Kekova — The Sunken City
Kekova is an uninhabited island on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, separated from the mainland by a calm channel. Along the channel, the foundations of the ancient Lycian town of Dolichiste lie half-submerged — sunk by an earthquake in the 2nd century AD. Stairs go straight into the water, doorways below the waterline, rooftops still visible above. Boat tours from Üçağız glide over the ruins; kayak day trips from Kaş paddle the same route.
What's actually down there
The earthquake that sank the city tilted the coastline by 3–4 metres. What you see today (best in calm clear water):
- Stone stairways running from above the waterline straight down into the seabed
- Foundation walls of houses, several still 1–2 m visible at low water
- Roman amphorae on the seabed (no touching — protected)
- A semi-circular harbour basin partly preserved
- Lycian sarcophagi on the shore opposite, some half-sunk
How to visit
1. Boat tour from Üçağız (the standard way)
Üçağız is the small fishing village on the mainland opposite Kekova. Local boats run scheduled tours daily in season:
- 2-hour tour (sunken city + Kaleköy castle): £8–£12 per person
- 4-hour tour (above + swim stops + lunch on board): £20–£30 per person
- Private boat hire: £100–£200 for half day, up to 8 people
- Departures: 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm typically
2. Day trip from Kaş by boat
Larger gulet day-trips from Kaş port include Kekova in a longer itinerary. About £35–£45 per person, 9 am to 6 pm, includes lunch and 4–5 swim stops. You see the sunken city for 30 minutes only — not as immersive as the Üçağız route but more swimming.
3. Sea kayaking from Kaş
Several Kaş operators run guided sea-kayak day trips to Kekova (Bougainville is the longest-running). 4–5 hours of paddling, shorter than the boat trip in distance but you get incredibly close to the ruins. £45–£60 per person including kayak, lunch, transfer.
4. Day trip from Antalya / Kemer
Hotel-organised coach tours run from the Antalya area. Long day (12+ hrs), much of it on a coach. £25–£40 per person. Includes Demre's St Nicholas church and Myra rock tombs en route.
Where to stay near Kekova
Most visitors stay in Kaş (40 min west) or Antalya (2 h east) and visit Kekova as a day trip. To stay close to the ruins, the small villages on the mainland offer simple pensions:
- Üçağız — 5 small pensions and a few restaurants on the harbour. £25–£40/night.
- Kaleköy (Simena) — only reachable by boat or Lycian Way trail. 3 tiny pensions, no road. Atmospheric.
- Kaş — much wider choice; see the Kaş guide.
Kekova on the Lycian Way
The Lycian Way passes through Üçağız and crosses the bay opposite Kekova. The relevant stages on the eastern route:
- Limanağzı / Boğazcık → Üçağız (~12 km, moderate) — coastal walking with Kekova island in view
- Üçağız → Demre (18 km, moderate) — leaves the bay and turns inland to Demre and ancient Myra
A rest day in Üçağız to do the boat tour is a classic eastern-trail decision. See the Eastern Route page.
Combining Kekova with other sights
Most operators bundle Kekova with one or more of:
- Kaleköy castle — Byzantine castle on the headland with a single Lycian sarcophagus standing in the sea below
- Demre / Myra — Lycian rock-cut tombs and the Roman amphitheatre, plus the church of Saint Nicholas (4th century bishop)
- Aperlae — submerged Lycian harbour town visible from the trail
- Hotel boat lunches — the swimming stops are usually at hidden coves nearby
When to visit
| Month | Sea visibility | Boat traffic | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| April–May | excellent | quiet | Best month — clear water, few boats |
| June | good | building | Sweet spot — warm, ruins still vivid |
| July–August | fair | busy | Crowded boats; visibility lower from boat traffic |
| September | good | easing | Sea warmest; ruins visible |
| October | excellent | quiet | Best autumn month |
| Nov–March | variable | limited | Some operators close; weather can postpone trips |
Getting to Üçağız (the boat departure point)
| From | How | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaş | Dolmuş via Demre | 1 h 15 min | £4 |
| Antalya | Bus to Demre + dolmuş | 3 h | £10 |
| Olympos | Dolmuş via Demre | 1 h 30 min | £6 |
| Kaş | Pre-booked transfer | 40 min | £35 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Kekova worth visiting?
Yes if you like ancient sites or boat trips on calm clear water; less so if you want lively beaches or party atmosphere — the area is protected and quiet by design.
Can I see the ruins without a boat?
Partly — from Kaleköy you can see the headland sarcophagi on the shore. But the underwater ruins along the channel are only visible from a boat or kayak. The water there is too deep to wade.
Are glass-bottom boats good?
Mixed reviews. They show outlines through cloudy glass, often scratched. A regular boat with calm clear water gives a better view through the surface. Pick a smaller boat (8–12 people) over the big tour boats.
Best time of day?
Mid-morning (10 am – 12 pm) when sun is high enough to light up the seabed and wind hasn't picked up. Late afternoon also works for light but water is choppier.
Diving in Kekova?
No — diving over the sunken city is prohibited under Turkish archaeological protection law. Diving in surrounding waters is fine; see Kaş dive operators.