A long but scenic day west of Antalya, along the Lycian coast where mountains drop steeply into the sea. At Myra you look up at the rock tombs above the theatre, in Demre you enter the church where the story of Santa Claus began, and from Üçağız a boat carries you over the ruins of an ancient city beneath the waters of Kekova.
The rock-cut Lycian tombs of Myra, the church of St Nicholas – the original Santa Claus – and a boat trip over the sunken city of Kekova: the finest day on the Lycian coast, by private car. Suggested duration 12 hours; pickup from hotels in Demre, Kas, Finike and the rest of the region. Prices start at €580 per vehicle, paid to the driver on the day.
Last updated:
Demre (ancient Myra) lies about 150 km from Antalya. The road winds between mountains and sea via Kemer, Kumluca and Finike, so the tour uses a twelve-hour package and starts early. If you are staying in Kaş or Finike, the distance is much shorter and eight hours are enough.
The programme has three parts: the rock tombs and theatre of ancient Myra, the Church of St Nicholas, and a boat trip from Üçağız around Kekova. The boat passes over the ruins of an ancient settlement sunk by earthquakes and calls at Kaleköy (Simena), famous for its castle.
Unlike on group tours, you choose the start time, where to have lunch and how long the boat trip lasts. The ancient harbour of Andriake and the Museum of Lycian Civilisations can be added too. The price is per vehicle; the boat fare is paid on board.
Stops are shown in a typical order; your driver waits at every stop.
Myra was one of the leading cities of the Lycian League. Dozens of tombs carved into the cliff imitate temple fronts and timber houses, some with reliefs still visible. Below them, the Roman theatre is known for its carved theatrical masks. A visit along the tombs and up the theatre steps takes about an hour.
Nicholas, bishop of Myra in the 4th century, inspired the figure of Santa Claus with stories of secretly helping the poor. The church dedicated to him was rebuilt several times in Byzantine times; fragments of frescoes and a sarcophagus believed to be his tomb can be seen. His relics were taken to Bari by Italian sailors in 1087.
Boats from Üçağız glide slowly over an ancient settlement on the shore of Kekova Island, half of which slid into the sea in earthquakes. Steps, house foundations and harbour remains are visible in the clear water. The area is protected: swimming and diving over the ruins are forbidden, and swim stops are made in designated bays.
Reached only by sea or footpath, the village climbs between houses to a medieval castle on the hilltop, which encloses a tiny Lycian theatre. A Lycian sarcophagus standing half in the sea is the village's symbol. From the castle you look down over Kekova's island-studded bay.
At Andriake, Myra's ancient harbour, the great granary built under Emperor Hadrian now houses the Museum of Lycian Civilisations. Inscriptions in the Lycian language, coins and finds from harbour life complete what you saw at Kekova. If there is time, it makes an ideal stop on the way back.
The D400 from Antalya to Demre runs along the foot of the Beydağları mountains, past the greenhouses of Kumluca and the orange groves of Finike. Stopping for the view or for a coffee by the sea is one of the perks of a private tour.
Times are an example; your driver adapts the day to traffic, season and your wishes.
Ancient Lycia was a civilisation on the mountainous peninsula between Antalya and Fethiye, with its own language and tomb architecture. Its cities formed a league in which delegates voted in proportion to population – a structure often cited among the forerunners of modern federations. Myra had one of the largest votes in the league and became the regional capital in Roman times.
Born in Patara, Nicholas was bishop of Myra in the 4th century. In the best-known story, he secretly left gold at night in the house of three sisters who could not marry for lack of a dowry. Over the centuries this legend of generosity spread across Europe, becoming Sinterklaas in the Netherlands and Santa Claus in America.
The ruins at Kekova reached their present position after earthquakes in the 2nd century AD, when part of the shore collapsed and part of the settlement sank. Today the area is a specially protected environment, best explored by boat.
