Antalya: Demre, Myra & Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip w/ Lunch

Kekova is history best seen from the water. This full-day trip links Myra’s rock-cut tombs, Demre, and a boat ride over the sunken ruins of Kekova, giving you a useful taste of the Turkish Riviera beyond Antalya. I like the mix of ancient sites and open-water swimming, and I especially like that entrance fees, a guide, lunch, and transport are included. The main drawback is the long road journey, which can run more than three hours each way from Antalya with an early start.

The guide can make a big difference here. Alp has earned particular praise for clear, honest explanations and a friendly manner. I would also pack sunscreen, extra water, and snacks, since the included meal is described as basic and the restaurant may not suit everyone.

Key points to know before booking

• Myra brings Lycian tombs and a large amphitheater together, making it the strongest land-based history stop.
• Kekova is viewed from a boat, with submerged ruins visible beneath the clear water around the island.
• Swimming and snorkeling are part of the day, so bring suitable swimwear and sun protection.
• Lunch is included but simple, and you may prefer to carry snacks of your own.
• The day can last nine to ten hours, with a very early start and a long transfer from Antalya.
• St. Nicholas Church costs extra, even though the Demre stop and other listed entrance fees are included.

Why this Antalya day trip is worth considering

This is not a quick sightseeing outing. You spend much of the day reaching the Demre area, but the route brings together three different sides of the region: Lycian archaeology at Myra, Christian history in Demre, and the sea ruins around Kekova.

At $78 per person, the value comes from the amount packed into one day. You get hotel pickup, a live guide, Myra and Demre entrance fees, lunch, and the Kekova boat trip. If you tried to arrange road transport, archaeological tickets, and a boat separately, the price could be harder to control.

Still, you should judge the trip by its pace. You are not getting a relaxed two-night stay in the Demre area. You are fitting major sights into one long outing, often with an early departure. I would choose it if you have limited time in Antalya and want to see the coast’s ancient sites without renting a car.

The long ride from Antalya to Demre

Pickup is offered from hotels in Antalya, Belek, and Kemer. The wider tour description also names Alanya and Side, so you should confirm that your exact hotel is covered before paying. The journey from the Antalya area can take upwards of three hours, according to the practical experience shared by one participant.

That transfer is the day’s biggest weakness. With a nine to ten-hour activity and a long drive on both ends, you need to be comfortable spending a great deal of time on the road. Families with young children may find the schedule tiring, especially because the day starts early.

The upside is that the transport removes a major planning problem. You do not have to find Myra, locate the boat departure point, or work out the return route after a full day in the sun. If your accommodation is in Belek or Kemer, the overall timing may feel more manageable than it does from central Antalya or farther east.

Bring comfortable shoes for the archaeological sites. I would also carry a refillable bottle if possible, since water and drinks are not included. Sunscreen matters even on the road, and it becomes essential once you reach the boat.

Walking through Myra’s Lycian tombs

Myra is the first major historical stop, set beside the River Myros. The site is known for its Lycian necropolis, where tombs were cut into the rock above the ancient city. These facades are the kind of sight that makes the region feel distinctive rather than interchangeable with every other Greek or Roman ruin.

You will also visit the ancient Greek amphitheater. Its scale helps you picture Myra as a working town rather than a scattering of stones. The guide’s role is important here, since the remains make much more sense when you understand how the tombs, theater, and city fit together.

I would give this stop your full attention before thinking about the boat. Myra supplies the clearest archaeological focus of the day, and the rock-cut tombs are best appreciated at close range. Wear shoes with good footing and expect some walking around an open-air site.

The visit is included in the price, including the entrance fee. That helps the tour’s value, particularly if you want a guided introduction rather than a quick photo stop. The pace is still shared with the group, so this is not the right choice if you want hours to examine every inscription or architectural detail.

Lunch before the Kekova boat

Lunch comes before the sea portion of the tour. It is included, which makes the day simpler, but you should keep expectations modest. The meal has been described as basic, and one account found the restaurant less clean-looking than preferred.

I would not book this tour for the food. Think of lunch as practical fuel between the ruins and the boat, not a special Turkish meal. Carrying a few snacks is sensible, especially if you have dietary preferences or tend to get hungry during long outings.

Drinks are not included. Bring water, and remember that the combination of sun, swimming, and a long transfer can leave you more tired than expected. This small bit of preparation can make the difference between enjoying the afternoon and merely getting through it.

Seeing Kekova’s sunken city from the water

The boat ride is the day’s visual centerpiece. Kekova Island is known for the submerged remains of Simena, often called the sunken city. From the boat, you can look into clear turquoise water and see traces of the ruins below the surface.

The wording matters here: this is a boat trip over the sunken remains, not a promise that you will walk through an underwater city. The value is in seeing the ruins from the water and understanding how the coastline and ancient settlement now share the same space.

The clear water also gives the boat portion a welcome change of pace after Myra. You can swim and snorkel in the surrounding waters, so bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and anything you need for time in the sun. The supplied information confirms swimming and snorkeling, but it does not specify whether equipment is supplied, so ask before departure if you need gear.

I like this contrast. Myra asks you to look upward at tombs and theater walls. Kekova asks you to look down into the sea. One is a close archaeological visit, while the other is a wider, more scenic experience that depends on weather, water clarity, and how much time the group gets to swim.

Teimiussa and the Lycian coast

The route also includes the Lycian necropolis at Teimiussa. This adds another layer to the day because you are not seeing only one famous ancient settlement. You get a second look at Lycian burial customs and coastal history around the Kekova area.

