Demre,Myra,Kekova With Sunken City Boat Tour & St. Nicolas Church

Kekova’s half-submerged ruins are the star here. From the boat, you look down through clear water at the remains of an ancient settlement, then pair that quiet cruise with Myra’s dramatic tombs and the church linked to Santa Claus. It is a long day, but it packs three of Antalya’s most distinctive sights into one outing.

I like the combination of ancient sites and open water, and I like that lunch, two-way hotel transfer, guiding, and the boat trip are included in the $60 price. The main catch is time: much of the day is spent on the road, entrance fees are extra, and some visitors found the explanations at the church and during the cruise too brief.

Key points to know

• Kekova boat cruise: See the sunken ruins from the water, with time to sit on the upper deck and enjoy the sea.
• Myra’s rock-cut tombs: The ancient city offers the most striking archaeological setting, including a large amphitheater.
• St. Nicholas connection: The church contains a marble sarcophagus believed by many to be the saint’s original tomb.
• $60 package value: Lunch, hotel transfers, guiding, and the boat ride are included, while admission fees, breakfast, and drinks are not.
• Very long touring day: The schedule begins around 7:00 a.m. and runs for roughly 11 to 12 hours.
• Practical planning: Bring swimwear, sun cream, a hat, sunglasses, a towel, comfortable shoes, and a camera.

A long day from Antalya to the Lycian coast

This is not a quick sightseeing outing. You leave Antalya in the morning and spend about three hours reaching the first major stop, then take the same amount of time to return after the visits and boat trip.

That travel time matters. You get access to places that are awkward to visit in a single day without your own car, but you must be comfortable sitting in a vehicle for long stretches. The transport is described as modern, comfortable, and air conditioned, which makes the distance easier in hot weather.

The tour is offered in English and can include as many as 40 people. That group size keeps the price down, but it can also make it harder to hear the guide, especially during outdoor explanations or on the boat. If the guide is speaking, stay close enough to hear clearly.

Pickup details need care. The listed start point is McDonald’s AntalyaBarbaros on Atatürk Cd., with a 7:00 a.m. start, while hotel transfer is included for hotels in the Antalya region. You are asked to wait at your hotel’s main entrance gate rather than the reception because of hotel privacy rules.

The end details should also be confirmed before you book. The tour information refers to hotel return, yet the meeting-point details say the activity ends back at the meeting point. One poor experience involved an unexpected drop-off away from the promised location, so I would confirm your exact return point in writing before departure.

Myra’s tombs and amphitheater make the first major stop

Myra Antik Kenti is the archaeological centerpiece of the land portion. The site is known for its rock-cut tombs and large amphitheater, giving you two very different views of ancient life in the same place.

The tombs are carved into the rock face and are especially memorable because of their setting. They are not just isolated stones with a plaque beside them. Their height and carved fronts make the site easy to appreciate even if you are not an archaeology specialist.

The amphitheater adds a strong sense of scale. You can picture crowds gathering for performances and public events, while the guide explains the role Myra played in the ancient region. The scheduled visit lasts about one hour, so expect an overview rather than a slow, detailed archaeological study.

Admission to Myra is not included. Keep extra money available for this entrance fee, along with the separate charge for St. Nicholas Church. The advertised price looks attractive because several large parts of the day are covered, but your real cost is higher once both site tickets, drinks, and breakfast are added.

You will need a moderate level of physical fitness. Comfortable shoes are important, and you should expect to walk around uneven historic sites in warm conditions. The tour is not presented as a difficult hike, but it is not a sit-down sightseeing day either.

Demre connects the lunch stop with St. Nicholas

Demre, also called Kale, is the setting for both the lunch break and the church visit. The schedule gives about an hour for the Demre stop, with lunch served at a local restaurant.

Lunch is included, which is useful on a full-day tour. You do not have to spend time finding a place to eat in an unfamiliar town, and the meal breaks up the long road and sightseeing schedule. Drinks are not included, so bring money for them.

The food is described as freshly made local cooking, but no fixed menu is supplied. If you have dietary needs, ask the operator before departure rather than assuming the meal will suit you.

The Church of St. Nicholas is a separate stop lasting about an hour. It now operates as a museum and contains a marble sarcophagus that many people believe marks the original tomb of St. Nicholas.

This is where the Santa Claus connection becomes more than a Christmas story. The historical Saint Nicholas was a Christian bishop associated with this part of the region, and the guide explains how his reputation later became linked with the familiar Santa Claus figure.

Admission to the church is not included. That extra ticket is easy to overlook, so plan for it when comparing the $60 cost with other day trips.

The quality of the explanation matters here. The church is a place where a short guided talk can add real value, but you may have limited help once inside. One account of the day found the church visit too independent, with little history explained on site. If you want detailed context, ask questions before the group moves on and read any available information at the museum.

Kekova is best seen from the upper deck

After the land visits, the group heads to a harbor for the boat trip to Kekova. This is the most relaxed part of the day and the reason many people choose this particular route.

Kekova is known for ruins that now lie partly beneath the water. From the boat, you can look toward submerged structures and see the remains from a viewpoint that protects the site from foot traffic. The clear water and quiet setting give this stop a different feel from Myra’s carved stone and theater.

