Sunken ruins start at 4:00 am. This day tour strings together Kekova’s submerged Lycian city and Myra’s St. Nicholas legacy with a boat cruise and ruins. I like the mix of real historical stops and coastal scenery. The one thing to watch is the very early pickup and the long hours, which can feel like a lot before the fun even starts.

You’ll get hotel pickup and drop-off plus a bilingual guide (Russian and English), which makes the sites easier to follow. Lunch is included, but you should budget extra because entrance fees are not fully included and drinks are not included.

Key Points Before You Go

• A 14-hour day built around the Kekova boat segment with about two hours on the water
• Demre (Kale), Myra, and St. Nicholas in one run so you hit the religious and archaeological highlights together
• Bilingual guidance in Russian and English to connect what you’re seeing
• Entrance fees split between included and extra (Demre is free; St. Nicholas is not included; additional fees apply)
• A small-group limit of 35 travelers for a calmer pace than huge buses
• Long-drive logistics start at the hotel security gate at about 4:00 am

A 4:00 am Start for the Sunken City and Myra Combo

This tour is the kind of plan that only works if you’re okay with an early morning. Pickup is listed for 4:00 am from the hotel security gate, and the full outing runs about 14 hours, so you’re basically buying a day of “worth-it” time on the coast and in historic ruins, paid for with lost sleep.

The payoff is that you get several iconic locations without having to organize separate tickets and transport. You’ll see Demre (Kale), Myra Antik Kenti, the Church of St. Nicholas, and then Kekova, famous for its submerged ruins. If you like packing a lot of meaning into one trip day, this is a strong format.

Just remember: the day is structured by driving time first, site time second. If you’re the type who needs a slow start, this may feel like a marathon rather than a relaxed sightseeing day.

Demre (Kale): Your First Two Hours in a Less-Rushed Stop

Demre (Kale) is your first major stop, with about two hours scheduled and free admission listed for this portion. Even with limited time, this is a smart opener because it gets you warmed up for Lycian-and-Roman history before you head into Myra.

What makes Demre useful on a day like this is pacing. Instead of rushing straight into the biggest names, you get a chance to settle your brain, ask questions, and get a sense of how this part of Turkey developed over time. You’re also moving toward the St. Nicholas story, so getting your bearings early helps.

The practical takeaway: wear shoes you can walk in comfortably. Two hours goes quickly when you factor in getting on and off transport and moving between viewpoints and ruins.

Myra Antik Kenti and the Amphitheater Zone

Next is Myra Antik Kenti, again with about two hours scheduled, and admission is included for this stop. This is where you start getting a stronger sense of how the region’s ancient life shaped the present—stone, scale, and the feeling of an archaeological site that has been studied for a long time.

Myra is also a good stop for people who like “read it with your eyes” travel. Even if the guide is busy keeping the schedule moving, you can spend time watching how people’s footsteps shape the most accessible routes through the area. Look for the amphitheater-style spaces and the rock-cut details that give the site its character.

One consideration: on a tight schedule like this, you might find your Myra time is more exploration-friendly than lecture-heavy. In other words, you’ll likely have moments to understand what you’re seeing, but you may still want to bring curiosity and go at your own speed for part of the visit.

Church of St. Nicholas: When Extra Entrance Fees Change the Math

The Church of St. Nicholas is scheduled for about two hours, but admission is listed as not included. That means you’ll want to plan on paying entrance on site (and it will add to your day cost). This is also one of the spots where time management matters: two hours sounds generous, but churches and adjacent historical areas can eat time fast once you slow down.

This is a great stop if you want the religious story tied to Myra. Even if you’re not a history scholar or a theology nerd, it can help to connect why St. Nicholas matters here and why this site became a pilgrimage magnet.

Here’s the real-world tip: if you want more context inside than your schedule allows, plan to use the tools that are available on site—such as audio support if offered—and keep a translation app handy. With a time window, you’ll get more out of it if you choose what matters most to you.

Kekova Island Boat Trip: Submerged Ruins Through Small Windows

Then you hit Kekova Island for a boat trip listed at about two hours, with admission included for this segment. Kekova is the main headline for this tour because it’s tied to the area’s submerged Lycian city ruins. You’ll be seeing the coast in motion and spotting remnants from the water—exactly what you came for.

The key detail is how you actually view the underwater remains. Some boats use small viewing windows near water level rather than a full glass-bottom setup, which can limit what you see. You may end up crowding near those windows depending on boat layout and how fast people settle. And visibility can be uneven: there are often only certain sections where the water depth makes underwater ruins easiest to make out.

So I’d treat the Kekova boat portion like this: expect scenery, expect coastal views, and expect the submerged city to be the highlight even if it’s not a perfectly clear or constant underwater show. If you’re hoping for a guaranteed swim or nonstop underwater views, keep your expectations modest because boat timing and conditions can tighten up.

Also, don’t ignore the basics on a boat day:

• bring sunglasses and sun protection
• keep an eye on how cold or windy it feels on the water
• keep valuables secure and closed during movement

Price and Logistics: What $78.19 Really Buys

At $78.19 per person, this tour is priced like a “one-day bundle” that tries to reduce hassle. You do get real value through included items: hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, a bilingual guide (Russian and English), and multiple attractions where admission is already covered. Demre is listed as free, Myra and Kekova are listed as admission included.

