Sunken cities start before sunrise. This Antalya–Demre–Myra–Kekova day trades guesswork for a route that takes you from Lycian tombs to the ruins of Simena under the water. What I like most is getting Myra’s rock-cut tombs and amphitheater on one planned schedule, with a story stop at the Church of St. Nicholas that connects to the Father Christmas legend.

You’ll also get an air-conditioned vehicle and a full lunch, which makes a long day feel less brutal. The one drawback to plan around is timing: early pickup is part of the deal, and depending on how many hotel stops happen first, you may feel the schedule is tight at each site.

Key Highlights Worth Your Time

• Myra’s Lycian tombs: a necropolis with rock-cut tombs dating back to the 4th century BC
• Church of St. Nicholas: a stop tied to the saintly man who inspired Father Christmas
• Kekova sunken city views from a boat: see the remnants of Simena on Kekova Island
• Tickets handled for Myra: entrance to Ancient City of Myra is included, so you skip one ticket line
• Lunch included, but not drinks: lunch is included; bottled water, coffee/tea are not
• Small group size (up to 45): easier logistics than huge buses

Morning Logistics: Why This Tour Starts So Early

This is a daylight-and-structure kind of tour. You start very early, which sounds annoying until you realize it’s the only way to fit Myra and Kekova into one trip from Antalya. Expect an early pickup window (Antalya around 6:00; Belek around 5:00), then a long road day with a planned sequence.

The best part of an early start is that you’re not spending your vacation hours trying to solve transport. The tour handles driving between stops, and you also get a Mobile ticket, so you don’t have to scramble at the last minute. The trade-off is simple: you’re up early, and your time at each site can feel like a “see it, photograph it, move on” situation—especially if pickup adds extra hotel stops before you even reach the first attraction.

Stop 1: Church of St. Nicholas (and the Father Christmas Connection)

You’ll begin at the Church of St. Nicholas, an important anchor on this route. It’s not just a pretty church stop; it’s the place where the saint story starts to click. St. Nicholas is the man associated with the Father Christmas legend, so standing here gives you a lot more context than you’d get from a quick photo alone.

One practical detail matters: admission for the church is not included. That means you should plan for a small extra cost on the day, and give yourself enough time to get in smoothly. If you’re traveling with kids or you care about the legend side of this history, this stop is worth treating as a story moment rather than a checkbox.

Stop 2: Myra Ancient City and the Lycian Rock-Cut Tombs

Then comes the big historical payoff: Myra Ancient Lycian City, often the reason people choose this tour. Myra is close to the church stop, so you don’t lose too much time between chapters of the day.

Myra’s tombs are the star attraction. These are rock-cut Lycian tombs and they sit within what’s essentially a necropolis—so when you walk through, you’re moving through a landscape built for the dead, not just ruins for tourists. The dating given for these tombs reaches back to the 4th century BC, which helps you understand why the site feels so “anchored” in time rather than temporary.

You’ll also find an amphitheater mentioned as part of the scene here. That combo—amphitheater + tombs—makes Myra more than one thing. It’s civic life and memorial life in the same place.

Value note: the entrance ticket for Ancient City of Myra is included, which is a real time-saver. It also means the tour is doing some of the planning work for you, instead of making you sort out ticket payments while everyone is trying to catch the next pickup window.

Stop 3: Kekova Island Boat Trip and the Sunken City of Simena

Kekova is where the day turns cinematic. The route takes you out to Kekova Island for a boat experience designed to show you what’s left of Simena, the ancient city that partially sank.

Here’s the key idea to keep in mind as you look around: Kekova Island was once part of the mainland, and after severe earthquakes, much of the city collapsed. The remaining portion eventually turned into what you can see today as an island. From the water, it’s easier to understand the scale of the disaster—ruins don’t read the same from a hill as they do from a boat drifting along the shoreline.

Your time block at Kekova is about 3 hours, and the sunken-city sightseeing is built into that stop. The exact pace can vary day to day, but the concept is consistent: boat ride for views, then some time for photos and personal time.

If you like photography, bring patience. The water, angles, and lighting can change quickly, and getting a few good shots of submerged ruins usually takes a bit of repositioning. If you hate rushing, plan for the fact that Kekova is scenic, but it’s not designed as an all-day hangout.

Timing, Hotel Pickups, and How to Prevent a Rushed Feeling

The hardest part of this tour isn’t the ruins—it’s the timetable around pickup and drop-off. This tour operates with pickup from multiple areas, and the day can include extra time spent collecting people from hotels before you even start the sightseeing.

What you should do:

• Use a buffer mindset. You’re leaving early, and there may be multiple hotel stops before you hit the first site.
• Keep your expectations tight. Each location has a set time window, so come with a plan for what matters most to you (tombs, amphitheater, church, boat photos).

