A sunken city by glass-bottom boat. This full-day trip links the Turquoise Coast sights around Kekova with Myra’s dramatic rock-cut tombs and Demre’s St. Nicholas Church area. It is a long day, but it is built for variety, boat time, and big ancient-site energy without needing a car.

I especially like the hotel pickup and drop-off from Kemer. You start early, you do not have to figure out transport, and the day stays organized enough that you can focus on the sights.

One drawback to plan for: parts cost extra. Lunch is included, but drinks and entrance fees are not, and the St Nicholas Church visit can add a noticeable extra charge.

Key points before you go

• Kekova boat cruise with views of the sunken city ruins
• Myra rock-cut tombs in a major Lycian necropolis setting
• St. Nicholas Church in Demre related to the Santa Claus story
• Lunch included plus the chance to buy gifts on the way
• Up to 35 people, with many departures feeling like small-group days

Kemer pickup, timing, and how this long day really feels

This is a 9-hour day trip that starts at 8:00 am. Pickup happens from your hotel’s security gate, which is great if you do not want to chase directions or wait at a distant meeting point.

The day is built on getting you down to the coast and back. Expect substantial time in a vehicle on curvy roads, so you will want to bring patience for the travel piece, not just the sightseeing piece. If you get car sick easily, plan ahead.

One practical tip from the pattern of past experiences: the day can include bathroom or refreshment breaks on the way to the boat. If you hate rushed stops, go early in the morning mindset and keep your expectations flexible.

Kekova Island and the sunken city: what you can (and cannot) see

The highlight for most people is the Kekova Island boat trip. This is where you look out over the water and take in the ruins of the ancient sunken city.

The boat experience is marketed as a glass-bottom setup, but clarity can vary. Some people have reported that the view through the glass was not as clear as they expected, so if your main goal is crystal-clear underwater ruins, keep your expectations realistic. You are seeing history through boat-time optics, not a scuba-level window.

There is still plenty to enjoy even when the underwater view feels limited. The ruins are not only underwater in the way you might imagine. You also get the broader coastline context as you cruise along, and that helps the whole story click.

If you care about sea life: several accounts mention seeing sea turtles in the area. You should not count on it like a guarantee, but it is a nice reminder that this part of the coast is alive, not just old.

A key consideration is time distribution. The sunken city viewing is usually a slice of the day. If you want a longer, slower boat experience, this tour is more about stacking sites than lingering in one place.

Myra rock tombs: the real ancient punch of the day

Myra is your big land-based ancient site. You will spend about 2 hours at the rock-cut tombs in Myra, and this is where the day shifts from sea views to monumental stone architecture.

These tombs matter because they show how the Lycian world treated death as part of the landscape of daily life. Instead of isolated structures, you get carved rooms and facades cut directly into rock, designed to be seen and revisited across generations.

In hot weather, this stop can feel intense. If you are traveling in summer, it is smart to plan for sun and heat, because you are walking around outdoors in a necropolis setting. If you burn easily, you will want sun protection, not just a hat.

One more timing note: while the stop is listed as 2 hours, some past days have felt shorter on the ground. If Myra is the main reason you booked, arrive mentally ready to make every minute count. Focus on wide views first, then details like cut shapes and placement.

Demre and the Church of St. Nicholas: worth it, if you plan for the cost

Demre’s Church of St. Nicholas is tied to the story that helped shape the Santa Claus character. The site itself is a big draw for people who like that mix of legend and Christian pilgrimage tradition.

Here is the cost reality. Entry to the church is not included in the tour price. The tour information lists entrance fees, and multiple past experiences cite extra church entry costs around the late teens to low twenties per person. That means you should treat this stop as an add-on rather than an automatic included visit.

Also, the way the church fits into the street area can affect your experience. Some people have reported that you cannot really see much from the road and ended up feeling stuck waiting for the group to complete the stop. If you are not planning to go inside, you might spend more time passing the time outside than exploring.

So, how do you decide? If St. Nicholas is meaningful to you, budget for it and go in. If you are mainly there for the tombs and the coast, it may be a reasonable choice to skip the interior visit and use the time differently.

Lunch in Demre: included, and often better than you’d expect

Lunch is included, and it is usually a solid break in the middle of the day. Past experiences describe it as a fresh, enjoyable Turkish meal, not just a quick assembly-line buffet.

