Myra St Nicholas and Kekova Tour
Join a private guided 8-hour tour from Antalya to Demre and Kekova, including St. Nicholas Church, Myra Ancient Site, Ucagiz Harbour boat trip, Simena Castle views, and the Sunken City.
Highlights
- St Nicholas Church and Santa Claus tomb in Demre
- Myra Ancient City theater and Lycian rock tombs
- Scenic Mediterranean coastal transfer route
- Ucagiz Harbor boarding point for Kekova waters
- Boat cruise over the Sunken City remains
- Simena Castle hilltop panorama and Kalekoy view
- Private guided full-day Demre and Kekova program
Myra St Nicholas and Kekova Tour
Join a private guided 8-hour tour from Antalya to Demre and Kekova, including St. Nicholas Church, Myra Ancient Site, Ucagiz Harbour boat trip, Simena Castle views, and the Sunken City.
Itinerary
This Myra St Nicholas and Kekova tour is prepared for travelers who want both cultural heritage and Mediterranean coastal scenery in one day. The itinerary starts from Antalya and runs privately for around 8 hours with licensed guide and private vehicle. It is structured to cover Demre and Myra first, then continue to Ucagiz and Kekova boat highlights. Visitors seeking a private guided Kekova tour from Antalya often prefer this format for efficient planning and flexible pace. the route follows the listed highlights exactly. It is well suited for history-focused travelers and small groups.
The first main stop is St. Nicholas Church in Demre, where guided context explains religious significance and local history. From there, the route continues to Myra Ancient Site for theater and rock-cut tomb sections. This stage is especially useful for guests interested in a combined Demre St Nicholas Church and tomb and Myra archaeology visit. The guide supports route flow and timing so site exploration remains comfortable. The land portion gives strong historical depth before the coastal segment begins. This creates a balanced full-day structure.
After Demre-Myra, the program moves to Ucagiz Harbour for the Kekova boat route and Sunken City views. The Simena coastline and castle zone add panoramic scenery and additional historical atmosphere. Travelers planning an Ucagiz to Simena Castle cruise with submerged ruins often find this itinerary highly practical. Included services are licensed guide, private deluxe A/C vehicle, parking fees, local taxes, and pickup-drop-off from Antalya. Entrance fees, gratuities, lunch-drinks, and personal expenses are excluded according to official details. Overall, this is a complete sunken city ruins Kekova day tour with Myra and Demre highlights.
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Hotel Pickup in Antalya
Meet your guide and depart toward Demre and Kekova.
Pickup from Antalya hotel, airport, or meeting point before the western coastal transfer route.
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Finike and Kumluca Coastal Corridor
Scenic coastal transfer section toward Demre.
The route passes the Finike-Kumluca coastline, one of the main Mediterranean road corridors in Antalya province.
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St Nicholas Church (Demre)
Guided visit of the church and Santa Claus tomb area.
St Nicholas Church in Demre is a major Christian heritage site linked to the 4th-century bishop Saint Nicholas.
St Nicholas Church (Demre) is one of the most meaningful heritage stops on the Lycian coast, linking the region to the historical figure who later became known worldwide as Santa Claus. The church is important not because it overwhelms with size, but because it carries such a powerful legacy of memory, devotion, and cultural continuity. Visiting it in Demre gives that familiar story a much more grounded and authentic setting. The result is both surprising and memorable.
The atmosphere here is reflective, especially when you remember that the site belongs to a broader landscape of Lycian tombs, churches, and ancient coastal routes. For many visitors, the stop becomes more moving than expected because it connects a global tradition to a very specific local place. This gives Demre unusual character within the southwest coast itinerary. It is a heritage stop with real emotional and historical weight.
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Myra Ancient City
Explore theater and Lycian rock tomb zones.
Myra is one of Lycia's most important ancient cities, known for monumental cliff tombs and a Roman theater.
