Sunken City Kekova, Demre & Myra Day Tour

Ancient tombs, turquoise water, and one very long day. This full-day trip links Myra’s rock-cut tombs and theater with a boat ride around Kekova, where the ruins of ancient Simena sit below the waterline. I like the way it combines major archaeological sights with time at sea, and I especially value the chance to swim or snorkel in clear Mediterranean water. The main catch is the length: pickup can begin around 6:30 a.m., with return after 8 p.m.

The drive to Demre is scenic, with sea views and winding roads, and guides such as Alp and Natalia have earned praise for clear explanations and friendly service. I also like that transportation, Myra admission, lunch, insurance, and a professional guide are included in the $78 price. Still, the group may be large, and lunch quality can be uneven.

Key points to know before booking

• Myra combines a Greek-style theater with Lycian cliff tombs, making it the strongest history stop of the day.
• Kekova is seen from the water, with the sunken remains of Simena visible around the island.
• Swimming and snorkeling are included as opportunities, but the sea may be cold outside the summer months.
• The drive from Antalya or Kemer takes real time, so expect a full day rather than a relaxed half-day outing.
• Groups can be large, with one reported departure carrying 47 people and coordinating more than one language.
• St. Nicholas Church costs extra, while Myra admission is included.

Why this Demre day trip is worth your time

This tour is built for you if you want to see several important sites in Antalya Province without arranging separate transport. In one day, you visit Myra, sail around Kekova, see the Lycian necropolis at Teimiussa, stop in Demre, and have the option to visit St. Nicholas Church.

I find the mix appealing because the day is not limited to ruins. You get ancient stonework, a boat trip, open water, a swim stop, and a look at a small Mediterranean town. That variety helps break up the long road journey.

The tradeoff is pace. A 10-hour schedule sounds manageable on paper, but the distance from Antalya or Kemer, hotel pickups, meal service, transfers, and language arrangements can stretch the day. If you want a slow visit with plenty of time at each site, a private tour would be more suitable. If you have limited time and want the main sights in one package, this group tour makes practical sense.

The early road to Myra from Antalya or Kemer

Pickup is included from your hotel in Antalya, while the tour is also described as a full-day departure from Kemer. Because those details can vary by departure point, I would confirm the exact pickup location and time before booking.

One departure from Antalya’s old city began at about 6:30 a.m. and returned after 8 p.m. That gives you a useful picture of the day. The stated duration is 10 hours, but hotel collection and traffic can add time, especially when the route includes several resort areas.

The ride itself is part of the experience. The bus is air-conditioned, non-smoking, and described as comfortable. The coastal road is winding, with broad sea views and dramatic bends. If you get carsick, sit near the front and bring water. The road is scenic, but it is not a quick transfer.

The early start has one clear benefit: you reach the major sights as part of a planned route rather than trying to fit them into separate days. The cost is less sleep and a long return ride. I would not book this outing the day before an important flight.

Myra’s tombs and ancient theater

Myra is the first major archaeological stop and one of the most rewarding parts of the tour. The ancient town sits by the Myros River and is known for its Lycian rock-cut tombs and large Greek-style theater.

The tombs are carved into the cliff face above the ancient city. Their placement makes them easy to see, even during a fairly short guided visit. Your guide can explain the Lycian burial tradition and the importance of the necropolis, giving the stone façades more meaning than a quick photo stop would.

The theater adds a different mood. Its curved seating and surviving stone details show how public performances and gatherings once shaped the town. You should expect uneven ancient surfaces and a lot of sun, so comfortable shoes and a hat are sensible.

Myra admission is included in the tour price, which improves the value. The guide service matters here too. A guide such as Alp or Natalia can point out details you might otherwise pass without noticing, especially if you are seeing Lycian sites for the first time.

You should allow for a guided group visit rather than a long private exploration. If you want to read every inscription or photograph each architectural detail, the schedule may feel tight. For a first introduction to Myra, though, the stop gives you the essential sights.

Lunch after the ruins

Lunch follows the Myra visit and is included in the $78 price. The meal has been described as an open buffet, which is useful when a group includes different tastes. You can take the foods you want rather than waiting for one fixed plate.

The quality appears less consistent than the organization. One account praised the meal as some of the best food of the trip, while another found it very poor. A separate assessment called it ordinary but appreciated the buffet format.

I would treat lunch as a convenient included meal, not as a reason to book the tour. You may enjoy it, but it is wise to carry a small snack in case the available choices do not suit you. Beverages are not included, so budget for drinks separately.

The meal also gives you a break from the bus and ruins before the boat portion. That matters on a day with so much movement. Even a basic lunch can be welcome when you have been awake since early morning.

Sailing around Kekova and the sunken ruins of Simena

The boat trip is the visual high point. From the water, you see the coast around Kekova Island and the remains associated with the ancient settlement of Simena. The clear sea makes the submerged structures easier to notice, though the experience is about viewing the ruins from the boat rather than walking through an underwater city.

This is an important distinction. The boat lets you understand how ancient buildings ended up below the waterline and how the coastline changed over time. You can look into the water, listen to the guide’s explanation, and photograph the ruins from a position that would be impossible on land.

The water is described as crystal clear, and the tour includes an opportunity to swim or snorkel near the island. That is a welcome change after Myra’s stone ruins and the long road journey. The stop may be the part you remember most, particularly in warm weather.

Sea temperature matters. One April departure found the water too cold for swimming, but the boat trip still felt worthwhile. If you visit outside the warmer months, bring a towel and swimwear if you want the option, but do not assume you must enter the water for the boat section to be enjoyable.

