Kekova Tours & Sunken City

Kekova tours from Antalya start from €55 per person, with hotel pickup from Antalya, Belek, Kemer, Side and Alanya. This full-day excursion combines four ancient sites — the Sunken City, Simena Castle, Myra and the Church of St. Nicholas — in a single day along Turkey’s Lycian Coast.

🏅TURSAB Licensed
🚌Hotel Pickup — Antalya · Belek · Kemer · Side · Alanya
⛵Lycian Coast
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Kekova at a Glance

Key facts before you book your Kekova tour from Antalya

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170km from AntalyaAbout 2.5 hours by road to Üçağız harbour — early pickup from hotels at 6–7am
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Sunken City — 3–6m below surface2nd century AD earthquake submerged the Lycian settlement. Walls, stairways and cisterns visible through clear water
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Swimming over ruins prohibited by lawViewing from the boat is the only legal access. Snorkeling and swimming permitted in Aquarium Bay
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4 sites in one full daySunken City · Simena Castle · Myra · Church of St. Nicholas — all included in a single Kekova day trip

Kekova Tours from Antalya

The full-day Kekova tour from Antalya covers 170km of Lycian coastline to reach one of Turkey's most protected ancient landscapes. Kekova Island itself is uninhabited — no hotels, no roads, no beach clubs. The Turkish government designated it a Special Environmental Protection Area specifically to preserve what lies beneath the water on the island's north shore: the submerged ruins of the ancient Lycian settlement of Dolchiste.

A sequence of earthquakes in the 2nd century AD caused part of the coastline to drop. House foundations, stairways leading into the sea, cisterns and sections of the harbour wall went with it. The structures are visible 3–6 metres below the surface through water that stays clear for most of the season. Viewing from the boat is the only legal way to see the ruins — swimming directly over them is prohibited under Turkish law. The captain navigates slowly along the north shore so passengers can see everything from the deck.

The day continues to Simena Castle above Kaleköy village — accessible only by boat, no road reaches it — then on to Myra ancient city with its rock-cut Lycian tombs and Roman theatre, and finally the Church of St. Nicholas in Demre, the actual tomb church of the 4th century bishop who became the basis of the Santa Claus legend. Full guide to visiting the Kekova Sunken City →

Why the Sunken City is Unlike Anything Else

What makes Kekova different from every other ancient site in Turkey

The Earthquake City

The ancient settlement of Dolchiste occupied the north shore of Kekova Island during the Lycian period. In the 2nd century AD, a series of earthquakes caused the coastline to subside — dropping part of the city below sea level. The submerged section includes house foundations, stairways that continue straight down into the water, cisterns, and sections of the ancient harbour wall.

Because Kekova Island is a protected area, the ruins have been undisturbed. No construction has occurred on the island since the protection order. What you see from the boat today is what was there when the earthquakes happened — just moved a few metres lower.

Swimming over the ruins is prohibited by Turkish law and actively enforced. The restriction exists to prevent physical damage to the ancient architecture from foot contact and anchor dragging. Fines are substantial. The boat tour navigates at low speed so you can see the structures clearly from the deck without getting in the water.

Ancient nameDolchiste — Lycian settlement on Kekova Island's north shore
What happened2nd century AD earthquakes caused the coastline to drop, submerging part of the city
What's visibleHouse foundations, stairways, cisterns, harbour wall — 3–6m below surface
Water clarityBest April–June and September (peak season boats create visibility disruption in July–August)
Protection statusSpecial Environmental Protection Area — no hotels, no roads, no development on the island
SwimmingProhibited over ruins. Permitted in Aquarium Bay — the designated swim stop on all tours

