Top beaches in Antalya

While many beaches in the region require traveling from central Antalya, Konyaalti beach lies right on the city’s southwestern edge. Spanning eight kilometers of pebbles and shingle extremely popular for the location, calm waters and spectacular Taurus Mountains backdrop, standard amenities and activities entertain along the sand. A promenade meandering behind incorporates toilets, showers and children's play areas at intervals. Beyond, Konyaalti district tempts with hotels, bars and restaurants. For kids escaping beach fatigue, a water park and aquarium also occupy the area, promising engagement just steps away. With convenience and family-friendly diversions enhancing idyllic setting and peaceful waves, Konyaalti hits the sweet spot for seaside relaxation without straying far into the hinterland.

Cirali Beach lies about one hour's drive Southwest of central Antalya, but is well worth considering as a real alternative to the hustle and bustle of a typical resort beach location. If you make the journey, you will be rewarded with a delightfully relaxed and tranquil experience. Centred around the small beach town the area is deliberately devoid of the typical large hotel complexes prevalent in the region. Instead, it has been developed as a collection of quaint guesthouses, beach camps and boutique hotels. The resort has all been built to make maximum use of the surrounding landscape which includes lush orchards and forested mountains. This area is rarely busy and provides an ideal opportunity to enjoy some peace and quiet away from the crowds.

Just a short hop from central Antalya is the wonderful Lara beach. Here you will find 12 km of golden sand, most of which is open for use by the public, although you will find small patches off limits unless you are a guest of the owning hotel. All the normal amenities are available along the beach with a particularly high standard of cafes and restaurants close by. Whilst the water is shallow, it can be a little choppy so you should keep an eye on the very young members of the family. Because the sea is slightly rougher here it makes for great water sports and there are many activities to entice you off of your sun lounger, including parasailing, stand-up paddleboarding and jet skiing.

Just a short journey outside of Antalya is the delightful Beldibi beach. This sand and pebble gem is framed by luscious green pine-forests that slope right down to the edge of the beach area, whilst further away, the pointed and craggy peaks of the Taurus Mountains provide a picture-perfect backdrop. The shallow, calm seas here make swimming a particularly favourite activity, but make sure you keep an eye on the younger ones as there is a sudden change to deeper water as you venture away from the immediate shore line area. It is true to say that many of the sandy parts of the beach are privately owned by the resort hotels, but the public areas are well serviced by freshwater showers, changing rooms, toilets and of course opportunities to hire sun loungers and shades. There are also plenty of small bars and cafes to enjoy.

Situated in the Beydaglari National Park is the charming Korsan Koyu cove, a little horse shoe shaped beach surrounded by steep cliff faces and framed by fir forest that comes all the way down to the shoreline. This small but perfectly formed shingle and pebble beach is a pure joy, but you will need to make the effort to enjoy its charms. Korsan Koyu, or Pirate Cove, can only be reached by boat or on foot from the small but quaint village of Karaoz, 4 km away. The route to the beach forms part of the popular Lycian Way long distance trail, and one of our favourite features is the fact that you can spend a night camping in this stunning location in one of several organised camping areas complete with on site facilities and cafes.