Sunken City Kekova, Demre & Myra Day Tour

The best part of this day is the contrast: in the morning, you stand among Lycian rock-cut tombs and an ancient theater at Myra, then later you float over the sunken remains of Simena in Kekova’s clear water. Few day tours from Antalya pack such different sights into one route.

I especially like the scenic coastal drive and the chance to see Kekova from a boat rather than only from shore. Lunch is included, Myra’s entrance fee is covered, and guides such as Alp and Natalia have been praised for friendly, clear explanations. The main drawback is the length. A 6:30 a.m. pickup from Antalya’s old city can mean returning after 8 p.m., and a group of 47 people may slow transfers and sightseeing.

Key points to know before booking

• Myra combines Lycian tombs with a Greek-style theater, giving you two major ancient sights in one stop.
• Kekova is seen from the water, where the remains of the sunken city of Simena can be viewed beneath the surface.
• Swimming and snorkeling are included as options, but the sea may feel cold outside summer, as one April departure showed.
• The road from Antalya is long but scenic, with coastal views and winding stretches through Antalya Province.
• Lunch is an open buffet, though its quality can vary from satisfying to disappointing.
• The tour can be a large-group day, so expect a full schedule rather than a quiet private outing.

Why this Antalya day trip covers so much ground

This is a sightseeing-heavy day aimed at people who want to connect several important places in Demre province without arranging separate buses, boats, tickets, and guides. At $78 per person, the price includes transportation, insurance, a professional guide, lunch, taxes, and admission to Myra.

That package gives you fair value if you want a single organized route. You would otherwise need to coordinate the long trip from Antalya, find transport to the Kekova boat departure point, arrange a cruise, and pay for Myra separately. The St. Nicholas Church entrance fee and drinks are extra, so keep a little money aside.

I would not choose this tour if you prefer slow mornings or long independent visits. The distance is substantial, and the day may begin early. But if your time in Antalya is limited, this is an efficient way to reach some of Turkey’s most unusual ancient sites.

The tour is described as a 10-hour experience, though your full day may run longer depending on your pickup point, traffic, group size, and transfers between vehicles or language groups. One departure began at 6:30 a.m. from Antalya’s old city and returned after 8 p.m. That is useful planning information: treat this as a major day out, not a relaxed half-day excursion.

The coastal road from Antalya to Demre

The journey is part of the experience. You ride in a non-smoking, air-conditioned bus along a scenic road beside the Mediterranean Sea. The route includes winding stretches, and the views can be excellent, but the drive also takes time.

I like this kind of transfer when the destination is hard to reach independently. You can look out at the coast instead of dealing with directions, parking, and local connections. The tradeoff is simple: several hours of the day are spent on the road.

Hotel pickup is included, with the activity information specifying hotels in Antalya. The tour is also described as a full-day trip from Kemer to Demre, so check the available pickup location and start time carefully before paying. Early collection times can vary by area.

The bus arrangement may also involve different language groups. English and Russian guiding are available, and a large group can require extra coordination. If you value speed and personal attention above convenience, a smaller tour would likely suit you better. If you value having the whole route handled for you, the bus is practical.

Myra’s Lycian tombs and ancient theater

Myra is the cultural anchor of the day. The ancient town lies by the Myros River and is known for its Lycian necropolis, where tombs were cut into the cliff face. These facades are one of the most memorable sights on the route because they show how Lycian burial places were shaped to resemble houses or monumental buildings.

Your guide gives context as you look up at the tombs, helping you understand why the rock face matters rather than leaving you with a pile of old stones. This is where a strong guide makes a real difference. Alp and Natalia have been singled out for friendly, informative presentation, and that kind of explanation is especially useful at an archaeological site.

The ancient Greek theater adds another layer. You can see the scale of the seating and imagine how performances once worked in this setting. Myra is not just a quick photo stop. It brings together the tombs, public entertainment, and the remains of an important Lycian town.

The Myra admission fee is included, which improves the value of the tour. Allow yourself time to look carefully instead of rushing from one feature to the next, though the schedule will be shared with the rest of the group.

The site may be hot and exposed, particularly in summer. Comfortable shoes, sun protection, and water are sensible. Drinks are not included, so do not assume the bus or lunch stop will cover all your needs.

Lunch between the ruins and the sea

After Myra, lunch is included at a restaurant on the route. It is served as an open buffet, so you can choose your portion and try more than one dish.

This is a useful arrangement on a long day. You do not need to search for a place to eat, and the buffet format can work well for mixed tastes. One strong account described the meal as some of the best food of the trip, while another found it poor and felt the restaurant should not have been included.

That difference is worth taking seriously. I would treat lunch as a practical included meal, not a reason to book the tour. Quality may depend on the day, and drinks are extra. If you have particular dietary needs, the supplied information does not promise special menus, so check before booking.

The meal also serves as a pause before the boat trip. After a long drive and a visit to an exposed archaeological site, that break matters. Just remember that an open buffet does not guarantee a memorable meal.

Cruising above Kekova’s sunken city

Kekova is the day’s most unusual stop. You board a boat and travel across turquoise water toward Kekova Island, looking down at the remains of the sunken city of Simena.

The ruins are partly submerged, so the boat gives you a useful view that a land visit cannot. You may see traces of walls and structures beneath or along the waterline while the guide explains what happened to the ancient settlement. The appeal is not a conventional ruin that you walk through. It is a place where the sea has become part of the site.

