Sunken ruins and rock-cut tombs—one long, rewarding day. This tour strings together Myra’s Lycian tombs and the Kekova sunken city with an organized driver-led plan, plus English-speaking guidance like Huseyien, who kept things light and shared plenty of practical context about Turkey and what you’re seeing. I also like that lunch and the Myra entry ticket are built in, so you’re not hunting for payments while you’re tired. The main thing to consider is the early start and the schedule’s pace—if your pickup adds extra hotel stops, the day can feel stretched.

You’ll be on an air-conditioned vehicle, capped at 45 travelers, which is big enough to stay efficient but small enough that you usually don’t feel lost in the crowd. Just plan your expectations: this is a “see the highlights” format, not a sit-and-stay-all-day slow tour.

Key things that make this tour click

• Lycian rock-cut tombs at Myra: dramatic necropolis views without you having to plan logistics.
• Kekova sunken-city boat trip: long enough for sightseeing from the water, with a brief chance to cool off.
• St. Nicholas + Myra pairing: you get two Demre-area anchor stops in one flow.
• Lunch included + Myra ticket included: fewer extras to pay on the day.
• English guidance and a max group size of 45: easier Q&A than random buses.

Demre to Kekova: how this “highlights” day really plays out

This is the kind of trip that works when you want ancient sites without turning your vacation into a spreadsheet. Demre, Myra, and Kekova sit close enough to chain together, but they feel worlds apart: Demre’s religious landmarks, Myra’s Lycian rock tombs, and then the weird, beautiful scale of a sunken city you can view from a boat.

For $79, you’re paying for transport, a planned route, lunch, and the entry ticket for the Ancient City of Myra. That’s a lot of the annoying stuff handled. If you’ve ever tried to wing these stops yourself, you already know the time cost: ticket lines, parking stress, and the hard part—getting from A to B without losing half your day.

One more point that matters: this tour is scheduled for about 8 to 10 hours. That time goes to travel, not just sightseeing. So you’ll enjoy it most if you’re cool with a steady pace and you’re choosing big “wow” moments over slow wandering.

Your morning start: pickup times and how to save energy

You start early—5:30 am start time is listed. Pickup depends on where you’re staying: Antalya is listed with a 06:00 pickup, and Belek with a 05:00 pickup.

That early start is the tradeoff for covering multiple sites in one day. It also means you should treat the vehicle as your “buffer.” Bring snacks if you normally get hungry before breakfast, and wear shoes you can walk in for tombs and uneven ancient paths. The day includes lunch, but breakfast isn’t included, and bottled water isn’t included either.

Also, one practical thing: your pickup area matters. If the van has to make extra hotel stops, your “time in the sites” can feel shorter than you hoped. You can’t control that once you book, but you can reduce how painful it feels by arriving ready (sleep, hydration, and a light breakfast before pickup if possible).

Stop 1: Church of St. Nicholas in Demre (and what to expect)

The first scheduled stop is the Church of St. Nicholas in Demre. This is where the tour leans into the famous story behind Santa’s origin—Nicholas became the model for the Father Christmas tradition.

You’ll typically have about 1 hour here. The big thing to note is that the entrance ticket is not included for this church. So if you’re budget-minded, plan to pay on arrival.

What I like about starting here: it sets the tone. Even if you’re not obsessed with religious history, it gives context for why Demre is a draw beyond the ancient Lycian ruins. It’s also a good warm-up stop—before the walking and the rock-cut tomb scenery.

The main consideration is timing. If you’re someone who hates being rushed through the first stop, you’ll want to keep your priorities clear from the start.

Stop 2: Myra Ancient City and the Lycian tombs you came for

This is the anchor stop: Myra Ancient Lycian City. The tour includes entry ticket for the Ancient City of Myra, and you’re scheduled for about 1 hour.

Myra’s main draw is the Lycian rock-cut tombs—a necropolis area with tombs dating back to around the 4th century BC. These aren’t just “old ruins.” They’re carved into the rock in a way that makes you feel how people shaped and marked their landscape. If you love photos, this is where you’ll get them. If you’re more into atmosphere than pictures, this is still the stop that feels most “built into the earth.”

The amphitheater is also part of what you’ll see around here, so you get both tombs and a clue to how Myra worked as a city.

One more nice detail: Myra’s name is explained as meaning Land of the Sun, which helps you connect the place to the bright Anatolian setting around it. Even if you don’t go deep on etymology, it gives you something to notice while you’re there—light, stone color, and how the area looks at different angles.

Kekova Island: the sunken city boat trip (short, scenic, and worth it)

After Myra, the tour heads to Kekova Island and the Kekova sunken city area. This is scheduled for about 3 hours total at the stop, with the core experience being a boat trip out to see the remnants of the ancient city (often called Simena in the context of this region).

Here’s the story you’ll hear and see hints of from the water: Kekova was once part of the mainland. Earthquakes caused a collapse of a big portion of the city, and the rest became an island over time. From the boat, the scale can feel surreal—ruins that look like they’re half-built into the coastline.

The boat segment tends to feel like “sightseeing first.” In the feedback I’ve seen, the on-water time is often around the length you can count on for photos, and you may get a brief chance to swim if the timing allows it. It’s not a long, leisurely beach day. Treat it as a way to see the sunken ruins from the right perspective—then move on.

