When we went to Kaş, it was hot! The kind of hot where your clothes stick to your skin and water evaporates from your body quicker than you can get it down your neck. At 3 ‘o’ clock in the afternoon, this is probably why we, and a couple of other tourists, were the only people brave (or stupid) enough to venture outside. The drive from Kalkan is truly majestic, as the D400 hugs the coast the entire way.
Kaş by day is a sleepy town, with shop sellers idly sat in shop doorways, passing the time with their neighbours and languishing a hand fan in a useless attempt at generating a cool breeze. The warren of narrow streets provided us with some protection from the afternoon sun, but the best refuge was the communal tea gardens which line the harbour, sipping a cool ice tea. Local Turks sit in the tea gardens discussing politics or swapping gossip and the town has general feeling of lethargy. You could imagine that in the twenties, Kaş might have been a popular haunt for an artists commune – with brilliant views and the creative local artisans.
In 4th Century BC, Kaş or Habesos belonged to the Lycian League and the town’s importance is confirmed by the King’s Tomb, as the locals call it. Sitting at the top of Uzuncarsi street, the King’s tomb is built in a pillar style in three parts with lions adorning the lid to protect the dead. Under the Greek and Roman period, Antiphellus, as it was known, thrived as a trading port exchanging timber and sponges with other local islanders.
My only warning would be, should you see an ice cream vendor on the front, claiming to be a Mel Gibson look-a-like, don’t be tempted to buy a scoop his overpriced goods – no matter how hot it is!
Get the Knack
It was just too hot when we visited Kaş, but do take a look at the well-preserved amphitheatre!