Sunken City Kekova, Demre & Myra Day Tour

Kekova’s sunken ruins are the unusual draw here: you sail above the remains of Simena, where parts of an ancient settlement lie beneath the sea. On the same long day, you’ll see Myra’s Lycian tombs and theater, then visit the church of St. Nicholas in Demre.

I like that the tour brings archaeology and a boat trip together, and that Myra’s entrance fee, transport, lunch, and a guide are included. The coastal drive is another treat, with winding roads and sea views along the way.

The trade-off is the distance. Although the tour is listed as 10 hours, an early pickup and late return can stretch the day considerably, especially if you start in Antalya’s old town or join a large group.

• Myra’s rock-cut tombs rise above an ancient theater, giving you two key sights in one stop.
• Kekova’s underwater ruins are viewed from a boat, with time to swim or snorkel in clear water.
• Teimiussa’s Lycian necropolis adds another look at the region’s ancient burial sites.
• St. Nicholas Church is part of the day, but its entrance fee is extra.
• The drive is scenic but long, and the day may run beyond the advertised 10 hours.
• Guides and lunch can shape the experience: guides Alp and Natalia have led trips, while lunch quality has varied.

Myra’s tombs and theater set the tone

The day begins with pickup at your hotel in Antalya and a drive toward Demre province. The route runs along the Mediterranean coast, and the winding road offers broad sea views. That scenery helps make the transfer feel like part of the trip, though it does not make the distance short.

Myra is the first major stop. This ancient Lycian town sits by the Myros River, and its most striking feature is the row of rock-cut tombs carved into the cliff face above the site. Look up as you approach: the tomb fronts are made to resemble building facades, and their high position makes them hard to miss.

You’ll also visit Myra’s ancient theater, a large stone structure that gives you a sense of the town’s public life. The ruins are a useful counterpoint to the tombs: one speaks to burial customs, the other to communal gatherings. Myra admission is included in the tour price, which keeps this stop simple.

A guide adds value here. The site is more than a dramatic backdrop, and a good explanation helps you connect the remains to the Lycian world and the town’s later association with St. Nicholas. Guides on these tours have included Alp and Natalia, though you should not assume you’ll have a particular guide on your departure. English and Russian are the listed tour languages.

The road to Demre is part of the day

Expect a substantial amount of time on the bus. The tour is described as a 10-hour outing, but one itinerary from Antalya’s old city involved pickup at 6:30 a.m. and return after 8 p.m. That is a much longer day than the headline duration suggests. Starting point, road time, group size, and transfers between language groups can all affect the schedule.

The bus is described as comfortable, air-conditioned, and non-smoking. One trip had a group of 47, a size that can mean more coordination at stops and slower transitions. A larger group is not guaranteed every day, but it is worth factoring in if you prefer a nimble pace or more time at each site.

Pickup instructions have been reported as clear, and one trip’s pickup was right on time. Still, this is a full-day excursion, not a quick outing. Keep your schedule after the tour flexible, especially if your hotel is in Antalya’s old town and the return runs late.

Lunch is included, but expectations should stay flexible

A complimentary lunch is part of the package, which is useful on a day spent moving between sites. You won’t need to arrange a separate meal stop, and the included lunch helps make the $78 price easier to assess.

The meal itself is less predictable. Some people have found it excellent, while others describe it as ordinary or disappointing. One account notes an open buffet with generous portions, but that does not guarantee the same menu or quality on every departure. I’d treat lunch as a practical inclusion, not a reason to book.

Beverages are not included, so plan to pay extra for drinks. That small detail can matter over a long day, particularly when you are also covering the additional entrance fee at St. Nicholas Church.

Kekova is best seen from the water

After lunch, the tour heads to the boat portion around Kekova. The clear water and island scenery are a welcome change after the road and ruins. From the boat, you can look toward the remains of the sunken city of Simena, an ancient settlement partly submerged beneath the sea.

This is an observation experience, not an underwater archaeology visit. The ruins are seen from the water, and the boat ride is the central way to appreciate the site. The tour also gives you an opportunity to swim or snorkel in the surrounding waters. The exact time available for swimming is not specified, so think of it as a chance to cool off rather than a guaranteed extended snorkel session.

Water temperature matters. A spring trip in April, for example, may bring cold sea conditions, and swimming is optional. You can still enjoy the boat ride and the views without getting in. If swimming is important to you, bring appropriate swimwear and be ready to decide based on the conditions that day.

