Places to Visit in Demre – 12 Places You Must See
Places to Visit in Demre, one of the districts of Antalya where history and nature are intertwined, has been the point of interest of many tourists throughout the year in terms of places to visit. Although it is one of the smallest districts of Antalya, it contains many historical and natural beauties. Its geographical location and landforms allowed it to preserve its virgin structure. While the places to visit are concentrated in Demre district; The strategic location of the region has played an important role in the establishment of important ancient cities throughout history. It offers many options from ancient cities to the sea, from bays to beaches.
Myra Ancient City
The ancient settlement, which you can include when planning your Demre attractions, is located in Myra Ruins. It has a very important place among the ancient cities established on the Mediterranean coast. The ancient city of Myra, where the first settlements are estimated to be in the 5th century BC, took its name from Myra, which means “Place of the Mother Goddess” in the Byzantine Period.
It has an important position in the name of Christianity. The reason for this is that St. Nicholas, known as Santa Claus, was once the archbishop here and made his name known to the world. Excavations have recently begun and more artifacts have been unearthed intact than in other ancient cities.
The most popular structure in the ancient city of Myra is the theater built in the Roman style. Mythological figures embroidered with reliefs on its walls still exist and can be observed. At the same time, another important structure is the rock tombs on the hill in the upper part of the city. The rock tombs, which have the appearance of a house when viewed from a distance, were built in the form of temples.
The entrance fee for the ancient city of Myra is 30 TL. Free entrance can be provided with Müzekart for one year.
You can check our Demre hotels page for all the affordable accommodation services in Demre.
Santa Claus Church (St. Nicholas Church)
Santa Claus Church Visiting Area
Located in Demre district of Antalya city Santa Claus Church, was built to commemorate Santa Claus or St. Nicholas as it is also known as it has survived to the present day. St Nicholas, who became famous in the world, was born in Patara, but during the Byzantine Empire, upon the order of the Byzantine Empire, he began to work as an archbishop in Myra.
Myra, which was called in the old period, was built in 520 years by Christians who wanted to remember her at every moment thanks to her fame spreading all over the world from Demre district. The tomb of St Nicholas, which is an important place for Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholics, is located under the foundations of this church.
It has a great importance from an architectural point of view. It is also on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The church, which was flooded over time, was built by the Russian Emperor 1. It was restored by Nikolas in 1862.
Entrance to Santa Claus Church, which stands out among the places to visit in Demre, is 30 TL. Free entrance can be provided with Müzekart for one year.
Kekova Island
Kekova Island, off Demre, close to the coast. Although there is currently no settlement on Kekova Island, it is home to the ruins of many ancient Lycian villages that once dominated the region.
Due to the earthquake that occurred in the 2nd century AD, the settlements on Kekova Island were flooded. Some buildings are completely submerged, while others can also be partially observed over land. There is also a Lycian Necropolis on Kekova Island, which spreads along the coastline, revealing semi-submerged tombs.
The most famous place of the region is the sunken city. Boat tours are organized constantly, as there is no direct access to the island. As the island is a private protected area, swimming is not allowed. However, swimming is free in Tersane and Gökkaya bays on Kekova Island.
Don’t forget to take a look at our list of Antalya hotels for accommodation services that appeal to every budget.
Andriake Ancient City and Lycian Civilizations Museum
Andriake Ancient City Bird’s Eye View
The ancient city and the Lycian Civilizations Museum, located in Büyükkum, the richest neighborhood of Demre district in terms of historical beauty, is a port city that was once used as a granary by the Lycian Union. The historical settlement, a place where the first settlements are thought to be in the 200th century BC, is the most important of the Roman Empire it is known as a place that one of his apostles, the apostle Paul, visited on his way back from his travels.
Built on the riverside within the borders of the ancient city of Myra, Andriake was once home to rooms measuring 56 meters and a granary of about 6000 square meters. Of the structures that are still observed today, there are various monuments, including part of the granary, port structures and churches. The thing that attracts the most attention of tourists is the city’s cistern, which is 24 meters long and 12 meters wide. While visiting the ancient city of Myra, the Museum of Lycian Civilizations, which you can visit every day of the week except Mondays between 08:30 and 18:30, is one of the important historical and touristic places of the region.
Andriake Ancient City and Lycian Civilizations Museum entrance fee is 6 TL.
Demre Bird Paradise
Demre Bird Paradise Unique Nature
Located within the borders of Büyükkum Neighborhood of Demre Bird Paradisecovers a wetland area of approximately 100 hectares. In addition to the bird species unique to the region, it contains a total of 149 different bird species.
Due to its proximity to the ancient cities in the region, it is often visited by those who come to see both historical places and natural beauties. Located an average of 4 kilometers from the district center, the region is at the top of the list of places to visit in Demre with its natural view.
Our team has listed the magnificent places that will allow you to hold on to life again with its natural beauties on the Demre Travel Guide page for you.
Soura Ancient City
Demre Sura Village Historical Ruins
It is known that the ancient city of Soura, located in Sura Village, 6 km away from Demre in Antalya province, was founded in the IV century BC. The village, which takes its name from the Hellenic language, is among the places to visit in the region; As a result of the researches, it was concluded that Apollo was one of the prophecy centers. In the ancient city, which is a place that attracts many tourists throughout the year, the Temple of Apollo, the acropolis, the church remains and the walls surrounding the acropolis are among the works that have survived to the present day.
Kyaenai Ancient City
Located between the borders of Yavu Village of Demre district Kyaenai Ruinsis one of the most important cities of the Lycian Civilization, which once ruled the region. The city was built on a steep slope to protect it from the Arabs who once raided the region.
