Antalya: Demre, Myra & Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip w/ Lunch

Ancient ruins meet clear coastal water. This long day from Antalya brings together Myra’s Lycian tombs, a Greek-style theater, St. Nicholas, and a boat trip past the sunken ruins of Kekova. I like the range packed into one outing, and I like that transport, guiding, entrance fees, lunch, and the boat ride are covered.

The strongest part is the mix of history and swimming. You can spend the morning among carved rock tombs, then cool off in the sea later in the day. Guide Alp has earned particular praise for being friendly, well-informed, and refreshingly straightforward.

The drawback is the distance. From the Antalya area, the drive can take more than three hours each way, with an early start and a total duration of nine to ten hours. Lunch is included, but it is basic, and you may want to bring snacks, sunscreen, and extra water.

Key Points Before You Book

• A full Turkish Riviera day: You visit Myra, Demre, Teimiussa, and Kekova in one organized trip.
• Kekova is seen from the water: The boat passes the sunken ruins of Simena, with time for swimming and snorkeling.
• Myra brings the strongest ancient sights: The Lycian necropolis and theater give the morning real historical weight.
• The drive is serious: Pick-up from Antalya means a very early start and a long road journey.
• Lunch saves planning, not dining: The meal is complimentary but simple, so pack snacks if you need more food.
• St. Nicholas Church costs extra: The church visit is part of the final stop, but its entrance fee is not included.

What This Demre and Kekova Day Is Really Like

This is not a slow coastal outing with plenty of free time in one village. It is a busy, wide-ranging day that connects several important places in Demre province. You spend a fair amount of time on the road, but you also see sights that are difficult to combine without organized transport.

The tour usually begins with hotel pick-up in the Antalya region. Pick-up is listed for Antalya, Belek, and Kemer, and the wider tour description also mentions Alanya. I would confirm your exact hotel area and pick-up time before booking, especially if you are staying outside the main resort zones.

The schedule lasts about nine to ten hours. That sounds manageable until you factor in the journey from Antalya to Demre. The reward is access to Myra and Kekova without arranging several separate transfers, but this is best treated as a full expedition day rather than a relaxed half-day trip.

The guide speaks English or Russian. A good guide matters here because the sites are easier to appreciate when the Lycian tombs, ancient theater, Christian connections, and underwater ruins are explained in sequence. Alp has received especially warm praise for his clear information and honest manner.

The Long Road From Antalya to Demre

The road journey shapes the whole experience. From Antalya, you may spend more than three hours getting to the southern part of the province, followed by the return trip after a full day outdoors. You need to be comfortable with a long bus ride before choosing this excursion.

The upside is convenience. Your hotel transfer is included, and you do not need to work out connections between Myra, Demre, the boat departure point, and the coastal ruins. The included guide also keeps the day moving, which matters when several stops must fit into one schedule.

The downside is limited control over your time. You will follow the group timetable, and the early start may not suit young children or anyone who dislikes long road days. One useful review specifically warned families about the three-hour-plus drive from Antalya and the early departure.

Wear comfortable shoes. The tour includes ancient remains, walking around a necropolis, and time on a boat, so thin sandals or stiff new shoes are poor choices. Bring sunscreen, water, and a small snack. One visitor found the lunch too sparse, and another recommended carrying food along.

Myra’s Lycian Tombs and Ancient Theater

Myra is the first major historical stop, located beside the River Myros. The site is known for its Lycian rock-cut tombs and ancient theater, two sights that make the stop much more than a quick photo break.

The tombs are carved into the cliff face and arranged high above the ancient settlement. Their position is striking, but the real value comes from seeing how the Lycian people marked burial places in stone. The carvings and placement help you read the site as an ancient city rather than just a collection of old walls.

The theater adds a different mood. Its curved seating and stage area show how public life once gathered around performance and civic events. You can compare the theater with the tombs: one was built for the living community, the other for remembrance.

