Demre Myra Kekova Sunken City

Sunken City is the star, but the route matters. This long day trip ties together Demre (Kale), Myra, and Kekova so you go from Lycian stone to sea ruins without planning a thing.

I love how it handles the heavy lifting with round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off and a guided flow between major stops. I also like that you get more than just one sight, with a boat tour plus time to swim while you head toward the sunken ruins.

One thing to watch: it is an early start and a long ride. Depending on your group and guide rhythm, you may find the tour runs much more smoothly for some languages than others, especially if you are hoping for constant English explanations.

Key things to know before you go

• Start time is 7:00 am, so plan an early breakfast and a water bottle.
• Max group size is 27, which usually means less scrambling than big-bus touring.
• English is offered, but you should expect mixed narration styles (English and Russian are common).
• Kekova is a boat experience, and visibility can depend on conditions like tide and boat window clarity.
• St Nicholas is optional, with an extra €17 per person fee if you enter.
• Lunch is included, but drinks cost extra.

A Day Trip That Links Demre, Myra, and Kekova

This is the kind of Turkey trip that makes sense on a limited schedule. You start inland in the Demre area, then shift to the water for Kekova, which means you get two different kinds of “wow” in one day. The Lycian rock-cut world at Myra is all sharp angles, stone detail, and tomb architecture, then you transition to the sea and the idea of a city swallowed over time.

The best part is that the day is built around movement, not waiting around. You are guided between stops, and you get enough time at each major site to actually look, not just point and rush.

The trade-off is that it is still a full 11-hour loop. If you get cranky with early mornings or long bus time, that is the biggest thing to prepare for.

Price and Value: What Your $90.11 Covers

At $90.11 per person, the value is strongest if you like guided touring with fewer logistics. Your day includes lunch, the boat tour fee, a guide, pickup and drop-off from your Antalya hotel, insurance, and a fuel surcharge. You also have entry ticket of Myra ancient city included.

What is not included matters for planning:

• Drinks are extra with lunch.
• The Church of St Nicholas has an extra entrance fee if you choose to go inside. The info given is €17 per person, and it is optional.

If you were to do these stops on your own, you would still pay transport, guides (or face self-guided guessing), and site entry fees. Here, the structure does some of the work for you, especially when you just want a single ticket and one group plan.

Getting to the Coast: Hotel Pickup, Vans, and Timing Reality

This tour runs from 7:00 am and lasts about 11 hours. That schedule works if you are okay with an early start and a long return.

One practical point: the pickup setup can vary. Some departures may start with smaller vans to move people to a larger bus later. That can be efficient, but it also can add waiting time, especially if pickups are staggered from hotels farther from the center.

If you are staying outside the most central hotel zone, pay attention to the notes:

• Kundu Lara hotels pickup and drop-off times may change, especially if you are not in the city center.
• For Belek, Kemer, and Side hotels, there can be an extra transfer fee for the route.

Bring patience, not just water. Also bring a light layer. Even if it is warm, early morning air can feel cool on the way out, and then hot on the return.

Demre (Kale) and Myra: Lycian Tombs and a Big Site Feel

The first stop is Demre (Kale), with about 1 hour 15 minutes on the timetable. From here, the day naturally feeds into the Myra area, since Myra’s rock-cut tombs are the main draw.

A key included item: entry to Myra ancient city. Once you are on site, you are looking at the kind of Lycian tombs that make you slow down. The rock-cut facades and carved details are why this area is famous, and you get enough time to walk the key paths without feeling like you are only skimming.

There is also a theater element at Myra. If you have mobility issues, plan carefully. The site can involve steep steps in places, and some of the best sight lines may be hard to reach if stairs are a problem.

If you are comfortable walking, wear shoes with grip. Stone paths plus uneven surfaces are common, and you will want stability for photos and exploring.

Kekova Sunken City by Boat: The Part Everyone Plans For

Kekova is where the day becomes visually memorable. You get about 1 hour 15 minutes tied to the Kekova stop, and you are also included for the boat tour fee.

The “Sunken City” concept sounds simple, but what you actually see depends on the day. From the boat, you are looking for outlines of ruins below the waterline. In practice, three things can affect the view:

• Tide and water conditions, which can change how much is exposed or visible.
• Window clarity if your boat has windows meant for viewing ruins.
• Light and angle, since you might have glare or a hard-to-read view if the sun is strong.

You should still expect a good experience even if the ruins are not perfectly dramatic from the first pass. The boat ride itself is part of the appeal, and the guide’s context helps you understand what you are seeing.

