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An update from Evaneos
Demre

Demre (Turkey)

Practical information about Demre

  • Family
  • Place or Religious Monument
  • Archaeological Site
  • Place or Historical Monument
  • Essential
5 / 5 - One review
How to get there
Three hours from Antalya Airport by bus
When to go
From April to November
Minimum stay
One day

Reviews of Demre

Clemence Zisswiller Travel writer
34 travel articles

An ancient Lycian city, Demre (also known as Myra or Kale) still retains its ancient treasures.

My suggestion:
An afternoon is easily enough to explore the town; so there is absolutely no need to spend the night here. Head off along the coast in a minibus instead until you reach somewhere you can stay over at.
Summary:

When you visit Turkey, be sure to spend some time in Demre so you can visit the two interesting sites there .

During the hot part of the day, explore the Byzantine Church of Saint Nicholas. The building was first constructed in the fifth century then rebuilt six centuries later. The mosaics and frescos on its walls are beautifully coloured and still in good condition. I was particularly impressed by the way the light penetrates through the openings and gaps in the church. The effect this creates changes depending on the time of day and contributes beautifully to the sanctified atmosphere that reigns within the building.

Before you leave, enjoy a leisurely Turkish tea in the little garden outside. Then head on to the Myra site. You can make out the Lycian necropolis, hewn into the side of a mountain, from a distance away. It is not possible to visit its unique and unusual tombs, but you can walk around the impressive ancient amphitheatre. When everything is in bloom here, the flowers of the bay trees really add a wonderful touch to the site and the delicious aroma of tomatoes fills the air. This is not surprising: the region specialises in tomato production.

Ancient relic at the Myra site