From Antalya: Day Trip to Demre, Myra and Kekova Boat Trip

Kekova’s Sunken City is best seen from the water, where you can follow the shoreline past ancient remains before stopping to swim in clear bays. This long day from Antalya pairs that boat trip with Kaleköy, a small village reached by sea, and Myra’s cliff-carved tombs.

I like the contrast between the coastal boat ride and the archaeological visit, and the chance to climb toward Simena Castle for wide views over Kekova. Lunch is included, too, which makes a full day out easier to manage.

The main consideration is the length: at 13 hours, this is a substantial excursion, and the archaeological site entrance fee is extra. Don’t book it expecting a glass-bottom boat; that feature is not available.

Key points to know before you go

• Kekova is the centerpiece: A seven-hour boat trip takes you past the Sunken City and to swimming stops.
• Kaleköy gets about an hour: Use the time for the hillside climb, castle ruins, village lanes and necropolis.
• Myra adds a land-based finale: Its large Roman-style theatre and rock-cut tombs are the day’s key archaeological sights.
• Lunch is included: Expect lunch, seasonal salad, and fruit or dessert. Extra food and drinks cost more.
• Plan for a long day: Hotel pickup starts early, and the return to Antalya follows the boat trip and Myra visit.
• Entry is not covered: The archaeological site entrance fee is excluded from the $128 price.

From Antalya to Demre, an early start

The day begins with pickup from one of several listed meeting points in Antalya and surrounding areas. Antalya pickup times run from 6:45 to 7:40 a.m. For example, Guzeloba Kipa is listed at 6:45, Mark Antalya at 7:15, and Antalya 5M Migros at 7:30. Later listed pickups include Çıralı Junction, Olimpos Junction, Kumluca and Finike.

Check your exact pickup point and time before booking. The spread of locations means this is not a single central departure, and the early start is part of the deal. The drive to Demre is described as taking under two and a half hours, though your total time in the vehicle also depends on where you board and the group pickup route.

The outing lasts 13 hours in all. That leaves room for a long boat trip and several stops, but it also means you should keep the evening free. Comfortable shoes, swimwear and a towel are the essentials. Pets are not allowed.

The Sunken City from the boat

At Demre Harbour, you board for a seven-hour boat trip around Kekova. The main draw is the Sunken City, where the boat passes along the shore so you can look at the remains and take photos from the water. This is a viewing stop, not a land visit to the ruins.

That distinction matters. The value here is the view from the boat and the changing coastline, not a guided walk through the ancient settlement. One visitor specifically found that there was no glass bottom, so treat this as a regular boat excursion unless the operator confirms otherwise. You should not count on seeing underwater ruins through the hull.

The sea and scenery are a major part of the day. A well-kept, comfortable boat and a Turkish lunch prepared by the captain and his wife were highlights for one couple on the trip. That is a personal report, not a guarantee of the exact meal or boat setup on your departure, but it gives a useful picture of the experience: the boat ride itself is central, not just transport between sights.

The tour lists an English- and Turkish-speaking host or greeter. It does not promise a specialist guide at every stop. If you want detailed historical explanations throughout the day, ask about the guiding arrangement before you book.

Kaleköy and the climb toward Simena Castle

The boat stops at Kaleköy, a small village with about an hour ashore. The village is known for castle ruins and a necropolis, and the hillside walk gives you a view across the Kekova region. This is one of the most appealing parts of the itinerary if you like a little walking with your history.

An hour is enough to make a focused visit, but it is not a leisurely half-day in the village. If you want to see the castle and the necropolis, keep an eye on the clock and be ready for an uphill walk. One practical route tip is to go up to the castle first, then head back down and turn left toward the necropolis. That order can help you make the most of the limited stop.

The climb is worth considering before you go, especially if uneven paths or hills are a concern. The tour information calls for comfortable shoes, and that advice is sensible here. You can also use time at the stop for another swim, but choose what matters most to you: there may not be time to linger over every option.

Swimming at Gökkaya Bay and passing Pirates Cave

Gökkaya Bay is a swimming stop, giving you a chance to get into the water during the boat day. The tour also notes that water sports may be available there, but they are optional and should not be assumed to be included in the price. If swimming is a priority, bring your swimsuit and towel where you can reach them without unpacking your whole bag.

The boat also passes Pirates Cave, a naturally formed cave known for its large size and curved entrance. It is a brief scenic feature rather than a separate archaeological visit. Keep your camera handy, but remember that the boat itinerary and conditions can shape how much time you spend near any one feature.

