Side-Turkey.

Some places you reach by road. Kaleköy is not one of them. The little castle village that sits above the bay of ancient Simena can only be entered from the water — there is no car park, no through-road, just stone steps climbing between fig trees, bougainvillea and a handful of family pansiyons. On the Demre, Myra & Kekova tour this is the moment most guests remember best: the boat slows, the Lycian fortress appears on the ridge, and you realise you are about to walk into a place that has looked roughly the same for two thousand years.

Why Kaleköy can only be reached by sea

Ancient Simena — Kaleköy in Turkish, literally "Castle Village" — is one of the rare settlements in Türkiye that can be reached only from the sea. It sits inside the Kekova Special Environmental Protection Area, a roughly 260 km² zone that shields both the natural coastline and the ancient ruins, and the whole site is registered as a 1st-degree archaeological site. That protection is exactly why it feels untouched: no coach fumes, no souvenir mega-shops, just a working village wrapped around ruins that have been continuously inhabited since around the 4th century BC.

What you actually see in the village

The Simena castle on the ridge

The fortress crowning the village was built in the Lycian period and later reused through Roman and Byzantine times. It is the climb that rewards you most: from the battlements you look straight out over Kekova Island, the channel and — on a clear day — the line of Lycian sarcophagi standing half in the sea. Inside the castle walls is one of the smallest ancient theatres you will ever see, cut straight into the bedrock, with just seven rows of seats and room for around 300 people.

Lycian rock tombs and sarcophagi

Below and around the castle, the slopes are scattered with Lycian rock-cut tombs and freestanding sarcophagi, many with the distinctive curved, ogival lids the Lycians favoured. The most photographed of all stands knee-deep in the water at the village edge — a sarcophagus that the rising sea has gently claimed, which has quietly become the symbol of the whole Kekova region.

How Kaleköy fits into the Kekova boat trip

Kaleköy is the human heart of the boat day. Most cruises pair the village with the famous Sunken City (Batık Şehir) off Kekova Island — the ancient settlement of Dolichiste, whose stairways, house walls and harbour structures slid into the sea after earthquakes in antiquity and are now visible a few metres beneath clear water. Boats glide slowly along that shore so you can look down at the ruins (swimming directly over the protected sunken city is not permitted), then dock at Kaleköy so you can climb to the castle, swim from the village, or simply sit with a tea and watch the bay. Many tours combine all of this with Demre, where you visit the Church of St Nicholas — the historical Santa Claus — and the rock-cut tombs and Roman theatre of ancient Myra.

Quick Facts

• Duration: A long full day — early morning start, evening return, confirmed at booking.
• Pick-up: Hotel pick-up from Side, Manavgat & nearby resorts; time confirmed at booking.
• Includes: Hotel transfers, Kekova boat trip with Kaleköy stop and Sunken City viewing; Demre/Myra and St Nicholas visits as per itinerary — details confirmed at booking.
• Excludes: Site entrance fees, lunch and personal extras unless stated — check official site / confirmed at booking.
• Family Friendly: Yes — children enjoy the boat and the castle; the village steps suit most ages.
• Best Season: Spring to autumn, when the sea is warm and the light is best for the sunken-city section.
• Difficulty: Easy overall, with a short uphill walk on uneven stone steps to reach the castle.

Related Excursions

• Tours from Side
• Tours from Antalya
• Tours from Alanya
• Tours from Kemer
• Tours from Belek
• More travel guides on our blog

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kaleköy the same as Simena?

Yes. Kaleköy is the modern Turkish name for the ancient Lycian city of Simena. "Kaleköy" means "Castle Village," after the fortress above it.

Can you drive to Kaleköy?

No. The village is one of the few settlements in Türkiye reachable only from the sea, which is part of its charm. On this tour you arrive by boat.

Can I swim over the Sunken City?

No. To protect the underwater ruins, swimming directly over the Sunken City is not allowed. Boats cruise slowly alongside so you can see the remains beneath the surface.

How hard is the walk up to the castle?

It is a short but uphill climb on uneven stone steps. Comfortable shoes help; most reasonably mobile visitors manage it at their own pace.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes. Children usually love the boat ride and the castle. Keep an eye on little ones on the steps and near the water.

Does this tour also include Demre and Myra?

Most itineraries combine Kekova/Kaleköy with Demre — the Church of St Nicholas — and ancient Myra's rock tombs and Roman theatre. The exact stops are confirmed at booking.

What should I bring?

Swimwear and a towel, sun protection, a hat, water, and comfortable shoes for the castle climb. A camera is a must for the sarcophagus in the sea.

When is the best time to go?

Spring through autumn offers warm seas and clear light. Earlier and later in the season the bay is quieter and very pleasant.

Ready to stand on the Simena ramparts and watch the sun fall over Kekova? Book this tour DIRECT with the Murat Atalay team at side-turkey.com — message us on WhatsApp or email info@side-turkey.com. Booking direct skips agency and OTA commissions, and we back it with our best-price guarantee.