In the southern part of the Turkish Riviera, where ancient Lycia was located hundreds of centuries ago, today Kemer is located. This resort is full of special charm. Here, the fragrance of citrus orchards and pine forests mixes with the subtle aroma of a salty breeze, forming a miraculous healing cocktail. The local nature is amazing and multi-faceted: after basking in the sun at the sea surf, you can make a trip to Mount Tahtali, where even in the midst of the summer heat, the air temperature does not rise above +18°C.
The beaches of Kemer, which meet the requirements of any tourist, are also not inferior to the variety of landscapes and flora. In this part of the province of Antalya, there are both well-equipped territories with necessary equipment, and wild areas devoid of the benefits of civilization. All areas of the coast have one thing in common: thanks to the pebbly surface, the sea water remains clear even during strong waves.
Central Beach
It starts at the port and stretches for 3.5 km towards the village of Goyniuk. Some parts of it belong to hotels, but most of it (marked with the “Halk” sign) is municipal.
Both hotel and public areas are kept perfectly clean: bins are placed everywhere, and in the evenings the staff takes out the garbage accumulated during the day. Showers, toilets and changing rooms are available free of charge for visitors. Sun loungers and umbrellas can be rented, or you can sit at the surf’s edge on your own towel.
The entire coastal area, protected from the wind by the slopes of the Western Taurus Mountains, is covered with colorful pebbles, and the entrance to the sea is also covered with it. This has both pros and cons. The absence of sand guarantees crystal clear water. However, it is inconvenient and sometimes even painful to walk on rounded stones, so many vacationers prefer to move around in special shoes.
Central does not skimp on entertainment: no one will be bored. The beach holiday program includes catamarans, bananas, paragliding, jet skis, sea fishing. Diving centers are open in the nearby harbor, and pleasure boats depart from the marinas: from modest boats to spectacular three-masted yachts.
We recommend it:
- Crystal De Luxe Resort & Spa 5* — area of 16,000 sq. m., 3 A’la Carte restaurants, all-day animation, live music, Turkish night, children’s pools and mini club
- DoubleTree By Hilton Antalya-Kemer 5* — outdoor pools, SPA center with indoor pool, Turkish bath and sauna, water slides, 5 restaurants and 6 bars
- Fame Residence Kemer & Spa 5* — total area of 8,000 sq. m, children’s Playground, mini club, animation programs.
Moonlight
Despite the fact that most hotels in Kemer have their own beaches, many tourists prefer to enjoy the sun on the stretch of coast located south of the Turkiz Marina port and adjacent to the Moonlight Park folklore park. And there is an explanation for this. Awarded the Blue Flag, the 500-meter-long well-groomed beach is covered with soft imported sand mixed with seashells. The descent to the sea is smooth, shallow, the water is clear, there are almost no strong waves.
The territory is divided into two sectors. You will have to pay for a stay near the Dakapo Beach Club bar. The price includes the use of a chaise longue, mattress and parasol. The rest of the property, equipped with toilets, showers and changing rooms, is free of charge. Those who appreciate comfort can rent the necessary beach equipment.
Many opportunities are given by “Moonlight” to fans of active recreation. Along with paragliding, jet skiing, banana, pill and catamaran rides, you can rent a motorboat and go sea fishing, as well as enjoy the beauty of the underwater fauna accompanied by an experienced instructor. For fans of land sports, there is a small tennis court and a volleyball court.
- Ozkaymak Marina Hotel 5* — 2 outdoor freshwater pools, water slides, mini club for children aged 4-12, 4 bars and 4 restaurants
- Meder Resort Hotel 5* — area of 12,000 sq. m., gentle entrance to the water, 3 restaurants and 3 bars, water slides, entertainment programs for children
Kirish
The former fishing village offers its guests a peaceful and peaceful holiday. Life in this resort is concentrated by the sea and on a single street lined with hotels, shops, bars, restaurants and tourist offices. Fans of late-night entertainment and fun parties will be bored here. But lovers of a measured pastime in the bosom of beautiful nature will find a small village wonderful.
The main place where guests hang out is a 2.5-kilometer coastal strip. Its surface — medium and large pebbles-alternates with bulk sand, which luxury hotels deliver for the convenience of their guests. The entrance to the water is gentle, there are no slabs or sharp stones. Each hotel has its own plot, equipped with sun loungers, awnings, showers and other necessary equipment. You can have a snack in the cafes located nearby.
Not far from the entrance to the village is a wild beach, which offers a magnificent view of the neighboring resort of Chamyuva and the Taurus Mountains. Here it is almost always deserted: walking along the wide shore, you will meet only local fishermen and rare tourists looking for privacy.
