A Complete Travel Guide to Kabak, Turkey

Best Things to Do in Kabak

1. Relax by the beach

The whole point of visiting Kabak is to do nothing but relax. With a beautiful sandy beach, a nice beachside accommodation that often includes breakfast and dinner, and a location away from the bustling city life, what more can you ask for?

You can grab your favorite book and sit at resort restaurants and bars along the beach with your favorite cocktail, or you can bathe in the sun or go for a swim in the turquoise-colored ocean.

The things you can do in Kabak are limitless! As long as you are planning to do nothing, of course. 🤣 So don't feel bad for not doing anything while you are on holiday. Just indulge yourself in the sun and the ocean, and you would have done almost everything you can do here.

2. Do Yoga

Kabak is also a popular place for yoga enthusiasts. There are countless yoga courses provided by guesthouses and resorts in Kabak that you can enroll in. So, if you are looking for a quiet place to do yoga by the beach in Turkey, Kabak is the place to be.

3. Hike to the Butterfly Valley

The whole point for Kabak is to do nothing, but that doesn't mean that Kabak doesn't have anything to offer. In fact, if you like hiking, there are a ton of hiking trails you can tackle in Kabak, and one of them is a hike to the Butterfly Valley in Faralya.

The Lycian Way trail connects the two towns together, and you can easily hike to one another in around 3 hours. The trail hugs along the coastline, offering stunning views of the ocean and the mountainous landscape of the southwestern coastline of Turkey all around.

You can spend a day hiking from Kabak to Faralya at the top of the Butterfly Valley, go down to the beach (it is very steep hiking here, so do not carry anything big with you) for a swim, and come back up and catch a minibus back to Kabak.

The trail is quite straightforward and not too technical, except for the way up and down the Butterfly Valley if you wish to go down there. This section is one of the most dangerous sections around here due to its steepness, so please be extra careful. The section should take about 40 minutes to go up and down one way.

If you are planning to hike, make sure that you are equipped with enough water and snacks. You might be able to hike without carrying food, as there are stops you can make along the way, like at Actas Beach. However, water is extremely essential for your hike, as it can get blazingly hot, especially in the summer. So please, prepare accordingly.

For a complete guide to the Butterfly Valley, check out:A Complete Travel Guide to the Butterfly Valley, Turkey

4. Hike to Paradise Beach

Another thing you can do in Kabak is hike to the secret Paradise Beach, a quiet and more remote white sand beach located further south of Kabak. I very much prefer this beach to the one in Kabak, to be honest, as there was no one but us when I was there.

Paradise Beach is probably what Kabak beach must have been like when it was first discovered by travelers. There is nothing on the beach except a little tent for shade, and you can spend hours swimming in the ocean without seeing anyone. You can also go skinny-dipping if you have always wanted to do that.

The hike consists of many ups and downs with moderate difficulty. It took us around 3 hours to hike from Kabak to Paradise Beach and another 3 to hike back, so if you are planning to do the hike, I highly recommend you start as early as you can.

For the hiking trail, you can simply punch in "Paradise Beach" in the Maps.me app on your phone. You can follow the trail from Kabak as shown in the app, or you can just stick to the yellow/red waymarked trail, and you should be golden. It's a 6 km hike in total, so be sure to calculate your hiking time accordingly.

When to Visit Kabak, Turkey?

While June-August is considered the peak season, I do not think it is the best time to visit Kabak. While the water is nice and warm, you will also be dealing with a large tourist crowd, as well as the jacked-up prices at hotels, which is not ideal. Plus, it is probably one of the hottest months to visit, making it less enjoyable to explore and hike around.

What I would recommend instead is to visit during the shoulder seasons, either in May or September, where the tourist crowds are starting to wind down, the prices of hotels are starting to fall back to their normal level, and the water should still be warm enough to swim.

Also, keep in mind that from May to June is Ramadan, and even though you won't have a problem finding food places like Istanbul, it is going to be much more difficult for places like Faralya.

How to Get to Kabak, Turkey?

The closest city with a bus station to Kabak is Fethiye, and in order to travel there, you are going to have to get yourself to Istanbul first.

Thankfully, Istanbul is one of the largest hubs in the region, and you should have no trouble finding a flight from your home country to one of the 2 main airports in the city, Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW).

From the US, there are several direct flights you can take to Turkey from major cities in the US like New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, etc. All of these flights are operated by Turkish Airlines, so you shouldn't have trouble finding a flight from the US to Turkey.

