Explore holidays in Kaş

A taste of Turkey

Breakfast is big event in Turkey, with bread, eggs, cheese, tomatoes, olives, yoghurt and honey all featuring. Going out for breakfast is a lovely holiday treat, though be prepared for a banquet that will probably keep you going till dinner time.

The evening meal will often start with meze: small portions of mainly vegetarian dishes, served with dips and designed for sharing to maximise the sociable nature of the meal. Tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, yoghurt and olive oil form the basis of many dishes, and you’ll also be able to pick out more distinctive flavours such as rosewater, tahini, fresh mint, parsley and dill. Desserts are sweet and sticky and even a tiny portion packs a hefty sugar hit.

Turkish tipples

Turkey produces some delicious wine. Look out for Likya wine if you are dining out (it’s not available in shops), and if you’re stocking up on something to sip on the terrace, try Kavaklidere and Doluca. If you want to be really authentic then reach for a bottle of powerful, aniseedy raki.

Eating locally

While it might be tempting not to stray far from your villa once evening falls, eating out in Kaş has plenty to recommend it, whether you feel like fine dining in a harbourside restaurant, romantic seclusion in a hidden courtyard, or a buzzy traditional lokanta. The land around is rich and fertile, with long hot summers and mild wet winters producing top quality citrus fruits, honey and almonds which will all make their way onto your plate, along with whatever the local fishing boats have been able to land that day. The hardest part of your day might simply be choosing where to eat, for in addition to typical Turkish cuisine you’ll find more international fare including fresh pasta, steaks and even curry.

If you do decide to dine in occasionally, our tip is to shop at the manav (greengrocer) rather than the supermarket for your fresh fruit and vegetables, and check out the Friday market for quality olives and interesting local cheese. Take the opportunity to try something new, and don’t be afraid to ask for a taste.

We asked our representatives to share a few of their favourite ‘off-the-beaten-track’ Kaş experiences. Here are some of their suggestions...

Head for the hills

Around 40 minutes from Kaş, pretty Islamlar nestles in the foothills of the Taurus mountains, and the freshwater streams that run down from these peaks feed the vast tanks that supply the village’s renowned fish restaurants. If you like your fish fresh, this is the place to come, with freshwater trout making the journey from tank to table in a matter of minutes.

A sunset swim

Patara beach is huge, and you can always find space to yourself if you’re prepared to walk a little way, but if you’re looking for the quietest time of the day, pop along around 6pm. The beach closes at 7pm to protect the turtle nesting grounds, but you can enjoy an hour or so of golden evening light, with the ancient ruins as a stunning backdrop.

Uncover the everyday life of the ancients

Andriake has always been one of the less visited sites in the area, but expect that to change with the opening of the Lycian Civilizations Museum, housed in the colossal, 2nd C Granarium. Opened in 2016, the museum contains over 1000 historical artefacts collected at Lycian sites including Myra, Andriake, Patara, Xanthos, Tlos, Arycanda and Olympos. A memorable day out for just five Turkish Lira.

Take tea in the garden

‘Conversations without tea are like a night sky without the moon’ goes the Turkish saying, and tea-drinking in this country is as much about ritual as refreshment. Traditionally served strong and dark in tulip-shaped, glasses, you can experience the real thing in a shady Kaş tea garden.

Guzzle on Gözleme

Gözleme are a typical kind of Turkish street food, a cross between a flat-bread and a pancake, stuffed with sweet or savoury fillings and often enjoyed on the go. Our resort manager Vicki particularly rates the mushroom-stuffed gözleme available at Kaş market, why not buy a few for an easy picnic lunch?