Demre, Myra & Kekova – a Long Day in Ancient Lycia with a Boat Trip

This is the earliest start of all our day trips, and for good reason. Lycia – the rugged coast west of Antalya – lies some three and a half to four hours away, and it holds three places that are worth every minute on the road: the church of the man the world knows as Santa Claus, a cliff face of carved tombs and a town that slipped into the sea.

In the footsteps of Saint Nicholas

In the 4th century Nicholas served as bishop of Myra, and stories of his secret generosity eventually turned him into Father Christmas. His church in Demre still shows Byzantine frescoes and mosaics as well as a sarcophagus linked to the saint, and pilgrims arrive from all over the world. Your guide explains how Nicholas became the patron of children, sailors and travellers. Please cover your shoulders inside.

Myra’s cliff of tombs

A short drive away, the rock wall of ancient Myra is honeycombed with Lycian tombs carved to look like houses, with beams, doors and windows cut from stone. Below them lies a large Roman theatre in fine condition, its stones decorated with carved theatre masks – one of the most photographed views in southern Turkey.

Over the sunken city by boat

After lunch at a local restaurant, a boat leaves the fishing village of Üçağız for about an hour along Kekova island. An earthquake in the 2nd century dropped part of an ancient town into the water, and on calm days you can make out foundations, steps and walls below the surface. On the way you pass Lycian sarcophagi on the shore and the castle of Simena on its hill. The ruins are protected, so swimming over them is forbidden, but weather permitting there may be a short swim in a nearby bay. The boat trip itself always depends on the sea.

Timings and prices

The tour runs on Wednesdays and Sundays. Pickups start at about 03:30 and finish around 05:00 depending on your area, with a breakfast stop near Antalya (breakfast at your own cost), and you are home between about 20:30 and 21:30. Without entrance fees the price is €60 for adults and €30 for children aged 3–11; with tickets for Myra and the church it is €70 and €35. Under-3s travel free. A shorter culture fix closer to home is our Aspendos and Side day, and for more time on deck try the Big Kral cruise in Alanya.