Alanya/Side: Demre St. Nicholas, Ancient Myra & Sunken City

Kekova’s half-submerged ruins are the headline here, but Ancient Myra gives the day its real weight. You’ll see Lycian rock-cut tombs, an old theater, St. Nicholas Church, and the turquoise waters around Kekova in one long sweep through Demre Province. I like the included entrance fees and lunch, and I like that the guide connects the sites instead of leaving you to piece them together alone.

The trade-off is the 16-hour day from Alanya or Side. Pickup can also take time, especially when the vehicle stops at many hotels. Still, if you can handle a long road day and wear good walking shoes, this packs several major sights into one outing. Guide Margot receives particular praise, and the route between Demre and Finike adds fine coastal views along the way.

Key points at a glance

• Kekova by boat: Spend about one hour on the water viewing the sunken ruins around Kekova Island and the remains associated with Simena.
• Myra’s Lycian tombs: Look up at the carved cliff face above the ancient theater, one of the day’s most memorable sights.
• St. Nicholas in Demre: Visit the preserved church linked with Nicholas of Myra, the historical figure behind the Santa Claus tradition.
• A full package: Hotel pickup, drop-off, guide, lunch, boat trip, and entrance fees are included in the $71 price.
• A demanding road day: The trip lasts 16 hours, and multiple hotel pickups may make the outward journey longer.
• Not for limited mobility: The outing is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Why this Demre day trip is worth the long ride

I see this as a history-and-coast combination rather than a simple sightseeing transfer. Myra gives you ancient stone and Lycian funerary art, while Kekova changes the pace with a boat ride over clear water. St. Nicholas Church adds a religious and cultural stop that feels different from the archaeological sites.

From Alanya, including Mahmutlar, the route is especially long. The supplied schedule gives the full experience a duration of 16 hours, so you should reserve this for a day when you are comfortable leaving early and returning late. The same practical warning applies to departures from Side. Hotel pickup is included, but pickup is from the security gate or main entrance, not necessarily from your room or reception area.

I consider $71 per person a fair price for the amount covered. Entrance fees to Demre, Myra, and St. Nicholas Church are included, as are lunch, the one-hour boat trip, the guide, and transport in both directions. Drinks cost extra, but that is a small additional expense compared with paying separately for the major parts of the day.

The biggest question is not price. It is stamina. This is a good-value outing for someone who wants to see Demre without arranging several separate transfers. It is less appealing if you want a relaxed beach day or dislike long vehicle journeys.

Myra, where Lycian tombs meet a Greek theater

The first major historical stop is Ancient Myra, located beside the River Myros. The visit includes the ancient Greek amphitheater and the Lycian necropolis, where tombs were cut into the rock above the site.

The tombs are the visual surprise. From below, the cliff face appears marked with rows of carved burial chambers. These are not loose ruins scattered across a field. They are built into the stone itself, which gives the site a strong sense of place and makes the Lycian culture easier to picture.

You’ll then see the theater, another reminder that Myra was more than a burial center. Its scale helps explain the town’s importance in antiquity. I would pay close attention to the guide here, since the value of a stop like this comes from understanding what you are looking at, not simply taking a photograph and moving on.

The ground and surfaces may require steady walking, so comfortable shoes are specifically recommended. The trip is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. That limitation matters more here than at a purely scenic viewpoint.

Myra is also one of the places where a guide can make a noticeable difference. An English or Russian-speaking guide is included, and a live explanation should help you connect the theater, tombs, and Lycian setting. If Margot is leading your departure, you may benefit from the same warm and capable guiding style praised in the feedback, though guide assignments can vary.

Lunch before the Kekova boat ride

Lunch is included before the boat portion of the tour. That makes the day easier to manage, since you do not need to search for a restaurant during a tightly scheduled excursion.

The details of the menu are not specified, so I would not book this expecting a particular dish. Treat it as a practical meal included in the day’s price. Drinks are not included, so bring money for beverages.

The timing also makes sense. Myra is the most concentrated archaeological visit, while the boat trip offers a change of scene. Eating before getting on the water gives you a break from walking and lets you enjoy the next section without worrying about finding food along the coast.

Kekova and the ruins beneath the water

The boat trip lasts about one hour and takes you across the clear waters around Kekova Island. The main attraction is the sunken city, with ruins visible beneath or close to the water’s surface. You also see the remains associated with Simena and the Lycian necropolis at Teimiussa.

This is not an ordinary sightseeing cruise. The appeal is the mix of sea and archaeology. You are looking through the water at traces of an older settlement while moving along a coast known for its striking views. The boat gives you a wider view than you would get from land and turns the ruins into part of the natural setting.

The description says you can enjoy the clear water surrounding the island, but the supplied details do not promise swimming. I would plan to look, photograph, and listen rather than assume a swim stop. The boat portion is relatively short compared with the road travel, so keep that proportion in mind when deciding if the excursion suits you.

Kekova is also the part most likely to stay with you after the day ends. Myra is more traditional archaeology, with tombs and a theater. Kekova offers a scene you cannot reproduce by visiting a standard museum: ancient remains viewed through blue-green water from a moving boat.

Teimiussa and the small town of Kale

The itinerary includes the Lycian necropolis at Teimiussa and a visit to Kale, also called Demre. These stops add local context to the more famous sites.

Teimiussa gives you another view of Lycian burial customs. It is useful to see more than one necropolis in the same day because the tombs at Myra are not an isolated feature. They belong to a wider Lycian cultural setting, and the guide can help you make that connection.

Kale is the small-town stop at the end of the day. I like this part because it breaks up the ancient sites with a glimpse of modern Demre. The tour is not only a march from one monument to another. You get time to see the town connected with the area’s present-day life before returning to your hotel.

