A day on the Turkish Riviera with Myra ruins and the Kekova boat views hits the right sweet spot. I especially like how the tour mixes land discoveries (amphitheater, rock-cut tombs, necropolises) with one of the most memorable sea sights in the region. You also get a local guide to help you connect the dots, not just walk between stones.

The main thing to consider is time on the road. If you’re starting from Alanya/Side, expect a long day, and pickup stops can add extra waiting before you even reach Demre.

Key things that make this tour worth your attention

• Skip-the-line visits at key sites so you spend more time looking and less time stuck at entrances
• Myra’s amphitheater and rock-cut tombs in one guided package, plus the Lycian necropolis context
• Kekova boat trip (about 1 hour) to see the sunken ruins of Simena from the water
• St Nicholas Church in Kale (Demre), a focused stop in a smaller town setting
• Complimentary lunch included, which helps keep a full 16-hour day from feeling rushed

From Alanya/Side to Demre: the ride that sets the pace

This is a full-day outing built around getting you from your hotel area to the Demre region and back. Pickup is from your hotel security gate (main entrance), and the tour runs about 16 hours total, so plan your day accordingly.

Here’s what matters practically: the farther you start from, the more the drive becomes part of the experience. One helpful detail is that you’re not just stuck staring at the bus window the whole time—your time between sites gets structured by the guide and scheduled stops, including a lunch break and the boat portion.

If your hotel group has multiple pickup points, you may feel that delay more than you’d like. The upside is that once you’re in Demre, the day shifts from “transfer time” into “site time,” and that’s where most people feel the value.

Myra’s Lycian necropolis: amphitheater to rock-cut tombs

Myra is the land anchor of the day, set on the banks of the River Myros area. You’ll visit an ancient Greek amphitheater first, which gives you a clear sense of how the site likely functioned as a public space before the Lycian tombs take over the visual story.

Then you move to the rock-cut tombs of the Lycian necropolis. This is one of those stops where a guide really helps. Without interpretation, you can see carved forms and think, “Cool.” With a good explanation, you start noticing how the architecture reads like a map of people’s status and the geography of the cliffside.

For me, the best part is the variety in a compact setting: an amphitheater’s open lines, followed by tombs carved into rock. It’s a sharp contrast that makes you slow down and look, rather than rush from stop to stop.

St Nicholas Church in Kale (Demre): a focused final stop

After the sea and necropolis visits, the day ends with a return to the town of Kale (Demre). This is where you’ll see the church of St. Nicholas, tied directly to Myra’s connection with St. Nicholas of Myra.

This last stop works well for two reasons. First, it gives you a sense of place beyond ruins—Kale feels more like a lived-in town setting than a distant archaeological zone. Second, it’s a natural “bookend” after the historical sites, letting you shift from stone carvings and tombs to a recognizable church space.

If you’re a St. Nicholas fan, or you simply like seeing how places of worship carry history forward, this is the most emotionally direct moment of the day. Don’t expect it to be a long museum-style event; it’s described as a noteworthy church visit, and you’ll get your time there before heading back.

Kekova boat trip and Simena ruins: the sea part you’ll remember

The headline scenic moment is the boat trip over turquoise waters to Kekova Island. The ride is about 1 hour, which is a nice length: long enough to take in the views and see what you came for, but not so long that it dominates your entire day.

From the water, you’ll discover underwater ruins of the sunken city of Simena. That one detail changes how you experience everything on the trip. You’re not only walking through ancient remains anymore—you’re seeing what’s left beneath the surface, surrounded by clear waters around the island.

One practical tip: treat the boat time like the main attraction window. Take photos, but also spend a few quiet minutes just looking—Simena’s underwater ruins are the kind of sight that makes your brain recalibrate and pay attention to the coastline’s shape.

Teimiussa necropolis: the Lycian layer after the water

Before you wrap up for Kale, there’s a stop at the Lycian necropolis at Teimiussa. This is a smart sequence: boat first, then tombs. The sea gives you wide, open visuals, and the necropolis brings you back to the carved, cliffside details that make Lycians so recognizable.