Myra Ancient City is one of Lycia's most striking archaeological sites, where dramatic rock-cut tombs and a substantial Roman theatre stand close enough to create an unforgettable first impression. The cliff tomb façades immediately set the site apart, because they seem to turn the mountain itself into a memorial landscape. Combined with the theatre below, they reveal a city that was both culturally sophisticated and visually bold. Even if you have visited other ancient cities, Myra feels distinctive because of this powerful vertical setting. It is one of the highlights of the Lycian route for good reason.
As you explore, try to take in the relationship between burial tradition, public architecture, and natural terrain. Myra tells a story not only of urban life, but of how the Lycian world expressed status and memory in stone. The theatre adds another dimension, showing the city's later Roman life and civic scale. This stop rewards both careful observation and simple visual enjoyment, because the site is dramatic even before you study the details. For many travelers, Myra becomes one of the most photogenic and memorable ancient stops in southern Turkey.
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Lunch Break in Demre Area
Free time for lunch before Ucagiz harbor transfer.
A planned lunch break is scheduled between Demre archaeological visits and Kekova boat program.
A lunch break in the Demre area fits naturally between the region's archaeological stops and the onward move toward Ucagiz and Kekova. The area still carries the quiet Mediterranean character of the Lycian coast, so the meal tends to feel relaxed rather than rushed. After church and tomb visits, the break gives the day a welcome reset. It is simple, but very well placed.
For lunch, coastal Turkish dishes are the best match. Grilled fish or meats, meze, vegetable dishes, and lighter Mediterranean plates suit the route particularly well, especially before boarding or continuing by the sea. A brief tea afterward can be enough to restore the pace for the afternoon. The stop adds comfort without breaking the regional mood.
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Ucagiz Harbor
Boarding point for the Kekova boat segment.
Ucagiz Harbor is the departure point for boat routes toward Kekova and the Sunken City area.
Ucagiz Harbor is a small and appealing departure point that introduces the quieter maritime character of the Kekova region. Unlike a large marina, the harbor feels local, compact, and closely connected to village life. Boats, waterfront views, and the calm rhythm of the bay immediately prepare you for a different pace of travel. It is the kind of place where the journey out on the water already feels like part of the destination.
This harbor is especially pleasant because it acts as a soft threshold between road travel and coastal exploration. As you board here, the mood changes from overland sightseeing to sea-based discovery among coves, ruins, and village silhouettes. The setting also gives you a sense of how naturally boats belong to daily life in this part of the coast. Even a short stop at Ucagiz can feel atmospheric and distinctly Mediterranean.
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Kekova Sunken City Cruise
Boat segment over submerged historical shoreline.
The Kekova Sunken City preserves partially submerged walls and structures along the protected coastal strip.
The Kekova Sunken City cruise gives you a graceful overview of one of the Mediterranean's most distinctive submerged heritage zones. Cruising over the protected shoreline, you experience the area as a continuous coastal story rather than a single ruined point. The partially sunken remains, the quiet sea, and the close relationship between boat and landscape create an atmosphere that feels almost suspended in time. It is an excursion defined by calm observation.
What sets the cruise apart is the way history is encountered through motion. The boat's pace allows the coastline to unfold gently, making the submerged traces feel like part of the wider environment instead of isolated attractions. This gives the whole experience a contemplative quality that suits Kekova very well. It is less about dramatic spectacle and more about absorbing the meeting of sea, memory, and ancient settlement.
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Simena Castle (Kalekoy)
Panoramic stop near Simena hillside castle zone.
Simena Castle overlooks Kekova waters and is one of the iconic viewpoints of the region.
Simena Castle (Kalekoy) offers one of the most evocative viewpoints in the Kekova region, where sea, stone, and history come together beautifully. The castle setting above the shoreline gives you sweeping views over inlets, boats, and the scattered coastal landscape. It feels less like a formal fortress visit and more like stepping into a layered historical lookout above a still-living waterfront village. The relationship between the hill, the ruins, and the water makes the stop especially memorable.