The cruise lasts about two hours. You can spend the time watching the ruins from the side of the boat, sitting on the upper deck, or sunbathing if the weather is right. Bring a towel, swimsuit, sun cream, sunglasses, and a hat, even if you do not plan to swim. The boat trip itself is the place where those items are most useful.

Do not expect to walk around every site connected with Kekova. One important limitation is that the tour does not give you time to explore Simena on foot. You see the sunken city from the water, which is memorable, but it is still a viewing cruise rather than a full archaeological visit.

The guide’s commentary can make a big difference. Some explanations during the cruise may be brief, especially with a large group and engine noise. If hearing the history is important to you, sit near the guide and stay with the English-speaking group rather than drifting to the far end of the boat.

The cruise can also feel long if you are mainly interested in ruins and not in sitting on the water. The upper deck offers sun and views, but little shade may be available, so pack protection for the heat.

What the $60 price really covers

At $60 per person, this tour offers a useful bundle for anyone without a rental car. You receive transport from Antalya, a guide, lunch, and the Kekova boat ride. Arranging all of that separately would take more time and would require planning the long route between Antalya, Myra, Demre, and the harbor.

The package is strongest for convenience. You can see three major attractions in one day without working out bus connections or driving unfamiliar roads. The tradeoff is that the schedule is fixed, and you do not get much freedom to linger at one site.

The price does not cover breakfast, drinks, or entrance fees. Those costs are not unusual, but they should be part of your budget. Breakfast is especially relevant because pickup is early, around 7:00 a.m. Eat beforehand or arrange something for the road.

The group can reach 40 people. That is a fairly large number for archaeological stops and a boat, so this is not the right choice if you want private guiding or a quiet, carefully paced day. It can work well if you value access and price more than personal attention.

The overall rating is 4 out of 5 from 21 reviews, which fits the tour’s profile: strong sights and useful inclusions, with some unevenness in communication, guiding, and return arrangements. I would judge the trip by its itinerary and practical value rather than expect a polished private tour.

Timing, heat, and what to pack

The tour runs for about 11 to 12 hours. With three hours listed for the morning journey and another three hours for the return, you spend a large share of the day in transit.

That schedule is easier in mild weather than during a very hot spell. The air conditioned vehicle helps, but Myra and the church involve walking and waiting outdoors. The boat adds direct sun, even when the sea breeze feels pleasant.

Pack light, but bring the basics:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Swimsuit and towel
• Hat and sunglasses
• Sun cream
• Water and money for drinks
• Camera
• Any breakfast you need before the lunch stop

The operator asks for moderate physical fitness. You should be ready for a full day of walking, boarding a boat, and moving through historic sites. No special equipment is listed, and no claim is made that the route is suitable for visitors with limited mobility, so ask before booking if that is a concern.

Good weather is required for the activity. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this trip to you if you are staying in Antalya and want to see the Lycian coast without renting a car. It works particularly well for first-time visitors who want a broad sample of ancient ruins, religious history, and coastal scenery in one day.

It also suits anyone who likes variety. Myra gives you carved stone and an amphitheater, St. Nicholas Church adds a museum and cultural story, and Kekova offers two hours on the water. No single stop carries the whole experience.

I would think twice if you dislike early starts, long drives, or group schedules. You should also choose another arrangement if your main aim is to spend substantial time at Simena or receive detailed one-to-one archaeological commentary.

The tour is less suitable for someone who wants every entrance fee included. The $60 headline price is fair, but it is not the final amount. Add the two admission tickets and drinks before deciding.

Should you book the Demre, Myra, Kekova, and St. Nicholas tour?

Book it if you want the easiest budget route from Antalya to several important sights, and if a long day does not bother you. Myra’s tombs and amphitheater, combined with the Kekova boat cruise, give the tour its strongest value.

Before paying, confirm three things: your exact pickup point, your return drop-off, and the current entrance fees. On the day, sit near the English-speaking guide during the cruise and church visit, carry sun protection, and keep enough time and energy for the road.

This is a practical sightseeing package, not a private or deeply specialized tour. Its best features are the range of stops, included lunch and boat ride, and access to places that are difficult to combine independently in one day. Its weaknesses are the long transport time, extra admission costs, and the possibility of limited explanation in a large group.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 11 to 12 hours, including the journey from Antalya and the return trip.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 7:00 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel transfer both ways is included. Pickup instructions say to wait at the main entrance gate of your hotel rather than at reception.

Where is the listed meeting point?

The listed start point is McDonald’s AntalyaBarbaros, Atatürk Cd. No:38, 07040 Muratpaşa, Antalya, Türkiye.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

What is included in the price?

The price includes lunch, hotel transfer both ways, guiding service, and the boat trip to Kekova’s sunken city.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees are not included. This applies to the archaeological and church visits listed with separate admission charges.

Are breakfast and drinks included?

No. Breakfast and drinks are not included.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour can have a maximum of 40 people.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit, sunglasses, towel, sun cream, hat, comfortable shoes, and a camera.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted. If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.