A long day, but the scenery does the talking. You’ll roll along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast to see Demre’s rock-cut sites and the Sunken City at Kekova, plus a boat ride with a swimming break. It’s a big-hit combination day that packs history, coastline views, and water time into one run.

I like the convenience of round-trip hotel pickup from Antalya, which makes the morning feel less like a project. I also like that the price already covers major pieces like the guide, lunch, the boat tour fee, and the Myra-area entry.

The main thing to weigh is time and logistics: this is an early start with a long day, and the pace/comfort can vary depending on the bus setup and how much English is used on your date.

Key things to know before you go

• Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but pickup timing can shift for Kundu Lara, and some areas may need an extra transfer fee
• Two big anchors of the day: Demre/Myra rock-cut tombs and the Kekova Sunken City boat trip
• Swimming break on the boat is part of the experience, so pack for water time
• St Nicholas Church costs extra if you choose to enter (optional)
• Group size is limited to up to 27 people, which helps keep the stops manageable

Kale to Kekova: a big-day coastal route from Antalya

This is the kind of tour that tries to give you a wide slice of the Lycian Coast in one shot. You start early (7:00am) and spend most of the day on the move, but the payoff is that you don’t just see one sight—you see the coast’s layered history, then you get out on the water to view the famous submerged remains around Kekova.

From a value standpoint, I like that the core costs are wrapped up: lunch, guide, boat tour fee, insurance, and the Myra Ancient City entry are included. The ticket structure is also fairly clear. Drinks are extra, and the Church of St. Nicholas is optional with an extra entrance fee if you want to go inside.

One practical note: you’ll be dealing with a long day of transit. That can be great if you like moving from stop to stop. If you’re the type who hates sitting in a seat for hours, plan for breaks and snacks before you feel stuck.

Price and what’s actually included (and what to budget)

At $90.11 per person for an approximately 11-hour day, this isn’t just a cheap sightseeing add-on. You’re paying for three big time-and-cost items that would be harder to replicate on your own in a single smooth day: a guided run through the Demre/Myra area, a boat tour fee, and round-trip hotel pickup.

Here’s what you get in the base price:

• Lunch
• Boat tour fee
• Guide
• Pick-up and drop-off from your Antalya hotel
• Insurance
• Fuel surcharge
• Entry ticket of Myra Ancient City

What costs extra:

• Drinks with lunch (not included)
• The Church of St. Nicholas entrance fee if you choose to enter (listed as €17 per person)

How to think about value: if you’re the type who would otherwise book a boat cruise and pay separately for major site access, this format can make sense. If you only care about one stop (say, just Kekova), you may feel the rest of the day is extra.

Hotel pickup timing: when “included” can still feel different

Pickup is included, and the tour is built around leaving from your hotel and returning you afterward. That’s the real win if you’re staying in Antalya and don’t want to coordinate transport.

Still, there are a couple of timing wrinkles to understand:

• Kundu Lara hotels: pickup and drop-off times may change, especially if your hotel is outside the city center.
• Belek, Kemer, and Side hotels: there can be an extra transfer fee.

What I’d do: when you get your confirmation, double-check the local time and keep your phone charged. Also, arrive ready for a long run—this tour is scheduled around an early departure (7:00am).

Demre (Kale): rock-cut tombs and the Myra area in one stop

Your first major stop is Demre (Kale), with a visit focused on the rock-cut tombs in the Myra-area sites. Even if you’ve seen plenty of ruins before, rock-cut Lycian tombs tend to land differently because you can actually feel how built-in the landscape is—these aren’t just “stones in a field.” They’re carved into living rock, shaped for the people who believed they needed permanence.

This stop is about 1 hour 15 minutes, and that’s a healthy amount of time if you want more than a quick glance. You’ll have time to look closely and get oriented on the site before moving on.

A practical consideration: if you have mobility issues, pay attention to the terrain around Myra’s structures. Some parts include steep steps in areas like the theater, which can limit where you can comfortably get the best views.

Tip: wear shoes with grip. You’ll be outside, walking on uneven ground, and you’ll want comfort before you hit the heat and the bus later.

The long drive along the Turquoise Coast (and how to survive it)

This tour is built on transit. You’ll spend a lot of time on roads where you’ll see small villages and stretches of coastline as you head between stops.

That can be pleasant—think “moving scenery.” But some dates may involve extra routing. On certain departures, people have reported being moved from smaller vans to a larger bus at a meeting point later on the route, which adds time. Even if you don’t get that exact setup, it’s smart to expect that the day may feel long before it feels fun.

How to plan your comfort:

• Bring water (even if you’ll have lunch; you’ll still want it earlier)
• Wear light layers you can adjust
• Use sunglasses and sun protection early, not later
• If you’re sensitive to heat, factor in that the bus ride may not always feel cool

On some runs, air conditioning can be a problem—so don’t assume you’ll feel fine the entire time. A small handheld fan or a damp cloth can be a lifesaver if the cabin runs warm.

