Myra, St Nicholas and Kekova

A long, rich day on the Lycian coast: in Myra the rock tombs stand like house façades in the cliff above the theatre. In Demre we visit the church where Nicholas of Myra was bishop. In the afternoon we take a boat over the sunken walls of Kekova to Simena.

Highlights

• Rock tombs and theatre of Myra
• St Nicholas Church in Demre – church of Bishop Nicholas
• Myra in the Book of Acts: Paul changes ships here (Acts 27:5–6)
• Boat trip over the sunken city of Kekova
• Simena (Kaleköy) with castle and sarcophagi in the water

Full description

Myra was one of the great cities of Lycia. Above the Roman theatre the tombs are carved into the rock like small temples. In the port of Myra Paul, as a prisoner on his way to Rome, transferred to a ship from Alexandria. In the 4th century Nicholas was bishop here; we take our time in his church in Demre with frescoes and floor mosaics.

From Üçağız we take a boat along the island of Kekova, where house walls, stairs and harbour structures lie beneath the surface, to Simena with its small castle and sarcophagi half in the sea. The drive from Antalya takes about 2.5 hours each way.

What we see

We adapt order and selection to weekday, opening hours, weather and your wishes.

• 1 · Myra
  Lycian rock tombs, Roman theatre with mask reliefs.
• 2 · St Nicholas Church, Demre
  Byzantine church of Saint Nicholas with frescoes.
• 3 · Kekova
  Boat trip over the sunken walls by Kekova island (boat paid on site).
• 4 · Simena (Kaleköy)
  Fishing village with castle and Lycian sarcophagi.

Included

• 11 hours private, state-licensed guide in your language (Mehmet Humayunoğlu or an experienced colleague from his team)
• Planning, coordination and time management of the day
• Headsets for groups of 16 or more
• Vehicle with driver for the whole day, pick-up and return from cruise port or hotel (€400 for 1–3 persons, each additional person +€10)

Not included

• Entrance fees (paid on site)
• Lunch and drinks
• Personal expenses, tips

Meeting point

We pick you up with vehicle and driver at your hotel in Antalya, Lara, Belek, Side, Manavgat or Kemer and bring you back.

You will recognise me by the sign “MeinReiseleiter.de” and the visibly worn guide licence. We confirm meeting point and time with your booking.

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Important information

German, English, Turkish, French, Italian, Spanish – 25 more languages on request.

• Hotel pick-up only – This tour is too long for a normal cruise port call and is offered with hotel pick-up only.
• Comfortable shoes and sun protection – Ancient sites and old-town lanes have uneven paving and little shade; please bring water in summer.
• Entrance fees – Not included in the price and paid on site; we buy the tickets for you at the counter.