Kekova is one of the more genuinely unusual places in Turkey. An ancient Lycian city partly submerged in a protected bay, visible through clear water from a boat. A Byzantine castle on a hilltop above a small fishing village. Rock-cut tombs carved into cliffs two and a half thousand years ago.
Most visitors reach Kekova as part of a day trip from Antalya, combined with Myra and the Church of St Nicholas in Demre. It’s a long day, about two hours each way from Antalya, but the combination of sites justifies it. This guide covers what you’ll see, how to get there, and what to expect.
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What Is the Kekova Sunken City?
The Kekova sunken city is a partially submerged ancient settlement on the northern shore of Kekova Island, visible from the surface of the water. It sank following a series of earthquakes in the second century AD. The structures, walls, staircases, building foundations, and harbour installations, remain visible just below the waterline in water shallow enough to see clearly from a boat.
The site is protected. Diving and swimming directly over the ruins is restricted. Boat tours pass slowly above the submerged structures, and the visibility is typically good enough to see the ruins clearly without entering the water.
The broader area around Kekova includes the village of Kaleköy (ancient Simena), a Byzantine castle, Lycian sarcophagi at the waterline, and the open bay used for anchorage since antiquity.
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How to Get to Kekova from Antalya
Kekova is located near the town of Demre (ancient Myra), in the Antalya province. The drive from central Antalya takes approximately two hours each way.
| Route Detail | Time / Distance |
| Antalya to Demre | ~2 hours (~170 km) |
| Demre to Kekova bay (boat) | ~30-40 minutes by water |
| Total day trip length | 10-12 hours including all sites |
Most visitors reach Kekova by guided day tour from Antalya. The tour typically combines three sites: Kekova by boat, the rock tombs at Myra, and the Church of St Nicholas in Demre. Doing all three independently in a single day requires a rental car and careful timing.
If you’re planning independently, the nearest town with boat access to Kekova is Ucagiz, a small village with local boat operators. Kas, further west along the coast, also offers day trips to Kekova.
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What You’ll See at Kekova
The standard Kekova day trip covers four distinct sites. Here’s what each one involves.
The Sunken City Boat Tour
The boat tour is the centrepiece of any Kekova visit. Boats depart from the small harbour at Ucagiz and pass slowly along the northern shore of Kekova Island, where the submerged ruins run for roughly four kilometres.
The water is calm and typically clear. You can see the outline of buildings, walls, and ancient steps descending into the bay. The boat pauses at key points and the guide explains what you’re looking at. Swimming directly over the ruins is not permitted, but boats stop at designated swimming spots in the bay.
The boat tour takes around two to three hours including transit and swimming stops. The setting, protected bay, pine-covered hills, isolated water, is one of the quieter places you’ll find in the region, even in peak season.
Simena Castle and Kaleköy Village
Kaleköy is a small village on the peninsula opposite Kekova Island. It has no road access. The only way to reach it is by boat.
The village sits below the Byzantine castle of Simena, which is reached by a steep path of around 20-30 minutes from the waterfront. The castle dates to the medieval period and was built on top of much older Lycian foundations. At the summit, there is a small Roman theatre carved into the rock, one of the smallest in the ancient world, with around a dozen rows of seating.
The view from the castle walls covers Kekova Island, the sunken ruins visible below the water, and the surrounding coastline in both directions. It is one of the better views in the region.
The Lycian sarcophagi at Kaleköy are visible from the water and along the village path. Some are in the sea itself, half-submerged at the waterline.
Myra: The Lycian Rock Tombs
Myra, near the modern town of Demre, contains some of the best-preserved Lycian rock tombs in Turkey. The tombs were carved directly into the cliff face around the fourth century BC, stacked in rows across the rock. They are elaborate, some have carved facades imitating wooden house fronts, with decorative details still readable after more than two thousand years.
Below the cliff face is a large Roman theatre, built around the second century AD. It seats several thousand and is in good condition. Most Kekova day trips allocate around 45-60 minutes here.
Myra is a short drive from Demre town centre and the Church of St Nicholas.
Demre: The Church of St Nicholas
Demre is the ancient city of Myra. The Church of St Nicholas is built over the tomb of the fourth-century bishop Nicholas of Myra, the historical figure behind the Santa Claus tradition.
