How long is the airport transfer from Dalaman to Kalkan?

Dalaman to Kalkan is roughly 1 hour 40 minutes by road, around 130 km along the D400 coastal highway. Our VIP transfer is door-to-door in a Mercedes Vito with flight tracking, child seats on request, and bottled water on board.

Which airport should I fly into for Kalkan?

Dalaman (DLM) is the closest at ~130 km / 1h40. Antalya (AYT) is ~210 km / 3h15 but often has more direct UK flights in shoulder season. We transfer from both — book whichever flight fits your schedule and we’ll meet you airside.

Do I need an international driving permit to rent a car in Kalkan?

UK and EU driving licences are accepted directly for stays under six months. Drivers from other countries should bring an International Driving Permit alongside their home licence. Minimum age 21, one year of driving experience, and a credit card for the deposit.

When is the best time of year to visit Kalkan?

Late May through early October. June and September are the sweet spot — sea temperature 24-26°C, fewer crowds and easier hotel availability. July and August are hottest (35°C+) but suit families with school-age children.

Do I need a passport for the Meis Island day trip?

Yes. Meis (Kastellorizo) is Greek territory, so a valid passport is required for the ferry. UK and most EU passport holders enter visa-free for the day. We collect passport details at booking and handle the boarding paperwork on your behalf.

How long is the Kekova sunken city tour?

The full-day Kekova boat tour runs roughly seven and a half hours door to door. The gulet leaves Kalkan harbour at 10:30 and returns around 18:00.

Can you swim over the sunken city?

No — swimming and anchoring directly over the protected zone are forbidden under Turkish law. There are dedicated open swim stops elsewhere in the channel.

Is the boat really a glass-bottom gulet?

Yes. The gulets we work with have a sealed glass viewing panel set into the hull, typically about a metre square.

Is lunch included on the Kekova tour?

Yes, a hot lunch on board is included — grilled chicken or fish, rice, pasta, salad and seasonal fruit.

What's the best time to visit?

Mid-May to late June and mid-September to late October give the best combination of warm sea, clear water and quieter bays.

Can I book a private Kekova tour?

Yes. Private charters from Kalkan harbour to Kekova start at around £450 for up to twelve guests for a full day.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes. The glass-bottom panel works as a kind of underwater telescope, and Simena castle is a small enough ruin to feel like an adventure.

How do I get to Kekova from Kalkan?

By sea direct from Kalkan harbour is the easiest way. Driving to Üçağız takes about an hour and forty minutes each way.

Swimwear, a hat, reef-safe sun cream, a light layer, a waterproof phone pouch, and proper shoes for the climb up to Simena castle.

What's the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure on shared tours, and up to 72 hours on private charters.

A Lycian day trip

Kekova Sunken City Tour from Kalkan

The Kekova sunken city tour from Kalkan is the day on the water with the most history attached to it. You sail east along the Lycian coast on a glass-bottom gulet, drop into the channel between Kekova island and the mainland, and float directly above the staircases, doorways and harbour walls of a Roman-era town that slid beneath the sea after a second-century earthquake.

Glass-bottom gulet over the submerged Lycian ruins of Kekova

Duration: Full day
Highlights: Sunken city · Simena · Üçağız
Boat: Glass-bottom gulet
Price: From £45

What you actually see on a Kekova boat tour with glass bottom

The route from Kalkan harbour heads east along the coast for about ninety minutes, slipping past Aperlae and into the sheltered channel that separates the long, low island of Kekova from the Lycian mainland. Below you, in three to five metres of clear water, are the remains of a Lycian-Roman settlement abandoned after the great earthquake of AD 141.

Swimming and anchoring directly over the ruins are forbidden under Turkish law to protect the site, but the gulet drifts slowly along the shoreline so you have a clear, twenty-minute pass over the most photographed sections.

Simena castle, Üçağız village and the day's rhythm

After the sunken city, the boat moors below Kaleköy — better known by its ancient name, Simena. A short, steep walk up through the village brings you to a Crusader-era castle perched on the hilltop, with one of the most photographed views on the Turkish Mediterranean.

Lunch is usually served back on the boat after Simena. Üçağız is the small fishing village at the eastern end of the channel — a short stop for ice cream or a coffee on the harbour.

Private Kekova tour from Kalkan and how to get there

Most visitors take the shared full-day Kekova boat tour. The strongest upgrade is a private Kekova tour from Kalkan: same gulet, your group only, flexible route. Private charters start at around £450 for up to twelve guests.

If you are wondering how to get to Kekova from Kalkan independently — by road, it is about an hour and forty minutes by car each way to Üçağız. Going by sea direct from Kalkan harbour cuts the road element entirely.

Best time to visit Kekova sunken city

The Kekova sunken city is visible year-round, but visibility under the boat varies. The best time to visit Kekova sunken city is mid-May to late June, and again from mid-September to late October, when the sea is calm and the light is low enough to penetrate well.

In high summer the trip still runs daily and the ruins are still clearly visible, but you will share the channel with more boats.

Booking, what is included and tips for the day

Shared full-day Kekova sunken city tours from Kalkan start at £45 per adult in 2026. The price covers your seat on the glass-bottom gulet, lunch on board, soft drinks at lunch, snorkel kit, the entrance to Simena castle, and minibus pickup.

Bring a hat, sun cream, swimwear, a light layer, and proper shoes for the climb up to Simena castle.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Kekova sunken city tour?: The full-day Kekova boat tour runs roughly seven and a half hours door to door. The gulet leaves Kalkan harbour at 10:30 and returns around 18:00.
Can you swim over the sunken city?: No — swimming and anchoring directly over the protected zone are forbidden under Turkish law. There are dedicated open swim stops elsewhere in the channel.
Is the boat really a glass-bottom gulet?: Yes. The gulets we work with have a sealed glass viewing panel set into the hull, typically about a metre square.
Is lunch included on the Kekova tour?: Yes, a hot lunch on board is included — grilled chicken or fish, rice, pasta, salad and seasonal fruit.
What's the best time to visit?: Mid-May to late June and mid-September to late October give the best combination of warm sea, clear water and quieter bays.
Can I book a private Kekova tour?: Yes. Private charters from Kalkan harbour to Kekova start at around £450 for up to twelve guests for a full day.
Is the tour suitable for children?: Yes. The glass-bottom panel works as a kind of underwater telescope, and Simena castle is a small enough ruin to feel like an adventure.
How do I get to Kekova from Kalkan?: By sea direct from Kalkan harbour is the easiest way. Driving to Üçağız takes about an hour and forty minutes each way.
What should I bring?: Swimwear, a hat, reef-safe sun cream, a light layer, a waterproof phone pouch, and proper shoes for the climb up to Simena castle.
What's the cancellation policy?: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure on shared tours, and up to 72 hours on private charters.