But you should budget for the parts that aren’t covered. Entrance fees are listed as extra, around €30.00 per person, and drinks are not included. The St. Nicholas church specifically is not included in the admission list for this tour.

Here’s how I’d judge the value for you:

• If you want all these sites in one day and you don’t want to manage transport and tickets yourself, the bundled price can make sense.
• If you’re only after one or two stops, you could spend less by mixing self-guided travel with smaller ticket purchases—though that depends on your comfort with logistics.

For food, lunch is included, but it’s not likely to be a gourmet destination. On a day like this, lunch is usually a practical refuel, not a culinary adventure. You’ll get more from the meal if you come hungry after the early start rather than expecting a destination restaurant.

The Driver, the Guide, and the Long-Coach Morning

This is a day that lives or dies on how well the morning goes. The tour starts early and includes a drive that can be more of a backdrop than a planned highlight. In at least some vehicles, people have noted it can be a modern minibus with charging options like USB and USB-C outlets, which is a nice touch for keeping your phone alive for photos and maps.

The guide quality matters because you’re seeing multiple stops tied to different themes: Lycian history, Roman-era remains, and the St. Nicholas story. A bilingual guide in Russian and English is a real advantage here because you’ll get names, context, and explanations that make the stones feel less random.

One practical note: meal timing is a little tricky on tours that start before sunrise. Even though lunch is included, breakfast may be handled as an optional on-your-own stop. If you’re picky about breakfast food, pack a simple snack from home or your hotel the night before so you’re not stuck waiting in hunger.

Lunch, Break Stops, and What to Eat Like a Pro

Lunch is included in the tour, but it’s also the kind of meal that you should treat as fueling, not as a main event. It may be in a basic restaurant setting that’s built for tour groups, and you’ll probably be eating in a hurry because the schedule keeps moving.

If you want to make your day smoother, do this:

• Bring water or plan to buy drinks during breaks (drinks are not included)
• If you’re sensitive to early mornings, add a small breakfast snack so you can handle the 4:00 am start without feeling wrecked

You might also have a quick stop for coffee or tea where baked goods can be purchased. That’s not the same as a full breakfast meal included in your ticket, so think of it as a chance to grab something if you want it.

On the return, you may pass street-level vendors, including fresh fruit sold roadside. It’s the kind of small moment that can make the long day feel more local, as long as you don’t get delayed by extra shopping.

How Much Seeing You Get at Each Stop

The itinerary is built around four main segments: Demre, Myra, St. Nicholas, and Kekova. Each has about two hours listed (with Kekova being the boat time), and that structure is generally workable when you’re okay with time moving quickly.

Here’s what to expect in practice:

• Demre gives you a first historical hit without overwhelming you.
• Myra gives you the main archaeological atmosphere and the amphitheater-area feeling.
• St. Nicholas can be meaningful but may involve more on-your-own time, especially if the schedule is tight.
• Kekova’s boat ride is where the emotional reaction happens, even if underwater views are limited to certain sections.

Also, remember that you’re traveling a lot. The most important part of “getting your money’s worth” is keeping yourself comfortable for the drive and staying mentally ready for the sites.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

I think this tour fits best if you:

• want a one-day plan that hits major religious and archaeological sights
• like coastal cruising paired with ruins
• don’t want to coordinate separate transport across several stops
• are okay with a very early pickup and a long day

You may want to skip it if you:

• hate waking up before dawn
• need a slow, flexible schedule with long on-site wandering
• expect a boat experience that guarantees lots of underwater visibility and swimming time

If you’re in the middle—curious but practical—this can still work well. Just go in with realistic expectations about what the boat can show and how fast the day moves between stops.

Should You Book This Sunken City Kekova Demre and Myra Day Tour from Alanya?

If your top priority is seeing Kekova’s sunken city ruins and pairing it with Demre and Myra, this tour is a strong value format. You get a guided day with hotel pickup, lunch included, and multiple admissions covered—plus a bilingual guide setup that helps the story land.

My advice: treat the extra entrance fee for St. Nicholas and the €30 entrance budget as part of the real cost. Also, plan for the early start. If you can handle 4:00 am pickup without whining, you’ll get a satisfying mix of coastal views, ancient sites, and the St. Nicholas connection in a single long day.

FAQ

What time does pickup start for this tour?

Pickup is scheduled for around 4:00 am, with pick-up from your hotel security gate.

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as approximately 14 hours.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The guide is listed as bilingual in Russian and English, and the tour is offered in English.

What’s included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, a bilingual guide (Russian and English), lunch, and the mobile ticket are included. Admission is included for Myra and Kekova in the itinerary details.

What entrance fees are not included?

Entrance fees are listed as not fully included, with St. Nicholas admission marked as not included. Entrance fees are also noted as about €30.00 per person.

Are drinks included with lunch?

No. Drinks are not included.

How many people are on the tour at most?

The tour has a maximum group size of 35 travelers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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

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