St. Nicholas meets sunken ruins. This Antalya-area outing strings together Lycian rock tombs in Myra, the Church of St. Nicholas built by the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire, a guided Demre food stop, and a 2-hour boat ride to Kekova’s sunken city.

I like the pacing here. You get about 1.5 hours at the tombs and about 1.5 hours at the church, which is rare in long day tours and gives you time to actually look instead of rush. I also like that the Kekova portion is a proper 2-hour boat tour, so the sunken ruins are seen from the water when you’re most likely to appreciate what’s left.

One thing to plan for: major sights have add-on entrance fees. Myra Ancient City (13€) and St. Nicholas Church (17€) are not included, and lunch is also not included, so your final cost will be a bit higher than the headline price.

Key things to know before you go

• Evening pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle keeps you comfortable, but it also means a long day (about 11–12 hours).
• Two 1.5-hour museum-style stops at Myra tombs and St. Nicholas Church let you slow down and read what you’re seeing.
• Demre’s 1-hour food walk is guided and built around local dishes like kebabs, mezes, baklava, and Turkish delight.
• Kekova boat tour for 2 hours is included, and you’ll see the sunken city area near Kaleköy, Simena, Üçağız, and Teimioussa.
• The tour is private in the sense that it’s only your group, not a random mix of strangers.

The 11–12 hour rhythm starts with a late pickup

This is the kind of day trip that moves on its own clock. Pickup is offered, and the exact time comes to you one day before, around 20:00 in the evening. From there, plan on a total duration of about 11 to 12 hours, with driving time built in between stops.

You’ll ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, and the schedule balances three things: history on land, food in Demre, and the boat tour at Kekova. That structure matters because it prevents the usual “too many stops, not enough time” problem. Instead of sprinting through sites, you get meaningful chunks at the tombs and the church.

There’s also a small but real logistics detail: if your hotel is in or near Kaleiçi (Antalya Old Town), you won’t be able to board a minibus there. You’ll be told where to meet, and it’s based on where the vehicle is allowed to go. If your hotel isn’t listed, choose a very close option so you don’t spend the day adding extra walking just to catch the ride.

Finally, this experience runs on good weather. If conditions are bad, you’ll be offered a different date or a refund.

Myra’s Lycian rock tombs: more than a quick photo stop

Myra is the ancient Lycian city that sits in today’s Demre area, on the Teke peninsula region of west Turkey near Antalya. It was originally founded by the river Myros / Demre Çay, in a fertile plain between mountain ranges and the Aegean coastline. Over time, the area became known as Kale, and later it was renamed Demre in 2005.

The tombs themselves are the headline. You’ll spend about 1 hour 30 minutes at the Rock Tombs in Myra, which is long enough to catch the logic of the carvings and not just look at facades. Admission isn’t included (13€), so you’ll want to budget for that.

Why this stop is worth the trip: Lycian rock tombs aren’t just “ancient stuff.” They show how the Lycian world shaped stone into status and story. With time on-site, you can pay attention to how the tombs are arranged and how the rock formations frame the work.

A practical note: because this is a long outing and you’re starting late, I’d treat the first land stop as your early “concentrate” moment. Arrive ready to look. That’s when your attention is most likely to land on the details.

Inside the Church of St. Nicholas: Byzantine layers you can time-manage

The Church of St. Nicholas at Myra is tied to the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire. The tour includes about 1 hour 30 minutes here, which is helpful because the story unfolds in layers.

According to the tour description, the original church is linked to the 6th century, and the church you’ll recognize today was constructed mainly from the 8th century onward. Later, a Greek Orthodox monastery was added in the second half of the 11th century.

That timeline is the reason the time matters. You’ll get more out of the visit if you slow your thinking down to eras instead of treating it like one single building moment. In other words: when you’re looking at the structure, you can mentally ask what part likely belongs to which building phase.

Entrance isn’t included, either (17€). So if you like to plan, check your budget before you go rather than hoping it stays within the starting price.

Also, a guide can make a big difference on this stop. One name that has shown up for this route is Yosef, and the consistent theme is clarity and enthusiasm—someone who enjoys explaining what you’re seeing without turning it into a lecture that knocks the energy out of the room. Even if your guide isn’t Yosef, expect guiding and interpretation here to be a core part of the value.

Demre’s 1-hour food stop: simple dishes, guided choices

Demre (the area around ancient Myra) is where the tour shifts gears from stone to flavor. You’ll have about 1 hour here, and admission is free for the stop itself because it’s focused on eating and local orientation.

What I like about this format is that it’s not a random food tasting hunt where you’re stuck guessing. You have an expert guide who walks you through the local culinary landscape—think street stalls and local restaurants—so you’re more likely to end up with food that matches the mood and the menu rather than just the closest place.

The tour description calls out classic Turkish favorites: kebabs and mezes, plus sweets like baklava and Turkish delight. Your guide can also steer you based on your preferences, which is useful if you’re picky or if you want a quick snack versus a proper sit-down meal.

One consideration: lunch isn’t included, so expect to pay for what you order. The food stop is part of the experience, but it isn’t listed as a covered meal. If you’re counting euros carefully, decide in advance whether you’re buying a full dish or treating this as a snack break.

