Early mornings pay off here. This full-day tour links Myra and its Lycian sites with a Kekova boat trip to see the sunken ruins of Simena. It’s a long day on the road, but the mix of archaeology and water views is why people keep choosing it.

I especially like that your route is guided end-to-end with a bilingual English/Russian guide, plus an included lunch that helps you manage the long transit. I also like the pacing between land and sea: you get amphitheater and tombs first, then turquoise-water time on the boat.

One possible drawback: the day can start very early and you may spend a lot of time in the bus. If you care deeply about timing at each site, plan for a “see the highlights” kind of day, not a slow, lingering one.

Quick hit notes before you go

• Myra plus Lycian tombs: ancient amphitheater and rock-cut necropolis sights on one run
• Kekova boat trip (~1 hour): the main water moment over the underwater ruins of Simena
• Teimiussa necropolis: another Lycian stop that keeps the story going after Kekova
• Included lunch: a practical break during a long 14-hour schedule
• Kale and St. Nicholas Church: the day ends where it all centers for this route

Why Demre and Kekova work better than a split up plan

The Demre–Kekova region is one of those rare areas where two very different types of travel satisfy the same itch: you want ancient sites, but you also want big views and a memorable “wow” moment. This tour bundles both. You’ll move from Myra’s amphitheater and Lycian rock-cut tombs to a boat over Simena’s underwater ruins, then finish back on land in Kale with the church of St. Nicholas.

What makes this combo valuable for you is efficiency. Doing Myra, Kekova, and Kale on your own means coordinating transport across a long day and possibly paying extra for boat access. Here, you’re paying for a full loop with a guide, a boat transfer, and a complimentary lunch, all under one schedule.

And yes, it’s still a full-day exertion. But when you’re paying once and getting a coherent route, it feels like a better use of your time than cobbling together multiple half-day arrangements.

Alanya pickup, the long bus ride, and how to handle it

Your day runs on road time first. The tour provides hotel pickup and drop-off, and pickup happens from your hotel’s security gate (main entrance). Expect the schedule to be early—one guest from the Alanya area reported a very early departure around 2:30 a.m. and a return around 21:30.

That same feedback also flagged two realities you should take seriously:

1) You may spend more time on the bus than you want.

2) Pickup can include other hotels, which can stretch the start of the trip.

If you’re sensitive to long sitting, treat this like a “comfort first” day. Wear layers, bring water, and plan for rest. Also, if you want the day’s highlights to feel less rushed, be prepared for the fact that early starts and multiple pickup stops reduce the time you have at each attraction.

One more practical note: the tour is listed as bilingual with English and Russian live guiding. Still, language mix-ups can happen depending on the day. If English narration matters to you, confirm it clearly when you book.

Myra: amphitheater views and Lycian necropolis tombs

Myra is the foundation stop. You transfer to the ancient town on the banks of the River Myros, then visit the ancient Greek amphitheater and the rock-cut tombs of the Lycian necropolis.

What I like about starting here is that you get a clear “before the sea” contrast. These carved tombs and the amphitheater structure give you a strong sense of how the area used stone and rock for public and memorial spaces. Even if you’re not a die-hard ruins person, the scale is usually what gets you.

The drawback is time. One guest felt there wasn’t enough time to enjoy the St. Nicholas Church area, ancient Myra, and the sunken-city portion properly. That’s the risk with highlight-packed routes: you can see a lot, but you can’t always stop for extra photos, climb for a better angle, or re-read the guide notes slowly.

For you, the fix is simple:

• Take photos fast at first, then slow down when you find a spot you actually like.
• Wear comfortable shoes you can rely on, because rock-cut areas often mean uneven ground.

A complimentary lunch break that keeps the day from feeling brutal

Between the morning archaeological stretch and the boat segment, you’ll have a complimentary lunch. It may sound like a small perk, but on a 14-hour schedule it’s actually a big deal. It reduces the chance you’ll lose time hunting for food or paying for quick snacks that don’t hold you.

You don’t have details on the exact lunch style, so I’d plan like this: eat what’s offered, don’t assume you’ll be able to find a full meal later, and keep your energy up for the water portion. If you’re someone who gets hungry easily, consider bringing a small snack as a backup—just don’t count on buying drinks on the way.

Also, note what’s not included: drinks are not part of the tour. So if you’re picky about water or prefer specific drinks, have a plan before you leave.

Kekova’s boat trip to Simena: the main “see this” moment

The centerpiece is the Kekova Island boat trip (about 1 hour). You’ll sail over the turquoise waters and see the underwater ruins of the sunken city of Simena, with surrounding areas described as crystal clear.

This is where the day earns its keep. A guided boat segment gives you views you can’t recreate from shore in the same way. You get the thrill of seeing structures under the waterline, and it also turns your camera into your best friend.

Now, here’s the practical consideration to respect: your time on the water can also be your only chance to enjoy it directly. One guest pointed out there wasn’t clear information about when you’d have time to swim from the boat, and they were the only people without swim gear. That tells me the best move is to be prepared, not surprised.

