Backed by the Taurus Mountains, Demre is a historically rich town overlooking the Mediterranean Sea on the Teke Peninsula. It lies adjacent to the ancient Lycian town of Myra and is surrounded by abandoned Greek villages, whose inhabitants migrated to Greece as part of the 1923 population exchange with Türkiye.
Things to do in Demre
One of the famous buildings in Demre is the Church of St Nicholas, which has long been an important pilgrimage site for Orthodox Christians. It was established in 520 AD above the tomb of St Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian bishop on whom Santa Claus is said to be based. Now preserved as a museum, the church houses magnificent wall frescoes and mosaic floor tiles.
North of Demre is Myra Ancient City, a large archaeological site that preserves one of the most important towns of ancient Lyra. It’s famed for its rock-hewn tombs with its pillared facades and boasts one of the best-preserved amphitheatres in the region. With the capacity to accommodate around 11,000 people, this performance venue was once decorated with sculptural reliefs.
Boat cruises depart Demre Harbour for Kekova Island, which is renowned for its sunken ruins from the ancient Lycian settlement of Dolchiste. The town was rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in the 2nd century and flourished during the Byzantine era before being abandoned in the 19th century. Combine your visit to Kekova with a stop in the village of Kaleköy, famed for its hilltop fortress.
Getting around Demre
Demre is around two hours’ drive from Antalya and 2.5 hours from Antalya Airport, which has seasonal flights to destinations across the globe. Regular buses connect to Demre and the town centre is compact enough to explore on foot. Demre is also accessible along the Lycian Way long-distance hiking trail.