Simena (Kaleköy)
Ancient Simena, on the slope facing Kekova, lives on today as Kaleköy. There is no road: you arrive by boat or on foot, and the medieval castle on top takes in the whole bay.
Simena is a small Lycian port settled since the 4th century BC. Today's Kaleköy is built on top of the ruins: Lycian sarcophagi stand between the houses, and one rises straight out of the sea near the jetty. With no road access, transport still happens by boat and along footpaths.
The castle on the hill is Byzantine. Inside it sits the smallest known ancient theatre in Lycia — seven rows cut into the rock, seating roughly 300. From the walls, Kekova Island, the sunken-city shoreline and Üçağız bay all fall into one frame; this is the best viewpoint in the area.
You climb to the village on stone steps from the jetty, a steep ascent. At the top a handful of family businesses serve breakfast and fish. Most visitors come as a stop on a Kekova boat tour, but staying overnight in Kaleköy — with the evening and early morning to yourself — is a different experience entirely.
- Best time
- Spring and autumn
- Budget
- Budget
Tips
- Most Kekova boat tours stop for 1–2 hours; that can be tight for the castle.
- The climb from the jetty is steep — wear shoes with grip.
- No ATM or shop in the village; bring cash and water.