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Kaputas Beach is a turquoise cove in the Kas district of Antalya, right below the D400 coastal road between Kas and Kalkan. It is about 20 km from Kas town centre and about 7 km from Kalkan. You reach the beach by a long staircase down from the road; entry is free, while roadside parking is limited. You can also arrive by sea on boats departing from Kas or Kalkan.
Flanked by high cliffs on both sides, this small cove is one of the most photographed beaches in Turkey thanks to the shades of blue you see from above. This guide covers how to get to Kaputas, the stairs and parking situation, the best times to visit and the options for arriving by sea.
Where Is Kaputas Beach?
Kaputas is a natural cove on the Lycian coast, formed where a canyon opens to the sea. The Kaputas stream, which gives the beach its name, flows down the canyon and meets the sea in the cove. As a result, the cove lies within a protected natural site and its water is noticeably cooler than in the surrounding bays.
| From | Approximate distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|
| Kalkan | 7 km | 10 minutes by car or dolmus |
| Kas town centre | 20 km | 25–30 minutes by car or dolmus |
| Fethiye | 85 km | About 1.5 hours by car |
| Antalya | 190–200 km | About 3 hours by car |
How to Get to Kaputas Beach
By car
Follow the D400 road between Kas and Kalkan; the beach is on the sea side of the road, right next to the canyon bridge. Signs mark the entrance. The road is winding and narrow, so drive slowly; in summer, cars parked badly along the roadside can make traffic difficult.
By dolmus (shared minibus)
Dolmus minibuses running between Kas and Kalkan stop in front of Kaputas. Get on at Kas bus station or in Kalkan centre and tell the driver "Kaputas". Services are more frequent in summer and less frequent off-season, so check the return times in advance.
By boat
The easiest way to reach the beach, and the most unusual angle to see it from, is by sea. Daily tours and private boats from Kas and Kalkan stop at Kaputas for a swim. Arriving by boat spares you the stairs and lets you visit the nearby Blue Cave on the same day.
The Kaputas Stairs
You walk down to the beach on a steep stone staircase from road level. For many years the staircase was known for its roughly 187 steps; recent works are reported to have reduced the number of steps. Either way, the walk down takes 5–10 minutes, and the climb back up is more tiring in the heat.
- The stairs are not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
- Wear non-slip shoes rather than flip-flops.
- Take water and sunscreen with you; shade on the beach is limited.
Parking and Entrance Fee
Entry to Kaputas Beach is free. Services such as umbrellas, sunbeds and the café are optional and paid.
There is no large dedicated car park; cars park in the limited space along the roadside. In July and August this area can be full by around 9:00–9:30 in the morning. If you cannot find a space, it is more practical to leave your car in Kalkan and take the dolmus, or to come by boat.
The Sea and the Beach at Kaputas
The cove is roughly 80–100 metres wide, and the beach is made up of fine sand and small pebbles. From the shore, the sea quickly turns from turquoise to deep blue.
The temperature of the water may surprise you at first: the fresh water brought by the stream cools the sea by a few degrees compared with the surrounding bays, especially in June. On windy afternoons the cove can become exposed to waves; if you are going with children, choose the morning.
The Best Spot for Photos
The postcard view of Kaputas is not taken from the beach but from road level above. The railing at the top of the stairs and the area around the bridge are the best spots to capture the turquoise and navy tones of the cove in one frame. Around midday, when the light falls straight into the cove, the colours look most vivid, but this is also when the roadside is busiest. When you stop for photos, pull your car into a safe area and take care along the road.
Visiting Kaputas with Children
Kaputas is a lovely place for a day out with children, but it helps to think about a few things in advance:
- Stairs: You may need to carry small children; pushchairs cannot be used.
- Water temperature: The stream keeps the sea cool, so short swims with breaks to dry off work best.
- Waves: When the wind picks up in the afternoon, waves breaking on the shore can be challenging for young children.
- Shade: There is little natural shade; rent an umbrella or bring your own.
If the stairs and crowds are a concern, seeing the beach from the sea by boat is a much more relaxed option for families.
Best Time to Visit
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| May – June | Quiet, cool water, few parking problems |
| July – August | Busiest period; arrive before 9:00 |
| September – October | Warm sea, fewer people; the most balanced time |
The best times of day are 8:00–10:00 in the morning and after 16:00 in the afternoon. Between 12:00 and 15:00 it is both hottest and busiest.
Exploring Kaputas by Boat
You can think of Kaputas not just as a beach stop, but as part of a boat route along the Kas coast. With a private boat, you can combine these spots on the same day:
- Blue Cave: A sea cave very close to Kaputas that can only be entered from the sea. See our Kas Blue Cave travel guide.
- Limanagzi: A calm, clear bay opposite Kas town centre. Read our Limanagzi bay guide.
- Aquarium Bay: A clear bay ideal for snorkelling; see places to visit in Aquarium Bay, Kas.
To spend a day at your own pace without the crowds and the stairs, take a look at our Kas boat rental options. If you want to extend your route east, our Kekova travel guide is a good place to start for the sunken city and the bays around it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an entrance fee for Kaputas Beach?
No, entry to the beach is free. Sunbeds, umbrellas and the café are optional paid services.
How many steps are there at Kaputas?
For a long time the staircase was known for having about 187 steps; recent works are reported to have reduced the number. The walk down takes about 5–10 minutes.
Can I get to Kaputas by dolmus?
Yes. The Kas–Kalkan dolmus minibuses stop in front of the beach.
Why is the sea cold at Kaputas?
Fresh water from the Kaputas stream flows out of the canyon into the cove, making the water cooler than in the surrounding bays.
Can I get to Kaputas by boat?
Yes. Daily tours and private boats from Kas and Kalkan stop at Kaputas for a swim.
See Kaputas from the Sea
You see Kaputas at its most colourful from above and at its calmest from the sea. To combine Kaputas, the Blue Cave and the surrounding bays in a single day on a private boat from Kas, send us your date and we will plan the right boat and route with you.
