Two Very Different Parts of the Same Country
Kaş is our favorite place in Turkey, but it is not the only place worth exploring.
Istanbul is one of the most historically layered cities in the world. It has been the center of three empires and continues to operate at a global scale.
Kaş is a small coastal town built on top of an ancient Lycian city. It is quiet, seasonal, local, and moves on a completely different rhythm.
You don’t go to Kaş for the same reason you go to Istanbul.
Why We Base the Experience in Kaş
We anchor most trips in Kaş for a good reason.
You arrive ito Dalaman, follow the coastal road to the villa, and have time to settle in before the itinerary begins to build.
From there, the days open up.
Local ruins in town.
Archaeological sites like Patara and Olympos.
A full-day boat excursion to Kekova, the sunken city.
Cultural workshops with Ece.
The local market, shared meals, and daily life on the Turkish coast.
The goal is not to move quickly.
It is to understand the place well enough that, by the middle of the week, you are no longer orienting yourself.
You know where you are.
That changes how the rest of the trip feels.
We call this becoming a temporary local.
You Don’t Have to Include Istanbul
Some guests stay on the coast for the full duration.
No transitions.
No packing and unpacking.
No moving between cities.
Just time in one place. Others want to see both, or add another part of Turkey. Neither is better. It depends on how you like to travel and how long you want to spend in one place.
We recommend at least a week in Kaş. The pace is slower here, and that requires time.
Ece is back in Istanbul this week, visiting family.
She’s walking the same streets she grew up on, noticing the small places most visitors pass by without realizing what they’re looking at.
A bakery that has been there for decades. A street lined with small shops. A restaurant she’d choose over the famous one.
And yes, Ece loves food.
In Istanbul, that matters. She knows where to eat, what to order, and which places to visit. That’s the difference. You’re not just visiting the city. You’re being shown it.
P.S.
Every trip is slightly different. Some guests stay in Kaş the entire time. Others add Istanbul or another city. After the first conversation, we can send a private proposal page built around your dates, group, and preferred route.
Görüşürüz, see you later,
Jordan
Your host in Kaş
Likya Scholars
