Sunken City Kekova, Demre & Myra Day Tour

The most memorable part of this day is the boat ride over Kekova, where the remains of ancient Simena sit below clear Mediterranean water. You can swim or snorkel, then look toward the submerged walls and stonework from the boat. I especially like the pairing of Kekova’s water-level ruins with Myra’s dramatic Lycian tombs, two very different windows into the past.

I also like that the tour handles the long journey from Antalya by air-conditioned bus and includes Myra’s entry fee, lunch, insurance, and a guide. Guides such as Alp and Natalia have been praised for clear explanations and friendly help. The main caution is the timing: this is a full, tiring day, and one group of 47 took roughly 6:30 a.m. until after 8 p.m.

Key points to know before booking

• Kekova is the day’s visual highlight: See the sunken remains of Simena from a boat and swim or snorkel in clear water.
• Myra gives you the strongest ancient-site visit: The theater and cliffside Lycian tombs are included in the price.
• St. Nicholas Church costs extra: Entry is not part of the tour fee, so bring room in your budget.
• Expect a long road day: The route is scenic, but transfers from Antalya can make the outing much longer than the advertised 10 hours.
• Lunch is included, but quality may vary: It is generally an open buffet, though one account found the meal poor.
• Group size can affect the pace: Large groups and separate English and Russian arrangements may add waiting time.

Myra’s tombs and theater set the tone

The tour begins with Myra, an ancient Lycian town on the Myros River. This is not a quick photo stop beside a few scattered stones. You visit a major archaeological site with a Greek-style theater and a striking necropolis cut into the rock face.

The tombs are the first thing you notice. Their fronts were carved to resemble small houses or temple-like facades, and they sit high above the old town. From ground level, you get a clear look at the way the Lycians placed their burial monuments where they could be seen.

The theater gives the stop a different feel. Its curved seating and stage area show how public life once worked here. Your guide can add the names, dates, and stories that are easy to miss if you simply walk around with a camera.

Myra is also closely linked with St. Nicholas of Myra, the bishop later associated with the Santa Claus tradition. That connection gives the site extra interest, especially if you plan to visit the church in Demre later in the day.

The entrance fee to Myra is included, which makes this part of the tour good value. Allow for uneven ground and outdoor walking. The information provided does not specify accessibility details, so ask the operator if you need a step-free route or special assistance.

The road from Antalya is part of the experience

This is a road-heavy day. Pickup is included from your hotel in Antalya, and the tour is described as a full-day trip from Kemer to Demre province. Confirm the exact pickup point and timing when you book, particularly if your accommodation is in Antalya Old Town or outside the main pickup area.

The coastal drive is one of the pleasures of the outing. A review describes a scenic route beside the sea, with winding roads and wide views. The air-conditioned, non-smoking bus matters here because you spend a fair amount of time on the road.

The listed duration is 10 hours, but you should plan with flexibility. One group picked up in Antalya’s old city at about 6:30 a.m. was not returned until after 8 p.m. The long day was linked to the distance, a group of 47 people, and bus coordination for different language groups.

That does not make the tour poor, but it changes how you should judge it. You are not buying a relaxed local outing. You are trading a long day for access to places that are difficult to combine without organized transport.

Bring water, sun protection, and something to occupy you during the road sections. Beverages are not included. If you dislike early starts or long coach rides, this may feel demanding even if you enjoy the sights.

Lunch breaks up the archaeology and boat ride

Lunch is included and is described as an open buffet. That can be useful on a tightly planned day, since you can eat without waiting for individual orders and choose as much as you need.

Food quality appears less consistent than the rest of the day. One account called the lunch excellent, while another found it very poor and felt the restaurant should be removed from the route. I would treat lunch as a practical included meal rather than a reason to book.

If food is important to you, carry a small backup snack. The tour price covers lunch, but drinks cost extra, and the schedule may not give you many independent food choices.

The timing of lunch also matters. After the morning at Myra, a meal gives you a break before the boat trip. You will likely appreciate the pause, particularly in warm weather when the combination of outdoor ruins and road travel can wear you down.

Kekova by boat is the strongest part of the day

After lunch, the tour moves onto the water around Kekova Island. This is where the outing feels most different from a standard ruins tour. Instead of walking through an excavated site, you view the remains of the sunken city of Simena from the boat.

The ruins are visible beneath the clear water and along the shore. The boat allows you to understand the shape of the old settlement without disturbing the protected remains. Your guide explains what you are seeing, which helps turn half-submerged walls and stone forms into a readable ancient site.

The setting is beautiful, but the appeal is not just the color of the sea. Kekova shows how earthquakes, rising water, and time can alter a town without erasing every trace of it. You see the remains in the same water that now attracts swimmers.

Swimming and snorkeling are part of the opportunity, not a forced requirement. One group visited in April and chose not to swim because the sea was cold, yet still found the boat ride worthwhile. That is useful to know: the water activity adds fun, but the Kekova stop does not depend on you getting wet.

Bring swimwear and a towel if you want to enter the water. If you are visiting outside the warm season, check conditions and decide on the day. The provided information does not specify snorkeling equipment, so ask whether gear is supplied or bring your own if that matters to you.

The boat ride is likely to be the most photogenic part of the tour. Keep your camera ready, but also listen to the guide’s explanation. The ruins are not always obvious at first glance, and a few words of context can make the difference between seeing old stones and understanding a vanished town.

