Sunken City Kekova, Demre & Myra Day Tour

Sunken ruins, tombs, and a holy stop—packed into one day. This full-day outing pairs a boat ride over turquoise water with the Lycian necropolises of Myra and Teimiussa, plus time in Demre to visit the church of St. Nicholas. I also like that the tour includes lunch and air-conditioned transport, so you’re not juggling logistics all day. The main drawback is timing: expect a long ride day, especially if the group is large.

You’ll start inland near Myra, then shift to the coast for Kekova’s submerged relics and a swim/snorkel option. If you hate long days on buses, you may find it tiring. But if you want a practical route that covers Kekova, Myra, and Demre without renting a car, it’s a smart play.

Key points before you go

• Kekova’s sunken ruins (Simena underwater): a rare stop where you’re literally looking at history beneath the waves.
• Myra’s Lycian tombs and theater: rock-cut tombs and an amphitheater that make Lycian-era life feel real.
• Teimiussa necropolis: another Lycian burial area that adds depth to the day’s story.
• Snorkel or swim where the water is clear: the boat portion is the emotional highlight for most people.
• Demre and St. Nicholas: a meaningful finish at the church associated with the saint.
• Long-day logistics: pick-up and drop-off can run late, so plan your next day accordingly.

Kekova’s Sunken City and Simena Underwater Ruins

Kekova is the kind of place that makes you slow down without being told to. From the boat, the coastline looks like normal Mediterranean coast… until you notice the submerged buildings and the underwater structures that hint at a past that didn’t stay put.

The tour’s big coastal moment is the visit around Kekova Island, where you’re shown the extraordinary underwater ruins of the sunken city of Simena. Even if you’re not a serious snorkeler, just seeing how the ruins sit below the surface is the point. It’s the rare travel experience where the setting does the storytelling for you.

And then there’s the water time. You’ll have the chance to swim or snorkel in the crystal-clear waters around the island. This is also where you’ll want to be practical:

• Bring a swimsuit you can handle all day (you may have to wait for your moment in the water).
• If you’re someone who gets cold easily, pack a light layer or rash guard for after. Water temperature can matter more than people expect, especially outside peak summer.

One of the most helpful things about this tour format is that you don’t waste hours trying to coordinate private boat time. You get the highlights in sequence, and you keep moving.

Myra on the River Myros: Amphitheater and Rock-Cut Tombs

Before the sea, the day starts in the Demre region with Myra, a Lycian site tied to the story of St. Nicholas. The tour includes entrance fees to Myra, and you’ll tour the ancient town along the river Myros.

What I like about Myra is that it feels less like a single “monument stop” and more like an archaeological neighborhood. The Greek amphitheater gives you a sense of public life—where people gathered, watched, and listened. Then the real mood shift comes with the rock-cut tombs of the Lycian necropolis.

These tombs aren’t just decorative. They communicate status, family, and the way the Lycian world used the terrain itself. When you’re standing near them, you can understand why these places lasted in memory: the setting is built to stay visible.

Also, a good guide matters here. One group experience called out guide Alp as especially friendly and positive, with clear explanations. Another praised guide Natalia for a lot of interesting, new information. That’s not a minor detail—Myra’s tombs and theater can be “cool” even without context, but with a good guide they turn into a story you can follow.

Teimiussa Necropolis: Another Lycian Burial World

After lunch, the tour shifts back toward the coast and adds Teimiussa, another Lycian necropolis. This is a smart inclusion if you’re interested in the Lycian civilization beyond one highlight.

Teimiussa matters because it gives you variety within the Lycian burial landscape. You’re not repeating the same type of site. Instead, you’re seeing how the Lycian approach to tombs and sacred spaces played out across different corners of the region.

This stop also changes the pacing. The boat portion brings lots of movement and views. Teimiussa gives you the quieter, more interpretive side of the day—time to walk, look closely, and understand what you’re seeing.

If you like archaeology but hate rushing, this kind of mid-day stop tends to feel worthwhile—especially because the overall tour is designed to fit a lot into one day.

Demre’s St. Nicholas Church: What to Expect at the Finish

The tour ends in Demre (also referred to as Kale in the region) and focuses on the church of St. Nicholas. This is the spiritual capstone for many visitors, especially if you’re traveling with an interest in the saint’s legacy.

A key practical detail: entrance fees to the St. Nicholas Church aren’t included. So if you’re budgeting tightly, it’s worth factoring in an additional ticket cost on the day. The tour does include entrance fees to Myra, but the church has its own separate cost.

Even if your motivation is “I want to see it because it’s famous,” I think it lands better when you remember what you already saw earlier in the day. You start with Lycian tombs and a theater—then you reach a Christian-era landmark tied to St. Nicholas. The effect is time travel across different eras, all within the same Demre region.

The Boat Day: When You’ll Actually Swim or Snorkel

The boat portion is the pulse of the tour. You’ll sail over the turquoise waters around Kekova Island, and it’s here that the day often becomes memorable in a way monuments rarely do.

