Demre is a small coastal town roughly 140 km southwest of Antalya, home to two of Lycia's most famous sights: the ancient city of Myra, with its dramatic rock-cut tombs and Roman theatre, and the Church of St Nicholas — the fourth-century bishop whose legend became Santa Claus. It's a genuinely special day out, but a long one.
The easiest way to reach it is by private transfer or a private driver for the day from your hotel in Antalya, Side, Belek, Kemer or Alanya. Expect a drive of about 2.5 hours each way from central Antalya, longer from resorts further east, so this is very much a full-day plan rather than a quick morning out.
What is Demre — Myra and St Nicholas?
Demre packs two extraordinary sites into one small town. Ancient Myra was a leading city of the Lycian League, and what survives is unforgettable: a cliff face honeycombed with elaborate rock-cut tombs carved to look like little temple facades, and a well-preserved Roman theatre below. Standing beneath those tombs, staring up at doorways cut into sheer stone, is one of those "how on earth did they do this" moments the Turkish coast does so well.
A short distance away sits the Church of St Nicholas. Nicholas was bishop of Myra in the fourth century, and stories of his quiet generosity travelled across Europe over the centuries, eventually shaping the figure we now call Santa Claus, Father Christmas or Sinterklaas. The church that grew up around his memory is a working piece of Byzantine history — atmospheric, cool and quiet, with old frescoes and a strong sense of place. For many visitors, the St Nicholas connection is the reason they come; the astonishing tombs of Myra are the surprise that steals the day.
How to get to Demre — drive times and the easy option
Demre lies west along the coast from Antalya, past Finike, and the road winds through mountains and citrus groves with sea views for much of the way. As a rough guide, plan on:
- Antalya city / Lara / Konyaaltı: about 140 km, roughly 2.5 hours.
- Kemer: a little shorter and very scenic, but still a long run.
- Side, Belek, Manavgat: add well over an hour — you'll be crossing Antalya first.
- Alanya: a long haul, comfortably three hours plus each way — the earliest start of all.
These are approximate. Real drive time swings with traffic, roadworks and the season, and the mountain stretches near Demre are not roads to hurry on, so build in a comfortable buffer.
Your realistic choices are a hire car, a packaged coach excursion, or a private transfer. A hire car means driving unfamiliar mountain roads for five hours round-trip, then parking and navigating on a day you'd rather spend exploring. A coach tour is cheaper but rigid — fixed departure, fixed lunch stop, and a clock ticking at every site. A private transfer or a driver for the day is the comfortable middle: your own vehicle, door to door, on your schedule. Your driver handles the long drive and the parking while you doze, chat or watch the coast roll by, and waits at Myra and St Nicholas while you take your time. If you're flying in specifically for a trip like this, our complete airport transfer guide covers the arrival side.
What to combine with Demre nearby
Because Demre is so far west, most people pair it with the sunken city of Kekova, one of the coast's true highlights. From the nearby harbour at Çayağzı you can join a boat that glides over the half-submerged ruins of Simena, drowned by ancient earthquakes — stone stairways and foundations shimmering just below the surface. It turns a long drive into a properly memorable day, and it's the classic Demre + Kekova combination. For the boat itself, see our Kekova sunken city guide; as a transport company we get you to the harbour and wait, and point you to a reputable boat for the water portion.
Heading back east, Kaş and Kalkan make a lovely stop for a late lunch, and the turquoise cove of Kaputaş beach lies on that road too — see our Kaputaş and Kaş guide if you fancy stretching the day with a swim. With a private driver you can weave these in as you please rather than being marched to a set timetable.
Best time to visit and practical tips
Both Myra and St Nicholas are ticketed sites, and hours and entrance fees change with the season and from year to year — always check the current opening times and fees before you set off, and factor in that some areas may be under conservation work. The church can get busy with visitors and, in winter especially, pilgrims; Myra's cliff site is largely open and sun-exposed.
