K A S

Fishing boats and a few yachts in the harbor, a town square with tea-houses and restaurants, classic ruins scattered around - this is Kas, the quintessential Turkish seaside town. This is one of the oldest settlements in the region of Lycia, once ancient Antiphellus. Present day Kas is just above the old town, the little remains of the old town can be seen throughout the streets of Kas. Some sarcophagi can be found resting in the middle of a cobblestone street. There are rock tombs on the northeast of the town that date to the 6th century B.C. To the west of the town stands the Hellenistic theater overlooking the sea. On the western edge of the acropolis are traces of a temple, and tombs of the Roman period are scattered about the town and along the coast. An ancient theatre on the peninsula is within walking distance of the town.

Kas is a lush and tropical town. Star jasmine, gardenia, bougainvillea, palms, figs and pomegranate trees growing in every garden and climbing up as high as four stories up the pensions that line the streets.

Kas lies wedged between mountains and sea, and can be used as a base for boat excursions to several fascinating spots along the coast. You can even make an hour boar ride to Kastellorizo (Meis) for a taste of Greece. The island has a fine 15th century castle, and a village which is one of the least spoiled of the Greek islands thanks to the absence of any economic development since WWII.

If you are lucky enough to find that there is a soccer game - you will find the entire local population glued to TVs set strategically in cafes around the town. Shopping is a treat in Kas. If you want a unique antique kilim or carpet and can handle a very intense and relentlessly persuasive salesman, then visit Ismail at the Attila Carpet Shop in Kas. Don’t be intimidated by him, he won't hurt you. He has unusual kilims that you will not find anywhere else. He speaks English - but we warn you he is 'not wrapped too tight.'