Kekova is the name of a region of fascinating islands, bays and ancient cities. Kekova has a rarely seen attraction, a long the shore of the Island a sunken city is observed. The geological movements of the Island caused the city on the Island to be submerged, creating a strange scene with half of the city under water and half above. Teimiussa, Simena are the main Lycian settlements in the area. Kekova is the only area where the flying fish can be wathched in this region. Beyond its cultural features, Kekova shows very significant geological formations, ondulated coastal line, hydrobiological features and scenic beauty of the area form an outstanding quality. It is a remarkable example of cultural continuity, and a living cultural assents as well.
Kekova-Simena is an enjoyable place to visit for its great beauty and charm. For this reason, it is popular with yachties (known to them as "Kekova Roads") on their Blue Cruises along Lycia's Turquoise Coast. In fact, cruising yachts often anchor here for several weeks at a time. It is a peaceful place of history, gorgeous turquoise water, sun, islands, unspoilt nature, blue skies and wonderful(!!) swimming.
The ancient Lycian sunken city of Simena is often referred to as Kekova-Simena. The city is a charming mix of ancient, medieval and modern history making it interesting as well as beautiful. In ancient times Simena was a small fishing village and was later an outpost of the Knights of Rhodes (formerly of St. John).
The ancient city of Simena was once of two parts - an island and a coastal part of the mainland. On the mainland the charming fishing village of Kaleköy ("castle village") stands today, its buildings mingling with ancient and medieval structures. The top of the village is dominated by a well-preserved castle built by the Knights of Rhodes partially upon ancient Lycian foundations. Inside the castle is the smallest amphitheatre of Lycia. At the eastern end of the village is a Lycian necropolis with a cluster of some very nice sarcophagi overlooking the sea and surrounded by ancient olive trees. Near the harbour of Kaleköy is another sarcophagus, popping up from the water. Across the bay, along the island are the half-submerged ruins of the residential part of Simena, caused by the downward shift of land by the terrible earthquakes of the 2nd century AD. Half of the houses are submerged and staircases descend into the water. Foundations of buildings and the ancient harbor are also seen below the sea.
Many boats run trips from Kas but the journey is much shorter from Cayagzi, the harbor of Demre. Along the stony coastline the boats may stop at a cave, or you can see the occasional goat or the smoldering pyramids of wood used by peasants to make charcoal, the product may sit in plastic sacks at the water's edge, waiting to be taken away.
Along the edge of the island facing the mainland lie the fascinating half-submerged remains of a Lycian sunken city, and some remains also from the Byzantine times. Signs warn against skin-diving, so you can not swim here because many visitors in the past took a piece of ancient relics with them as a souvenir. The boatman will allow the passengers on board off for a swim further to the west, where the remains of a Byzantine chapel stand on the beach and where further sunken remains can be explored at ease by the swimmer with mask and snorkel. In case you arrive Kekova by car, you can hire one of the small boats at Ucagiz village to visit the sunken city and also Simena.
A fascinating Lycian necropolis, with chest-type tombs spread out along the coastline, lies at Teimiussa, near the present-day Ucagiz on the mainland across from Kekova. This can also be reached by track from the main road between Kas and Demre, where it is signposted. The boat-tripper may be content with a sea-born view and pass to Kale, the ancient Simena, which sits nearby below the crenellated ramparts of an earlier hilltop Roman castle.
Today Kekova is a very popular anchorage for sailors who enjoy the history together with the nature. This is a regular stop for gulet and charter boats.
How to go to Kekova?
The other route to Kekova is via Fethiye. Those who want to come by using the airline can use Antalya Airport or Dalaman Airport. If you want to come by bus, the nearest bus station to Kekova is in Kas. However, there is no minibus from Kas bus station to Kekova, but it is possible to reach by taxi.
