Demre, Myra, Kekova & Sunken City Tour from Kemer
11 hours | Starts at 08:50
Max Guests: 40
Some days on holiday stay with you forever — not because of the beach or the pool, but because of what you discovered. The Demre Myra Kekova tour from Kemer is one of those days. In a single journey you will sail over a city swallowed by the sea, stand in an ancient amphitheatre carved two thousand years ago and visit the church where the real Saint Nicholas was buried. History rarely comes this close.
Calendar & Price
Kekova — The Sunken City
The centrepiece of this tour is unlike anything else on the Turkish coast. Kekova is an entire ancient town that now lies beneath the surface of the Mediterranean, submerged by a catastrophic earthquake that sent the land sliding into the sea centuries ago. The salt water has preserved the ruins remarkably well — walls, staircases, doorways and even a Byzantine church can still be made out beneath the surface. Your glass-bottomed boat moves slowly over the site, giving you a clear view down into the water as your guide explains what you are looking at. It is an extraordinary and quietly moving experience — a whole world suspended in silence beneath you.
Myra — Rock Tombs and the Ancient Theatre
From the water you travel inland to the ancient Lycian city of Myra, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Turkey. The rock tombs here are among the finest examples of Lycian funerary architecture anywhere in the world — carved directly into towering cliff faces with extraordinary precision and detail, some dating back to the fourth century BC. Below the tombs, the Roman theatre is remarkably well preserved. Walking through it, standing on the same stone that audiences stood on two thousand years ago, gives a genuine sense of the depth of history this region carries.
Demre — The Church of Saint Nicholas
The town of Demre holds a place in history that is known across the world, even if most people do not realise it. This is where Saint Nicholas — the bishop whose generosity and kindness gave rise to the legend of Father Christmas — lived, worked and was buried. The ancient East Roman basilica church built in his honour is now a museum and welcomes visitors from across the world. More than half a million pilgrims and tourists come here each year to see the tomb and learn about the man behind one of the most enduring myths in human history.
The Journey and the Lunch
The day begins with an early hotel pickup from Kemer — the drive south along the coast is scenic and the landscape changes as you head deeper into the Lycian region. An open buffet lunch is served during the day, giving you time to recover between the historic sites before the boat trip back across Kekova. The tour runs three times a week and the whole day, from pickup to return, takes around fourteen hours — a long day, but one that rewards every minute of it.
Included/Exclude
Additional services marked with * can be added to the total cost of the excursion during the checkout process.
Hotel Transfer
Guiding Service
Full Insurance
Lunch
Boat Trip
Myra Entrance Fees
St. Nicholas Church Entrance Fees *
Drinks
Personal Spendings
Bring with you
Hiking clothes and shoes
Personal spending money
Proof of child’s age
Sunscreen
Swimwear
Tour Plan
- Transfer from Hotel
An early start from your Kemer hotel — pickup is between 7:30 and 8:30 in a comfortable air-conditioned bus. The drive south takes you along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Turkish Mediterranean coast as you head towards the Lycian region.
- Myra Ancient City
Your first stop is the ancient Lycian city of Myra. Here you will see the extraordinary rock-cut tombs carved into the cliff faces high above you, and the remarkably well-preserved Roman amphitheatre below. Your guide will bring the history of this site to life as you explore.
- St. Nicholas Church, Demre
A short drive brings you to the town of Demre and the ancient basilica church of Saint Nicholas — the real Father Christmas. Now a museum, the church contains the original tomb and stunning Byzantine mosaics. One of the most quietly powerful places you will visit in Turkey.
- Open Buffet Lunch
After a morning of history, a generous open buffet lunch is served at a local restaurant. Time to rest, eat well and prepare for the highlight of the afternoon on the water.
- Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip
Board your glass-bottomed boat and sail slowly over the submerged ruins of the ancient city of Kekova. Your guide points out the walls, staircases and Byzantine church visible beneath the crystal-clear water. An experience that is completely unique to this part of the world.
