Kalkan and Kaş are two of the most beautiful and characterful small towns on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, located just 30 km apart. Both attract a devoted following of visitors who return year after year. But they offer distinctly different experiences — and choosing between them can make a real difference to your holiday. Here’s an honest comparison.
Setting & Atmosphere
Kalkan is a hillside town of whitewashed houses tumbling down to a small harbour, with rooftop terraces, bougainvillea-draped walls, and a sophisticated, upmarket atmosphere. It has a strong British expat and tourist community, and its restaurant scene is genuinely excellent — some of the best food on the entire Turkish coast is served here. The vibe is relaxed, elegant, and slightly exclusive.
Kaş is livelier, younger, and more bohemian in feel. It sits on a small peninsula with a pretty harbour, a charming old quarter of Greek stone houses, and a relaxed, international crowd of backpackers, divers, and independent travelers. It’s less polished than Kalkan but arguably more authentic and certainly more diverse.
Kalkan = upmarket, sophisticated, rooftop dining. Kaş = bohemian, lively, diving, backpacker-friendly.
Beaches
Neither Kalkan nor Kaş has a proper town beach — this is one of the things both destinations share. Kalkan has a small harbour beach and a jetty, but the main beach access is at Kaputaş, a stunning blue-flag beach about 7 km away reached by a steep staircase down the cliffs. Several beach clubs operate boat transfers from Kalkan harbour to various coves along the coast.
Kaş also has a small town beach and a slightly larger pebble beach nearby, but again, the best swimming is reached by boat — the bays and coves around the Kaş peninsula are spectacular. Both towns compensate for their lack of a big sandy beach with excellent boat trip options.
Tip: Kaputaş Beach between Kalkan and Kaş is one of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey — worth visiting from either base.
Book a boat trip or day tour from Kaş or Kalkan:
Diving & Water Sports
Kaş is one of Turkey’s premier diving destinations — the clear waters around the peninsula have excellent visibility, interesting underwater topography, and several ancient wreck and amphora sites. There are multiple well-established dive schools in town. If diving is important to you, Kaş is the clear winner.
Kalkan has some water sports available but is not known as a diving destination in the way Kaş is.
Nightlife & Restaurants
Kalkan punches well above its weight for dining. The rooftop restaurants here — many with stunning views over the harbour and out to sea — serve excellent Turkish and international food at prices that reflect the upmarket clientele. Evenings in Kalkan tend to be about long, leisurely dinners rather than late-night bars.
Kaş has a livelier bar scene and more varied nightlife — there are several rooftop bars, live music venues, and a more animated street life in the evenings. It’s not a party town, but it’s definitely more social and buzzing than Kalkan after dark.
Prices
Kalkan is noticeably more expensive than Kaş — particularly for accommodation and dining. The British tourist market that dominates Kalkan has pushed prices up significantly over the years. Budget travelers will find Kaş considerably more accessible, with a wider range of affordable guesthouses, pensions, and local restaurants.
| Category | Kalkan | Kaş |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Upmarket, sophisticated | Bohemian, lively |
| Beach | Limited (boat trips) | Limited (boat trips) |
| Diving | Basic | Excellent |
| Restaurants | Excellent, pricey | Good, varied |
| Nightlife | Quiet, dinner-focused | Lively, bars & music |
| Budget level | Mid–High | Budget–Mid |
| Best for | Couples, foodies, luxury | Divers, backpackers, mixed groups |
Getting There from Antalya
Both Kalkan and Kaş are about 200 km west of Antalya city center, roughly a 2.5 to 3 hour drive along the D400 coastal road. The scenery on this drive — particularly through the Taurus Mountains and along the Turquoise Coast — is spectacular. There are regular bus services from Antalya’s main bus terminal (otogar) to both destinations.
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Which Should You Choose?
Choose Kalkan if you want a sophisticated, romantic, upmarket atmosphere with excellent rooftop dining and a relaxed pace. It’s ideal for couples, food lovers, and those happy to pay a premium for a beautiful setting. Choose Kaş if you want more of a social scene, are interested in diving, prefer a more bohemian and international atmosphere, or are traveling on a tighter budget. Many visitors actually visit both — they’re only 30 km apart and easily combined in one trip.
Explore the Turkish Riviera with a multi-day tour:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kalkan or Kaş better for families?
Neither town is particularly geared toward young children — both lack sandy beaches and have limited kids’ entertainment compared to Antalya’s resort areas. For families with older children or teenagers, both can work well, but Antalya’s Lara Beach resorts are a much better choice for families with young children.
How far is Kalkan from Kaş?
Kalkan and Kaş are approximately 30 km apart by road — about 30 to 40 minutes by car or dolmuş (shared minibus).
Is Kaputaş Beach between Kalkan and Kaş worth visiting?
Absolutely — Kaputaş is one of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey. A narrow canyon opens directly onto a small sandy cove with incredibly blue water. It’s reached via a steep staircase from the roadside and can get crowded in peak summer, but it’s a must-see from either Kalkan or Kaş.