- Alva Donna World Palace Hotel 5* — territory area of 107,000 sq. m., 5 A’la Carte restaurants, children’s outdoor pool and mini club, animation, discos
- Akka Alinda Hotel 5* — first coastline, active animation, water slides, 3 restrans and 5 bars, karaoke, circus acrobatics, dance shows, live music
- Miarosa Kemer Beach 5* — 6 water slides, 2 A’la Carte restaurants, entertainment activities for adults and children, rooms with pool access
Calista
Just behind the “Moonlight” there is a bathing area “Calista”, marked with a Blue Flag for cleanliness and well-being. Despite its small size, this sandy and pebbly strip has a good infrastructure: sun beds with umbrellas (for a fee), toilets, showers, changing rooms and a standard set of water activities.
There is Wi-Fi, the password from it is readily shared by the employees of the Calista Beach cafe. By the way, in this place you can not only treat yourself to a soft drink, but also order a full-fledged hot dish, which the waiters can bring directly to the chaise longue.
As the sun sets, Calista blooms with colorful party lights. Live music is played, and the Calista Beach bartenders prepare exotic cocktails and light snacks. Romantics will appreciate the large bonfire, which gives the night beach a unique cozy atmosphere.
Both “Calista”and” Moonlight ” have an undeniable advantage: a lazy pastime in sun loungers can be varied with a walk in the Moonlight Park. Among the ship’s pine trees and flowering ornamental shrubs, hammocks and secluded gazebos hide in which you can hide from the scorching sun. Along the alleys there are small shops, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants. There is a dolphinarium, mini club, children’s playground with attractions and water park.
Chamyuwa
The shallow mouth of the Agwa River separates Kirish from the neighboring village of Chamyuva, which borders the green belt of mountains to the west. This secluded region, whose name translates from Turkish as “Pine Nest”, attracts travelers with an atmosphere of tranquility, wonderful landscapes, aromas of pine needles and orange trees floating in the air, and the purest sea, changing its color from turquoise to dark blue.
The wide coastline stretches for 2.5 km. Its southwestern part is densely built up with hotel complexes. At the disposal of hotel guests — sun beds, umbrellas, gazebos, beach bars, sports and playgrounds. Those who wish can take a parachute ride, ride a scooter, or take a boat or yacht ride. The safety of tourists throughout the day is provided by rescuers.
The north-eastern part of the coast is practically undeveloped. You can reach the sea by car or rent a place at a nearby campsite. There are also several bars and restaurants. Although their furnishings are far from chic, the verandas offer a unique view of the vast expanses of water. You can sunbathe on the small pebble beach on your own towel or on a rented sun lounger. You will have to pay for the use of the shower, toilet and changing room.
- Armas Labada 5* – area of 36,000 sq. m., outdoor pool,
pool with water slides, fish a la sarte restaurant, daytime animation - Club Marco Polo 5* – first coastline, children’s club with pool and playground, Premium All Inclusive meals, outdoor pool with water slides
- Asteria Kemer Resort 5* — area of 55,103 sq. m., swimming pool with 3 slides, 3 A’la Carte restaurants, 5 bars
Olympos
Ancient Olympos, founded presumably in the first or second century BC, is located about 40 km south of Kemer. It is better to get here by car on the D400 highway. If you decide to use public transport, remember that there is only one transfer waiting for you on the way. However, the long journey justifies itself, because the goal of the trip is the picturesque ruins of an ancient city and a stretch of coast included in the list of the cleanest beaches in the world.
Since Olympos is part of the Olimpos Beydağları National Park, entrance to its territory is paid. After parting with 30 lire, you will see the remains of the Acropolis, the ruins of tombs, temples, fortresses, basilicas and ancient Lycian dwellings. Excavations are still ongoing. A path winding through centuries-old ruins leads to a 4 km stretch of pebbly beach.
The turquoise sea, green rocks protruding from the water, grottoes and flooded caves give the beach of Olympos a special entourage. Although there are no awnings, sun beds and restrooms on the wild coast, it is quite crowded here, as this place is chosen by many fans of hippie culture. It is not recommended to come here with children: the sea floor drops very sharply, which is not suitable for bathing babies.
Beldibi
The Beldibi coast, which is located 40 km from Antalya, will appeal to those who have nothing against large pebbles and rather heavy stones. The entrance to the water here is gentle, and the small depth of the sea near the shore is suitable even for bathing children. So that vacationers can move around without the risk of injuring their feet, many hotels have covered their sections of the coast with imported sand or concrete slabs, and for the convenience of entering the water, they have equipped wooden piers with stairs.
Local beaches, including the municipal one, are well-groomed and have the necessary infrastructure: restrooms, sunshades, sun beds, showers and changing rooms. 5-star hotels also boast VIP gazebos, bars and ice cream stands. Near the coast there is a small park with a children’s playground and a sports field.
