Demre, Myra and Kekova — where stones remember prayers and waves guard the cities

There are places where the past doesn’t feel distant. Demre, Myra and Kekova are just such places. Here, the sun lights up stones more than two thousand years old, the sea whispers ancient stories, and the air feels calm and powerful, as if the land itself remembers everything that has happened here through the ages.

The journey begins in Demre — a small, cozy town known around the world as the birthplace of St. Nicholas. Locals affectionately call him “our Nicholas”, and indeed, he’s not just a legend here, but a part of daily life. You’ll visit the ancient Church of St. Nicholas, see mosaics, fresco fragments and the sarcophagus surrounded by candles. The atmosphere is warm and quiet, without pomp — as if time slows down to let you feel the essence of this place.

Next is ancient Myra of Lycia — a city where stone turned into architecture. Above the old amphitheater rise Lycian tombs carved directly into the cliffs. Their facades look like miniature temples, each one telling a story frozen in stone. From here you can see the valley where temples and markets once stood. It all feels almost unreal until you realize — you are standing where people lived thousands of years before our time.

Then comes the sea breeze and a short trip to the coast. There awaits Kekova Island — quiet, azure, and extraordinary. It’s called the sunken city because part of the ancient settlement went underwater after an earthquake. From the boat you can see the ruins of houses and stairways under the crystal-clear water — as if the city is simply sleeping beneath the waves, waiting to be remembered again.

This tour is not just a sightseeing trip. It’s a day filled with calm, beauty and a sense of touching something genuine. You don’t need to be a historian or believer to feel that this place is alive — it speaks to everyone in its own way.

And when the bus heads back toward Kemer or Antalya, you’ll carry not only the vivid image of ruins and the sea, but also a soft feeling of inner silence. That happens when you visit a place where history and people still hear each other.

Today, Demre is one of Turkey’s main centers of pilgrimage and historical tourism. Here, ancient ruins, the spirit of Christianity, and the beauty of the Mediterranean come together in harmony.

If you want to spend a day away from the rush — among places where time breathes differently — take a tour to Demre, Myra and Kekova. Let the road be unhurried, the guide’s stories warm, and the sea as clear as glass. This journey brings you back to simple things: silence, light, and the feeling that you truly experienced something, not just saw it.