Four Sites on One Day Trip

What the full-day Kekova tour from Antalya includes

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Kekova Sunken City
The boat tour along the submerged ruins is the centrepiece. The captain navigates slowly along Kekova Island's north shore while house foundations, stairways and cisterns are visible through the clear water below. No guide is needed — the ruins speak for themselves. Swimming over the ruins is prohibited; the designated swim stop is Aquarium Bay. The combination of intact ancient walls meeting the sea surface is unlike anything else on the Turkish coast.
BOAT VIEWING · AQUARIUM BAY SWIM
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Simena Castle & Kaleköy
Kaleköy village has no road access — the only way in is by boat. The medieval castle above the village was built on Lycian foundations and contains the world's smallest ancient theatre: 7 rows of seats carved directly into the rock. The 10-minute climb from the harbour gives the best panoramic view of Kekova Bay. Lycian rock tombs are carved into the cliff face above the waterline, visible from the boat before you dock.
BOAT ACCESS ONLY · 10-MIN CLIMB
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Myra Ancient City
Myra is one of the best-preserved ancient cities on the Lycian coast. The rock-cut tombs carved directly into the cliff face are immediately striking — Lycian funerary architecture at its most dramatic. The Roman theatre below is among the largest and best-preserved in Turkey, with a seating capacity of 11,000. The combination of high-cliff tombs and lowland theatre in a single site makes it worth the short walk from the car park.
LYCIAN TOMBS · ROMAN THEATRE
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Church of St. Nicholas — Demre
The church in Demre is the actual tomb church of Bishop Nicholas of Myra — the 4th century bishop who inspired the Santa Claus legend. He served in Myra, which is why both sites appear on the same tour. The church was built over his tomb after his death in 343 AD. The mosaics and frescoes inside are well-preserved. The site is small but historically significant in a way that no other location in Turkey can match.
SANTA CLAUS ORIGIN · 4TH CENTURY AD

Choose Your Kekova Experience

Group tour or private — same sites, different pace

MOST POPULAR
Full Day Group Tour
from €55 / per person
  • Hotel pickup from Antalya, Belek, Kemer, Side or Alanya
  • Kekova Sunken City boat tour
  • Simena Castle & Kaleköy village
  • Myra ancient ruins & Lycian tombs
  • Church of St. Nicholas in Demre
  • Aquarium Bay swim stop
  • Lunch included
  • English-speaking guide
PRIVATE
Private Kekova Tour
Price on Request
  • All group tour sites included
  • Private vehicle, guide and boat
  • Flexible departure time
  • Custom itinerary on request
  • Ideal for couples, families, small groups
  • Extra swim stops available
  • Lunch included
BOAT ONLY
Kekova Boat Trip
Price on Request
  • Focused boat experience on Kekova Bay
  • Sunken City slow cruise
  • Simena Castle & Kaleköy stop
  • Aquarium Bay swimming
  • Shorter day — no Myra or Demre
  • Available from Üçağız or Kaş

Best Time to Visit Kekova

Water clarity matters as much as the weather

Jan
10–14°C
Limited tours
Feb
11–15°C
Limited tours
Mar
14–18°C
Good ★★★
Apr
18–22°C
Excellent ★★★★
May
22–26°C
Best ★★★★★
Jun
26–30°C
Excellent ★★★★
Jul
30–34°C
Hot, busy ★★★
Aug
31–35°C
Hottest, crowded ★★
Sep
27–31°C
Best ★★★★★
Oct
22–26°C
Excellent ★★★★
Nov
17–21°C
Good ★★★
Dec
12–16°C
Limited tours

May, June and September offer the best balance: warm enough to swim in Aquarium Bay, calm enough for excellent underwater visibility over the ruins, and fewer boats than peak July–August. April is excellent for the ruins visit though the sea is cooler for swimming.

Before You Go

What to know before booking your Kekova tour

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Early departure — 6–7am
Kekova is 170km from Antalya with 2.5 hours of driving each way. Hotel pickup starts at 6–7am — from Side and Alanya it's closer to 5:30–6am. This schedule is necessary to reach the harbour before midday heat and afternoon wind conditions affect visibility and boat stability.
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Don't enter the water over the ruins
Swimming directly over the Sunken City ruins is prohibited by Turkish law. Fines are actively enforced. The boat passes slowly so you can view everything clearly from the deck. All swimming on Kekova tours takes place in Aquarium Bay, which is the designated safe area.
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Walking shoes for Simena Castle
The climb to Simena Castle from Kaleköy harbour is 10 minutes on an uneven stone path. It's not difficult but flip-flops are a bad choice. The view from the top — over Kekova Bay with the sunken walls visible below — makes it worth the walk. Children aged 5+ manage it fine.
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Bring swimwear for Aquarium Bay
Aquarium Bay is the swim stop on all Kekova tours. The water is calm, clear and typically calm enough for children. Snorkeling equipment is usually available on the boat. The bay is sheltered from the open sea by Kekova Island, making it consistently calm even when winds pick up in the afternoon.