The boat segment is one of the tour’s strongest reasons to go. It gives the day variety: you move from carved stone and theater seating to open water and submerged remains. But if your main aim is a long, leisurely beach or snorkeling day, this is not that kind of outing. Kekova is one part of a busy schedule that also includes several historical stops.

Teimiussa adds another Lycian perspective

The tour includes a visit to the Lycian necropolis at Teimiussa. Its burial monuments connect the boat portion of the day to the earlier visit at Myra: across the region, tombs are a visible part of the ancient story. Seeing more than one site helps you recognize that the Lycian remains are not confined to a single archaeological stop.

The itinerary does not specify how long you spend at Teimiussa or detail the individual monuments, so keep expectations measured. It is a worthwhile addition for anyone interested in ancient sites, but the schedule is shared among Myra, the boat trip, the necropolis, lunch, and Demre. You may not have the slow, unhurried visit that an independent trip could allow.

St. Nicholas Church is a separate-cost stop

The final cultural stop is the church of St. Nicholas in the small town of Kale, also called Demre. Myra was home to St. Nicholas of Myra, and the church gives you a chance to connect the ancient town with the figure remembered through later Christian tradition.

Admission to the church is not included, unlike the entrance fee to Myra. Check the current fee before you go, since no amount is provided here, and keep some extra money available. Drinks are also outside the package.

This is a useful stop if St. Nicholas is a particular interest, but it may be less compelling if your priority is only the boat and ancient Lycian sites. Since it comes after a long day, your energy may affect how much time and attention you want to give it.

What $78 covers, and where the value lies

At $78 per person, the tour bundles hotel pickup in Antalya, air-conditioned bus transport, insurance, a professional guide, Myra admission, lunch, and taxes. The boat trip and several stops are also part of the day’s program. For a visit that would otherwise require coordinating a long-distance transfer, local transport, a boat excursion, and site visits, the package offers convenience as well as a full itinerary.

The value is strongest if you have limited time and want to see Myra, Kekova, Teimiussa, and Demre in one day. It is less compelling if you prefer small groups, flexible timing, or a quiet meal. A reported group of 47 and transfers between language groups can make the schedule feel less efficient, though group size may differ on your date.

Budget for the church entrance and drinks in addition to the ticket price. Also allow for a potentially longer day than the advertised 10 hours. That matters if you have evening plans, a separate transfer, or a tight connection.

Booking terms offer free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date. The listed pickup is from your hotel in Antalya, while the tour is also described as a trip from Kemer; confirm that your hotel is covered when booking rather than assuming pickup service extends to every area.

Who will get the most from this trip

This tour suits you if you want a broad introduction to Demre’s ancient sites and Kekova but do not want to arrange the transport and boat trip yourself. It is especially practical if you have only one day available and can handle a long ride with several stops.

You’ll likely appreciate it most if you enjoy guided context, coastal scenery, and a mix of ruins and time on the water. The guide can make a real difference. Past guides Alp and Natalia have been praised for clear explanations and a friendly manner, but assignments vary. The tour is offered in English and Russian, so check that the language on your departure works for you.

Think twice if you want a small-group feel, a slow archaeological visit, or a predictable lunch. The itinerary covers a lot of ground, and the drive plus group coordination can make the day feel packed. If swimming is your main goal, remember that the sea may be cold and the boat stop is only one part of the schedule.

Should you book the Demre and Kekova day tour?

Book it if your priority is to see several major sights in one organized day: Myra’s tombs and theater, Kekova’s submerged ruins from the boat, Teimiussa, and St. Nicholas Church. The included transport, guide, Myra admission, and lunch make the $78 fare a practical package for a time-limited visit.

Skip it or look for a more tailored option if you value a small group, extra time at each site, or a guaranteed swim in warm water. Before booking, check your pickup location, tour language, and start time, then plan for a day that may run well beyond 10 hours. If that pace works for you, this is a useful way to link the region’s history with its memorable stretch of coast.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour is listed as 10 hours. A departure from Antalya’s old town has taken from a 6:30 a.m. pickup to a return after 8 p.m., so allow for a longer day.

Where does hotel pickup take place?

Pickup is listed from your hotel in Antalya. The tour is also described as a trip from Kemer, so confirm your specific pickup location when checking availability.

Which languages are available?

The live guide is listed as speaking English and Russian.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, but beverages are not. The church entrance fee is also extra.

Can I swim or snorkel at Kekova?

The tour includes an opportunity to swim or snorkel in the waters around Kekova. Swimming is optional, and the sea may be cold depending on the season.

Are all entrance fees included?

No. The entrance fee to Myra is included, but admission to St. Nicholas Church is not.