Kekova, Turkey on a Budget: Ancient Sunken Cities for $35/Day (2026)

While Santorini charges $75 for a sunset boat tour past volcanic cliffs, Kekova offers you a front-row seat to a 2,000-year-old sunken city—complete with Lycian sarcophagi rising from turquoise waters—for just $15. In fact, savvy travelers discover that a full day here, including a boat trip, freshly caught seafood, and a night in a stone guesthouse, can cost less than a single meal at a Mykonos seafront restaurant. Let us show you exactly how to make every dollar stretch.

7 Free Things to Do in Kekova, Turkey

Swim Over the Sunken City from Tersane Bay: Walk 15 minutes east from Uçagiz harbor along the coastal path to an unnamed rocky cove. From here, you can snorkel directly above the submerged columns and house foundations of Dolchiste. The water is crystal clear even at noon, and best of all, there’s no entry fee, no boat needed, and you’ll often have the place to yourself if you arrive by 9:00 AM.
Climb Simena Castle for Panoramic Views: In the tiny village of Kale (known historically as Simena), you’ll find a 4th-century BC Lycian castle perched on the hill. The short hike up takes about 20 minutes, and while the castle itself is a paid site ($2 for a ticket), you can walk around the base and up to the café at the top for free. The view over Kekova Island and the Mediterranean is worth the sweat—bring water.
Stroll the Ancient Harbor of Simena: The entire village of Simena is a living museum. Wander its narrow, stepped alleyways lined with stone houses, bougainvillea, and sarcophagi. You’ll see the famous single tomb carved into the rock just above the harbor. No ticket needed—just your feet and a camera.
Watch the Sunset from Uçagiz Pier: Locals gather on the small pier at Uçagiz around 6:30 PM (in summer) to watch the sun drop behind Kekova Island. Bring a tea from the nearby cay bahcesi ($0.30) and sit on the stone wall. It’s the cheapest and most beautiful evening entertainment in the area.
Explore the Demre Plain Walking Trail: From Uçagiz, you can follow the dirt road toward Demre for about 3km. This ancient route skirts the coast, passing through olive groves and offering glimpses of the sunken city from the mainland. You’ll also pass fishermen’s huts and a small beach perfect for a midday dip. No signs, no crowds, just you and the ruins.
Visit the Lycian Sarcophagi near Kale: Just outside the village of Kale (Simena), on the path to the castle, you’ll find several well-preserved Lycian sarcophagi resting among the rocks. These are free to touch and photograph. One particularly intact specimen dates from 400 BC and shows a carving of a lion. Locals often leave small offerings of flowers at the base.
Relax at Kapıdağ Beach (Public Access): On the far side of Kekova Island, accessible only by boat or a long hike (about 2 hours from Uçagiz), lies a pristine pebble beach with no facilities and no crowds. If you’re up for the hike, it’s a wilderness swim you won’t forget. Otherwise, take the public dolmus boat from Uçagiz to the island (round trip $3; operated by villagers) and walk from the landing point—the beach is 10 minutes south.

Cheap Eats: Where Locals Actually Eat

For a true taste of Kekova without the tourist markup, head to these three spots:

Deniz Kızı Restaurant (Uçagiz harbor): A family-run place with a plastic chair-and-table setup. The specialty is balık ekmek (grilled fish sandwich) – $3. They also serve mercimek çorbası (lentil soup) for $1.50. Come at 1-2 PM when fishermen deliver the catch. Address: Ataturk Cad. No 2, Uçagiz.
Kale Restaurant (Simena/Kale village, near the harbor): Not actually a restaurant, but a woman named Fatma who cooks on a terrace overlooking the sunken city. She serves gözleme (stuffed flatbread) with cheese and spinach for $2, and fresh ayran for $1. Ask any local for “Fatma’s terrace” – it’s unmarked, but everyone knows her.
The Night Market in Demre (Saturdays only): Every Saturday from 7:00 AM to noon, the town of Demre (20 minutes by minibus, $1) hosts a farmer’s market. You’ll find piles of fresh oranges, pomegranates, olives, and cheese at wholesale prices. A kilo of oranges costs $0.50, a wheel of goat cheese $3. Load up for the week.
Bakkal (corner shop) in Uçagiz: For a cheap breakfast, buy a fresh simit (sesame ring, $0.50) and a packet of Ezine cheese ($1) from the bakkal next to the mosque. Pair with a cay from the tea house across the street ($0.30). Total – under $2.

