Sunken ruins plus tombs from two empires in one day. This Kemer day trip strings together a boat cruise over Kekova’s underwater ruins and the rock-cut necropolis of Myra, with a stop in Demre for the Church of St. Nicholas. The big catch is that the day includes sites with extra paid entry, especially if you want to go inside St. Nicholas.

You’ll start early with hotel pickup, then spend most of the day seeing the Turquoise Coast by land and by water. If you like structured sightseeing with a classic long-coach feel, this works well—just plan your budget for entrances and drinks.

Key things I’d circle before you go

• Glass-bottom boat views can vary, so don’t assume every window will be perfectly clear
• Myra’s rock-cut tombs are the strongest history stop for many people
• St. Nicholas church is extra-cost, and you may spend time waiting if you skip it
• Lunch is included and is often described as better than the typical buffet
• There’s a swim opportunity off the boat, so pack a swimsuit just in case
• Expect optional shop stops along the route (souvenirs and semi-precious stone places)

Kekova from the water: what you actually see

The day’s highlight for many people is the boat portion along Kekova’s coastline. You’ll ride out to the area linked with the sunken city, where you can look down over the ruins that sit under the waterline. The boat experience is often the fastest way to grasp why this coast is so famous: the ruins aren’t in a museum hall. They’re in context, next to cliffs and shoreline that look like they still belong on a postcard.

Now for the real talk: the sunken city portion can feel small depending on where you’re seated and how clear the boat viewing area is. Some boats use a glass-bottom setup, but a few departures have been reported with windows that are harder to see through. If you’re hoping for a perfect view of everything at once, I’d adjust your expectations. Focus on what you can make out and enjoy the overall run—coast views, the scale of the water, and the feeling of being in the right place at the right time.

One more bonus that shows up in real-life sightings: sea turtles. If you love wildlife, keep your eyes up and out near the harbor and along the edges of the route.

Best practical tip for the boat

Wear something you don’t mind getting damp. Even if you’re not swimming, boat days come with spray and sea breeze, and it’s nice to be comfortable for the viewing angles.

Myra’s rock tombs: the kind of history you can walk through

After the long drive from Kemer, Myra is usually where the tour’s historical payoff lands. You’ll spend time at the rock-cut tombs—ancient Lycian funerary structures carved directly into the landscape. This is the kind of site that makes you slow down, because the shapes and craftsmanship are visible up close, not just from a distance.

What I like about Myra as a stop: it’s tangible. You’re not just hearing about the past. You’re standing near the entrances, carved rooms, and tomb facades that still read like part of an urban map. Even if you only catch the highlights, the place has enough visual variety to feel complete.

Timing matters here. Myra can be hot in the afternoon (especially in summer), so the tour’s schedule and your pace inside the site both affect how good this feels. If you’re visiting in hot weather, I’d bring sun protection and expect to move carefully between shaded and open areas.

If you want photos

Aim to photograph tomb details when the light is higher but not blazing. If you’re sensitive to heat, you’ll enjoy the site more by pacing yourself rather than sprinting for every angle.

Demre and the Church of St. Nicholas: Santa’s real-life origin, with an extra fee

Demre is where the St. Nicholas connection comes in. The Church of St. Nicholas is a major stop on paper, but the on-the-ground reality is that entering the church costs extra. It’s also described as fenced off from the road, which means you can’t just peek at everything without paying.

If you do want the interior visit, budget for it. Reported add-on amounts vary by departure, with some people citing figures around €17 to €20 per person. If you skip the church entry, you may end up waiting outside with limited options beyond shops and snacks, while the rest of the group does the inside visit.

So is it worth it? If you care about the story of St. Nicholas and want the full experience of being inside, I’d treat the church entry as part of the point. If your priorities are the coast and the archaeological site at Myra, you can decide based on time and cost.

My practical advice

Decide early what you want from this stop: inside church time, or more flexible time elsewhere. That one decision helps you enjoy the rest of the day more.

Getting from Kemer: the long day that still works

This is a long day by design. The tour starts at 8:00 am with pickup from the hotel security gate in Kemer, and you’ll spend significant hours on a coach. The drive isn’t just transit—it’s part of the tour’s structure—so you’ll want to feel okay sitting for a while on curvy roads.

Most departures run with a coach and a comfortable pace, and many people report AC and punctual pickup. Still, there have been occasional issues like vehicles breaking down or comfort levels being less ideal on certain days. That’s not the norm you should plan around, but it’s a good reason to bring a water bottle if you can and plan for a day that’s mostly “in transit to transit.”

A key mid-route element: there are restroom and refreshment breaks on the way to the boat departure point. That can save your day, especially if you’re doing a swim break later.

What I’d pack mentally

This trip rewards people who are fine with a structured, sightseeing-heavy schedule. If you hate long road time, you might feel it more than the sites compensate.

