Explore Lycian Rock Tombs, St. Nicholas Church & the Sunken City

Sunken ruins and tombs, all in one day. This 11 to 12 hour outing strings together Myra’s Lycian rock tombs, the Church of St. Nicholas in Demre, a quick Demre food moment, and a boat ride along Kekova’s sunken city coast. It’s a lot for one day, but the route makes sense if you like mixing ancient sites with time on the water.

What I like most is the way the tour covers two different eras without wasting time. You get Lycian burial architecture in Myra, then you shift into Byzantine Christian art at St. Nicholas, then you end with Kekova, where the sea shows you what happens when whole parts of a town slip below the shoreline.

One drawback to plan for: the two big museum-style stops are not included in the price. You’ll pay entrance separately for Myra Ancient City and St. Nicholas Church, and there’s no lunch included, so you need a bit of extra spending money for meals on the Demre stop.

Key things to know before you go

• Two paid sights are worth budgeting for upfront (Myra tomb site and St. Nicholas Church).
• Kekova Boat Tour is included, giving you the best perspective on the sunken city area.
• Private-group feel means it’s only your group, with a guide and an air-conditioned vehicle.
• Guide quality matters here, and the name Yosef shows up in feedback for good reason.
• Pickup is organized, but not simple: you’ll be told the exact location since minivans can’t enter Antalya Old Town.

Why Myra and Kekova Work So Well in One Long Day

If you’re in Antalya for a few days, you usually face a choice: either you chase ancient ruins inland, or you chase sea views along the coast. This tour tries to do both, and it keeps the switching between themes efficient. Myra and Demre are close enough to make the history portion feel like a single thread, then Kekova pulls you into a different setting, with the water and coastline doing the talking.

You’ll also appreciate that the experience is structured like a steady rhythm, not a nonstop sprint. There are clear time blocks for each stop (about 1.5 hours each for Myra and St. Nicholas, then a shorter Demre segment, and a 2 hour boat portion at Kekova). That helps you plan your energy and decide how much you want to linger with photos.

Another practical plus: it’s guided. This area has enough moving parts that it’s easy to see stones and miss the story. A good guide ties the Lycian, Byzantine, and coastal geography together so the day feels coherent.

Pickup, Timing, and the Antalya Old Town Reality Check

This tour is designed around pickup and drop-off, and you do not have to figure out buses, transfers, or parking. That’s a real time-saver, especially if you’re staying in central Antalya and don’t want to spend your precious sightseeing hours on logistics.

Still, pay attention to two timing notes. First, the exact pickup time is communicated one day before the excursion, and the notice says it’s around 20:00 o’clock. That might be departure time or part of the schedule from a particular provider pattern, so treat it as an information you must confirm in your message the day before.

Second, minivans cannot enter Antalya Old Town (Kaleiçi). If your hotel is in or near that zone, you will be given a different pickup spot and time. The best move is simple: choose lodging close to your assigned pickup point, even if your hotel name is not listed. Near public transportation is mentioned, which usually helps, because you can often walk or take a short hop to the pickup.

Stop 1: Myra Rock Tombs, the Lycian Burial Art You Can Actually See

Myra is one of those places where the setting and the structures are inseparable. The ruins connect to the Lycian world of west Turkey, on the Teke peninsula area. In modern times, the area evolved into a small town named Kale, and it later took the name Demre in 2005. You’ll also learn how Myra sat near the river Myros, also called Demre Çay, in a fertile plain framed by mountain ranges and the Aegean coast.

What makes the rock tombs special is that they’re not just ruins in the abstract. They’re carved into rock surfaces you can walk among. You’ll get about 1 hour 30 minutes here, and that’s long enough to slow down and notice architectural details rather than just snapping a few quick photos.

A practical consideration: this is the type of site where comfort matters. Even if the route is manageable, you’ll likely do some walking on uneven surfaces, and you’ll want sun protection and water. The tour does not mention what is provided beyond guiding and transport, so you should plan as if you’re in the elements.

Also, the admission ticket for Myra Ancient City is not included. Budget separately (the listing gives a price in euros), and bring a payment method you can use confidently.

Stop 2: The Church of St. Nicholas, From Byzantine Beginnings to Today’s Building

After Myra’s Lycian tombs, the day shifts into Byzantine Christian territory. The Church of St. Nicholas at Myra was originally built by the Eastern Roman, meaning Byzantine, Empire in the 6th century. Over time, the main church building that visitors see today was constructed mainly from the 8th century onward for the Byzantine Greek inhabitants, and later a Greek Orthodox monastery was added in the second half of the 11th century.

What I like about this stop is that it gives you a clear timeline, not just a name on a sign. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys how buildings layer over time, this is your kind of stop. In other words, you’re not only looking at a church, you’re looking at a sequence of changes that reflect who lived here and how religious life shifted across centuries.

You’ll have about 1 hour 30 minutes. That’s enough to take in the key features without feeling rushed, and it matches the pace of the rest of the day.

As with Myra, the admission ticket for St. Nicholas Church is not included. So the smartest planning approach is to decide early that you will pay these fees, then show up ready. This reduces stress at the gate and keeps you in control of your schedule.

Stop 3: Demre (Kale), a Food-Focused Break That’s Short but Useful

The Demre segment is different from the archaeology and church stops, and I think that’s what keeps the day from feeling like a museum marathon. You’ll spend about 1 hour here, and instead of a formal sit-down meal included in the price, it’s framed as a gastronomic journey led by your guide.