From Europe, you can fly from the most popular European hubs like London, Paris, or Frankfurt via Turkish Airlines or local carriers such as British Airways, Air France, or Lufthansa, which also offer direct flights to Istanbul or Ankara.

From Asia, you can fly directly with Turkish Airlines from several hub cities like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Jakarta, and Bangkok. You can also go with other Middle Eastern airlines like Qatar, Emirates, and Etihad if you are willing to transit to get a cheaper deal.

To find a cheap flight to Turkey, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule, so you can compare and pick the best one.

Getting From Istanbul to Fethiye, Turkey

By Bus: From Istanbul, you are going to have to take a bus to Fethiye. There are more than 20 buses traveling between the two cities from 3 AM to 9 PM every day. The journey will take around 12-14 hours, and it will cost 27-37 USD per person.

It is a long journey, but you won't find a cheaper option than this. If you are planning to take the bus, I highly recommend you book the ticket beforehand with the link here: Book a bus from Istanbul to Fethiye.

By Plane and Bus: You can also fly into Dalaman and catch a bus from Dalaman Bus Terminal to Fethiye. A flight from Istanbul to Dalaman will take about 1 hour and cost around 30 USD. You can book the flight here.

From Dalaman, go to Dalaman Bus Terminal and catch the 1:40 PM daily bus to Fethiye. The journey will take about 1 hour and cost 14 USD per person. You can book the bus from Dalaman to Fethiye here.

This is one of the fastest ways and quite affordable, so if you are short on time, I highly recommend flying into Dalaman and taking a bus to Fethiye instead.

By Plane and Rented Car: You can also fly into Dalaman and rent a car to drive to Fethiye or even Faralya and Kabak without having to hike as well. You can rent a car right at the airport for $37 per day and visit all the attractions I listed here at your own leisure (except the Butterfly Valley beach where you will have to get on a cruise from Oludeniz).

Rent a car in Dalaman

Getting From Fethiye to Kabak, Turkey

By Minibus (Dolmus): From Fethiye, you can take a minibus from Fethiye Bus Terminal straight to Kabak. The minibus runs from 7 AM to 6 PM in the summer, and it runs every hour except at 8 AM. The whole journey should take about an hour. You can find the latest bus schedule here.

How to Get Around Kabak, Turkey?

By Hiking: When people visit Kabak, more often than not, they are looking to do absolutely nothing but relax. However, you can also spend some time hiking around the area. After all, Kabak is located right along the Lycian Way, and you can pretty much reach anywhere on foot with this coastline trail.

By Minibus (Dolmus): The minibus runs from Fethiye to Kabak, including stops like Faralya (Butterfly Valley) and Oludeniz, so you can pretty much get around the area with a minibus.

From Fethiye, you can take the bus from Fethiye Bus Terminal or, if you are in Kabak, you can take the bus from in front of Olive Garden Restaurant. Anywhere else, like Faralya or Oludeniz, you can just flag one from the road.

Again, you can take the bus from Fethiye Bus Terminal to Oludeniz, Faralya, and Kabak. The bus runs every hour from 7 AM to 6 PM (except 8 AM) in the summer, and less frequently in winter. It will take about one hour to travel the entire route.

How Many Days To Spend in Kabak, Turkey?

Depending on how long you want to relax by the beach, but I think 2 days should be enough to enjoy a nice quiet time in Kabak while also having a day to hike around the Lycian Way. Below is a rough 2-day itinerary for Kabak.

Day 1: Relax on the beach in Kabak, go for a swim, or simply do absolutely nothing.

Day 2: Hike along the Lycian Way trail around Kabak. Hike to Butterfly Valley or Paradise Beach, etc.

How Much Money Do I Need For Kabak, Turkey?

With the rough itinerary above, we can calculate approximately how much you will be spending in Kabak as follows:

Accommodation: For 3 nights staying in a guesthouse in Kabak, it should cost around 102 USD (876.85 TRY) for accommodations.

Food: Since breakfast and dinner are included in the accommodation, you can expect to pay around 60 TRY for lunch each day for three days.

Transportation: Minivans are cheap, and with the option to hike around to most places, you can expect to pay around 20 TRY for transportation or less.

Activities: Since we will be hiking and relaxing on the beach, you won't have to pay for anything, so 0 TRY for activities in Kabak.

Total budget for 3 days in Kabak: 956.85 TRY (111.1 USD)

Is it Safe in Kabak, Turkey?

In terms of people, it is very safe, and they are very friendly. In fact, I left my wallet in a minibus, and I got it back in about 3 hours. That is how genuinely nice the people are here.