Explore More from Antalya

Other day trips from Antalya worth combining with Kekova

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Boat Trips
Coastal cruises, island routes and Suluada experiences departing from Antalya marina. Different experience to the Kekova tour — shorter and closer to the city.
Explore Boat Trips →
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Olympos
Ancient ruins, forest-backed beach and cable car views. 80km west of Antalya, one of the most distinctive combinations of archaeology and nature on the coast.
Explore Olympos →
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Private Tours
Private vehicle, guide and boat for couples, families or small groups. Custom departure times, flexible itineraries and the option to extend or change sites on the day.
Explore Private Tours →

Common Questions About Kekova Tours

Straight answers before you book

What does the Kekova tour from Antalya include?
The standard full-day Kekova tour from Antalya covers four sites: the Sunken City boat cruise along the submerged Lycian ruins, Simena Castle above Kaleköy village (accessible only by boat), Myra ancient city with its rock-cut tombs and Roman theatre, and the Church of St. Nicholas in Demre. Hotel pickup is included from Antalya, Belek, Kemer, Side and Alanya. Lunch is included. The swim stop is Aquarium Bay. English-speaking guide accompanies the group throughout.
How far is Kekova from Antalya and how long does it take?
Kekova is 170km west of Antalya along the Lycian Coast — approximately 2.5 hours by road to Üçağız harbour where the boat tour departs. Because of this distance, hotel pickup from Antalya and Belek starts at 6–7am. From Side and Alanya, pickup is closer to 5:30–6am. No need to arrange your own transport — all tours include hotel pickup and drop-off.
Can you swim in the Sunken City at Kekova?
No — swimming directly over the submerged ruins is prohibited by Turkish law and actively enforced. The restriction exists to prevent physical damage to the ancient architecture. Fines are substantial. The boat tour navigates slowly along the north shore of Kekova Island so passengers can see the ruins clearly through the water from the deck. All swimming takes place in Aquarium Bay, the designated swim stop on every Kekova tour.
What is Simena Castle and is the climb worth it?
Simena is a medieval castle built on Lycian foundations above Kaleköy village. Kaleköy is accessible only by boat — no road reaches the village. The castle contains the world's smallest ancient theatre, carved into the rock with 7 rows of seats. The climb from the harbour takes about 10 minutes on an uneven stone path. The view from the top over Kekova Bay — with the sunken ruins visible below — is the best vantage point of the day. Lycian rock tombs are carved into the cliff face on the way up. Yes, it's worth the walk.
What is the Church of St. Nicholas in Demre?
The Church of St. Nicholas in Demre is the actual tomb church of Bishop Nicholas of Myra — the 4th century bishop who became the basis for the Santa Claus legend. He served in Myra (the ancient city also included on the tour), which is why both sites appear together. The church was built over his tomb after his death in 343 AD. Well-preserved mosaics and frescoes are visible inside. It's a small but historically significant site — there is no other location in the world that can make the same claim.
Is the Kekova tour suitable for families with children?
Yes, with some planning. The boat tour is calm and engaging for all ages — viewing the ruins through the water from the deck works well for children. The main challenge is the early 6–7am departure. Aquarium Bay swimming is calm and safe for children. The Simena Castle climb is 10 minutes on a stone path — manageable for children aged 5 and above. Myra and Demre are walking sites with moderate distances on flat or gentle paths. The full day is long (typically 10–11 hours from pickup to drop-off), so younger children should be prepared for a full day out.
What is the best time of year to visit Kekova?
May, June and September offer the best conditions overall — warm enough to swim in Aquarium Bay, calm enough for good underwater visibility over the ruins, and fewer boats than peak July–August. April is excellent for the archaeology visit, though the sea is cooler for swimming. July and August are the busiest months with the highest temperatures (30–35°C) and most boat traffic. The site is open year-round but winter tours run on limited schedules and sea conditions can affect the boat tour in December–February.
Is a private Kekova tour available?
Yes. Private Kekova tours are available for couples, families and small groups. A private tour uses a dedicated vehicle and guide for the land portion, and a private boat for the Kekova section. Departure times are flexible, and the itinerary can be adjusted — for example, spending more time at one site or adding an extra swim stop. Contact us via WhatsApp to get a quote based on your group size and preferred dates.
170km From Antalya
4 Sites One Full Day
3–6m Ruins Depth
from €55 Per Person
Ready to Book Your Kekova Tour?
Hotel pickup from Antalya, Belek, Kemer, Side and Alanya. TURSAB-licensed operator. Group and private options available — get in touch to check availability for your dates.