# Kekova Sunken City and Simena, Kaş > Kekova is an uninhabited island between Kaş and Demre whose north shore hides the half-sunken ruins of the Lycian town of Dolichiste. You see them from a boat or kayak only — swimming over the ruins is banned. Then comes Kaleköy (ancient Simena), whose castle costs €4 for foreign visitors. From Kaş it is a full-day gulet trip, or a 45-minute drive to Üçağız plus 2–3 hours by boat, mainly April to October. Web page: https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-kekova - City: [Kaş](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas), Turkey - YesGo score: 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 4 h - Entry: Boat priced by operators, castle €4 - Opening hours: Simena castle: 1 April–31 October 8:30–19:00 (last entry 18:30), 1 November–31 March 8:30–17:30 (last entry 17:00); boats mainly April–October - With kids: Fine with kids - Simena castle (foreign visitors): €4, age 8 and over - Children under 8: Free - Museum pass: Museum Pass The Mediterranean accepted - Castle hours, summer: 1 April–31 October, 8:30–19:00, last entry 18:30 - Castle hours, winter: 1 November–31 March, 8:30–17:30, last entry 17:00 - Sunken city: Seen from a boat or kayak only; no landing, no swimming over the ruins - Boat from Kaş: Full-day gulet from the harbour, ≈ 7–8 hours - From Üçağız: ≈ 35 km by road from Kaş, ≈ 45 min; 2–3 hour boats from the quay - Boat season: Mainly April–October; in winter by arrangement - Where: Kaleköy and Üçağız, Demre district, Antalya province - Coordinates: 36.19083, 29.86139 - Facts checked: 30.10.2026 ## Key facts - **2nd century AD** — an earthquake dropped part of the Lycian town of Dolichiste into the sea (source: English Wikipedia: Kekova; antalya.com.tr: The Sunken City) - **Sea access only** — no road reaches Kaleköy (Simena) — come by boat or on foot (source: English Wikipedia: Kekova and Simena; Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism) - **€4** — Simena castle entry for foreign visitors aged 8 and over (source: Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism: Antalya Simena Archeological Site) - **≈ 4.5 km²** — the size of Kekova island, which is uninhabited (source: English Wikipedia: Kekova; Russian Wikipedia: Кекова (остров)) - **1990** — the Kekova area was declared a Specially Protected Area (source: English Wikipedia: Kekova; medgulets.com) - **260 km²** — the size of the Kaş–Kekova protected area (source: English Wikipedia: Kekova; Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism) - **7 rows** — of rock-cut seats in the tiny theatre inside the castle, about 300 places (source: Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism; lycianmonuments.com) - **4th century BC** — the earliest evidence of Simena as a Lycian harbour town (source: Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism; English Wikipedia: Simena) - **Sarcophagus in the sea** — a Lycian tomb stands in the shallows by Kaleköy's quay (source: English Wikipedia: Simena; medgulets.com) - **UNESCO tentative list** — Kekova is on Turkey's tentative World Heritage list (source: English Wikipedia: Kekova; Russian Wikipedia: Кекова (остров)) - **Baths of Titus** — remains of Roman baths at the water's edge, dedicated to Emperor Titus (source: English Wikipedia: Simena; Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism) > **No swimming over the sunken city** The ruins along Kekova's north shore are a protected zone: no swimming, snorkelling, diving or anchoring, and no landing on the island. Boats crawl past slowly and you look down through the water. Swim stops come in the coves along the way — usually Tersane Bay — and at Kaleköy. Grab a seat on the island side of the boat. ## Is the Kekova sunken city worth it? Yes, if you like your sea days with some history. In one trip you get clear turquoise water, Lycian stairs and walls disappearing into the sea, a car-free village and a castle with one of the best views on this coast. It is one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips from [Kaş](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas). Set your expectations, though: this is not an Atlantis of streets on the seabed. The ruins lie in the shallows along the shore and you pass them in a few minutes. The day is really about the boat, the swims and Simena. If you only want a beach, [Kaputaş](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-kaputas-beach) is simpler. ## Kekova boat trip prices and Simena castle tickets There is no ticket for the sunken city itself — you pay for the boat. Gulet trips from Kaş, small boats from Üçağız and kayak tours are run by private operators, and prices change each season, so compare a few at the harbour or online. Full-day gulets from Kaş usually include lunch on board. **Simena castle** costs **€4** for foreign visitors aged 8 and over; under-8s are free. The ticket office charges the lira equivalent. The **Museum Pass The Mediterranean** is accepted. The walk up from the village takes 10–15 minutes on steps. ## How to get to Kekova from Kaş 1. Easiest: a full-day gulet from Kaş harbour, 2–3 minutes' walk from Republic Square (Cumhuriyet Meydanı). Boats leave in the morning and return late afternoon, about 7–8 hours. 