Demre Myra Kekova Sunken City Tour from Side

Demre Myra Kekova tour from Side starts with early morning pick-up from hotels or your location in Side. This is followed by a short breakfast stop. After arrival at Myra Ancient City, the tour allows around 2 hours to visit the rock tombs, ancient sundials, and the large amphitheater.

The next stop is St. Nicholas Church (Santa Claus), with approximately 45 minutes of free time. After the church visit, the group moves on to lunch, where a buffet meal is served with options such as fish, cutlets, chicken, fresh salad, and fruit, with a 1 hour lunch break.

In the afternoon, the tour continues to Kekova Island for a Kekova boat trip lasting about 2.5 hours, including sailing over the Kekova Sunken City and two swimming stops, each around 20 minutes. Parts of the sunken city can be clearly seen through the boat’s viewing section during the cruise. Guests who prefer a more personal sea program also have the option to rent a private yacht in Side on separate days for customized boat routes along the coast.

After the boat trip, the group travels back to Side, and guests are dropped off at their hotels or locations, completing the full-day excursion in Side.

Myra Ancient City

Myra Ancient City was one of the most important cities of ancient Lycia and later became a key center during the Roman period, known for its advanced urban layout and strong local administration. The city gained wealth through its position on regional trade routes and had the right to mint its own coins, showing its political importance.

Myra’s rock tombs are carved high into the cliffs in different styles that reflect social status, while the large Roman era amphitheater, expanded after an earthquake in the 2nd century AD, could host thousands of spectators for public events. The city is also closely linked to Saint Nicholas, who served as bishop here in the 4th century, making Myra an important religious center alongside its civic role. Today the city of Myra is an open-air museum, an entrance ticket to the ancient city of Myra costs 15 euros.

St. Nicholas Church

St. Nicholas Church was built on the site where Saint Nicholas served as bishop in the 4th century and later became one of the most respected pilgrimage churches in the Eastern Mediterranean. The structure seen today mainly dates from the 6th – 9th centuries and was rebuilt several times after floods from the nearby Myros River, which gradually raised the ground level around the church.

Saint Nicholas is historically known as the figure who inspired Santa Claus, based on his reputation for secret gift giving, generosity toward children, and protection of sailors and travelers. Inside the church, visitors can see original floor mosaics, fresco fragments, and stone sarcophagi linked to early Christian burial traditions. For centuries, pilgrims arrived here from Europe and the Middle East, and although Saint Nicholas’s relics were later taken to Bari in Italy, the church in Demre remains the central place connected to his life and legacy. The entrance fee to St. Nicholas Church is 25 euros.

Kekova Sunken City 

Kekova Sunken City is a partially submerged ancient Lycian settlement that sank after strong earthquakes between the 2nd and 4th centuries AD, causing streets, stairways, and building foundations to slide below sea level. The visible remains include stone walls, harbor structures, and house entrances that can still be clearly identified beneath the water, showing how the shoreline changed over time. For many guests, this route is one of the most popular long-distance day tours with a sea section when combined with boat tours in Side, as it adds a historical sea section to classic coastal programs.

The area is now protected by law, which is why boats follow a fixed route and swimming is not allowed directly over the main submerged sections. This protection has helped preserve the site, making Kekova Island one of the clearest examples of earthquake related coastal change. This tour is a highlight among Outdoor Attractions in Side that include cultural routes, sea excursions, and full-day nature based trips starting from the Side region.

Facts About Demre Myra Kekova

• The tour runs from Side to Demre, covering approx. 214 km one way.
• Total tour duration is 04:30–21:00, making it one of the longest cultural day trips from Side.
• Myra Ancient City was a major Lycian city with the right to mint its own coins during Roman rule.
• Myra’s rock tombs were carved high into cliffs because ancient Lycians believed elevation helped the soul’s journey after death.
• The Roman amphitheater in Myra is one of the largest in Lycia and was rebuilt after a 2nd century earthquake.
• St. Nicholas Church stands on the site where Saint Nicholas served as bishop in the 4th century.
• The church floor level rose over centuries due to floods from the Myros River, partially burying earlier structures.
• The kekova boat trip sails over the Sunken City in Turkey, a Lycian settlement submerged by earthquakes.
• Stone walls, harbor steps, and house foundations are still visible under the sea during the boat trip.
• Swimming is restricted above the main sunken city area to protect the archaeological remains.
• The route also passes near Kekova Island, part of a protected coastal zone.
• The tour combines land visits and a sea section in one day, which is why it is often chosen by guests checking reviews for the best family trip near Side in Turkey.

Who Is Demre Myra Kekova Tour From Side For?

• Culture focused travelers who want to see Myra Ancient City, rock tombs, the amphitheater, and St. Nicholas Church in one day
• Guests staying in Side looking for a full-day trip with hotel transfer included
• Visitors interested in boat trips who want a kekova boat trip over the Sunken City without arranging transport on their own
• Families with older children who prefer structured programs with planned stops, lunch, and rest breaks
• History and archaeology fans interested in Lycian and Roman era sites combined with a sea route
• Travelers checking reviews for one of the best long distance cultural tours near Side in Turkey
• Guests who prefer organized excursions with online booking, payment on the tour day, and no middleman arrangements

Includes and Excludes of Side to Demre Myra Kekova Tour

Includes

• Hotel transfer by air-conditioned bus from hotels and locations in Side
• Travel insurance during the tour
• Lunch (buffet-style)
• Professional guide throughout the excursion
• Boat tour to the sunken city of Kekova Sunken City

Excludes

• Personal expenses (drinks, souvenirs, photos)
• Entrance tickets to archaeological sites (optional)