For detailed information about Olympos and everything related to it, check our <\/em>Olympos Travel Guide<\/a><\/em><\/strong> or for detailed beach and sea info see <\/em>What Is the Sea Like in Olympos?<\/a><\/em><\/strong>.<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Kekova Island appears regally on the sea, compared to the historic Demre district of Antalya. This island shines like a jewel in the crystal-clear Mediterranean waters. \u201cKekova\u201d is a geographic term that refers not only to the island itself but also to the stretch of sea between the mainland and the island and its surrounding shores. As one of Turkey\u2019s largest Mediterranean islands, Kekova rises as a rocky formation between Ka\u015f and Demre, where the Teke Peninsula meets the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Traveling from Ka\u015f toward Kekova, you first reach the S\u0131cak Peninsula, where land meets sea. Beyond lie the rugged faces of Toprakada and Karaada. Further on, you encounter Kekova Island, which hides traces of ancient times beneath the waves due to historical sea-level rise. The island and its surrounding coasts cover an area of 360 km\u00b2 under special protection status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This region, the heart of ancient Lycian civilization alongside Myra, was one of Lycia\u2019s most important settlements. On Kekova Island, opposite the blue waters of Kalek\u00f6y, you\u2019ll find the remains of the 2nd-century AD Dolchiste Ancient City, submerged by natural disasters and known today as the Sunken City of Kekova.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This tranquil corner of the Mediterranean is also called Geyikova Island. Rising 1,635 m above sea level and lying 500 m from the mainland, this strategic and historic site was declared the \u201cKekova Special Environmental Protection Area\u201d in 1990, safeguarding its natural and cultural heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here, history, nature, and modern life blend seamlessly. During World War I, Admiral Rauf Orbay\u2019s cruiser Hamidiye sought refuge in Kekova\u2019s natural harbor. On the island\u2019s cliffs, you can still see a giant Turkish flag and the inscription \u201cHamidiye Memory,\u201d carved by naval forces linking past and present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kekova and its settlements have become a prestigious stop on Mediterranean yachting routes. \u00dc\u00e7a\u011f\u0131z Village and the ancient fortress of Simena (Kalek\u00f6y) are the area\u2019s most significant coastal dwellings. This unique geography is where history and nature embrace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kekova, a center of natural beauty and archaeological wealth in Antalya Province, lies 175 km west of Antalya, 33 km southwest of Demre, 35 km east of Ka\u015f, and 180 km from Dalaman. Although the island itself has no settlements, the closest villages\u2014Kalek\u00f6y and \u00dc\u00e7a\u011f\u0131z\u2014sit directly across from it, providing easy access to Kekova\u2019s natural and historical treasures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If traveling by air, you can fly into Antalya or Dalaman airports. Antalya Airport is 175 km from Kekova, and from there you can travel by road\u2014car rental or private transfers make this route straightforward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For road travel from Antalya, follow the Kemer\u2013Kumluca route to Demre. After passing the industrial area, you\u2019ll see a sign for Kekova; turn left and drive 15 km to reach \u00dc\u00e7a\u011f\u0131z Village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For bus travel, the nearest station is in Ka\u015f. Since no direct minibuses run from Ka\u015f station to Kekova, take a taxi or private transfer from Ka\u015f. Kekova offers an unforgettable experience rich in history and natural beauty\u2014choose your mode of transport and enjoy this unique region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On Turkey\u2019s southern coast near Ka\u015f, the tranquil Kekova region offers natural beauty and history for travelers. Kekova has many land and sea attractions. Here are the top places to explore:<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of Kekova\u2019s main attractions is the ancient city submerged underwater. After a 2nd-century earthquake, this city sank and can now be visited on boat tours. Viewing the ruins beneath crystal-clear waters is a mesmerizing experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This small village across from Kekova is famous for its Byzantine-era castle. From the castle, you can enjoy panoramic views of Kekova and see the remains of an ancient theater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This natural bay is noted for its historical ruins and scenic beauty. Believed to have been a shipbuilding and repair site in antiquity, it contains remnants from the Byzantine era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once known as Teimioussa, this charming fishing village is known for its ancient remains, seafood restaurants, and authentic atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kekova itself is an island popular for its natural beauty, swimming, and diving spots. The eastern side features numerous caves and bays ideal for exploration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This bay is famous for its blue waters, white sands, and stunning scenery\u2014perfect for swimming and water sports in summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In conclusion, Kekova is an unforgettable holiday destination known for its natural beauty and historical wealth. Swimming in its blue waters while exploring ancient ruins is just one of the experiences that make this region special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kekova Island, located within the Demre district of Antalya, may be small in size, overlooking the blue waters of Kalek\u00f6y and \u00dc\u00e7a\u011f\u0131z, but it is a giant in historical richness. Among the many islands in this area, Kekova stands out as a titan with its 4.5 km length and 500 m width. The name \u201cKekova\u201d …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27754,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27750","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-places-to-see-in-olympos"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/olimposlu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27750","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/olimposlu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/olimposlu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/olimposlu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/olimposlu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27750"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/olimposlu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27750\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30659,"href":"https:\/\/olimposlu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27750\/revisions\/30659"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/olimposlu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27754"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/olimposlu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27750"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/olimposlu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27750"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/olimposlu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27750"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n\n\n\nAbout Kekova<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Kekova](\"https:\/\/olimposlu.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Kekova-Nerede-Nasil-Gidilir-Giris-Ucreti-1-1024x682.jpeg\")
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\n\n\n\nHow to Get to Kekova<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/olimposlu.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Kekova-Nerede-Nasil-Gidilir-Giris-Ucreti-1.webp\")
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\n\n\n\nPlaces to Visit in Kekova<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/olimposlu.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Kekova-Nerede-Nasil-Gidilir-Giris-Ucreti-2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n1. Sunken City<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Simena Castle (Kalek\u00f6y)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Tersane Bay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. \u00dc\u00e7a\u011f\u0131z Village<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Kekova Island<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. G\u00f6kova Bay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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