Demre, Myra and Sunken City Kekova Tour – Full-day trip from Antalya to Demre, a province on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. See the Lycian town of Myra, once home to St Nicholas of Myra (the original Santa Claus)

This is a full-day tour combination with half day boat, half-day bus. See the finest monuments of historic Lycia, find sunken cities and uncover the origins of Santa Claus on this enthralling tour.

After a drive along the coast between the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean you arrive at Cayagzı or Ucagiz Marina in Demre. Embark in a typical wooden boat for around a one and half hour cruise and take in the ruins of the sunken city in Kekova. The shoreline is strewn with ancient ruins of entire towns partly immersed in the waters. Enjoy the opportunity of a swimming break (season and weather permitting) to cool down.

Then we will proceed to Myra, one of the most beautiful parts of Anatolia to visit the ruined city with its impressive Lycian rock cut tombs and the ancient amphitheater. Myra was one of the most important port cities of the Lycian civilization and an important center of religion.

We finish the day with the Church of St. Nicholas (entrance optional), the most important sight in the area and the real home of Father Christmas (Santa Claus). The earliest church of St. Nicholas at Myra was built in the 6th century. The present-day church was constructed mainly from the 8th century onward; a monastery was added in the 11th century. In the last few years the frescos have been repaired and the artwork retouched. Return in the late evening to Antalya where the tour concludes with a hotel drop-off at your Antalya hotel.