Best Beaches in Antalya | Turkey Beach Guide

Antalya: Turkey's Mediterranean Riviera Capital

Antalya is the gateway city to the Turkish Riviera — the Turquoise Coast stretching from Bodrum in the west to Alanya in the east — and one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in Europe. Set against the dramatic Taurus Mountains (rising to 3,000 metres just behind the city) and the deep blue Mediterranean, Antalya combines exceptional Roman and Byzantine heritage in its Kaleiçi (old town) with one of the world's highest concentrations of five-star resort hotels. The city's beaches range from the urban pebble strand of Konyaaltı to the resort sands of Lara Beach east of the city, and the surrounding province contains some of Turkey's most spectacular coastal scenery.

Top Beaches Near Antalya

Konyaaltı Beach

Antalya's main city beach stretches 7 km along the base of the cliffs west of the old town, with views of the Taurus Mountains rising directly behind. The beach is Blue Flag certified, with free public areas and paid beach clubs side by side. The water is clear and Mediterranean-warm; the beach is pebble (typical of Antalya) rather than sand. The beachside promenade with walking and cycling paths extends the full length of the beach.

Lara Beach

East of the city, Lara Beach is Antalya's all-inclusive resort strip — Turkey's most concentrated area of five-star mega-hotels, most of them enormous "resort worlds" with multiple pools, water parks, and entertainment facilities. The beach itself is a long, sandy stretch with calm, warm water. The area's nickname is "Russian Riviera" for its popularity with Russian tourists. Lara is the right choice for families who want a complete resort experience.

Phaselis and Olympos

An hour south of Antalya along the coast road, Phaselis is a remarkable Lycian ancient city built on a pine-forested peninsula with three small bays — you can swim directly from the ruins of its harbour. Thirty minutes further, Olympos has a beautiful beach at the mouth of a river canyon, backed by the ruins of another Lycian city and the eternal flame of the Chimaera (a natural gas seep that has burned for centuries on the hillside above).

Best Time to Visit Antalya

April, May, and October are the best months for beach holidays — warm (22–28°C), with crystal-clear Mediterranean water and far fewer crowds than peak summer. June through September is hot (30–40°C) and extremely busy with package tourists. The mountains behind Antalya are snow-covered from December to March and offer skiing at Saklıkent resort, an extraordinary combination with beach weather on the same day. Antalya receives 300 sunny days per year.

Getting There and Where to Stay

Antalya Airport (AYT) is one of Turkey's busiest international airports, with direct charter and scheduled flights from most European cities year-round. The airport is 15 km from the city centre. Browse hotels in Antalya and discover more beaches in Turkey for your Turkish Riviera itinerary.