Demre Myra Kekova tour from Belek
The Demre Myra Kekova tour from Belek is a seamless and informative travel experience that can be booked directly through our website without any upfront payment. Throughout the journey to sunken city, an local guide ensures your safety and enriches your experience with detailed historical information about Demre, Myra, and Kekova in Antalya region. The distance from Belek to Demre, Myra, and Kekova ranges from approximately 170 to 190 kilometers (106 to 118 miles), with the day trip typically taking around 2 to 3 hours each way. This tour not only provides an opportunity to explore significant historical landmarks but also guarantees a comfortable and informative trip, making it an ideal choice for travelers.
Sunken City Kekova from Belek
The Belek to Sunken City Kekova excursion offers an unforgettable experience on a stunning glass-bottom boat, allowing travelers to view the ancient submerged ruins in Turkey. This unique journey combines the beauty of the Turkish coastline with a rare glimpse into underwater history, making it a must-do adventure.
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Detailed description
An excursion to Demre-Myra-Kekova from Belek is a fantastic way to delve into the rich history of Turkey. For a relatively affordable price, you can explore one of the earliest centers of Christianity. This pilgrimage takes you to holy places where St. Nicholas the Wonderworker spent his life.
Demre History
The renowned Turkish city of Demre is full of historical sights and precious architectural treasures, as its history spans many centuries. It is rightly considered the cradle of antiquity throughout Turkey. Until recently, the city was known as Kale, but in 2005, the authorities renamed it Demre, though many also call it Myra. The settlement was first mentioned in history in the 4th century BC. Throughout its existence, the city even served as the "heart" of the legendary Lycian Empire.
Evolution of Santa Claus
Demre can rightly be called the home of Christianity. It was here that Santa Claus (St. Nicholas) lived and preached. Visitors have the opportunity to see the ancient Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, which was once destroyed by an earthquake and later restored from ruins. A marble sarcophagus is located within the church, where, according to legend, St. Nicholas was buried. Tourists can also visit the house where he spent many years.
Travel agency Belek Tours offers the most affordable prices in the city. If you enjoy entertainment tours, consider choosing an excursion to the Waterpark in Belek.
Where is the Temple of St. Nicholas?
The Temple of Santa Claus the Wonderworker is located in Demre because this famous figure was born just 60 km away in the small town of Patara. The church itself is an incredibly valuable historical building from the Byzantine era. Centuries-old frescoes and murals have been perfectly preserved on its walls. The entire floor of the temple is paved with ancient mosaics, and the altar has survived remarkably well.
Interesting Fact: Many tourists notice card symbolism on the walls of the temple, symbols that are commonly associated with suits in playing cards. It turns out these symbols are tied to the Christian religion: hearts represent the heart of Christ, spades symbolize the spear that inflicted mortal wounds, diamonds represent the wound itself, and clubs signify the crucifixion. This is why playing cards have historically been considered a sin in Christian tradition.
Lycian Tombs in Myra
Myra is an ancient city famous for having the largest Lycian tombs in Turkey. These tombs are unique because they are carved directly into the rocks and were used to bury the wealthiest and most influential inhabitants of the ancient settlement. According to ancient legends, the souls of those buried here ascend directly to heaven. The ruins of the city reflect its former greatness and glory. During the tour, you will be able to see the ruins of the Greco-Roman theater and many other fascinating structures. You can book an excursion to Demre from Belek at a low cost from any hotel in the region.
Kekova: How to Get There
The island of Kekova in the Mediterranean is another highlight of the Demre-Myra-Kekova tour from Belek. In the northern part of the island, you can find the ruins of the ancient city of Dolchiste, which flourished in antiquity but was destroyed by an earthquake in the second century AD. The city's buildings are partially submerged in water, with the upper parts of some structures visible above the sea's surface, while the rest remains hidden. Along the coastline, you will see many artifacts and items from that era.
While cheking the outskirts of Demre, visitors will also reach the legendary island of Kekova, where the ancient city of Dolchiste once thrived. Today, the island still hides many secrets, which divers from around the world eagerly try to uncover. After the devastating earthquake, the city was reduced to ruins, but as you sail along the coastline of the island on a yacht, you can glimpse the remnants of ancient buildings, houses, and shrines.