Lunch in Demre: the included meal that makes the day feel real

Lunch is included, and that matters more than it sounds. A lot of day tours claim lunch but deliver a flat, repetitive plate. Here, the lunch is often described as fresh and better than the typical tourist buffet, and it’s usually served in an authentic Turkish restaurant in Demre.

You’ll get time to eat, and the guide may offer meal choices depending on the day. Drinks are not included, so if you want soda, juice, or anything more than water, keep extra money handy.

I also like the way lunch fits the flow: you’re coming off a boat day and a history stop, so eating in town gives you a reset before the church and Myra segments.

The optional stops: souvenirs and semi-precious stone shopping

On tours like this, there’s usually some kind of shopping interruption. You might see partner souvenir stores, plus semi-precious stone shops along the route.

Some people find these stops annoying because the day is already full. Others treat it as a chance to buy a gift without going out of their way. Either way, I’d go into it with eyes open: these are typically time-consuming relative to the value they create for people who just want scenic time.

If you’re not shopping, you can reduce stress by setting your expectations now. You’re not missing a secret ruin. You’re on a scheduled stop.

A useful approach

If you want to keep your day focused, decide in advance: either use the shop stops as a quick break, or skip them mentally and look for the best timing to stretch your legs.

Guides and group size: what to expect from the human side

This tour runs with a maximum group size of 35. That keeps it from feeling like a giant cattle call, and many people report groups around the 10 to 20 person range on certain departures.

Language is listed as English, and you may have a multi-lingual guide. Most of the time, the experience is smooth and informative. Still, there’s at least one report of an English booking ending up on a Russian-speaking bus. That’s not something I’d bet on, so I’d confirm your language request right after booking, and again the day before if you can.

Some guides are especially good at turning sites into stories. One guide named Alp was specifically praised for being engaging and entertaining while explaining history clearly. That’s the kind of guiding that makes a long day feel shorter.

One more comfort note

A few people mentioned microphone/audio issues during minivan segments, so if you’re sensitive to sound, I’d sit where you can hear the guide best.

Price and value: is $66 really a bargain?

At about $66.08 per person for a full-day tour, this is priced like a mid-range classic: hotel pickup, lunch, and the boat cruise are bundled in. The value isn’t only the total cost—it’s how much is included versus what you pay later.

Here’s the cost reality check:

• Entrance fees are not included, and the tour notes entrance fees of about €30 (site-dependent)
• Drinks are extra
• St. Nicholas church entry is frequently an additional fee

When you total everything, the real question becomes whether the combination of Myra’s tombs plus the Kekova boat experience plus a smooth lunch reset matches your priorities. If your must-do list includes both Myra and Kekova, you’re paying for access, transport, and a guided flow.

If your priority is only one of the two (say, just Myra rock tombs), the price can feel less compelling once you factor in extra fees and coach time.

Who gets the best value

You’ll feel the best value if you want a single-day sampler of the Lycian coast: tombs, sunken-city coastline, and a Demre stop with the St. Nicholas story.

Who should book this Kemer day trip

This tour is a strong fit if you:

• want a structured full-day plan without organizing transport yourself
• enjoy archaeological sites and can handle heat and walking outdoors
• like the idea of seeing Kekova from the water and being on a boat, even if the underwater view is hit-or-miss
• appreciate included lunch and pickup convenience

It’s less ideal if you:

• hate long coach rides
• strongly dislike the idea of any shopping stop
• expect the sunken city to look like a perfectly curated underwater exhibit from every angle

Should you book the Sunken City, Kekova, Demre and Myra tour from Kemer?

I’d book it if your dream day includes both Myra’s carved tombs and the Kekova boat ride along the coast. The day has a good rhythm—pickup, a boat segment with a chance to swim, lunch in Demre, then history at Myra and the St. Nicholas stop.

But do it with two mindset checks:

1) Budget for extra entrances and drinks, especially the church entry.

2) Pack for a boat day, including a swimsuit if you’d like the swim option off the back of the boat.

If those fit your style, you’ll likely leave happy: you’ll see multiple iconic places of the Turquoise Coast without having to stitch the trip together yourself.

FAQ

What time does the tour start and how does pickup work?

The tour starts at 8:00 am. Pickup is from your hotel security gate in Kemer.

How long is the full day?

It’s about 9 hours (approximately), depending on the flow of the day.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price.

Is the boat cruise to Kekova included?

Yes. The boat cruise as part of the Sunken City Kekova experience is included.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees are not included (the tour notes entrance fees of about €30).

Do I need to pay extra for the Church of St. Nicholas?

Yes. Entry for the Church of St. Nicholas is not included, and you may be asked to pay an additional fee if you want to go inside.

What languages are available?

English is offered, and a multi-lingual guide may operate the tour.

Should I bring swimwear?

A swim opportunity off the back of the boat has been mentioned, so bringing swimwear is a good idea.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 35 travelers.

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