Underwater ruins and tombs in one long day. This is a packed route that pairs the Kekova Sunken City boat trip with the standout Lycian rock-cut tombs around Myra. I like how the day gives you both sea-level scenery and stone-carved history, and I also like that lunch and the A/C ride are included. The main catch: you’ll likely pay extra on top for the St. Nicholas church entrance (and Myra’s optional site ticket), plus drinks cost extra.

If you want a straightforward highlights day without planning every turn yourself, this tour makes it easy. Expect an early start (pickup runs from about 7:30–8:30), a long ride day (about 7–10 hours), and a return to Kemer around 19:00. You’ll have a boat block in the middle of the morning, then Demre/Myra on land—great if you’re motivated, but less great if you hate early mornings.

Key things to know before you go

• Kekova Sunken City boat time is the main event with a 2-hour cruise and famous earthquake-era remains you can see from the water.
• Myra’s Lycian necropolis is the history centerpiece, including tombs dating back to the 4th century BC.
• St. Nicholas at Demre is optional-cost focused, since the entrance fee is not included.
• Lunch is included, but drinks are not—so plan on extra spending if you want bottled water or soft drinks.
• Group size stays reasonable (max 45), which helps keep the day moving.
• Weather matters, because this is a boat-based experience and the itinerary depends on conditions.

Why Kekova and Myra work so well together

This route is special because it tackles Anatolia’s past from two angles at once: the coast and the inland cities. Kekova is all about the sea—ruins, submerged walls, and a coastline shaped by earthquakes. Myra is all about what people carved and built: Lycian tombs and an ancient city atmosphere that makes the past feel close.

On a normal vacation, you might see one or the other. Here, you get a sea stop and a land stop in the same day, which is perfect if you’re staying in Kemer and don’t want to spend extra time on transfers.

Pickup, timing, and how to avoid a rushed day

You’re looking at a full-day outing. Pickup starts between 7:30 and 8:30 from your hotel area, then the drive takes you to Demre for the first big stop. The boat portion starts at about 10:00 and runs around 2 hours, so you’re not stuck waiting all day for the highlight.

After that, the land stops follow: St. Nicholas Church first, then Myra Ancient City. Lunch happens between the church and Myra, and you get roughly 45 minutes for it. You’ll have about 2 hours of time at Myra, which is enough to see the tomb areas and get a feel for the site without feeling like you’re sprinting.

The day ends with a return to Kemer around 19:00. If you’re the type who gets sleepy after lunch, bring a simple game plan: water, sunscreen, and something to keep your energy stable until you’re back on the road.

Kekova Sunken City boat trip: what you’ll see and how to enjoy it

The Kekova part is the reason most people choose this tour. You’ll board for a 2-hour boat trip across the sea to Kekova Island and the Sunken City area. The story you’ll hear is straightforward: what is now Kekova Island was once connected to the mainland, but major earthquakes caused much of the city to collapse, leaving parts submerged and others turning into island landforms.

From the boat, you can view remains of an ancient settlement known as Simena beneath clear water. Even if you’re not an archaeology nerd, it’s easy to connect what you’re seeing to what the landscape looks like from above—broken walls and submerged shapes that feel eerie in a good way.

The tour also includes time that’s designed for a more physical, hands-on break from sitting. You may be able to swim in the turquoise waters and enjoy the area where pirates were once said to have favored this region. Whether or not you swim, you’ll want to think about comfort: bring swim shoes or at least shoes that won’t punish you if the deck is hot, and plan for sun protection because this is open-air time.

One practical note: boat trips are weather-sensitive. If conditions aren’t right, this kind of tour can be changed or canceled, so don’t schedule anything tight the same evening.

St. Nicholas Church in Demre: the short stop that still matters

After the sea portion, you head to Demre to see the Church of St. Nicholas. This is dedicated to a saintly figure whose legend is often linked to the model for Father Christmas. The church stop is about 1 hour, and the key thing for your budget is that the entrance ticket is not included.

That means you should be ready to pay on the spot or through whatever method the guide uses. The listed entrance fee here is $18. If you’re tight on time or money, still don’t skip it—this is one of those places where the cultural connection (the St. Nicholas story) helps you understand why the site is still famous today.

Expect a focused, guided-style visit rather than hours of wandering. If you want to take your time inside, a good trick is to be ready early so you don’t lose time in ticket lines.

Myra Ancient City: Lycian rock-cut tombs you can actually understand

Next comes Myra Ancient City, a short distance from the church stop. Myra is a Lycian site, and the meaning you’ll hear is Land of the Sun—plus the feeling of being in a place designed for carved permanence. The tombs you’ll see are a necropolis, and they date back to the 4th century BC, which helps explain their scale and craftsmanship.

