Sunken City Kekova, Demre & Myra Day Tour

Kekova is the star here: ancient ruins sit below clear Mediterranean water, and you see them from a boat before stopping for a swim or snorkel. The day also links Myra’s Lycian tombs and theater with Demre’s famous St. Nicholas Church.

I like the scenic coastal drive from Antalya or Kemer and the chance to combine major sights in one long day. I also like that Myra admission, lunch, transport, insurance, and a professional guide are included. The main drawback is the length: pickup can be around 6:30 a.m., with a return after 8 p.m., especially when a large group and several language groups are involved.

Key points to know

• Kekova’s sunken ruins are viewed from the boat, with time set aside for swimming or snorkeling.
• Myra includes a Greek-style theater and Lycian rock-cut tombs carved into the cliffs above the ancient town.
• The drive is scenic but long, with coastal views and winding roads between Antalya Province’s major stops.
• Guides may lead in English or Russian, and guides such as Alp and Natalia have been praised for clear explanations and friendly service.
• Lunch is included, usually as an open buffet, but food quality can vary by departure and restaurant.
• St. Nicholas Church costs extra, so bring money for its separate entrance fee and for drinks.

Why this long day covers so much

This tour packs three very different sights into one route: the ancient Lycian town of Myra, the waterlogged ruins around Kekova, and Demre’s St. Nicholas Church. You get archaeology, sea time, mountain roads, and early Christian history in a single outing.

That range is the real value. If you have only a short stay on the Mediterranean coast, arranging each stop independently would take more planning and transport. At $78 per person, the package includes a comfortable, non-smoking, air-conditioned bus, a guide, insurance, lunch, taxes, and Myra’s entrance fee.

The trade-off is time. This is not a relaxed beach day with a little sightseeing added. It is a full 10-hour excursion, and the actual day can stretch longer once hotel pickups, traffic, transfers, and language arrangements are added. From Antalya’s old city, one departure began around 6:30 a.m. and returned after 8 p.m.

I would choose this trip when seeing Demre and Kekova matters more than having a slow morning. If you dislike long bus rides or large organized groups, the schedule may feel heavy.

The coastal road from Antalya or Kemer

The outing begins with hotel pickup and a drive toward Demre Province. The exact pickup area should be checked when you select your date, since the tour is described as departing from Kemer while pickup is also offered from hotels in Antalya.

The road is part of the experience. You travel along the Mediterranean coast, with winding sections and broad sea views. One account describes the bus as comfortable, air-conditioned, and pleasant for the scenic drive. Still, this is a serpentine route, so anyone prone to motion sickness should plan ahead.

Pickup coordination appears to be handled carefully. The local operator has contacted passengers before departure with the meeting point and pickup time, which is useful when several hotels and language groups are involved. You should still keep your phone available and be ready at the stated time.

Group size matters here. One departure carried 47 people, with transfers between buses used to organize different language groups. That can slow the day at stops and make the tour feel less personal. Guides can make a major difference, and Alp and Natalia are two names associated with especially clear, friendly guiding. Your guide may be different.

Myra’s tombs and ancient theater

Myra is the strongest historical stop on the tour. The ancient town sits near the Myros River and is best known for its Lycian necropolis, where tombs were cut directly into the rock face.

The tombs are striking because they resemble small houses or temple fronts set high above the ground. Their position and decoration offer a useful glimpse into Lycian burial customs, and a good guide can explain what you are looking at rather than leaving you with a quick photo stop.

You also visit the ancient Greek-style theater. Its curved seating area and stone stage remain easy to understand, even if you are not an archaeology specialist. I like this pairing because the tombs show how people honored the dead, while the theater gives you a sense of public life and entertainment.

Myra admission is included in the tour price, which keeps the day simple. Allow yourself time to look upward at the tombs and to take in the shape of the theater rather than rushing from one photo point to the next.

The site does require walking and standing in the sun. The tour information does not give a detailed accessibility assessment, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the operator before booking. Comfortable shoes, water, and sun protection make sense, although beverages are not included.

Lunch after the ruins

Lunch follows the Myra visit. It is included and is described as an open buffet, so you can choose your portion and return for more if needed.

This part of the day receives mixed marks. One account calls the meal excellent, while another finds it poor. A separate description calls it ordinary but appreciates the buffet format. In practical terms, the meal is a useful break and a cost-saving part of the package, but I would not book this excursion based on food alone.

Drinks are not included. Bring extra money for water, tea, soft drinks, or other beverages. If you have strict dietary needs, ask the operator before departure rather than relying on the buffet to meet them.

The lunch stop also gives you a chance to reset before the boat trip. The day is long, and the switch from ruins to open water is welcome.

Sailing around Kekova and Simena

The boat ride is the tour’s most memorable section. You sail over turquoise water around Kekova Island, where parts of the ancient settlement of Simena remain below the surface.

The ruins are viewed from the boat, not explored on foot underwater. As the boat passes, you learn about the sunken city and see the submerged remains through the clear water. The setting gives the history a different feel from Myra. Instead of looking at carved stone above ground, you are watching an ancient site disappear beneath the sea.

Swimming and snorkeling are part of the plan. The water is described as crystal clear, and the stop gives you a chance to cool off after the land visits. The temperature depends on the season. An April departure found the sea too cold for swimming, but the boat ride still remained worthwhile.

