Kaş

Kas lies on the Mediterranean coast, otherwise known as the turquoise coast, an hour south of the popular town of Fethiye. It is accessible from Dalaman airport (150km, 2 hours’ drive) and Antalya (200km, 3 hours’ drive).

Kas has a delightful small town feel whilst being able to provide all the amenities you could possibly require. It is the district’s main town and therefore home to many of the local authority offices for the surrounding areas. There is a vibrant and busy market every Friday which sells local seasonal produce as well as having a selection of other stalls selling anything from pottery and woodwork to clothes and rugs.

The town has a true cosmopolitan feel as there are many different nationalities of expats and tourists; British, Scandinavians, American, German and French to name a few. The locals and the high percentage of Turkish tourists (approximately 60%) ensure that Kas retains the essence of atraditional small Turkish town. There is no mass tourism so most visitors are independent travellers and small walking or cycling groups.

There are several historical areas in Kas with Lycian tombs scattered at various points throughout the town and the ancient amphitheatre which has been restored to its original state. The centre of the town around the square and the old harbour has lovely narrow streets which are refreshingly shaded from the stronger summer rays. Perfect for strolling and looking around the boutiques and admiring the many bougainvillea which seem to be constantly in bloom. There are plenty of cafes in which you can sit and watch the world go by. The many restaurants offer a wide range and high standard of cuisine which make it very difficult to have a “favourite”.

There is so much on offer from sight-seeing day trips to the various Lycian historical sites, boat trips to the many small islands and for the more energetic kayaking, paragliding, scuba diving, cycling and walking…the list is long. However there is such a relaxed atmosphere that you can’t help but relax into the local leisurely pace of life and just relax. There are many swimming terraces in town where you can relax on a sun lounger and then take a dip in the clear blue waters to cool off. There are a couple of pebbled beaches near town and the world famous Patara beach with its 11miles of soft sand is a 30minute drive away.

Yachting fiends will not be disappointed as the new marina opened in 2011 and boasts 450 moorings. All amenities are housed in a lovely landscaped area with a promenade, several restaurants, supermarket, spa and a travel agency.

The mountainside surrounding Kas creates a natural restriction on the continuing development of Kas and therefore more people (expats and Turks) are looking to the surrounding area for property. Which offers the opportunity for larger properties, more land and the tranquillity of the countryside. Gokseki, Cukurbag and Bayindir are the main villages surrounding Kas.

Gokseki is the larger and more established of the three. It lies to the west of Kas 5minutes along the road towards Kalkan. Sitting on the mountainside it boasts fine views of the Kas peninsula and the Greek island of Meis (Castellorizo). The village has a mosque, a square with weekly Thursday fruit & veg market and two mini-markets. It has quite an artistic and creative vibe as it is home to a number of carpenters’ workshops and there are several resident artists with ateliers and galleries. Like Kas there is a good expat mix with many Europeans living there as well as local Turks; Dutch, German, British etc.

There is a regular bus service running between Gokseki and Kas; the journey is approximately 10minutes. During the day and in the summer every half hour and in the winter evenings every hour. For the more energetic it is an hour’s walk downhill. The Akcagerme beach is also a short walk down the hill or five minutes on the bus. It is a lovely pebble beach with a sheltered bay which makes for smooth water swimming or bathing. The beach is run by the local tourism school and boasts a self-service café, children’s pool with slide, children’s play area and small animal farm.

As yet there are only a handful of properties in Gokseki on the rental market. With recent changes in the governance of the village it is expected to become easier to build and own property in the village.

Cukurbag village sits in the mountain side behind Kas. It offers a more rural feel and a refreshing retreat from the summer heat of the town. The surrounding countryside is also very peaceful – ideal for writing that book that has been lurking within. It is particularly beautiful in the spring time when the almond blossom are in bloom. Many of the buildings have been restored from their original state and are therefore more in keeping with the traditional Turkish architectural style. The Lycian Way runs through the village and the ancient ruins of Phellos are a half hours walk uphill. There is a mosque and an hourly bus service with Kas. There are few local amenities but provisions are available from adhoc touring fruit & veg, fish and bread carts.

There are a number of properties available to rent in the village and also some expat residents.

Bayindir is as yet reasonably undeveloped. It consists of a scattering of houses in the hillside to the east/south of Kas. It is very tranquil and like Cukurbag the slight increase in altitude provides a cooler climate during the summer months. There are some lovely properties in the village developed with reasonable grounds and with fine countryside views. Those with a good elevation also boast a sea view from the upper floors. In the springtime the fields and meadows boast fine blooms of irises.

The amenities available are limited; a mosque, a daily bread service and twice daily bus service to Kas.

There are good opportunities to purchase land and develop in this area and there are currently a small number of properties available for rental.