the ancient castle for sweeping views of the region.
We decided to take a boat cruise through the islands on the day of our anniversary. Originally we were going to take a boat from Kas to Kekova but the owner of the hotel advised against it because it was a long boat ride to the island and it would take all day to get there and back. Instead, he recommended we drive to nearby Üçağız and negotiate a private boat tour there since it was very close to the islands. It worked out brilliantly. Upon arrival to Üçağız we asked a guy in the parking lot about a boat tour and he brought us to his friend. We negotiated a price (~230 TL) and got a 2.5 hr private boat tour of the area which included 2 swims and a stop at Simena island. We were so happy we chose the private boat because we passed many boats carrying groups and they were packed full. The rates for the group boats were not much less than our private tour (~180 TL).
Fethiye & Calis Beach - Much larger than Kas, Fethiye is a popular vacation spot for local and foreign families. It is very flat and full of holiday homes and a long strip of hotels that line the beach. The crowd in Fethiye was more family oriented and in Calis Beach where we stayed it was much younger (college aged kids) making it more of a party town. It was incredibly hot during the day here, but cooled down at night so it was tolerable to walk around and try the restaurants on the boardwalk.
Oludeniz Beach - Pretty beach but it was way too hot and crowded when we were there. It may have been better to go here by boat vs. drive and sit on the beach.
Kayakoy- This is a ghost town that was deserted after World War 1 and is the inspiration for the book Birds Without Wings. After the first world war, Turkey's new president (and national hero), Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, agreed to a treaty with Greece with the condition of a population exchange. All the Ottoman Christians were sent to Greece an the Greek Muslims were sent to Turkey. The town of Kayakoy had a very large Christian population so most of it's inhabitants were sent to Greece. When the Greek Muslims arrived they thought that the Ottoman Christians put a curse on their homes and were afraid to live in their former houses so they city was eventually abandoned. Now it is preserved as a museum. Kaykoy is about a half hour drive from Fethiye. We went before sunset and then had dinner at the Levessi Garden.
Eat, drink, be merry...snooze
Hadrian Hotel, Kas - Great little hotel. A German couple designed & built it 20 years ago on the peninsula of Kas and it's beautiful. The hotel has an amazing sea view and direct access to the Mediterranean. Since there aren't any sand beaches in Kas, they build platforms along the rocky cliff where you can lounge until you want to swim. Then you jump into the sea (or climb down a small ladder) and enjoy the crystal clear water where you can see interesting rock formations below. Some people have even seen sea turtles! The rooms here are basic, but spacious, clean with air conditioning. They also have a pool and lovely breakfast/lunch area with an amazing view. We recommend renting a car if you stay here, otherwise you'll have to taxi to get to town.
Delta Hotel , Calis Beach, Fethiye - Very modern, clean hotel right on the beach. The A/C could have been stronger but it was adequate. We'd skip Calis Beach and spend the extra time in Kas.
Levissi Garden Restauarant, Kayakoy - Cute restaurant built into the ghost town at Kayakoy. This was a highlight for us in Fethiye!
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Delta Hotel , Calis Beach, Fethiye - Very modern, clean hotel right on the beach. The A/C could have been stronger but it was adequate. We'd skip Calis Beach and spend the extra time in Kas.
Levissi Garden Restauarant, Kayakoy - Cute restaurant built into the ghost town at Kayakoy. This was a highlight for us in Fethiye!
Back to Turkey Main Page
