Ucagiz

The landlocked bay of Ucagiz is accessed through a rocky channel. The shoreline in the vicinity is littered with the remains of Lycian settlements, some now submerged under the translucent waters of the calm, shallow  gulf, many of which can be explored on a Ucagiz yacht charter. On the northern shore of the bay is a mineral spring which has been dammed and where you can moor dinghies. The water is ice cold and a local myth says that any man who can sit in it for five minutes is an iron man!  Inland lie the neglected ruins of Apollonia and the substantial ruins of Cyaneae. 

The most romantic of the ruins are those submerged along the northern coast of Kekova Island known as the Sunken City. The underwater remains include stairs, pavements and the walls of houses – snorkelling here is not allowed but you can explore by sea-kayak.  The acropolis and necropolis of ancient Teimiussa lie to the east of Ucagiz and date from the 4th century BC. Above the picturesque village of Kale – accessible on foot from Ucagiz – is a ruined castle of the Knights of St. John from where there are magnificent views. Inside, there is a theatre carved into the rock and on the eastern slopes of the hill stand some well-preserved sarcophagi. Back in Ucagiz, there is a good selection of restaurants and you can expect to find yourself persuaded to buy oregano and printed headscarves from local hawkers.