How do you come?

What common habit we'll change...

The ancient pedigree of the area is not easily appreciated upon first arrival since, even in late September, several tour buses a day spill tourists from Antalya, onto the shore. They don't linger long, however, before catching a boat for a tour of the numerous islands dotting the horizon. By night, most of the tourists have gone, leaving Demre mainly to the locals.

Coming ways...

You have two choices if you are arriving from the direction of Antalya, that is, from the east. One of them is away from the coast, through Korkuteli and Elmalı and the other one follows the coast through Kemer and Kumluca. These two roads intersect in Finike. The first route, if you would take the D-350 road as far as Korkuteli than, the D-635 road between Korkuteli-Finike, is 60 kms. longer than the second in addition to passing through some mountains. For that reason, buses departing from the bus station of Antalya, prefer to take the coastal road D-400. Demre, is reached about three hours time, passing through Kemer-Kumlucaand Finike. If you are driving, you would most probably pass the 144 km. distance in a shorter period of time.

If you are arriving from the western regional cities such as Muğla and Fethiye, you again be taking the highway D-400 through Kalkan and Kaş to reach Demre. If you prefer airways and your plane is landing at the Dalaman airport instead of Antalya you will have another 205 kms. to travel on this highway.

Whatsoever direction you arrive from, you will find those buses leave for Demre from Kalkan, Kaş, Kumluca or Finike on a hourly basis. You can buy your return bus ticket at your bus company's office in town. If you are arriving by caravan, do not forget that the roads between Finike-Demre (107 curves-the road broadening works eventually begun) and Kalkan-Kaş are very narrow with numerous curves and  please be careful.

For those thinking about to arrive by boat, we would like to remind you that there is no marina facility in Çayağızı (ancient Andriake harbour), Demre's sea port. For this reason, you may dock at either Finike or Kaş for coming over to Demre.