The water is described as clear, and the tour includes time for swimming or snorkeling around the island. In warm weather, this can be the most refreshing part of the day. The combination of archaeology and a swim gives the excursion a welcome change of pace after the bus ride and ancient stones.

Water temperature matters. On an April departure, the sea was too cold for swimming, but the boat ride still remained worthwhile. If you visit in spring, bring a towel and swimwear if you want the choice, but do not build your entire decision around getting in the water.

You should also keep expectations realistic. This is an organized boat trip within a full-day schedule, not a dedicated snorkeling excursion. The main purpose is to see Kekova and learn about Simena, with swimming and snorkeling as added opportunities.

Teimiussa and the Lycian view from the water

The route also includes the Lycian necropolis at Teimiussa. This stop helps connect the sunken remains at Kekova with the wider Lycian culture of the area.

The tombs at Teimiussa are a reminder that Kekova was not only a pretty stretch of sea. It was part of a settled ancient region with burial grounds, towns, and maritime links. Seeing the remains from the boat gives you a different perspective from Myra, where the tombs and theater are viewed on foot.

I like the way these stops complement one another. Myra gives you a substantial archaeological visit, while Teimiussa and Simena show how ancient communities occupied the coast and islands. You get more than a standard beach cruise, but you also avoid spending the entire day at ruins.

The exact amount of time at each point depends on the schedule and conditions. A large group may make boarding, swimming, and moving between stops less quick than you would manage on a private boat.

Demre and the church of St. Nicholas

The final major sight is Demre, also known in the tour details as Kale, where you visit the church of St. Nicholas. The church is associated with Nicholas of Myra, the Christian bishop whose story later influenced the figure of Santa Claus.

This stop adds a religious and cultural dimension to the day. After seeing the ancient Lycian town where Nicholas lived, you visit the church connected with his memory. It helps place the historical figure within the actual region rather than treating him as a distant legend.

Admission to St. Nicholas Church is not included. That is easy to overlook because Myra’s entrance fee is covered. Check the current extra cost when you arrive, and carry funds for the ticket and beverages.

The church may be especially meaningful if you are interested in early Christianity, religious architecture, or the origins of the St. Nicholas tradition. If your priority is only ancient ruins and swimming, this will feel like a secondary stop, but it gives the itinerary more range.

Guides, group size, and the pace of the day

The tour includes a live guide in English or Russian. The strongest part of the guiding is the explanation at Myra and Kekova, where the sites need context to make sense.

Alp has been praised for a friendly manner, positive attitude, and clear information. Natalia has also received warm praise for making the day interesting and approachable. Guide quality can shape the whole experience, especially when the day includes several transfers and historical stops.

Group size is the bigger practical concern. One departure had 47 people, with separate bus coordination for different language groups. That number is not unusual for a budget day tour, but it affects the pace. You may wait for boarding, gather for explanations, or follow a fixed timetable rather than lingering at your favorite site.

I would book this for convenience and coverage, not privacy. Families, first-time visitors to the region, and people with limited time will likely appreciate having transport, tickets, meals, and explanations combined. Independent sightseers who want quiet ruins and flexible photo stops should consider a smaller group.

What the $78 price really includes

At $78, the tour covers a lot of ground. You receive hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, insurance, guide services, Myra admission, lunch, and taxes. The boat trip to Kekova is central to the itinerary, and the price also includes the organized route around the island.

The value is strongest if you are starting in Antalya and want to see Demre, Myra, and Kekova in one day. Transport alone would be the difficult part to arrange, especially when you add a boat departure and several historical locations.

The value is weaker if you dislike long bus rides or large groups. A private arrangement would cost more but could give you more control over timing and meals. This tour keeps the price moderate by combining many people and following a set route.

I also like the option to reserve now and pay later, along with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity. Those terms make it easier to fit the excursion into a changing Antalya itinerary. Still, confirm the pickup time and location before the cancellation window closes.

Who should book this Demre and Kekova tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad introduction to this part of the Mediterranean coast and have only one free day. The route gives you ancient ruins, Lycian tombs, a church linked to St. Nicholas, a boat ride, and a possible swim.

It is also a good fit if you prefer having a guide explain the sites. Myra and Kekova reward background information, and the guide can connect the separate stops into one story.

You may want another option if you need a slower pace, dislike early starts, or expect a polished restaurant meal. The day is long, the group may be large, and lunch quality is not guaranteed. Spring swimmers should also remember that clear water does not mean warm water.

Book this tour if your goal is to see as much of Demre and Kekova as possible without handling the transport yourself. Skip it if the thought of a 10-hour schedule and a possible 6:30 a.m. pickup feels tiring before the day even begins. For the right visitor, the combination of Myra’s tombs and Kekova’s half-submerged ruins is worth the long road.

FAQ

How long is the Sunken City Kekova, Demre and Myra Day Tour?

The listed duration is 10 hours. Actual pickup and return times can vary, and one departure from Antalya’s old city ran from about 6:30 a.m. until after 8 p.m.

Where does the tour provide pickup?

Pickup is included from your hotel in Antalya. The tour is also described as a full-day trip from Kemer, so check the available pickup location and time for your booking.

Which languages are available?

The live tour guide is available in English or Russian.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is served as an open buffet. Beverages are not included.

Are entrance fees included?

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

Can I swim or snorkel at Kekova?

Yes. The tour provides an opportunity to swim and snorkel in the clear waters around Kekova Island. Sea temperatures can be cold outside the warmer months.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.