A family arrives in Lara, checks into their hotel, and on day two asks the concierge: “Which beach should we visit?” They’re told the hotel beach is fine. It is fine — but an hour’s drive away in Kemer, there are three sheltered coves with water so clear you can count fish from the surface. Nobody mentioned those.
The **best beaches in Antalya** depend on where you’re staying, what you want from a beach day and how much time you have. Antalya province covers over 600 kilometres of coastline — from the pebble shores of the city centre to quiet forest-backed bays in Kemer, long sandy beaches around Side and the well-known shores of Alanya. Water quality, facilities and crowd levels vary completely from one end to the other.
This guide covers 13 beaches across the full region. For each one: what the beach is actually like, who it works for, and what you need to know before you go.
Antalya City Beaches
The city beaches are the most accessible — and the most visited. They’re a solid choice if you’re staying in Antalya centre or want a beach day without organising transfers.
1. Konyaaltı Beach
Konyaaltı is the main beach in Antalya city — a seven-kilometre pebble stretch along the western edge of the city, backed by the Taurus Mountains. Blue Flag certified. The water is clear.
**What it’s like**: Pebble, not sand. This surprises visitors who expect a sandy city beach. The stones are smooth but uncomfortable without water shoes. The public section is free — beach clubs at either end charge for sunbeds.
**Best for**: Day visitors staying in Antalya city who want a beach without a long transfer. Also worth it for the promenade, which runs the full length and has good restaurants.
**Facilities**: Public toilets, showers, beach clubs, restaurants. Large free public zone.
**Getting there**: Tram from Antalya city centre (Müze stop). Taxi takes 10–15 minutes. From Kemer or Belek, there are better beaches closer to your hotel — the transfer to Konyaaltı isn’t worth it from outside the city.
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2. Lara Beach
Lara is 15 kilometres east of Antalya city and is where most of the large all-inclusive hotels sit. The beach is long, sandy and well-maintained. It’s one of the few genuinely sandy beaches within easy reach of Antalya proper.
**What it’s like**: Wide sandy beach, calm water, Blue Flag. Busy in peak season, especially in front of the hotel strips. If you’re staying in a Lara all-inclusive, this is your beach — you’ll have direct access from the hotel grounds.
**Best for**: All-inclusive hotel guests in Lara. Families with young children (calm, shallow water, sand instead of pebble).
**Facilities**: Hotel beach facilities for guests, plus public sections with beach clubs and water sports.
**Honest note**: Lara is a good beach if you’re based there. If you’re staying in Kemer, Belek or Side and thinking about a day trip specifically to Lara beach, there are better options closer to where you are.
Kemer Area Beaches
Kemer sits 45 kilometres west of Antalya, where pine forest meets the sea. The beaches here are generally pebble, the water is clear and the area is quieter than the city. If you’re staying in Kemer, Çamyuva, Kiriş, Göynük or Tekirova, these are your best local options.
3. Phaselis Beach
Phaselis is a protected bay at the edge of an ancient Lycian city. You enter through the archaeological site and walk down to three small pebble coves. The combination of Roman-era ruins and unusually clear water is genuinely unlike anything else on this coast.
**What it’s like**: Three small coves, pebble, very clear water, calm sea. Entry fee applies to the site (around 200–250 TL, updated seasonally). The ruins are worth the walk even if you’re only here for a swim.
**Best for**: Couples, history-interested visitors, snorkelers. Anyone staying in Kemer or Tekirova looking for a half-day trip that’s more than just a sunbed.
**Facilities**: Toilets and a small café at the entrance. No sunbed rental, no beach club. Bring your own towel, sunscreen and snacks.
**Getting there**: 15 minutes south of Kemer centre by car. Dolmuş (local minibus) runs in summer. Included in some [Kemer excursion packages](https://www.antalyadailytours.com/destinations/antalya-excursions/kemer/).
4. Adrasan Beach
Adrasan is a wide, sheltered bay south of Kemer, surrounded by pine forest. There’s a small village, a handful of guesthouses and restaurants, and a long pebble beach that rarely overcrowds even in August.
