Driving from Antalya to Kaş and Kekova

Kaş is about 190 kilometres from Antalya, roughly three hours of non-stop driving on the D400 coast road. Sea on your right, mountains on your left for most of it: one of the finest drives in Turkey.

Directions

Head west out of Antalya towards Kemer and stay on the D400. After Kemer the road climbs into the mountains and the twisty section begins. Kumluca, Finike and Demre follow in order. From Demre it is another 45 minutes to Kaş.

Your average speed drops on the bends, so add 30-40 minutes to whatever your navigation predicts. In summer expect slow going leaving Kemer and around Finike.

Stops along the way

Demre (Myra) — the most worthwhile stop before Kaş. Lycian tombs cut into the cliff face sit beside a well-preserved ancient theatre. In the same town is the Church of St Nicholas, the bishop behind the Santa Claus figure. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for both.

Çayağzı (Andriake) — Demre's ancient harbour, 5 km from the centre. Kekova boats leave from here. There is a Roman granary and a museum of Lycian civilisations on the site. Worth a short stop even if you are not taking a boat.

Adrasan and Çıralı turn-offs — both on the D400 in the first half of the drive, short detours if you have time.

The sunken city of Kekova

Kekova is an island where an ancient settlement was partly submerged by an earthquake. Boats leave from Çayağzı, Üçağız or Kaş. From the surface you can clearly see staircases, wall foundations and a quay running into the water; glass-bottomed boats show more.

Swimming and diving are forbidden over the sunken city. Most tours stop at Simena (Kaleköy), a small village with a castle above it that no road reaches. Trips run between three and six hours.

In summer, morning departures are calmer; wind often picks up in the afternoon.

What to do in Kaş

Kaş is small and easy to walk. The ancient theatre of Antiphellos sits just above the town and is the local spot for sunset. From the harbour you will find boat trips, diving centres and a ferry to the Greek island of Meis, which needs a visa.

Kaputaş Beach is 20 km from Kaş, right on the road. A small cove reached by a staircase, and one of the most photographed beaches in the country. Parking is limited, so go early.

One day or two

The honest answer is two. Do it in one day and you spend six hours driving, and you will have to give up either Demre or Kekova.

A two-day plan is far more relaxed: stop at Demre on the way, sleep in Kaş, take the Kekova boat the next morning and drive back in the afternoon with a break at Kaputaş. Kaş has guesthouses and hotels at every budget, though booking ahead pays off in summer.

An automatic makes the mountain bends more comfortable, but air conditioning and decent tyres matter more.