- Simena Castle & Üçağız Village
The boat also passes the hilltop ruins of Simena Castle and the charming waterside village of Üçağız — a collection of ancient sarcophagi sitting among the houses right at the water's edge. A perfect final image to close the day.
- Return to Kemer
Your bus returns you to Kemer in the early evening, arriving back at your hotel by around 8:30. A long but deeply rewarding day behind you.
Frequently ask Question
How far is Demre from Side?
The distance between Side and Demre is 215 km. Taking into account stops at hotels and for breakfast, the bus takes 4.5 hours to cover this distance.
Will the tour be of interest to children?
It's worth choosing a different excursion if your child isn't particularly interested in history.
Client’s Review
Book With Confidence
Customer care available 24/7
Hand-picked Tours & Activities
Free Travel Insureance
No-hassle best price guarantee
You may like
7
0
Suluada Island Boat Trip from Kemer | Turkish Maldives
8
0
Antalya City Tour from Kemer | Waterfalls, Old Town & Boat Trip
9
0
Pamukkale Tour from Kemer | Cotton Castle & Hierapolis
Sarah Mitchell
3The sunken city at Kekova was genuinely impressive and I am glad I did the tour. However the day is extremely long — we were picked up at 7am and didn’t get back until nearly 9pm. The bus journey is quite tiring and the sites feel slightly rushed. The guide was good though and the lunch was fine. Worth doing once but be prepared for a long day.
Anna Kowalska
5Niesamowita wycieczka! Zatopione miasto Kekova to coś absolutnie wyjątkowego — widok ruin pod wodą przez szklane dno łodzi był niesamowity. Skalne groby w Myrze zrobiły na mnie ogromne wrażenie, a kościół Świętego Mikołaja w Demre był bardzo wzruszający. Przewodnik był świetny. Gorąco polecam!
William Hughes
5The history on this tour is simply staggering. A sunken city, a 2000-year-old amphitheatre and the tomb of Saint Nicholas — all in one day. The guide brought everything to life beautifully. The glass-bottomed boat over Kekova was the highlight for me personally but every single stop was wonderful. One of the best tours I have ever taken anywhere in the world.
Lars Eriksson
5En fantastisk dag fylld med historia! Den sjunkna staden Kekova är verkligen unik — att se ruinerna under vattnet genom glasbotten var en magisk upplevelse. Klipptomberna i Myra var imponerande och Nikolauskyrkan i Demre var mycket gripande. Guiden var kunnig och engagerad. Varmt rekommenderas!
Katarzyna Nowak
4Bardzo ciekawa wycieczka! Kekova i zatopione miasto były absolutnym hitem — widok ruin pod wodą był niesamowity. Myra i kościół Świętego Mikołaja również były bardzo interesujące. Jedynym minusem jest bardzo wczesna pobudka i długa podróż autobusem. Dla miłośników historii zdecydowanie warta polecenia.
Pieter van den Berg
5Geweldige tour! De gezonken stad Kekova is echt iets bijzonders — door de glazen bodem van de boot kun je de oude muren en trappen onder water duidelijk zien. De rotstombes in Myra waren indrukwekkend en de Sint Nicolaaskerk in Demre was heel ontroerend. De gids was professioneel en informatief. Zeker aan te raden!
Charlotte Davies
5We came to Turkey expecting beaches and sunshine but this tour gave us something far more profound. Standing in the Roman theatre at Myra was a moment I will never forget. The boat trip over the sunken city was magical — you can see the ancient walls so clearly through the water. The guide was brilliant throughout. Highly recommend.
David Wilson
5Took my wife for our anniversary and we both agreed it was the best day of the entire holiday. The sunken city is genuinely one of the most extraordinary things either of us has ever seen. The guide was knowledgeable and passionate about the history. Lunch was excellent. The drive back along the coast was beautiful. Perfect day.
Zofia Dąbrowska
3Ciekawa wycieczka, ale bardzo długi dzień. Kekova i zatopione miasto były naprawdę imponujące. Jednak podróż autobusem była dość męcząca, a czas spędzony w każdym miejscu był trochę za krótki. Obiad był w porządku. Dla miłośników historii warta rozważenia, ale trzeba się nastawić na bardzo wczesną pobudkę i długi dzień.