**What it’s like**: Pebble, calm, clear, genuinely quiet by Turkish coast standards. No large hotels. The bay is well-sheltered so the sea is usually flat. Good snorkeling along the rocky edges at either end.
**Best for**: Visitors who want to escape peak season crowds. Snorkelers. Anyone willing to travel for quiet.
**Facilities**: A few beachside restaurants and cafes, informal sunbed rental from local spots. No large beach clubs.
**Honest note**: Adrasan is not easy to reach without a car from the main resort areas — it’s about an hour from Antalya city and 30–40 minutes from Kemer. If you’re renting a car for a day, this is worth the drive.
5. Tekirova Beach
Tekirova is a long pebble beach backed by pine forest, north of Phaselis. Quieter than Kemer town, less developed. Water quality is consistently good.
**Best for**: Guests staying in Tekirova hotels who want to explore beyond the hotel strip. Also a natural base for visiting Phaselis or Olympos in the same day.
**Practical note**: Nothing spectacular on its own, but reliably clean and uncrowded. Pairs well with Phaselis — do the ruins in the morning and the beach in the afternoon.
6. Çamyuva and Göynük Beaches
Both are small settlements between Kemer and Antalya with their own local beaches. Göynük in particular has a sheltered bay and is one of the better swimming spots in the Kemer zone — the canyon nearby is also a worthwhile half-day.
**Best for**: Guests staying in Çamyuva or Göynük hotels. Both are calmer and quieter than Kemer town centre.
Side and Manavgat Beaches
Side is a peninsula town about 75 kilometres east of Antalya. The beaches here are sandy, which makes them popular with families. The town has Roman ruins — you can walk from the Temple of Apollo to the waterfront in five minutes.
7. Side Beach
Side has two main beach areas: one on the west side of the peninsula and one on the east. Both are sandy. The west beach is generally quieter; the east beach has more hotels and commercial beach clubs.
**What it’s like**: Sand, calm water, long stretch. Busy in July and August. Good facilities. The backdrop of ancient columns and arched streets makes it distinct from the average resort beach — you won’t mistake Side for Lara.
**Best for**: Families (sand, calm water, good facilities). Anyone staying in Side town or nearby hotels. Those who want a beach that also gives something to look at beyond the sea.
**Getting there**: Dolmuş from Manavgat bus station. From Antalya city, about 1 hour 15 minutes by road. From Belek hotels, closer to 45 minutes.
8. Kumköy Beach
Kumköy is a resort area north of Side with a long sandy stretch and mostly hotel-based beach access. Less character than Side town but the beach is wide and the crowd spreads out.
**Best for**: All-inclusive hotel guests in Kumköy. The beach is serviceable; the main draw is the hotel.
Alanya Beaches
Alanya is 130 kilometres east of Antalya — roughly two hours by road. The beaches are sandy, the sea is warm and the dramatic castle peninsula above the town gives Alanya a setting unlike anywhere else on this coast.
9. Cleopatra Beach
Cleopatra Beach (also known as İnce Kum) is the most-photographed beach in Alanya — a wide sandy bay on the western side of the castle peninsula. According to local legend, Cleopatra and Mark Antony swam here. Historians are sceptical, but the beach is real and genuinely good.
**What it’s like**: Sandy, clear, warm water. Beach clubs, sunbeds, water sports. The castle rises above one end of the bay, which is the view in every photo. Busy in summer.
**Best for**: Couples, first-time visitors to Alanya, anyone who wants a sandy beach with proper facilities and a backdrop worth photographing.
**Honest note**: Cleopatra is one of the better beaches on this coast, full stop. But July and August mornings fill up fast. Arrive before 10:00 if you want a good spot near the water.
10. Damlataş Beach
Just west of the Alanya castle promontory, next to the cave of the same name. Smaller and less busy than Cleopatra, slightly more sheltered.
**Best for**: A quieter alternative to Cleopatra within Alanya. Families with young children who want easier access and fewer crowds.
