Castle of Simena
Castle of Simena
4.5
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4.5
203 reviews
Excellent
131
Very good
50
Average
19
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Christian M
Copenhagen, Denmark3,869 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Quote from thisisantalya.com:
“Located in an idyllic village that (supposedly) can only be accessed by boat or by foot, Simena Castle is one of Antalya’s treasures. Awe-inspiring panoramic views, hospitable Turkish villagers, a heart-pumping work-out, and Byzantine era ruins create an authentically Antalya experience.
History of Simena Castle
Inscriptions dating back to 4th century BC have been found in this ancient city, but the castle itself only dates back to the Byzantine era. Supposedly it was built to fend off pirates from raiding Kekova during the Middle Ages.
The 300-seat capacity theatre carved into the side of the slope signifies that it was used as a small city during Roman times. There are also carvings in the public baths that can be found on the shore of Kaleköy with dedications to Roman Emperor Titus (69-79 AD).“
“Located in an idyllic village that (supposedly) can only be accessed by boat or by foot, Simena Castle is one of Antalya’s treasures. Awe-inspiring panoramic views, hospitable Turkish villagers, a heart-pumping work-out, and Byzantine era ruins create an authentically Antalya experience.
History of Simena Castle
Inscriptions dating back to 4th century BC have been found in this ancient city, but the castle itself only dates back to the Byzantine era. Supposedly it was built to fend off pirates from raiding Kekova during the Middle Ages.
The 300-seat capacity theatre carved into the side of the slope signifies that it was used as a small city during Roman times. There are also carvings in the public baths that can be found on the shore of Kaleköy with dedications to Roman Emperor Titus (69-79 AD).“
Written 26 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stuffmatters
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia882 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
Simena village at the foot of the citadel is only directly accessible by boat or a short hike up the hill to the fortress via a necropolis featuring rock tombs.
The fortress itself is well worth the effort with an outstanding sunset panorama over Kekova.
Simena village has a choice of good restaurants to enjoy after the clamber whilst the path down has a variety of low pressure sellers!
The fortress itself is well worth the effort with an outstanding sunset panorama over Kekova.
Simena village has a choice of good restaurants to enjoy after the clamber whilst the path down has a variety of low pressure sellers!
Written 24 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iren Kun UK
1 contribution
Jun 2023 • Couples
June 2023
If you choose to go by car (and not by boat), follow Google Maps to Simena Castle until you can't go further by car.
When you leave D400 the street will get narrower and the quality worse. It takes longer to proceed.
It takes about 20-30 until Ucagiz.
Go through the village and you will find a place where cars park.
I took a photo of this place from the castle.
There is a bus stop as well and you will pass a cemetery.
From the "car park" try to find the path up to the castle with the help of my photos.
When you stand in the car park and look up at the castle, the path at your level will start on your left. Unfortunately, there is no sign of that.
We got to the "car park" around 6.15pm. We have chosen to visit in the evening because during the daytime it was very hot. Google Maps stated it is open until 7pm. In reality, it was open until 8pm. Please see my photos.
It takes about 15 minutes to get up to the castle and you better wear hiking sandals or shoes. The surface is somewhat rocky and uneven but totally doable. Please see my photos.
The entrance fee was 75 TL (at the time the only option was to pay by cash).
Opening times were 8.00-20.00.
There is a toilet at the castle.
No drones were allowed this time.
Walking around the castle is indeed only about 15 mins, but it depends on how much time you spend enjoying the view and taking photos.
If you want to explore Simena (which seems to be a very small place) you can take the other path down which leads through ice cream stalls, small cafes and other stalls with clothes. It starts right at the castle.
I took some pictures where you can see the boat access to Simena and some signposting in the village to the castle.
If you choose to go by car (and not by boat), follow Google Maps to Simena Castle until you can't go further by car.
When you leave D400 the street will get narrower and the quality worse. It takes longer to proceed.
It takes about 20-30 until Ucagiz.
Go through the village and you will find a place where cars park.
I took a photo of this place from the castle.
There is a bus stop as well and you will pass a cemetery.
From the "car park" try to find the path up to the castle with the help of my photos.
When you stand in the car park and look up at the castle, the path at your level will start on your left. Unfortunately, there is no sign of that.
We got to the "car park" around 6.15pm. We have chosen to visit in the evening because during the daytime it was very hot. Google Maps stated it is open until 7pm. In reality, it was open until 8pm. Please see my photos.
It takes about 15 minutes to get up to the castle and you better wear hiking sandals or shoes. The surface is somewhat rocky and uneven but totally doable. Please see my photos.
The entrance fee was 75 TL (at the time the only option was to pay by cash).
Opening times were 8.00-20.00.
There is a toilet at the castle.
No drones were allowed this time.
Walking around the castle is indeed only about 15 mins, but it depends on how much time you spend enjoying the view and taking photos.
