Comparison Between The Best Beaches In Antalya Province

On my first day in Antalya, I had very little information about the city’s top beaches and wasn’t sure how to write a comprehensive article on the topic. However, after speaking with locals, I discovered that the city boasts over 50 beaches. So, I began by compiling a list of Antalya’s top beaches, including their operating hours, entrance fees, and locations, and included it in this article. Based on the time I had, I visited the top 5 beaches and shared the information I gathered with you below.

List of Top Beaches in Antalya

The following prices are for 2024 and may increase by the time of your visit. Generally, these prices rise by 20-30% each year.

Konyaalti Beach

I found online that Konyaalti Beach is one of Antalya’s largest, most famous, and beautiful beaches. It spans approximately 13 kilometers and is located in the western part of the city, nestled between the cliffs and the Beydağları Mountains. Konyaalti is considered one of the most renowned beaches in Antalya.

Upon arriving at the beach, I was greeted by a stunning view, making it a perfect spot for photography. Konyaalti Beach is a public beach with plenty of open space. Around the beach, there are several cafés and restaurants where visitors can enjoy food and relax.

The Waterhill Water Park one of Antalya water parks is also located near this beach. If you visit during the summer, you can stop by this water park after enjoying the beach and take advantage of its diverse recreational activities.

When I visited this area, I noticed people strolling and relaxing in the forest park surrounding the beach. I also sat at one of the open-air restaurants nearby and enjoyed the charming and peaceful atmosphere of the region.

Konyaaltı Beach boasts a Blue Flag certification, symbolizing clean and high-quality water for swimming. This makes it a safe place to swim. Additionally, due to the shallow depth in the initial parts of the water, children can easily swim there as well. This feature has made Konyaaltı Beach an ideal spot for families.

Facilities of the Konyaaltı Beach Water Park:

• Water clubs
• Diving
• Jet skiing
• Parasailing
• Spa facilities
• Sun umbrellas
• Sunbeds
• Free showers and changing rooms

Konyaaltı Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Antalya during the summer. In this season, the beach becomes crowded and lively, turning into a great spot for sunbathing and summer activities. Moreover, since the beach is pebbly and lacks soft sand, I recommend wearing sandals while walking there to avoid injury or discomfort to your feet.

Lara Beach

Lara Beach was my second choice to visit. Located on the eastern side of Antalya, this beach is among the most popular in Antalya, Turkey, especially from the perspective of locals. According to information provided by a lifeguard present at the beach, I learned that Lara Beach covers an area of approximately 450 hectares.

Lara Beach is about 6 kilometers from the city center, so I had to take a taxi to get there. As soon as I stepped out of the taxi, I was greeted by an incredible view: a golden, soft beach with sand that looked like it was covered in gold. The sight was so stunning and captivating that I found myself lost in admiration for a moment.

Lara Beach offered numerous amenities, the most famous being its beach clubs. These clubs play a significant role in Antalya’s nightlife and are particularly appealing to young people. Besides these, Lara Beach featured a variety of other facilities, including showers, changing rooms, beach chairs, umbrellas, picnic areas, beach soccer fields, beach volleyball courts, diving, boating, and more, each providing a unique and enjoyable experience for visitors.

Additionally, I noticed numerous cafes, restaurants, and beach bars offering a wide range of local and international dishes and drinks, ensuring that visitors didn’t have to worry about food or refreshments.

One of the standout features of this beach is its Blue Flag certification, symbolizing cleanliness, high water quality, and safety, making it an excellent place for swimming. However, in my opinion, this beach was less suitable for children and families, as it seemed more like a space for friendly gatherings and activities for young adults.

Other amenities and activities at Lara Beach:

• Beach clubs
• Several cafes and restaurants
• Water sports
• Skateboarding area
• Swimming pool
• Handicraft market
• Hotels with excellent facilities

One of the locals, who owned a stall on the beach, told me about the annual sand sculpture exhibition held at Lara Beach. This exhibition is a fantastic opportunity for those interested in playing with sand and creating sand sculptures. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to attend this event, but if you’re passionate about this art form, I highly recommend visiting and enjoying this unique experience.

Kaputas Beach

Another stunning beach in Antalya is Kaputaş Beach, located in the Kemer region, between Kaş and Kalkan, within the ancient city of Kaş. This beach has gained a lot of fame for its breathtaking natural surroundings and crystal-clear waters.

When I arrived at Kaputaş Beach, I felt like it was nestled between two towering cliffs. To access it, you need to descend about 170 uneven steps. This journey might be a bit challenging, but the view of the beach is well worth it. The area, with its ground covered in white pebbles and soft sand, natural attractions like narrow valleys between cliffs, and diverse flora and fauna, has become a popular destination for tourists. So, if you think its distance from Antalya’s city center makes it quiet, you’re greatly mistaken.

When I dipped my feet into the water, I noticed that the temperature was slightly cooler than the other beaches I had visited. After asking the locals about it, I learned that this is due to the mixing of salty seawater with an underground freshwater source in this area. This feature adds a unique and special feeling to swimming at this beach.