The church is Byzantine, built in the sixth century and expanded in later periods. Frescoes and mosaics remain, partially intact. The tomb of Nicholas, empty but original, is in the side nave.
It’s a short stop, 30 minutes is enough. But the historical connection is more significant than most visitors expect: this is the actual burial site of the bishop whose charity stories, passed through European folklore, eventually produced the modern Santa Claus figure.
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What the Demre Myra Kekova Day Tour Covers
The standard day tour from Antalya covers all four of the above sites in a single day. Our [Demre Myra Kekova tour] departs in the morning, includes hotel pickup from Lara, Belek, Kemer, and Kundu, and combines:
– Kekova sunken city boat tour with swimming stop
– Simena Castle and Kaleköy village (optional climb)
– Myra rock tombs and Roman theatre
– Church of St Nicholas, Demre
Entrance fees and the boat tour are included. You pay on the tour day, no deposit at booking.
The day is long. Departure is typically around 08:00 and return to hotel between 19:00 and 20:00. The drive is the significant investment. The sites themselves are spread across a 30-kilometre area around Demre, and the boat section adds another hour of water travel.
For a broader look at [Kekova excursions and day trips], including private tour options, see the Kekova destination page.
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Best Time to Visit Kekova
The bay is calm and the ruins are visible year-round, but conditions vary by season.
**Spring (April-May):** Good visibility in the water, moderate temperatures, fewer boats. The surrounding hills are green. This is one of the better windows for the boat tour.
**Summer (June-August):** The most popular season. The bay is busier with private yachts and tour boats. Visibility is still good, but Kaleköy and the swimming areas are crowded. If visiting in summer, earlier departure gives you quieter conditions at the ruins.
**Autumn (September-October):** Arguably the best combination of warm water, reduced crowds, and clear light for photography.
**Winter (November-March):** Tours run year-round. The bay is significantly quieter and the ruins are unchanged. Myra and the Church of St Nicholas can be explored with almost no other visitors. Water temperature drops and swimming stops are less appealing, but the cultural sites are fine.
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Practical Tips Before You Go
**Comfortable shoes for Simena Castle.** The path up to the castle is steep and uneven. If you have mobility concerns, the waterfront of Kaleköy and the view from below are still worth the boat ride even without climbing.
**Swimwear and a towel.** The boat stops for swimming in the bay. The water is clear and the swimming stops are a good part of the day.
**Sun protection.** The boat has shade, but the walk at Myra is exposed. Sunscreen and a hat are useful from April through October.
**Motion sickness.** The Kekova bay is protected and the water is generally calm. The drive from Antalya is winding in the mountain sections. If you’re susceptible, take precautions before the bus journey.
**Camera.** The Simena Castle view, the submerged ruins from the boat, and the cliff face at Myra are all strong photographs. Morning light on the Kekova bay is particularly good.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kekova Sunken City
The Kekova sunken city is a partially submerged ancient Lycian settlement on the northern coast of Kekova Island in Turkey. It sank after a series of earthquakes in the second century AD. Building foundations, walls, and harbour structures remain visible just below the waterline. The site is a protected archaeological zone, diving is restricted, but it is clearly visible from tour boats.
Kekova is approximately 170 kilometres from central Antalya, around two hours by road. Day tours from Antalya typically depart around 08:00 and return by 19:00-20:00, covering Kekova, Myra, and Demre in a single day.
Swimming directly over the submerged ruins is not permitted, the site is protected. Boat tours stop at designated swimming areas in the surrounding bay, away from the ruins. The water is clear and the swimming stops are a regular part of the day trip.
Simena Castle, also called Kaleköy Castle, is a Byzantine fortification on a hilltop above the village of Kaleköy, on the peninsula opposite Kekova Island. It is only accessible by boat. The castle contains a small Roman theatre carved into the rock. The view from the walls covers the sunken city below the water and the full Kekova bay.
Yes, for most visitors who haven’t been before. The combination of the sunken city, Simena Castle, and the Myra rock tombs is one of the more historically layered day trips available from Antalya. The drive is long but the sites are far enough from the city that most visitors would not reach them otherwise. It is best suited to travellers with three or more nights in the Antalya area.
