Ancient ruins meet swim time. This full-day trip strings together Myra’s Lycian necropolis, a boat ride to Kekova’s sunken ruins, and the Church of St. Nicholas in Demre—so you get land, sea, and story in one long day. It’s the kind of outing that makes the Mediterranean feel close up, not distant.

What I like most is how the tour gives you both the big sights and the small clues—rock-cut tombs in Myra and the underwater remains around Kekova Island. I also love that you’ll have a real chance to get in the water for a snorkel when conditions allow.

The main drawback to consider is time. It’s a 10-hour day with early pickup, and larger groups can mean slower movement between stops—especially after a long bus ride.

Key highlights at a glance

• Kekova boat time for snorkel or swim in clear Mediterranean water
• Myra’s amphitheater and rock-cut Lycian tombs for that classic necropolis feel
• Underwater ruins of Simena visible from the boat as you sail past
• Teimiussa necropolis visit to keep the Lycian story going beyond Myra
• Demre/Kale’s St. Nicholas church to wrap the day with a meaningful landmark

From Antalya to Demre: a full-day route with real variety

This tour is built like a greatest-hits loop of the Demre region. You start in the ancient world on land with Myra, then switch gears to the water with the Kekova boat ride and the sunken city of Simena. After that, you keep moving through another Lycian necropolis at Teimiussa, and finish in Demre (also known as Kale) at the Church of St. Nicholas.

If you’re short on time in Antalya, that structure is exactly what you want. You’re not trying to plan three separate trips, either. One bus day handles the big ancient sites plus the most famous sea stop—Kekova.

The early bus pickup from Antalya (and why it affects your day)

You’ll ride in a comfortable, non-smoking, air-conditioned bus, and pickup is included from your hotel in Antalya. One review noted a pickup as early as 6:30am for an Antalya old city start, with return dropping off after 8pm. That’s a long arc, so mentally plan for a marathon.

This matters because the day’s best moments are front-loaded and time-sensitive. Myra needs your morning energy, and Kekova’s swim/snorkel window depends on boat timing and conditions. If you know you get cranky when the day starts too early, bring snacks, hydrate, and consider packing layers for the cooler morning ride.

Group size can also change how smoothly it feels. One report mentioned a tour size around 47 people with coordination between language groups. When it’s that full, you move with a schedule—so you’ll get the highlights, but you won’t linger slowly in every corner.

Myra’s necropolis: amphitheater and rock-cut tombs

Myra is where the tour turns from scenic travel into proper ancient-site time. The stop is centered on the Lycian necropolis: you’ll see the ancient Greek amphitheater and the rock-cut tombs in the Myra area.

Why this part works: you get contrast. The amphitheater is the theatrical, open-space side of the story, and the tombs show the Lycian way of carving memory directly into the landscape. Even if you’re not the type to study inscriptions, you can still read the feeling of the place—tomb after tomb, cut with purpose, not decoration.

Also, the tour includes entrance fees to Myra and uses a skip-the-ticket-line setup. That’s small on paper, but it helps in real time. It means less standing around and more time looking at the actual site details you came for.

Lunch break in Demre region before Kekova’s boat

Lunch is included after the Myra portion. The format is an open buffet in at least one account, which gives you flexibility if you’re hungry at different times.

Quality seems to vary. One person praised the meal as among the best they’d had in Turkey, while another described lunch as disappointing enough to want it removed from the itinerary. That tells me you should treat lunch as a included energy stop, not the main event.

If you’re picky about food or have dietary needs, plan ahead. Bring a small snack for peace of mind, and use lunch to refuel so you can enjoy the boat portion without feeling rushed.

Kekova Island and the sunken city of Simena

Then comes the part most people book for: the boat trip to Kekova Island. You sail over turquoise-looking Mediterranean water and head toward the sunken area associated with Simena. You’ll learn about the underwater ruins of the city as the boat passes the remains.

This is one of those experiences where the boat window is everything. You don’t just hear about the ruins—you see them from above the waterline as you move along the coast. The whole vibe is calmer than the land stops, and that contrast is a big part of the appeal.

You’ll also have the chance to swim or snorkel in the crystal clear waters surrounding Kekova Island. Do bring swim gear if you can. One practical note: conditions matter. In April, someone chose not to swim because the sea felt cold, but they still felt the boat ride was incredible. So even if you end up skipping the water, the scenery and the sunken-city viewing still deliver.

Teimiussa necropolis: continuing the Lycian story

After the Kekova sea time, the tour moves on to the Lycian necropolis at Teimiussa. This stop keeps the theme going. You’re not just doing a single ancient-city highlight; you’re seeing how the Lycian world left its mark across multiple sites in the region.

Teimiussa doesn’t get the same attention in most casual conversations as Myra, but that’s exactly why it’s useful on a guided loop. It adds context for what you saw earlier. The tomb style and the historical framing make more sense when you’re comparing sites back to back.

If you prefer a tour that explains connections rather than just dropping you at individual monuments, this extra necropolis stop helps.

