Kaş is one of the oldest settlements where life has existed since ancient times before Christ. There are different rumors about the names Kas and Andifli. The oldest known rumor about Andifli is first mentioned in Evliya Çelebi. We could not reach a clear word meaning about Andifli. The old name of “Kas” is Andifli. It is one of the oldest and historical districts of our Antalya province. Its history dates back to the Hittites BC. According to a rumor, the island of Meis (Kastellorizo), which is just across the island, was named “Kaş” because it resembles “Kaş” when viewed from a distance.
Meaning of the name Kas, Andifli
In the sources, the Kas region, which is called Antiphellos in Hellenic language, is used in the sense of the opposite of Phellos. Phellos in Greek means “Stony place”. This is the old name of Çukurbağ, the “Stony Place”. Since Kaş was opposite Çukurbağ, it was named Antiphellos. During the Anatolian Seljuk period, it was called Andifli. According to another rumor, Kaş is the name given to a spotless, pure white stone. Lightning would not reach those who carried this stone. When thirsty, when this stone was taken into the mouth, the thirst would end. Since it is a pure and white stone, this name was deemed appropriate for this beautiful district.
Antalya Kas Travel Guide
Kaş is located on the seashore and is a very important point for sea tourism with its 70 km coastal length.
Kas Population
The population of Kaş district is around 60,000 as of 2023. This population increases temporarily with the start of the tourism season in the summer months. The number of local and foreign tourists coming to the region during the summer months is quite high.
Kas Climate
Kaş has a typical Mediterranean climate:
- Summers are hot and dry. Temperatures usually hover between 30-35°C in summer.
- Winters are mild and rainy. However, the winter season is mild, especially like other regions by the sea. Snowfall is rare and winter temperatures are usually around 10-15°C.
- The sea water temperature is quite suitable for swimming in summer and the season lasts long.
Districts and Provinces around Kas
Places to visit in and around Kas
Kas is located in the west of Antalya and is one of the touristic districts of Antalya. The surrounding provinces and districts are as follows:
- Fethiye (to the west): Located to the west of Kas, Fethiye is part of the Mugla province and is a highly developed district in terms of tourism.
- Demre (to the east): Demre is located east of Kas and is a historic town, famous for Santa Claus (St. Nicholas).
- Elmali (northeast): Elmali is a district in the interior of Kas, which is a more mountainous region.
- Kaş is a district bordering the Mediterranean Sea to the south. The Greek island of Meis is the closest island to Kaş and tourists can also visit it.
Kaş Sosyo-Ekonomik Hayat
Kaş’ın ekonomisi büyük ölçüde turizm, tarım, ve hizmet sektörü üzerine kuruludur:
- Tourism: Kaş is one of the most important touristic districts in the list of places to visit in Antalya. It has a great potential especially in terms of nature, sea and cultural tourism. The district is known for activities such as yacht tourism, diving, trekking and paragliding. In addition, features such as the historical Lycian Way, ancient ruins and proximity to Meis Island also support tourism. Tourist businesses, hotels, hostels, restaurants and cafes are concentrated in Kaş.
- Agriculture: Since Kaş has fertile soils, agricultural activities are also common. Especially greenhouse farming is practiced and products such as citrus fruits, olives, tomatoes and eggplants are grown. However, agriculture is not as influential in Kaş’s economy as tourism.
- Service sector: With the development of tourism, the service sector has also grown rapidly. Restaurants, cafes, hotels and boutique businesses serve intensively during the tourism season. At the same time, yacht rental and tour boats services for sea tourism are also quite common.
Kas Natural Beauties and Touristic Potential
Kaş is rich in both natural and historical beauties:
- Kaputas Beach: One of Turkey’s most famous beaches, Kaputas is located between Kas and Kalkan and is mesmerizing with its turquoise blue sea.
- Kekova Island and Sunken City: Kekova Island, located just near Kaş, is extremely popular for diving and boat tours with its sunken city ruins with ancient ruins.
- Antiphellos Ancient City: Located in the center of Kaş, this ancient city is home to ruins from the Lycian civilization. One of the most important structures of the city is the rock tombs.
- Lycian Way: The historical Lycian Way is an important route for nature walks and trekking enthusiasts. Kaş is one of the important stops on this road.
- Diving Tourism: Kaş is one of Turkey’s diving centers. It attracts both local and foreign tourists with its clean sea and underwater riches.
Kas History
Kaş was founded on the city of Antiphellos, a settlement belonging to the Lycian civilization in ancient times. This ancient city was an important port city of the Lycian League and maintained its commercial and strategic importance during the Roman period. There are many Lycian tombs, ancient theaters and ruins around Kaş. The region is rich in history and these ruins are of great interest to tourists. In addition, the island of Meis, opposite Kas, also holds an important place in history.
Kas Transportation
Kas is approximately 190 km from Antalya city center. Transportation is provided by road and Dalaman Airport (Mugla) is approximately 150 km away. Yacht and boat tours are organized by sea, and daily ferry services to Meis Island are also available.
Kas Tourism
Kaş is one of the most important touristic centers of Antalya, known for its natural beauty, historical richness and socio-economic contributions of tourism. Thanks to the advantages offered by the Mediterranean climate, the tourism season is long and it is a region that lives on both agriculture and tourism. Throughout history, Kaş has been known as Lycia (2000 BC), Persians (546 BC), Hellenes (336 BC), Pirates (180 BC), Rome (65 BC), Kingdom of Cyprus (1361 AD), Teke Principality (1308 AD), Seljuks (1085 AD), Byzantine (395 AD), Ottoman (1426 AD), Italy (1919 AD). Today, Kaş has been within the borders of the Republic of Turkey since 1921.
Kaş is one of the leading centers of Turkey especially in terms of diving tourism. Kaş is one of our beautiful districts where you can do many different activities and sports with sea, nature, safari, winter tourism.
