Things to do in Demre

Demre stands on the site of Myra, one of the six largest cities of the Lycian League. Saint Nicholas was its bishop in the 4th century. Things to do in Demre are a church, a cliff of tombs, a theatre and a harbour.

Myra and the church

• Church of St Nicholas. A sixth-century basilica in the town centre, built over what is thought to be the grave of the saint behind Santa Claus. Merchants from Bari carried off his bones in 1087.
• Rock tombs. More than a hundred Lycian tombs are cut into the cliff.
• Theatre. A Roman theatre seating more than 10,000, beside the tombs. An earthquake in 141 brought it down, and it was rebuilt.
• Andriake. Myra's old harbour. In the Acts of the Apostles, Paul changes ships at Myra on his way to Italy. The small port of Çayağzı lies beside it.

Days on the water

Tours in Demre are Kekova days, by boat or kayak. Myra is a separate visit on land.

Kekova, Kaleköy and Üçağız all lie in Demre district. Boats leave from Çayağzı or Üçağız, and kayak days paddle from Üçağız.

Shared boats and kayaks sell by the seat. The private boat sells by the boat, so a party splits one fee.

Practical

• Weather. July and August afternoons hit 34C, and nights stay above 22C. January afternoons reach 16C, with lows near 6C. December is the wettest month at about 200 mm, and July is almost dry.
• Time. Boat days run about seven hours, and the kayak days four to five.
• Around town. The church stands in the centre. The tombs and theatre of Myra lie about two kilometres to the north, and Andriake four to five kilometres to the south-west.
• Getting here. Kaş is roughly 45 kilometres west. Antalya airport is about 150 kilometres east, a little over two hours by road.
• Old name. The district was officially called Kale until 2005, so older maps show Kale.
• Saint's day. A memorial service is usually held at the church on 6 December, the saint's feast.