A long day, but a genuinely varied one
Demre, Myra and Kekova are usually visited together as a full-day trip further southwest along the coast, combining Byzantine rock-cut tombs, the church linked to the real St Nicholas, and a boat trip over a partially sunken ancient city. It's further than most of the day trips on this coast — realistically only worth it if you have a full day to give it.
What's there
Myra's rock tombs
Elaborate Lycian tombs cut directly into a cliff face, along with a well-preserved Roman theatre at the base — one of the most striking necropolises in the region.
St Nicholas Church, Demre
The Byzantine church built over the tomb of the historical Bishop Nicholas of Myra — the figure behind the Santa Claus legend — still an active pilgrimage site.
Kekova & the sunken city
Boat trips from Üçağız glide over the partially submerged ruins of an ancient settlement, visible beneath clear water, alongside Kekova island's coastline.
Simena / Kaleköy
A small castle-topped village on the boat route, reachable only by water or a hike — a good stop for a swim and a meal.
Planning your visit
- Distance: around 2–2.5 hours from central Antalya each way — genuinely a full-day, and a long one.
- How to go: almost always an organised full-day tour combining all three stops with transport; self-driving is possible but adds a lot of time behind the wheel to an already long day.
- Best for: travellers with a week or more in the region who've already covered the closer sites and want something further afield and different in character.
Our take: this is a trip for a longer stay, not a 3–4 day visit — if your time is limited, Aspendos, Perge and Side cover similar ground (ruins, coast, history) with far less driving.