What's Kekova Like? Where is Kekova (Sunken City)?

How to go to Kekova?

The answer to the question of how to get to Kekova'yan is by boat. At the end of a 3-hour boat ride departing from Kaş harbor, you will first reach the Üçağız region and then the magnificent turquoise of Kaleköy. Meanwhile, the magnificent history and ruins of Kaleköy will welcome you. Kaleköy is not an island, however, there is no road access. Good thing it is! Due to the difficulty of transportation, this place remains untouched and intact. Therefore, the population of the region decreases to thirty households during the winter months.

The only way of transportation in Simena (Kaleköy) is by sea. That's why everyone living here has their boat. It's kind of like a car for them. Children studying at a school here go to school by boat every day. I wonder if they are aware of how lucky they are, but we are sure that they will realize this privilege at some point in their lives.

Here is the world's smallest amphitheater from ancient times. Each seat in this theater was carved from natural stones. It is an enormous detail designed entirely by hand. When you follow the small paths, the road takes you to the castle and cemetery at the top of the village. When you look back at the view from here, the only thought that will cross your mind will be: “I'm glad I came here!”

As you continue, you can find yourself in the center of a cute fishing village decorated with shabby fish restaurants and paper flowers. It is impossible to see luxury hotels and chain facilities here. Instead, you can stay in small modest, clean hostels. Since Kaleköy is a protected area from the first stream, it is an area where construction is prohibited. If it were not so and these natural beauties were drawn into the suffocating pollution of the construction, we would be very, very sad. We hope that construction companies will never step in here and Simena will grow, develop and multiply by blending with its beauty for many years.

The very sympathetic people of this place produce handmade clothes, jewelry, and food to make a living during the summer months. Organic homemade sage and carob molasses are some of these foods. Some flavors should be tried by those who are interested in a natural and healthy life.

Here, the Lycian sarcophagus, located in the sea, is mentioned as the promotional symbol of Turkey. The fishermen's restaurants lined up on the shore are intertwined with the sea. Houses, streets, hostels, in short, everywhere are adorned with bougainvillea.

When you pass through Kekova Island, a "Sunken City" with no population settlement will say hello to you.

Why Sunken City?

The reason why it is called the sunken city is that this area was flooded by an earthquake in the 2nd century. It is one of the most important historical sites for underwater archeology. Anatolia's legendary past full of stories has always been interesting. Kekova also draws people in at first sight with both its appearance and its story, and it almost fascinates. When you look towards the beach, you can see stairs descending towards the water. Here stories come to life before your eyes. It is very pleasant to imagine the daily life bustle of people who lived in the past in your mind. Stairs and sunken houses offer the feeling of being in another universe to a different dimension. The entire island is surrounded by ruins. There is no detailed information about the history of this place. Because excavation work is not allowed here.

Since this is a protected area, swimming and diving around the island are prohibited. However, you can look at these legendary places under the boats or take short trips by canoe. The existence of such prohibitions is a situation that gives people confidence in terms of protecting underwater creatures and keeping natural beauties as they are. It is a comforting feeling to know that Kekova will always remain intact...