In April, for example, some travelers chose not to swim because the sea was cold, yet they still felt the experience was strong. That tells you something important: the value isn’t only the water time. Even without swimming, the boat ride itself gives you a different perspective on the coastline and the ruins.

For you, the best strategy is to come ready either way:

• If you think you’ll snorkel, pack goggles and a mask (the tour description doesn’t mention gear being provided).
• If you think it might be cold, wear something that dries fast and won’t leave you miserable after the water part.

The good news is the tour is designed around this rhythm. It’s not a rushed “see it from shore” situation. You’re on the water at the moment that matters.

Transport and Timing From Antalya: Long Scenic Ride, Realistic Schedule

This is a full-day tour, and you should plan it like one. It’s 10 hours on paper, with pickup included from your Antalya hotel, and it runs with transfers by bus.

One review described an early start—pickup around 6:30am from the Antalya old city—and a return after 8pm. That’s the kind of swing you can get when you combine:

• coastal traffic and road curves,
• a lot of stops across different sites,
• and a group that may be larger than you’d prefer (one experience mentioned 47 people).

The ride is scenic and the bus is air-conditioned, which helps. If you get car sick, consider sitting where you feel most stable. And bring a small comfort kit: water, sun protection, and something to keep you entertained during the long stretches.

If you’re the type of traveler who wants a calm schedule and minimal transit, this may feel like a marathon. But if you’d rather do Demre + Myra + Kekova all in one shot, this format is exactly why tours like this exist.

Price and Value: What $78 Covers (and What It Doesn’t)

At $78 per person, the tour isn’t cheap-cheap, but it’s also not “day trip by taxi and regret.” Here’s what you’re getting for the money based on the included list:

• comfortable, non-smoking, air-conditioned bus
• insurance
• professional guide
• entrance fees to Myra
• lunch
• taxes
• English and Russian live tour guide

That’s a lot you normally pay for separately if you DIY it. The boat ride is part of the planned experience, and the guiding helps stitch the sites together.

What’s not included:

• entrance fees to the St. Nicholas Church
• beverages

Lunch is included, but one comment called it nothing special. The same feedback described it as an open buffet where you could take as much as you wanted. So it’s functional fuel. If you’re picky about food, bring snacks you can rely on.

My take: this price is best value if you want to avoid the hassle of figuring out transport between inland Myra and the coastline of Kekova. You’re paying for convenience and a guided route.

Guide Quality Makes a Difference at Myra and Kekova

The sites on this day are real heavy hitters, but the tour’s quality often comes down to the guide’s energy and clarity. Your route includes multiple layers of ancient life: Lycian tombs, a Greek amphitheater, Lycian burial sites, then the Christian legacy of St. Nicholas.

In reviews, guide Alp was praised as friendly and with a positive attitude, and Natalia was singled out for lots of interesting information. That matters because the tombs and ruins are easier to appreciate when you understand what you’re looking at—especially with the underwater part at Kekova, where context helps your eyes catch what you might otherwise miss.

Also, your guide language options are English and Russian, so you can expect explanations in those languages. That reduces the common frustration of touring historic sites without enough detail.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Not)

This tour fits best if:

• you have limited time and want to cover Kekova, Myra, and Demre in one day,
• you want a boat experience without arranging private transport,
• you like structured routes that move efficiently between inland and coast.

It may not fit as well if:

• you hate long bus days,
• you’re traveling with people who struggle with early starts and late drop-offs,
• you’re hoping for a slow, small-group feel. With larger groups, timing can feel less flexible.

If you’re visiting the Antalya area and you want the Demre province highlights without planning, this is one of the most straightforward ways to do it.

Should You Book This Sunken City Kekova, Demre & Myra Day Tour?

I’d book it if your priority is a one-day hit list: Myra’s tombs and amphitheater, Teimiussa’s necropolis, a boat ride at Kekova with a chance to swim or snorkel, and a finish at the church of St. Nicholas in Demre.

I’d think twice if you know you’re sensitive to long transit days. The drive can be long, and the whole day can run past the headline duration depending on pickup location and how the tour buses coordinate.

One more tip: plan your next day as a recovery day. You’ll see a lot, and the schedule is designed to keep you moving.

If you want an efficient, guided taste of the Demre region’s most famous ancient-and-spiritual stops, this tour makes sense.

FAQ

How long is the Sunken City Kekova, Demre & Myra Day Tour?

The duration is listed as 10 hours. Starting times can vary, so check availability for the exact pickup schedule.

Where does hotel pickup happen?

Pickup is included from your hotel in Antalya.

What languages are available with the live tour guide?

The live tour guide is available in English and Russian.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour.

Are entrance fees included for Myra and St. Nicholas Church?

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

Can I snorkel or swim at Kekova?

Yes. The tour includes sailing to Kekova Island with time for swimming or snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters.

Is transportation included?

Yes. You’ll travel by comfortable, non-smoking, air-conditioned bus, and the tour includes transportation.

What’s the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.