A long day with big payoffs. This Demre, Myra & Kekova Sunken City trip is built around two things you can’t fake: a guided look at ancient sites and a boat ride over a submerged coastline. I especially like that hotel transfers are included and that you’re guided by a specialist art historian who can put the buildings and ruins into context.

The schedule is also pretty practical for history lovers: you start early, hit Kekova and the church areas first, then land at Myra for the main ancient-city experience with an entrance ticket included. One drawback to weigh: you’re committing to a very early start and a long driving day, so if you’re not into that pace, this one can feel like too much.

Key things to know before you go

• Kekova boat time is about 2 hours, and it’s the heart of the tour.
• A specialist art historian guides you, not just a generic sightseeing guide.
• Lunch is included, which matters when you’re away from food options for much of the day.
• Myra ancient-city entry is included, but St. Nicholas Church isn’t (17 euro).
• Small group size (max 15) keeps things from feeling chaotic.
• You’ll get hotel pickup from many Antalya-area locations.

Getting to Demre: the real reason the day starts early

Demre and Myra are not in central Antalya, so the tour has to start early to fit everything in. That’s why you’ll feel the wake-up call first, not the ruins. If you’re staying in Lara, Belek, Side, Alanya, Kemer, or around Antalya City Center and Kaleiçi, you should plan to roll with the pickup timing and the long day’s rhythm.

This is also why the early start can feel “not worth it” to people who only want a short outing. But if you like seeing more than one major site in a day, the structure works. You’re basically trading sleep for a full itinerary: Kekova by boat, then inland history at St. Nicholas and Myra.

Kekova Island and the Sunken City boat ride (about 2 hours on the water)

Kekova Island is where the story becomes visual. You board for the sunken-city portion and settle into the kind of slow-moving sightseeing that lets you actually look at what you’re seeing instead of just passing by. The tour includes the Kekova boat experience for around 2 hours, plus an included admission ticket for that stop.

Here’s what you’re aiming to see from the water: submerged ruins along the shore, including what look like foundations and parts of buildings under the surface. The bay views are the main point—watch for the contrast between the visible shoreline and the half-submerged structures.

Practical reality check: water conditions and how the boat docks can affect what you can clearly spot. On the best days, you’ll see a lot; on other days, some underwater features can be harder to make out. Still, even when visibility is limited, the overall effect—an inhabited coastline turned into a ruin field—is the point of the day.

What you’ll spot at Kekova: churches, shops, stairs, and half-submerged homes

Kekova’s coastline isn’t just one neat photo spot. It’s a whole set of reminders that this was once a real place with daily life. From the boat and nearby viewpoints described for the area, you’ll focus on several types of remains:

• A Byzantine-period church apse you encounter on the island area
• Submerged shop structures visible along the shore (you’ll hear about them on both the right and left sides of the bay)
• Half of the houses under water, including stairs leading down toward the sea
• Foundations and house floors you can sometimes see underwater from the boat/shoreline

What I like about this stop is how it’s framed. You’re not just told “the city is underwater.” You’re guided to look for specific architectural clues—church features, shop-like shapes, and household remains—so you leave with a stronger mental map of the place.

Church of St. Nicholas: important history, extra entrance fee

After Kekova, the tour heads to the Church of St. Nicholas. This is a focused, more “stand-and-learn” stop compared to the water time. You get about 1 hour here with a guide explaining the church’s historical significance.

One cost detail matters: the St. Nicholas Church entrance fee is not included. The provided information lists 17 euro for entry, and drinks are also not included on the day. So budget for that extra ticket on arrival or in whatever way your guide group handles it.

Is it worth paying separately? If you’re a fan of early Christian sites or you want the story behind one of the best-known names connected to this region, it fits naturally in the day’s flow. If you’re mostly here for the boat, you may find this stop less visually dramatic—but it’s still the kind of place where context makes a difference.

