Kekova is a long, narrow island off the Lycian coast, between Kaş and Demre, sheltering a bay of still water where the ruins of an ancient city lie half-submerged. From the boat, looking down through the clear water, you can make out staircases running into the sea, walls, doorways and foundations. On the opposite shore sits the village of Simena, with its castle and its Lycian sarcophagi, one of them standing in the water.
It's a half-day boat trip with no ticket office and no roads, and one of the most enjoyable outings on the Turkish coast. Here's what it's like and how to choose your boat.
A little history
The city on the island's northern shore, known as Dolichiste or Dolikisthe, was a Lycian and later Roman town that made its living from the sea. Earthquakes in the 2nd century AD sank part of the coastline, and what had been the quay, houses and warehouses ended up underwater; the inhabitants moved across to Simena, an existing town on the mainland. Arab raids in Byzantine times finally emptied the island.
Simena carried on as a fishing village, today's Kaleköy, with a Byzantine and Ottoman castle at the top and no road: you can only get there by sea or on foot. Üçağız, the village next door, is where the boats leave from.
What to see in Kekova
The sunken city
The boat moves slowly along the island's northern shore, past steps cut into the rock that disappear into the water, the foundations of houses and the walls of a quay. Below the surface lie amphorae and fragments of pottery, and glass-bottomed boats let you see more of them. Swimming is not allowed here.
Simena and its castle
The village climbs a hill from the jetty: stone houses, bougainvillea, restaurants over the water and, at the top, the castle, with a small theatre carved into the rock. With 300 seats, it's the smallest in Lycia. From the battlements you look out over the whole bay and the island.
The sarcophagus in the sea
Next to the Simena jetty stands a Lycian sarcophagus with its pointed, keel-shaped lid, like an upturned hull, and the sea lapping at its base: this is the classic Kekova photo. Behind the hill, a necropolis holds dozens more among the olive trees.
Üçağız and Teimiussa
The village with the boat jetty has its fish restaurants and, at the far end, the tombs of ancient Teimiussa right at the water's edge, among the moored boats.
Coves for swimming
The boats stop in coves on the island or in Gökkaya Bay, where the water is clear and calm and swimming is allowed. You can also explore the bay by kayak from Üçağız: a guided paddle takes about three hours.
Tips for your visit
Plan on three to five hours on the boat. There's nothing demanding about it: you sit, look and swim. The climb to Simena castle is a ten-minute walk up the village steps.
- Bring swimwear, a towel, a hat and sun cream: the deck is only partly shaded.
- Choose a private or small boat over the big ones: it gets closer to the ruins and stops where you want.
- Go in the morning, when the water is calmer and clearer; the wind can pick up in the afternoon.
- Have lunch in Simena, on a terrace over the water; the village is known for its ice cream.
Tickets and prices
There's no ticket office for the sunken city: you pay for the boat. Simena castle costs €5 under the official 2027 rates published at the time of writing. On my tours the boat and the castle are included, with the guide on board.
How to get there
Boats leave from Üçağız, 40 minutes by road from Kaş and 30 from Demre, and from the harbour at Andriake, in Demre. There are also trips from Kaş itself, with a longer crossing. From Antalya it's about three hours by road to Üçağız.
How we visit it on my tours
On the Turquoise Coast tour, Kekova follows St Nicholas Church and Myra in Demre, on a private boat with time for a swim. For the rest of the coast, read Kaş and the Lycian coast.
If you'd like a day on the water with ruins and coves, message me through plan your tailor-made trip.