Demre,Myra,Kekova With Sunken City Boat Tour & St. Nicolas Church

Ancient tombs and a sunken city fill one long day. This Antalya tour links Myra’s rock-cut tombs, St. Nicholas Church, and a two-hour boat ride over Kekova’s submerged ruins. I like the hotel pickup and return, and I like that lunch and the boat trip are included in the $60 price. The main drawback is the length: with roughly six hours on the road, this is a demanding day.

The tour also has a few practical wrinkles. Entrance fees are extra, the English explanations may be thinner during the boat ride and church visit, and one past booking ended with a confusing drop-off away from the promised location. Confirm your return point before you leave Antalya, then pack for sun, water, and a long ride.

Key points to know before booking

• Three major sights in one day: You visit Myra, Kekova’s sunken ruins by boat, and the Church of St. Nicholas.
• A two-hour boat ride: The boat gives you views of submerged structures, clear water, and time to sit or sunbathe on the upper deck.
• Lunch is included: Drinks and breakfast are not, so bring water or budget for purchases.
• Entrance fees cost extra: Myra and St. Nicholas Church are not covered by the tour price.
• Early start, late return: Pickup begins around 7:00 am, and the full outing lasts about 11 to 12 hours.
• Up to 40 people: The group can be fairly large, which matters when you need to hear the guide or board the boat.

Why this Antalya day trip is worth considering

At $60 per person, this is a useful way to reach sights that sit far beyond Antalya. The price covers transport, a guide, lunch, and the boat ride, which takes care of the main moving parts. You do still pay separate entrance fees, and you buy your own breakfast and drinks, so the final cost will be higher than the headline price.

I like the way the day combines very different kinds of places. Myra gives you carved stone and an ancient theater. The Kekova boat trip shifts the mood to open water and quiet ruins beneath the surface. St. Nicholas Church adds a religious and cultural layer, with its marble sarcophagus and connection to the Santa Claus story.

You should book this as a long sightseeing day, not a relaxed coastal outing. The drive from Antalya takes about three hours each way, according to the scheduled route. That is a major part of the experience. You will spend more time in the vehicle than at some individual sights, but the transport makes the distant Lycian coast reachable without arranging several separate trips.

The tour has an overall rating of 4 out of 5 from 21 reviews. That suggests a generally good experience, but not a flawless one. The strongest praise centers on the quality of the stops and the guide. The most serious criticism concerns communication, especially around explanations and the return drop-off.

Leaving Antalya at 7:00 am

The day begins early. The listed start time is 7:00 am, with pickup available from hotels in the Antalya region. Because many hotels limit vehicle access beyond their entrance, you are asked to wait at the main entrance gate rather than at reception.

That instruction matters. Do not assume the driver will come inside the hotel or find you in the lobby. Be ready at the front gate at the agreed time. The official meeting point is McDonald’s AntalyaBarbaros on Atatürk Cd., but the tour also offers hotel transfers, so confirm which arrangement applies to you before the morning of departure.

The vehicle is described as modern and fully air-conditioned. That is welcome on a hot Turkish summer day, especially with several hours of driving. Still, you should expect a full coach-style excursion rather than a small private ride. The maximum group size is 40 people.

Bring breakfast or arrange it before pickup. Breakfast is not included, and an early start leaves little room for a leisurely café stop. Water is equally important because the day includes exposed outdoor sites, a boat ride, and time in the sun.

Myra’s tombs and ancient theater

Myra Antik Kenti is the first major archaeological stop. The site is known for its rock-cut tombs and large amphitheater, giving you two strong reasons to visit even if ancient ruins are not your main interest.

The tombs are cut into the cliff face, a style that makes the burial site immediately striking. The theater adds a different sense of scale. One review described the stop as worth it for its old gladiator-arena feeling, and that is a useful way to picture the visit: you are not simply looking at scattered stones, but at a place with a clear public center and dramatic stonework.

