My favorite day trips are the ones that feel like two vacations at once. This one mixes Myra’s Lycian tombs with a Kekova boat ride over sunken ruins, all in a single long but satisfying day. You also get a local guide to connect the dots across Demre province, so it’s not just walking and looking.

I especially like the way the day moves from land to water. Myra’s rock-cut tombs and theater give you that “ancient city in the open air” feeling, then Kekova’s views and the Simena underwater remains change the mood fast. The only thing to watch is the pace and travel time: from Alanya/Side area, you’re committing to a full-day schedule and pickup routing can add delays.

If you come prepared for a long day and want the big-picture highlights of the Turkish Riviera’s Lycian coast, this tour has a lot to offer. Just wear comfortable shoes and expect a busy itinerary.

Key things I’d bank on before you go

• Myra’s rock-cut Lycian necropolis: tombs carved into the hillside are the main event here.
• Kekova boat trip (about 1 hour): you’ll see the underwater ruins of the sunken city of Simena from the water.
• St. Nicholas Church in Demre/Kale: the church visit is a major religious and historical stop on the route.
• Included lunch: this keeps you from hunting for food between sites.
• Hotel pickup/drop-off: convenient, but plan for pickup logistics and a longer total day.
• English or Russian live guide: the route makes more sense with a guide explaining what you’re seeing.

Demre province feels like a quieter corner of the Turkish Riviera

Demre and the Lycian coast don’t have the same “all beaches all the time” vibe as some parts of Antalya Province. What you get instead is a mix of ancient sites and sea views that feel grounded and real—especially once you’re outside the big-city rhythm and onto the quieter roads through the region.

I like this tour’s shape because it covers top-tier highlights without turning into a rushed slideshow. You start with Myra, you switch to boat scenery at Kekova, and you finish with the St. Nicholas focus in Kale (Demre). That land-to-water flow is a big part of why the day feels memorable, not repetitive.

The other win is the guide component. With a live guide explaining the sites you’ll walk through, you can actually connect tomb types, city layout, and the meaning of St. Nicholas as you go. It’s one of those days where the time on the bus isn’t wasted because you’re heading toward stops that actually make sense.

Your full-day route: Myra, Kekova, Teimiussa, and Kale (Demre)

This is a 16-hour day trip, starting with hotel pickup from the Alanya area (pickup is from your hotel security gate/main entrance area). The day is built around three “anchors”: Myra on land, Kekova by boat, and St. Nicholas in Demre/Kale.

Here’s how the day typically unfolds, and what each part is really for.

1) Transfer to Myra and first stop: the ancient city

You’ll head to Myra on the banks of the River Myros. The tour time here matters because the Myra area is where you’ll do the bulk of the walking and seeing.

Myra gives you two key layers right away:

• the ancient Greek amphitheater, and
• the rock-cut tombs in the Lycian necropolis (Teimiussa is also mentioned later, but Myra’s Lycian side is a major part of this start).

Even if you don’t know Lycian history from a book, you can still “read” the place. The tombs are cut into rock at different levels, and that visual gives you a sense of how the city functioned and where people placed status, families, and memory.

2) Complimentary lunch before you go to the sea

Before the boat portion, there’s a complimentary lunch stop. For a day this long, this is not a small detail. You don’t want to be making choices about food while you’re also trying to stay on schedule for boat boarding and entrances.

You’ll also feel the day break into two modes: land walking before lunch, then sea sightseeing after.

3) Kekova by boat: sunken city ruins and Simena views

Next comes the highlight most people remember: the boat trip to Kekova, about 1 hour. You’ll sail over turquoise waters to the picturesque Kekova Island area and get to see the underwater ruins of the sunken city of Simena.

This part works because it’s not just “pretty coastline.” It’s the rare chance to experience a sunken ancient settlement concept in a direct, visual way—from above the waterline. The tour also emphasizes the clear water around the island, which is exactly what you want when you’re trying to spot what’s down there.

Tip for your best photos: keep your camera/phone accessible during the boat ride, because once you’re moving, stopping to re-get your gear costs time and patience.

4) Teimiussa necropolis: another Lycian layer, with sea-side context

After Kekova, the route continues to Teimiussa, where you’ll visit a noteworthy Lycian necropolis area. This works as a “second look” at the Lycian burial tradition, not as a repeat.

Teimiussa adds context: you’ll see more of how the Lycian landscape shaped what communities built—tombs and monuments that sit into the coast rather than separate themselves from it.

5) Finish in Kale (Demre): St. Nicholas Church

To end the day, you’ll visit the small town of Kale (Demre). Here, you’ll marvel at the church of St. Nicholas.

This is where the spiritual side of the region comes through most clearly. St. Nicholas is not just a name on a sign; the church visit is the tour’s final “anchor moment.” If you’ve ever wondered why this region remains so connected to St. Nicholas, this is the part that brings the story into a specific place.

You’ll then transfer back to your hotel.

Myra’s amphitheater and Lycian necropolis: why this stop matters

Myra is often the stop that sets the tone for the whole day. It’s where the ancient city atmosphere is strongest, because you’re walking through remains that are carved and built into the landscape.

Amphitheater vibes

The ancient Greek amphitheater gives you that immediate sense of public space—somewhere people gathered for performances and civic life. Even without a long explanation, amphitheaters have a physical logic: you can feel how the seating would face a stage or central area.

Rock-cut tombs: the visual storytelling

The Lycian necropolis tombs are the heart of this portion. These rock-cut tombs don’t feel like isolated artifacts behind glass. They’re on the hillside, exposed to daylight, and that changes how they register in your mind.

