Myra Ancient City — Lycian Rock Tombs & Theatre
Lycian tombs carved into a sheer cliff like temple façades, beside a Roman theatre famous for its carved masks.
Myra Ancient City: entrance fee €13 (the Church of St. Nicholas is ticketed separately), opening hours 08:00–21:00 (ticket office closes 20:30). Suggested time: 1.5 hours (3 hours with the church). Best time to visit: Morning — the cliff face is backlit in the afternoon.
Myra, in today's Demre, was one of the six great cities that held voting rights in the Lycian League. Dozens of tombs were cut into the cliff behind the city in the 5th and 4th centuries BC, shaped like temple fronts, and some still carry legible reliefs of the dead and their families.
The Roman theatre in front of the tombs was rebuilt after the earthquake of AD 141 and seated some 11,000 people, among the largest in the region. Blocks from the stage building lie scattered across the ground, several carved with theatrical masks. Two kilometres north stands the Church of St. Nicholas — the bishop who became Santa Claus — visited on a separate ticket.
Myra Ancient City entrance fee and opening hours (2026)
| Entrance fee | €13 (the Church of St. Nicholas is ticketed separately) |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 08:00–21:00 (ticket office closes 20:30) |
| Suggested time | 1.5 hours (3 hours with the church) |
| Best time to visit | Morning — the cliff face is backlit in the afternoon |
Prices are approximate for the 2026 season; check current rates at the ticket office or on muze.gov.tr.
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How do I get to Myra Ancient City?
It is about 145 km from Antalya on the D400, a 2.5-hour drive. Once in Demre, signs point 1.5 km north to the site. A day return from Side or Manavgat is a long haul; it works better with a night in Kaş or Demre, or combined with a Kekova boat trip.
Tips for visiting Myra Ancient City
- Photograph the rock tombs in morning light; by afternoon the façades fall into shade.
- Do not skip the Church of St. Nicholas 2 km away — its mosaics and frescoes are remarkably well preserved.
- Add a Kekova boat trip the same day: boats leave from Demre's Çayağzı harbour for the sunken city.
Where is Myra Ancient City?
Myra Ancient City — frequently asked questions
Does one ticket cover Myra and the Santa Claus church?
No, they are two separate sites with separate tickets, 2 km apart. Both are included in the Museum Pass.
Can you go inside the rock tombs?
No, access to the tomb chambers is closed for safety. The façades can be seen and photographed from close range on the lower terrace.
How long does Myra take?
An hour to an hour and a half covers the theatre and the rock necropolis. Add the Church of St. Nicholas and you need half a day.
