12 Best Beaches in Antalya

Antalya’s beaches deliver a rare double act: on one hand, you have big-city convenience; on the other, coves with an incredibly wild feel—and then, just about everything in between. The landscape on this part of the southern Turkish coast is wonderfully varied. You can be stepping off cobblestone streets toward a palm- and bar-lined promenade one minute, and the next, staring at the Taurus Mountains as they lean into a sea so blue it looks like it could have been painted.

Selecting somewhere to lay your towel then becomes less a matter of “which beach shall I visit?” and more an answer to the question “what mood am I in?” Sandy stretches like Lara make entry effortless and family-friendly. Locations such as Phaselis let you swim beside and over ancient ruins, while the jungle-like setting of Olympos can have you feeling like you’re on a totally different continent.

Whether you’re looking for comfort or clarity, history or hush, here are 12 of the best beaches in Antalya.

Konyaaltı Beach

Konyaaltı Beach

If you want maximum beach time with minimal fuss, Konyaaltı ranks high on any list of Antalya beaches. A quick 10- to 20-minute drive from the old town, it’s both impossibly pretty, backed by the towering Western Taurus Mountains, and remarkably well equipped.

A broad, mostly pebble crescent that runs for roughly 4–5 miles, it offers a palm-lined promenade, changing cabins, restrooms, lifeguards in season, lounge-chair/umbrella rentals, and a stack of cafés, kiosks, and beach clubs. A beach park keeps kids happy, and if you want a little more action, there’s parasailing and jet ski rental, too. In some municipal sections, you’ll even find Wi-Fi, handy for sending photos back home.

Çıralı Beach

Çıralı Beach

Low-rise, low-key, and big on nature, Çıralı Beach is another great option among the best beaches in Antalya. The wide, undeveloped bay on the edge of Olympos–Beydağları National Park is around 90 minutes from downtown Antalya, and it’s well worth the drive. On arrival, you’ll find crystal-clear water lapping a long shingle beach, all backed by Mediterranean pines and mountain views.

If it sounds idyllic to the point of cliché, it is—which is why this is a nesting site for endangered loggerhead turtles. Look out for and avoid any cordoned-off areas to respect the protection program. There’s a handful of chilled beach cafés, and facilities are basic but efficient. Make sure to bring sunscreen, a towel, and cash.

Olympos Beach

Olympos Beach

Effectively next door to Çıralı and part of the same stretch of shore, Olympos Beach has a decidedly different vibe from its sister spot. If Çıralı is chilled and close to nature, Olympos is even more laid-back. You get a backpacker feel thanks to a cluster of low-key guesthouses, and there are some fun, adventure-style touches, too.

You walk through the ancient city to reach the beach, and a small river mouth empties here, giving the whole place a more jungle-like feel. Once on the shore, this place couldn’t be more relaxed if it tried. It is not fancy, but decidedly memorable.

Read: What Is Turkey Known For?

Phaselis Beach

Phaselis Beach

When you visit Phaselis Beach, you’re getting close to greatest-hits territory for Antalya beaches. Just 35 miles southwest of downtown Antalya, it delivers Roman ruins, pine-scented shade, and three small coves—North Harbor, Central/Ancient Harbor, and South Harbor—all with stupendously clear water. The beach sits within an archaeological site, so facilities are limited to paid parking, walking trails, basic restrooms, and a few seasonal kiosks.

Pack what you need for the day, including water and snacks. And don’t forget a snorkel and mask if you have them—you literally stroll past ancient columns to reach the shore, and on clear days you can even spot the ancient masonry below the surface.

Mermerli Beach

Mermerli Beach

Right in Antalya’s old town of Kaleiçi and tucked just above the marina by Mermerli Restaurant, this tiny cove is as charming as beaches come. Think wooden decks, lounger service, deep-green water, and cliff-top views—more urban swim club than wild beach, which is exactly the appeal.

Stroll down from the shops selling Turkish souvenirs, have a quick dip, enjoy a plate of grilled fish, and be back in the old town in no time. It’s perfect when time is tight and you want clear water and a pretty setting without leaving the city itself.

Moonlight or Ayışığı Beach

Ayışığı Beach

Around 30 miles—about an hour’s drive—southwest of downtown Antalya sits the town of Kemer, home to Ayışığı Park, a landscaped coastal park just around the headland from Kemer Marina. It’s a great choice if you want clearer water than the beaches closer to Antalya, but don’t have time to reach Çıralı or Phaselis.

