Kekova and Simena form one of the most memorable cultural and coastal experiences in the Antalya region. Located between Kaş and Demre, the area combines clear turquoise water, partially submerged ancient remains, rocky islands, sheltered bays and the living village of Kaleköy, built over ancient Simena.
The experience is usually divided into two parts. A boat journey along the northern shore of Kekova Island reveals stone steps, foundations, walls and ancient harbor structures affected by earthquakes and changes in sea level. Across the water, visitors can explore Kaleköy, climb to Simena Castle and enjoy one of the finest panoramic views on the Lycian coast.
See ancient stairways, walls and harbor remains continuing beneath the clear Mediterranean water.
Climb above Kaleköy to a historic fortress overlooking islands, bays and the protected coastline.
Discover rock-cut graves, a hillside necropolis and the famous sarcophagus standing in the water.
Combine archaeology with a scenic cruise, peaceful village atmosphere and swimming stops in nearby bays.
Here are the essential details for planning a rewarding visit to this extraordinary combination of ancient history and Mediterranean scenery.
Located on the Lycian coast between Kaş and Demre, with boat departures commonly available from Üçağız and Çayağzı.
Kekova’s sunken remains are viewed from the water, while Simena and Kaleköy can be explored on foot.
Allow half a day for a local boat trip or a full day when combining Kekova with Demre, Myra and St. Nicholas Church.
Sunken ruins, Simena Castle, Lycian sarcophagi, Kaleköy village, coastal views and sheltered swimming bays.
Discover a protected Mediterranean landscape where ancient settlements, maritime history and village life remain closely connected.
Simena, known today as Kaleköy, was a small but strategically placed Lycian coastal settlement. Inscriptions show that its history reaches back to at least the 4th century BCE. Its sheltered position made the surrounding waters a valuable natural harbor, while the settlement continued to be used through Roman, Byzantine and medieval periods.
The most commanding structure is Simena Castle, whose medieval walls rise partly over earlier Lycian foundations. Inside the fortified area stands a small theatre carved into the natural rock. With seven rows and space for roughly 300 spectators, it is regarded as the smallest known theatre among the Lycian cities.
Simena also contains a remarkable collection of burial monuments. Rock-cut tombs and house-type graves appear around the settlement, while the eastern necropolis is filled with Lycian sarcophagi overlooking the sea. The best-known example rises directly from the shallow water near Kaleköy and has become one of the defining images of the Kekova region.
Across the channel, the northern shore of Kekova Island preserves ancient stairs, walls, house foundations and harbor remains, some extending several meters below the surface. These remains were partly submerged after earthquakes and geological changes. Kekova was submitted to UNESCO’s Tentative List in 2000 as a mixed cultural and natural landscape.
Today, Simena lies within the Kaş–Kekova Special Environmental Protection Area. The region remains exceptional because its archaeological heritage, clear water, rocky islands, natural bays and inhabited coastal villages still form one continuous historical landscape.
Explore the region’s most memorable sights, from submerged coastal ruins to hilltop fortifications and Lycian funerary monuments.
Boats travel slowly along Kekova Island’s northern coast, where ancient staircases, foundations, walls and former harbor structures can be seen both above and below the waterline.
The castle crowns the rocky hill above Kaleköy and dominates the entire landscape. The climb is rewarded with magnificent views across Kekova Island, Üçağız, sheltered bays and the surrounding Lycian coastline.
Inside the castle is a tiny theatre carved directly into the natural rock. Its seven seating rows could accommodate approximately 300 people, making it one of Simena’s most distinctive archaeological features.
Simena’s burial landscape includes rock-cut tombs, house-type graves and stone sarcophagi spread across the hillside. Many overlook the sea among olive trees and Mediterranean vegetation.
The partly submerged sarcophagus near Kaleköy harbor is the most photographed symbol of Simena. Its stone lid and upper structure rise above the turquoise water, creating an unforgettable connection between land, sea and ancient history.
Modern Kaleköy is built directly over and around ancient Simena. Stone houses, small waterfront restaurants, fishing boats, narrow paths and archaeological remains create a rare atmosphere where daily life continues within an ancient landscape.
Viewing the sunken remains of Kekova is normally included within the price of your boat trip. A separate entrance ticket is required for the officially managed archaeological area at Simena Castle above Kaleköy.
4 Euro per foreign visitor.
Boat prices vary according to departure point, route, season, duration and whether the trip is shared or private.
Müzekart is accepted for eligible Turkish citizens. International visitors should check current museum-pass conditions before arrival.
The Simena ticket covers the castle archaeological area; it does not include transportation or a boat tour around Kekova.
The official Simena archaeological site is open every day. Boat schedules are operated separately and depend on the season, weather, sea conditions and departure harbor.
Kekova and Simena offer one of the most complete travel experiences on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. Few places combine archaeology, a scenic boat journey, a living village, protected nature and extraordinary sea views so naturally.
Ancient structures continue beneath the water along Kekova Island, creating an experience unlike a conventional land-based archaeological site.
Simena Castle, Lycian tombs, rocky islands and brilliant Mediterranean water create one of the region’s strongest cultural landscapes.
Kaleköy remains inhabited, allowing visitors to experience modern village life surrounded by ruins from several historical periods.
