Üçağız

Üçağız is a sheltered fishing village and departure point for exploring Kekova’s islands, ancient ruins and deeply indented Mediterranean coastline.

A sheltered natural harbour

Üçağız lies on the Kekova coast in the Demre district of Antalya. Its small harbour occupies a protected inlet where fishing boats and excursion vessels share the waterfront. Low-rise buildings and narrow lanes sit close to the water, while rocky hills enclose the settlement. The village is valued not for a long sandy beach but for its relationship with a network of islands, coves and historic sites.

A landscape with ancient roots

The area is associated with the ancient settlement of Teimiussa, and traces of antiquity remain in the surrounding landscape. Lycian tombs and other archaeological features point to the importance of coastal routes and harbours in earlier centuries. Modern Üçağız follows much of the same geographical logic: a sheltered point from which people can reach nearby settlements and travel along the coast.

Waterfront life and boats

The harbour is the focus of village life. Small piers, waterfront paths and moored boats create an intimate scale compared with larger Mediterranean marinas. Looking across the inlet gives views of the opposite slopes and the varied outline of the shore. The everyday movement of vessels is part of the setting, although the village also has quieter streets a short distance from the water. The sheltered inlet has a markedly different appearance from the exposed Mediterranean coast nearby. Water lies close to the houses, while several bends and small headlands break up the horizon. These features help explain the village’s role as a harbour and the continuing importance of boat travel around Kekova.

Exploring Kekova

Üçağız is a common starting point for trips around Kekova and Kaleköy. The region includes archaeological remains along the shoreline and underwater in designated areas, alongside rocky bays and channels. Visitors can appreciate the distinctive coastal formation without treating every inlet as a swimming spot; conservation rules apply at some archaeological locations. The setting combines maritime history, archaeology and the natural geography of the Lycian coast.

Getting to Üçağız

The village is reached by road from the Demre and Kaş area. It can be explored on foot, with most of the older centre close to the harbour. Conditions vary between the busier summer season and the quieter months outside it. Spring and autumn are useful for combining village walks with wider coastal exploration. Access to specific archaeological zones and excursions should be checked locally as arrangements may change.