Myra is also linked with St. Nicholas of Myra, the Christian bishop later associated with the Santa Claus tradition. That connection gives the later Demre stop more meaning. The morning is not only about Greek and Lycian ruins, but also about the religious story that shaped the town in later centuries.

The site can be hot and exposed. Your guide’s explanation will help bring the stones to life, but you should not expect a shaded museum visit. Sun protection and comfortable footwear matter more here than smart clothing.

The entrance fee to Myra is included. That is a useful saving because the stop is one of the main reasons to choose this excursion. You can focus on the remains instead of sorting out tickets at the entrance.

Lunch: Useful, Included, and Quite Basic

Lunch comes before the boat ride to Kekova. This is practical timing. You eat before spending the afternoon on the water, and the included meal means you do not have to search for a restaurant during a tightly planned day.

Still, keep your expectations modest. The meal has been described as basic, and one review raised concerns about the restaurant’s cleanliness. That does not erase the value of having food included, but it does mean lunch should be viewed as fuel rather than a special culinary stop.

I would bring a small supply of snacks if you have dietary needs, a large appetite, or simply prefer to know what you will eat. Drinks are not included, so budget for those separately and carry water for the road and the historical sites.

This is one area where the $78 price should be judged fairly. The meal may not impress, but the cost also covers the guide, Myra entrance, Demre entrance, hotel pick-up, and boat trip. The meal is a convenience, not the centerpiece.

Sailing Toward Kekova’s Sunken City

After lunch, the tone changes. The boat carries you across the clear waters around Kekova Island, where the remains of the sunken city of Simena can be seen from the sea.

This is the most distinctive part of the day. Ancient ruins are common around the Mediterranean, but here the remains sit partly beneath the water. The boat gives you a view that cannot be matched from a road or an inland archaeological site.

Do not expect to walk through the submerged ruins. The experience is based on seeing the underwater remains from the boat, with time to swim and snorkel in the surrounding water. The appeal comes from the contrast between the quiet ruins below and the bright open sea around you.

The water is described as crystal clear, making it suitable for swimming and snorkeling. Bring your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and any personal snorkeling equipment you prefer. The supplied information confirms swimming and snorkeling time, but it does not specify the exact equipment provided, so ask before departure if you need gear.

The boat ride also gives your legs a rest after Myra. That break matters on such a long day. You can enjoy the views, listen to the guide, and take photographs without the constant walking required at an archaeological site.

The schedule may feel tight if you prefer long swims or quiet time on the water. This is a sightseeing boat trip with a historical focus, not a dedicated snorkeling cruise. Choose it for the combination of Kekova and ancient sites, not for hours of uninterrupted swimming.

Teimiussa and the Lycian Necropolis

The route includes the Lycian necropolis of Teimiussa. This stop adds another look at Lycian burial traditions and gives you a second chance to see how the ancient communities of the area used stone and coastal positions.

Teimiussa is valuable because it broadens the story begun at Myra. Instead of seeing one isolated group of tombs, you get a better sense of how widespread Lycian culture was across this part of the coast. The visit also links naturally with the Kekova boat ride, since land and sea are treated as parts of the same ancient region.

You should expect more outdoor walking and uneven ground. Comfortable shoes are listed as an essential item, and that advice is worth following. The sites are not presented as polished indoor attractions, so practical clothing and sun protection will make the day easier.

The order of the stops may vary according to the day’s schedule and boat arrangements. Your guide will explain the locations, but the real pleasure comes from looking closely at the tombs and connecting them with what you saw earlier at Myra.

Demre and St. Nicholas Church

The final town stop is Kale, also known as Demre. Here you can visit the church of St. Nicholas, the religious site linked with the bishop of Myra.

The church is not included in the price, so you should treat it as an optional extra cost. That distinction matters because the day already includes entrance fees for Myra and Demre, but not St. Nicholas Church.

For many people, this is the most personal stop. Myra introduces St. Nicholas as a historical figure, while the church shows how his memory continued through Christian worship. If you are interested in religious history, the extra ticket may be worthwhile.

