Sunken ruins and St. Nicholas in one day. I love how this trip pairs Myra’s rock-cut tombs and amphitheater with a Kekova boat ride where you can actually see the sunken remains of Simena. The big drawback to plan for is the long travel day, and in some cases you may feel it more if your pickup has several stops.

What makes it easier to enjoy is that key pieces are built in: hotel pickup and drop-off, a guided route through the sites, and a lunch stop that keeps you from hunting for food between monuments. If you get a great guide (one called Margot has stood out for her upbeat explanations), the whole day clicks faster and feels more personal.

Key Highlights You Should Know Before You Go

• Myra Ancient City: Lycian amphitheater plus rock-cut tombs at a Lycian necropolis
• St. Nicholas Church in Kale: a standout stop in a small Demre town
• Kekova boat trip (~1 hour): see sunken ruins of Simena from the water
• Teimiussa necropolis: another Lycian cemetery site with impressive views
• Scenic Demre–Finike area vibes: the road itself can feel like part of the tour
• Hotel pickup from your security gate: you’re not left trying to find the start

Why Demre, Myra & Kekova Work So Well as One Full Day

This is one of those Riviera days where the variety is the point. You go from land-based archaeology in Myra to maritime history on the water near Kekova, and then wrap up with St. Nicholas in the town of Kale. That mix matters because it keeps the day from turning into a checklist.

Also, the sites are spread out in a way that makes the scenery do some work for you. River valleys, coastal views, and cliffside tombs help you “get it” without needing a huge lecture.

Price and Value: What $71 Buys You in Real Terms

At about $71 per person, the value comes from what’s included, not just the sightseeing. Your ticket covers hotel pickup/drop-off, a live guide, entrance fees (Demre sites, Myra, and St. Nicholas Church), lunch, and the boat trip to Kekova (about one hour).

Notably, drinks are not included. That’s worth factoring in if you like water or soft drinks during long days, since the tour provides lunch but not the beverages.

If you compare this to booking separate tickets and arranging transport on your own, the time saved is the real bargain. You’re paying to compress the logistics into one smooth day.

The Big Factor: Long Ride From Alanya/Side (And How to Handle It)

This is a full-day tour that runs on transit time as much as site time. The road can feel long, especially if you’re starting from Alanya, but the payoff is the concentration of major sights in one day. One clear piece of advice from experience on this route: bring patience.

If your pickup includes multiple hotel stops, the start can stretch even more. You can’t fully control that, but you can control your comfort:

• Wear layers you can adjust in the bus.
• Have water ready for before lunch.
• Keep your phone charged early; you’ll want photos at Kekova and in Myra.

Myra Ancient City: Amphitheater Views and Lycian Rock-Cut Tombs

Myra is where the day gets serious in a good way. The tour transfers you to the ancient area on the banks of the River Myros, and you start with the kind of site that feels instantly different from typical ruins.

The Greek amphitheater gives you a sense of scale right away—big enough to picture performances, and surrounded by landscape you can still read. Then you move to the rock-cut tombs of the Lycian necropolis. These tombs are the highlight for many people because they aren’t just “old rocks”; they look carved with intention, and they show how the Lycians used rock faces as lasting monuments.

Two things I especially like here:

• The tombs help you understand a whole culture’s relationship with death and memory.
• You’re outdoors in an area that lets the ruins feel grounded instead of museum-like.

Possible drawback: it’s an active walking day. Comfortable shoes are not optional here.

St. Nicholas in Kale: A Small Town Stop With a Big Recognition Factor

Near the end of the day, you visit Kale (Demre). This is where the tour shifts from archaeology to a more spiritual, well-known landmark: the church of St. Nicholas.

If you recognize the name, you’re not imagining things. St. Nicholas of Myra is central to this stop, and the church visit is one of those moments where the location adds weight. You see the church in the context of the region tied to the story.

From a practical standpoint, this stop is also good pacing. After the morning’s tombs and the day on the coast, you get a calmer finish where the site is the focus and you’re not constantly jumping between settings.

Lunch Stop: Why It Matters on a 16-Hour Day

Lunch is complimentary, and it’s placed right before the day turns toward the boat segment and the coast. That timing is smart. You avoid the classic problem of arriving at a waterside attraction hungry and then wishing you had eaten earlier.

You also get a built-in reset, which helps you enjoy the later Kekova portion with fresh energy. Since drinks are not included, I recommend planning for at least water on top of your lunch if you run warm in the bus or outdoors.

