Kekova Sunken City

Kekova Sunken City, located off the northern shore of Kekova Island near Kaş in western Antalya province, is a partially submerged ancient settlement whose ruins—house walls, steps, cisterns, and harbour structures—are visible through the crystal-clear waters of Kekova Bay from glass-bottom boats, kayaks, and sailing vessels. The ancient settlement is identified with Dolichiste, a Lycian coastal town that was devastated by earthquakes in the 2nd century AD, causing a substantial portion of the waterfront district to subside into the sea. The result is a stratum of Lycian and Roman architecture visible just below the surface: cut stone walls rising from the sea bed, door thresholds at the waterline, and cistern mouths opening below the surface, creating a layered landscape where the ancient past is both literally and visually submerged. The wider Kekova area encompasses the village of Üçağız on the mainland opposite the island, itself built on the ancient site of Teimiussa and retaining fragments of Lycian sarcophagi along its waterfront. The village of Simena, also known as Kalekoy, is reached only from the water or via a short rocky path and sits beneath a Crusader-era castle whose ramparts offer panoramic views across the island, bay, and surrounding Taurus foothills. The combination of the sunken city, the two ancient villages, and the medieval fortification creates one of the most atmospheric day itineraries on the Turkish Turquoise Coast. The area is a designated protected zone, and swimming directly over the submerged ruins is not permitted by regulation. Sea kayaks, glass-bottom boats from Kaş, and private gulet charters can navigate through the shallow ruins area to provide close viewing from the surface. Kayak rental from Üçağız village is the most economical option for independent exploration of the ruins and the surrounding coast.