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

Myra’s rock-cut tombs rise above the old Lycian town, and later, from a boat, you can look into the water at the remains of Kekova’s sunken city. I like this tour for its strong mix of ancient sites and coastal scenery, and for the chance to swim or snorkel in the clear water.

The trade-off is the long day. From Antalya, the drive can take more than three hours each way, with an early start, so this is a better fit for adults and older children than for families with little ones. Lunch is included, but it is basic.

What to Know Before You Go

• Myra pairs an ancient theater with Lycian rock-cut tombs, giving you two striking sights in one stop.
• Kekova’s sunken ruins are viewed from the boat, with time also set aside for swimming and snorkeling.
• The drive from Antalya is long, and one visitor put the journey at more than three hours each way.
• Lunch is included, but drinks are not, and the meal may be plain. Bring water and a snack.
• St. Nicholas Church is an extra-cost stop, even though entry to Myra and Demre is included.
• English- and Russian-speaking guides are available. A guide named Alp was praised for clear explanations and frank answers.

Myra’s Tombs and Theater Set the Tone

The day begins with pickup at your accommodation and a drive to Demre province. The tour description lists pickup from Antalya, Belek, and Kemer, and also mentions Alanya and Side. Because the pickup details vary by location, check that your hotel is covered when you choose a date.

The drive is a real part of the day, not a quick transfer between nearby sights. From Antalya, expect an early start and a journey that can exceed three hours. That makes the tour a substantial commitment, but it also explains why you see several sites in one outing rather than arranging separate transport and tickets yourself.

At Myra, you visit an ancient Greek theater and the Lycian necropolis, whose tombs are cut into the rock face. The tombs are the kind of sight that rewards a slower look: their elevated position and carved fronts make the burial ground visible from a distance, while the theater gives you a sense of the town’s public life. Your guide can help connect the remains to the Lycian past and the later story of St. Nicholas, who lived in Myra.

The Myra admission fee is included, so you do not need to budget separately for that stop. Wear comfortable shoes, as recommended, and be ready to walk around the archaeological site. The information provided does not specify how long you spend there, so keep your expectations flexible rather than planning the stop down to the minute.

A good guide matters here. Alp, one guide specifically praised by name, was described as friendly, candid, and strong at explaining the places on the route. Guides are offered in English and Russian. You cannot count on having Alp personally, but the account gives a useful sense of what makes the guided format worthwhile: context, clear explanations, and room to ask questions.

Lunch Is a Useful Pause, Not a Culinary Event

The included lunch comes before the boat trip, offering a welcome break in a full day of sightseeing. It is best to think of it as practical fuel rather than a meal you book for its own sake. One account described it as basic, while another noted that it was enough for the day.

There is also a caution about the restaurant’s cleanliness, so set your expectations accordingly. The tour does not include drinks. Bring water, sunscreen, and perhaps a snack; those are especially useful on a long outing that combines road travel, time outdoors, and a boat trip.

The lunch’s value is logistical. You do not have to stop and arrange a meal on your own, and the tour keeps moving toward Kekova. If food quality is a major part of your travel plans, this is not the day to expect a memorable lunch. If convenience matters more, the included meal does its job.

Kekova’s Sunken City Is Best Seen From the Water

After lunch, the tour heads to the coast for a boat trip around Kekova. The headline sight is the sunken city of Simena, where remains lie beneath the water. You view the ruins from the boat, looking through the clear sea at traces of the old settlement. This is not described as an underwater archaeological visit, so think of it as a scenic passage past submerged remains rather than an opportunity to walk among them.

The boat ride changes the pace of the day. After the road journey and time at Myra, you are out on the water, with the coastline and island scenery opening up around you. The trip also includes time to swim and snorkel in the clear waters near the island. Bring swimwear if you want to get in, and sunscreen for the exposed boat and shore time.

The itinerary also includes the Lycian necropolis at Teimiussa. Its place in the route adds another view of the region’s Lycian past, this time within the coastal setting. The description does not spell out the length of the stop or whether you go ashore, so do not assume a long visit. The boat ride and the time on the water are the central parts of this leg.

Kekova is likely to be the day’s visual highlight if you enjoy coastal scenery. The combination of ruins beneath the surface and a swim stop makes the boat trip more than a transfer between land attractions. Still, it is worth keeping expectations grounded: the sunken city is seen from above the water, and the tour’s appeal rests on the wider experience of sailing, scenery, and swimming as much as on the ruins themselves.