If you want to swim, bring a swimsuit, towel, and anything you need to change afterward. If you prefer to stay dry, you still have the boat views and the explanation of Simena. That flexibility makes Kekova suitable for mixed groups, although the experience will be more active in warm weather.

The boat section also depends on the day’s pace and conditions. Since the tour description promises a boat trip with swimming or snorkeling, the exact amount of time in the water may vary. I would treat the swim as a welcome part of the day, not the sole reason to book.

Teimiussa and the Lycian coast

The route includes the Lycian necropolis at Teimiussa. This stop adds another layer to the region’s ancient past and helps connect the ruins seen around Myra with the settlements near Kekova.

Teimiussa is especially useful for visitors who want more than a quick boat ride and a scenic swim. The tombs show how widely Lycian burial traditions appear across this part of the coast. Your guide’s explanation matters here because the remains can be easy to overlook without context.

The tour does not present Teimiussa as a long independent visit, so expect a compact stop within a busy day. That is a benefit if you want broad coverage. It is a limitation if you prefer to study every site at an unhurried pace.

Demre and St. Nicholas Church

The final major sight is Demre, also called Kale in the tour description, where you visit the Church of St. Nicholas. Nicholas of Myra is the historical figure connected with the church and the ancient town of Myra.

The church gives the day a different focus. Myra and Teimiussa are mainly about Lycian remains, tombs, and public buildings. St. Nicholas Church brings in the area’s Christian past and shows why Demre has drawn visitors for centuries.

The entrance fee is not included. That detail is easy to miss when comparing tour prices, so budget separately for the church. The tour does include transport and a guide, but the exact amount of time inside the church is not stated.

I would particularly value this stop if you are interested in early Christian sites or the story of St. Nicholas. If your priority is ancient Lycian archaeology and sea time, the church may feel less essential, but it rounds out the day well.

Guide quality and group size

The guide is central to this experience. A strong explanation turns rock-cut tombs, half-submerged ruins, and a historic church into connected pieces of the region’s story. Guides Alp and Natalia have been singled out for friendly attitudes, clear explanations, and useful information.

The tour is offered in English and Russian. If you need one of those languages, confirm the arrangement at booking, especially if the operator is combining groups. Different language groups can mean bus transfers or a larger party.

The large-group issue is worth considering. A group of 47 can make boarding, site entry, and meal service slower. It can also mean that you hear the guide better from some positions than others. On the positive side, the organized format keeps transport and admissions simple and makes a difficult route manageable.

I would ask about expected group size if a smaller experience is important to you. The supplied details do not promise a small group.

Is $78 good value?

At $78, the tour offers solid value for a visitor who wants all three areas in one day. You receive transport in an air-conditioned bus, a professional guide, insurance, taxes, lunch, and Myra admission. You also get the boat portion and time for swimming or snorkeling.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a leisurely boat outing. You are paying for the long transfers and several historical stops, not just the water time. The extra St. Nicholas Church entrance and all beverages are separate costs.

I see this as a convenience-first price. You avoid arranging transport between Antalya or Kemer, Myra, Demre, and Kekova. You also gain explanations at sites that can be confusing without a guide. The value drops if large groups and a long day would make you unhappy.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking add useful flexibility. Those policies are helpful when your plans around Antalya are still changing.

Who should book this excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you have limited time and want a broad introduction to the Demre and Kekova area. It works well for history-minded visitors who also want a swim, and for couples or families who prefer one organized day rather than several transport arrangements.

It suits people who enjoy scenic road trips, ancient ruins, and a full schedule. The English and Russian guiding options are useful, and the included lunch and Myra ticket keep the day easy to budget.

I would hesitate if you want a small-group feel, quiet meals, or plenty of time at each site. The long drive, early pickup, possible 47-person group, and mixed lunch quality are real considerations. April swimmers should also know that the sea may be too cold for comfortable swimming.

Should you book the Myra and Kekova day tour?

Book it if you want the most efficient way to see Myra, Teimiussa, Kekova, and St. Nicholas Church in one day. The sunken ruins and coastal boat ride give the excursion a strong center, while Myra adds the best archaeological stop.

Skip it if your ideal holiday moves slowly or if you want to spend most of the day on the water. For everyone else, $78 is a fair package price, provided you accept the early start, long return journey, extra church fee, and possibility of a large group.

FAQ

How long is the Sunken City Kekova, Demre and Myra Day Tour?

The tour lasts about 10 hours, though the total day can be longer because of hotel pickups, transfers, and the route. 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 hotels in Antalya. The tour is also described as a full-day trip from Kemer, so check the available pickup location and time for your booking.

Which languages are available?

The live guide is available in English and Russian.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and it is described as an open buffet. Beverages are not included.

Is the St. Nicholas Church entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee for St. Nicholas Church is separate. Myra’s entrance fee is included.

Can I swim or snorkel at Kekova?

Yes. The tour includes time to swim or snorkel in the clear waters around Kekova Island. Sea temperatures can vary, and the water may be cold in April.

What is included in the $78 price?

The price includes transportation in a comfortable, non-smoking, air-conditioned bus, insurance, a professional guide, Myra admission, lunch, and taxes. It does not include beverages or the entrance fee to St. Nicholas Church.