From here, the Kekova coast becomes easy to read as both a scenic and historical landscape. You can sense why this area mattered strategically, while also enjoying the quiet beauty that defines it today. Kalekoy has a slow, almost timeless atmosphere, and the castle view intensifies that feeling. This is a wonderful stop for visitors who enjoy places where the panorama is inseparable from the history.
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Return Transfer and Drop-off
Tour ends with transfer back to Antalya.
After Kekova and Demre program, return transfer to your Antalya hotel, airport, or meeting point.
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Informations
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What's Included
- Private professional licensed tour guide.
- Private deluxe A/C vehicle.
- Parking fees.
- Local taxes.
- Pick up from your hotel, airport, or meeting point.
- Drop off to your hotel, airport, or meeting point.
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What's Excluded
- Entrance fees.
- Gratuities to the guide and driver.
- Lunch and drinks.
- Personal expenses.
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Entrance Fees
- St Nicholas Church (Demre): Entrance fee applies.
- Myra Ancient City: Entrance fee applies.
- Kekova boat tour and any optional harbor services: Fee may apply.
- Any optional site not listed in included services: Entrance fee may apply.
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Travel Tips
- Wear comfortable shoes suitable for archaeological and harbor walking sections.
- Use hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses for coastal and open-air stops.
- Carry water for transfer and boat segments.
- Bring light wind protection for the sea section.
- Carry your camera for Lycian tombs, Sunken City waterline, and Simena views.
- Respect local dress expectations when visiting church and heritage areas.
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Note
- This tour is private and operated only for your party.
- Wheelchair assistance can be arranged on request before booking.
- Boat timing may vary by weather and local harbor conditions.
- Some walking areas include uneven stone and sloped paths.
- Tour confirmation details are sent by e-mail after prebooking.
- Tour runs year-round subject to weather, sea, and local operating conditions.
Your Peace of Mind Options
Cancellation Policy
A transparent overview of applicable fees.
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FAQs
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What is included in the private Kekova and Myra tour?
Licensed professional guide, private deluxe A/C vehicle, parking fees, local taxes, and pickup-drop-off from hotel/airport/meeting point are included.
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How many hours is the tour?
About 8 hours total.
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Which highlights are visited?
The itinerary includes Kekova (Sunken City area), Myra, and St. Nicholas Church.
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Are entrance tickets included?
No. Entrance fees are paid separately by default.
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Is lunch included?
No. Lunch, drinks, and personal expenses are excluded.
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Is this a private tour?
Yes. It is private and guided, so the pace and photo stops can be adjusted.
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What should we wear for the sites?
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended due to uneven surfaces and stairs in places.
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What is excluded?
Entrance tickets, lunch/drinks, personal expenses, and tips are excluded.
General FAQs
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Do I need a visa for Turkey?
Visa requirements depend on your passport and can change.
- Before you travel, check the current rules for your nationality via official sources.
- If you are eligible, the e-Visa option is commonly used for short stays.
- If you tell us your passport country, we can point you to the correct official channel to verify.
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When is the best season for Turkey tours?
It depends on the route and what you want to prioritize.
- Spring and autumn: comfortable for city walking and archaeological sites.
- Summer: ideal for the coast, but can be hot inland and in big cities.
- Winter: fewer crowds in major cities, cooler weather, and sometimes a slower pace.
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How many days do I need for a Turkey itinerary?
Most travelers are happiest with enough time to balance cities and sites.
- Short trips focus on one region (for example Istanbul, or Cappadocia).
- Longer trips can combine Istanbul with Cappadocia, Ephesus area, and the coast.
- If you are adding another country, keep a buffer day for flights and transfers.
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Which currency is used in Turkey?
Turkey uses the Turkish Lira (TRY).
- Many prices are shown in TRY; some tourism services may quote in EUR or USD, but payment is typically taken in TRY.