The most satisfying part here is how the tombs sit in the hillside environment. They aren’t isolated museum objects. You experience them as part of a whole ancient city setting—rock-cut architecture shaped by the landscape and built for long-term memory.

You’ll also see other ancient features around the area, including the ancient amphitheater, which complements the tombs. An amphitheater gives you a sense of daily life—gatherings, performances, civic energy—while the tombs show what the community valued enough to carve into stone.

Time on-site is about 2 hours, and you’ll get some guide direction and then free time. If you’re hoping for photos, go early in the time block so you’re not fighting crowds or harsh afternoon light. If you’re more into atmosphere, slower is better—pick a tomb section and let it soak in before you move.

One more money item: the Myra Ancient City entrance ticket is optional and listed at 300 TL. If it’s your first time at a Lycian site, I’d generally lean toward paying—because this area is the point of the history half of the day.

Lunch and included comfort: what the $50 actually buys

The tour’s pricing makes more sense when you break down what’s covered. For around $50 per person, you get air-conditioned vehicle transport, lunch, and the Kekova Sunken City boat trip. That’s a strong value package in one day, especially if you’re starting from Kemer and don’t want to arrange separate transport to Demre.

The parts that aren’t included are also clear:

• St. Nicholas church entrance (listed as $18)
• Drinks (lunch is included, but bottled drinks usually are not)
• Breakfast (not included)
• Myra Ancient City ticket if you choose the optional entrance (listed as 300 TL)

What this means for your planning: keep a little extra cash ready for entry fees and don’t assume the lunch will cover your entire drink bill. If you’re the type who drinks a lot of water in the heat, bring it along or budget for purchases.

Comfort-wise, the A/C ride is the real lifesaver. It’s a long day, and you don’t want your energy crashing before you reach the boat and tombs.

Language, guide quality, and the one logistics detail worth watching

This tour runs with a max group size of 45, which helps keep the day from turning into a chaotic conga line. When the guide is doing their job well, the route becomes more than a checklist: the tombs and coastal ruins start to make sense as a single story.

At the same time, be realistic about human logistics. If you care a lot about a specific language guide, check that your confirmation details are solid before you go—and keep your phone handy the night before for any last-minute changes. The experience can be great, but you don’t want surprises to catch you off guard.

Who should book this tour (and who should skip it)

This is a good fit if you:

• Want big highlights in one day from Kemer
• Enjoy a mix of ancient ruins plus a boat experience
• Like guided structure with enough free time to look around
• Can handle an early morning pickup and a long day timeline

It’s not ideal if you:

• Hate paying multiple small entrance fees during the day
• Want a slow, unhurried pace (this schedule moves)
• Are sensitive to weather changes, since the boat is a key component
• Need a very flexible day plan—this is built around set timing for boat and site visits

If you’re visiting the area for the first time and want an efficient taste of Demre, Myra, and Kekova, this is exactly the kind of trip that saves time.

Should you book the Demre, Myra, and Kekova day trip?

I think you should book if you want one organized day that hits the three core experiences: Kekova’s sunken-city views, Myra’s Lycian tombs, and St. Nicholas in Demre. The value is strongest because the price includes the big-ticket pieces—A/C transport, lunch, and the Kekova boat trip—and you’re not doing separate arrangements.

Just go in with eyes open. Budget for the St. Nicholas church entrance and possibly the optional Myra ticket, and plan for a long day that starts early and ends around 19:00. If that sounds like your kind of trip, you’ll come away with images and stories that connect sea ruins to stone carvings—an unusually satisfying combo for a single outing.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Pickup starts between 7:30 am and 8:30 am, and the day’s first major stop (the boat trip) begins around 10:00.

How long is the tour?

The experience runs about 7 to 10 hours.

Is pickup from hotels included?

Yes, pickup is offered.

What does the tour price include?

The tour includes air-conditioned vehicle transport, lunch, and the boat trip to Sunken City Kekova.

Is the Church of St. Nicholas ticket included?

No. The entrance ticket for the Church of St. Nicholas is not included, and it is listed as $18.

Is the Myra Ancient City entrance ticket included?

It’s optional. The entrance ticket for Ancient City Myra is not included and is listed as 300 TL.

How long is the Kekova Sunken City boat trip?

It lasts about 2 hours.

Is lunch included, and are drinks included?

Lunch is included, but drinks are not included.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 45 travelers.

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is there anything for infants?

Infant seats are available on request for 15 USD.