The boat ride also brings practical limits. You are sharing the vessel with the rest of the group, and the length of the stop depends on the day’s schedule. Expect a scenic group cruise, not a private sailing trip.

Teimiussa and the Lycian necropolis

The tour also includes the Lycian necropolis of Teimiussa, near the small settlement often called Kale or Demre. This stop adds another layer to the day because it shows Lycian burial architecture in a setting connected to the coastal boat route.

The tombs help explain how important burial places were in Lycian towns. Their weathered stone forms are less theatrical than Myra’s cliff tombs, but the setting gives you another way to understand the region’s ancient communities.

I like this part of the itinerary because it prevents the day from becoming only Myra plus a swim. You see more than one ancient site and get a clearer sense of how settlements were spread along the coast.

The drawback is that the stop may feel brief after the long drive, Myra visit, lunch, and boat ride. If ancient sites are your main interest, pay close attention to the guide and use the available time well. The tour is designed to show you the highlights, not provide a full archaeological study.

Demre and the Church of St. Nicholas

The final major stop is Demre, also known in the itinerary as Kale. Here you can visit the Church of St. Nicholas, linked with Nicholas of Myra, the Christian bishop whose story later influenced the figure of Santa Claus.

The church is not included in the tour price. You must pay the entrance fee separately, so keep extra money available if you want to go inside. Myra admission is covered, but St. Nicholas Church is not.

I consider this an important choice rather than a problem. If you are interested in early Christian sites, the church gives the day a strong historical and religious finish. If your main goals are Lycian ruins and the Kekova boat ride, you may prefer to use the stop for a short rest or a look around Demre.

The tour description calls the church stunning, but the real value depends on your interests. I would not assume every person in the group will want the same amount of time there. Ask your guide how the stop is organized so you know whether you can visit independently or must follow a set schedule.

The guide can shape the whole day

A good guide matters on a long sightseeing day, and the strongest comments focus on the guides. Alp is described as friendly, well-informed, and positive, while Natalia received praise for interesting explanations and a warm manner.

That praise is important because the tour covers several periods and places in a short time. Without explanation, Myra can look like a collection of stone seats and tombs, while Kekova can seem like a pleasant boat ride with half-seen ruins. A strong guide connects the sites and explains why they belong together.

The tour offers English and Russian guiding. If you need one of those languages, check that your selected departure provides the right language arrangement.

Group size may affect how personal the experience feels. One reported group had 47 people, along with transfers to coordinate different language groups. A large group can mean slower boarding, more waiting, and less freedom at each stop. The upside is a lower price than a private day tour and a more straightforward way to reach distant sites.

What the $78 price includes

At $78 per person, the tour offers reasonable value if you want an organized day from Antalya or Kemer. Transportation, insurance, a professional guide, Myra admission, lunch, and taxes are included.

The boat portion is a major part of the value. Arranging transport to Demre, finding a boat to Kekova, paying separate site fees, and organizing lunch would take time and careful planning. Here, the logistics are handled in one booking.

You should add the cost of St. Nicholas Church admission and beverages. You should also account for the time cost. A 10-hour tour can replace most of a day, and a very early pickup may make the following morning feel slow.

For me, the price is strongest for first-time visitors who want coverage rather than depth. It is less attractive if you dislike group schedules, want a quiet boat, or would rather spend several hours at one archaeological site.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to you if:

• You have limited time in Antalya Province.
• You want Myra and Kekova in the same day.
• You prefer a guide and included transport.
• You enjoy mixing ruins with swimming or snorkeling.
• You are comfortable with an early start and a long return.
• You want to avoid planning separate bus, boat, meal, and entry arrangements.

I would think twice if you need a relaxed pace, dislike winding roads, or want guaranteed warm swimming water. I would also be cautious if a large group would frustrate you. A private or smaller tour would likely give you more control, but it would cost more.

Bring comfortable shoes, sun protection, swimwear, a towel, drinking water money, and a snack. Keep your schedule free after the advertised 10 hours, since hotel pickups and group transfers can lengthen the day.

Final verdict: a strong sightseeing package with a long tail

I would book this tour for the combination of Myra’s tombs, the Kekova boat ride, and the chance to see Demre in one outing. The strongest value comes from the number of major sights covered and the included transport, guide, Myra entry, and lunch.

I would book it with realistic expectations. The day can run from early morning to evening, groups may be large, lunch is not guaranteed to impress, and St. Nicholas Church costs extra. If you accept those limits, the tour offers an efficient and memorable route through one of Turkey’s most rewarding coastal areas.

FAQ

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

The stated duration is 10 hours, though pickup and drop-off timing can vary. One departure from Antalya’s old city began around 6:30 a.m. and returned after 8 p.m.

Where does hotel pickup take place?

Pickup is included from your hotel in Antalya. The tour is also described as a full-day trip from Kemer, so confirm the exact pickup point and time for your chosen departure.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and Russian.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation is provided in a comfortable, air-conditioned, non-smoking bus.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and it may be served as an open buffet. Beverages are not included.

Is admission to Myra included?

Yes. The entrance fee to Myra is included in the tour price.

Is admission to St. Nicholas Church included?

No. Entrance to St. Nicholas Church is not included and must be paid separately.

Can I swim or snorkel at Kekova?

The tour provides an opportunity to swim and snorkel in the clear waters around Kekova Island. Sea temperatures can be cold outside the warmer months.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.