If you’re the type who likes archaeology you can walk up to and examine at close range, this is your moment. You don’t just see “ancient”—you see craftsmanship carved directly into a cliff face.

Practical note: this is also where sturdy shoes matter most. You’ll want grip, because rock and uneven ground are common around historic areas.

Kekova and Simena from the boat: the best reason to commit to the long day

If there’s one reason the day works, it’s the boat trip to the sunken city of Kekova and the view of Simena’s underwater ruins. This is why people choose a full-day itinerary instead of a shorter coastal outing.

What you’re actually seeing

You’ll sail to Kekova Island and discover the underwater ruins of the sunken city of Simena. That sentence matters. It’s not just “ruins on land.” It’s a different experience: the ruins exist below the surface, and your perspective is from above.

That shift changes the “wow” factor. You’re not imagining a lost settlement—you’re looking at it as a submerged presence in the water.

Timing and expectations

The boat portion is approximately 1 hour. One hour goes fast on the water, especially if the water and scenery are doing their job. So use that time efficiently: bring sunglasses, keep water handy if you have it (drinks aren’t included), and be ready when the guide points things out.

Also, boat days can feel cool one moment and bright the next. I like having a light layer even in warm months so I’m not stuck uncomfortable while you’re out at sea.

Teimiussa necropolis: a second look at Lycian burial culture

After the boat, Teimiussa brings you right back to the Lycian necropolis theme. The key is that it’s not meant as an afterthought. It’s another stop that helps you compare what you saw earlier with what you see here.

I like having multiple necropolis stops in the same day because it reduces the “one-and-done” feeling. Once you’ve seen how tombs can be carved into rock and placed into a landscape, you start noticing patterns. You’ll pay more attention to placement, the way the site sits in relation to the surrounding area, and the overall scale of what’s still visible.

If you enjoy ancient sites where you can walk around and take in details from different angles, this stop earns its place.

Kale (Demre) and St. Nicholas Church: the day’s emotional payoff

You end in Kale (Demre), where you’ll visit the church of St. Nicholas. This is one of the tour’s most important “why you came” stops, because it ties the day together into a clear storyline: Lycian cities and then a world-famous name linked to this region.

I like finishing here because you don’t end on “more ruins.” You end on a living landmark with strong identity. Even if you’re not a religious traveler, the significance of St. Nicholas is part of why visitors keep returning to Demre.

Expect it to feel different from Myra’s open-air tombs. Churches have their own atmosphere—more focused, more inward.

Price and value: $71 with entrances and a boat ride included

At about $71 per person, the value comes from what’s bundled in. You’re not just paying for transportation—you get:

• hotel pickup and drop-off
• a tour guide
• lunch
• a Kekova boat trip (about 1 hour)
• entrance fees to Demre and Myra
• entrance fees to the St. Nicholas Church

Drinks aren’t included, so you may want a small cash plan or card plan for water and soft drinks if you get thirsty during the day. But compared to paying for a boat, multiple entrances, and guided time separately, this pricing structure can be a fair deal—especially if you’re starting from the Alanya/Side side where you want pickup convenience.

Also, 16 hours is long. Long days can feel expensive if the stops aren’t worth it. In this case, you have a strong trio of highlights: Myra, Kekova/Simena, and St. Nicholas.

Logistics to plan for: long day, multiple pickups, and comfort rules

This tour is not a quick hit. It’s a full 16-hour day trip, and that means you should treat it like a commitment.

Pickup routing can add time

Pickup is from your hotel security gate/main entrance. If you’re staying with other hotels nearby, you may share pickup routes with other stops, which can stretch the day. The upside is convenience; the downside is you should expect a bit of waiting and extra time before you’re fully on the road.

Not for mobility needs

The activity isn’t suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. That’s worth taking seriously, because walking through historic areas and necropolis terrain usually involves uneven ground.

Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable

The tour recommends comfortable shoes. I agree. You’ll be doing a lot of walking, plus time at sites where the surface isn’t guaranteed to be flat.

If you bring the right footwear and go in knowing it’s a long day, you’ll enjoy it more because you’re not constantly thinking about your feet.

Who should book this tour

This is a good fit if you:

• want the big highlights of the Demre–Myra–Kekova stretch in one day
• enjoy guided explanations of historical sites (and not just self-guided wandering)
• are excited by a boat view of underwater ruins, not only on-land archaeology
• want a day that feels scenic as well as cultural—especially with the long drive time giving you views along the coast

It may not be the best fit if you:

• hate long days or dislike being on buses for extended periods
• need a very lightweight walking plan
• want frequent free time with no schedule pressure

Should you book Alanya/Side: Demre St. Nicholas, Ancient Myra & Sunken City?

I’d book this tour if you want one organized day that hits Myra, Kekova/Simena, and St. Nicholas without you building your own route. The value is strongest when you count what’s included: lunch, multiple entrances, and the boat trip.

I’d also book it if you’re the type who likes seeing the same region from different angles—tombs on land, then submerged ruins from the water. That mix is the point, and it’s why the day feels more complete than a single-site excursion.

Just do two things before you go: pack comfortable shoes and mentally prepare for a long day from the Alanya/Side area. If you can do that, you’ll leave with photos and memories that don’t feel like a checklist.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The total duration is 16 hours. Starting times vary, so you’ll need to check availability for exact departure times.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included, and pickup is from your hotel security gate/main entrance area.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is complimentary.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included.

How long is the boat trip to Kekova?

The boat trip is approximately 1 hour.

What languages is the tour guide available in?

The live tour guide is available 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.

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