Prices are per vehicle and include fuel, motorway and bridge tolls, parking and the driver. Guide, meals and hotel are added as options.
| Duration | FirstClass Van (1–6) | Vip Sprinter (1–16) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 hours | €580 | €780 |
| 24 hours · 1 night | €720 | €820 |
| 36 hours · 1 night | €1060 | €1450 |
| 48 hours · 2 nights | €1560 | €1980 |
| Add-on | Price | How it is charged |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed guide | €200 | Per day, whatever the group size |
| Lunch | €15 | Per person, for each lunch in the package |
| Dinner | €15 | Per person, for each dinner in the package |
| Hotel accommodation | €60 | Per person per night (sharing a double room) |
Example – 2 persons, 12 hours, FirstClass Van: Private vehicle & driver + Lunch = €580 + €30 = €610
Can be added as options: Licensed guide, Lunch, Dinner, Hotel accommodation.
Distances are approximate road kilometres to the main sight (one way). We also pick up from hotels and addresses not listed – just enter yours in the form.
| Area | Distance | Suggested package | Airport transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demre | ≈ 1 km | 12 hours | Demre transfer |
| Kas | ≈ 45 km | 12 hours | Kas transfer |
| Finike | ≈ 30 km | 12 hours | Finike transfer |
| Kemer | ≈ 105 km | 12 hours | Kemer transfer |
| Konyaalti | ≈ 140 km | 12 hours | Konyaalti transfer |
| Lara | ≈ 160 km | 12 hours | Lara transfer |
| Belek | ≈ 185 km | 12 hours | Belek transfer |
Ideal for those who want history, sea and scenery in one day, for photographers and for anyone curious about Lycian culture. Walks are short, though the climb to Kaleköy castle is a little steep; children love the boat trip.
A guide is optional. Without one, your driver takes you to each stop, waits and helps along the way, but does not give tours inside museums and sites. For in-depth explanations, tick the guide in the form.
No other passengers and no waiting for anyone – the car is yours all day.
The order and length of stops are flexible, with no compulsory shopping stops.
The price is fixed at booking and paid to the driver on the day.
Vixride is a TÜRSAB-licensed travel agency (licence 14798); vehicles and drivers are insured.
Travelled with us? Share your experience on Trustpilot.
Central Antalya to Demre is about 150 km, roughly 2.5 hours on the coast road. It is a little shorter from Kemer and a little longer from Lara and Belek, which is why the tour uses the twelve-hour package.
Yes. Kaş is about 45 km from Demre; the eight-hour package is enough and the day runs at a calmer pace.
No. The submerged ruins are protected and swimming or snorkelling over them is forbidden. Boats make swim stops in bays where swimming is allowed.
At Üçağız there are both boats shared by several groups and boats for private hire. Tell us your preference in advance and your driver will help you find the right boat; the fare is paid on board.
Yes. The church and Myra are open all year; boats run in winter when the weather allows. On windy days the boat trip can be replaced with Andriake and the museum.
The tour price is per vehicle: the package costs the same whether one or six people travel in the van. Only lunch, dinner and hotel accommodation are charged per person. The guide fee is per day and does not depend on the group size.
Nothing is charged online at booking; you pay the driver on the day of the tour in cash (EUR, USD, GBP, TRY) or by card. Free cancellation and date changes; please let us know at least 24 hours in advance.
Antalya
From Hadrian's Gate to the stone lanes of Kaleiçi, from the Düden waterfall plunging into the sea to one of Turkey's richest museums: discover Antalya in one day, by private car and at your own pace.
Antalya
The colonnaded street of Perge, the world's best-preserved Roman theatre at Aspendos and Side with its Temple of Apollo by the sea: Antalya's three great ancient cities in one day, by private car.
Antalya
Swim in the shade of pines at three-harboured Phaselis, walk the stream-side ruins of Olympos and watch the flames of the Chimaera burn at dusk, as they have for thousands of years: a private afternoon tour from Kemer and Antalya.
Antalya
Alanya Castle within its Seljuk walls, the Red Tower and shipyard guarding the harbour, Damlataş Cave beside Cleopatra Beach and Dim Cave in the mountains: see Alanya in one day, by private car.
Pamukkale
Walk barefoot on snow-white travertines, see the theatre and vast necropolis of Hierapolis and swim in Cleopatra's Pool if you like: a private day trip to Pamukkale from Antalya, Izmir, Kusadasi, Bodrum or Fethiye.
Cappadocia
From Antalya to Cappadocia by private car: the Mevlana Museum in Konya and the Sultanhanı Caravanserai on the way, sunset over the fairy chimneys, a night in a cave hotel and Göreme, Paşabağ and Uçhisar the next day.