Teimiussa adds a quieter Lycian stop

The itinerary also includes the Lycian necropolis at Teimiussa. This stop is tied to the ancient settlement near today’s Kale, also known as Demre in the tour description.

Compared with Myra, Teimiussa may feel less grand and less structured. That is part of its value. The necropolis gives you another look at Lycian burial customs, this time within the setting connected to the Kekova area.

Do not expect a second Myra with another large theater. The attraction here is the relationship between the tombs, the coast, and the ancient settlement around them. It helps you see that Kekova was not simply a boat excursion with ruins below the water. It was part of a wider network of Lycian communities.

The visit also breaks up the boat time. You get a chance to walk, look closely at the stonework, and hear how the ancient town connected with the surrounding region.

St. Nicholas Church is a separate decision

The final major stop is Demre and its church dedicated to St. Nicholas. This is an important visit for anyone interested in the saint behind the Santa Claus tradition, Byzantine religious history, or the long Christian story of the region.

The church entrance is not included in the $78 price. That is easy to overlook because Myra’s entrance fee is included, so budget separately for this ticket.

I would not skip the church automatically. The connection to St. Nicholas gives the day a clear human thread: you see the city where he served, visit the ancient town associated with him, and then enter the place linked with his memory. But if you are mainly interested in archaeology and the coast, you may decide that the extra fee is not essential.

The available details do not state how long the church visit lasts or exactly how much the admission costs. Ask the guide or local operator on the day so you can make an informed choice.

Guide quality can shape the whole day

A good guide matters on this route because the sites are spread out and the day contains several different subjects. Myra needs archaeological explanation, Kekova needs help identifying underwater remains, and St. Nicholas Church calls for religious and cultural context.

Alp was praised for being friendly, well informed, and positive, while Natalia was singled out for giving interesting and new information. These names come from individual tour experiences, so the guide assigned to your departure may be different. English and Russian guiding is available.

Clear pickup communication also matters. The local operator contacted one group in advance with the meeting place and time, which reduced uncertainty before an early start. Since hotel pickup details can vary by location, make sure you have the confirmed time rather than relying only on the general tour page.

Large groups are the main concern. A group of 47 can make boarding, head counts, language arrangements, and transitions slower. If you prefer quick movement and more time at each site, ask whether a smaller departure is available before paying.

Is $78 good value?

At $78 per person, the tour includes hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, insurance, a professional guide, Myra admission, lunch, taxes, and the boat excursion to Kekova. Buying each part independently could be awkward because the sites are far apart and public transport would not give you the same simple connection between Myra, Demre, and Kekova.

The value is strongest if you have limited time in the region. One organized day lets you see the major ancient sites, a coastal settlement, a church tied to St. Nicholas, and the sunken remains around Kekova.

The price is less attractive if you want a slow visit or dislike group touring. The long drive, possible large group, extra church fee, and drinks not being included all add small costs or inconveniences.

I would call it a fair price for a packed sightseeing day, not a luxury excursion. The boat ride and transport do much of the value work. Lunch is a bonus, but I would not base the decision on the meal.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour and reserve-now, pay-later terms make it easier to hold a place while you settle your Antalya plans. Those policies are useful, but the bigger booking question is your tolerance for a very long day.

Who should book this day trip?

I would recommend it if you want to cover Demre, Myra, and Kekova in one outing and do not want to arrange several transfers yourself. It suits first-time visitors who want historical context, coastal scenery, and the option to swim without spending several days in the area.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy variety. The day moves from rock-cut tombs to a theater, from a church to a buffet lunch, and then onto the Mediterranean by boat.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet, small-group experience or if your priority is swimming for a long time. This is a sightseeing itinerary with a swim opportunity, not a beach day.

If you book, wear comfortable shoes, carry water and sun protection, bring swimwear if the season is suitable, and keep some cash or payment method available for drinks and St. Nicholas Church. Confirm your pickup time, language group, and expected return time before the morning of the tour.

Should you book the Kekova and Myra tour?

Book it if the chance to see the sunken city of Simena is high on your list and you want Myra’s tombs and theater in the same day. The scenery, boat ride, and range of sites make the long road journey worthwhile for many people.

Skip it if you need a short, relaxed outing, dislike large groups, or expect consistently special food. The tour earns its price through transport, access, and the variety of stops, but you need to accept an early start and a potentially late return.

FAQ

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

The listed duration is 10 hours. Actual timing can be longer, especially with hotel pickups, a large group, and transport from Antalya. One reported schedule ran from about 6:30 a.m. until after 8 p.m.

Where does the tour pick up?

Hotel pickup is included from Antalya. The tour is also described as a full-day trip from Kemer, so confirm the exact pickup area, meeting point, and time when booking.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and Russian.

Is the boat ride to Kekova included?

Yes. The itinerary includes sailing to Kekova Island and viewing the underwater ruins of Simena.

Can I swim or snorkel at Kekova?

Yes. You have the opportunity to swim and snorkel in the clear water around the island. Swimming is optional, and sea temperatures may be cold at some times of year.

Is lunch included?

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

Are entrance tickets included?

Myra’s entrance fee is included. Admission to St. Nicholas Church is not included and must be paid separately.

Is transportation included?

Yes. The tour uses a comfortable, air-conditioned, non-smoking bus, with hotel pickup included.

Can I cancel the tour for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.