Demre,Myra,Kekova With Sunken City Boat Tour & St. Nicolas Church

If you like your ancient sites with a side of sea views, this day trip hits a lot of the right notes. You start in Antalya, then move to Myra for rock-cut tombs and an amphitheater, and finish with a Kekova boat ride over the sunken ruins, plus a visit to St. Nicholas.

Two things I really like about this tour are the combination of stops and the fact that you actually get time on the water. The Myra stop feels like you are stepping into the setting for gladiator-era stories, and the boat portion gives you a relaxed break where you can watch ruins and even sunbathe on the upper deck.

One thing to consider up front is that not every entrance is included. The Church of St. Nicholas and Myra’s site tickets are not included, and that can change your total cost. Also, this is a long day in a group, so you’ll want to manage expectations for how much detailed commentary you get at each stop.

Key highlights worth planning for

• Myra’s amphitheater and rock-cut tombs feel dramatic, especially if you like Roman-era settings
• Kekova sunken city from the boat gives real-time views of ruins over clear water
• Upper-deck time for sun and photos works well when the weather is hot
• St. Nicholas Church museum visit connects local tradition to the Santa Claus story
• Lunch plus hotel transfers make the day easier logistically than piecing it together yourself
• A max group size of 40 keeps the experience from feeling like total chaos

Why this long day works when you start at 7:00 am

This tour is built around an early departure from Antalya, with a start time of 7:00 am. You are picked up from your hotel area following the local privacy rules, which means you meet at the hotel’s main entrance gate, not the reception. That matters because it affects how quickly you roll out and how smooth the day feels.

The duration runs about 11 to 12 hours, so you need to treat it like a whole-day outing, not a quick sampler. The advantage is that you get to see the big sights before the afternoon heat really maxes out. The included transport uses a modern, fully air-conditioned vehicle, which is a lifesaver on the drive sections.

Also, you are not stuck thinking about every move. Hotel transfer both ways and guided service are included, so your main job is showing up, staying hydrated, and not forgetting the sun gear.

Antalya morning logistics, meeting point, and what to bring

The day begins at the meeting point: McDonald’s Antalya Barbaros, Atatürk Cd. No:38, 07040 Muratpaşa/Antalya. From there, you are sorted into the pickup for the broader Antalya area, with that important note about meeting at the hotel’s main entrance gate.

What I like here is that the tour has clear structure, especially for people who hate last-minute scrambling. What I don’t like is that a long day means you will feel it if you pack too lightly. Bring comfortable shoes, and yes, bring a hat and sunscreen. The tour explicitly asks for swimsuits, sunglasses, a towel, sun cream, and a camera, which tells you the water and sun part is not optional.

One practical tip: drinks and breakfast are not included. That means plan ahead for water and snacks before the tour day gets moving. If you are the type who gets cranky when you miss caffeine, handle that early.

Myra Antik Kenti: amphitheater drama and carved tombs

Myra (Myra Antik Kenti) is one of the best stops on this route if you like Roman and pre-Roman ruins with real scale. After the bus drive toward the coast, you get a guided visit where the big themes are rock-cut tombs and an impressive amphitheater.

The amphitheater vibe is the standout for me. It is easy to picture crowds, staged events, and all the energy that comes with an arena. Even if you are not a hardcore archaeology fan, the layout and the setting do the heavy lifting.

The tombs are another reason this stop is worth the time. Carved rock graves look simple from far away, but up close you often notice how carefully the rock was used as a canvas. The guide’s job here is to connect what you see to why it mattered, and that context is what turns random stones into a place with meaning.

Important: admission for Myra is not included. So you should expect to budget for entrance tickets on arrival or as directed by your guide.

Quick reality check: this is a one-hour stop. That can feel short when you want to linger. If your goal is photos and a slow walk, keep your eye on the guide’s pacing so you do not get left behind.

Demre lunch break: the reset you actually need

Demre (Kale) is your lunch time anchor. After earlier travel segments, you get a lunch break served at a local restaurant, and the tour includes lunch.

I like this reset because it prevents the usual full-day-tour problem: skipping a meal and then losing energy for the rest of the route. A hot meal break also helps you stay steady through the afternoon sun.

There is one limitation. Drinks are not included. If you enjoy having water or something cold with lunch, you will want to handle it yourself at the restaurant. The tour gives you one hour at this stage, so it is not a long sit-down experience, but it does cover the basics.

Kekova sunken city boat tour: clear water views and sun deck time

Kekova is where the day becomes special. The bus drives you toward the harbor area, and then you board for a boat trip to the sunken city of Kekova.

You get about two hours on the water, which is a good length. It is enough time to spot ruins, watch how the coastline sits against the sea, and take photos without feeling rushed the whole time. The sunken ruins are visible as remnants of structures beneath or near the waterline, and the boat gives you an angle that you simply cannot replicate from land.

The boat also has a practical comfort feature: the upper deck is an easy place to relax and sunbathe when the sun is out. If weather is hot, you will likely appreciate the freedom to move around rather than staying in one cramped spot.

