Antalya/Kemer: Kekova Sunken City, Demre & Lycia Day Tour

Kekova is the day’s big draw: from a yacht, you follow the coast past the remains of a town lost to an earthquake, then get a chance to swim in the clear water. On land, the Lycian tombs at Myra and St. Nicholas Church give the long drive a worthwhile historical counterpoint.

I like two things in particular: you see several very different sides of the region in one day, and guides such as Levent, Ekrem and Ece have made the history easy to follow. Lunch is included, too, and the route gives you time to explore rather than just stepping off a bus for a photo.

The trade-off is the distance. This is a 12-hour outing with an early pickup, and the advertised glass-bottom boat may not always have a true glass bottom, so set your expectations for the underwater viewing accordingly.

• A full day in ancient Lycia: See Myra’s rock-cut tombs and Greco-Roman amphitheater, plus St. Nicholas Church in Demre.
• Kekova from the water: Cruise past ruins linked to an ancient town destroyed by an earthquake and look toward Simena Castle.
• A swim stop: Bring swimwear and a towel if you want to get into the water near Kekova.
• Lunch and transport included: The $80 price covers hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, the yacht tour and listed entrance fees, but not St. Nicholas Church or drinks.
• A strong guide can make the long drive fly: Guides including Levent, Ekrem, Ece and others have been praised for clear explanations, local context and a friendly manner.
• Plan for an early start: Pickup times vary by location, and some departures have begun around 5:45 a.m.

From Antalya to ancient Lycia

This trip is less a single-site excursion than a long, carefully packed day across a historic stretch of Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. You leave Antalya by road, cross the former territory of Lycia, and visit sites that span Lycian, Greek, Roman and early Christian history before reaching the water at Kekova.

The drive is part of the commitment. Depending on where you stay, pickup can be very early, and the ride takes you well beyond the resort zone. One traveler departing from Antalya’s eastern side reported a pickup around 5:45 a.m.; someone staying farther west may have a shorter run, but pickup times vary by location.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Be ready at the outdoor security gate of your accommodation 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Drivers are instructed to wait no longer than five minutes, so this is not the morning to assume you can grab one more coffee after the pickup time.

The ride also helps put the day’s sites in context. The route follows attractive Mediterranean scenery, and guides often use the travel time to explain the region and its past. Several people have singled out guides such as Levent, Ekrem, Ece, Kemal and Ismail for making the long hours feel engaging with clear history, humor and practical help. Your guide will depend on the departure, of course.

Myra’s tombs and amphitheater

The first major land stop brings you to the ancient remains of Myra, where Lycian rock-cut tombs are carved into the cliffs. Their placement is the striking part: instead of standing in a field of ruins, you look up at tomb facades cut into the rock above the town. It is easy to see why this stop becomes a highlight for people interested in ancient construction and burial customs.

The tombs offer a tangible link to Lycia, a culture that can otherwise feel abstract when reduced to dates and names. Your guide can help explain what you are looking at and how the region’s history connects to the later Greek and Roman remains. That context matters here; the details are easier to appreciate when you know why the tombs were made and what makes their setting unusual.

You also visit a Greco-Roman amphitheater. The contrast with the rock tombs is useful: one site speaks to burial and memory, the other to public life and performance. Entrance to the amphitheater is included, along with the listed fee for the Kekova Sunken City.

Expect a busy day rather than a slow archaeological study. There is free time at the stops, and guides have been praised for not rushing the group, but this is still a multi-stop outing. If you want to linger over every carving or read every sign, you may wish for more time than the schedule allows.

St. Nicholas Church in Demre

The church in Demre is dedicated to St. Nicholas the Miracle Worker, whose story became the inspiration for Santa Claus. The building sits above the 4th-century burial place associated with St. Nicholas, making this stop meaningful both as a religious site and as a point where local history connects with a familiar figure.

I like the change of pace here. After the tombs and amphitheater, the church offers a quieter, more personal way to encounter the past. The site can feel spiritual as well as historical, and a good guide can explain why St. Nicholas matters without reducing the visit to a Santa Claus footnote.

There is an important extra cost: the church entrance fee is not included. The stated price is about 790 Turkish lira, but entrance fees can change, so check the current amount before you go. Bring cash as advised, though one traveler reported being able to pay by card when they did not have lira.

Plan your time around the group’s schedule. This is one stop among several, and the day continues to Kekova after lunch. You will have a chance to see the church, but this is not a private visit with unlimited time.

Lunch before the Kekova cruise

Lunch is included, and it gives you a useful pause between the historical stops and the boat trip. The meal is served at a Turkish restaurant, and reports describe it as filling and enjoyable. Vegetarian choices have included cheese pide, and ayran has been available as a fresh, savory drink.

