Simena is in the Kaş-Kekova Special Environmental Protection Area, covering an area of 260 square kilometers in the Demre district and registered as a first-degree archaeological site. The ancient city of Simena is one of the rare settlements in Turkey that can only be reached by sea. Today it is called Kaleköy.
As a result of the archaeological studies and scientific studies carried out in the region, it is thought that the founding date of the city dates back to the 4th century BC. It is seen in ancient records that the city was a member of a federation under the presidency of Aperlai Antique City, which also includes the ancient cities of Isinda and Apollonia.
Simena is a small Lycian city opposite Kekova Island. It had strategic importance with its convenient location in ancient times, which enabled it to trade extensively with the Aegean, Mediterranean and Black Sea civilizations. The most distinctive remnant that embodies this importance is its castle. It has survived to the present day. It is possible to watch Kekova Region with a magnificent view from the castle.
When approaching the coast of the peninsula, the remains of the Roman bath complex, which is thought to have been built in 79 BC, can be seen. On the shore, the harbour breakwater and Lycian sarcophagi in the water can be seen clearly when the weather conditions are suitable. There are two sarcophagi on the way from the shore to the castle. When you reach the castle, the theatre stands out as one of the most important structures of the ancient city, with its seven rows of seats carved into the natural rock and a capacity of 300 people.
Rock tombs, water cisterns, traces of religious buildings used as temples, churches and mosques are among the other finds of the castle. A large necropolis area to the northeast of the castle consists of rock tombs and sarcophagi.