Now, one note to keep you grounded. During the sunken city portion, you might feel the English commentary is lighter than you expected, and that can make the experience feel more visual than interpretive. If you are relying on the guide for every historical point, you might need to ask more questions, or just accept that Kekova is mostly about seeing the ruins and the water.

There is also the scheduling issue of wanting walkable time. If your dream was to stroll around further areas like Simena, the day is mostly built around the boat and viewing, not free roaming. You are on a set route, so you should plan for that.

And yes, pack for the sea. Swimsuit and towel are listed for a reason. Even if you do not go in the water, the option makes the day more flexible.

St. Nicholas Church in Demre: marble sarcophagus and the Santa link

After the boat and your earlier lunch, the tour heads to the Church of Saint Nicholas in Demre. This stop is popular for one main reason: the marble sarcophagus, and the belief that it is the original tomb of St. Nicholas.

Right now the church functions as a museum and draws a big flow of visitors. That means you will likely see a mix of travelers and local history buffs, and it is not a quiet, off-the-beaten-path chapel. Still, it is a meaningful visit, especially because the tour guide explains how Saint Nicholas connects to the Santa Claus tradition.

This stop is also not included for admission. So again, plan to pay entrance fees separately.

The time you get here is about one hour, which works best if you move with purpose. If you want to read every panel carefully, you may feel pressed for time. If you want the highlights and a solid sense of the story, one hour is enough.

Returning to Antalya and how to prevent drop-off surprises

You leave Kekova and Demre behind, and then the bus heads back toward Antalya. The tour ends back at the meeting point, with the idea that you return to your pickup zone and then get back to your hotel area.

One practical issue to flag: pickup and drop-off can vary depending on local rules and what is possible on the day. The tour specifically mentions hotel privacy rules for pickup, which tells you there is some flexibility and some constraints in play.

Because of that, if you care deeply about a particular hotel drop-off location, confirm it clearly before you go. Ask the exact end point for your return, not just the general area. That one question can save you from an awkward moment at the end of a long day.

Price and value: is $60 a good deal for this route?

At $60.00 per person, this is positioned as a day-trip value option that bundles the hard-to-fix logistics.

Here is what you get for that price:

• Hotel transfer both ways
• Guiding service
• Lunch
• Boat trip to the sunken city of Kekova

What you do not get:

• Drinks and breakfast
• Entrance fee tickets (not included for Myra and the Church of St. Nicholas)

So the real value question is whether you would spend similar money on transport, a boat booking, and a guide if you tried to do it yourself. Most people do not, because coordinating long-distance stops in one day adds cost fast, plus you lose time negotiating timing and tickets.

Also, the group size max is 40, which is not tiny, but it is not a massive bus mob either. That matters because you get some access to the guide and less waiting.

If you are comfortable paying separate entrance fees and you like seeing multiple big places in one day, the price feels fair. If you hate paying add-ons and prefer slow independent exploring, you might prefer a different setup.

Who this Demre, Myra, Kekova tour suits best

This tour fits best if you:

• Want Myra plus Kekova in one day without doing planning headaches
• Like a guided visit for history context at Myra and St. Nicholas
• Prefer a guided boat trip where you get set viewing time and comfort
• Can handle moderate walking and a long day schedule

It is also a good match for people who travel in the mid-range, meaning you want comfort and structure but you still want to spend time taking photos and enjoying the views.

If you are a light traveler who hates heat and long schedules, be honest with yourself. This is a full day outdoors mixed with driving. You will want the sunscreen and the hat, even if you think you will be fine.

Should you book this tour?

I think you should book if you want an efficient, guided way to see Myra’s amphitheater, the sunken city ruins from Kekova, and the St. Nicholas Church museum without juggling transportation.

Skip or reconsider if:

• You dislike paying entrance fees on top of the tour price
• You want lots of time to wander independently, especially after the boat
• You expect very heavy, continuous English commentary at every stop without any gaps

If you are realistic, this day is a strong value mix of land ruins and sea views, and it is exactly the kind of itinerary that makes Antalya feel like more than just a beach base.

FAQ

What time does the tour start in the morning?

It starts at 7:00 am.

Where do I meet for the tour in Antalya?

You meet at McDonald’s Antalya Barbaros, Atatürk Cd. No:38, 07040 Muratpaşa/Antalya. Pickup is offered from most hotels in the Antalya region, with instructions to meet at the main entrance gate, not the reception.

How long is the Demre, Myra, Kekova with Sunken City Boat Tour?

The duration is about 11 to 12 hours.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes lunch, hotel transfer both ways, guiding service, and the boat trip to the sunken city of Kekova.

What is not included?

Drinks and breakfast are not included, and entrance fees are not included for the sites where tickets apply.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

How many people are in a group?

The tour/activity has a maximum of 40 travelers.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring swimsuits, sunglasses, a towel, sun cream, a hat, comfortable shoes, and a camera.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

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