Sunken ruins can make time feel warped. This day trip combines Kekova Sunken City views from a boat with the Lycian rock-cut tombs around Myra—two different ways to feel the past, back-to-back. The boat part is built for big “how is this real?” moments, while the Myra side gives you a slow walk through carved stone and atmosphere.

I also like the practical pacing: you get hotel pickup, an included lunch, and a set window for exploring each site instead of one rushed stop after another. One thing to plan for: you’ll likely pay extra for entrances—especially St. Nicholas—and the whole trip is long (about 7–10 hours) with an early start.

Key things I’d keep in mind before you go

• Boat time over guessing: you get roughly a 2-hour Kekova boat ride with admission included.
• Myra’s tombs are the main event: plan for about 2 hours of free time in the ancient city area.
• St. Nicholas costs extra: the entrance ticket is not included (listed at 18 USD).
• Lunch is included, drinks are not: budget for beverages if you want more than tap water.
• Weather matters: the experience requires good weather, and you can be offered a different date or a full refund if it’s canceled.

Why this Demre–Myra–Kekova combo works

This tour strings together three places that are often visited separately, and that’s exactly why it can feel satisfying. You start by seeing a real geological event play out in the water at Kekova. Then you shift to the human side—cities, tombs, and a church tied to St. Nicholas. It’s not just “ancient ruins.” It’s ruins with stories that connect nature, earthquakes, and daily life.

Kekova gives you the unusual perspective: you’re not looking at carvings on a hill. You’re looking across clear water at remains under the surface. Myra, on the other hand, is about scale and craftsmanship. The tombs are carved into rock, and even without getting lost in academic detail, you can feel the effort that went into creating a whole necropolis.

The best part of the value here is that the major transportation piece is handled for you. You’re traveling from Kemer with an air-conditioned vehicle and scheduled stops, and you’re not spending your time figuring out how to connect between sites.

Getting from Kemer: the early pickup and long-day rhythm

Most trips start early. Your pickup window is between 7:30 and 8:30 in the morning, and the day runs about 7–10 hours total. That means a real start, not a leisurely morning.

There’s a reason the schedule is built this way. Kekova is set up as the first big anchor once you reach Demre. The boat trip starts around 10:00 and lasts about 2 hours, so you’re aiming to be on the water during the best conditions.

Also pay attention to the group size. This tour caps out at 45 travelers. That’s big enough to feel like a group day trip, but small enough that you can still enjoy the sites without feeling swallowed by a mega-bus crowd—assuming the guide keeps things moving smoothly.

And yes, it’s a long day. The upside is that you’re packing a lot of variety into one booking: boat + church + ancient city, with lunch included.

Kekova Sunken City boat trip: what you’ll actually see

The Kekova part is built around the Sunken City idea in a very literal way. You board the boat and cruise over the area where an ancient city once stretched as part of the mainland. Over time, earthquakes caused much of the city to collapse. The remainder turned into what you’ll recognize today as an island landscape with water-covered remnants.

On the boat, you’re looking for the remains of Simena beneath the clear water. The timing here matters too—about 2 hours gives you enough time to enjoy the views without feeling like the boat ride is just a transfer between stops.

One thing you should like if you’re the type who enjoys a little movement: the experience includes a chance to swim in the turquoise water. That’s not just a random add-on. It’s part of what makes this area different from a typical “stand and photograph” ruin day.

Also note the “pirates” angle. The tour framing mentions that the area was once a favored haunt of pirates. Even if you don’t go hunting for pirate trivia, the vibe makes sense once you’re on the water—this coast has that storybook coastline feel.

Practical drawback: boat days are weather-dependent. The tour notes that good weather is required. If conditions aren’t right, plans can change, and you may get offered a different date or a full refund.

Church of St. Nicholas in Demre: plan for the extra ticket

After Kekova, you head to Demre for the Church of St. Nicholas. This is one of those places where the site itself doesn’t need a lot of explanation to matter. You’re looking at a church associated with a saintly man—St. Nicholas—and the tour connects him to the figure that later inspired Father Christmas.

You also get the local historical context through the setting. The area includes an ancient amphitheater you can view as part of the church stop experience.

Here’s the practical bit: the entrance ticket for the Church of St. Nicholas is not included. It’s listed at 18 USD, so you’ll want cash or a card ready (and a little buffer time if you’re dealing with ticket lines).

If you’re traveling with a flexible attitude, this can be a great stop. It gives your day a cultural and spiritual anchor right after the dramatic geology of Kekova.

Myra Ancient City: Lycian tombs you’ll remember

Myra Ancient City is where the tour slows down in a good way. It’s named by the Lycians and the meaning is given as Land of the Sun. Even if you don’t use that fact while walking around, it helps frame the feeling of the place: sun, stone, carved rock, and a necropolis designed to last.

The highlight here is the Lycian tombs—a necropolis with tombs dating back to the 4th century BC. These aren’t just scattered stones. You’re walking into a designed stone world. Even in a short visit, the scale tends to hit you fast.

