Kekova Sunken City
An ancient Lycian city half-submerged by earthquakes, visible from boats off Kekova Island. You can't step on the ruins, but the clear water makes it feel close.
Kekova Island sits just off the coast near Demre, a short boat ride from the villages of Üçağız or Kaleköy. The island itself is uninhabited—just 4.5 square kilometres of scrub and rocky shore. Under the water, the earthquake-shattered remains of the ancient city of Dolichiste are still visible: broken staircases leading nowhere, building foundations, and Lycian sarcophagi half-sunk in the shallows.
You can't walk the streets—access is restricted to protect the site—but glass-bottom boats and clear Mediterranean water give you a good look. Most tours loop the island, then give you some time to swim (just not right over the ruins). It's a strange, quiet place, more about reflection than exploration.
“To peer down at a city that slipped into the sea 2,000 years ago, all from the deck of a small boat.”
Book a morning tour from Üçağız, not Kaş—the ride is shorter, and you'll have the glassy water all to yourself before the wind picks up.
Boats from Üçağız and Kaleköy are small and have no ramps; boarding requires stepping down, so it's not accessible for wheelchair users.
Good to know
- Is Kekova Sunken City free to visit?
- Entry varies. Boat tours from Kaş or Üçağız; swimming restrictions apply near the ruins
- How long should you spend at Kekova Sunken City?
- ~2h
- When is the best time to visit Kekova Sunken City?
- Morning
- Is Kekova Sunken City wheelchair accessible?
- Boats from Üçağız and Kaleköy are small and have no ramps; boarding requires stepping down, so it's not accessible for wheelchair users.
