Demre, Myra & Kekova sunken city tour from Antalya

St. Nicholas Church and the sunken ruins of Kekova in one day

A full-day tour from Antalya to Demre, Myra and the sunken city of Kekova combines two archaeological sites with a boat trip through the Turkish Riviera. You visit the rock tombs and Roman Theatre at Myra, explore St. Nicholas Church in Demre where the bishop lived, then board a boat to see the submerged city of Kekova from the water, with a swimming stop at Ucagiz or Simena.

Step-by-step itinerary

Demre and Kekova boat tour

• Pickup from hotel
• Drive to Myra with break
• Visit Demre rock tombs
• Visit St. Nicholas Church
• Boat trip to sunken city
• Stop for swimming
• Drive back to Antalya
• Transfer to hotel

The experience

The day starts with hotel pickup and a scenic coastal drive west toward Demre. You'll stop briefly along the way before arriving at Myra, where the main archaeological site sits on a hillside overlooking the sea. The rock tombs carved into the cliff face are the centerpiece, a necropolis from the Lycian period, and below them stands the remarkably preserved Roman Theatre. From there you move into Demre itself to visit the Church of St. Nicholas, the bishop who inspired the Santa Claus legend and whose relics were housed here for centuries.

After lunch, you head to the coast and board a boat for the journey to Kekova. The boat passes through Ucagiz and Simena, small settlements on the water, before reaching the sunken city itself. The ruins lie just offshore, visible from the boat as stone foundations and walls beneath the surface. There's a stop for swimming in the clear water, so bring a swimsuit. The return journey follows the same scenic coastal road back to Antalya, arriving in the early evening for hotel drop-off.

The tour runs 11 hours total and includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the boat fee, entry to Myra, lunch, and a guide who speaks English or Russian depending on the group. Wednesday and Friday departures typically operate with a Russian-speaking guide. Kundu and Lara hotels outside the city centre may have adjusted pickup times, and hotels in Belek, Kemer and Side incur an extra transfer fee.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• guide in English or Russian.
• boat tour to the sunken city.
• entry ticket to Myra ancient city.
• lunch.
• insurance.
• fuel surcharge.

Before you book

Lasts 11h, runs every day at 06:00 and 07:00, from US$ 86 per person, with a live guide in English and Russian and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: 06:00Wednesday, Friday and Sunday: 07:00Last departure this season: 15 Nov

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Child (4 to 7 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 27

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 19.39

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by SOLYMOS TRAVEL

Is this one for you?At 11 hours, this tour fills most of the day, leaving time for an early dinner back in Antalya but ruling out other major activities. Book it if you want to see two separate archaeological sites and a boat ride in one outing, or choose a shorter excursion if you need flexibility for other plans.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 7 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is the Church of St. Nicholas in Demre?

The Church of St. Nicholas in Demre is where the bishop St. Nicholas lived and served in the 4th century. He became the historical figure behind the Santa Claus legend, and his shrine drew pilgrims for centuries before his remains were moved to Italy during the Crusades.

Can you see the sunken city of Kekova from the boat?

Yes. The submerged ruins of Kekova lie in shallow water just offshore, and the boat passes directly over and alongside them so you can see the stone structures beneath the surface from the deck.

Is there time to swim during the boat trip?

Yes. The boat stops for swimming in the water near Ucagiz or Simena, so bring a swimsuit and towel if you want to go in.

What are the rock tombs at Myra?

The rock tombs at Myra are a Lycian necropolis carved into the cliff face above the Roman Theatre. The tombs are carved directly into the stone and overlook the theatre below, creating a dramatic archaeological site on the hillside.

How long is the full tour and when do I get back to my hotel?

The tour runs 11 hours from pickup to drop-off. You return to Antalya in the early evening, with hotel drop-off timed to arrive before dark.