The supplied details do not give a separate length of time for Teimiussa, so expect it to be part of the wider Kekova visit rather than a long independent tour. That is useful context when setting expectations. You will see several important places, but the schedule is designed to cover ground.

The sea around Kekova is one reason this area is so appealing. The water, island views, and ruins create a setting that feels very different from an inland theater. You do not need a full archaeological background to enjoy it, though a good guide can connect the visible remains to the settlements that once occupied the coast.

Visiting Demre and St. Nicholas Church

The final land-based stop is the small town of Kale, also known as Demre. Here you can visit the church of St. Nicholas, associated with Nicholas of Myra. It is an important stop for anyone interested in the origins of the Saint Nicholas tradition, but the church entrance is not included in the tour price.

That extra fee is easy to overlook when comparing tours. Myra and Demre entrance fees are listed as included, while St. Nicholas Church is specifically excluded. If the church matters to you, budget separately and ask the guide how much time is available for the visit.

This stop broadens the tour beyond ancient Greek and Lycian remains. You move from tombs and theater architecture to a place connected with early Christian history. It also gives the day a clear ending before the transfer back to your hotel.

Do not assume that every stop receives equal time. The tour has to fit Myra, lunch, the boat, swimming, Teimiussa, and Demre into one day. If St. Nicholas Church is your main reason for going, confirm the schedule before you book.

The guide and language options

A live guide is included, with English and Russian listed as the available languages. Alp has received especially strong praise for being friendly, well informed, and honest in his explanations. That matters on a tour like this because several stops can otherwise blur into a string of old stones and place names.

The best guides help you notice why the Lycian tombs look the way they do, what you are seeing beneath the Kekova water, and how Myra connects with St. Nicholas. You should still confirm your preferred language and pickup details at booking, particularly if the tour date has more than one departure group.

The tour’s rating is 3.7 from 36 reviews, which suggests a mixed but generally worthwhile experience rather than a flawless one. The praise centers on the guide, the beauty of Myra and Kekova, and the comfortable bus. The reservations center on the long day, simple lunch, and restaurant standards.

That is a fair picture. A strong guide can make the journey feel purposeful, but no guide can shorten the road from Antalya or turn a basic included meal into a feast.

What the $78 price really covers

The $78 cost is reasonable if you want convenience. The package includes pickup, a guide, lunch, Myra entrance, Demre entrance, and the Kekova boat trip. Those are the main costs and arrangements you would otherwise need to organize yourself.

The price is less compelling if you already have a car and plan to stay near Demre. In that case, you might prefer to visit the sites at your own speed and choose your own restaurant. This tour is selling ease and structure more than luxury.

There are also a few extra costs to remember. Drinks are not included, and St. Nicholas Church requires a separate ticket. The basic lunch means you should not count on the meal as a major part of the value.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and a reserve-now, pay-later option make the booking less rigid. Those terms are useful if your Antalya plans are still shifting, but check the final conditions at checkout.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this day trip to you if you want a broad introduction to the Demre and Kekova area and do not want to arrange several separate transfers. It suits adults, couples, and active families who can manage an early start, a long ride, historical walking, and time in the sun.

It is also a good choice if you enjoy variety. In one day, you see a theater, rock-cut tombs, a Christian site, a Lycian necropolis, and a sea full of submerged ruins. That range is the strongest reason to choose it.

I would hesitate if you dislike long bus journeys, need a slow pace, or expect a substantial lunch. Families with small children should think carefully about the early departure and the reported three-plus-hour drive from the Antalya area. You should also reconsider if you want a private experience with plenty of time at each stop.

Pack comfortable shoes, swimwear, sunscreen, drinking water, and snacks. Add money for drinks and St. Nicholas Church. Those few items address nearly every practical weakness in the day.

Should you book the Myra and Kekova trip?

Book it if you have one free day and want the most convenient way to combine Myra, Demre, and Kekova. The guide, transport, boat ride, and included entrance fees make $78 a solid price for a packed sightseeing day. Alp’s clear and friendly guiding is another reason this experience can work well.

Skip it if the three-hour road journey sounds miserable, or if you want a leisurely coastal outing rather than a full schedule. The lunch is basic, the church costs extra, and the day may feel long from Antalya.

My call: book this tour for the ruins and the water, not for the meal. Start early, carry your own snacks and water, and confirm hotel pickup and the St. Nicholas Church ticket before you go.

FAQ

How long does the Antalya, Demre, Myra and Kekova tour last?

The activity lasts approximately nine to ten hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes a guide, lunch, entrance fees to Myra and Demre, the Kekova boat trip, and hotel pickup where available.

Is St. Nicholas Church included?

No. Entrance to St. Nicholas Church is not included, so you need to pay separately if you choose to visit.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included. It is described as basic, so bringing snacks is a sensible idea.

Are drinks included with lunch?

No. Drinks are not included in the tour price. Bring water or budget separately for beverages.

Where is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is listed for hotels in Antalya, Belek, and Kemer. The wider tour details also mention Alanya and Side, so confirm coverage for your specific hotel before booking.

What languages are available for the guide?

The live guide service is available in English and Russian.

Can I swim and snorkel during the boat trip?

Yes. Swimming and snorkeling in the clear waters around Kekova are part of the experience. The supplied details do not confirm whether snorkeling equipment is provided.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunscreen, water, swimwear, and snacks. You may also want money for drinks and the separate entrance fee to St. Nicholas Church.