Start early. The long drive rewards an early departure — you'll beat the worst heat and have unhurried time at both sites plus a Kekova boat if you're combining. Wear proper shoes for the uneven stone at Myra, bring water, sun cover and a hat, and carry a light layer for the cool interior of the church. Spring and autumn are ideal; high summer is doable but hot at the exposed ruins. Give yourself a good couple of hours across the two sites, more with lunch and a boat.
Who Demre suits
It's a brilliant day for history and culture lovers — the Lycian tombs and a genuinely ancient Christian site in one town is a rare combination. Families enjoy the Santa Claus story and clambering around the theatre, though the long drive suits older children better than restless toddlers; we fit free child and infant seats on request to make the journey easier. Couples get a romantic, low-key alternative to the busy resort strip, especially paired with a Kekova boat and a Kaş lunch. It's less ideal for anyone who wants a lazy pool day — this is a committed outing — but for curious travellers it's one of the coast's most rewarding.
A private transfer takes the strain out of the distance: door-to-door pickup from your hotel, a fixed price agreed when you book, a licensed local driver who knows the mountain road, and no car-hire admin or coach-tour clock. Your driver waits at each site so you explore at your own pace, and child seats are there when you need them.
Ready to see Myra and Santa's own town in comfort? Book a private transfer or a driver for the day at bookridenow.com and get an instant fixed-price quote for your Demre day trip.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Demre from Antalya and how long does it take?
Demre is roughly 140 km southwest of Antalya, along the coast past Finike. The drive is about 2.5 hours each way from the city centre, and noticeably longer from resorts further east like Side, Belek or Alanya. It's a mountain and coast road, so allow extra time for traffic and the season.
Is a Demre day trip worth it?
For anyone who enjoys history, absolutely. Seeing the rock-cut Lycian tombs and Roman theatre of Myra alongside the church of the original Santa Claus is a rare combination, and pairing it with the Kekova sunken city makes a standout day. The long drive is the trade-off, so an early start and comfortable transport make all the difference.
Can I combine Demre with Kekova in one day?
Yes — Demre plus the Kekova sunken city is the classic pairing, and the Çayağzı harbour for Kekova boats is just outside Demre. With a private driver you can do Myra, St Nicholas and a Kekova boat comfortably in a full day. We handle the transport and waiting; a reputable boat operator handles the water portion.
What are the opening hours and entrance fees for Myra and St Nicholas?
Both are ticketed archaeological sites, and their hours and fees change by season and year. We don't quote exact figures because they go out of date quickly — please check the current opening times and entrance fees before you travel, and note that parts of a site can occasionally be closed for conservation.
Is Demre good for children?
The Santa Claus link and the open theatre and tombs make it fun for kids who enjoy exploring, and it's a great story to tell them on the way. The long drive suits older children better than very young ones, so plan snacks and a comfortable vehicle. We provide free child and infant seats on request to make the journey smoother.
Should I hire a car or take a private transfer to Demre?
A hire car means driving winding mountain roads for around five hours round-trip and sorting parking yourself. A private transfer or driver for the day gives you door-to-door comfort, a fixed price agreed at booking, and a local driver who waits while you explore each site. For a long day like Demre, most travellers find the private option far less tiring. Get an instant quote at bookridenow.com/en.
How much time should I spend at the sites in Demre?
Allow a good couple of hours across Myra and the Church of St Nicholas, more if you like to read every panel and take photos. Add a Kekova boat and lunch in Kaş or Kalkan and it becomes a full, satisfying day. Because the drive is long, an early start gives you unhurried time everywhere.
When is the best time of year to visit Demre?
Spring and autumn are ideal — pleasant temperatures for the exposed cliff site at Myra and comfortable for the long drive. High summer is perfectly doable but hot at the open ruins, so bring water, a hat and sun cover. Winter is quieter and atmospheric, especially at the church, though a Kekova boat is more weather-dependent then.