You've probably seen Kaputaş before you get here. It's on the tourist board adverts, the posters at Dalaman arrivals and half the villa websites on this coast, ours included. A small wedge of pale sand and pebbles at the mouth of a gorge, with the coast road crossing a bridge above it and water so blue it looks edited.
It's also small, very popular and a bit of a mission to get down to. None of that is a reason to skip it. It just means a little planning is the difference between a lovely morning and an hour spent circling for a parking space. Here's what you need to know.
Where is Kaputaş Beach?
Kaputaş sits on the D400 coast road between Kalkan and Kaş, about 7 km east of Kalkan and roughly 20 km west of Kaş. From Kalkan it's a 10 to 15 minute drive; from Kaş, closer to 25. Although it's much nearer Kalkan, the beach is run by Kaş Municipality, which is who you pay at the gate.
You'll know when you've arrived. The road swings round a bend, crosses a bridge over the gorge, and the beach appears below you on the right. If you're driving, keep your eyes on the road. That bend has caught out plenty of people looking at the view.
How to get there
By dolmuş
This is the easiest way, and the one most locals would suggest in summer. The dolmuş (shared minibus) between Kalkan and Kaş runs along the D400 and stops right by the entrance to the steps. In season they come roughly every half hour.
Tell the driver "Kaputaş" when you get on, or he may not stop. The fare is small and goes up most years, so carry some Turkish lira in change. Getting back, wait by the roadside at the entrance and wave one down. In late afternoon in July and August the buses coming from Kaş can arrive full, so don't leave it until the last minute.
By taxi
A taxi from Kalkan takes about ten minutes and is the simplest option if you're carrying children's kit or a cool box. Agree the fare before you set off, and ask the driver for a number to ring when you want collecting. Getting a taxi to pass and stop on that stretch of road is down to luck.
By car
The problem with driving is parking. There's a small car park beside the entrance with room for a few dozen cars, then a roadside verge in both directions. In July and August it's usually full by 9 or 10am. After that you'll be parking a long way along a busy, winding road with no pavement, then walking back along it. That's not much fun on your own and a genuinely bad idea with children.
If you drive, go early. If you can't go early, take the dolmuş.
By boat
Most boat trips from Kalkan harbour stop off Kaputaş, usually alongside a visit to the Blue Cave just along the coast. You swim from the boat rather than landing on the beach, but it's a fine way to see the cove without the steps or the crowds. See our guide to Kalkan boat trips.
On foot
Don't. The road between Kalkan and Kaputaş hugs the cliffs and has nowhere safe to walk.
The steps
You'll see "187 steps" quoted everywhere, and that's about right. Different people count anything from 170 to 190, partly because the staircase has been rebuilt over the years. They're concrete and straightforward, and going down is easy.
Coming back up is the part people remember. At midday in August, with a bag and a wet towel, it's a proper climb. It's not possible with a pushchair or wheelchair, and anyone with bad knees should think twice. Pack light, and save some water for the way up.
Before you head down, walk a few metres along the clifftop by the entrance. That's where the postcard photo is taken.
Entry fee, sunbeds and facilities
There's an entrance fee at the gate. It was 50 TL per person in 2025, and visitors in 2026 reported 60 TL for adults and 30 TL for students. Several reports from 2026 also say payment was card only, so bring a card, plus a little cash in case that changes.
Sunbeds and umbrellas are extra and were around 300 TL each in summer 2026. Prices rise most years and there's no refund if the wind gets up and you leave early. Plenty of people skip them and put a towel on the sand. The catch is that the free space is limited and fills by mid-morning in high season.
At the bottom you'll find a café, toilets, showers and changing cabins. Expect queues for all of them in August. There's very little natural shade, so an umbrella is worth it if you're staying more than an hour or two in the middle of the day.
The sea
The water is beautiful, but take it seriously. The beach shelves steeply, so you're out of your depth within a few metres of the shore. On calm mornings the sea can be completely still and the snorkelling around the rocks at either end is excellent.
When the wind picks up, which it often does after lunch, the waves can be a metre or more and there's a strong undertow. Don't count on a lifeguard. Weaker swimmers and small children should stay at the water's edge on a choppy day. For gentler swimming with little ones, see Kalkan beaches and beach clubs and Kalkan with kids.
The gorge
Across the road, under the bridge, is the gorge that formed the beach. When the stream bed is dry, usually from early summer onwards, you can walk a short way into it between tall rock walls. It's cool, quiet and almost nobody bothers. Don't go in after rain.
When to go
Best months: June and September. The sea is warm (warmest in September), the crowds are thinner and the climb back up is kinder. July and August are hot and very busy. May and October are quieter, and the water is still fine for most British swimmers until well into October.
Out of season: From November to April the café and sunbed service may be closed, but the view is just as good and you'll often have the place to yourself. More in Kalkan out of season.
Time of day: Before 10am if you can. You'll find parking, a calmer sea and the clearest colour in the water. The other good window is late afternoon, once the day-trippers have gone and the light softens, though the sea is more likely to be rough by then.
Quick tips
- Arrive early, especially if you're driving.
- Bring water for the climb back up.
- Wear proper sandals or trainers for the steps, not flip-flops.
- Pack a snorkel mask for the rocks at either end of the beach.
- Bring a card for the entrance and café.
- Check the wind before you go. If it's blowing hard, save Kaputaş for a calmer day.
Make a day of it
Kaputaş is easy to combine with lunch in Kaş, 25 minutes further east, or with a boat trip that takes in the Blue Cave. Heading the other way, Patara's 18 km of sand is the opposite experience: room for everyone and no steps at all. See our guides to day trips from Kalkan and Patara Beach and Ancient City.
Staying nearby
Kalkan is the closest base for Kaputaş, and from our villas in Kalkan you can be on the beach before most day-trippers have left their hotels. For everything else in the area, start with our Kalkan travel guide.
Kaputaş Beach FAQs
How many steps are there down to Kaputaş Beach? Around 187. Counts vary between about 170 and 190, but expect a steep staircase of just under 200 steps each way.
Is there an entrance fee? Yes. In 2026 visitors reported 60 TL for adults and 30 TL for students, payable at the gate. Sunbeds and umbrellas cost extra.
Can I get to Kaputaş Beach by public transport? Yes. The Kalkan–Kaş dolmuş stops at the entrance. Tell the driver you want Kaputaş.
Is Kaputaş Beach good for children? For older children who swim well, yes. The steps, the steep shelf and the afternoon waves make it hard work with toddlers.
Is Kaputaş Beach open in winter? You can visit, but the café and sunbed service are seasonal and may be closed. Check locally before you go if facilities matter.