Demre Myra Kekova Sunken City

Ancient tombs meet a sunken coast. This long day from Antalya brings you to Myra’s Lycian rock-cut tombs, the ancient theater, Demre, and Kekova’s half-submerged ruins, with hotel pickup, lunch, a boat trip, and a swimming stop included. I like the way it gathers several far-flung sights into one outing, and I like that the boat fare and Myra entrance are already covered. The main catch is the distance: transport can dominate the day, and mixed-language guiding or bus changes may make the experience feel less smooth than the scenery deserves.

The boat ride is the emotional high point, especially when the sea is calm and the light falls across the old stone walls. Myra is also a strong stop, with dramatic tombs cut into the cliffs above the ancient theater. Still, I would set realistic expectations for the so-called glass-bottom view: the windows may be unclear, and high tide can hide much of the submerged city.

Key points to know before booking

• A very long day from Antalya: The planned duration is about 11 hours, but pickup and return transfers can stretch the day considerably.
• Myra is the strongest land stop: You see the Lycian rock-cut tombs and ancient theater, with the Myra entrance included in the price.
• Kekova works best from the boat: You pass the Sunken City by boat and have a swimming stop, but underwater visibility is not guaranteed.
• Language arrangements matter: The tour is offered in English, though departures may use a multilingual guide and include large Russian-speaking groups.
• Lunch and transport are bundled: The $90.11 price includes lunch, fuel surcharge, insurance, hotel pickup and drop-off, guiding, the boat fee, and Myra admission.
• St. Nicholas Church costs extra: Entry is optional and listed at €17 per person, so budget for it only if you plan to go inside.

Why this Antalya day trip takes so long

Antalya is a useful base for seeing the western part of the Turquoise Coast, but Demre and Kekova are not quick side trips. You leave at about 7:00 a.m., then spend much of the day on the road before returning to your hotel area.

Pickup arrangements can shape your whole experience. Some people are collected in a small van near their hotel and taken to a meeting point before changing to a larger bus. That first collection process may take about an hour, and some pickup routes begin as early as 5:30 a.m. The official duration is approximately 11 hours, but a day of 14 hours has also occurred when transfers and drop-offs ran slowly.

I would not book this as a relaxed, late-starting excursion. You need to be comfortable with an early morning, a long coach ride, and a packed schedule. The payoff is that you reach places that are awkward to visit independently from Antalya in a single day.

The route itself can be pleasant. The road passes small villages and gives you changing views of the coast and countryside. A skilled driver makes a real difference here, and one highly praised driver was described as professional and careful. That said, vehicle quality has not been consistent. Reports include a bus breakdown shortly after departure, weak air conditioning, dirty seats, and seatbelts that did not function properly.

Those are not minor details on a hot day. Before booking, I would treat transport as the largest uncertainty. The tour has a stated maximum of 27 people, but mixed-language departures and transfer arrangements can make the overall operation feel larger and less personal.

Myra’s tombs and theater make the first major impression

The Demre stop gives you about 1 hour and 15 minutes around the Myra area. This is where the tour earns much of its value.

Myra was a major Lycian city, and the most striking remains are the tombs cut into the rock face. Their fronts resemble small houses or temple facades, placed high above the ancient theater. Even if you are not a specialist in ancient sites, the arrangement is easy to appreciate: the tombs are visible as soon as you approach, and they give the site a strong sense of place.

The ancient theater is another highlight. Its scale and surviving stonework make it more than a quick photo stop. You can explore the seating and theater structure, although some steps are steep. The best views may require climbing, so I would wear firm shoes and take your time rather than rushing to the highest point.

The Myra admission ticket is included, which is useful. You do not need to decide on an additional payment at this stop, and that keeps the day’s main archaeological visit straightforward.

The limitation is time. One hour and 15 minutes sounds reasonable, but a guide talk, walking between areas, and the needs of a mixed group can reduce your free time. If ancient sites are your main reason for taking the excursion, stay focused when you arrive. The tombs and theater deserve more attention than a hurried photograph.

The guiding quality can vary. Some departures have had a friendly guide who explained the sites well and spoke several languages. Other departures have had little English explanation beyond basic directions such as looking left or right. Since the tour may be operated by a multilingual guide, English may not receive equal attention throughout the day.

Kekova by boat: beautiful, but keep expectations in check

The Kekova section lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes and includes the boat fee. This is the part most people picture when they hear the name Sunken City.

The boat passes the remains of Kekova, where sections of an old settlement lie partly beneath the water. You can see stone walls and traces of buildings along the shoreline and below the surface, depending on the tide, water clarity, and your position on the boat. The setting is the real pleasure: calm water, old stone, and a coast that is best understood from the sea.

The tour is sometimes described as using a glass-bottom boat. In practice, the glass may consist of a few small windows in the floor, and those windows may be cloudy. If you expect a clear underwater panorama, you may be disappointed. High tide can also cover much of what you hope to see.

I would treat the boat ride as a coastal sightseeing trip with a chance to spot submerged ruins, not as a guaranteed underwater viewing experience. Listen closely to the explanation and watch the shoreline as the boat moves past. The remains make more sense when you understand what you are looking at.

The language issue can return here. The boat guide may speak mainly Russian on some departures, leaving English-speaking passengers with only a partial explanation. If the main reason you want this tour is detailed archaeology in English, this is an important question to ask before booking.

