Antalya is Turkey's premier Mediterranean resort province, stretching along the stunning Turquoise Coast and offering a captivating blend of ancient ruins, dramatic waterfalls, and pristine beaches. The region is home to some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world alongside luxurious all-inclusive resorts and a vibrant old town.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Antalya.
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- City beach, local and family atmosphere
- sunbed rental
- umbrella rental
- restaurants
- showers
- changing rooms
- water sports
Konyaaltı Beach
Antalya's main city beach stretches 7km of Blue Flag certified sand and pebble with the spectacular Taurus Mountains as a backdrop. The beach has extensive public free sections alongside paid facilities, and the adjacent Konyaaltı Beachpark has cafes, restaurants, and water sports.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 9am on weekends to secure a good spot in the free public sections
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- Upscale resort beach, international visitors
- private beach sections
- sunbeds and umbrellas
- multiple restaurants
- water sports centers
- lifeguards
- showers
Lara Beach
The premier resort beach of Antalya stretching along the Lara and Kundu coastal strip. Backed by Turkey's most luxurious 5-star all-inclusive hotels, Lara offers calm, warm waters and a beautifully maintained beach environment. Most sections belong to resort hotels but public access areas exist.
Editor’s tip. Non-guests can access some resort beaches by purchasing a day pass of 300–600 TL, often including a food-and-drink allowance
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- Resort beach with iconic backdrop
- sunbed rental
- beach cafes and restaurants
- showers
- changing rooms
- water sports
- lifeguards
Cleopatra Beach (Alanya)
Alanya's legendary golden sand beach named for the story of Cleopatra swimming here. This 2km Blue Flag beach offers fine golden sand, clear turquoise water, and stunning views of Alanya's Seljuk castle on the peninsula. Very popular in summer but beautiful year-round.
Editor’s tip. The eastern end near the base of the castle peninsula is quieter than the central and western sections
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- Dramatic and intimate, perfect for couples and photographers
- sunbed rental (limited)
- small café
Kaputaş Beach
One of Turkey's most photographed beaches, Kaputaş is a tiny turquoise cove accessible via 187 steep steps, squeezed between towering limestone cliffs. The impossibly blue water and white pebble beach create a near-perfect Mediterranean scene.
Editor’s tip. Arrive at dawn or before 8am in peak season to experience the cove with few other visitors
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- Wild, natural, conservation beach
- basic facilities
- some sunbed rental
- café at entrance
Patara Beach
At 18km, Patara is one of Turkey's longest beaches and one of its most pristine. Protected as a loggerhead sea turtle nesting site, sections are closed after dark in summer but open during the day for exceptional beach going. The ancient ruins of Patara city are adjacent.
Editor’s tip. The beach closes after dusk during nesting season (May–September)—plan visits to avoid the evening restriction
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- Bohemian, backpacker, surrounded by ancient ruins
- basic facilities
- beach cafes
- sunbed rental
Olympos Beach
A beautiful pebble beach at the end of a lush river valley containing the ancient Lycian city of Olympos. Accessed through pine forest, this beach attracts the 'treehouse camp' backpacker crowd and outdoor enthusiasts with its authentic natural setting.
Editor’s tip. Walk through the Olympos ruins to reach the beach rather than arriving by boat—the path through the ancient city is extraordinary
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- Peaceful, natural, conservation-conscious
- eco-friendly pensions
- small restaurants
- basic beach facilities
Çıralı Beach
A quiet 3.5km pebble beach in a protected conservation zone near the ancient site of Olympos and the eternal flames of Chimaera. Backed by orange groves and small eco-friendly pensions, Çıralı offers an alternative to busy resort beaches.
Editor’s tip. Early morning walks in late August and September offer the possibility of witnessing turtle hatchlings emerging from the sand
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- Historical, pine forest, three bays
- entry via ancient site ticket
- shade from pine trees
- basic facilities
Phaselis Beach
Three distinct pebbly bays surrounding the ancient ruins of Phaselis, set in pine forest directly on the sea. Swimming among ancient harbor walls with ruins visible underwater is a unique experience. Requires ancient city entry fee.
Editor’s tip. Arrive when the site opens to swim in the north bay before boat tour groups arrive mid-morning
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- Sandy, family-friendly, historical backdrop
- sunbed rental
- beach restaurants
- water sports
- showers
- lifeguards
Side Beaches
Two sandy beaches flank the Side peninsula with the Temple of Apollo providing a dramatic backdrop. The east beach stretches for kilometers of fine sand with resort hotels, while the west beach is quieter. Both offer warm clear waters.