Emma Virtanen
3Mielenkiintoinen retki, mutta hyvin pitkä päivä. Kekovan uponnut kaupunki oli todella vaikuttava ja glasipohjainen vene oli hieno idea. Myran kalliohautomat olivat myös näyttäviä. Bussimatkat olivat kuitenkin melko väsyttäviä ja aikataulu tuntui kiireiseltä. Hyvä vaihtoehto historiaharrastajille, mutta varautukaa pitkään päivään.
Ingrid Larsson
5En oförglömlig historisk upplevelse! Den sjunkna staden Kekova är helt unik — att se ruinerna under vattnet var en magisk upplevelse. Klipptomberna i Myra var imponerande och Nikolauskyrkan i Demre var djupt gripande. Guiden var väldigt kunnig och engagerad under hela dagen. Absolut värt att göra!
Grace O'Sullivan
5A day that reminded me why travel matters. Kekova is haunting and beautiful in equal measure — seeing a whole city beneath the water makes you think about time and history in a completely different way. Myra was extraordinary and the St. Nicholas Church was deeply moving. I came back to the hotel exhausted and completely satisfied.
Aleksandra Kowalczyk
5Najlepsza wycieczka podczas pobytu w Kemer! Kekova to absolutnie wyjątkowe miejsce — widok zatopionego miasta przez szklane dno łodzi był niesamowity. Skalne groby w Myrze były imponujące, a kościół Świętego Mikołaja w Demre był bardzo wzruszający. Przewodnik był świetny i bardzo pomocny. Polecam z całego serca!
James Fletcher
5An absolutely incredible day. The sunken city of Kekova is unlike anything I have ever seen — sailing over the ruins on the glass-bottomed boat and seeing walls and staircases beneath the water is genuinely breathtaking. Myra was stunning and the St. Nicholas Church in Demre was deeply moving. A long day but worth every minute.
Pieter van den Berg
3De gezonken stad Kekova was echt indrukwekkend en het hoogtepunt van de dag. De busreizen waren echter behoorlijk lang en vermoeiend. De tijd op elke locatie voelde een beetje gehaast aan. Het eten was redelijk. Voor geschiedenisliefhebbers zeker de moeite waard, maar reken op een zeer lange en vermoeiende dag.
Lukas Bauer
4Sehr interessanter Ausflug! Die versunkene Stadt Kekova war wirklich beeindruckend und der Glasbodenbott war eine tolle Idee. Myra und die Nikolauskirche waren ebenfalls sehenswert. Die Mittagspause war gut und das Essen war lecker. Einziger Wermutstropfen war die sehr lange Fahrtzeit. Trotzdem sehr empfehlenswert.
Michael O'Brien
5I have travelled extensively across the Mediterranean and this tour stands out as one of the finest days I have ever spent. Kekova is simply extraordinary — the preservation of the ruins beneath the water is remarkable. Myra surprised me with its scale and the theatre is in wonderful condition. The St. Nicholas Church is a genuinely special place.
Sophie Wagner
5Ein unvergesslicher Tag! Die versunkene Stadt Kekova hat uns sprachlos gemacht — durch den Glasboden des Bootes konnte man die alten Mauern und Treppen unter dem Wasser deutlich sehen. Die Felsengräber in Myra waren beeindruckend und die Nikolauskirche in Demre war sehr bewegend. Absolut empfehlenswert!
Aoife Murphy
4A really interesting day out with some genuinely special moments. Kekova was the undoubted highlight — seeing the ruins under the water is something you simply cannot experience anywhere else. Myra was impressive and the St. Nicholas Church was fascinating. The day is very long though and the early start is tough. Worth it overall.
Marie Dubois
4Une très belle excursion! Kekova et sa ville engloutie sont vraiment spectaculaires. Les tombes de Myra étaient impressionnantes et l’église Saint-Nicolas était intéressante. La journée est longue et le trajet en bus peut être fatigant, mais les sites valent vraiment le détour. Je recommande malgré tout cette excursion.