At Karemlik Bay, you may look for sea turtles in their natural habitat. The area is associated with five of the eight turtle species known worldwide, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Think of this as a chance to watch for turtles, not a promise that you will see them.

Together, these stops make the boat portion more than a one-way cruise to the Sunken City. You get time for photos, swimming and looking for wildlife, though the exact pace can feel brisk if you want long breaks at every bay.

Myra’s tombs and theatre

After the boat returns to Demre port, the land portion continues with a visit to a nearby museum and the Ancient City of Myra. Myra is the day’s major archaeological stop, with remains dating as far back as the fifth century B.C.

The two headline sights are the Roman-style theatre, described as the largest in Lycia, and the rock-cut tombs high in the cliffs. The tombs are striking because they are carved directly into the rock face above the site. From below, you can see how the burial chambers form part of the cliff rather than a separate freestanding monument.

The theatre gives you a different scale of ancient life: a large public structure rather than a burial place cut into stone. Taken together, the two sights make a useful counterpoint to Kekova. The boat trip shows you coastal remains from the water; Myra lets you walk among major ruins on land.

The available details do not specify how long you have at Myra or what the nearby museum visit includes. The archaeological entrance fee is not included, so budget for that separately. Although the activity is marked as skipping the ticket line, that should not be confused with included admission.

Is $128 good value?

At $128 per person, the price covers hotel pickup and drop-off, the seven-hour boat trip, lunch, seasonal salad and fruit or dessert. That package can represent good value if you want to see Kekova and Myra in one day without arranging transport between Antalya, Demre and the harbour yourself.

The cost is less attractive if you are mainly interested in one stop, prefer to travel slowly, or expect every expense to be covered. Additional food and drinks are excluded, as is the archaeological site entrance fee. Optional water sports are also not listed as included. Work those costs into your decision rather than treating the headline price as the full day’s spend.

The strongest value is the variety: a scenic coastal outing, swimming, a village stop and two different kinds of ancient sites. The trade-off is a packed schedule and limited time ashore in Kaleköy. If you want a quiet day focused on one place, this trip may feel too busy. If you want a broad introduction to the region in a single outing, the combination makes sense.

Who should book this day trip?

I would consider this trip if you enjoy both outdoor time and archaeology, and you are comfortable with an early start and a long day. It suits people who want to swim, see the Kekova coast from a boat and visit Myra without planning separate transport.

It is also a good fit if you value scenery as much as historical detail. The boat ride and Kaleköy views are major parts of the experience. But if you need a guide to explain every site in depth, confirm what the English- or Turkish-speaking host provides before booking. One account of the trip described no guide, so a fully guided archaeological tour should not be assumed.

The short Kaleköy stop is another deciding factor. You can make time for the castle viewpoint and necropolis, but you may need to move with purpose. For a more relaxed visit, seek an option with a longer village stop or arrange a separate visit.

Final verdict

Book this if you want one full day that joins Kekova’s coastal scenery with Myra’s major ruins, and if you are happy to spend much of the day on a boat or in transit. The included lunch and transfers help justify the $128 price, but extra site admission and drinks add to the cost.

Skip it if you want a glass-bottom boat, an unhurried village visit or guaranteed expert commentary at each stop. For the right pace and expectations, the mix of Sunken City views, swimming, Kaleköy and Myra offers a rewarding look at this stretch of Turkey.

FAQ

How long is the trip from Antalya?

The full activity lasts 13 hours. The drive from Antalya to Demre is described as taking under two and a half hours, followed by the boat trip and visits.

How long is the boat trip?

The boat portion lasts seven hours.

What is included in the $128 price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, the seven-hour boat trip, lunch, seasonal salad, and fruit or dessert are included.

Is the archaeological site entrance fee included?

No. The archaeological site entrance fee is not included in the price.

What time does pickup start?

The earliest listed pickup is 6:45 a.m. at Guzeloba Kipa. Other pickup points have later times, with the listed schedule running through Finike at 9:35 a.m.

What languages are listed for the host or greeter?

English and Turkish are listed.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear and a towel.

Are food and drinks included?

Lunch, seasonal salad, and fruit or dessert are included. Additional food and drinks are not.

Can I bring a pet?

No. Pets are not allowed.

Is the boat glass-bottomed?

No glass-bottom boat is included in the stated experience. Do not book expecting to view the Sunken City through a glass floor.