Kekova Sunken City by boat: what you see depends on the light (and the tide)

This is the moment most people sign up for: a boat tour around Kekova’s Sunken City. The schedule gives you about 1 hour 15 minutes for this part, including a swimming break.

What makes Kekova special is that the “ruins” aren’t just on land behind a fence. You’re seeing submerged stone forms around the shoreline. From the water, the shapes read differently. You get a better sense of scale and where structures sat before they ended up below the surface.

Two things to keep expectations realistic:

• The boat setup may include “glass-bottom” style viewing, but some window areas can be hard to interpret depending on lighting and clarity. Don’t rely on this as your only way to see the ruins.
• Water conditions matter. If it’s high tide, you may feel like you’re not seeing as much of the submerged structures as you hoped. The best viewing often comes from the right angle and moment, not just “being on the boat.”

Quick tip: if you’re serious about spotting ruins, move your position on the boat when the guide slows down. And keep your eyes up, not just down. Often you’ll see better cues from the shoreline contours than from windows alone.

St Nicholas Church: optional, worth it only if you want the interior

The third stop is the Church of St. Nicholas. The visit is about 1 hour, and the key detail is that the entrance fee is not included.

The choice is yours:

• If you love churches, religious art, or the story of St. Nicholas, you may feel it’s time well spent.
• If you’re more focused on outdoor ruins and coastline, you might skip the interior to keep the day moving.

Do note the trade-off: paying extra can feel annoying if the time inside feels short to you once you’re there. If you want to maximize value, decide early whether you care about entering the church or prefer to spend that time elsewhere.

Lunch, pace, and group size: good day design, mixed execution risk

Lunch is included, and it typically functions as the “anchor” that prevents the day from turning into pure stop-and-stare. Still, lunch is only as good as the time you’re given, and on long coach days, that can mean it feels rushed.

Group size is capped at 27 people, which is a helpful limit. It’s not a tiny private tour, but it’s also not a huge swarm.

The bigger variable is how the language and pacing land on your specific date:

• The tour is described as English available and most commonly Russian and English.
• Some people have experienced more Russian than English for the guide’s explanations, especially for instructions.

What you can do: listen carefully at each stop, ask questions if you can, and use a translation app for basic phrases. You don’t need perfect narration to enjoy the sights, but clear instructions help you move on time and avoid confusion.

Comfort, safety, and practical notes that matter on a day like this

Because the schedule is tight and the transit time is long, comfort details matter more than they usually do on shorter tours.

Here’s what I’d take seriously:

• Seat comfort and air conditioning can be a weak point. If you run warm easily, plan for it.
• Some departures involve bus changes or transfers through a meeting point. That can be confusing if you’re tired, so keep an eye on where everyone is told to go.
• Be cautious when stepping off vehicles near roads and rail lines. In one case, someone nearly missed a tram while stepping off on a road edge. Even if that’s not your scenario, it’s a good reminder to step off deliberately and watch the surroundings.

Bring a small day bag with what you’ll need for the water stop. If you don’t want to swim, at least you’ll want to keep a towel and dry clothes ready for after the boat.

Who this tour is best for (and who should pick something else)

This works best if you want:

• A single-day plan covering Demre/Myra + Kekova
• A guided experience with a boat cruise and swimming break
• Pickup convenience from Antalya without figuring out multiple transport options

You might choose a different approach if you:

• Hate long days or long coach rides
• Have mobility limits that make steep steps tough at Myra
• Expect lots of guaranteed English narration at every moment (language use can vary)

For most people, though, it’s a strong “first time in the region” option—because it hits the headline spots efficiently.

Should you book the Demre Myra Kekova Sunken City tour?

I’d book it if you’re planning to see Kekova from the water and you also want the Myra/Lycian rock-cut sites in the same day. The included lunch, guide, boat fee, insurance, and hotel pickup create real value for an 11-hour itinerary that would be harder to stitch together cleanly on your own.

Skip or reconsider if you know you’ll struggle with heat, discomfort, or long waiting/transfers. In that case, you may want to look for a more flexible tour format—or at least go in with a comfort plan.

If you do book, do these three things:

• Plan for a very early start at 7:00am
• Decide in advance if you want the Church of St. Nicholas entry (extra €17)
• Pack for both walking and water time (even if you think you’ll only dip your feet)

FAQ

How long is the Demre Myra Kekova Sunken City tour?

The tour is approximately 11 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 7:00am.

Does the price include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from your Antalya hotel are included.

What’s included in the tour price?

Lunch, the boat tour fee, a guide, hotel pick-up and drop-off, insurance, fuel surcharge, and the entry ticket of Myra Ancient City are included.

Is the Church of St. Nicholas included?

No. Entry to the Church of St. Nicholas is not included. It’s optional, and if you enter you’ll pay an extra €17 per person.

Is a boat tour included, and is there swimming?

Yes. The itinerary includes a boat tour and a swimming break.

Is there an English-speaking guide?

English is offered, and guides may be multi-lingual. The guide language is mostly Russian and English.

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