Kekova, Üçağız & Kaleköy

Kekova, Üçağız and Kaleköy form one of the most distinctive coastal areas around Kaş, combining Lycian history, traditional village life and exceptionally clear Mediterranean waters. The region is best explored by boat, with ancient ruins, rocky islands and sheltered bays creating a unique archaeological landscape. The Kekova Sunken City is the area’s most famous attraction. Along the northern coast of Kekova Island, visitors can see the remains of an ancient settlement partly submerged beneath the sea. Stone foundations, stairways and sections of buildings remain visible both above and below the water, offering a remarkable glimpse into the region’s ancient past. The archaeological remains are part of a much wider historic landscape surrounding the Ancient City of Kekova. Traces of former settlements, harbour structures and buildings can be seen at different points along the coastline, demonstrating how closely life in antiquity was connected to the sea. Today, the combination of submerged ruins and structures still standing above the waterline makes this one of the most unusual archaeological environments along Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. Kekova Island itself forms the natural centre of the region. Stretching opposite Kaleköy and Üçağız, the largely undeveloped island creates a protective barrier between the open Mediterranean and the quieter waters along the mainland coast. Rocky slopes, secluded coves and archaeological remains appear throughout the island, while boat journeys along its shoreline provide constantly changing views of the surrounding landscape. Across the water lies Kaleköy Village, built on the site of ancient Simena. Accessible mainly by boat or on foot, the small settlement is known for its stone houses, narrow pathways and peaceful waterfront. Its setting between the sea and hillside ruins gives Kaleköy a particularly atmospheric character. Above the village stands Simena Castle, which occupies a commanding position overlooking the Kekova coastline. The fortress incorporates remains from different historical periods, while the surrounding archaeological area includes an ancient theatre and other traces of the former settlement. From the top, visitors can enjoy panoramic views across the islands, bays and Mediterranean Sea. Lycian Sarcophagi are another characteristic feature of the region. Ancient tombs can be found around Kaleköy and Üçağız, while one of the most recognisable examples stands partially surrounded by water near the Kaleköy shoreline. These monuments reflect the strong Lycian heritage that remains visible throughout the landscape. Nearby, Üçağız Village is a quiet harbour settlement surrounded by sheltered waters and archaeological remains. The village is a popular departure point for boat excursions around Kekova and preserves a relaxed coastal atmosphere with small restaurants, guesthouses and fishing boats. Its natural harbour has made the area an important coastal settlement for centuries, and ancient remains can still be encountered around the modern village. One of the most interesting stops along Kekova Island is Shipyard Bay, also known as Tersane Bay. Sheltered by the surrounding coastline, the bay is associated with the maritime history of the area and contains archaeological remains both beside and beneath the water. Unlike the protected Sunken City area, Tersane Bay is also a popular swimming stop on many boat itineraries, allowing visitors to experience the remarkable clarity of the water while surrounded by traces of the past. Further east, Gökkaya Bay is one of the largest and most sheltered bays in the Kekova region. Surrounded by islands and rocky coastline, its calm waters create a natural harbour that has long provided protection from the open Mediterranean. Today, the bay is a popular place for swimming, relaxing and anchoring during boat excursions. The combination of turquoise water, small islands and dramatic coastal scenery makes Gökkaya one of the most impressive natural areas along the route. Several smaller islands around Gökkaya contribute to the sheltered character of the bay. Kişneli Island, positioned close to the entrance of the bay, is particularly interesting because archaeological remains can be seen on the island, including the ruins of a Byzantine church. Passing between Kişneli and the neighbouring islands reveals a quieter side of Kekova, where natural scenery and small archaeological sites appear almost continuously along the coastline. Nearby Aşırlı Island is another distinctive part of this island-filled landscape. Its rocky, largely untouched appearance reflects the natural character of the Kekova coastline and helps form the network of protected channels and calm waters around Gökkaya. Together with Kişneli and the surrounding smaller islands, it creates a particularly scenic section of the journey between Kekova and the mainland. Sezgin Island lies among this group of smaller islands east of Kekova. Although less famous than the major archaeological