You have about one hour here. That is enough for a guided introduction and a focused look at the main remains, but it is not a slow archaeological study. Stay close enough to hear the guide, then use your own time for photos and a closer look at the tombs.

The admission fee is not included. This is one of the costs to add to the $60 price when comparing the tour with other options. The supplied information does not give the current fee, so check the amount when booking or at the entrance.

The guide is expected to explain Myra’s importance and past. This is one place where the guide can add real value, since the stone remains make more sense when you know how the tombs and theater fit into the ancient settlement. One practical point: the group size can reach 40, so move toward the guide when the explanation begins.

Lunch in Demre, also known as Kale

After Myra, the route continues to Demre, also called Kale in the tour details. A lunch break at a local restaurant follows, with freshly prepared dishes included in the tour price.

This is a sensible part of the day. You have been on the road since early morning, and the meal breaks up the sightseeing before the boat trip. Since lunch is included, you do not need to search for a restaurant or worry about losing time choosing a meal.

Drinks are not included. Bring extra Turkish lira or another accepted payment method for beverages, and keep water with you throughout the day. The supplied details do not specify the exact menu, so you should not book this expecting a particular dish or dietary arrangement.

The timing is also worth noting. The schedule gives Demre one hour, including the lunch stop. That makes the meal convenient rather than leisurely. If you like long lunches, this tour may feel rushed. If you prefer an efficient day with the practical details handled for you, the included meal is a plus.

Kekova by boat, the day’s main attraction

The boat trip to Kekova is the tour’s most memorable section for many people. From the harbor, you board a boat for about two hours and pass the ruins of the sunken ancient city.

The key word here is observe. The tour lets you see submerged structures from the boat, but the itinerary does not promise a shore visit to every ruin or free time in Simena. One review specifically noted disappointment that the group could not walk around Simena. Keep that limitation in mind if you want an active archaeological visit rather than a viewing cruise.

The upper deck is available for sunbathing, while the water and peaceful coastal setting provide the visual appeal. Pack a swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, sun cream, and a hat. Comfortable shoes are also recommended for the day’s other stops.

The boat ride is included, which improves the value of the package. You avoid arranging a separate cruise from the harbor, and the guide and bus are already coordinated with the schedule. Still, a two-hour boat trip can feel long if you are not interested in sitting, taking photos, or enjoying time on the water. One past comment suggested the onboard music could be better, so treat this as a scenic ride rather than an entertainment show.

The English commentary may be the weakest part of this section. A past booking found the guide’s explanations during the sunken-city portion too limited and had to sit near another group to hear more. I recommend boarding early and sitting close to the guide if the history matters to you. On a group boat, sound can disappear quickly under engine noise and general conversation.

St. Nicholas Church and the Santa Claus connection

The final major sightseeing stop is the Church of St. Nicholas in Demre. The building now serves as a museum and contains a marble sarcophagus believed by many people to be the original tomb of St. Nicholas.

This stop offers more than an attractive old church. St. Nicholas is connected with the figure who became Santa Claus, and the guide explains how that connection developed. That detail gives the visit broad appeal, even for people who do not usually seek out religious sites.

Allow about one hour. The church is another place where the guide’s introduction can help you notice what you are seeing. At the same time, the tour schedule may leave you with limited time to read and examine the interior at your own pace.

The entrance fee is not included. A past booking specifically noted that a separate ticket was required for the church. Myra also has an admission charge, so budget for both rather than assuming the $60 covers every sight.

The quality of the explanation may vary. One past experience found the group left alone to understand the church’s history, while another praised the guide overall. That difference suggests you should listen carefully at the beginning of the stop and ask questions if the guide gives you an opening.

The long ride back to Antalya

After the church visit, the bus returns to Antalya. The scheduled return drive takes about three hours, and the full experience lasts approximately 11 to 12 hours.

This is where the tour’s value depends on your priorities. If you have limited time in Antalya and want to see Myra and Kekova without planning separate transport, the long ride may be a fair trade. If you dislike coach days or become uncomfortable after several hours in a vehicle, the schedule may test your patience.

