Kaputaş Beach is a world-famous canyon beach with stunning turquoise water along the D400 road between Kaş and Kalkan, serving as an icon of Turkey.
Its postcard-perfect scenery is featured in countless travel brochures. Tucked away at the mouth of a steep gorge between towering cliffs, the beach captivates visitors with the contrast of its golden sand and azure sea.
Water Features and Natural Charm
The secret behind Kaputaş’s intense turquoise shade lies in natural freshwater mountain springs flowing down the canyon and mixing with the sea at the shoreline. This blend of fresh and salt water, combined with the light-colored sand and fine pebbles on the seabed, creates a striking, photogenic color.
The sea water here is fresh and cool, and the depth increases rapidly. Since the beach faces the open sea, waves are a frequent occurrence, providing fun swims but requiring caution. The beach is managed by the local municipality and offers essential services, though it gets highly crowded in July and August.
Access and the Famous Stairs
To reach the beach from the D400 highway, you must walk down a cliffside staircase of approximately 187 steps. While the descent offers breathtaking photo opportunities, the walk back up in the afternoon heat can be physically demanding. Parking is a major challenge as there is no designated lot; cars line up along the narrow shoulders of the busy highway.
Practical Information
- Location: Lycian coast, D400 highway, about 20 km west of Kaş and 7 km east of Kalkan
- Road: Asphalt highway D400. Taking the local minibus (dolmuş) running between Kaş and Kalkan is highly recommended to avoid severe parking issues, as it drops you off directly at the staircase.
- Infrastructure: Municipal cafe and snack bar, changing cabins, showers, toilets, sunbed and umbrella rentals
- Entrance: Free (sunbed and umbrella rentals are paid)
- Tip: Arrive early in the morning (before 9:30 AM) to secure a parking spot and enjoy the beach before the crowds and heat peak. Exercise extreme caution when walking along the highway.
Beach Photo Gallery