The area combines naturally with Myra Ancient City, St. Nicholas Church, Demre and swimming stops in the wider Kekova region.
For travelers who want a place that feels historical, scenic, peaceful and genuinely different, Kekova and Simena are among the strongest choices on the Turkish Riviera.
Kekova is a maritime landscape, so the easiest and most rewarding way to explore it is by boat. Visitors usually join a cruise from Üçağız, Çayağzı near Demre, Kaş or another nearby coastal departure point.
Üçağız is one of the closest and most convenient departure points for short or half-day boat trips around Kekova and Kaleköy.
Many full-day excursions combine a boat trip from the Demre area with Myra Ancient City and St. Nicholas Church.
Shared and private boats operate from Kaş, usually offering a longer scenic cruise with bays and swimming breaks along the route.
The most practical option is a guided full-day tour or private excursion combining road transportation, historical visits and a Kekova boat trip.
Most visitors arrive by boat. There is no conventional road into the village, although experienced walkers can approach by a mainland trail.
A tour is the easiest choice when you want transport, guiding, boat arrangements and nearby sites coordinated in one day.
Shade can be limited on boats and during the climb to Simena Castle, so carry a hat, sunscreen and drinking water.
Kaleköy has stone paths, steps and uneven surfaces. Comfortable footwear is much safer than beach sandals for the castle climb.
Many boat routes include swimming breaks in nearby bays, although swimming is not normally part of the protected sunken-ruins viewing area.
A waterproof pouch is useful during boat journeys, especially when boarding smaller vessels or swimming from the boat.
Boat routes can change in strong wind or rough water. Confirm the operating program and departure time on the day of travel.
Do not touch, climb on or remove archaeological material, and always follow the instructions of the captain and local authorities.
Ideal for visitors interested in Lycian archaeology, maritime settlements, ancient tombs and layered coastal history.
Perfect for travelers who want a scenic Mediterranean cruise combined with cultural sightseeing and swimming opportunities.
The water sarcophagus, castle panorama, stone village and clear sea offer exceptional landscape and travel photography.
A rewarding choice for mixed-interest groups because the day combines history, scenery, village atmosphere and time on the water.
Kekova and Simena fit naturally into a wider Lycian coast itinerary. These nearby places add archaeology, religious heritage, harbor history and more Mediterranean scenery to your journey.
Explore dramatic Lycian rock-cut tombs and a substantial Roman theatre in one of the most important ancient cities around Demre.
Visit the historic church associated with St. Nicholas, the bishop of Myra whose story later inspired the figure of Santa Claus.
Discover one of Lycia’s most influential cities, with monumental ruins, a restored assembly building and a famous Mediterranean beach.
Continue east through the Lycian region to explore monumental tombs, Roman remains and the historic landscape of ancient Limyra.
Kekova is famous for ancient coastal remains partly submerged beneath clear Mediterranean water. Simena, now called Kaleköy, is known for its castle, tiny rock-cut theatre, Lycian tombs and sarcophagus standing in the sea.
No. Kekova is the island and the wider regional name, while Simena is the ancient settlement beneath modern Kaleköy on the opposite mainland shore. They are usually visited together on the same boat trip.
No. The submerged remains are viewed from a boat. Visitors can go ashore at Kaleköy and explore the land-based remains of ancient Simena.
Boat trips normally observe the protected archaeological shoreline without a swimming stop directly over the ruins. Swimming breaks are generally arranged in other permitted bays around the Kekova region.
Local trips from Üçağız may take a few hours, while longer cruises from Kaş or full-day tours from Antalya and Demre can occupy most of the day.
Kekova is not currently a fully inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has been included on Turkey’s UNESCO Tentative List since 2000.
The official Simena archaeological site is currently open every day from 08:00 to 20:00, with the ticket office closing at 19:30. Boat schedules are separate and may change with the season and weather.
Kekova and Simena are among the most photogenic places on the Turkish Mediterranean, combining turquoise water, ancient stonework, village life and wide coastal panoramas.
The iconic Lycian sarcophagus rising from the sea near Kaleköy is the region’s most recognizable photograph.
From the castle, frame the village, boats, islands and clear channels of the wider Kekova landscape.
Use the elevated angle from the boat to photograph ancient steps and walls continuing below the waterline.
Fishing boats, stone houses, small jetties and waterfront restaurants create attractive village compositions.
Sarcophagi among olive trees and rocky slopes offer atmospheric photographs with the sea in the background.
Photograph reflections, rocky islands and transparent water during the slower sections of the cruise.
The Kekova region is most enjoyable during the warmer months when boat services are frequent and sea conditions are generally suitable. Spring and autumn offer a particularly attractive balance of comfortable temperatures, clear light and fewer visitors.
Mild weather, green landscapes and increasingly regular boat departures make spring one of the best periods to visit.
The warmest and busiest season, ideal for swimming but best enjoyed with an early departure and strong sun protection.
Warm sea temperatures, softer light and fewer crowds make early autumn an excellent choice for boat trips and photography.
The area remains beautiful, but boat availability is reduced and trips are more dependent on wind and sea conditions.
May – June & September – October
Morning for calmer conditions or late afternoon for warm light over Kaleköy
Reserve private or small-group boats early during July and August
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