What to do to make this stop better:

• Plan to take photos early, before people settle into swims or chatting.
• Bring sun protection, because time on the water can still burn you fast.
• If you want to swim, be ready quickly when there’s an opening.

The payoff is real. Even when the schedule feels a little tight, Kekova is usually the part people feel happiest about because the boat viewpoint is hard to recreate on your own without effort.

Lunch included: helpful, but don’t expect a long sit-down

Lunch is included. That’s a big value point, especially when you’re starting at dawn. But the key thing is how lunch fits into the flow: this is still a one-day circuit, so lunch won’t become a slow meal with time to linger.

If you’re picky about what you drink, note that coffee/tea aren’t included, and bottled water isn’t included. I recommend you bring a refillable bottle if you can, or at least budget for drinks during the day. Also pack a small snack for the morning—breakfast isn’t included, and early departures can catch you before you can eat properly.

If you’ve got dietary needs, you’ll want to think ahead, since the tour data only promises lunch, not specific meal options.

The pace question: where the day can feel tight

This tour is designed around three major stops, with set durations: 1 hour at the St. Nicholas Church, 1 hour at Myra, and about 3 hours at Kekova.

In an ideal world, that pacing feels balanced. In the real world, it can feel rushed if the pickup is slow (extra hotel stops) or if the group needs time to transfer between the vehicle and each site.

A detail worth mentioning because it affects time: some days include an added stop for shopping, like an onyx factory. I can’t guarantee it’s always part of your exact day, but it’s the kind of extra that can cut into the time you wish you had for the ruins or the boat.

My practical advice: keep your expectations realistic. If you want deep, slow time inside the tombs, this may not be the format. If you want the key sights of Myra and Kekova with minimal planning stress, it’s a solid choice.

Price and value: is $79 fair for what you get?

At $79 per person, you’re paying for:

• Air-conditioned transport
• Lunch
• All fees and taxes
• Entrance ticket for Myra
• A planned route that handles the sequencing of stops
• English offered

You’re not paying for:

• St. Nicholas Church entry ticket
• Breakfast
• Coffee/tea
• Bottled water

So is it good value? For most people, yes—because the most annoying parts are already handled: getting to Myra and Kekova with an organized plan, plus lunch. You’re also not responsible for buying Myra’s entry ticket, which saves time.

Where the value can feel weaker is if the day feels dominated by driving and short site windows. That isn’t a “site problem.” It’s a “day pacing” issue. If you’re booking from a more central hotel, you can often feel the schedule more pleasantly. If you’re farther out, the first and last hours can feel like waiting in transit.

Who this tour suits best (and who should think twice)

This tour is a great fit if you:

• Want the big hits in the Myra and Kekova area in one day
• Prefer pickup and an organized plan over DIY logistics
• Like guided context while you photograph and walk
• Are fine with a set schedule and limited time per stop

It might feel less ideal if you:

• Want long time in the tombs or deep wandering
• Hate shopping stops or tight transitions
• Are easily tired by early mornings and multiple transfers

Group size maxing at 45 usually keeps things manageable. You’ll still be in a group rhythm, not a private pace.

What to pack for Demre and Kekova (so the day stays fun)

Because the tour starts at dawn and includes walking and time on the water, pack like you’re doing two activities in one day.

Bring:

• Sun protection (you’ll be outside, including on the boat)
• Comfortable walking shoes
• A hat and sunglasses
• A light layer for the early morning if it’s cool when you start
• A plan for water (water isn’t listed as included)

Also consider: the St. Nicholas Church ticket isn’t included, so don’t plan to skip payments there. If you want flexibility, carry a payment method and small cash just in case.

Final verdict: should you book this Demre Myra Kekova tour?

If you want an organized, English-speaking way to hit Myra’s Lycian tombs and see Kekova’s sunken city from the water, this tour is worth strong consideration—especially with lunch and the Myra ticket included. It’s a good deal for what’s covered and it saves you the headache of coordinating transport on your own.

My one caution is the pacing: the schedule works best if you’re okay with a fast pass through each stop and you accept that pickup logistics can stretch the day. If you’re the type who wants hours in one site, or you’re traveling with someone who gets cranky after early starts, you might prefer a private or smaller-format option.

Ready-to-book checklist:

• You can handle an early morning.
• You want highlights, not slow travel.
• You’re excited about tombs and boat viewpoints.

If those three are true, book it and enjoy the fact that in a single day you’ll see two very different kinds of ancient wonder.

FAQ

How long is the Antalya Demre Myra Kekova tour?

The tour runs about 8 to 10 hours (approx.) and starts at 5:30 am.

What stops are included during the tour?

You’ll visit the Church of St. Nicholas, the Ancient City of Myra, and Kekova Island for views of the sunken city.

Are entrance tickets included?

Entrance ticket for the Ancient City of Myra is included. The entrance ticket for the Church of St. Nicholas is not included.

Is lunch included, and do I need to budget for drinks?

Lunch is included. Breakfast, coffee/tea, and bottled water are not included.

Is pickup available, and what time does it happen?

Pickup is offered. Antalya pickup is listed at 06:00, and Belek pickup is listed at 05:00.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time for a full refund.

If you’d like, tell me where you’re staying (Antalya vs Belek vs nearer Lara/Kundu), and I’ll suggest how to time your breakfast and packing so you feel less rushed on the day.

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