The schedule does not give a detailed amount of free time in Kale, so keep expectations modest. This is a brief stop within a packed day, not an afternoon for independent shopping or a long walk through town.

St. Nicholas Church and the story of Nicholas of Myra

The final major visit is St. Nicholas Church, with admission included. The church is linked with Nicholas of Myra, the historical Christian figure whose later traditions helped shape the Santa Claus story.

The attraction is not simply the familiar name. This is a chance to see the place connected with Nicholas in the town where he served. The church adds a human and religious layer to the day’s ancient tombs and submerged ruins.

The preserved condition of the building makes the stop especially worthwhile. I would give yourself time to look at the interior details and listen to the guide rather than treating it as a quick photo stop. The supplied information describes the church as well preserved, and its connection with St. Nicholas makes it one of the more distinctive visits in Demre.

Admission is already covered in the tour price. That matters because the day includes several paid sights, and separate entrance charges could otherwise make a long excursion more expensive than it first appears.

The transport reality from Alanya and Side

The road journey is the main drawback. From Alanya, the trip to Demre takes a long while, and the full outing lasts 16 hours. Pickup from Mahmutlar and other parts of the Alanya area can add more time before the vehicle even settles into the route.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but you must wait at your hotel’s security gate or main entrance. That is a simple detail, yet missing the vehicle because you are waiting in the wrong place would create an avoidable problem.

Multiple hotel pickups may also slow the morning. One piece of feedback specifically flags too many stops at other hotels. I would bring water, a small snack, and something to read for the road, even though lunch is included later. Drinks are not part of the package, so carry some cash for refreshments.

There is a positive side to the long transfer. The road between Demre and Finike is described as particularly scenic. You are not spending every minute on an uninteresting highway, and the coastal views help turn the transfer into part of the experience. Still, fine scenery does not make a 16-hour schedule feel short, so be honest about your energy level.

The tour uses a live English or Russian-speaking guide. The guide is one of the most important parts of a day with so many historical stops. Margot is named as an especially strong guide, and the drivers are also praised as pleasant. You cannot assume the same guide will lead every departure, but the service is designed around guided visits rather than independent entry.

What the $71 price really covers

At $71 per person, the outing offers solid value if you plan to visit all the included sites. You receive:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• A live English or Russian-speaking guide
• Lunch
• A boat trip of about one hour
• Entrance to Demre
• Entrance to Myra
• Entrance to St. Nicholas Church

That list removes much of the usual planning work. You do not need to compare local transport, arrange a boat independently, or buy separate tickets at each stop. The skip-the-line feature may also help at the ticket points, though it does not remove the need to wait for the group.

The package is less compelling if you mainly want the boat ride. The Kekova section lasts about one hour, while the whole day takes 16 hours. In that case, you are paying for a very long round trip to reach a relatively short water excursion.

For a first visit to the region, I think the combination works well. You get several of Demre’s main sights in one organized day, and the included guide gives the monuments a clearer story. If you are already staying near Demre, arranging a shorter local visit might be more comfortable, but from Alanya or Side the bundled transport has real value.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad introduction to Demre and are happy to trade relaxation for coverage. History fans will appreciate the Lycian tombs, theater, necropolis, and church. Photographers will have plenty to work with, from rock-cut tombs and old stonework to the water around Kekova.

It also suits visitors who prefer an organized day. Transport, lunch, tickets, and a guide are handled for you. English and Russian language support makes the historical stops easier to follow.

I would think twice if you have limited mobility, use a wheelchair, or find long road journeys difficult. The tour is explicitly not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and the schedule leaves little room for recovery between stops.

I would also avoid booking it immediately after another demanding excursion. A 16-hour day can be rewarding, but it is not light entertainment. Wear comfortable shoes, keep your expectations realistic about the number of hotel pickups, and save your energy for Myra and Kekova.

Practical tips for making the day better

Meet the vehicle at the hotel security gate or main entrance. Pickup is included, but the meeting point is specific.

Wear comfortable shoes. Myra’s theater and rock-cut tombs involve walking, and the entire day includes several site visits.

Bring money for drinks. Lunch is included, but beverages are not.

Keep the day open from start to finish. The stated duration is 16 hours, and extra hotel pickups can affect the departure time.

Listen closely at Myra and St. Nicholas Church. The guide’s explanations are what connect the tombs, theater, and church into a meaningful story.

Save room for the boat ride. The one-hour cruise is shorter than the road journey, but the view of ruins beneath clear water is the experience’s most unusual moment.

Should you book the Demre and Kekova tour?

Book it if you want to see Myra, St. Nicholas Church, Teimiussa, and Kekova in one organized day from Alanya or Side. At $71, the included transport, tickets, lunch, guide, and boat trip make the price sensible.

Skip it if you need a slow schedule, dislike long transfers, or have mobility concerns. The strongest reason to go is the combination of Myra’s Lycian tombs with the boat view of Kekova’s sunken ruins. The strongest reason to hesitate is the 16-hour commitment.

For the right person, this is a busy but worthwhile regional excursion. Plan for a long day, bring comfortable shoes and money for drinks, and you’ll be ready for one of the Turkish Riviera’s more unusual mixes of ancient stone, church history, and ruins beneath the sea.

FAQ

How long does the Demre, Myra, and Kekova tour last?

The tour lasts 16 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included, with pickup taking place at your hotel’s security gate or main entrance.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live tour guide is available in English or Russian.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, but drinks are not included.

How long is the Kekova boat trip?

The boat trip to view the sunken ruins of Kekova lasts approximately one hour.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Comfortable shoes are recommended.