That said, some of the hiking trails on the Lycian Way can be a little technical, so I recommend that you wear good sturdy shoes when you are hiking. When hiking, stick to the white/red waymarked trail so that you know you are walking along the Lycian Way.

Let your accommodation know where and when you are hiking just in case. Also, always have the Maps.me app (Android | iOS) installed on your phone and save the map of the area offline before you start hiking. That way, when you cannot find the way, the app will help guide you in the right direction to the correct trail.

Other than that, it is pretty safe. Just make sure to take all the precautions if you are planning to hike. If you just want to relax by the beach, there is nothing to worry about at all.

Which tourist SIM card is best for Turkey?

Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Kabak, Turkey without having to switch out your physical SIM card.

Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Kabak, Turkey:

There are three major carriers in Turkey: Turkcell, Vodafone, and Turk Telekom, all of which offer a pretty similar range of traveler's packages as well as coverages.

I personally use Turkcell's Tourist Welcome Package, which costs around 149 TRY for 30 days. It comes with 20 GB of data, unlimited messaging, and 200 local minutes, which is more than enough for my trip to Turkey.

You can also go cheaper with an 8 GB 30-day plan for 60 TRY, and the price goes down from there depending on the GB you want for your data sim card. Keep in mind that a foreign phone with a local sim card has a grace period of 120 days. So, if you are planning to stay longer than 120 days, you are going to have to register your phone with the authority, which is unlikely to happen for tourists like us.

For more information about Turkey's local SIM card: Turkey's Prepaid Data SIM Card.

Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

What to Pack for Kabak, Turkey?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Kabak, Turkey:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Kabak, Turkey in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Further Reading for Turkey

Turkey is a country that stands in the middle of Europe and Asia. Empires rose and fell on this land, and in order to see Turkey as a whole, you will have to go further than just Istanbul.

Here are a selection of articles and travel guides that you might need to further plan your trip to Turkey.

• First time visiting Turkey? Here are the 15 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Turkey.
• Looking for a complete itinerary and travel guide for Turkey? Check out our One Month Itinerary for Turkey.
• Have a transit flight between IST and SAW airports in Istanbul? Here is a complete guide on How To Get From Sabiha Gokcen To Istanbul Airport And Vice Versa.
• Istanbul is the crown jewel historical city of Turkey and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There are a lot of things to do, and you are going to need a complete travel guide to see them all. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Istanbul, Turkey.
• A lot of Roman influence can be seen throughout Turkey. One of the best places to see this is at Ephesus ruins in Selcuk. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Selcuk and Ephesus.
• Pamukkale is home to the ancient travertines of Pamukkale, and it is a place you should definitely visit in Turkey. Here is A Complete Travel Guide to Pamukkale, Turkey.
• The southwestern coast of Turkey boasts some of the most stunning beaches, cliffs, and hiking trails in the country, and one of the best places you shouldn't miss is the Butterfly Valley. Here is A Complete Travel Guide to the Butterfly Valley, Turkey.
• You can't deny it, Cappadocia is one hell of a stunning place to travel to, and there are a ton of things you can do there. From riding a hot air balloon to hiking, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Cappadocia, Turkey.
• Mt. Nemrut and its massive stone statues of gods is one of the most unique places I have ever seen, but it is not the easiest place to visit. To save you the trouble, here is A Complete Travel Guide to Mt. Nemrut and all the information you need to make the journey as I did.
• If you are planning to travel to Eastern Turkey, Van is one of the cities you must stop by. Known for its awesome breakfast and its location by the largest lake in Turkey, here is A Complete Travel Guide to Van, Turkey.
• Visiting Sumela Monastery is one of the highlights of traveling to Eastern Turkey, but due to its remote location, getting there can be tricky. Here is How to Travel to Sumela Monastery, Turkey and all the information you need to make the trip happen.
• Ani, the ancient Armenian City in Kars, is the highlight of Eastern Turkey, but it can be quite tricky to visit unless you know how to do it properly. Here is How to Travel to Ani, Turkey and all the information you need to make the trip happen.
• Not convinced by my words? Maybe these photos of Turkey will help! 45 Photos that will inspire you to travel to Turkey.
• Since you are already all the way east, why not cross the border from Turkey to Georgia and make your way to Tbilisi, a vibrant capital city of Georgia? Check out my Georgia Travel Guide to plan your next trip to Georgia.
• For all articles about Turkey, visit the Turkey Travel Guide page.
• Looking for more travel guides for the Middle East? You can find more on my Middle East Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.