Because it’s part of the park, facilities are top-notch: lounge chair/umbrella rentals, showers, changing cabins, restrooms, lifeguards in season, and plenty of laidback cafés and ice-cream kiosks. With the gentle entry, pine-scented backdrop, and playgrounds for kids, it’s an easy pick for families—or anyone a little unsteady getting into the water.

Kemer Merkez Beach

Kemer Merkez Beach

Kemer’s main public beach is a long, public-access strand right by the town, with a mix of open sections and clubby decks. While not quite as pretty as Moonlight, just around the headland, it’s a no-drama, easy option with clear water and a whole heap of facilities.

The beach is long and pebbly—great in high season, when you can usually find space even on busy days. There’s a plethora of services to match Moonlight, plus quick access to Kemer’s lively promenade for coffee or lunch.

Çamyuva Beach

Çamyuva Beach

A straighter, less crowded ribbon south of Kemer, Çamyuva is a solid choice among Antalya beaches if you want space without giving up convenience. You get a slightly less-pebbly take on Kemer’s main beach here, with the same clear water and big mountain views.

Being a little farther from town, facilities are more low-key—but only in comparison to Kemer’s, which some find overwhelming, given there are so many. Pop-up rentals appear in season, so on calm days, it’s perfect for an easy SUP or kayak paddle. It’s also only about 10 minutes from Phaselis, making it simple to pair the two in one day.

Lara Beach

Lara Beach

Lara Beach is the closest beach to downtown Antalya heading east, and it offers the easiest sandy swim close to the city. It might not have the “wow” views of the Kemer-side southwestern beaches, but it’s worth visiting for the mile upon mile of gently shelving sand and great facilities.

The shoreline is essentially a chain of public sections and beach parks, with plenty of Turkish food, shade, and showers. Waves are usually mild, and the easy entry makes it a top choice for less confident swimmers. There’s also a fun sand-sculpture park here that’s worth a quick wander between swims.

İnciraltı Beach

İnciraltı Beach is a bit of a cheat code when it comes to beaches in Antalya. Set in the city itself, under cliffs east of the marina, it’s less a classic sandy stretch and more a series of rock platforms and ladders. That means if you’re in town and want a dip without hauling sand everywhere, it’s ideal.

Beyond the platforms, there isn’t much: a few shower spots, changing cabins, and a couple of cafés up on the cliff—but you don’t need more. On calm days, you’ll spot locals swimming short laps along the platforms; it’s a neat way to sneak in a “proper” swim without leaving the city.

Sarısu Kadınlar Beach

Sarısu Kadınlar Beach

Sarısu Kadınlar’s claim to be one of the best beaches in Antalya is cemented by its women-only area; there are men’s and mixed-family areas outside. At the western end of downtown Antalya’s shoreline near the Sarısu picnic area, it’s around eight miles from the Old Town, just beyond Konyaaltı.

As a beach, it’s a mix of pebbles and sand with a gently sloping entry into the water and more big mountain views behind. The women-only zone is screened for privacy and staffed, making it a low-stress option for those who want a female-only beach with quick access to the city.

Facilities are solid: lounge chair and umbrella rentals, showers, changing rooms, simple cafés, and in-season lifeguards. The base station for the Tünektepe cable car— which labels itself as “Antalya’s most spectacular view”—is also nearby if you fancy a quick scenic ride between swims.

Belek Beach

Belek Beach

Do you like the sound of a long, sandy beach with calm, shallow entry and plenty of facilities? Belek is a great option. Around 25 miles east of downtown Antalya on the Serik/Belek shoreline, it’s a mix of private hotel fronts interspersed with stretches open to the public.

The easiest, best access points if you’re not at a resort are Belek Beach Park or Kadriye Public Beach. The key reason to visit is the sand—fine and golden, with very few of the pebbles you find on the west-side beaches. The trade-off is that the sandy bottom makes the water look a little less clear, especially if there are gentle waves kicking the sand up.

Facilities are top-class, with everything you need on the beach itself or just beyond in town. It’s also another nesting zone for loggerhead turtles, so look out for the cordoned-off, do-not-disturb areas.

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