attractions, it contributes to the extraordinary geography of the area. Boat journeys around Sezgin Island offer views of rocky Mediterranean shores, narrow passages between islands and remarkably clear water, making the journey itself an important part of the Kekova experience. Tek Island is another small island that can be encountered while exploring the quieter eastern side of the Kekova region. Away from the busiest sections around the Sunken City and Kaleköy, this part of the coast offers a more secluded atmosphere. The surrounding waters, rocky formations and small offshore islands demonstrate the geographical diversity that makes Kekova especially attractive for private boat excursions and longer coastal journeys. Other offshore formations, including Black Island, Koyun Island and the Karakol Islands, add further variety to the maritime landscape. These smaller islands and islets may not contain monumental archaeological attractions, but they are an important part of the visual character of Kekova. Their rocky silhouettes, narrow sea passages and position between sheltered bays and the open Mediterranean create some of the most picturesque views experienced from the water. On the southeastern side of Kekova Island, Karaloz Bay offers a very different landscape. The bay extends deep into the island, creating a narrow and highly sheltered natural anchorage surrounded by rocky slopes. Its unusual shape, peaceful atmosphere and deep blue water make it one of the quieter highlights of Kekova, particularly for boats exploring beyond the standard Sunken City route. Because its entrance is relatively discreet when approached from the sea, the bay has the feeling of a hidden Mediterranean cove. Another notable coastal stop is Hamidiye Bay, where the peaceful natural setting is accompanied by more recent maritime history. The bay takes its name from the Ottoman cruiser Hamidiye, which is associated with the area during the early twentieth century. Today, the sheltered waters and surrounding landscape make the bay another attractive swimming and anchoring point, adding a different historical layer to a region more commonly associated with Lycian, Roman and Byzantine remains. The many smaller bays scattered throughout the region are equally important to the Kekova experience. Some are framed by steep rocky slopes, while others open towards small islands or narrow channels. Their calm, transparent waters provide excellent opportunities for swimming and enjoying the Mediterranean landscape away from larger settlements. Moving between these bays by boat reveals how varied the coastline is, with every turn opening onto another secluded stretch of water. The islands themselves also create a natural transition between the sheltered inland waters and the open Mediterranean. Koyun Island, Black Island, Sezgin Island, Tek Island, Kişneli Island, Aşırlı Island and the Karakol Islands form part of a wider maritime environment rather than isolated attractions. Seen together from the sea, they give Kekova its distinctive character: a landscape where islands, ancient settlements, bays and traditional villages appear almost seamlessly connected. Exploring the region by boat also provides a different perspective on its history. Ancient communities here were closely connected to maritime trade and coastal transportation, and many archaeological remains are positioned directly beside natural harbours and protected anchorages. The relationship between land and sea is therefore visible throughout Kekova, from the partially submerged structures of the Sunken City to the ancient tombs overlooking the water and the sheltered bays that have provided refuge to vessels for centuries. The remarkable transparency of the Mediterranean is another defining feature of the area. In many places, underwater rocks and archaeological remains can be seen directly from the surface, while the colour of the sea changes from pale turquoise in shallow bays to deep blue around the outer islands. This clarity, combined with the largely undeveloped coastline, contributes strongly to the peaceful and timeless atmosphere for which Kekova is known. Together, the Kekova Sunken City, Ancient City of Kekova, Simena Castle, Lycian Sarcophagi, Kaleköy, Üçağız, Kekova Island, Tersane Bay, Gökkaya Bay, Karaloz Bay, Hamidiye Bay and the surrounding islands offer visitors an exceptional combination of archaeology, maritime history and Mediterranean scenery. Ancient ruins beneath the water, traditional villages, secluded islands and peaceful bays make the Kekova region one of the most memorable destinations around Kaş. Rather than being defined by a single archaeological site or village, Kekova is best understood as an entire coastal landscape. From the historic settlement of Simena and the submerged remains along Kekova Island to the hidden coves of Karaloz, the sheltered waters of Gökkaya and the smaller islands scattered across the sea, every part of the region contributes to a journey where history and nature remain inseparable.