You also get the ancient atmosphere through the setting near the Church of St. Nicholas, which is described as not far from Myra. So you don’t spend your energy on long transfers between the church area and the ancient city.

Timing matters: after lunch, you spend about 2 hours in Myra Ancient City with your guide’s information and free time. That’s enough to:

• get your bearings fast,
• see the major tomb areas,
• and take photos without the feeling that you’ll be rushed out in five minutes.

Entrance note: the entrance ticket for Ancient City Myra is listed as optional and not included, with 300 TL mentioned. If you’re hoping to see more fully inside the ancient city areas, budget for that optional fee.

Lunch break and the real pacing of the day

You’ll have lunch at a local restaurant. Lunch is included, and there’s about a 45-minute lunch break. That’s a decent window for a full meal, especially since the day is otherwise structured around longer sightseeing blocks.

One caution: drinks are not included. If you want bottled water, soda, or anything beyond a basic meal, plan to pay at the restaurant.

This tour also includes pickup comfort: an air-conditioned vehicle for the road segments. That matters in Turkey’s warmer months, especially when you’re starting early.

A big part of the day’s value is the way it’s laid out:

• boat first (so you’re on the water before the day gets too tired),
• then church,
• then lunch,
• then Myra tombs,
• and back to Kemer.

The return time is listed as around 19:00. If you’re pairing this with an evening plan in Kemer, keep it flexible. A day like this can run slightly differently depending on traffic and how your guide manages the group.

Price and value: where your $50 goes (and what to add)

The price is $50 per person and includes:

• air-conditioned transportation,
• lunch,
• and the boat trip to Kekova Sunken City.

That’s solid value when you’re comparing it to the cost of doing these pieces separately, because the big cost in most DIY plans is not only tickets—it’s coordinating transport and timing between sites.

But you should budget for extras, because they’re not hidden:

• Church of St. Nicholas entrance: 18 USD (not included)
• drinks: not included
• Ancient City Myra entrance: optional, 300 TL
• breakfast: not included

So the real “all-in” cost depends on how you handle entrances and what you drink. If you plan to visit St. Nicholas and also choose to pay for Ancient City Myra, your total will be higher than $50—but you’ll also be covering the ticketed parts of the day that make the stops feel complete.

The tour also mentions infant seats available on request for 15 USD, which can matter if you’re traveling with a small child and want to avoid improvising.

Language, guide quality, and how to protect your day

Here’s the part I treat seriously: a tour’s day is only as smooth as its guide plan. One recent experience in the available feedback points to a last-minute change where a booked German-guide arrangement was canceled the evening before. In that situation, the person ended up rebooking to continue the plan.

You can’t fully prevent last-minute changes on any group tour. But you can protect yourself:

• read your confirmation carefully,
• double-check the day before (especially if language matters to you),
• keep your schedule flexible enough to absorb a change without panicking.

When it works well, the guide makes a huge difference. The positive feedback you can lean on here is clear: the tombs and the boat ride land better when someone explains what you’re looking at as you go.

Who should book this trip (and who should skip it)

This tour is a good match if you want:

• a one-day hit of boat views plus stone-carved tombs,
• hotel pickup in Kemer,
• lunch handled for you,
• and a schedule that gives you a couple hours to enjoy the main ancient city area.

You might want to skip or adjust if:

• you hate long travel days (it’s about 7–10 hours),
• you can’t handle extra ticket costs on the spot,
• or you’re very sensitive to last-minute schedule or guide language changes.

It also helps if you’re comfortable with outdoors time. Kekova means being out on the water, and Myra involves walking in an ancient site setting.

Should you book the Demre Myra Tour with Kekova boat trip?

I’d book this if you want the best kind of Turkey day trip: variety in one stroke. The Kekova Sunken City boat ride plus Myra’s Lycian rock-cut tombs are the two anchors that make it feel worth an early start. With lunch included and transportation handled, it’s a straightforward way to see a lot without turning the day into a logistics project.

I’d think twice if you’re only interested in one of the stops. The Church of St. Nicholas and the Myra ancient city add value, but they also add extra costs and time. If you’re the type who hates paying for entrances separately, make sure you’re okay with that.

If you do book: pack a realistic mindset for a long day, bring extra money for the ticket parts you choose, and watch the weather forecast. When the day runs smoothly, this is the kind of route that gives you both dramatic water views and deep stone detail in the same outing.

FAQ

How long is the Demre Myra Tour with Kekova Sunken City from Kemer?

It’s listed as approximately 7 to 10 hours.

What time do I get picked up in Kemer?

Pickup starts between 7:30 and 8:30 in the morning, with the tour starting around 7:30 am.

How long is the boat trip to Kekova Sunken City?

The boat tour starts at approximately 10:00 and lasts about 2 hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with a lunch break of about 45 minutes.

Are the entrance tickets included for the Church of St. Nicholas?

No. The entrance ticket is not included and is listed at 18 USD.

Is there an entrance ticket required for Ancient City Myra?

Ancient City Myra entrance is optional and not included. The optional ticket is listed at 300 TL.

Can I swim on the Kekova boat trip?

The tour includes time to swim in the water during the Kekova portion.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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