Demre, Kekova, Myra: iconic places of the southern coast of Turkey

What to expect

Yacht trip and visit to Kekova
From Side, you will take a bus to the port on the island of Kekova, from where an hour-long yacht trip will begin. The coastline is incredibly rich in ancient artifacts: at a depth of 5-6 meters, you will see marble columns, statues, stone stairs, sidewalks, house walls, quay, and remains of a port, and in some places - lids of Lycian sarcophagi rising above the sea surface. You will learn about the ancient stages of Kekova and the times when the island was a disputed territory between Italy and Turkey. On the north side, you will discover the ruins of the ancient city of Dolichiste, destroyed in the 2nd century BC by an earthquake and partially submerged. You will also encounter the ruins of ancient Aperlae, Simena, and Teimussa. And from the southwest side, you will see the surviving apse of a ruined church. If you wish, you will be able to swim during a short stop.

Ruins of ancient Myra
After the yacht trip, you will go to explore one of the most accessible archaeological sites in Turkey - the ruins of the ancient city of Myra. This part of the excursion is designed for independent walking - you will be able to examine the ruins of the magnificent Greco-Roman theater, the ruins of the acropolis, and the tombs carved into the cliffs. Beforehand, we will briefly tell you about the peculiarity of Lycian tombs and the features that make this place unique, as well as present the main historical facts from the life of the city, founded in the 5th century BC.

Demre - the city of St. Nicholas
Next, you will go to one of the centers of the spread of Christianity - Demre. The city is one of the most visited attractions in Turkey due to its connection to St. Nicholas. Here, Nicholas from Patara lived and preached until his death. During the tour, you will learn about the path taken by the son of a sailor, trace the complicated history of the church built in honor of the saint and now inactive, and see the relic that attracts visitors: the marble sarcophagus, which presumably contained the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker until the early 10th century, when Italian merchants transported them to the city of Bari. You will hear legends about miraculous healings and the acquisition of the church's status as a pilgrimage site, examine the reliefs and ornaments on the sarcophagus. We will also talk about the differences in the perception of the wonderworker in the East and the West. And after that, lunch will be waiting for you at a local restaurant near the church.