1. Keykubat Beach
Keykubat is Alanya’s east beach — a long sandy stretch on the opposite side of the castle from Cleopatra. Less visited by tourists, same water quality, usually easier to find a good spot.
**Best for**: Anyone staying in east Alanya hotels. Worth choosing over Cleopatra if you want the same sandy beach with less crowd pressure.
If you’re based further west and considering Alanya for a day, see the full range of [Alanya excursions and day trips] — the castle and the pirate boat are both worth combining with a beach stop.
Suluada: The One Beach You Can’t Drive To
Suluada is a small uninhabited island off the Adrasan coast, reachable only by boat. The water is a shade of blue-green that most visitors assume has been edited in photographs — it hasn’t. No roads, no buildings, no beach clubs. A few mooring buoys and one of the clearest bays on the Turkish Mediterranean.
A couple from Manchester, staying in Kemer for a week, almost skipped Suluada entirely. They’d booked the [Suluada boat tour] as a last-minute option on day six. On the boat back, they said it was the one day they wished they’d done earlier in the trip. The water at anchor is chest-deep and completely transparent over white rock.
**Best for**: Anyone willing to spend a full day on the water. Not suited to visitors who need shade structures or toilet facilities onshore — there are none on the island. The boat provides shade and handles logistics.
**What most beach guides miss**: Suluada doesn’t appear on most “best beaches” lists because it doesn’t have a shoreline in the usual sense. But for water clarity and colour, it’s the standout on this coast. If you’re deciding between a standard beach day and the Suluada boat trip, the boat trip wins.
Which Beach Is Right for You?
Most beach guides list beaches. Fewer actually answer the question of which one fits your trip. Here’s the honest breakdown by situation.
Families with Young Children
Sand and shallow water matter. **Lara Beach** is easiest if you’re staying nearby. **Side Beach** (west side) and **Cleopatra Beach** in Alanya are both sandy with family-appropriate facilities. Avoid the Kemer pebble beaches for very young children — the stones are uncomfortable without water shoes and the ground underfoot isn’t easy.
Couples Looking for Something Different
**Phaselis** — ruins, three quiet coves, clear water, no beach club atmosphere. **Suluada** if a full day on a boat sounds right. **Adrasan** if genuine quiet is what you need.
Snorkelers
Rocky edges and clear water are what you’re looking for. **Phaselis**, **Adrasan** and **Suluada** are the strongest options. Konyaaltı and Lara have flat sandy bottoms with less to see underwater. Side and Alanya’s sandy beaches are pleasant to swim but not the most interesting for snorkeling.
Those Who Don’t Want to Pay for Sunbeds
All public beach sections in Turkey allow you to lay a towel for free. **Konyaaltı** has a large free public zone. **Adrasan** and **Phaselis** are informal — there are no commercial beach clubs charging for the privilege of sitting down. Alanya and Side have more commercial operators, though you can usually find a public strip if you walk past the paid sections.
Day Trips Based on Where You’re Staying
**From Kemer, Çamyuva or Göynük**: Phaselis is a short drive. Adrasan is 30–40 minutes south. Both are better options than driving back toward Antalya city.
**From Belek**: Side Beach is your closest sandy alternative (45–50 minutes). Lara is about 30 minutes west.
**From Antalya city**: Konyaaltı is local. Lara is 20 minutes east. For something different, the [Antalya City Tour] covers the Düden Waterfall and coastline — a good option if you want more than just a beach day.
**From Alanya**: Cleopatra and Keykubat are right there. Phaselis or Adrasan would require a full-day commitment from Alanya — not practical as a casual day trip.
