Kekova and maritime Lycia

Kekova and maritime Lycia

Earthquakes in the 2nd century dropped the shoreline, and the ancient cities of Lycia slid beneath the sea. Staircases, walls and sarcophagi rest under turquoise water while boats and kayaks glide quietly above them. This stretch of coast reveals itself best from the water - the table below gathers the sunken cities, the castle village and the antique harbour, and the FAQ explains how to see it all and where to paddle.

Maritime Lycia sites around Kekova

PlaceTypeFamous forAccess
KekovaSunken city (island)Kekova Island with the sunken city of Dolichiste: foundations, staircases and wall fragments show through the turquoise water along the north shoreBy boat or kayak only from Üçağız or Kaş; swimming over the ruins is banned
Simena (Kaleköy)Castle villageSimena (Kaleköy): a medieval castle on Lycian walls, a tiny rock-cut theatre and sarcophagi standing right in the seaBy sea from Kekova or on foot along the Lycian Way; no road reaches it
AperlaePartly submerged ruinsAperlae: an ancient harbour whose walls and buildings sank across several thousand square metres; one of the most atmospheric corners of the coastBy boat or kayak only from Üçağız or Kaş; no land access
ÜçağızHarbour villageÜçağız (ancient Teimiussa): a snug bay with Lycian tombs and sarcophagi, the main launching point for boats and kayaks to KekovaBy car on tarmac from Demre, then on foot or onto the water
AndriakeAncient harbourAndriake: the sea harbour of ancient Myra with Hadrian's granary and the Museum of Lycian Civilizations; the Apostle Paul changed ships hereBy car from Demre, then on foot; the Myra rock tombs are nearby

Articles

FAQ

What sank here, and why?
A series of destructive earthquakes in the 2nd century AD dropped the coastline, and parts of the ancient cities - above all Dolichiste on Kekova Island and the lower quarters of Simena and Aperlae - ended up underwater. You can still see house foundations, staircases running straight into the sea, and remains of walls and quays in the shallows.
Can you swim or dive over the ruins?
Swimming and diving over the Kekova sunken city are forbidden - it is a protected archaeological zone, so the ruins are viewed only from a boat or kayak. You can still swim in nearby permitted coves that the tours stop at; the guide will always point out the boundary.
How do you arrange a kayak tour?
Sea kayaks mostly set off from the village of Üçağız (ancient Teimiussa), tracing the shore of Simena and the edge of Kekova, where submerged walls and sarcophagi show through the clear water. The outing lasts about half a day, the kayaks are two-seaters and need no experience; tours are also gathered from Kaş or Demre.
Is there an entrance ticket for the Kekova zone?
Sailing through the Kekova sunken-city zone itself needs no separate ticket - it is covered by the boat or kayak tour fare. A small fee is charged for climbing to Simena castle (Kaleköy) and for the museum sites of Andriake and Myra in Demre; keep some cash on hand.
When to go - what season and weather are best?
It is nicest from May to June and in September-October: the sea is calm, the water clear, the heat eases and there are fewer boats. Summer is hot but underwater visibility is superb; for kayaking and photos pick the morning, before the wind picks up and the swell rolls in.

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