Things to Do in Kemer: Beaches, Ruins, Boat Trips and the Cable Car

Kemer is a coastal town 45 kilometres southwest of Antalya, in a bay flanked by the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean. It’s a compact place: the marina, town beach, and main streets are all within easy walking distance. Beyond the town, the surrounding area has archaeological sites, a cable car rising to 1,365 metres above the bay, and national park coastline only reachable by boat.

This guide covers the main activities in and around Kemer, with practical notes on getting there and what to expect.

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At the Beach

Kemer Town Beach and Moonlight Beach

The central beach runs along the marina. It’s a pebbled beach with beach clubs, water sports, and cafes. Moonlight Beach, a short walk south, is a public pebble beach that tends to be quieter, particularly in the mornings.

The water is calm and clear in the sheltered bay. Sea temperatures are 26-28°C in July and August. Water shoes are useful for the pebbled entry.

Phaselis Bays

About 12 kilometres south of Kemer, the ancient city of Phaselis occupies a small peninsula with three bays. Two of them have swimming areas inside the archaeological site. The combination of ruins and clear water makes Phaselis one of the more distinctive beach options in the region. Entry is by ticket; a car or taxi from Kemer takes about 20 minutes.

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Boat Trips from Kemer Marina

The national park coastline between Kemer and Phaselis is largely inaccessible by road. Day boat trips from the marina are the standard way to cover these bays, with stops for swimming along the coast.

The **Kemer pirate boat tour** is the main format available from the marina. It covers the Kemer bay and surrounding coast, including sea caves and inlets in the national park section. See the [Kemer pirate boat tour] page for current schedule and what is included.

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The Olympos Cable Car

The Tünektepe cable car (commonly called the Olympos Cable Car) rises from a base station just north of Kemer to a summit at 1,365 metres above sea level. The ride is 10-12 minutes each way. From the top, the view covers the full arc of the Kemer bay, the offshore coastline, and the Taurus Mountain ridgelines.

There is a restaurant and café at the summit. The temperature at the top is noticeably cooler than at sea level, so a light layer is worth bringing even in summer.

It works well as a morning activity before beach time, or as a standalone half-day. From Antalya, the [Olympos Cable Car tour] includes hotel pickup.

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Ancient Sites Near Kemer

Phaselis

Phaselis is a Lycian and Roman port city with a colonnaded main street, theatre, bath complexes, and harbour structures on a pine-forested peninsula. The site is accessible, well-maintained, and compact enough to cover in 2-3 hours. As noted above, two of the three bays have swimming areas inside the site.

Opening hours and entry fees apply; check on the day before travelling independently.

Olympos (Çıralı)

The ancient city of Olympos, distinct from the cable car of the same name, is further south near Çıralı, about 70 kilometres from Antalya. The ruins are partly overgrown and the site has a different atmosphere from Phaselis, less managed, more atmospheric. The nearby Chimaera flame (Yanartaş), a natural methane seep that has burned continuously for centuries, is usually visited in the same trip. For a fuller guide, see [visiting Olympos, Turkey].

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Adventure Activities

The Köprülü Canyon, about 80 kilometres northeast of Kemer, is the main location for white-water rafting in the region. The canyon section of the Köprüçay River is a Grade 3-4 route with a 14-kilometre run. Buggy safaris and zip-lining are available in the same area.

These activities require a half-day or full-day trip from Kemer. Most operators offer hotel pickup from Kemer, Antalya, and Belek.

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Day Trips from Kemer

Kemer’s location puts it within reach of several destinations for day trips:

– **Antalya city centre**: 45 kilometres northeast, about 45-50 minutes. Kaleiçi old town, the Antalya Archaeological Museum, and the Lower Düden Waterfall are the main sites.

– **Side**: 100 kilometres east, about 90 minutes. The ancient theatre, Temple of Apollo, and sandy beaches.

– **Alanya**: 165 kilometres east, about 2.5 hours, long for a day trip but feasible.

For a full overview of tours and excursions from Kemer, including day trip formats with hotel pickup, see the [Kemer tours and excursions] page.

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Evening and Nightlife

Kemer has a concentrated bar and club area that runs from late evening through the early hours in peak season. For a full guide to what is available and where, see the dedicated [Kemer nightlife guide].

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Practical Notes

**Getting to Kemer from Antalya:** 45 kilometres southwest on the D400 coastal road, approximately 45-50 minutes by car. Dolmuş services run regularly from Antalya’s western bus terminal (Batı Garajı). The journey takes about one hour.

**Within Kemer:** The town is compact and the main beach, marina, and town centre are walkable. Phaselis and the cable car base station require a taxi or car.

**Best time to visit:** May-June and September-October for comfortable temperatures. July and August are the busiest months on the beach; the cable car visit and ruins are best done in the morning.

**Currency and payment:** Most restaurants, beach clubs, and tour operators accept card. Smaller cafes and market stalls prefer cash.

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Frequently Asked Questions