Myra Ancient City: theater and tombs with entrance included

Then you get to the main inland hit: Myra Antik Kenti (Myra Ancient City). This stop runs for about 1 hour, and—good news—it includes the entrance ticket.

Myra is laid out for seeing the kinds of features that scream ancient civic life:

• Theater
• Tombs of kings
• And the larger historical background around the site

The value here is in the guide’s job. With an art historian-style explanation, you’re more likely to notice what you’re looking at: how structures relate to each other, why certain tomb areas matter, and how the theater fits the city’s public rhythm. Without that kind of framing, Myra can become just a collection of stone ruins. With it, you start reading the place like a real city that once had rules, celebrations, and power.

Price and value: what $132.45 includes (and what you’ll pay separately)

At $132.45 per person, this tour prices itself as a full-day package rather than a bare-bones bus trip. And that matters, because the included items are the expensive part of the day:

Included with the tour:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Lunch
• Professional art historian guide (and guide support)
• Boat tour around 2 hours connected to the sunken city area
• Myra ancient city entrance ticket
• Kekova stop entry is listed as included as well

Not included:

• Drinks
• St. Nicholas Church entrance (17 euro is listed)

So the real question isn’t just the sticker price. It’s whether you want someone handling transportation, timed stops, and ticket entry for the big pieces. If you’d otherwise have to figure out your own pickup, driving, and multi-stop ticketing, the package feels more like a practical deal than a splurge.

If you’re the type who hates paying separate fees, then the St. Nicholas entrance cost is the one extra item to plan for. But it’s still a known add-on, not a surprise.

Pace, group size, and comfort on a 10–11 hour day

This is a long day by design: roughly 10 to 11 hours total. The group size is capped at 15 travelers, which helps with flow—less waiting, more time spent looking at the right things, and fewer chances of your day turning into a herd.

The schedule order also makes sense:

1) Start with Kekova’s water-focused sightseeing

2) Then go to St. Nicholas (a timed church visit)

3) Finish with Myra’s main ancient-site experience

One practical tip: treat the day like a road-trip marathon. Bring a small bottle refill plan (even if drinks aren’t included), sun protection, and something light for the boat time. You’ll be moving between land and water, and early mornings leave you more vulnerable to fatigue than you think.

Based on the earlier review concern about the early departure and long drive, you should assume the trip can feel heavy if you’re trying to squeeze it into a “just a little sightseeing” mindset. But if you’re already in vacation mode—ready for a big circuit—this format delivers.

Should you book this Demre, Myra & Kekova Sunken City tour?

Book it if:

• You want Kekova by boat and appreciate guided explanation more than self-directed wandering.
• You like pairing water scenery with inland ancient sites in one go.
• You’d rather pay once for a package with pickup, lunch, and key tickets than manage logistics yourself.
• You’re fine with a very early start for the sake of seeing Demre/Myra in daylight.

Skip or rethink it if:

• A long driving day and early wake-up would ruin your mood.
• You’re expecting to spot every underwater wreck detail no matter the conditions. The experience is real and memorable, but visibility can vary.

If you match the first list, you’ll likely feel like the tour was built for your kind of travel: structured, guided, and focused on the big sights—especially the sunken-city boat segment.

FAQ

Where is hotel pickup offered for this tour?

Pickup is available from Lara, Belek, Side, Alanya, Kumköy, Serik, Antalya City Center, Old Town (Kaleiçi), Beldibi, Kemer, and Tekirova.

How long does the tour take?

The duration is approximately 10 to 11 hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is provided.

Do I need to buy tickets for Myra Ancient City?

No. Myra ancient city entrance ticket is included.

Is the Church of St. Nicholas entrance included?

No. The Church of St. Nicholas entrance is not included, and the listed fee is 17 euro.

How long is the boat tour to the sunken city?

The boat tour is around 2 hours.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What is the maximum group size?

The maximum group size is 15 travelers.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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