So for you:

• Bring swimwear if you enjoy water time.
• If you’re not a swimmer, still pack something that helps you stay comfortable in sun and sea wind.
• Ask the guide (early) what the boat schedule allows, especially for any water access.

Also remember: entrance and ticket logistics are managed for you in the sense that the tour says you can skip the ticket line. That’s a real time-saver on a day like this.

Teimiussa necropolis: a quieter, rewarding stop after the water

After the boat, you’ll visit the Lycian necropolis at Teimiussa. This stop matters because it continues the Lycian theme without repeating Myra. If you’re enjoying the rock-cut tomb and Lycian setting style, Teimiussa gives you another angle on the same cultural landscape.

What makes it valuable is variety in atmosphere. Boat time is open and bright; a necropolis stop feels grounded and still. Your brain gets a chance to shift gears from water viewing to reading a site with your eyes at walking speed.

Time can still be tight depending on the day’s flow. But if you use your time well—take a quick look first, then pick one or two points you want to photograph in detail—you’ll walk away with more than just a “been there” feeling.

A good trick: stand back first. Look at the overall shape and placement, then step closer. Rock-cut areas often make more sense when you see both the big form and the finer carvings.

Kale and St. Nicholas Church: the payoff that ties it together

Your day ends in Kale (Demre), where you’ll visit the church of St. Nicholas. This is the religious and cultural anchor for the route, since Myra is described as the former home of St. Nicholas of Myra.

Even if you don’t plan to spend ages inside, this final stop gives emotional structure to the tour. Earlier you’ve been looking at amphitheater forms and Lycian tombs. Then you arrive at St. Nicholas’ church and the whole day turns from architecture and burial landscapes into something more personally recognizable.

Two practical points:

• Entrance fees to the St. Nicholas Church are not included, so plan for that cost separately.
• Don’t underestimate the value of the last stop. When the earlier time slots feel tight, the ending is often what makes people feel the day was worth it.

If you like calm endings, try to linger after the main group settles. It’s the moment that many people remember because it feels like closure rather than another “quick stop.”

Price and value: is $77 a fair deal for this 14-hour loop?

At $77 per person for a 14-hour day, you’re paying for more than just sightseeing. You’re buying:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• A bilingual guide (English/Russian)
• Lunch
• The Kekova boat trip (about 1 hour)

What’s not included:

• Drinks
• Entrance fees to the St. Nicholas Church

So the value question comes down to your tolerance for long transit and your desire for exactly these sites in one day. If you want Myra + Kekova + Kale without arranging separate transport and boat access, this price starts to look reasonable fast.

But if you’re the type who wants long, unhurried time in each place, the schedule may feel like a squeeze—especially since some guests felt time wasn’t enough for St. Nicholas, ancient Myra, and the sunken city portion all at once. This isn’t a slow museum day. It’s a highlights tour that tries to be efficient.

Also consider “hidden” costs: drinks and St. Nicholas church entrance can add a bit. Still, compared with paying for guided transport and a boat separately, $77 doesn’t look like a bad deal—assuming you’re comfortable with the drive-heavy nature of the itinerary.

Who should book this tour, and who should choose something else

This tour is a strong match if you:

• Want a single-day structure that covers Myra, Kekova, Teimiussa, and Kale
• Like seeing places that combine archaeology with a dramatic water setting
• Prefer guided context over wandering alone
• Can handle a long day and early pickup

It’s not a good fit if you:

• Have mobility impairments or need a wheelchair-friendly itinerary (the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments)
• Struggle with lots of time on a bus
• Need plenty of time at every stop to feel satisfied

One more fit check: language. The tour is described as English/Russian, but real-world operation can vary. If you want English narration, double-check the language arrangement before you go.

Should you book this Demre St. Nicholas, Ancient Myra & Kekova tour?

I’d tell you to book it if you want one day that delivers multiple “must-see” moments in the Demre–Kekova area, especially the boat trip to Simena. For the price, the inclusion of pickup, lunch, and the boat segment makes it a practical way to spend your limited time on the Turkish Riviera.

I’d hold off if you hate early departures or you know you’ll resent being rushed at key sights. Also, if you’re very language-specific, confirm English in advance so the day doesn’t feel like a puzzle.

If you do book, go prepared: comfortable shoes, plan for a long ride, and consider packing swim gear in case the boat schedule includes water time.

FAQ

What’s the tour duration?

The tour lasts 14 hours.

Where does pickup happen?

Pickup is included from your hotel security gate (main entrance).

Does the tour include lunch?

Yes. Lunch is included and described as complimentary.

Is the boat trip long?

The boat trip to the sunken city of Kekova is approximately 1 hour.

Are entrance fees included for the St. Nicholas Church?

No. Entrance fees to the St. Nicholas Church are not included.

Which languages is the guide available in?

The guide is listed as bilingual in English and Russian.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users or mobility impairments?

No. It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.

You Might Also Enjoy

Private Istanbul tour from Cruise ship Galataport or ist airportPhotoshoot at the city of ‘History’ IstanbulFrom Istanbul: Private Cappadocia Day-Tour Including FlightHighlights of Cappadocia (Mix of Red and Green Private Tour)