If your main interests are ruins and the sea, you may decide that the earlier sites have already filled your day. The church is an add-on, not a hidden part of the included package. Ask your guide about the available time and entrance procedure so you can decide without rushing.

After Demre, you return to your hotel. By then, the long return road can feel tiring, especially after the early start and the heat. Plan a quiet evening rather than another major activity.

What the $78 Price Covers

At $78 per person, the tour offers reasonable value if you want an all-in-one day from Antalya. The price includes the guide, hotel pick-up, lunch, Myra entrance, Demre entrance, and the Kekova boat trip. Booking each part independently could require more planning and separate transport.

The value is strongest for people without a rental car. Demre and Kekova are far from Antalya, and arranging a private route would likely take more time and effort. The organized transfer also removes the need to find the correct boat departure point.

The value is less clear if you are already staying near Demre or Kekova. In that case, you would be paying for a long transfer from Antalya that you may not need. A shorter local boat trip or self-guided visit could give you more time at the coast.

Remember to allow extra money for drinks, snacks, and St. Nicholas Church. Lunch is included, but its simple nature means your food budget may not end with the provided meal.

The rating of 3.7 from 36 reviews suggests a mixed but generally useful experience. The most praised elements are the guide quality, the scenery, and the range of places visited. The main cautions are the long drive, basic lunch, and the demanding schedule.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want to see several major Demre sights in one day and do not want to arrange transport yourself. It suits history fans who also want time by the water, rather than people seeking a pure beach day.

It is also a good match for visitors staying in Antalya, Belek, or Kemer who have limited time in the region. You can cover Myra, Demre, Teimiussa, and Kekova without changing hotels or planning separate tickets.

Families should think carefully about the road time. The early start and more than three hours of driving from Antalya may be hard on small children. The boat and swimming provide variety, but the day still has a lot of sitting and walking.

You may want a different option if you dislike group schedules, need a substantial lunch, or want long, unhurried time in the water. The experience gives you a broad view of the area, but it does so at a brisk pace.

Practical Advice for a Better Day

Bring comfortable shoes, sunscreen, water, swimwear, a towel, and snacks. Drinks are not included, and the meal may not be enough for everyone.

Keep your phone or camera protected around the water. The boat ride is one of the most scenic parts of the day, but sea spray and swimming make a waterproof pouch sensible.

Ask about your pick-up time and exact hotel eligibility before paying. The information lists Antalya, Belek, and Kemer, while the wider description also refers to Alanya, so your location should be confirmed directly.

If you want to visit St. Nicholas Church, carry money for its separate entrance fee. If you do not, use the time to enjoy Demre at a slower pace before the return journey.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms are helpful if your Antalya plans are still shifting, but check the final booking conditions for your selected date.

Should You Book the Demre and Kekova Tour?

Book it if you want a convenient, history-heavy day with a memorable boat section and you accept the long drive from Antalya. The combination of Myra’s tombs, the theater, St. Nicholas connections, Teimiussa, and Kekova’s submerged ruins is hard to reproduce without careful planning.

Skip it if you want a relaxed boat holiday, a generous lunch, or plenty of free time at each stop. For the right person, $78 is fair because transport, guiding, tickets, lunch, and the boat are bundled together. Just start early, carry food and water, and choose practical shoes.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately nine to ten hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Where does hotel pick-up take place?

Pick-up is available from hotels in Antalya, Belek, and Kemer. The wider tour information also mentions Alanya, so confirm your exact hotel location before booking.

Is transportation from the hotel included?

Yes. Hotel pick-up and transfer are included in the tour.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A complimentary lunch is included. Drinks are not included, and the meal is described as basic.

Are the Myra and Demre entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees to Myra and Demre are included in the tour price.

Is the Kekova boat trip included?

Yes. The boat trip to the sunken city of Kekova is included.

Is entry to St. Nicholas Church included?

No. The entrance fee for St. Nicholas Church is not included.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Russian.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.