Although the history of Kyaenai, which is one of the places to be seen during the Demre holiday, is not known exactly, it has been determined that it dates back to the 4th century BC from the tablets unearthed. What played an important role in the real fame of the region is the presence of more than 300 sarcophagus tombs. The city, which is protected by approximately 450 meters long walls, was once used by the Roman Empire.
Entrance to the ancient city, which you can add to your list of places to visit in Demre, is free.
You can visit our Antalya Travel Guide page for places that will allow you to rediscover your passion from different fascinating places in Antalya to historical monuments.
Burguç Healing Cold Water
Burguç Healing Cold Water Swimming Area
Burguç Healing Cold Water, located in Karabucak Neighborhood of Demre district, has a temperature of 12 to 13 degrees at almost any time of the year. It has a small location on the side of the road leading to Demre Çayağzı Port. There is a high amount of sulfur and soda in the water, which has two sources left and right.
The pools, which were built with a special study a short time ago, are of great interest to tourists who are affected by the humid and stifling air of the summer months. If it is a fender place located next to the pool, it is used as a mask because it beautifies the skin. Many people have stated that healing water is good for sunburns, insect bites, skin diseases and muscle pains. Burguç Healing Cold Water entrance is free of charge.
Beymelek Beach
Beymelek Coast, located in Beymelek Neighborhood of Demre district, hosts the longest coastline of the district. The coast, which is approximately 18 kilometers long, is one of the places to be seen in the region; it has only recently begun to gain popularity.
On the long coastline of the Beymelek Sea, there are also picnic and barbecue areas. In small businesses on the coast, personal needs are met. Beach It is known that the freshest blue crabs are in the restaurants here because the rocky parts create an environment suitable for the blue crabs to live.
Simena Ancient City
Simena Ancient City
The ancient city of Simena, located in the Kale Village, 6 kilometers away from the district center of Demre, is one of the important historical buildings of the region.
Simena, one of the cities belonging to the Lycian Civilization, was founded in the 4th century BC. The castle within its borders is among the most robust structures that have survived to the present day. The region, where transportation can only be provided from the sea, is also protected within the scope of Kekova Special Environmental Protection Area.
Among the structures you can examine in the region, which is a first-degree archaeological site, there are ancient theaters, sarcophagi, breakwaters and historical building remains with a capacity of 300 people.
The entrance fee to the ancient city of Simena, which can be visited between 08:30 and 19:30 every day of the week except weekends, is 14 TL.
Üçağız Ancient City (Theimussa)
Üçağız Ancient City
Üçağız Ancient City, which is 20 km away from Demre district center, is located within the borders of Kaleüçağız Village.
The historical settlement, which is surrounded by the sea on three sides, has been used for centuries in the form of a natural harbor. The ruins in the region, also known as the ancient city of Theimussa, are thought to belong to the 4th century BC.
It can be seen that a tomb in the region, where there are many remains of graves around, is of the house type and there is a depiction of a naked man on it. In addition, there are many sarcophagi, inscriptions and historical structures in the city.
Demre Day Attractions
Although Demre, one of the popular holiday centers of the Mediterranean, offers many alternatives to its visitors in terms of places to visit, you can also visit different destinations where you can discover more during your holiday. During your holiday in Demre district, which has many natural beauties and historical buildings around, you can visit popular regions in nearby locations on a daily basis by preparing a travel guide.
Pirate Bay
Pirate Bay Unique Sea
Korsan Bay is about 60 km away from Demre district center. The fact that it is a small and clean bay is one of the attractive points for day trips. Since the 25-meter-wide Pirate Bay between the two rocks is sheltered, it has become the dwelling place of pirates in ancient times.
Demre is one of the favorite places to stay in Antalya. Within the scope of the travel guide you will prepare, the places to visit in the nearby districts can make the Demre holiday more beautiful.
Your dream of a honeymoon by the sea comes true. Don’t forget to visit our Demre Seafront Honeymoon Hotels page.
Yanartas
Demre Yanartaş Miracle
The legendary Yanartaş, located in Çıralı of Kumluca, Antalya, is 80 km away from Demre district center. Yanartaş, which is depicted as a fire that has not been extinguished for more than 1000 years, attracts the attention of many local and foreign tourists and gathers visitors within the scope of places to visit.
Adrasan Beach
Adrasan Coast View
Adrasan Coast, which is among the daily places to visit during Demre holiday, is about 70 km away from Demre district center. It is among the important holiday resorts with its location in the heart of nature, 2 km of beach and unique view. Boat tours are made for those who wish with the boats on the beach, there is an opportunity to escape from the hot sun and dive into the cool Mediterranean waters.
Arykanda Ancient City
Arykanda Ancient City Ruins
The ancient city of Arykanda belongs to the Lycian Civilization; Demre is about 45 km away from the district center. It is one of the unique places that has managed to stay from the time of the Lycians to the present day. In the city that stands out among the places to visit for a day in Demre, the Roman temple, water channels, theater, agora and gymnasium are the historical ruins worth seeing.
Don’t forget to take a look at the Demre Pool Hotels page for hotels that will double your pool pleasure.
Suluin Cave
Suluin Underwater Cave
Suluin Cave is approximately 27 km away from Demre district center. It is a natural beauty worth seeing because it is the largest underwater cave in Asia. In addition to visiting the stalactites and stalagmites in the cave, professional diving can be done in the cave.
AntiphAncient Theatre of ellos
Antiphellos Ancient Theatre Ruins
?Antiphellos Ancient Theater, one of the important historical buildings of Antalya, is approximately 48 km away from Demre district. The history of the ancient theater dates back to the 4th century BC. It is one of the rare ruins that have managed to reach the present day with its small but scenic structure.
For more places to visit and other regions, you can visit the Antalya region category.