2. On your own: drive or take a taxi east on the D400 towards Demre and follow the turn-off to Üçağız — about 35 km, 45 minutes. We could not confirm a regular dolmuş to Üçağız; ask at Kaş otogar. 3. At Üçağız quay, hire a boat for 2–3 hours: past the sunken city, a swim at Tersane and a stop at Kaleköy. 4. You can also walk from Üçağız to Kaleköy on a coastal path, about 1 km — there is no road for cars. 5. In Kaleköy, climb to Simena castle: last entry 18:30 in summer, 17:00 from 1 November. 6. On the way back, add [Myra](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-myra) in Demre — another 25–30 minutes east. ## Kekova kayak tour Sea kayaking gets you closer to the ruins than any gulet: you paddle along the shore over the shallows, with walls and steps right below you. Tours start from Üçağız; with the transfer from Kaş they take 6–8 hours, a few of them on the water in a sheltered bay. No experience is needed — a guide paddles with the group. The same rules apply: no landing on the island and no swimming over the ruins. ## What to see in Kekova and Simena - **The sunken city of Dolichiste** — stairs, walls and foundations along Kekova's north shore, seen from the boat. - **Tersane Bay** on the island — the usual swim stop, with old ruins on the beach. - **The sarcophagus in the sea** at Kaleköy — a Lycian tomb with its base underwater and its lid above it. - **Simena castle** — crenellated walls above the village and the whole bay below. - **The theatre inside the castle** — seven rows cut into the rock, one of the smallest in Lycia. - **The necropolis** of sarcophagi on the slope east of the castle. - **The Baths of Titus** — Roman walls at the water's edge below the village. - **Üçağız** — a quiet harbour village with sarcophagi of ancient Teimiussa by the water. ## When to go May, June, September and October are best: warm sea, less heat and calm, clear water. In July and August the coves fill with boats and the deck and castle get very hot at midday — bring a hat and water. From November to March most gulets are laid up; you will need to arrange a boat in Üçağız, and nobody goes out in strong wind. The castle stays open in winter with shorter hours. Ruins show best on a calm morning — wind ripples hide the stones. ## Kekova from Antalya or Kemer: the Demre, Myra and Kekova tour Resorts around Antalya and Kemer sell a combined Demre–Myra–Kekova day: the Church of St Nicholas, the rock tombs and theatre of Myra, then a boat past the sunken city. It is a long day, with several hours on a coach each way and roughly two hours on the water. Staying in Kaş, you are under an hour from Üçağız and can fit Myra in on the way back at your own pace. ## Before you go: checklist - [ ] Boat or kayak tour booked, departure time known - [ ] It is April–October, or a boat is arranged - [ ] Cash in euros or lira for the castle and cafés - [ ] Swimsuit and towel for the swim stops - [ ] Hat, sunscreen and water - [ ] Proper shoes for the castle steps - [ ] Polarised sunglasses — the ruins show better ## Kekova, Kastellorizo or Kaputaş: which day trip from Kaş | | Kekova and Simena | Kastellorizo (Meis) | Kaputaş Beach | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | What it is | Sunken ruins, castle, car-free village | Greek island facing Kaş | Beach in a gorge below the road | | Getting there | Gulet from Kaş or boat from Üçağız | Ferry from Kaş harbour | Bus or taxi on the coast road | | Papers | None | Passport; Schengen rules apply | None | | Time needed | Half to full day | Full day | 2–3 hours | | Swimming | Coves along the way | Off the rocks | All day | Kekova is for history and sea in one trip. Beach only — Kaputaş; a day abroad — [Kastellorizo](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kastellorizo). ## Kaş by the water, compared Every waterside place in Kaş rated by YesGo. - [Kaş Old Town and Harbour](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-old-town) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · Free - [Lycian Way](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-lycian-way) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Free, no tickets - [Kastellorizo (Meis) Island](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kastellorizo) — YesGo score 31/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Ferry ≈ €28–40 return - [Limanağzı Coves](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/limanagzi) — YesGo score 31/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · Free entry; boat and sunbed paid - [Kaputaş Beach](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-kaputas-beach) — YesGo score 25/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ≈ 60 TL in season, sunbeds extra - [Kekova Sunken City and Simena](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-kekova) — YesGo score 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Boat priced by operators, castle €4 ## Kekova and Myra in one day Leave Kaş harbour in the morning, cruise past the sunken city and climb Simena castle, then see the rock tombs of Myra in Demre after lunch. YesGo fits in the timing and transfers. 