During the excursion to the "city of the dead" in Turkey from Belek, guests will have a unique opportunity to walk among the ruins while on a yacht and admire the streets, port ruins, sarcophagi, stairs, walls, and columns through the glass windows on the bottom of the ship.
Demre Myra Kekova tour from Belek and from near area
Kekova tour from Bogazkent
Demre-Myra-Kekova tour from Bogazkent Antalya - you will have a busy day, countless steps and swimming in the open sea near the protected area. We will visit the unique Likian tombs carved into the rock, which are thousands of years old, the Church of St. Nicholas, and then go on a boat trip to the partially sunken city of Kekova.
Demre-Myra-Kekova day trip from Kadriye
One day Demre-Myra-Kekova trip from Kadriye Belek – during the tour you will visit the places where St. Nicholas the Wonderworker once lived, the guide-historian will tell you interesting facts, lead you to the temple where the tomb is kept. You will learn what happened to the Saint's relics, what miraculous properties the sarcophagus has, and see unique frescoes and iconostases.
Demre-Myra-Kekova from Serik
Demre-Myra-Kekova from Serik Antalya - we will go to the city of Dolihiste, on the island of Kekova, which in the 2nd century BC went under water due to an earthquake. Now the island is considered a protected area, you can only see houses and household items through the transparent bottom of the boat. We will visit the Church of St. Nicholas and admire the Lycian tombs.
| Adult | 27£ |
| Kids (4-8) | 15£ |
| Infants (0-3) | free |
Demre Myra Kekova tour from Belek why to visit
The Kekova boat tour from Belek is an exceptional value, offering a rich and diverse excursion at a very reasonable price. This tour includes a visit to the historic Church of St. Nicholas, adding significant cultural and historical interest. Despite the substantial distance from Belek, the tour ensures comfort with air-conditioned buses, making the journey pleasant even in warm weather. An expert guide with a history background accompanies the tour, providing insightful and educational commentary that enhances the overall experience. Considering the comprehensive itinerary and the quality of services provided, the pricing is more than fair, making this tour a highly profitable and attractive option for tourists.
details
Demre Myra Kekova tour from Belek program
- Demre-Myra-Kekova from Belek - the tour begins from pick-up and transfer of tourists from hotels on comfortable buses;
- Breakfast (take a lunch box from your hotel if you did not have time to have breakfast before departure);
- Walk through the ancient city of Myra, visit to Roman amphytheatre and the Lycian tombs carved into the rocks;
- Excursion "In the footsteps of the history of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker" - meeting with the homeland of St. Nicholas, his sarcophagus, visiting to icon shop, the church where he preached etc;
- Lunch with dishes of national Turkish cuisine in the restaurant;
- Moving to the famous city Kekova, near which the sunken settlement of Dolhiste is located;
- Journey on a glass bottom boat along the ruins of a Kekova sunken city;
- Swimming in picturesque bays with crystal clear water near the island of Kekova;
- Return transfer to hotels on comfortable buses
Demre Myra Kekova tour from Belek frequently asked questions
- Demre Myra Kekova Tour attracts tourists with the azure Mediterranean Sea, which is considered one of the most pleasant for a beach holiday. Its beaches are located on the Teke Peninsula in Antalya province, just 140 km from Antalya.
- Kekova from Belek involves a rather long journey, which starts with the fact that tourists should take a dolmush in Belek, which will reach the city of Kas on the D400 route. The distance will be about 230 kilometers and will take approximately four hours. Departing in Kas, you need to find the local port and take a ferry to Kekova, which departs every day from May to September at a cost of 35 lira in both directions. Such a sea tour will not take more than an hour. It is much more convenient to visit these places in the format of an organized excursion with a Russian guide.
- Demre Myra Kekova tour from Belek will demonstrate to tourists that the famous sunken city of Kekova is located on the southern coast of Turkey in the purest Mediterranean Sea in close proximity to the city of Demre.