Pay close attention to the final drop-off arrangement. The tour information says hotel transfer is provided both ways, but the listed end point also says the activity ends back at the meeting point. One past booking reported being promised a hotel drop-off, then told to use the bus station, and finally left in an inconvenient location. That is a serious communication problem.

I would confirm three things before departure: your pickup point, your expected return point, and what happens if the vehicle cannot reach your hotel entrance. Save the provider’s response. This small bit of preparation can prevent an unpleasant ending after an otherwise rewarding day.

What the $60 price really covers

The $60 price is reasonable if you value convenience. It includes:

• Hotel transfer in both directions
• Guiding service
• Lunch
• The boat trip to Kekova’s sunken city

It does not include breakfast, drinks, or entrance fees. Those exclusions are normal for many sightseeing packages, but they affect the real budget. You should also remember that the tour price buys access to a busy, fixed schedule. It is not a private guide or a flexible custom trip.

The best value comes from the combination of distance and logistics. Myra, Demre, and Kekova are not quick side trips from central Antalya. Having one vehicle, one guide, one lunch stop, and one boat connection saves planning time.

The weaker value appears if you want depth at each site. Myra and St. Nicholas Church each receive about an hour, while much of the day goes to transport. You see the highlights, but you do not get an unhurried archaeological visit.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want to cover several major sights in one day and prefer organized transport. It suits first-time visitors to the Antalya region, history fans who want a sample of Myra, and anyone drawn to the unusual sight of ruins beneath clear coastal water.

It also works well if you enjoy a mix of ruins and relaxation. The boat gives you a break from walking, and the upper deck provides time in the sun. Lunch is handled for you, which keeps the day moving.

I would be more cautious if you need a small group, detailed English commentary at every stop, or guaranteed freedom to explore independently. A group of up to 40 can make it harder to hear. The boat focuses on viewing Kekova from the water, and the schedule does not promise a walk around Simena.

This is not the right pick for a short Antalya holiday with little spare time. The 7:00 am start and 11 to 12-hour duration leave most of the day committed to the excursion.

What to pack and how to prepare

Wear comfortable shoes for Myra and the church. Add a swimsuit, towel, hat, sunglasses, and sun cream for the boat ride. A camera is worthwhile, especially for the tombs, theater, church details, and views from the water.

Bring breakfast or eat before pickup, since breakfast is not included. Carry money for drinks and entrance fees. Keep your phone charged so you can save the pickup and drop-off details.

You need a moderate level of physical fitness. The information does not specify every surface or stairway, so you should be prepared for walking around archaeological sites and moving between the bus, harbor, and boat.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund. For other cancellations, you receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Myra and Kekova tour?

Book it if your main goal is efficient sightseeing. For $60, you get the transport and boat connection needed to reach three distinctive places, plus lunch and a guide. Myra’s theater and tombs are the strongest archaeological stop, while Kekova supplies the day’s most unusual scenery.

Think twice if you want a slow, highly detailed tour. Entrance tickets cost extra, commentary may be limited on the boat and at the church, and the return transfer needs careful confirmation. I would book this tour for the broad experience, then prepare for a long day, a large group, and a viewing cruise rather than a hands-on exploration of every site.

FAQ

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

The experience lasts approximately 11 to 12 hours, including about three hours of travel from Antalya to the sights and another three hours returning.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 7:00 am. If you use hotel pickup, wait at the main entrance gate rather than at the reception desk.

Is hotel pickup and return included?

Hotel transfer in both directions is included. However, the listed meeting information also names McDonald’s AntalyaBarbaros as the start and end point, so confirm your exact pickup and return arrangement before departure.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a local restaurant is included. Breakfast and drinks are not included.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees are not included. You should expect separate admission charges for Myra and the Church of St. Nicholas.

Is the Kekova boat trip included?

Yes. The boat trip to view the sunken city of Kekova is included and lasts about two hours.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, sun cream, a hat, comfortable shoes, and a camera. You should also bring money for drinks and entrance fees.