One more wrinkle I’d consider: sometimes tours like this include a stop connected to local products (for example, an onyx factory). That can help the tour structure the day, but it can also feel like a time trade-off if your priority is extra minutes at Myra. If you’re the type who wants maximum time at the ruins, ask your driver early how flexible the schedule is once you’re on the road.

Also, expect a strict adherence to the plan. When a tour runs on time checkpoints, staff can come off firm. That’s not always fun, but it’s also why the day stays coordinated.

Price and Value: Is $79 a Good Deal?

At around $79 per person, this tour prices itself as a structured “big sights in one day” option. The value is strongest when you look at what’s included:

Included:

• Lunch
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• All fees and taxes
• Entrance ticket for Ancient City of Myra

Not included:

• Breakfast
• Coffee and/or tea
• Bottled water
• Entrance ticket for the Church of St. Nicholas

So your real cost equation is mostly about meals and small admissions. The lunch included is a big plus because this isn’t a quick in-and-out. It’s a long day, and having one full meal planned keeps you from hunting for food between tightly scheduled sites.

If you’re someone who hates paying surprise extras, the church ticket and drinks will matter. If you pack water snacks and treat the church ticket as part of the story experience, the price feels fair for what you get: Myra tombs, a legend stop, and a Kekova sunken-city boat ride.

Lunch, Water, and Comfort: Small Things That Can Make or Break the Day

Lunch is included, which I appreciate on a long tour day. Still, don’t assume drinks are handled. Bottled water, coffee, and tea are not included, so plan for at least one water purchase. With an early start and a hot Turkish day, being hydrated is more than comfort—it’s sanity.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, which helps during the long driving stretch. That said, you’ll still want to be ready for a day with long sits and short site visits. Bring what you’d normally bring for a big day trip:

• a light layer for early morning air-conditioning chills
• sunscreen
• a hat or cap for the outdoor ruins
• comfortable shoes for walking around uneven historic surfaces

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This tour is best for you if:

• you want Myra tombs and Kekova sunken-city views in one go
• you prefer organized transport over DIY planning
• you’re okay with a schedule that moves you along
• you like historical “story stops” like the Church of St. Nicholas

This tour might not be ideal if:

• you hate early mornings and tight time windows
• you want long, slow wandering with no pressure to return to the bus
• you’d rather spend every minute at ruins than at optional stops tied to tour logistics

One more note about group size: with a maximum of 45 travelers, it’s not a tiny private experience. You’ll have structure, but you won’t feel like you’re alone with the ruins.

Practical Tips Before You Go

Before the day starts, you can set yourself up for a calmer experience:

• Arrive ready at pickup time. You don’t want to be the reason the group loses time.
• Prioritize what you’re most excited about. If you love tombs, mentally commit to the Myra stop and don’t waste your energy at the first photo opportunity.
• At Kekova, plan for photos from the boat first. The best views come from being in the right spot at the right moment.
• Bring your own water plan. Since bottled water isn’t included, buy or pack what you need.
• Ask about extra stops early. If your priority is purely Myra and Kekova, get clarity once you’re with the driver.

If your guide includes humor and clear local context, the day tends to feel smoother. On this route, guides like Huseyien have been noted for mixing humor with solid storytelling, and that kind of pacing can make the short time windows feel more worthwhile.

Should You Book This Tour From Antalya?

Book it if you want a structured, efficient day that combines Lycian ruins in Myra with Kekova’s sunken-city boat experience, and you value transportation and some ticket handling over DIY logistics. The included lunch and included Myra entrance are meaningful for value.

Skip or consider another option if you’re extremely time-sensitive, dislike early starts, or you’re hoping for a leisurely visit with lots of free wandering. The day is designed to move, and that suits some travelers more than others.

FAQ

How long is the Antalya: Demre Myra Kekova tour with boat trip?

The tour lasts about 8 to 10 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $79.00 per person.

What time is pickup for the tour?

The start time is 5:30 am. Pickup is listed as 06:00 for Antalya and 05:00 for Belek.

Is pickup included, and is transport air-conditioned?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and the tour uses an air-conditioned vehicle.

What tickets are included?

Entrance ticket of Ancient City Myra is included. Entrance ticket for the Church of St. Nicholas is not included.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included.

Is bottled water or coffee/tea included?

No. Breakfast, coffee and/or tea, and bottled water are not included.

Is there a boat trip to Kekova Island?

Yes. The itinerary includes a Kekova Island stop with a boat trip to see the sunken city remnants.

What language is the tour offered in, and do I get a mobile ticket?

The tour is offered in English, and mobile tickets are provided.

What is the group size limit?

The tour has a maximum of 45 travelers.

What if weather is bad or the minimum number of travelers isn’t met?

If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of travelers isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience’s start time.