Also with its rich history, attractions like the island of Kekova, the sea and warm weather, this coast is very popular with holidaymakers from Turkey and all over Europe, although Demre still does not have the high volume of tourists enjoyed by districts nearer Antalya Airport.

Some local handicrafts like rug making, and events such as the annual camel wrestling festival bring in extra income.

Demre has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen: Csa),[6] with very hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.

In February 2021, Akdeniz University researchers led by Nevzat Çevik announced the discovery of dozens of 2,200-year-old terracotta sculptures with inscriptions in Myra.

The figurines with partly preserved paint contained the appearances of men, women, cavalry, animals, some Greek deities and the names of artists.