If you want to explore Simena (which seems to be a very small place) you can take the other path down which leads through ice cream stalls, small cafes and other stalls with clothes. It starts right at the castle.
I took some pictures where you can see the boat access to Simena and some signposting in the village to the castle.
Written 27 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
miamikic
Bangkok, Thailand89 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
Magnificent. Climbing up not an easy task for less then gif people but worth every drop of sweat. The snakiest amphitheater in the world. Great views.
Written 5 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlexPelikh
Kas, Türkiye63 contributions
Dec 2021
It's a great picturesque place, you can visit it by boat trip that is better, because include Kekova sunken city, or come directly come from the nearest Kaleüçağız city.
I found it interesting because this castle is on the Lycian Way. You can see Lycian tombs over here.
The walls of this castle are restored, I quite don't understand what was inside of these walls. The territory inside is so small. Maybe the walls were longer. Also, what was so valuable to be defended by these walls? So only 4 points to this place for historical reasons, but it's the very best sunset viewpoint. (during winter)
I found it interesting because this castle is on the Lycian Way. You can see Lycian tombs over here.
The walls of this castle are restored, I quite don't understand what was inside of these walls. The territory inside is so small. Maybe the walls were longer. Also, what was so valuable to be defended by these walls? So only 4 points to this place for historical reasons, but it's the very best sunset viewpoint. (during winter)
Written 8 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bahadir S.
Canakkale, Türkiye591 contributions
Jul 2019
Being in Simena (now Kaleköy), an ancient Lycian city, it is a fortress that you must visit with its terrifying location dating back to the 4th century BC. t is one of the rare settlements in Turkey, where you can reach only by water way. Or you need to come to the area from the bay at the back of the castle by a vehicle - there is a cemetery here - and take a short climb to the castle from here. I reached this castle by climbing from this place and as you approach, you see sarcophagi everywhere. I don't remember seeing so many sarcophagi elsewhere together. Even at these points where you approach the castle the view of Kekova Bay is great, you cannot imagine how great from the top of the castle. You can go up to the top parts of this castle, which you can enter with Müzekart as well, and enjoy the eye-catching vie, you do not even want to leave here. I felt regret that I hadn't been here before.
Written 24 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JillianJournalist
Amsterdam, The Netherlands36 contributions
Jun 2019
We came to this part of the west Turkish Coast on a gulet cruise with Adventure4ever, to sea kayak which is an experience in itself.Before kayaking though we hiked up to the castle which was an easy and leisurely hike. The Turkish coastal waters are crystal clear and a beautiful tourquoise colour. The view from the top where the castle sits was outstanding. The castle itself dates way back to the Byzantine times and is well worth the short hike.
Written 20 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David H
Norwich, UK485 contributions
Aug 2019
We stopped here on a boat trip and didn't really have enough time to explore it properly.To get to it is a bit of a chore,as it is at the top of a hill and the steps are very uneven and rough and varied in height,a no go if you have a physical inpedirment.The ruins of the castle is in good condition,but it is mainly it's walls.It costs 14 lira to enter and you have to pass many people selling things on the way up.
Written 8 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
digitalroc
Calgary, Canada1,816 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
The history of this castle is interesting. The Lycian coast was frequently under attack, so the Byzantines protected Simena by building this fortress. The Knights of Rhodes later used this site as a garrison.
The climb to the top from the harbour requires good footwear and frequent breaks. The view is outstanding along the way and of course, at the top. The cost was 12 Lira for entrance to the castle.
The climb to the top from the harbour requires good footwear and frequent breaks. The view is outstanding along the way and of course, at the top. The cost was 12 Lira for entrance to the castle.
Written 22 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edjekadetje
Amsterdam, The Netherlands13 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
Nice place! Also check out the surroundings with a the old graves.
Best to visit with sunsets: spectacular views from the top of the castle !
Best to visit with sunsets: spectacular views from the top of the castle !
Written 13 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nataliya P.
Trieste, Italy22 contributions
Is it possible to come here by car from Kaleüçağız and leave the car near the Uçağız Cemetery?
Kemal Altan Demirel
Antalya Province, Türkiye
Yes it is
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Frequently Asked Questions about Castle of Simena
- Hotels near Castle of Simena:
- (0.00 mi) Sahil Pansiyon
- (0.02 mi) Kale Pansiyon
- (0.02 mi) Simena Pansiyon
- (0.03 mi) Lycian House Pansiyon
- (0.07 mi) Omur Pansiyon
- Restaurants near Castle of Simena:
- (0.04 mi) Likya Restaurant & Pansiyon
- (0.06 mi) Cafe Mola 1
- (0.05 mi) The l Am Here Cafe
- (0.04 mi) Cafe Ankh
- (0.08 mi) Neşeli kafe ve dondurma