Çayağzı Plajı
A wide beach at the point where Demre meets the sea, right next to the ancient harbour of Andriake. The jetty for Kekova boat tours is here too, and the shore is protected as a loggerhead turtle nesting site.
Çayağzı lies about 5 km south of central Demre, at the site of Andriake, Myra's ancient harbour. The beach is wide and long with a sand-and-shingle floor. At one end are the fishing shelter and the jetty for Kekova tours; at the other, the remains of the ancient harbour and the Museum of Lycian Civilisations.
The area is protected as a nesting site for loggerhead turtles: the beach is closed at night, building is restricted and lighting is limited. Thanks to that protection the shore keeps a far more natural look than the tourist beaches around it.
What makes Çayağzı special is that one stop brings three different things together: the Andriake ruins and museum in the morning, the beach at midday, a Kekova boat tour in the afternoon. Most visitors to Demre see the Church of St Nicholas and Myra and then leave — yet coming down to this shore is the most sensible plan for the second half of the day.
- Best time
- June–September
- Budget
- Free
Tips
- Kekova boat tours leave from this jetty; mornings are calmer.
- Turtle nesting site: no access at night, do not use lights.
- The Andriake ruins and the Lycian museum are within walking distance.