And yes, there is a swimming stop. This is one of the best “reset buttons” during a long day. If you pack properly, you can swap hot bus time for cooler water and come back refreshed.

Practical tip: if you want the best visibility for the ruins, pay attention to where you sit on the boat and when the guide points out specific sections.

St Nicholas Church: Optional Entry and the Extra €17 Decision

You have a stop at the Church of St Nicholas for about 1 hour. The important detail is cost: entry is not included, and it is described as optional. If you choose to enter, the extra fee listed is €17 per person.

So how do you decide?

• If you want religious and historical context, and you are fine with paying for entry, this is worth considering.
• If you would rather keep the day moving, you can skip the interior and still spend your attention on Myra and Kekova, which are the big visual anchors.

Also, entrance decisions work best when you factor in heat. This day can feel long, and walking in sun adds up. If you are heat-sensitive, it may be smarter to choose the option that feels less exhausting.

Lunch, Comfort, and The Pace of an 11-Hour Loop

Lunch is included, but drinks are extra. That sounds basic, but it affects your spending plan. If you like soda or bottled water beyond what is provided at lunch, you will want to bring extra cash.

The bigger comfort variable is transportation. The day involves long stretches by road. On some departures, bus comfort has not matched expectations, including issues like air conditioning that does not keep up. I recommend you dress for warmth and bring a small personal comfort kit: sunglasses, water, and a hat.

This is also the kind of trip where rest stops matter. Even if you are not told exactly when breaks happen, you should assume the schedule can be tight. Build your own small breaks during site time, not just at the end of the day.

Guide Language: English Is Offered, but Group Reality Counts

The tour states it is offered in English, and guides may be multi-lingual. The group language mix is commonly Russian and English.

In day trips like this, guide delivery style can vary. Some days flow smoothly for everyone. Other days, the English narration may not feel as constant, especially if the group has a strong Russian majority.

What you can do:

• Ask quick clarifying questions when you have the chance, especially at Myra and around the boat.
• Focus on visual learning too. With tombs and sunken ruins, seeing is half the lesson, and you can still enjoy without every sentence being perfectly translated.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want a Different Plan)

This is a great fit if you want a single ticket that covers multiple top stops along the Turquoise Coast. You get guided access to Myra, the boat outing toward Kekova, and an optional St Nicholas add-on. That makes it attractive for first-time visitors who do not want to coordinate transport between sites.

It is also a good option if you like the idea of an active day, including a swimming break.

Consider a different plan if:

• You are extremely sensitive to long coach travel and early mornings.
• You need constant English narration and clear site interpretation throughout.
• You have mobility limitations that make steep stair areas at Myra difficult.

If you do go, choose calm expectations. This tour is about big scenery and major highlights, not about luxurious comfort.

Practical Tips So You Get More from Every Stop

Here are the things that make this kind of trip feel smoother:

• Start prepared: breakfast early, bring water, and pack a hat for the road and sites.
• Bring swim basics: if you plan to swim at Kekova, you will be glad you have your towel and water shoes (or at least something grippy).
• Photo strategy: at Kekova, expect to adjust positions. If you want the ruins, watch for the guide’s pointing moments.
• Plan for the optional fee: decide on St Nicholas entrance before you arrive, so you do not feel pressured when time feels tight.
• Wear stable shoes for rock-cut areas and uneven paths.

Also, if you are the kind of person who cares a lot about air conditioning, you might want a backup mindset. A long day can still be enjoyable, but your comfort will depend on the specific vehicle used.

Should You Book Demre, Myra, Kekova, and Sunken City?

I would book this tour if you want a guided, efficient way to see Myra’s rock-cut tombs and the Kekova Sunken City area without planning transport between stops. The included lunch, boat fee, guide, insurance, and Myra entry make it feel like a well-priced package for a full-day highlight circuit.

Hold off or book with eyes open if you know you hate early mornings, have mobility constraints at Myra, or you need very consistent English explanations the whole day. In those cases, you may feel the trip’s logistics more than the sights.

If you get the balance right, this day can deliver exactly what you came for: tombs in Demre and the sea story of Kekova, all in one long but memorable outing.

FAQ

How long is the Demre Myra Kekova Sunken City tour?

The tour runs for about 11 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 7:00 am.

What’s included in the price?

The price includes lunch, the boat tour fee, a guide, hotel pick-up and drop-off, insurance, fuel surcharge, and the entry ticket of Myra ancient city.

What extra costs should I expect?

Drinks are extra. The Church of St Nicholas entrance fee is optional, and the fee listed is €17 per person if you enter.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English, and guides may be multi-lingual.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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