At Kaputaş Beach, you can enjoy activities such as diving, boating, surfing, exploring underwater caves, and swimming. Although this beach might be less well-known compared to others, it offers complete facilities, some of which are listed below:

Facilities at Kaputaş Beach:
• Showers
• Changing rooms
• Beach chairs
• Umbrellas and shades
• Cafés and restaurants
• Parking lot
• Restrooms

Patara Beach

Patara Beach is one of the largest beaches in Antalya, located near the ancient city of Kaş. According to information I found online, this beach, with its 18 kilometers length and 1,500 meters width, is considered one of the most expansive beaches in the region.

Patara Beach is covered in very soft, white sand, creating a view that, for me, resembled desert shores. This unique characteristic sets this beach apart from others.

One fascinating fact I already knew about Patara Beach is that it is carefully protected due to its ecological significance and the presence of rare sea turtles that nest and lay eggs here. For this reason, access to the beach is prohibited after 8 PM.

If you are someone who enjoys capturing unique landscapes, Patara Beach offers an excellent opportunity for photography. Personally, I felt as though I was standing at the meeting point of desert and sea, where sand dunes created a spectacular and impressive scene.

During my visit to this beach, many people were swimming, and based on my experience, swimming here was calm and peaceful. Due to its tranquility, Patara Beach is one of the best places to relax and swim away from the city’s hustle and bustle.

Exciting activities like parasailing, diving, boating, jet skiing, flyboarding, and shuttle rides were available at Patara Beach. There was also a scenic cycling path that could provide a unique experience for beach visitors who enjoy biking.

Kleopatra Beach

I had heard stories about the famous Egyptian queen bathing at Kleopatra Beach, which inspired me to include a visit to this beach in my travel itinerary.

Located on the western side of the Cleopatra Peninsula, Kleopatra Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Antalya Province. According to local beliefs, this beach was a stopping point for Queen Cleopatra, and it is said that she bathed here. Its pristine location with lush green cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and a pleasant climate has made this beach incredibly popular among tourists.

From my observations, Kleopatra Beach is cleaned daily, which I found to be a great advantage.

The beach is covered with relatively coarse sand, and locals say that due to the unique texture of the sand, it doesn’t stick to your body. I personally experienced this and found it to be true.

Kleopatra Beach holds a Blue Flag, signifying high water quality and safety for swimming. The beach also offers a variety of recreational and leisure facilities, including buffets, cafés, restaurants, bars, cycling paths, boating opportunities, and other water sports.

The water remains shallow up to 8–10 meters from the shore, but it gets deeper as you move further out. Therefore, caution is advised, especially for children.

Entry to Kleopatra Beach is free and open to the public. It provides amenities such as changing rooms, restrooms, and showers. However, sunbeds and umbrellas are available for rent. One downside is that there is a charge for using the restrooms.

In addition to the sea, young children can expend their energy at the amusement park west of the beach or the Atatürk Park, which features a mini-golf course.

Beach-specific sports at Kleopatra Beach:
• Parasailing
• Surfing
• Kiteboarding
• Diving
• Jet skiing
• Beach volleyball

Sarısu Women’s Beach

One day, during a friendly conversation with a woman from Antalya, I learned some fascinating details about Sarısu Women’s Beach. Located in the Sarısu recreational area in the Konyaaltı district of Antalya, this beach exclusively serves women. Since men are not allowed, I couldn’t visit it myself, but her description intrigued me.

She explained that the beach is designed to provide a private and peaceful environment for women. Interestingly, even the staff at the beach are all women. Nestled at the foothills of the Taurus Mountains, the beach offers a stunning view of the blue sea combined with the greenery of pine trees.

According to her, the beach amenities include sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, changing cabins, and a cafeteria. There’s also a picnic area, making it a delightful spot to enjoy nature. She emphasized that the beach is regularly cleaned and well-maintained to ensure a comfortable and clean space for visitors.

The beach is located about 15 kilometers from Antalya city center, and access is very convenient via public transport, private car, or taxi. Parking facilities are also available.

She shared a few practical tips: During the summer months, when the beach can get crowded, it’s better to visit early in the morning. Since the beach has pebbles, wearing proper beach footwear can be helpful. For those planning a picnic, the natural surroundings provide a great setting to enjoy quality time.

She highlighted that this beach is an ideal spot for women looking for a peaceful and relaxing getaway away from the city’s hustle and bustle.

Comparison Table

The five beaches I visited shared certain aspects: clean environments, Blue Flags for swimming, and various water activities. Some beaches were family-friendly with cafés, restaurants, and children’s play areas, while others catered more to young adults with beach clubs and nightlife. Lara Beach had warmer water compared to Konyaalti. Not all beaches had free entry. Based on my experience, I ranked these beaches in terms of visit priority. |

Finally, I suggest you read the following articles to learn more about Antalya:

• What Awaits You At Old Bazaar Antalya?
• Things To do In Antalya At Night