Kekova Island, Kekova, Turkey

Getting There Without Going Broke

Cheapest Route: Fly to Antalya (from Europe on Pegasus or SunExpress, often under $50 one-way). Then take the Antalya–Kaş minibus (5 hours, $8) from Antalya’s coach station (Otogar). From Kaş, catch the local dolmus to Uçagiz (30 minutes, $2). Total door-to-door: about $60 from many European cities.
Pro Tip: Book your flight to Antalya at least 6 weeks in advance, and use a VPN set to Turkey to see lower prices on Turkish websites like obilet.com for bus tickets. You can save up to 40% on the bus leg.
From the Airport: Take the Havaş shuttle from Antalya Airport to the Otogar ($1.50, every 30 minutes). Then the minibus to Kaş as above. A taxi from Antalya Airport direct to Kekova would cost at least $150, so avoid it.

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Woman in white hijab sitting on chair, Kekova, Turkey

Budget Accommodation Guide

The cheapest area to stay is the village of Uçagiz, the main port for Kekova. You’ll find several family-run pansiyons (guesthouses) offering basic but clean rooms for $20-30 per night. The most popular is Uçagiz Guesthouse (Ataturk Cad. No 14, +90 242 874 2058) – dorms from $12, private rooms from $25 with breakfast. They also have a small kitchen you can use.

For a bit more comfort, try Simena Pansiyon in Kale village (book via Booking.com – $30-40 for a double with sea view). To reach Kale, you must take a short boat from Uçagiz ($1 each way, every hour until sunset). The village is quieter and more atmospheric.

If you’re traveling with a group, consider an Airbnb in Uçagiz or Kale. A whole apartment with kitchen costs about $50 per night. Avoid the tourist town of Kaş for sleeping – though it’s livelier, budget rooms there start at $35.

A rocky outcropping with a body of water in the distance, Kekova, Turkey

Money-Saving Tips Specific to Kekova, Turkey

Bring a reusable water bottle: Tap water in Uçagiz is safe to drink (locals drink it), and you can refill at the public fountain in the village square. Saving $1.50 per bottle over a week adds up to $10.50.
Skip the guided boat tour: Instead, take the public passenger boat from Uçagiz to Kale (operated by the village cooperative – $2 round trip). This boat passes directly over the sunken city, and you can hear the captain’s informal narration for free. The same price as a tourist tour, but without the loud music and crowds.
Eat at lokantas before 4 PM: Turkish home-style restaurants (lokantas) offer lunch specials until 3 or 4 PM. A full plate of chickpea stew, rice, and salad costs only $3. After 4 PM, they switch to dinner menus that are often double the price. Plan your main meal early.
Use the free camping spots: It’s legal to wild camp on the pebble beaches north of Uçagiz (e.g., near Tersane Bay). Bring a tent and you’ll sleep under the stars for free. There are no facilities, but the nearest market is a 15-minute walk. You can also ask at Uçagiz Guesthouse if you can pitch a tent in their garden for $5.
Book your return bus from Kas early: The last minibus from Uçagiz to Kas leaves at 6:30 PM. If you miss it, you’ll have to pay $20 for a taxi. Confirm the schedule at the dolmus stop upon arrival.

Is Kekova, Turkey Worth It on a Budget?

Absolutely. Even on $35 a day, you will not miss the magic of Kekova. The sunken city is visible for free from the shore; the ancient castle of Simena costs only a couple of dollars; the swimming is world-class without a single entry fee. What you sacrifice by going cheap is air conditioning (bring a fan), alcohol (buy a raki at the market for $5 instead of ordering at a restaurant), and maybe a hotel pool (but you have the Mediterranean). You gain peaceful mornings, authentic encounters with villagers, and the satisfaction of traveling sustainably. If you can splurge on one thing, make it the $15 boat tour – it lets you glide directly over the submerged ruins of Dolchiste, a sight that lingers in your memory far longer than any expensive meal ever could. Pack your swimsuit, some lire, and a sense of adventure – Kekova rewards the budget traveler with treasures that money can’t buy.