Side-Turkey.

Of all the stops on the Demre, Myra & Kekova day trip, the Sunken City (Batık Şehir) is the one people picture in their heads beforehand — and the one most often misunderstood. You won't be diving on a lost Atlantis. What you actually get is quieter and, honestly, stranger: a calm Lycian bay where parts of an ancient settlement slid below the waterline after earthquakes centuries ago, so staircases, walls and foundations now run straight down into clear water and keep going. This guide explains what you can really see from the boat, why you can't swim over it, and how it fits into the rest of the day.

What the Sunken City actually looks like

The ruins sit along the sheltered northern shore of Kekova Island. As the boat eases past at low speed, you trace the line where land used to be: cut stone foundations, the edges of rooms, and steps that disappear under the surface and remain visible a little way down through the water. On a bright, calm morning the clarity is remarkable — but it rewards patience and a good angle more than a dramatic single "wow" moment. Many boats on this route have glass viewing panels or a glass bottom to help you look straight down; whether your specific boat does is confirmed at booking.

Why you can't swim or dive here

Kekova is a designated Special Environmental Protection Area, and the stretch over the main sunken ruins is closed to swimming, snorkelling and diving to protect the fragile archaeology. Boats also pass slowly and don't anchor over the site. This is a firm rule, not a tour operator's choice. The good news: the ban covers the ruins zone, not the whole bay — many tours include a swim stop in a nearby clean cove instead, which is confirmed at booking.

Kaleköy (Simena): the castle above the water

The boat trip usually pairs the Sunken City with a pass by — or a stop near — Kaleköy, the village built over ancient Simena. Above the houses sits a small medieval castle, and the slopes around it are scattered with Lycian rock tombs, including a famous sarcophagus standing half in the sea. It's one of the most photogenic corners of the whole Lycian coast, especially in soft late-afternoon light.

How Kekova fits the full day

On this excursion Kekova is the maritime chapter, bracketed by two land highlights. Demre brings the Church of St Nicholas — the Byzantine church tied to the 4th-century saint who became the Santa Claus / Noel Baba legend. Myra delivers the dramatic cliff-face Lycian rock tombs and a remarkably well-preserved Roman theatre. The day mixes coach travel between sites with the boat trip over Kekova, so you get ruins on land and ruins underwater in one outing.

Quick Facts

• Duration: A day trip combining coach travel and a Kekova boat trip, confirmed at booking.
• Pick-up: Hotel pick-up from Side, Manavgat & nearby resorts; time confirmed at booking.
• Includes: Demre (St Nicholas Church area), Myra (rock tombs & theatre), Kekova boat trip over the Sunken City; details confirmed at booking.
• Excludes: Personal spending, optional extras, and any site entrance fees — check the official site / confirmed at booking.
• Family Friendly: Yes — the boat section is especially good for children.
• Best Season: Spring through autumn, when the sea is calm and the water clearest.
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate; Myra and Kaleköy involve some uneven ground and steps.

Related Excursions

• Tours & day trips from Side
• Antalya region excursions
• Things to do in Alanya
• Kemer tours & boat trips
• Belek excursions
• More travel guides on our blog

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you actually see the Sunken City from the boat?

Yes. You see foundations, walls and steps along the shoreline and just below the surface from the boat. It's subtle and best in calm, clear conditions rather than a single dramatic reveal.

Can I swim over the Sunken City?

No. Swimming, snorkelling and diving over the main ruins are prohibited because Kekova is a protected zone. Boats pass slowly and don't anchor there.

Is there a swim stop on the tour?

Often yes, in a nearby clean cove away from the protected ruins. Whether your specific tour includes a swim stop is confirmed at booking.

Do the boats have glass bottoms?

Many boats on this route have glass panels or a glass bottom for viewing. Whether your boat does is confirmed at booking.

Is this the Santa Claus tour?

It includes Demre's Church of St Nicholas, the saint behind the Santa Claus / Noel Baba story, so yes — it's often called the Santa Claus or Noel Baba trip.

Is the boat trip suitable for kids?

Yes. Looking down at the ruins and the open-air boat ride tend to be a highlight for children.

What should I bring?

Sun protection, a hat, water, comfortable shoes for uneven ground at Myra and Kaleköy, and swimwear if a swim stop is included.

How do I get the best price?

Book direct with us. There's no agency or OTA commission in the middle, and we back it with a best-price guarantee.

Ready to see the Sunken City for yourself? Book DIRECT with the Murat Atalay team — message us on WhatsApp or email info@side-turkey.com. Booking direct cuts out agency and OTA commission and comes with our best-price guarantee.