Beaches in Turkey

Antalya Beaches 2026: Complete Coastal Guide

Antalya's coast stretches 640 km — longer than the entire French Riviera — with sea temperatures above 20 °C from May through November.
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Kleopatra

Sand Free Historical

Sand allegedly shipped from Egypt on Cleopatra's orders — and geology backs the legend. Costs, transport, tips and best months for Kleopatra Beach Alanya.

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Kaputas

Pebble Free Family

187 steps down a cliff into a gorge — and the turquoise water at the bottom is worth every one. Entry fees, wave warnings and tips for Kaputas Beach.

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Patara

Sand Free Historical

18 km of sand next to the birthplace of Santa Claus — the beach closes at sunset so turtles can nest. Entry fees, ruins and tips for Patara Beach.

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Adrasan

Sand Free Snorkelling

An island nicknamed the Turkish Maldives sits 30 minutes by boat from this quiet bay — Adrasan Beach offers calm water, Lycian Way trails, and treehouse camps on Turkey's unspoilt coast.

C

Cirali

Pebble Free Family

Flames that have burned for 2,500 years light the hillside above this protected turtle-nesting beach — costs, transport, tips and best months for Cirali Beach.

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Olympos

Pebble Paid Family

Walk through 2,000-year-old Lycian ruins to reach the sea — entry fees, treehouse camps, Yanartaş flames and local tips for Olympos Beach.

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Kumköy

Sand Free Family

A 4 km beach built from scratch for holidaymakers — no history, just sand, sun and all-inclusive comfort. Costs, transport, tips and best months for Kumköy Beach near Side.

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Konyaalti

Pebble Free Historical

Where else can you swim in 28°C water while staring up at snow-capped peaks 2,300 metres above? Entry info, tram tips and insider advice for Konyaalti Beach.

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Lara

Pebble Free Family

One beach hosts a 7,000 m² open-air sand sculpture museum — Lara Beach stretches 12 km along Antalya's coast with golden sand, ultra all-inclusive resorts, and a waterfall that drops into the sea.

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Phaselis

Pebble Free Family

Swim where Alexander the Great anchored his fleet — three turquoise harbour beaches among 2,700-year-old ruins, with costs, tips and how to get there.

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Side

Sand Free Family

Watch the sunset sink behind 2,000-year-old temple columns at the water's edge — costs, transport, tips and best months for Side Beach in Antalya.

Introduction

Antalya beaches line Turkey's central Mediterranean coast, where the Taurus Mountains run parallel to the sea from the Lycian border in the west to the Cilician foothills east of Alanya. The province holds 11 distinct beaches across seven districts — from cliff-cut coves reachable only by staircase to all-inclusive resort strips served by tram.

Geography & Character

Antalya Province occupies the largest curve of Turkey's southern coastline, sheltered from the Anatolian plateau by the western Taurus range. Peaks above 2,300 m drop to sea level within 20 km, creating a microclimate with 300 days of sunshine a year. The western half is rugged Lycian coast — gorges, pine forest, ancient ruins at the waterline. The eastern half flattens into long sandy stretches backed by resort development. The mix runs from backpacker treehouse camps to ultra all-inclusive mega-resorts, often within an hour's drive of each other.

Best Time to Visit

June and September offer the best balance — warm seas (25–27 °C), comfortable air, and thinner crowds than the July–August peak when temperatures regularly exceed 34 °C. May and October suit Lycian Way hiking. Avoid the first two weeks of August if crowds are a concern.

The Beaches

The coast unfolds west to east. In Kaş, 187 steps descend a gorge to Kaputaş, while Patara stretches 18 km of sand beside Lycian ruins — closing at sunset for turtle nesting. In Kumluca, Olympos hides behind 2,000-year-old walls, Çıralı adds a pebble shore beneath the Chimaera's eternal flames, and Adrasan's sheltered crescent launches boats to Suluada island. The three harbour coves of Phaselis in Tekirova sit inside a 2,700-year-old port city. Antalya's city centre splits between mountain-backed Konyaaltı pebble and the 12 km golden sand of Lara. Southeast, Side's temple columns frame sunset over twin beaches, Kumköy in Manavgat delivers shallow family sand, and the coast ends at Alanya where Kleopatra's coarse golden shore — allegedly shipped from Egypt — sits beneath a medieval castle.

FAQ

How many beaches are in Antalya?

Eleven, across seven districts spanning 640 km of coastline from Kaş in the west to Alanya in the east.

What is the best Antalya beach for families?

Lara Beach — golden sand, shallow entry, lifeguards, and just 15 minutes from the airport.

Are Antalya beaches free?

Most are free. Patara and Phaselis charge entrance fees as they sit within archaeological sites.

When is the best time to visit Antalya beaches?

June and September for warm seas and fewer crowds than the July–August peak.