Those who want to find privacy and tranquility can visit the wild beach surrounded by picturesque rocks, located at the north-eastern tip of the resort village, not far from the abandoned tunnel. On weekends, many locals relax here, but on weekdays the coast pleases with silence and beautiful views. The clean air is filled with the scents of the sea breeze and richly saturated with the smell of pine trees.
- Rixos Beldibi 5* — area of 45,000 sq. m., luxury SPA center, children’s animation, evening mini-disco, beach area and pier, sports and entertainment programs
- Rixos Sungate 5* – area of 250,000 sq. m., free shuttle service and entrance to The Land Of Legends theme park, children’s water park
- Akka Antedon Hotel 5* — spacious rooms and villas, large green area, 7 water slides, bars, show programs, delicious food
Chirali
Not far from the coastal strip of Olympos stretches a wide (up to 100 m) sandy and pebble beach of the village of Cirali. It is sparsely populated and quiet, which makes this place a paradise for lovers of silence and a secluded holiday. The area is more civilized than in Olympos: there are small restaurants, cafes, parking, boat rental nearby. Umbrellas, sun loungers and bungalows can be rented in the southern part. The descent to the sea is uneven and rocky, so it is better to go into the water in special shoes.
The swimming area, which is not occupied by sun beds, is the fiefdom of the Caretta Caretta turtles. During the May and June nights, the adults come out of the sea to lay their eggs. To hide future offspring from prying eyes, each animal digs about 90 holes in the sand. Of these, caring mothers choose only one that is most suitable for laying. Babies are born in August. Carried away by instinct, they easily find their way to the water.
The main attraction of Cirali is Mount Chimera, on the slopes of which the fire created by nature itself does not go out. In addition, it is interesting to visit the hippie village lost in dense vegetation – wooden houses located under green crowns, chosen by the “flower children”.
Tekirova
Tekirova is the most remote part of Kemer from the airport. The trip here from Antalya’s air gate will take more than an hour. However, such a long journey justifies itself, because the local coastal strip, which has received a Blue Flag for safety and cleanliness, meets the requirements of the most demanding tourists and is considered an elite recreation area.
Most of the territory is covered with small pebbles and sand. The entrance to the sea is gentle, and the depth is gradual, which is ideal for swimming beginners and toddlers. Holiday makers who prefer active recreation will be interested to know that there are plenty of beach activities in Tekirova.
To the list of all kinds of water sports here added the exploration of the kingdom of Neptune: in the center of the village is the club Blue World Diving Center. And if you want to take a break from the sea and sun, you can go to the ruins of Phaselis, get acquainted with the flora and fauna of the Ecopark, or take a ride in the booth of one of the world’s longest cable cars Olympos Teleferik.
You can take a break from the benefits of civilization and the accumulation of travelers on the wild parts of the coast, where mighty pines descend to the water’s edge. One of them is located behind the Euphoria Tekirova 5* hotel, the second one is located in Cleopatra Bay. According to legend, it was here, in a quiet, picturesque crescent-shaped harbor, that the Queen of Egypt met her beloved Mark Antony.
- Rixos Premium Tekirova 5* – area of 186,000 sq. m., 2 piers (1 for guests, another for water sports), water slides, children’s clubs, children’s animation
- Nirvana Dolce Vita 5* – VIP villas near the sea, various shows, daytime sports and entertainment events, 15 water slides
- Queen’s Park Tekirova Resort & Spa 5* – recommended for families with children, water park with many slides, 3 restaurants, 6 bars, animation shows, mini club and evening disco
Phaselis
It is far from the usual hiking trails. The ancient city, founded presumably in 690 BC, is now an archaeological park filled with well-preserved ruins of ancient structures. Of particular value are the Hadrian’s Gate, the amphitheater, the ruins of the Temple of Athena and the aqueduct, which is the second largest in Turkey. Entrance to the territory is paid.
The advantageous position of the ancient city allowed it to have three ports at once. Today, there are narrow (up to 30 m) bathing areas surrounded by fluffy pine trees, washed by crystal-clear waves. The entrance to the sea is gentle.
The largest of the sites — the Southern one-is strewn with sand, the rest are a mixture of large and small pebbles. Here you will not find the usual sun loungers and umbrellas, and to visit the toilet or take a shower, you will have to return to the entrance to the ancient city (about 1 km).
The only cafe that sells water and simple snacks is located near the aqueduct. However, the prices there are far from democratic. Drinks and food are allowed to be brought with you, and snacks can be enjoyed at picnic tables. But remember that barbecue in the protected Phaselis is strictly prohibited.