Demre, Myra and Kekova Tour from Alanya

Myra Ancient City

Myra, on the edge of modern Demre, was one of the leading cities of ancient Lycia. Its most famous sight is the sheer cliff face carved with rock tombs: dozens of house-like facades with doors, beams and columns cut straight into the stone in the 4th century BC, rising in tiers above the ruins. Nothing else on the coast shows Lycian architecture so dramatically.

Below the tombs stands a large Roman theatre from the 2nd century AD, with vaulted corridors and fragments of carved theatrical masks scattered around the stage. A Myra day trip usually allows about 45 minutes here, enough to see both the tombs and the theatre with your guide. In the Standard option the Myra entrance fee is not included and can be paid on site; the Deluxe and Premium options include it.

The Byzantine Church of Demre (St. Nicholas Church)

In the centre of Demre stands a Byzantine church whose oldest parts date back to the 6th century, rebuilt in the Middle Ages and restored in the 19th century. Because the town's ground level has risen over the centuries, the church now lies several metres below the modern street, which gives it a quiet, sunken atmosphere.

Inside you see faded frescoes, fine marble mosaic floors, a synthronon (the semicircle of clergy seats) and carved stone sarcophagi. The visit takes around 30 minutes and is a peaceful contrast to the open-air ruins. The church entrance fee is not included in the Standard or Deluxe options and is paid on site if you wish to go in; the Premium option includes all entrance fees. Modest clothing with covered shoulders is appreciated.

Kekova Sunken City Boat Cruise

Kekova is the name of a long island and the sheltered bay behind it, protected as a special area for its archaeology and nature. In the 2nd century AD a strong earthquake sank part of an ancient settlement on the island's shore, and today you glide over its remains – house foundations, walls and stone stairways – visible through remarkably clear turquoise water.

The boat cruise lasts about an hour and a half and also passes the village of Simena (Kaleköy), with its hilltop castle and a Lycian sarcophagus standing in the shallows, one of the most photographed scenes on the coast. Swimming over the sunken ruins is not allowed, to protect the site, but the views from the deck are wonderful. In the Deluxe and Premium options lunch is served on the boat.

Limyra Ancient City

Limyra lies at the foot of the Toçak mountain near Finike, a quiet ancient city where a spring-fed stream still runs through the ruins. Once an important Lycian centre, it later became a Roman and Byzantine town, and its remains spread from the plain up the hillside.

On the visit you see rock-cut Lycian tombs in the cliffs, the remains of a Roman theatre, city walls and sections of Byzantine buildings, often with turtles and frogs in the water channels beside the path. Limyra is far less visited than Myra, so it feels peaceful and authentic. It is a short stop on this long day, and your guide explains how it connects with the other Lycian cities you see. Comfortable shoes are recommended on the stony ground.

The Coast Road from Alanya to Demre

How to get to Demre from Alanya is the big question, because the ancient Lycian coast lies far to the west, beyond Antalya. The road follows the shore past Side and Antalya, then runs along the mountain-backed coast through Kemer, Kumluca and Finike, with sea views on one side and the Taurus range on the other. That is why pickup is so early.

Air-conditioned transport makes the long journey comfortable, and there is a comfort stop on the way so you can stretch your legs and buy a coffee. Sleeping on the outward drive is a good idea – you arrive ready for a full day of ruins and sea. The best time to visit Demre and Kekova is spring or autumn, when the air is mild for walking and the sea is calm and clear for the boat cruise. You are back at your Alanya hotel in the evening.