Antalya: Demre Myra Kekova Tour w/Boat Trip

Ancient tombs and a sunken city in one day. This Demre Myra Kekova tour from Antalya pairs an early start with Lycian rock-cut tombs and a boat ride toward Kekova Island.

I like how this day trip keeps the moving parts simple: Myra Ancient City admission is handled for you, and the schedule is built around set stops so you are not hunting tickets or timing bus connections. I also really appreciate the guided storytelling, especially with guides like Huseyien, who bring a light touch and real facts about Turkey and the sites you are seeing.

The main thing to plan for is the long day and sometimes tight time at each stop, especially when pickup takes longer than expected. In other words, you will want to be ready to run a bit, not linger forever.

Key things to know before you go

• Myra Ancient City ticket included: You get access to the ruins without paying on the spot.
• St. Nicholas Church admission not included: Budget extra for this one, since it is its own ticket.
• Kekova boat trip is the highlight: You get a set time on the water to view the sunken city remnants.
• Lunch is included: It helps value, but you should still expect basic set-up buffet style.
• Small-ish groups: Maximum of 45 travelers, so it feels more manageable than mega-coach tours.
• Early pickup starts the day: It is a true morning departure, so bring patience and a snack mindset.

A practical day trip plan for Myra and Kekova

This tour is built for one goal: see the big-name ancient sights around Demre, then get a boat view of Kekova’s sunken city. From Antalya, you are not piecing together tickets, directions, and transfers. You climb onto an air-conditioned vehicle, follow the driver’s timing, and let someone else handle the “what’s next” part.

If you care about ancient Anatolia, Myra is the anchor. The Lycians carved tombs into rock, and the scale is what hits you first. Then the day shifts from ruins on land to ruins below the water at Kekova Island. The contrast is the whole point, and it is why this tour works well as a one-day escape.

Timing and pickup: the early wake-up tax

The tour starts early. Your start time is 5:30 am, and pickup varies by area. Antalya pickups are listed around 6:00 am, while Belek pickups are listed around 5:00 am. That is normal for a region-wide collection, but it does mean you should keep breakfast light and be ready for a long stretch on the road.

Here is how I’d plan your morning: wear comfortable clothes, pack a water bottle if you can (bottled water is not listed as included), and bring something small to nibble before you are fully fed at lunch. Also, if you hate rushing, do not count on unlimited time at each stop. This kind of route is designed to fit three major blocks into one long day.

Stop 1: Church of St. Nicholas in Demre

You kick things off at the Church of St. Nicholas, with about 1 hour scheduled. The church is tied to the saintly man who later became the model for Father Christmas, so even if your focus is archaeology, there is a human story here.

One key detail: the entrance ticket for the Church of St. Nicholas is not included. That means you should be ready to pay on the spot or whenever the group handles it. If you show up expecting everything to be pre-paid, this is the one place that can surprise you.

What to do in that hour

• Look for the church setting and keep your expectations realistic. One hour is just enough to orient and get your bearings.
• If you have religious or cultural interest in St. Nicholas, use this time to read slowly. The quick-photo approach will feel rushed.

Stop 2: Myra Ancient City and the Lycian rock-cut tombs

The second stop is the heart of the land-based ruins: Myra Antik Kenti, also called the ancient Lycian city. You get about 1 hour, and the entrance ticket is included here.

Myra is known for its necropolis, with Lycian tombs carved directly into rock. These are not replicas. They are old-world architecture, shaped by people who lived with the land in a very direct way. The age matters too, since the tombs are dated to around the 4th century BC.

Also watch for the amphitheater. Even if you only get a quick look, it gives you a sense of how Myra worked as a town with public life, not just a cemetery site.

A note on guides

On a departure with Huseyien, the tour had a fun energy and strong explanations that helped the ruins click. That kind of guidance matters because Myra is full of details, and without context you might just see carved rock. With context, you start noticing patterns and what the site meant.

Stop 3: Kekova Island and the sunken city from the boat

After Myra, the day moves to Kekova Island, scheduled for about 3 hours. This is where the tour earns its reputation: a boat trip out for views of the remnants of Simena, the old city that became a sunken city after earthquakes.