Drinks are not included, so keep some cash with you for beverages and any other purchases. The day’s stated price includes lunch, not an open tab. That distinction is easy to overlook when comparing tours, but it affects the real cost.

A stop at a shop has also appeared on some departures, with one person describing about an hour there. It may not be part of every day’s schedule, but if shopping is not your priority, it is reasonable to ask the operator in advance how the current itinerary is arranged.

Kekova’s submerged ruins from the yacht

The boat trip is the day’s scenic centerpiece. You board a yacht with glass viewing windows and sail across the water near Kekova Island, where an ancient Lycian settlement was damaged and submerged by an earthquake. From the boat, you can see the coastline and ruins, with Simena Castle also visible from the water.

The underwater views depend on the boat and conditions. The trip is described as a glass-bottom yacht tour, but some departures have been reported to use a boat without a true glass bottom. Treat the windows as a possible bonus, not the main reason to book, and ask Ginza Travel to confirm what vessel is planned if clear viewing below the surface matters to you.

The scenery alone gives the cruise its appeal. The boat lets you take in the coast at an easy pace, while your guide points out sites and gives the ruins a human story. Some people have also spotted sea turtles around the marina or during the boat outing, but wildlife sightings are a matter of luck, not a promise.

There is a swim stop near Kekova, where you can jump into cool, clear water. It is one of the most appealing breaks in a day packed with history, especially in hot weather. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and sunglasses; the swim can feel short if you are hoping for a long beach session, so think of it as a refreshing stop rather than a dedicated swimming excursion.

What the $80 price covers

At $80 per person, the tour bundles a lot into one day: round-trip hotel transport, lunch, the yacht cruise, and entrance fees for the Kekova Sunken City and amphitheater. You also get an English-speaking guide and a route that would be difficult to cover as efficiently by arranging each stop yourself.

The St. Nicholas Church fee is extra, and drinks are not included. Add the church ticket and any refreshments when you work out your day’s budget. The church charge is listed at about 790 Turkish lira, but verify the current price before setting out.

For someone who wants to see Myra, Demre and Kekova in a single trip, the package can be good value. You save the work of coordinating transport between distant sites, and lunch is already arranged. If you have a rental car and prefer to spend hours at one archaeological site, a self-planned visit may suit you better.

The main value is not just the number of stops. It is having a guide connect the tombs, church and sunken settlement into a story about the region. Many of the guides named on recent departures, including Levent, Ekrem and Ece, have been praised for clear explanations and a warm approach. Guide quality can vary by departure, but it is a meaningful part of what you are paying for.

Who will enjoy this day, and what to pack

This tour suits you if you want a broad introduction to the region and are happy to spend much of the day moving between sites. It works for families, couples and groups of friends, and one family with children and adults ranging from age two to 60 reported that everyone enjoyed the outing. Still, keep in mind that the day is long and includes walking around historic sites.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or pregnant women. If either applies to you, contact the operator before booking rather than assuming the route or boat can accommodate your needs.

Wear comfortable shoes for the archaeological stops. Pack sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear and a towel, along with cash for the church entrance and drinks. The tour runs in different weather, and one departure went ahead on a rainy day, so check the forecast and bring suitable clothing rather than counting on a perfect beach day.

Should you book the Kekova day tour?

Book it if you want a full day that mixes Lycian tombs, a Roman-era theater, St. Nicholas Church and a boat ride with a swim stop. The itinerary gives you several distinct reasons to go, and the guide can make the long drive more than dead time.

Think twice if you dislike early starts, long coach journeys or a schedule with several stops. And if the glass-bottom viewing is your chief reason for booking, confirm the vessel details first. For most people looking to connect ancient sites with a memorable stretch on the water, this is a strong use of a day outside Antalya.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about 12 hours. Pickup times vary depending on your location in Antalya.

What is included in the $80 price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, the glass-bottom yacht tour, and entrance fees to the Kekova Sunken City and amphitheater.

Is the entrance fee to St. Nicholas Church included?

No. The church entrance fee is extra and is listed at about 790 Turkish lira. The amount may change, so check the current fee before you go.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and cash. Drinks are not included.

Can I swim during the yacht trip?

Yes. The itinerary includes a chance to swim in the water near Kekova Island. Bring swimwear and a towel.

Does every boat have a glass bottom?

The tour is described as a glass-bottom yacht trip, but some departures have been reported to use a boat without a true glass bottom. Confirm the vessel with the operator if underwater viewing is important to you.