If you’re traveling at the rhythm of a long day, this is also a smart moment to reset. The tombs and church take mental focus; Demre gives you a sensory break before you hit the water.

Kekova’s sunken city by boat: what you’re really paying for

Kekova is one of those places where the view is the point. The sunken city—also called Caravola—sits near Demre, and the tour includes a 2-hour Kekova boat tour.

Here’s the geographic context you’ll hear: the area connects with modern villages like Kaleköy and the nearby ancient sites Simena and Üçağız, with Teimioussa also referenced in the tour description. The island is described as uninhabited, with an area of 4.5 km².

Why this is valuable in a tour like this: boat time compresses experience. Instead of trying to piece together sunken ruins from the shoreline, you’re set up for better angles and a clearer sense of scale. The ruins are literally shaped by the waterline you’re viewing from.

Also, this stop being included matters. Many tours sell you a boat ride and then charge again for the part you actually came for. Here, the boat tour is in the included list, and there’s no separate admission listed for Kekova.

The tour also notes that the remaining time goes to the round tour and time for sightseeing or exploration. That usually translates into “getting to where the boat leaves from” plus some buffer, so you’re not tight-pressed into one single timed moment.

A small tip: when you’re on a boat, bring a layer if you get cold easily. Late-day sea weather can change fast, even if the rest of the day felt warm.

Price and value: $208.50 adds up fast if you forget the extras

The listed price is $208.50 per person, and for me the value comes down to what’s bundled versus what’s optional.

Included:

• Guiding
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Pick-up and Drop-off Service
• Kekova boat tour (2 hours)

Not included:

• St. Nicholas Church (17€)
• Myra Ancient City / rock tombs (13€)
• Lunch
• Personal expenses

So your trip cost is basically the base price plus the two entrance fees, then whatever you spend in Demre. If you want a quick planning shortcut, add the two entrance tickets to your budget first. After that, the spending you control is mostly food.

Why the private-group angle can matter: the tour is described as private in the sense that only your group participates. That can make the pace feel calmer and more flexible, especially at the tombs and church where people tend to linger.

Mobile ticket support is also a practical plus—less paperwork, smoother check-in. And the tour is offered in English, which matters if you want explanations instead of just “see-this, walk-that.”

Who this tour fits (and who should consider alternatives)

This is a strong pick if you want a day that mixes three different styles of travel:

• carved history at Myra rock tombs
• religious and architectural layering at St. Nicholas Church
• a break for Turkish flavor in Demre
• and a proper water-based look at the sunken city of Kekova

It’s also ideal for you if you like guided context. At Myra and St. Nicholas, timing and interpretation matter because the sites are about what people built over time. The boat portion is beautiful, but the guide can help you connect names and places like Kaleköy, Simena, Üçağız, and Teimioussa into one story.

Consider skipping (or at least looking for another format) if:

• you don’t want to pay additional entrance fees on top of the tour price
• you’re hoping for a shorter outing than 11–12 hours
• you’re sensitive to long late-day starts, since pickup is around 20:00

If you’re a fan of structured itineraries and you’re okay spending most of the day in a vehicle, this tour makes the most of that time.

Tips to make the most of every stop

Since the schedule is long and divided into very different environments, small choices help.

• Bring cash or a card for entrance fees at Myra (13€) and St. Nicholas Church (17€), plus whatever you eat in Demre.
• Dress for a long day: comfortable shoes for tombs, and a layer for the boat ride.
• If you’re in Antalya and your hotel is near Kaleiçi, double-check where you’re told to meet. The minibus can’t enter the old town area, so plan on a short transfer point.
• Pack for flexibility. The tour requires good weather, and if conditions are poor you may be moved to another date or refunded.

And yes—lean into the guide. Even in a short 1-hour food stop, having someone steer you to dishes like kebabs, meze, baklava, and Turkish delight can save you from decision fatigue.

Should you book this Antalya trip?

If you want one organized route that covers Myra’s Lycian rock tombs, the Byzantine Church of St. Nicholas, a guided Demre food stop, and the Kekova sunken-city boat tour, this is a solid deal—especially because the boat time and guiding are built into the price.

Book it if you like clear pacing and you’re okay budgeting for add-on entrances. Skip or compare if you dislike long days, already have your heart set on lunch included, or you’re working with a tight total budget.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Explore Lycian Rock Tombs, St. Nicholas Church & the Sunken City tour?

It runs about 11 to 12 hours.

What’s the pickup time in Antalya?

Pickup is around 20:00 in the evening, and the exact pickup time is shared with you one day before the excursion.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pick-up and drop-off service is included, and you travel in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s described as a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates.

What’s included in the price?

Guiding, an air-conditioned vehicle, pick-up and drop-off, and a 2-hour Kekova boat tour are included.

Are tickets to St. Nicholas Church and Myra Ancient City included?

No. St. Nicholas Church costs 17€ and Myra Ancient City costs 13€, and both are not included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, and personal expenses aren’t included either.

What happens at Kekova?

You’ll take a 2-hour boat tour related to the sunken city area, which is near Demre and connected with sites such as Kaleköy, Simena, Üçağız, and Teimioussa.

What food is covered during the Demre stop?

The Demre part is a guided food journey, featuring Turkish dishes such as kebabs, mezes, baklava, and Turkish delight.

What’s the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, based on local time.