Demre and the St. Nicholas Church Add a Final Stop

The day ends in Kale, also called Demre, with a visit to St. Nicholas Church. Myra was the former home of St. Nicholas, and the church connects the ancient town to the figure behind the later Santa Claus tradition. For many visitors, that link adds a human story to a day otherwise focused on tombs, ruins, and coastal views.

There is an important cost detail: the tour includes entrance fees to Myra and Demre, but St. Nicholas Church is specifically excluded. Set aside extra money if you want to go inside. The wording around the included Demre admission and the church exclusion can be easy to misread, so treat the church as an optional paid visit rather than assuming its ticket is covered.

This stop rounds out the route, but it also comes near the end of a long day. If you are especially interested in St. Nicholas, the extra entry may be worthwhile. If you are tired or watching your budget, you can make that choice on the spot without changing the main attractions already covered.

What the $78 Price Gets You

At $78 per person, the tour bundles a guide, lunch, entry to Myra and Demre, transport from the listed pickup areas, and the boat trip to Kekova. That is useful value if you want to see several widely spaced sites without arranging a car, tickets, and boat transport yourself. The price also makes more sense when you consider the length of the drive and the fact that the day combines inland archaeology with a coastal excursion.

It is not an all-inclusive day. Drinks are extra, and St. Nicholas Church admission is not included. Lunch is provided, but it is modest, so bring a snack if you know you will want more than a basic meal. You may also want to budget for anything you choose to buy during the stops.

The overall rating is 3.7 out of 5 from 36 ratings, which suggests a mixed experience rather than a sure thing. The strongest praise centers on the guide and the beauty of Myra, Kekova, and Demre. The main cautions are the long transfer and the simple lunch. Those are not small details: they should guide your decision, especially if you are traveling with children or have limited time in Antalya.

Who Will Get the Most from This Day

I would choose this tour if you want to combine several important sights in one outing and are comfortable spending much of the day on the road. It is particularly appealing if ancient sites matter to you, but you also want time by the sea rather than a day spent entirely among ruins.

The boat section and swimming stop make it more varied than a straight archaeological tour. If you like snorkeling, bring your gear if you have it; the activity description says swimming and snorkeling are possible, but does not specify what equipment is provided. Comfortable shoes are a sensible choice for Myra, while sunscreen and water will help with the outdoor portions.

Families should weigh the drive carefully. One account noted that the Antalya journey takes more than three hours and may not suit young children. The full outing lasts 9 to 10 hours, and the early start can make the return feel long. Older children who enjoy history and swimming may find the mix rewarding, but there is no reason to pretend it is an easy day for every age.

The tour is less suited to anyone seeking a relaxed pace, a generous lunch, or a close-up visit inside the sunken city. You will see Kekova’s remains from the boat, not explore them underwater. And if you prefer to linger at each site, the shared full-day itinerary may feel brisk.

Should You Book It?

Book this trip if you want Myra’s tombs and theater, a boat ride past Kekova’s submerged ruins, and a swim stop in one organized day. The guide can add useful historical context, and the included transport, Myra entry, Demre entry, lunch, and boat trip make the $78 price reasonable for a multi-stop excursion.

Think twice if a long drive is likely to spoil the day, if you are traveling with very young children, or if the basic lunch and extra church fee would bother you. For the right visitor, the best reason to go is the contrast: Lycian stonework in the morning, clear coastal water later, and the St. Nicholas connection before the ride back.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 9 to 10 hours. Pick-up times vary, so check availability for the start time offered on your date.

Where is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is listed for hotels in Antalya, Belek, and Kemer. The tour description also mentions Alanya and Side, so confirm availability for those locations when booking.

What languages does the guide speak?

Live guides are available in English and Russian.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, but drinks are not. The meal is described as basic, so bringing water and a snack is a sensible plan.

Is entry to St. Nicholas Church included?

No. The tour includes entrance fees to Myra and Demre, but St. Nicholas Church is not included.

Can I swim or snorkel during the boat trip?

Yes. The tour includes time to swim and snorkel in the waters around Kekova. The provided information does not specify whether equipment is supplied.