Demre (Kale) and the Church of St. Nicholas

The final land highlight is Demre—often referred to as Kale—where you’ll visit the famous Church of St. Nicholas. This is the landmark people recognize, even if they aren’t fluent in the region’s ancient timeline.

One important practical point: entrance fees to the Church of St. Nicholas are not included. You’ll want to budget for that add-on, likely on arrival. It’s an easy thing to forget until you’re there, so plan to pay that ticket separately.

Why I think this ending works: it shifts from Lycian tombs and Roman-era spaces into a more familiar spiritual landmark. It gives the day a clear wrap-up, especially if you like your trips to end with a place that feels meaningful, not just historical.

Guides make or break it: Alp, Natalia, and the value of good pacing

A big strength of this tour is the guiding. One review praised a guide named Alp as friendly, upbeat, and full of clear explanations. Another highlighted a lady guide, Natalia, for making the day feel extra informative with lots of interesting details.

Even with a solid route, a guide’s job is to help you understand what you’re seeing and when to look closely. On a day this long, that matters. You need someone to connect the dots—why Myra’s tombs matter, what Simena’s sunken ruins mean, and what St. Nicholas represents in Demre.

The tour is also offered with live guides in English and Russian, which helps you follow the story without gaps. If you know your group language won’t be English, pick the matching language when possible so you’re not stuck waiting for partial explanations.

Price and value: what you pay for and what you may add

At $78 per person, this is positioned as a full-day, guided regional tour with included logistics. What makes the value clearer is what’s included:

• Transportation in an air-conditioned, non-smoking bus
• Professional guide
• Entrance fees to Myra
• Lunch
• Insurance
• Taxes

What’s not included is mainly the extras you’d expect on a busy day: beverages and the entrance fee to the St. Nicholas Church.

So the way I’d judge value is simple. You’re paying for convenience plus a structured route that would be a hassle to coordinate on your own—bus to Demre, multiple site stops, boat time to Kekova, and guiding for the ancient context. If you’re already planning to see Myra and the Kekova coast, this price can feel fair because the included items remove a lot of planning friction.

If you hate long days, though, the “value” math changes. A $78 tour can feel expensive when you’re tired and rushing. In that case, consider whether you’d rather do a shorter stop on your own schedule.

Who should book this tour, and who should skip it

This tour fits best if you want a one-day sampler of the Demre region: Myra necropolis, Kekova boat and sunken-city ruins, Teimiussa, and St. Nicholas. It’s also a strong choice when you have limited time and still want both ancient sites and a chance to enjoy the water.

You might skip it if:

• You strongly prefer small-group pacing and hate moving with a big schedule.
• You’re sensitive to early mornings and long driving days.
• You mainly want one or two sites and don’t care about a multi-stop itinerary.

That said, if you’re comfortable with a full day and you’ll enjoy guided explanations, this route is efficient. One bus day can cover more than most independent plans can manage without stress.

Practical tips to make the most of the day

A few things I’d do to keep the experience smooth:

• Pack swim gear and a towel if you want the snorkel option, but bring layers too, since mornings can feel cool.
• Bring water for the bus day. Drinks aren’t listed as included, and bottles add up when you wait.
• Wear shoes that handle site walking. Necropolis areas involve uneven ground around tombs and amphitheater terrain.
• Don’t plan heavy sightseeing the same night as this tour. You’ll likely get back late—one schedule mentioned after 8pm.

If you’re booking with a language preference, pick the guide language you’ll understand best. A tour with good narration can feel twice as worthwhile.

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

Yes, I’d book it if you want a structured day that actually connects the dots between Lycian Myra, Simena’s sunken ruins at Kekova, and St. Nicholas in Demre. The included bus, Myra entrance fees, guide, lunch, and boat component make it a convenient way to cover a lot without guessing logistics.

I’d think twice if you’re avoiding long days, dislike bigger groups, or you’re mostly looking for one perfect stop. For the right traveler, this tour feels like good value: a memorable sea-and-stone combo with guiding that can turn ruins into a story you understand.

FAQ

How long is the Sunken City Kekova, Demre & Myra day tour?

The tour duration is 10 hours. Starting times vary, so you’ll want to check availability for the options.

Where does pickup happen?

Pickup is included from your hotel in Antalya.

What languages are the guides available in?

The live tour guide is available in English and Russian.

What do I do on the Kekova part of the trip?

You sail to Kekova Island and have the opportunity to swim or snorkel in the surrounding waters. You’ll also learn about the sunken city of Simena while viewing the underwater ruins from the boat.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included. Beverages are not included.

Are entrance fees included for all sites?

Entrance fees to Myra are included, but entrance fees to the St. Nicholas Church are not included.

What is the transportation like?

You travel in a comfortable, non-smoking, air-conditioned bus.

How big can the tour group be?

One account mentioned a large group of about 47 people, which can affect how efficiently time is used between stops.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later to keep plans flexible.

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