St Nicholas Church Tours
2 Reviews
Originally built in AD 343, St. Nicholas Church in Demre is one of Turkey’s most important Christian pilgrimage sites. Rebuilt by Constantine IX, the church is known for its stunning Byzantine frescoes and mosaics and houses the sarcophagus of St. Nicholas, the original Santa Claus.
The Basics
Most day tours to St. Nicholas Church set out from Antalya, but it’s also possible to visit on a day trip from other resort towns such as Alanya, Side, or Kemer. A popular choice is to combine a stop at the church with nearby sights such as the ancient Lycian rock tombs of Myra or a cruise out to Kekova Island, where the sunken remains of an ancient city can be viewed from a glass-bottom boat.
Things to Know Before You Go
How to Get There
St. Nicholas Church is located in Demre, 90 miles (145 kilometers) southwest of Antalya, about a 2.5-hour drive. Public buses run from Antalya to Demre, from which it’s possible to walk to the church.
When to Get There
The church can get busy in peak season (July and August), when choosing an early morning or late afternoon visit will help you avoid getting caught in the tour-group crowds. The most atmospheric time of year to visit is St. Nicholas Day, December 6, when pilgrims descend en masse to celebrate the life of the saint.
The Remains of St. Nicholas
St. Nicholas Church houses his sarcophagus, but the remains of St. Nicholas are no longer interred there. For a long time they were believed to have been stolen by Italian merchants, who smashed the sarcophagus in 1087 and allegedly took the bones to Bari. However, in 2017, Turkish archaeologists discovered a cavity beneath the church believed to contain the tomb of St. Nicholas and his bones. Other St. Nicholas relics are on display in the Antalya Archaeological Museum.
The Basics
Most day tours to St. Nicholas Church set out from Antalya, but it’s also possible to visit on a day trip from other resort towns such as Alanya, Side, or Kemer. A popular choice is to combine a stop at the church with nearby sights such as the ancient Lycian rock tombs of Myra or a cruise out to Kekova Island, where the sunken remains of an ancient city can be viewed from a glass-bottom boat.
Things to Know Before You Go
- There is an entrance fee to visit St. Nicholas Church.
- Visitor facilities include restrooms, a café-restaurant, and gift shops.
- The church is wheelchair-accessible.
How to Get There
St. Nicholas Church is located in Demre, 90 miles (145 kilometers) southwest of Antalya, about a 2.5-hour drive. Public buses run from Antalya to Demre, from which it’s possible to walk to the church.
When to Get There
The church can get busy in peak season (July and August), when choosing an early morning or late afternoon visit will help you avoid getting caught in the tour-group crowds. The most atmospheric time of year to visit is St. Nicholas Day, December 6, when pilgrims descend en masse to celebrate the life of the saint.
The Remains of St. Nicholas
St. Nicholas Church houses his sarcophagus, but the remains of St. Nicholas are no longer interred there. For a long time they were believed to have been stolen by Italian merchants, who smashed the sarcophagus in 1087 and allegedly took the bones to Bari. However, in 2017, Turkish archaeologists discovered a cavity beneath the church believed to contain the tomb of St. Nicholas and his bones. Other St. Nicholas relics are on display in the Antalya Archaeological Museum.
Address: Merkez, Antalya 07570, Turkey
Admission: Varies
8 Tours and Activities to Experience St Nicholas Church
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St Nicholas Church in Demre and Cruise to Kekova Island from Antalya
3
Visit the ancient sites of Myra and St. Nicholas Church in Demre, then cruise to Kekova Island on a full-day tour from Antalya. Includes lunch, cruise, entrance fees, and hotel pickup and drop-off.
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From
$66.93
From
$66.93
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
Sunken City Kekova, Demre, and Myra Day Tour from Antalya
7
Journey back to ancient times on a scenic full-day tour to Kekova, Demre and Myra from Antalya, including lunch. Cruise out on a glass-bottomed boat to view the sunken city of Kekova and cool off with a swim in the Mediterranean, then admire the ancient city of Myra, famous for its remarkable Lycian necropolis. Finish the day with a visit to the church of Saint Nicholas in Demre and discover the roots of Santa Claus.
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From
$68.10
From
$68.10
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
Private Kekova Tour 1 to 5 pax
This fascinating tour enables the clients for a visit to the ancient history whie relaxing and sunbathing during the yacht tour to sunken ısland.Along the northen shore of ısland ,structural movement over the years have caused some of the ancient houses to be totally submerged,while remains of the others are scattered along the coastline.
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From
$387.66
per group
From
$387.66
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More
Private Kekova Tour 6 to 10 pax
This fascinating tour enables the clients for a visit to the ancient history whie relaxing and sunbathing during the yacht tour to sunken ısland.Along the northen shore of ısland ,structural movement over the years have caused some of the ancient houses to be totally submerged,while remains of the others are scattered along the coastline.
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From
$521.33
per group
From
$521.33
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More
Full-Day Tour to Demre and Kekova from Antalya with Lunch
Your day will begin with a guide and driver picking you up from your hotel and transporting you to the city of Demre. Upon arriving in Demre the first stop of the tour is the famous St. Nicolas Church, also know as the church of Santa Claus. After visiting the museum of St. Nicholas Church, the tour will then continue to the majestic ruins of Myra. The antique city of Myra contains impressive rock-hewn tombs as well as a very well-preserved theater. After spending time exploring the ruins, the tour will break for lunch. Following lunch the tour will continue with a boat tour of the sunken city of Kekova. The boat tour will take approximately 2 hours. Your tour will conclude with your guide returning you to your hotel.
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From
$95.00
From
$95.00
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Guides required to regularly wash hands
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private demre myra kekova tour
Pickup from hotels, flexible departure depending on the location of the hotel. There is a beautiful coastal sceneic drive to Myra where we have a short break.
Visiting Demre (The Biblical Myra), where St. Nicholas was the bishop, the legend and tradition of Santa Claus started here in Demra with St. Nicholas. Visit the incredible Rock Tombs overlooking the magnificent Roman Theatre and the church of St. Nicholas.
The board the boat for a trip to the incredible sunken city on the island of Kekova via Ucagiz, Simena inclucing a short stop for swimming so bring your swimsuit. We drive back along the wonder coast road to arrive back in Antalya for early evening and transfer you back o your hotel.
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From
$250.64
Price varies by group size
From
$250.64
Price varies by group size
Demre Myra Kekova Sunken City
6
See some of the most beautiful highlights of Turkey’s Turquoise Coast on this full-day tour from Antalya. Set off in the morning following hotel pickup, and head up the coast to Demre (site of the ancient city of Myra). Embark on a boat tour to see the Sunken City of Kekova, and have time for swimming. You’ll also discover ancient ruins and landmarks, ranging from Lycian rock-cut tombs to St. Nicholas Church, and will enjoy a buffet lunch in Demre before returning to Antalya.
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From
$92.86
From
$92.86
Demre,Myra,Kekova And boat Tour.
1
Enjoy an interesting and fun-filled day visiting ancient ruins and touring by boat. Even the road journey along the coast to Myra is beautiful, with scenic sea views. Visit churches, tombs, and Roman ruins on land, and then sail out to the amazing sunken city off Kekova Island. Spend some time swimming if you like. This is an ideal day trip for travelers with all kinds of interests.
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From
$92.86
From
$92.86
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More
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