This is also when the day becomes more personal. Some days include choice of meals with your guide. Either way, you will be thankful for the sit-down after boat and walking.

Two planning points:

• Drinks are extra, so you may want to pace water and save room for something cold if that matters to you.
• Lunch timing can affect how you feel about the later stops. If you go in hungry and then overspend on drinks, the rest of the day can feel longer than it needs to.

Price and value: does $66.08 really make sense?

At $66.08 per person, this tour is priced to bundle the big-ticket pieces: hotel pickup and drop-off, the Kekova boat cruise, and lunch. That is the core value.

What can change the final cost is what is not included. Drinks are not included, and entrance fees are listed as extra. On top of that, St. Nicholas Church entry can add a separate cost if you go inside.

Here is the way I frame value for this kind of day trip:

• If you want boat time plus major ancient sites without arranging transport, the included pickup alone can feel worth it.
• If you are traveling with multiple people and you would otherwise pay for separate boat tickets and guided site access, the package becomes even more attractive.
• If you hate paying add-ons at the end, you will want to budget for those church and general entrance fees from the start.

Also watch for shopping time. Some past days have included visits to stone or souvenir shops. Buying is optional, but stop time is still stop time. If you want every minute to be history and coast, that is part of the cost you pay in time.

Group size, guide style, and comfort on the road

The tour runs with a maximum of 35 travelers, and many departures feel smaller in practice. Some people have described around 10 people on the boat, while others noted a coach size closer to 15 to 20.

You will also want to consider the language setup. The tour is offered in English, and there may be multi-lingual guides depending on demand. One guide name that shows up in past experiences is Alp, praised for being entertaining and informative.

Comfort is mostly about transport fit and vehicle condition. Some days are smooth and air-conditioned, and pick-up has been reported as on time. Other experiences have mentioned vehicle seating that felt tight or microphone audio that could be hard to hear.

If you are sensitive to sound or you really want your guide’s commentary, sit closer to the guide when possible. Bring patience for a long day, because the schedule depends on roads, pickups, and the timing of boat departures.

Who this tour is best for (and who should rethink it)

This works best for you if:

• You want one organized day that combines sea ruins, tombs, and Demre.
• You like guided context, including why sites matter and how the region’s stories connect.
• You enjoy boat travel and the chance to see sea turtles, even if it is not guaranteed.

It might be less ideal if:

• You are only interested in the sunken city and expect an extended, underwater-focused experience. The best part is real, but it is still a shorter section of the day.
• You dislike extra costs and surprise timing. St. Nicholas Church entry is extra, and entrance fees should be part of your budget.
• You hate any shopping stops that eat time. Some departures include partner souvenir shop stops, and that can feel annoying if you booked for pure sightseeing.

Location also matters. If you are based farther away than Kemer, you may feel the transport time more than you enjoy the sites. If you are in Kemer, the trip fits better.

Should you book the Sunken City Kekova, Demre, and Myra Day Tour from Kemer?

I think you should book if you want a balanced day: a boat along the coast, Myra’s rock-cut tombs as your anchor ancient site, and Demre as a cultural finale with St. Nicholas Church as an optional add-on you can budget for.

Before you commit, do two things to set yourself up for a good day:

• Budget for entrance fees and plan for extra church entry if St. Nicholas matters to you.
• Bring swim readiness in your planning. Multiple people report time to swim from the boat, even when it is not front-and-center in the basics.

If you prefer long, slow, single-site experiences, or if your main goal is the clearest possible underwater ruin photography, you might want to look for something more focused. But if you like structured days with a guide, you get a lot of variety here for the price.

FAQ

How long is the Sunken City Kekova, Demre, and Myra Day Tour from Kemer?

It is listed as approximately 9 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:00 am.

Where do I get picked up in Kemer?

Pickup is from your hotel’s security gate.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included.

Are drinks included with the tour?

No. Drinks are not included.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees are not included, and the tour notes entrance fees around 30€.

Is St. Nicholas Church included in the price?

Entry to the Church of St. Nicholas is not included, so you should expect an extra charge if you want to go inside.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English, and the tour may be operated by a multi-lingual guide depending on circumstances.

Is there a maximum group size?

Yes. The tour has a maximum of 35 travelers.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts.