Demre - Myra - Kekova – Is It Worth Your Time?

What to see in Turkey – the perennial question of every traveler. How to spend your time wisely without missing the chance to immerse yourself in the gentle Mediterranean Sea. Tourists still debate whether Demre-Myra-Kekova is the most popular excursion or not, whether it’s boring or truly interesting. Online reviews are rather contradictory – some praise it while others criticize it. We will try to separate the wheat from the chaff and take a slightly different look at the excursion, sharing our perspective on the seemingly obvious aspects, depending on one’s point of view. So, let’s begin…

Contents

What Does It Include?
A Bit of History
The Ancient Greek Necropolis
St. Nicholas Church
Kekova – What Can You See Underwater
How to Get There
Cost of the Excursion
Precautions and Tips

What Does It Include?

The excursion includes two (some sources say three) sites. Firstly, the town of Demre (Demre, Turkey), formerly known as Myra – not exactly a backwater city in Turkey – and the island of Kekova, which in Turkey is considered to be the location of the sunken ancient city of either Karakola or Syme; sources differ on the name.

In Demre (Turkey) there are also two sites worth visiting:

The Ancient Greek (Lycian) Necropolis.
St. Nicholas Church.

These three sites have been combined into one excursion program simply because the number of pilgrims coming to the country is relatively low, while lovers of sea water are in abundance. Everyone loves money, and the more items you can include in an excursion program, the higher the price you can charge. And how do you lure the average tourist, especially in the heat, to view a temple that no longer houses its main attraction? Right – by promising an exhilarating boat ride on the Mediterranean, complete with a swim.

So, it’s all rather pragmatic, but no less interesting.

A Bit of History

We won’t bore you with a lengthy history of the town, as we understand that few are interested; we will simply lift the historical veil just a little.

Demre (Myra) was founded in the 5th century BC and is known as the birthplace of the famous St. Nicholas, celebrated worldwide. It is here that he was born and preached for many years. His church is located here and it houses a sarcophagus – and note, his relics were once kept here. The key word is “kept,” as they have now been transferred to Italy, while tourists in Turkey are brought to an empty sarcophagus with an incredible… erm… story… More on that later…

Besides the fact that Demre – which you can see on the map of Turkey below – was home to St. Nicholas (the Western counterpart to Santa Claus), there is also the ancient Greek (Lycian) necropolis.

Why Myra? There are two theories:

Myrrh – the name of the resin from which incense is made.
Moura – meaning “mother” in the Etruscan language, referring to the goddess’s mother’s place.

We won’t deprive historians of their bread by taking sides; this information is just for general knowledge.

The Ancient Greek Necropolis

Depending on the tour operator, the order of visiting the attractions may vary, so the following list is in no particular order. Let’s start with the Lycian Necropolis, which attracts not only pilgrims but also lovers of antiquity and the breathtaking – even mystical – landscapes. This is the place for you!

View from Afar — View from afar, if you haven’t paid for a ticket

In ancient times, the Greeks believed that the soul of the deceased would transform into a creature resembling a siren; instead of burying their loved ones, they carved tombs into the rocks to make it easier for the soul to escape.

The spectacle is quite unique and mesmerizing. A city of the dead carved into the rocks – it is truly worth seeing.

We must warn you: always check with your guide whether entrance to the tombs is included in the excursion price. Many enterprising operators purposely lower the advertised price to attract more people. And then you, delighted at having saved a few dollars by not paying extra (after all, everything is supposed to be paid for), are told in front of the tombs: “Sir, entrance to the tombs is an additional $10”… Unpleasant, isn’t it? So be sure to check in advance, otherwise your photos might show nothing more than distant – very distant – tombs.

It was believed that the higher the tomb, the easier it was for its owner to ascend and spread his wings. Therefore, the most influential and wealthy individuals were buried in high places. The tombs’ architecture is also breathtaking; some resemble miniature versions of temples, so there is plenty to admire.

Right next to the necropolis are numerous souvenir shops. It seems that every tour guide has a contact in one of these stalls. For example, one group from Coral Travel veered left, while Tez Tour went right. Each guide extols the virtues of his chosen vendor, describing the miraculous properties of the various items. In reality, every shop sells essentially the same items – overpriced and not always of good quality.

Adjacent to the necropolis is the ancient Limyra Amphitheatre, where locals used to spend their leisure time (by today’s standards, it accommodated only about 400 people). It looks quite decent and is reminiscent of the famous Greek amphitheatres familiar to many travelers through photos or videos found online.

The amphitheatre boasts excellent acoustics, making it a fun spot to test out your echo – or to be echoed by it…

You can not only take photos but also enjoy a short tour among the ruins where gladiators once performed.

St. Nicholas Church

St. Nicholas, known for his miracles, is the prototype for the modern Father Christmas or Santa Claus, as according to tradition and chronicles he was exceptionally kind to children. Before Christmas, he would gift presents to poor children by leaving them at their doorsteps. This custom eventually evolved into the tradition of finding gifts under the tree on New Year’s Day.

St. Nicholas was originally buried in the church where all tourists on the excursion are brought. Tour guides are not perturbed by the fact that his relics have long been removed from the sanctuary – only the sarcophagus remains. His relics were allegedly stolen by Italian seafarers. Well, if that is indeed the case, why not demand their return, as has been done with many works of art? Most likely, this event was contrived – nothing more.

And if there is a news hook, why not create a legend around it? This is the famous rule of many enterprising businessmen. That is exactly what happened with this site.

According to local lore (read: according to stories invented by local caretakers), the empty sarcophagus has retained its miraculous properties, and anyone who touches it can experience its power firsthand.

The icons brought to the sarcophagus are said to be charged with incredible energy, and women who have long struggled to conceive are promised fertility after a touch. And so the well-trodden path continues, fuelled only by the astonishing stories and legends of its caretakers.

Interior of the Church — The Interior Decoration

We do not wish to impose our views on anyone – everyone is free to believe what they choose – but the fact that thousands of pilgrims converge here every year makes one wonder if something might be amiss: with the site, with the storyteller, or with the pilgrims themselves…

Next to the church, there is a market where tourists are led in much the same way as described in the previous paragraph. We won’t go into detail here because, in many ways, all such markets are similar.

Kekova – What Can You See Underwater

After thoroughly exploring the ancient ruins, the excursion group will head to the sunken ancient city near Kekova island. No one is allowed to dive into the submerged city because it is a specially protected natural area—a nature reserve—but you will be able to view it through the water.

Including this boat ride in the excursion was essential; without it, word of a dull and uninspiring program would spread across the internet. And everyone loves the sea – as confirmed by the abundance of positive reviews in recent years. We are confident that this trend will continue in the coming years.

But back to the excursion. Near Kekova island, the ancient city – variously called Syme, Karakola, or even Dolichiste by different guides – has partially survived; it sank as a result of an earthquake. What became of its inhabitants is not known for sure, but its architecture is mesmerizing.

Tourists are taken above the city on a yacht with a glass bottom, allowing you to clearly see the outlines of houses, ancient amphorae, churches, and inns.

Yet not the entire city is submerged; majestically rising above the sea is an ancient sarcophagus, like a star hovering in the night sky.

Now, to be serious. Yes, tour guides promise magnificent underwater landscapes and excellent visibility. In practice, however, conditions can be much less impressive. If the weather is poor, you risk seeing nothing at all due to murky waters. And even in the best conditions, you might only make out the shapes of jugs and formless structures. Typically, the cheaper the tour, the smaller the glass-bottom viewing windows (making it hard to discern details), and even if your guide assures you that the island’s coastline is strewn with remnants of an ancient civilization, there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to fully appreciate it.

Swimming near the sunken city is prohibited, but tourists are not left without a chance to swim.

The Real View — This is what it really looks like

Nearby, there is a small picturesque cove where you can swim to your heart’s content.

How to Get There

Turkish vacations are generally budget-friendly, but they are not without the charms and romance of independent excursions. If you wish to save money, book an excursion with a local guide – doing it on your own might turn out more expensive; however, if your goal is something else, you are welcome to choose independently.

So, how to get to Demre on your own from various parts of Turkey.

The simplest option is by bus. From Antalya, Kemer, or Fethiye, the transport is provided by Bati Antalya – check their official website.

The trip costs are approximately:

From Antalya – about 22 Turkish Lira (TL).
From Kemer – about 18 TL.
From Fethiye – about 25 TL.

Travel times:

Antalya – around 3 hours.
Kemer – approximately 2 hours.
Fethiye – roughly 3.5 hours.

Buses run daily from six in the morning until eight in the evening, departing every hour. Look for buses with “Demre” written on them.

If you prefer not to go to the bus station, note that buses travel along the D400 highway and will stop if you signal them. With these two pieces of information, you’ll know what to do next.

If you are staying in Alanya or Side, there are no direct services to Demre; you would first need to travel to Antalya’s bus station, and then proceed as described above.

By the way, all buses are air-conditioned.

From the Demre bus station – where all buses arrive – it is a short walk to both the church and the necropolis. As the saying goes, “the language will eventually lead you there” – and if not, consult the map.

Amphitheatre and Necropolis

Cost of the Excursion

If you decide that an independent vacation is not for you, then book a tour with a local guide or travel agency. Prices usually range from about $30 to $50 and include everything mentioned above. If the price is higher, it likely includes additional meals or a more comfortable yacht.

On your own, entrance fees for the church and the ancient site are around 20 TL each, which is approximately $4. In total, an independent trip with the most economical option would cost around $8–$15 (excluding the visit to Kekova but including meals). In this case, it really is better to join an organized tour.

Precautions and Tips

Standard precautions include clarifying all details before departure to avoid disappointment upon arrival.

The most important things to verify are what is included in the price and what additional expenses you might incur during the tour – and, importantly, whether the guide speaks a language familiar to you. (For European travelers, ensure that the guide communicates fluently in your language.)

This last point is particularly important when booking tours with local companies, as operators always ensure that their tourists are not left with a guide who cannot communicate effectively in a widely spoken language.

If the price seems too low, be cautious – it might indicate that the guide does not speak your language or that many aspects of the tour will incur extra charges, potentially costing far more than if you went independently.

So, follow these basic precautions and your vacation should not be spoiled by even the most persistent tour seller.