Practical Beach Information
Sand vs Pebble — Know Before You Go
| Beach | Type | Blue Flag | Sunbed Fee | Notes |
| Konyaaltı | Pebble | ✓ | Optional (free zones exist) | Water shoes recommended |
| Lara | Sand | ✓ | Hotel / beach clubs | Best sandy option near Antalya |
| Phaselis | Pebble (3 coves) | — | None | Site entry fee applies |
| Adrasan | Pebble | — | Informal / low | Quietest bay in the area |
| Tekirova | Pebble | — | Hotel / informal | Uncrowded |
| Çamyuva / Göynük | Pebble | — | Hotel / informal | Good local options |
| Side (west) | Sand | ✓ | Beach clubs + free sections | Good facilities |
| Kumköy | Sand | ✓ | Hotel / club | Mostly hotel access |
| Cleopatra (Alanya) | Sand | ✓ | Beach clubs | Busiest in Alanya |
| Damlataş (Alanya) | Sand | — | Low | Quieter than Cleopatra |
| Keykubat (Alanya) | Sand | ✓ | Beach clubs | Less crowded east option |
| Suluada | Rocky island | — | None (boat trip cost) | Boat access only |
When Are the Beaches Too Crowded?
July and August are peak season across the board. Cleopatra Beach, Lara and Side get busy. If you’re visiting in June or September, the water is still warm and the beaches are noticeably quieter.
For the smaller Kemer bays — Phaselis, Adrasan — June and September are significantly better than midsummer. These bays are compact and fill faster than the long city beaches.
Water Temperature
The sea stays swimmable from May through October. Peak temperature (around 28–29°C) is in August. By October it drops to around 22–23°C, still comfortable for most swimmers. The Kemer area tends to be marginally clearer than the city beaches due to less urban runoff.
Frequently Asked Questions
For water clarity: Phaselis and Suluada. For facilities plus clean water: Cleopatra Beach in Alanya or Lara Beach near Antalya city. The Mediterranean here is generally clean across all 13 beaches listed — you’re choosing between pebble and sand, busy and quiet, not clean and dirty.
Yes, if you’re staying in Antalya city. It’s a good urban beach — long, Blue Flag certified, clean. The pebble is the main drawback; bring water shoes. If you’re staying in Kemer or Belek, the transfer to Konyaaltı isn’t worth it when you have better options closer.
Suluada and Phaselis consistently rank highest for clarity. Both are away from city infrastructure and river outflows. Adrasan is similarly clear. Lara and Konyaaltı are clean but have more boat traffic in the vicinity.
Suluada is only accessible by boat. The boat departs from Adrasan harbour, which is about 90 minutes south of Antalya city by road. The simplest option is to book the [Suluada island boat tour](https://www.antalyadailytours.com/trip/suluada-boat-tour-turkish-maldives/) — transfer to Adrasan is included, so you don’t need to organise your own transport there.
The local story is that Cleopatra and Mark Antony swam here, and that the sand was shipped from Egypt as a gift. Historians are sceptical. The sand is real; the Egyptian origin is a popular story without solid documentation. Either way, it’s a good beach.
Lara Beach (sand, calm water, facilities), Side Beach west side (sand), or Cleopatra Beach in Alanya. All three have sandy ground, shallow entry and good facilities. Avoid the rocky Kemer beaches for very young children.
The sea and public beach areas are free in Turkey. What you pay for is a sunbed or umbrella from a beach club — and only if you sit in their section. Every beach on this list has a free public zone. Phaselis charges a site entry fee (for the ruins), but the beach itself is free once you’re in.
The Honest Summary
There’s no single best beach in Antalya — the right choice depends on where you’re staying, who you’re with and what you’re after.
For water clarity: **Suluada** or **Phaselis**. For sand and facilities: **Lara**, **Side** or **Cleopatra**. For quiet: **Adrasan**. For something genuinely different from a standard resort beach: **Suluada** or **Phaselis**.
If you’re staying in a hotel and want to spend the day on the water rather than beside it, [boat trips and cruises](https://www.antalyadailytours.com/activities/boat-trips-cruises/) are a practical alternative — particularly if your hotel beach isn’t the best in your area.
For the full picture of what’s possible across the region, browse [all Antalya excursions] or get in touch directly. We’re based in Antalya and can tell you exactly which option makes sense for your dates and where you’re staying.