Kekova Boat Trip: Where the Sunken City Becomes Real

The boat segment is the reason many people book this tour, and it’s easy to see why. You sail near Kekova Island, and your goal is to spot the underwater ruins of the sunken city of Simena.

A few practical points make this part better:

• Bring your eyes, not just your camera. The underwater ruins are easy to miss if you keep switching between phone and view.
• Plan to slow down. This is a moment where you’ll want to take in what you’re seeing and then look again from a slightly different angle.

The payoff is the combination of turquoise-looking coastal water and visible ruins below the surface. It’s one thing to read about a sunken city. It’s another to watch the coastline and then spot remnants underwater like a geography lesson with ghosts in it.

Boat trip time is about one hour, so it’s not a long cruise. You’re getting the key experience without turning the whole day into slow sightseeing.

Teimiussa Necropolis: More Lycian Tombs, Different Perspective

After the boat portion, the tour continues with the Lycian necropolis at Teimiussa. This is another cemetery site, but it doesn’t feel repetitive because of the way it’s positioned and framed compared with Myra.

You’ll also get the “coastal context” here—crystal-clear water surroundings are part of what makes the area memorable. Even if you’re not a tomb-spotting superfan, Teimiussa gives you that extra layer: Lycians weren’t only living inland. They shaped the coast as well.

One consideration: this tour is packed. If you’re easily tired by lots of ruins in one day, prioritize your focus. Pick your two favorite areas (usually Myra tombs and Kekova) and let the rest be bonus.

Getting Around: Pickup, Skip-the-Line, and How the Day Flows

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, and the pickup is from your hotel security gate (main entrance). That’s helpful because it reduces the chance you’ll arrive at the wrong meeting point.

You’ll also skip the ticket line, which matters on busy days when you’re trying to keep time for the boat and multiple sites.

One thing to keep expectations realistic: this is not a relaxed, slow itinerary. It’s a guided day designed to cover several major stops. If you like a clear schedule and a guide to keep moving, you’ll find it satisfying.

If you don’t like “constant motion,” then plan your post-tour evening as downtime. You’ll likely feel the full 16 hours in your legs and your head, even if the sites are your favorite kind of travel.

Comfort and Photo Tips That Actually Help

This is a day where your choices affect how much you enjoy it.

• Wear comfortable shoes with grip. You’ll be walking around ancient areas and uneven ground.
• Keep water and sun protection in mind. Lunch helps, but there’s still outdoor time.
• For photos at Kekova and the necropolis areas, bring a simple strategy: wide shot first, then close-up details. Underwater ruins are easier when you slow down and compare angles.

If you’re traveling from Side, you may feel the transit less than someone starting deep in Alanya, but either way it’s still a full-day route.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Think Twice)

This works especially well for you if:

• You want major Demre-area highlights in one day without planning transport between stops.
• You like ruins that feel human-scale, like tombs carved into rock and a working amphitheater.
• You’re excited by the unusual experience of a boat ride where you can see underwater ruins at Simena.

It might be less ideal if:

• You hate long rides and multiple pickup stops.
• You need a more accessible format. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.

Should You Book This Demre St. Nicholas, Myra & Kekova Tour?

If you want a one-day mix of Myra’s Lycian necropolis, a real-feeling Kekova boat trip to see Simena underwater ruins, and a meaningful St. Nicholas finish in Kale, I think this tour earns its place. The included entrance fees, lunch, and guide make it hard to replicate the same value on your own without spending more time and effort.

My main “before you book” question is simple: can you handle a long day of transit from Alanya/Side? If yes, you’re in for a memorable spread of sites that don’t just look good—they explain a region’s story from land to sea.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The duration is 16 hours.

Where does the tour pick you up from?

Pickup is included from your hotel security gate (main entrance).

Is there a boat trip, and how long is it?

Yes. There’s a boat trip to the sunken city of Kekova for about 1 hour.

What places are included on the tour?

You’ll visit Myra (including the amphitheater and rock-cut tombs), Kekova Island with views of the sunken ruins of Simena, the Teimiussa necropolis, and the church of St. Nicholas in Kale.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included (drinks are not included).

What languages is the live guide offered in?

The live tour guide is available in English and Russian.

Do I need to buy entrance tickets separately?

No. Entrance fees to Demre, Myra, and the St. Nicholas Church are included.

Can I pay later?

Yes. The option is reserve now & pay later.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or mobility impairments?

No. It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.

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