The tour description emphasizes street food stalls and local restaurants, and it specifically says your guide will introduce you to culinary delights and navigate you to authentic local favorites. You’re encouraged to trust the guide’s knowledge and Turkish cuisine passion, with examples like kebabs and mezes on the savory side, and baklava and Turkish delight for sweets.

Here’s the practical side: since lunch is not included, this is a flexible break where you can choose what fits you best. If you love sampling, use this hour to try smaller items. If you want a more filling meal, plan that your spending will be higher.

Another reason this stop works: Demre is connected to the same ancient area as Myra. So your food break isn’t a random detour. It’s a chance to rest your feet a little while staying in the same general cultural zone.

Stop 4: Kekova Island and the Sunken City Boat Tour

Kekova is where the day turns visually dramatic. The sunken city area is associated with Kekova Island, also called Caravola. It’s near Demre, and it connects to nearby ancient sites across villages like Kaleköy, plus areas tied to ancient Simena and Üçağız, with the ancient Teimioussa referenced in the route.

The description also gives you a key fact that helps you understand what you’re seeing: Kekova is uninhabited, and the area is about 4.5 km². When a place is shaped by water, erosion, and past shoreline changes, the ruins can look scattered. A boat perspective helps you understand the relationship between modern coastline and submerged structures.

This is the part where the tour is at its best value. The boat tour for about 2 hours is included, and that is the kind of add-on cost you might easily pay separately if you organized everything yourself. Even if you’re not a hardcore boat person, this ride is the easiest way to appreciate what the sunken city looks like from the waterline.

What I’d watch for: sun and comfort. A boat segment often means more open sky time, and the description says it requires good weather for the experience. So pack for sun, bring water, and think about light layers in case it cools off near the sea.

Price and Value: Does $208.50 Make Sense Here?

At $208.50 per person, the big question is what you’re truly buying. This is not a cheap ride, but you are paying for a bundled day: guided storytelling, round-trip pick-up and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a 2 hour Kekova boat tour.

The two main trade-offs are also clear. Entrance fees for St. Nicholas Church and Myra Ancient City are not included, and lunch is not included. That means your total spending depends on how you handle meals and how you feel about visiting paid sites rather than just viewing exteriors.

Here’s how I’d assess value before you book:

• If you want the boat portion and would otherwise pay for it, the included tour helps justify the price.
• If you’re happy to pay entrance tickets (and you should, because these are the key sights), you won’t feel hit with surprise costs later.
• If you’re traveling solo, the private-group setup may not feel as cost-effective, though the listing mentions group discounts. If you can go with friends and split the cost, it can turn into a very fair deal for an all-in-day plan.

So for your money, you’re getting convenience plus two major guided stops plus water time, not just transportation.

The Guide Factor: When Yosef Is Your Pilot Through the Day

One of the most praised parts of this experience is the guide. Feedback highlights Yosef as knowledgeable and as someone who genuinely enjoys his job, and that shows up in how the day feels. When a guide brings energy and clarity, it changes how the tombs and church land in your brain. You don’t just see carvings and walls, you understand why they matter.

I can also see why the guide gets credit for this route. The day spans Lycian and Byzantine eras, then shifts into modern Turkish food tastes, then ends with a sea-shaped landscape and sunken ruins. That mix is exactly where a guide helps. Without that, it’s easy for the day to become a checklist.

Who Should Book This Tour, and Who Might Prefer a Different Plan

This tour is a strong match if you:

• Want one day that combines rock tombs, a famous church, a food break, and a boat ride.
• Prefer being guided rather than stitching together multiple transport legs on your own.
• Like history, but also want a change of pace with sea views.

It might be less ideal if you:

• Hate paying separate entrance fees and prefer everything bundled.
• Want a full meal included, since lunch is not included in the itinerary.
• Need a very early departure plan clarified ahead of time. Pickup timing is sent the day before, and the notice says around 20:00, so confirm what that means for your actual schedule.

If you’re flexible and ready to budget a bit for admissions and snacks, this is the kind of tour that makes your Antalya region time feel efficient without feeling robotic.

Should You Book Explore Lycian Rock Tombs, St. Nicholas Church & the Sunken City?

I’d book it if your priority is getting to the big highlights in one guided day: Myra’s Lycian rock tombs, the Church of St. Nicholas, and a Kekova boat tour over the sunken city area. The included transport plus the boat makes it more worthwhile than many similar itineraries that charge extra for the water portion.

I’d hesitate only if you strongly dislike separate entrance fees, or if you want a longer Demre food meal with no decision-making. Since lunch is not included, you’ll be choosing how you eat during that short break.

One last practical tip: when your pickup time arrives, double-check how it connects to your hotel location, especially if you’re near Antalya Old Town. Since the minibus cannot enter Kaleiçi, your pickup point may be slightly different than you expect.

FAQ

What sites are included on this tour?

The tour includes rock tombs in Myra, the Church of St. Nicholas, a Demre stop for a food experience, and a Kekova Island boat tour related to the sunken city area.

How long is the experience?

The duration is about 11 to 12 hours.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. The tour includes pick-up and drop-off service in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Are entrance tickets included for Myra and St. Nicholas?

No. The listing states that tickets for St. Nicholas Church and Myra Ancient City are not included.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch is not included, so you’ll need to plan your own meal during the Demre food stop.

What is included with the Kekova part?

The Kekova boat tour for about 2 hours is included.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Is this tour private?

Yes, it’s a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates.

What happens if weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.