Editor’s tip. The west beach offers the best view of the Temple of Apollo from the water; aim for late afternoon golden light
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- Remote island paradise, only accessible by boat
- boat trips only
- basic facilities on tours
Suluada (Sulu Ada) Beach
An uninhabited island near Alanya with crystalline turquoise waters and pristine beaches accessible only by boat tour. Often called the 'Maldives of Antalya', Suluada offers some of the clearest swimming waters in the eastern Mediterranean.
Editor’s tip. Book boat tours from Adrasan the evening before; spots fill early in July and August
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Relax
Quiet & peaceful
Çıralı, Patara, and Olympos beaches offer peaceful natural settings away from resort crowds
Family
Family-friendly
Konyaaltı and Side beaches have gentle conditions, lifeguards, and good facilities for families with children
Sport
Active & sporty
Lara and Konyaaltı offer the best water sports facilities; Alanya beaches for jet skiing and parasailing
Social
Lively scene
Cleopatra Beach (Alanya) and Lara resort strip have beach bars, music, and a social atmosphere
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Antalya memorable.
White-Water Rafting
Köprülü Canyon offers Grade 3-4 rafting on the Köprüçay River through spectacular limestone gorges
Köprülü Canyon (not a beach but the region's premier water activity)
Scuba Diving
Kaş is Turkey's premier diving destination with ancient amphoras, swim-throughs, and excellent visibility; Alanya also has good diving
Kaş for serious diving, Alanya for beginners
Sea Kayaking
Kayak tours from Kaş to the sunken Lycian city of Kekova, paddling over ancient ruins visible through the clear water
Kaş - Kekova route is outstanding
Paragliding Over Beach
Tandem paragliding flights launch from cliffs above Konyaaltı Beach for spectacular aerial views of the coastline and mountains
Konyaaltı (most accessible from Antalya city)
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
May-October for comfortable swimming; peak water temperature 26-28°C in August
Getting there
All beaches in Turkey are legally public; many resort beaches have paid sunbed sections alongside free areas
On-beach facilities
Major resort beaches (Lara, Cleopatra, Konyaaltı) have comprehensive facilities; more remote beaches (Kaputaş, Patara) have minimal amenities
Costs to budget
Sunbed and umbrella sets typically $5-15/day at most beaches; free zones exist at all public beaches
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Antalya’s coast.
Is Konyaaltı Beach sandy or pebbly?
The beach surface is dark pebbles and coarse gravel throughout its 7km length. There is no sand. Water shoes or beach sandals are strongly recommended for a comfortable experience.
From the Konyaaltı Beach editorial.
Is Konyaaltı Beach free to use?
The main public sections are completely free. Paid beach clubs offering sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, and changing rooms are interspersed along the shore, typically charging 100–200 TL per person per day.
From the Konyaaltı Beach editorial.
Can non-guests use the resort beaches at Lara?
A public section at the northern end of the Lara strip is free to all. Several resort hotels also offer day passes that include beach access, sunbeds, and a food-and-drink allowance; prices typically range from 300–600 TL depending on the hotel.
From the Lara Beach editorial.
How far is Lara Beach from Antalya city centre?
Lara Beach is approximately 12 kilometres east of central Antalya, a 20–25 minute taxi ride or around 40 minutes by municipal bus on route 600.
From the Lara Beach editorial.
Why is it called Cleopatra Beach?
Local legend holds that Cleopatra and Mark Antony visited Alanya during their travels and that the queen swam at this beach. The story gave the beach its name, though no historical documentation confirms the exact location of her stay.
From the Cleopatra Beach (Alanya) editorial.
What makes Cleopatra Beach sand different from other Antalya beaches?
The sand at Cleopatra Beach is notably fine-grained and golden in colour, compared to the coarser pebbles found at Konyaaltı and many other beaches in the Antalya region. This sandy character is one of the main reasons the beach is so popular.
From the Cleopatra Beach (Alanya) editorial.
How do I get to Kaputaş Beach?
Kaputaş sits directly on the D400 coastal highway between Kaş (about 20km west) and Kalkan (about 7km east). There is a small car park at the cliff top. Dolmuş buses on the Kaş–Kalkan route stop at the top of the steps on request.
From the Kaputaş Beach editorial.
Is Kaputaş Beach suitable for families with young children?
With caution. The 187 steps are steep and the beach has no sand—the pebble entry can be slippery. The water is calm in most conditions but the small cove fills very quickly. It is best suited to older children and adults comfortable on rough stone.
From the Kaputaş Beach editorial.