Kaş facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kaş
Settlement
Kaş town seen from the sea
Map showing Kaş District in Antalya Province
Kaş Location in Turkey
Country	Turkey
Province	Antalya
Area	1,750 km2 (680 sq mi)
Population  (2022)	62,866
• Density	35.92/km2 (93.04/sq mi)
Time zone	TRT (UTC+3)
Area code	0242

Kaş (pronounced "kash") is a lovely town in Antalya Province, Turkey. It is known for fishing, diving, yachting, and tourism. Kaş is also a special district within the province.

The district of Kaş covers an area of 1,750 square kilometers. In 2022, about 62,866 people lived there. Kaş is located 168 kilometers west of the big city of Antalya. It is a popular place for visitors, and many people feel it has kept its natural beauty.

A Glimpse into Kaş's Past

The area around Kaş has been lived in since the Stone Age. However, the town of Kaş itself was likely started by the Lycians. They were an ancient people who lived in this region. In their language, Kaş was called Habesos or Habesa.

Kaş in Ancient Times

Kaş was an important part of the Lycian League. This was a group of independent cities that worked together. The many ancient tombs found here show how important Kaş was during that time.

Later, during the Hellenistic period and under the Roman Empire, Kaş was known as Antiphellus. It served as a busy port for the nearby city of Phellus.

Historic map of Kaş by Piri Reis

A street in Kaş with traditional houses and a Lycian tomb in the background

Changes Over the Centuries

The town faced challenges from Arab attacks. Then, it became part of the Sultanate of Rum, which was ruled by the Seljuk Turks. After the Seljuks, the region came under the control of the Ottoman Turks. At this time, Kaş was known as Andifli.

In 1923, after a war between Greece and Turkey, many people of Greek background living in the area moved to Greece. This was part of a big population exchange.

Modern Growth and Tourism

In the early 1990s, tourism in Kaş began to grow rapidly. Many visitors, especially from the UK and Germany, discovered its charm. This growth led to a lot of new buildings, which sometimes changed the natural look of the area. The Çukurbağ Peninsula, for example, now has many luxury hotels.

Exploring Kaş's Geography and Climate

Kaş is the tenth most populated district in Antalya Province. It sits on a hill that slopes down to Turkey's beautiful Turquoise Coast. The district has a typical Mediterranean climate. This means it has hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

What Grows in Kaş?

The climate in Kaş is perfect for growing many fruits like oranges, lemons, and bananas. In the lower areas, farmers also grow cut flowers and various fruits and vegetables. Many of these are grown all year round in greenhouses.

Higher up in the hills, you can find honey and almonds. There are also large pine forests in the highest parts. The weather gets drier as you go higher. Even though farming is still important, tourism is now the main way people in Kaş make a living. The district has many hotels and guest houses for visitors.

Nearby Greek Island

About 6 kilometers offshore from Kaş is the Greek island of Kastelorizo. In Turkish, this island is called Meis Adası. A Turkish ferry travels to the island every day. You can even visit and return on the same day!

Neighborhoods of Kaş

The Kaş District is made up of 54 different neighborhoods, called mahalle in Turkish.

Tourism and Fun Activities in Kaş

The main tourist area is the charming town of Kaş. However, many other coastal towns and villages in the district, like Kalkan and Gelemiş, also offer places to stay. You can reach the district from both Antalya and Dalaman airports. Kaş itself does not have an airport.

What to Do in Kaş Town

Kaş is a calm and pleasant town. Its narrow streets smell of jasmine flowers, and the sea is a beautiful turquoise blue. You can find many small guest houses and cozy cafes that serve homemade food. There are also small bars where you can relax and listen to live music after a day of exploring.

Kaş hosts an annual arts festival and jazz concerts at its ancient Hellenistic theatre. There have even been underwater ceramics exhibitions by the Kiln Under the Sea arts group!

Diving Adventures in Kaş

Kaş is one of the best places for scuba diving in Turkey. Both beginners and experienced divers love it here. There are more than 15 dive centers and schools, mostly located at the local port. They offer guided diving trips to about 50 different dive spots nearby. When you dive in Kaş, you can see many kinds of fish and other sea creatures. These include octopus and sea turtles.

Besides the amazing sea life, Kaş also has a rich underwater history. There are several wreck sites to explore. Six of these are artificial wrecks, placed underwater to create new homes for sea life and interesting dive spots. There are also two important historical wreck sites. One is a plane from World War II, and the other is a cargo ship from the 1950s. Both sank near small islands close to Kaş.

Another special diving spot is the "Kaş Archaeopark Site." This is a science project where a model of an ancient shipwreck, the Uluburun wreck, and its cargo have been placed underwater. It helps people learn about ancient ships.

Artificial wreck of a Douglas DC-3, one of about 50 dive spots in the vicinity of Kaş

Outdoor Sports and Exploration

Kaş is also a great place for adventurous visitors who love outdoor sports. Many small groups from Europe and independent travelers come here for exciting activities:

• Sea Kayaking in the beautiful Kekova area.
• Mountain biking through the countryside.
• Trekking along the famous Lycian Way.
• Canyoning in the Kibris Canyon.

On Fridays, visitors from the Greek island of Kastelorizo come to Kaş. They enjoy visiting the local markets, especially the central city market. Here, they can find many local products and fresh produce grown in the nearby villages.

Population of Kaş

In 2022, the Kaş district had a population of 62,866 people. The town of Kaş itself is home to 9,084 residents. Other larger towns in the district include Kınık and Ova.

Ancient Lycian tomb in Kaş.

Interesting Places to Visit

Nightfall in Kaş

• The town of Kaş has an ancient Hellenistic theatre. It also has many other historical sites, beautiful beaches, and several caves. Some of these caves are even underwater!
• For scuba divers, there are several special spots underwater. One features an underwater sculpture of a shark made by Kemal Tufan. Another is a submerged Douglas DC-3 plane.
• Popular beaches to visit include Kaputaş Plajı, the small Seyrekcakil Plaji, or Belediyesi Halk Plajı.
• Sailors can use the new marina, which has facilities for both short and long stays.
• The mountains behind the coast offer great places for trekking, climbing, and canyoning.
• You can also explore the ruins of ancient cities like Komba (in Gömbe village), Nisa, Kandyba, Phellos, Istlada, Apollonia, Isinda, and Kyaenai.
• A common trip from Kaş is to Kekova island, which is in the nearby district of Demre. In the bays around Kekova, you can see the remains of ancient ships and cities that sank underwater due to earthquakes long ago. The water is so clear that you can often see details like staircases or columns from a boat. This area is also popular for sea kayaking. To protect its rich natural life, Kaş was added to the specially protected Kekova marine area in December 2006.

Panorama

Panoramic view of Kaş, showing the bay and offshore islands. On the left, the island of Kastelorizo (Turkish: Meis) can be seen.

Images for kids

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  The Marina of Kaş by night