A swimming stop is included. The information provided does not specify its exact length or location, so bring a swimsuit, towel, and any sun protection you need. You do not have to swim to enjoy the boat ride, but the stop adds a welcome change after the coach journey and archaeological walking.

St. Nicholas Church is optional and costs €17

The Church of St. Nicholas is the third named stop, with up to an hour assigned to it in the planned schedule. Entrance is not included. The listed price is €17 per person, and payment is optional because you can skip the interior visit.

That flexibility is useful. If your priority is Myra and Kekova, you can keep the extra money in your pocket. If you are interested in the St. Nicholas tradition and the church itself, the additional fee may be worthwhile, but you should confirm the current price at booking because admission charges can change.

Time here may be tighter than the headline one hour suggests. One departure allowed only about 20 to 25 minutes inside the church. With a long return journey and a group schedule to maintain, the actual visit can depend on the day’s delays.

The practical choice is simple: decide before the tour whether this is a must-see for you. That prevents you from losing time at the entrance while the guide organizes the group.

Lunch is convenient, not the reason to book

Lunch is included, which is important on an 11-hour excursion. You do not have to find a restaurant during a tightly timed day, and the meal helps keep the itinerary moving.

I would keep expectations modest. At least one departure had a rushed lunch that was considered below par. This is a practical group meal, not a food-focused stop. Drinks cost extra, so carry some Turkish lira or another accepted payment method if you want something beyond the included meal.

The timing may also feel hurried. When a tour covers several sites and a boat trip in one day, lunch becomes part of the transport machine. You may prefer a slower meal, but a long independent visit would make the already lengthy day even longer.

What the $90.11 price really covers

At $90.11 per person, the price is reasonable if you value convenience and want to reach all three areas in one day. The package includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• A guide
• Lunch
• The Kekova boat fee
• Myra ancient city admission
• Insurance
• Fuel surcharge

The included boat fee and Myra ticket are the most useful inclusions. They reduce the number of small payments you need to manage during the day. The fuel surcharge also means a common transport add-on is already accounted for.

St. Nicholas Church is the notable extra, at €17 if you enter. Drinks are also separate. There may be an additional transfer fee for hotels in Belek, Kemer, and Side, while Kundu and Lara hotels can have changing pickup and drop-off times because they are outside the city center.

The value depends on your starting point. From a central Antalya hotel, the package is easier to justify because it combines transport, a guide, lunch, Myra, Kekova, and the boat. From a farther resort area, the extra transfer charge and longer pickup process can reduce the appeal.

The language and group experience need careful attention

The tour is offered in English, but it may operate with a multilingual guide. Departures are described as mostly Russian and English. That can work well when the guide gives equal time to both languages, but it can also leave English speakers with short or incomplete explanations.

One departure had only a small English-speaking minority within a much larger group. Another had an English-friendly guide who spoke several languages and made a strong effort to help everyone. The difference between these two experiences is substantial.

I would contact the operator, SOLYMOS TRAVEL, before booking and ask three direct questions:

• Will the guide give full commentary in English?
• How many language groups are expected on the departure?
• Will I need to change vehicles during pickup or return?

The answers will tell you more than the word English on the booking page. The tour can be informative, but language planning is clearly important.

Who should book this excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see Myra and Kekova from Antalya without arranging several complicated transfers yourself. It suits people who value a broad first look at the coast, enjoy ancient sites, and can handle an early start and a full day on the road.

It is also a good fit if you want the boat ride and swimming stop but do not need every archaeological detail explained at length. The trip packs a lot into one day, and the strongest moments are the Myra tombs, the theater, and the view of Kekova from the water.

I would hesitate if you have mobility concerns. The theater has steep steps, and long coach rides, vehicle changes, and rushed stops may be tiring. Ask about current vehicle conditions if air conditioning and working seatbelts are essential for you.

I would also think twice if you dislike group tours or need precise English commentary. A private guide or a slower, specialist excursion would give you more control, though likely at a higher price.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Demre, Myra, and Kekova tour?

Book it if your aim is to cover the major sights efficiently and you accept that the road time is part of the bargain. Myra is genuinely impressive, and the Kekova boat trip gives you a memorable view that is difficult to recreate from land.

Do not book it expecting a leisurely day, a guaranteed clear glass-bottom view, or consistently detailed English commentary. I would choose this tour for convenience and range, not for comfort or fine-grained guiding. Ask about language groups, pickup arrangements, and current vehicle conditions before paying, then pack patience along with your swimsuit.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 7:00 a.m. Some pickup routes may begin earlier, especially when several hotels must be collected.

How long does the experience last?

The planned duration is approximately 11 hours. Pickup and drop-off arrangements can make the day longer.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, though pickup times may change for Kundu and Lara hotels. An extra transfer fee applies to hotels in Belek, Kemer, and Side.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included. Drinks are extra.

Is the Kekova boat trip included?

Yes. The boat tour fee is included in the package price.

Is entry to Myra included?

Yes. The entry ticket for Myra ancient city is included.

Do I have to pay to enter St. Nicholas Church?

No. The church visit is optional. If you enter, the listed entrance fee is €17 per person.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, English is offered. The tour may use a multilingual guide and is described as mostly Russian and English, so the amount of English commentary may vary.