The basic idea is simple, but the effect is not. From the water, you can see traces of buildings and the idea of a city partly swallowed by time. It looks different than ruins on land, because the story is literally underwater.

Boat time and swimming reality

One departure included a boat ride of roughly 40 minutes with only a short window for a swim, around 20 minutes. If you want to swim, pack accordingly and keep your timeline in mind. If you are mainly there for photos and the view, prioritize the time on the water, not the water party.

How to get better pictures

• Keep your camera ready when the boat approaches the areas where you can best see structure traces.
• Sun can be intense even in the morning, so plan for glare. Sunglasses and a hat help.

Lunch, extra stops, and how to judge the trade-offs

Lunch is included, which is a real value win on a day trip like this. You are not left scrambling for food while your group is on a schedule. That said, the lunch style may be more basic than you expect on a paid tour, especially if it is a buffet setup.

One more time-management point: some departures have extra commercial stops along the way. For example, there was mention of an onyx factory stop in one experience. These stops often feel like they steal time from the ruins, and they can be a deal-breaker if you are strict about maximizing history time.

How I’d handle this as a traveler

• Treat lunch as fuel, not a dining experience.
• If an extra stop shows up, accept it as a break, then refocus on Myra and Kekova when you get back to the main sights.

Transportation comfort on a long route

You get an air-conditioned vehicle. That is important because you start early and the road time adds up. The tour duration is listed as 8 to 10 hours, so you should expect a full-day rhythm: ride, short site blocks, ride again, then boat time, and back to Antalya.

Group size is capped at 45 travelers, which is big enough to run efficiently but small enough that you usually do not feel like you are stuck in a crowd the entire time. Pickup and drop-off patterns can still be tricky on large routes, especially around central Antalya versus Belek resort areas.

My practical tip: if you are prone to getting carsick, take precautions. The itinerary is driving-heavy, and the day starts before most people are fully awake.

Price and value: what $79 covers and what costs extra

At $79 per person, this tour can be good value if you care about both land ruins and a boat view. Here’s what is included:

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

What is not included:

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

So the real value depends on whether you were going to pay for Myra anyway. Since Myra’s entrance ticket is included and Myra is one of the biggest draws, you are already getting a key cost covered. You will still need to budget for the St. Nicholas church ticket, plus water and drinks, so plan a small cash or card buffer.

If you hate paying for extras, this might feel slightly less clean than tours that include every ticket. But overall, the bundled Myra access plus lunch keeps it fair.

Who this tour suits best (and who should skip it)

This tour is a strong match if you:

• Want a one-day route that covers Myra and Kekova without planning
• Like guided context, especially if you enjoy learning how sites connect to broader Turkish history
• Are okay with early mornings and moving through several stops

You might not love it if you:

• Need lots of free time at each site, since the schedule is structured and time windows can feel short
• Get annoyed by pickup loops that collect people across different hotels
• Think short commercial stops are a waste of your day

Should you book the Antalya Demre Myra Kekova Tour?

I’d book this tour if you want the practical “two big highlights in one day” package. Myra’s rock-cut tombs and a Kekova sunken city boat view are not things you can ignore, and the included Myra entrance ticket plus lunch makes the $79 price easier to swallow.

Skip it or rethink your expectations if you are the type who needs a slow pace. This is not a linger-all-afternoon style day. It is a structured route, with early pickup and a long riding day, and you should be mentally ready to move.

If you do book, go in prepared: bring water, protect yourself from sun, and be ready for a tight timing day. Do that, and you will get what you came for, ancient stone on land and the strange feeling of ruins beneath the water.

FAQ

How long is the Antalya Demre Myra Kekova Tour?

It runs for about 8 to 10 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 5:30 am.

Is pickup included, and where are pickups from?

Yes, pickup is offered. Pickup details list Antalya around 6:00 am and Belek around 5:00 am, and the tour states it picks you up from the region.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Which entrance tickets are included?

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

What’s included in the price?

Lunch, an air-conditioned vehicle, and all fees and taxes are included.

Does the tour have a group size limit?

Yes, it has a maximum of 45 travelers.

What happens if the weather is bad or I need to cancel?

The tour requires good weather, and if canceled due to poor weather you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.