The Ultimate Guide to Antalya Beaches

Antalya is famous for its crystal-clear turquoise waters and stunning coastline. As a guest at Pearly Hotel & Spa, you are perfectly positioned to explore some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean.

The Antalya coast stretches more than 600 kilometres along the Mediterranean and includes everything from EU Blue Flag pebble beaches in the city centre to small, almost-private coves you can only reach by boat. This guide walks through the beaches we send Pearly Hotel guests to most often — what makes each one special, when to visit, what you will spend on a sunbed, and how to get there from western Antalya without paying tourist taxi rates.

General tips for any Antalya beach: bring water shoes if you are sensitive to pebbles (most "sand" beaches in Antalya have a pebbly waterline); avoid swimming between 11:00 and 16:00 in mid-summer when UV is at its strongest; use reef-safe sunscreen out of respect for the local marine life; never leave valuables on your towel — even quiet beaches have occasional pickpocketing.

1. Konyaaltı Beach (Konyaaltı Plajı)

Located just steps from Pearly Hotel, Konyaaltı Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Turkey. It stretches for 7 kilometers and features a mix of pebbles and sand, offering incredibly clear water.

Konyaaltı holds the EU Blue Flag for water quality and is the city's most popular swimming beach. The shoreline is mostly fine pebbles that have been smoothed by decades of waves; the water deepens quickly after about ten metres. There is a long pedestrian promenade behind the beach with cafés, ice cream stands and free public toilets, plus the Beach Park entertainment complex at the western end with restaurants, a bowling alley and the Antalya Aquarium next door. Sunbed sets cost between 300 and 500 TL per day depending on the operator; the public sections at the very ends are free to use.

Best For: Swimming, water sports, and sunset walks.
Facilities: Sunbeds, umbrellas, cafes, and a beautiful promenade.
Getting there from Pearly Hotel: 5–10 minute walk through Konyaaltı Beach Park.
Accessibility: wheelchair ramps and accessible toilets at the Beach Park central entrance.

2. Lara Beach (Lara Halk Plajı)

Known for its soft, golden sand, Lara Beach is located on the eastern side of Antalya. It is famous for its luxury resorts and the annual Sand Sculpture Festival.

Unlike Konyaaltı, Lara is genuinely sandy and shelves more gently into the water, which makes it the better choice for families with small children. The public section called Lara Halk Plajı is on the eastern side of the airport and is free; the western end is dominated by all-inclusive resorts with private stretches. The annual International Sand Sculpture Festival, held from May to October, fills a section of the eastern beach with elaborate sand artworks and is well worth a separate visit. Getting to Lara from western Antalya takes about thirty minutes by taxi or forty-five by bus.

Best For: Families, sandcastles, and relaxing under the sun.
Facilities: Beach clubs, water parks, and picnic areas.
Getting there: KL series city bus from the centre or 25–35 minutes by taxi (about 350–450 TL).

3. Kaputaş Beach

If you're willing to take a day trip, Kaputaş Beach is a must-see. Located near Kaş, this small beach is nestled between steep cliffs and is famous for its vibrant turquoise water.

Kaputaş is the most photographed beach in the western Mediterranean for good reason: a turquoise V of water folded between two pale cliffs, with a small ribbon of pale sand at the base. The beach sits about 180 km west of Antalya — a long but spectacular drive along the D400 coastal road. Going at sunrise is ideal as you will have the cove almost to yourself before the tour buses arrive after 11:00. A small kiosk at the top of the steps sells drinks, snacks and (overpriced) sun-lounger rentals. The descent is 187 stairs; bring water and proper sandals.

Best For: Photography and pristine natural beauty.
Note: Accessed via a long flight of stairs down the cliff.
Getting there: 2.5-hour drive; usually done as part of a Kaş day trip from Antalya.

4. Patara Beach

Patara is the longest beach in Turkey at 18 km and one of the wildest in the Mediterranean. The dunes behind the sand are a protected nesting site for loggerhead sea turtles, which means there is no construction, no beach clubs and no umbrella forests — just a thin strip of cafés at the entrance and an immense empty beach beyond. The water deepens slowly, making it good for non-swimmers and children, but the open Mediterranean swell can produce real waves in the afternoon. The site combines with the ruins of ancient Patara city (capital of Lycia, birthplace of Saint Nicholas) for a single entry fee of around 100 TL.

5. Cleopatra Beach (Alanya)

Two hours east of Antalya in the city of Alanya, Cleopatra Beach lies in the shadow of the Alanya Castle headland. The fine, almost-white sand is genuinely unusual for this coast — local legend says it was shipped from North Africa for Cleopatra herself. The water is gentle and shallow, and the beach is well-equipped with sunbeds, beach bars and Blue Flag facilities. It works well as a day trip combined with the Alanya Castle and the Damlataş Cave; private day-tours from Antalya cost around 1,000 TL per person including pick-up and a fish lunch.

6. Olympos & Çıralı Beach

Çıralı is the antidote to Antalya's resort strip: a long pebble beach backed by a protected pine forest and small wooden bungalows instead of high-rises. At the southern end, the ruins of ancient Olympos disappear into the forest along a stream, and a short night-time hike up the hillside leads to the Chimaera — natural methane vents that have burned in the rock for thousands of years. Çıralı is around 75 km south-west of Antalya, roughly 1.5 hours by car. The beach is unlit at night to protect nesting turtles; bring a head torch if you walk back from the village after dinner.

7. Mermerli Beach (in Kaleiçi)

Tucked beneath the cliffs of the old town, right next to the Old Harbour, Mermerli is Antalya's most unusual swimming spot: a small private beach attached to a historic restaurant, with the medieval city walls forming one side and the Mediterranean the other. There is a 200 TL entry fee that includes a sun-lounger and umbrella; you can also use the restaurant terrace above the beach for lunch. It is the easiest swim in the city if you happen to be exploring Kaleiçi and want a one-hour dip without trekking back to Konyaaltı.

When to Visit the Beaches

The Antalya beach season runs effectively from April to early November. April–May: sea temperature still cool (17–21 °C) but air temperature pleasant; very few crowds. June: sea warms to 23–25 °C; first real crowds appear after the third week. July–August: peak season, hottest weather (often 35–40 °C inland), water around 27–28 °C, beaches packed by 10:00. September: the local favourite — calm sea at 26–27 °C, fewer children because European school terms have started, prices begin to ease. October: sea still warm enough for swimming until mid-November in good years; beach clubs gradually close.

What to Bring

Water shoes — essential on Konyaaltı and most pebble beaches; cheap pairs available from Migros 5M for 150 TL.
Wide-brim hat and UV-rated sunglasses — the sun is intense even on hazy days.
Reef-safe SPF 50 sunscreen, especially if you plan a boat trip with snorkelling.
Your own beach towel — hotel towels are available from Pearly Hotel's reception from 08:00 daily.
A dry-bag for valuables if you plan to swim out from a public section.
Small cash — public showers and changing rooms often charge 10–20 TL coin-only.

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