Rebecca Taylor
5The most historically rich day I have ever spent on holiday. Kekova stopped me in my tracks — there is something deeply moving about seeing an entire civilisation preserved beneath the water. The theatre at Myra is extraordinary. The St. Nicholas Church is a place you feel rather than just see. A truly special tour.
Emma Laurent
5Une journée absolument inoubliable! La ville engloutie de Kekova est un spectacle unique au monde — voir les ruines sous l’eau depuis le bateau à fond de verre était magique. Les tombes rupestres de Myra étaient impressionnantes et l’église Saint-Nicolas à Demre était très émouvante. Notre guide était excellent. Je recommande vivement!
Markus Weber
4Ein lohnenswerter Ausflug für Geschichtsinteressierte. Die versunkene Stadt Kekova war wirklich beeindruckend — durch den Glasboden des Bootes konnte man die alten Ruinen gut sehen. Die Felsengräber in Myra waren ebenfalls sehr schön. Der Tag ist sehr lang, daher sollte man gut ausgeruht sein. Insgesamt empfehlenswert.
Thomas Kaufmann
4Schöner Ausflug mit beeindruckenden historischen Stätten. Kekova war das Highlight des Tages — die Ruinen unter dem Wasser sind wirklich faszinierend. Das antike Theater in Myra war ebenfalls sehr beeindruckend. Der Tag ist allerdings sehr lang und anstrengend. Für Geschichtsinteressierte definitiv empfehlenswert.
Nathalie Leroy
5Une expérience historique et culturelle exceptionnelle! Kekova et sa ville engloutie sont à couper le souffle. Les tombes lyciennes de Myra sont parmi les plus belles que j’aie jamais vues. L’église Saint-Nicolas à Demre est un lieu chargé d’émotion et d’histoire. Le déjeuner était copieux et délicieux. Je reviendrai sans hésiter!
Finn Jensen
5Fantastisk historisk oplevelse! Den sunkne by Kekova er virkelig unik — at se ruinerne under vandet fra glasbundsbåden var magisk. Klippegravene i Myra var imponerende og Nikolauskirken i Demre var meget bevægende. Vores guide var meget vidende og engageret. Vil varmt anbefale denne tur til alle!
Jan Novák
5Úžasný výlet! Potopené město Kekova je něco naprosto výjimečného — vidět ruiny pod vodou skrze skleněné dno lodi bylo neuvěřitelné. Skalní hrobky v Myře byly ohromující a kostel svatého Mikuláše v Demre byl velmi dojemný. Průvodce byl výborný a velmi informativní. Rozhodně doporučuji!
Oliver Schmidt
4Ein sehr schöner Ausflug mit viel Geschichte. Die versunkene Stadt Kekova war das absolute Highlight — wirklich beeindruckend. Myra und die Nikolauskirche waren ebenfalls interessant. Mein einziger Kritikpunkt ist, dass der Tag sehr lang ist und man recht früh aufstehen muss. Insgesamt aber eine sehr empfehlenswerte Tour.
Tobias Müller
5Einfach wunderschön! Die versunkene Stadt Kekova hat uns völlig fasziniert — die Ruinen unter dem kristallklaren Wasser sind durch den Glasboden des Bootes perfekt sichtbar. Das antike Theater in Myra war beeindruckend und die Nikolauskirche in Demre war sehr bewegend. Ein langer aber absolut lohnenswerter Tag!
Hans Mueller
3Interessanter Ausflug, aber der Tag war wirklich sehr lang und anstrengend. Die Busfahrten haben viel Zeit in Anspruch genommen. Kekova war beeindruckend, aber für Myra und Demre hätte ich mir mehr Zeit gewünscht. Das Mittagessen war in Ordnung. Für sehr geschichtsinteressierte Reisende sicher empfehlenswert, aber man sollte die Länge des Tages einplanen.
Only tourists who have visited this tour can add a review