- ATMs are common in cities and tourist areas.
- Keep small bills for quick purchases.
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Can I use credit cards in Turkey?
In most hotels, restaurants, and larger shops, card payments are easy.
- For markets, small shops, and some taxis, cash is still helpful.
- Notify your bank about international travel to avoid card blocks.
- Carry a backup card or some cash as a fallback.
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Is Turkey safe for visitors?
Turkey is generally safe for tourists, especially in main travel zones.
- Use normal big-city awareness in crowded places.
- Stick to licensed taxis and official entrances for attractions.
- On guided days, follow your guide for meeting points and timing.
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What should I wear when visiting mosques?
Modest clothing is expected at religious sites.
- Shoulders and knees should be covered.
- Women may be asked to cover hair with a scarf.
- Shoes are removed, so socks can be useful.
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Is tap water drinkable in Turkey?
Many travelers prefer bottled water.
- Bottled water is easy to find everywhere.
- If you have a sensitive stomach, avoid ice in places you are unsure about.
- Hotels often provide bottled water daily.
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Is tipping expected in Turkey?
Tipping is common and appreciated.
- Restaurants: leaving a small amount or rounding up is typical.
- Drivers and guides: tipping is optional and based on service.
- Keep small change for convenience.
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What power plugs are used in Turkey?
Turkey generally uses Type C and Type F plugs (220V, 50Hz).
- Bring a plug adapter if your devices use a different plug type.
- Most phone and camera chargers are dual-voltage, but check your adapter.
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How do I buy a SIM or eSIM in Turkey?
SIM and eSIM options are available from major operators.
- Passport registration is usually required in official stores.
- If your phone supports it, an eSIM can be a convenient option.
- For short stays, compare data-focused packages.
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Do museums and attractions have closure days?
Opening hours vary by season and venue, and some places have weekly closure days.
- During national or religious holidays, schedules can change.
- Ticket rules can also differ by site.
- On guided tours, we plan routes based on current opening times.
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What should I pack for a Turkey trip?
Comfort matters, especially if you will walk a lot.
- Comfortable shoes for uneven streets and historical sites.
- Light layers: temperatures can change between morning and evening.
- Sun protection in summer, and a compact rain layer in spring or autumn.
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Can I take photos everywhere in Turkey?
Photography rules depend on the location.
- Some museums or sections may restrict flash or any photos.
- In mosques, photos are usually allowed with respect for worshippers.
- Always follow posted rules and staff instructions.
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Do I need to carry my passport while sightseeing?
We suggest keeping your passport safely at the hotel and carrying a copy.
- A photo on your phone plus a printed copy is usually enough for day-to-day needs.
- If you plan to buy a SIM, you may need the original passport at the shop.
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How do I get between regions in Turkey?
For longer distances, domestic flights are often the fastest option.
- Intercity buses are common and can be comfortable.
- Some routes have trains, but schedules can be limited.
- We can advise the best option based on your itinerary.
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Are bazaars and shopping areas tourist friendly?
Yes, and they are part of the experience.
- Bargaining is normal in bazaars, but not in fixed-price shops.
- Keep receipts for higher-value purchases.
- For carpets or jewelry, buy from reputable stores.
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What emergency number is used in Turkey?
Dial 112 for emergencies (medical, police, fire, and urgent situations).
- If you are traveling with us, inform your guide immediately so we can support you quickly.
Let's Customize Your Trip!
Prepare your own tour plan!
Good to Know
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Good to know: Bring shoes with support
Walking at Myra can include uneven stone and steps.
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Good to know: Sunken City views depend on conditions
Sea and weather conditions can affect the best way to view Kekova.
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Good to know: Tickets are separate
Entrance fees are paid separately by default.
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Good to know: Lunch is extra
Lunch and drinks are not included by default.
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Good to know: Sun protection helps
Most sightseeing is outdoors.
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