Demre, Myra & Kekova

Demre is the modern name for the town built over ancient Myra, one of the most important cities in the Lycian Federation. The name Myra survives in the spectacular rock-cut tombs that honeycomb the cliff above the town and in the Roman theatre at its base. But Demre is perhaps best known as the bishopric of Saint Nicholas — the 4th-century Christian bishop whose reputation for generosity eventually evolved into the figure known as Santa Claus.

Nearby, the partially sunken ruins along the northern shore of Kekova Island provide a different perspective on Lycian civilisation: walls, staircases, and harbour installations visible just beneath the surface of clear Mediterranean water, submerged by earthquakes in the 2nd century CE.

When to Visit

The coast between Demre and Kekova is pleasant from April through November. Spring (April through June) and autumn (September through November) offer the most comfortable conditions for walking the ruins and taking boat trips to Kekova. Summer brings heat to the Demre plain, though the sea excursion to Kekova benefits from the warmest water temperatures.

How to Get There

Antalya Airport (AYT) is about 150 kilometres east. The drive west along the D400 takes roughly two hours. Demre sits on the coastal highway between Kaş (45 km west) and Finike (25 km east). Boat trips to Kekova depart from the harbour at Üçağız (about 20 km from Demre) or from Kaş. There is no practical public transport to Kekova; a car or guided tour is required.

What to See

Myra Rock Tombs

The cliff face above the ancient city holds one of the most impressive concentrations of Lycian rock-cut tombs in Turkey. Dozens of tomb façades, many carved to resemble the wooden houses of the living, are stacked across the rock in rows. Some feature relief carvings of family groups and funeral scenes. The scale of the necropolis — covering nearly the full width of the cliff — is best appreciated from the viewing area at the base.

Myra Theatre

Directly below the rock tombs, the Roman theatre seated approximately 11,000 spectators. Relief masks and theatrical figures remain carved into the orchestra wall. The proximity of the theatre to the tombs creates one of the most visually concentrated archaeological scenes on the Lycian coast.

Church of Saint Nicholas

The 6th-century church (rebuilt after Arab raids and later earthquakes) sits below the modern street level in the centre of Demre. The floor mosaics, sections of frescoes, and the stone sarcophagus traditionally associated with Saint Nicholas survive inside. Recent excavations beneath the church have revealed earlier floor levels, suggesting the structure replaced earlier buildings on the same site.

Kekova Sunken City

The northern shore of Kekova Island was the site of the ancient settlement of Dolchiste, which sank partially beneath the sea following a series of earthquakes. From a boat — glass-bottomed or traditional wooden gulet — visitors can see submerged walls, stairways, cisterns, and harbour quays through some of the clearest water on the Mediterranean. Swimming is restricted in the sunken city area to prevent damage to the ruins, but the surrounding bays are open.

Simena (Kaleköy)

Across the strait from Kekova, the small village of Kaleköy (ancient Simena) clusters beneath a Crusader-era castle on a rocky promontory. A Lycian sarcophagus stands half-submerged in the harbour. The castle at the summit contains the smallest known theatre in Lycia — just seven rows of seats, carved from the bedrock, with a view across to the sunken city.

Practical Information

Demre’s rock tombs, theatre, and the Church of Saint Nicholas can be visited in a morning. Kekova requires a separate half-day boat trip from Üçağız or a full-day excursion from Kaş. Üçağız is a quiet village with small pensions and waterfront restaurants — a good base for those wanting to spend more time on the water. Most guided tours combine Demre and Kekova in a single long day.

One Thing Most Visitors Miss

At Kaleköy (Simena), the Lycian sarcophagus that stands in the shallow water of the harbour is often photographed but rarely studied. Its carved lid panel shows a reclining figure — likely the tomb’s occupant — and the water level marks the precise amount of submersion caused by seismic activity. It is a measuring stick for how much the coastline has moved.

Along this shore, the sea did not recede from history — it rose to meet it.