A sunken city ride makes the long drive worthwhile. This Demre, Myra and Kekova tour pairs a sunken city boat trip with Byzantine and ancient ruins, plus hotel transfers that save you the hassle of figuring out transport.

I really like that hotel transfers and lunch are included, so the day feels less like a scavenger hunt. I also like the art historian guide angle, because it helps you connect what you see on the water and in the ruins, instead of just walking past stones. The main drawback is the early start and serious road time, so if you hate waking up before sunrise, this can feel like a lot.

Key points to know before you go

• Small group size (max 15): you get calmer sightseeing instead of a noisy crowd crush.
• Two hours on the water: the boat time is built in, not a quick photo stop.
• Byzantine details at Kekova: expect to learn what you are looking at near the submerged church apse.
• Myra entry ticket included: you do not have to pay extra for the ancient site.
• St. Nicholas Church costs extra (17 euro): plan for the one extra entrance fee.

How the Demre, Myra and Kekova day trip works (and why it starts so early)

This is a full-day outing in Antalya province, but the big sights sit outside the city itself. That’s the reason for the early departure. One traveler comment sticks in my mind: a wakeup around 5am can feel like a lot, especially when you would rather sleep in on vacation.

The good news is the logistics are handled. Pickup and drop-off are included, and the tour runs about 10 to 11 hours total. You also get a mobile ticket, and the tour is offered in English. With a maximum of 15 people, you should feel more like you are going with a small group of friends than like you are being herded.

Still, you need to accept the tradeoff: this day buys you variety, but it spends a lot of time moving between Demre, Myra, and Kekova.

Kekova Island and the sunken city views from the boat

This is the star of the show. You spend around two hours on the water near Kekova Island, with the itinerary focused on the sunken-city remains.

What you will actually be looking for is more interesting than just guessing where the ruins might be. Boats can settle in Tersane Village, and from there you learn how the coastline hides a lot of the story. The region name traces back to Kekova Island, and the whole area is linked to old settlement life along the shore.

Here are the details worth paying attention to during the boat ride:

• A Byzantine church apse: you hear about the apse of a church from the Byzantine Period that appears where you might not expect it.
• Submerged commercial buildings: the tour points out submerged shops on the right and left as you move along Tersane Bay.
• Half-submerged houses and sea stairs: you can see where structures went under, including stairs leading down to the sea.
• Foundations and floors underwater: the boat ride helps you spot what looks like the edges of rooms and bases rather than imagining a single dramatic wreck.

I love that this stop is not just sightseeing from a distance. It turns the coast into a readable scene. You are not only staring at water, you are learning the “what and why” behind what you see.

One practical consideration: visibility can be tricky. Water conditions and the boat’s exact position affect how clearly submerged pieces show up. Even when the ruins are there, you might find parts of them harder to spot than the idea of a sunken city suggests.

Church of St. Nicholas in Demre: the most spiritual stop, with one extra fee

After Kekova, you head to Demre for the Church of St. Nicholas. This is an important site connected to the historic figure of Nicholas, and the stop includes about one hour of time with guidance.

What you get here is a guided explanation of why this church matters and how the site connects to its historical role. The tour format matters. A church visit can easily become a quick walk-through, but the added context helps you understand the layout and significance instead of just admiring architecture in a vacuum.

Plan for the costs. The entrance of St. Nicholas Church is not included and is listed at 17 euro. If you budget tightly, this is the one line item that can surprise you because everything else is packaged in.

Also remember that this stop is shorter than the boat portion, and it is more about interpretation than big panoramic views.

Myra Ancient City: the theater and rock-cut tombs that turn the past into shapes

Next up is Myra Antik Kenti, where you explore the ancient site. This part of the tour includes the Myra ancient city entrance ticket, so you do not hit an additional gate fee for the main ruins.

Myra is the kind of place where guidance changes the experience. Without it, a site can feel like ruins sprinkled over a hillside. With a guide, you start seeing the planned design of the town and how the space was used.