Teimiussa adds variety to the Lycian story you started in Myra. Instead of repeating the same look, you get another necropolis viewpoint, which helps you understand that Lycian burial sites weren’t one isolated “thing.” They were part of how people shaped and used the land.

If you’re the type who likes your history with visual variety, this stop is a good payoff. Even if you’re not chasing every inscription, the necropolis setting gives you that steady, grounded feeling of “this is real place and real rock.”

Lunch in Demre: included fuel, drinks on you

A complimentary lunch is included, and it arrives before the boat sailing. That timing is practical: you’re fed before you shift into water time, and you avoid the stress of hunting for food during the busiest part of the schedule.

The tour data also notes that drinks are not included. So if you want something beyond what’s standard, you’ll need to budget for it separately. This is one of those small details that can change your total cost, especially on a long 16-hour day.

Even with lunch included, keep your expectations simple. It’s there to keep you going through Myra, the necropolises, the boat ride, and the final church stop—not to turn the day into a gourmet food tour.

Price and value: is $71 really fair?

At $71 per person, this tour is priced as a value day, not a bare-bones transfer. What you’re paying for isn’t only sightseeing—it’s the whole package: hotel pickup and drop-off, a tour guide, a complimentary lunch, a Kekova boat trip (about 1 hour), and entrance fees to Demre, Myra, and the St. Nicholas Church.

That entrance-fee bundle matters on a long day. If you were to plan sites on your own, you’d likely spend time figuring out transport between scattered areas, plus pay entry fees separately. Here, the cost is rolled into the tour, and you also get a skip-the-ticket-line benefit.

Language options are English and Russian, and you’ll be guided throughout. For many visitors, that’s the difference between seeing monuments and understanding what you’re looking at.

Who should book this tour, and who should reconsider

This is best for you if you want a single-day circuit that covers the Demre region with a mix of ruins and sea views. It’s also a good match if you like guided context—Myra and the Lycian necropolises can be visually impressive but more meaningful with interpretation.

If you’re sensitive to long drives, plan mentally for the Alanya/Side-to-Demre distance. The day runs about 16 hours, and pickup stops can add extra time before you start site visits. If you’re okay with that tradeoff, the payoff is the combination of Myra plus Kekova’s Simena ruins.

You should also reconsider if you have mobility issues. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments and not suitable for wheelchair users. Comfortable shoes are strongly recommended, since you’ll be moving around ancient sites.

Should you book the Demre, Myra & Kekova tour?

I’d book it if your ideal day in Antalya Province includes a guided sweep of Myra, a meaningful St Nicholas church stop in Kale (Demre), and a boat ride where you actually see Simena’s sunken ruins. The value is strongest when you factor in entrance fees, lunch, pickup/drop-off, and the boat portion.

Skip it if you dread long travel time or you strongly prefer minimal waiting and fewer pickup stops. This is a full-day plan where your comfort with logistics determines how much you enjoy the experience.

If you’re trying to decide between “sea views only” and “ruins only,” this tour does the best trick: it gives you both, in one day, with a guide to tie it together.

FAQ

What’s the duration of the Demre, Myra & Kekova tour?

The tour runs for 16 hours in total. Starting times vary, so check availability for the specific departure.

How long is the boat trip to Kekova?

The boat trip is approximately 1 hour.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

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

What sites are included on the land portion?

You’ll visit Myra, including the ancient Greek amphitheater and the rock-cut tombs of the Lycian necropolis. You’ll also visit the Lycian necropolis at Teimiussa and the church of St. Nicholas in Kale (Demre).

What’s included for the boat portion?

You’ll sail to Kekova Island and see the underwater ruins of the sunken city of Simena.

Is lunch included, and are drinks included?

A complimentary lunch is included. Drinks are not included.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees to Demre, Myra, and the St. Nicholas Church are included.

What languages is the tour guide available in?

The live tour guide is available in English and Russian.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or mobility impairments?

No. It’s not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and it’s not suitable for wheelchair users.

What’s the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.