1. [Kaş Old Town and Harbour](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-old-town) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · Free 2. [Kekova Sunken City and Simena](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-kekova) — YesGo score 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Boat priced by operators, castle €4 3. [Myra and St Nicholas Church, Demre](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/kas-myra) — YesGo score 30/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ≈ €13 Myra + €17 church > **The best view is from the castle** The classic Kekova shot — bay, yachts and islands from above — is taken from Simena's walls. Head up as soon as you land, while the groups sit down to lunch by the quay. ## Good to know The sunken city lies off Kekova island, while the castle and the sarcophagus in the sea are in Kaleköy (Simena) on the mainland opposite. Officially the area belongs to Demre district, but Kaş is the nearest resort. Kekova is also the name used for the whole bay. ## Tips - Staying in Kaş? A small boat from Üçağız or a kayak tour gives you more time at the ruins than a big gulet. - Sit on the island side and wear polarised sunglasses to see the ruins underwater. - Simena castle is reached on foot up steep but short steps — worth telling older travellers. - Bring cash: Kaleköy has small cafés and stalls, and not all take cards. - For peace and quiet, be in Üçağız early, before the tour boats from Kaş and Demre arrive. - Back in Kaş, catch sunset at the [Antiphellos theatre](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kas/antiphellos-theatre). ## Questions ### Can you swim at the Kekova sunken city? Not over the ruins: swimming, diving and anchoring are banned there, and you can't land on the island. Boats stop for swims in nearby coves such as Tersane Bay. ### How do I get to Kekova from Kaş? Take a full-day gulet from Kaş harbour, or drive about 45 minutes to Üçağız and hire a boat for 2–3 hours. Kaleköy has no road — by sea or on foot only. ### How much is the Kekova boat trip? Boats and tours are priced by private operators and change by season, so compare a few. Simena castle is €4 for foreign visitors, free for under-8s. ### What is the Simena castle entrance fee? €4 for foreign visitors aged 8 and over; under-8s are free. The Museum Pass The Mediterranean is accepted. ### How long is the Kekova trip? About 7–8 hours by gulet from Kaş. From Üçağız, 2–3 hours by boat, plus an hour for Simena castle. ### Is Kekova worth visiting? Yes, for a sea day with history. Don't expect streets on the seabed — the ruins lie in the shallows along the shore; the boat, swims and Simena make the day. ### Can you kayak over the Kekova sunken city? Yes, guided sea kayak tours from Üçağız paddle along the ruins. No landing or swimming over them, even from a kayak. ### When is the best time to visit Kekova? May, June, September and October — warm, calm and less crowded. From November to March most boats don't run. ### What sank the Kekova sunken city? An earthquake in the 2nd century AD dropped part of the Lycian town of Dolichiste below sea level. ## How we checked Castle fees, free entry for children, the museum pass and seasonal hours come from the official Ministry of Culture and Tourism page. That page shows hours for only some weekdays; other sources describe the castle as open daily, so we list no closing day but keep it under review. We don't publish gulet, boat or kayak prices — private operators set them. Sources give 30 to 38 km from Kaş to Üçağız; we show about 35 km. The castle is attributed variously to the Byzantines and to the Knights of St John, so we call it medieval. On swimming, sources agree the ban applies over the sunken city itself, which is what we show. We could not confirm a regular dolmuş between Kaş and Üçağız. ## Sources - Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism: Antalya Simena Archeological Site — fees, hours, theatre, sarcophagi, 30.10.2026 - English Wikipedia: Kekova, Simena; Russian Wikipedia: Кекова (остров); Wikidata Q2666727 - Lycianmonuments.com: Simena — castle, theatre, necropolis - Antalya.com.tr: The Sunken City - Medgulets: Kekova Sunken City, Simena Castle — boat rules and protected area - Turkeys for Life: Kekova Island Sunken City - Hürriyet Seyahat — distance from Kaş, boats from Üçağız --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.