Demre, Myra and Kekova Tour from Kemer

The coast road from Kemer through Kumluca and Finike

The day begins with the long coastal drive from Kemer, and it is part of the sightseeing. The kemer to demre distance is considerable, so we leave early and follow the road through Kumluca and Finike, two small Lycian towns surrounded by citrus groves, greenhouses and mountains that drop almost straight into the sea.

Our guide uses the drive to explain what you are about to see: who the Lycians were, why Myra mattered, and how an earthquake sank part of the Kekova coast. If you have wondered how to get to Demre from Kemer without renting a car, this shared coach removes the planning, the parking and the winding mountain driving.

St Nicholas Church in Demre

St Nicholas Church is the first stop and the main reason many travellers choose a St Nicholas Church Demre tour from Kemer. The building honours Nicholas, the fourth-century bishop of Myra, whose generosity later inspired the Santa Claus legend. Inside you can see worn mosaic floors, fragments of Byzantine frescoes and the stone sarcophagus where the saint is traditionally said to have been laid to rest.

Visitors often ask whether St Nicholas Church is worth visiting if they are not religious. The answer is yes: it is one of the oldest and most atmospheric churches on the Turkish coast, and our guide tells the stories behind the saint in a short, clear way. Opening hours change by season, and the church entrance fee is paid separately on the day.

Myra Ancient City, rock tombs and Roman theatre

A short ride from the church, Myra Ancient City was one of the leading cities of Lycia. The Myra rock tombs are carved high into the cliff face, with fronts shaped like wooden houses and temples, and they are among the best-preserved Lycian tombs anywhere in Turkey. A second group sits beside the river, where you can stand close enough to read the worn reliefs.

Below the cliff stands the Roman theatre, with stone seating for several thousand spectators and carved theatre masks lying among the fallen blocks. Plan around an hour here for the walk, the photographs and the steps. Entrance tickets for Myra are paid separately, and comfortable shoes matter on the uneven stone.

Kekova sunken city by boat from Cayagzi

After Myra and a short stop at an icon and souvenir shop, the group reaches the small harbour of Cayagzi for the Kekova boat trip. Kekova is an island and a protected coast where a settlement slid into the sea after earthquakes long ago. From the boat deck you can see staircases, house walls and foundations lying just under the clear water.

People searching for a Kekova sunken city boat tour from Kemer usually want this exact moment. The boat moves slowly so everyone gets a good view, and our guide points out the main structures. Swimming over the ruins themselves is not allowed because the site is protected, so the swim comes at a separate stop.

Simena castle and a swim stop

The boat continues to the little village of Simena, known locally as Kalekoy, where a small castle with a tiny theatre carved into its walls sits above the harbour. Lycian sarcophagi stand partly in the water along the shore, a very photogenic sight, and the village is only reachable by boat or footpath, which keeps it quiet.

The group then stops for a swim in the calm bay below the castle. Many travellers say this is the best part of the day because the water is clear and the setting is so peaceful. The best time to visit Kekova is spring and early autumn for gentler weather, though the summer swim stop is always welcome. Afterwards we return to Demre for lunch before the drive back to Kemer.