Antalya: Demre Myra Kekova Tour w/Boat Trip

Myra’s cliffside tombs and Kekova’s submerged ruins make this a day of striking contrasts: first, an ancient city carved into stone, then a boat ride past remains swallowed by the sea. You get two of the region’s most memorable sights without arranging separate transport.

I like that Myra admission and lunch are included, and that the plan brings together archaeology, the story of St. Nicholas and time on the water. I also like that the drive itself can be scenic, though it is a substantial part of the day.

The trade-off is time. Pickups start early, the route is long, and hotel stops can stretch the journey well beyond the advertised eight to ten hours. The St. Nicholas Church ticket, breakfast and drinks are extra.

What to Know Before You Go

• Myra’s tombs are the archaeological highlight: See Lycian rock-cut tombs dating to the 4th century BC, along with the ancient theater.
• St. Nicholas Church costs extra: The church is part of the visit, but its entrance ticket is not included.
• Kekova gets the longest scheduled stop: The three-hour visit includes a boat trip to view the sunken city, with a swimming pause reported on some outings.
• Expect an early start and a long drive: Pickup is listed at 5:00 am in Belek and 6:00 am in Antalya; the tour is advertised as eight to ten hours.
• The $79 price covers useful basics: Lunch, air-conditioned transport, taxes and fees, and Myra’s entrance ticket are included. Breakfast, drinks and the church ticket are not.
• Group size can reach 45: This is a shared outing, not a small private tour.

Myra’s Tombs Set the Tone

The first major historical stop is Myra, an ancient Lycian city whose name is said to mean Land of the Sun. Its most arresting feature is the necropolis, a set of rock-cut tombs placed high in the cliffs. Dating to the 4th century BC, they are a vivid reminder that the Lycians made their burial places part of the landscape rather than hiding them away.

Look up before you start taking photos of the theater. The tombs are the sight that gives Myra its distinctive profile, and the steep rock face makes them easy to appreciate from a distance. The ancient theater offers a different view of the site, with its curved seating and scale giving you a sense of how public life once gathered here.

The scheduled visit to Myra is about an hour. That is enough to see the main features at a steady pace, but it may feel short if you like lingering over details or taking photographs. The operator says it has allocated more time to the ruins after receiving feedback, but you should still be ready to move when your guide calls the group back.

Myra’s entrance ticket is included in the $79 price. That makes the stop easier to budget for, though it does not mean every admission on the day is covered.

St. Nicholas Church Has a Separate Ticket

The Church of St. Nicholas adds a later, religious layer to the day. It is dedicated to the saintly man who became the model for Father Christmas, a connection that gives the stop an appeal beyond its architecture. If you know St. Nicholas mainly as a winter holiday figure, this is a chance to place that familiar name in a very different setting.

The church visit is listed as a one-hour stop, but the admission ticket is not included. Set aside extra money if you want to go inside, and check the current ticket price before departure since no price is provided here. If you decide not to enter, you will have less to do during this stop, so consider your interest in the church when weighing the extra cost.

The church and Myra are close to one another, but they are separate attractions with separate ticket arrangements. Keep that distinction clear when comparing the tour’s included costs. Myra is covered; St. Nicholas Church is not.

Kekova’s Sunken City Is Best Seen From the Boat

Kekova is the day’s change of pace. According to the historical account provided for the tour, earthquakes caused part of an ancient settlement to collapse, leaving remains beneath the water and turning the area into an island. From the boat, you can look toward the remnants of Simena and see why this stretch of coast is known for its sunken city.

The scheduled Kekova visit lasts three hours and includes a boat trip. That block gives the day time on the water as well as a chance to take in the coastline, but it does not mean you should expect three uninterrupted hours cruising. One account of the outing described about 40 minutes viewing the ruins from the boat and roughly 20 minutes for a swim. The operator says the schedule has changed, so use those figures as a possible guide, not a promise.

A swim is not guaranteed by the tour details, and the information provided does not specify boat amenities or whether swimming is available on every departure. If being in the water is important to you, ask the operator what the current boat schedule includes before booking.

Kekova is the stop most likely to reward you with a different kind of memory from the inland ruins. Myra asks you to look up at stone; Kekova asks you to watch the waterline. Bring a phone or camera that you can keep secure on a boat, and do not count on a long stretch of free time at the shore.

