Kale Koy Fortress
Kale Koy Fortress by Kekova Island, Antalya, Turkey
Kale Koy Fortress is located in the village of Kalekoy on the coast between Kas and Demre, opposite Kekova Island. It is one of the most famous places in the surroundings of the sunken city of Simena and is part of a protected coastal zone. Visitors come here for the combination of archaeological monuments, sea views, and walks through the old village.
The history of the settlement goes back to antiquity, when Simena existed here - a small Lycian town that later became part of the Roman and Byzantine world. The fortress on top of the hill dates to the medieval period and was rebuilt in Byzantine times. At the foot of the hill, ancient sarcophagi and the remains of a necropolis have been preserved, while part of the coastal structures in these waters ended up underwater after earthquakes.
For tourists, this place is interesting not only because of the fortress itself, but also because of the surrounding landscape. From the walls, there are views of bays, islets, and the route of sea excursions around Kekova. Near the shore, you can see the famous Lycian sarcophagus by the water, and during a boat trip, the underwater remains of ancient buildings in the areas permitted for viewing.
Kalekoy is almost always visited as part of a boat trip or within the framework of a journey along the coast. There is no direct access to the waterfront, so part of the way usually continues on foot or by sea. Before the trip, it is worth checking the fortress visiting hours and the current restrictions in the protected waters.
Kale Koy Fortress on the map
Kale Koy Fortress: overview, routes, and archaeological remains
A climb through narrow streets leads to viewpoints and traces of ancient buildings.
A hilltop lookout fortress above the bay and traces of ancient Simena
The ascent to the fortress passes through the village’s narrow streets and along a stone path. At the top, the fortress walls and platforms have been preserved, offering clear views of Kekova Bay, boat routes, and the nearby islets. Inside the fortress, attention is drawn to a small ancient theatrical structure, partly built into the rock, which is especially rare here.
At the foot of the hill and along the shore, you can see Lycian sarcophagi, fragments of ancient masonry, and other traces of the old settlement. The most famous object along the shoreline is the sarcophagus standing almost at the water’s edge. During a boat excursion along Kekova, sections of sunken walls, stairways, and building foundations are usually shown, but swimming and underwater exploration in certain places are restricted by monument protection rules.
In the village itself, there are small cafés, piers for excursion boats, and places for a short stop during a walk. Nearby are Ucagiz, the bays of Kekova, and stretches of coast from which kayaks and boats depart along permitted routes. People usually get here by excursion boat from Kas, Demre, or Ucagiz, and more rarely by combining a car route with a walk down to the shore.
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