Here are the specific highlights the tour focuses on at Myra:

• the theater, which gives you a clear sense of public life
• tombs of kings, which helps you understand status and burial practices
• the site’s important history, tied together through a guided narrative

The theater is especially worth your attention because it gives you a “scale reference.” Even if you do not know the era, you can picture how gatherings would have worked and how sound and viewing likely mattered.

I also like that this stop balances the day. After time on the water and in a church, Myra pulls you into a different kind of evidence, carved stone and built public spaces.

If you are the type who likes to feel oriented while you tour, Myra is a strong stop to anchor the day.

Lunch, pacing, and comfort for a 10 to 11 hour outing

This is a long day, even with pickup handled. It is not a slow, local walk. You will likely spend a big chunk in transit, then switch modes a few times: boat, church, then the ancient site.

The tour includes lunch, but drinks are not included. That one detail matters. When you are spending hours in sun and on the move, you will want something to drink that is not part of your lunch. Bring your own bottled water if you can, or plan to buy drinks separately during your day when you have opportunities.

Comfort is not just about snacks. It is also about timing. The early start can drain your energy, and a day that begins before sunrise can make later walking feel more tiring than it should. Shoes you can walk in are a must, since you will move around ruins and uneven ground at Myra and the Demre area.

One more small tip: because the group is capped at 15 travelers, the pace tends to be less chaotic. You might still feel rushed at the early-hour boat boarding, but you should be able to ask questions and hear the guide’s explanations.

Price and value: what you pay for, and what to expect to pay extra

At $132.45 per person, this tour looks like an expensive day on paper. But when you break down what is included, it starts to make sense for a one-day route.

Included items you are paying for:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Lunch
• A professional art historian guide plus a professional guide
• Boat tour to the sunken city (about two hours)
• Myra ancient city entrance ticket

Not included:

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

That mix is the key to the value. Boat tours plus multi-site admissions and transport can get expensive fast when you book them separately. Here, the day is packaged so you are not hunting tickets or trying to coordinate bus and ferry connections across a spread-out area.

The only extra entrance fee you should plan for is St. Nicholas. Everything else is covered, including the ancient site that usually requires separate ticketing.

So the real question becomes: do you want a packaged “see the big three” day, or would you rather break it into smaller trips? If you like one-stop convenience with guidance, this price tends to be fair. If you resent early mornings and long transit, you might decide the cost is not the point, the timing is.

Who this tour suits best (and who should skip it)

This tour fits best if you want a guided, history-focused day and you do not mind long-distance driving from Antalya. You also should enjoy boat time, because the sunken city viewing is the centerpiece and you get around two hours on the water.

It can be a great choice for:

• history-minded travelers who appreciate context, not just photos
• couples or small groups who want a manageable group size
• people who want hotel pickup so they can focus on sightseeing

It may not be ideal if:

• you hate very early starts (the early wakeup can feel rough)
• you need frequent breaks and dislike long stretches of transit
• you expect to see every underwater piece clearly, no matter the conditions, because visibility can affect how easily submerged remains stand out

Should you book the Demre, Myra and Kekova sunken city tour?

If you are aiming for a single day that combines Kekova’s sunken-city views, a guided stop at St. Nicholas in Demre, and an ancient-site visit at Myra, this is a strong package. The included lunch, hotel transfers, and Myra ticket lower the friction, and the art historian approach gives you a way to understand what you are seeing.

My decision rule is simple: book it if the idea of two hours on the water and structured guidance sounds like your kind of day. Skip or rethink it if you know you will struggle with an early departure and prefer a slower pace.

FAQ

FAQ

What is the duration of the Demre, Myra and Kekova tour?

The tour lasts about 10 to 11 hours.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

What is included in the price?

Lunch, hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional art historian guide and professional guide, a boat tour to the sunken city (around 2 hours), and the Myra ancient city entrance ticket are included.

Is lunch provided?

Yes, lunch is included.

Is the Church of St. Nicholas entrance fee included?

No. The Church of St. Nicholas entrance is not included and is listed at 17 euro.

How long is the boat tour at Kekova Island?

The Kekova boat portion is about 2 hours.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How many people are in the group?

The maximum group size is 15 travelers.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.