A Long Road Day, Not a Quick Excursion

The tour is advertised as eight to ten hours, but the real length can depend on the pickup route and the order in which people are dropped off. The day begins early: pickups are listed at 5:00 am in Belek and 6:00 am in Antalya, while the general start time is shown as 5:30 am. Since those times differ by location, confirm your own pickup time with the operator after booking.

The drive is a significant part of the experience. One account describes roughly three hours on the bus in each direction, with additional time spent collecting people at hotels. Another describes a total day of about 14 hours, including a lengthy return route that continued to Belek after reaching Antalya. That is not the advertised duration, but it is a useful warning: resort pickups and drop-offs can add time.

The upside is that you do not have to arrange a car, plan the route or coordinate separate transfers between Demre and Kekova. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and one account singled out the views on the drive as a highlight. The downside is the same road time: after a very early start, several hours seated can feel tiring, especially if the vehicle is uncomfortable or the pickup route is slow.

The group can include up to 45 people. That is a sizable coach group, so expect a shared schedule and clear return times at each stop rather than a flexible private outing. If you prefer to explore at your own pace, this format may feel rushed.

Lunch Is Included, but Pack Your Own Drinks

Lunch is included, which is useful on a day with limited time between stops. The meal is described as a buffet, though portion and menu details are not provided. One account found the meal sparse and the break short, so keep expectations practical: this is a convenient included meal, not a reason to choose the tour for its food.

Breakfast is not included, and coffee, tea and bottled water are also excluded. With a pickup before 6:00 am in some areas and a long road journey, bring water and something small to eat in the morning. You may also want a snack for the return drive.

The price is $79 per person. For that, you get air-conditioned transport, lunch, Myra’s admission, and listed fees and taxes, along with the planned visits and boat trip. You will need to budget separately for St. Nicholas Church and any drinks or breakfast you want. Because the church ticket price is not given, check it before you go rather than assuming the listed price covers every stop.

Who Will Get the Most From This Tour

This day trip suits you if you are staying in Antalya or Belek, want to see Myra and Kekova in one outing, and are comfortable with a long day organized around shared transport. It is especially appealing if you like mixing ancient sites with a boat trip rather than spending the whole day on land.

It is less suited to anyone who wants a slow, highly flexible visit. The one-hour blocks at the church and Myra, early pickups, possible hotel detours and fixed group schedule can make the day feel compressed. If you want time to study the tombs or theater in detail, consider whether a private or independently arranged trip would better fit your pace.

English is the listed language, and most people can participate. The group is capped at 45, but there is no more specific information about mobility access or vehicle facilities, so ask the operator directly if those details matter to you. Confirmation is provided at booking. The tour also requires good weather and a minimum number of participants; if poor weather or low numbers lead to cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Should You Book It?

Book this tour if you want the convenience of reaching Myra, St. Nicholas Church and Kekova in one day, and you are willing to trade some flexibility for included transport and a planned route. The tombs and boat views give the day real variety, and the price covers lunch and Myra admission.

Think twice if a long bus day is a deal-breaker, or if you want generous time at every stop. Confirm your pickup time, the current amount of time at the ruins and boat, and the extra church ticket cost before you commit. If those details work for you, this is a practical way to see a broad slice of the Demre and Kekova area without arranging the logistics yourself.

FAQ

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $79 per person.

How long does the tour last?

It is advertised as approximately eight to ten hours. The actual day can be longer because of hotel pickups and drop-offs.

What time does pickup start?

The general start time is 5:30 am. Pickup is listed at 6:00 am in Antalya and 5:00 am in Belek, so confirm your specific time with the operator.

Is transport included?

Yes. Air-conditioned vehicle transport is included.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included. Breakfast, coffee, tea and bottled water are not.

Are entrance tickets included?

Myra’s entrance ticket is included. The entrance ticket for St. Nicholas Church is not.

Is the boat trip included?

A boat trip to Kekova is part of the experience, and the Kekova stop is listed as including admission. The provided details do not specify boat amenities or guarantee a swim.

What language is offered?

The tour is offered in English.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is 45 travelers.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refundable.