Antalya’s Best Sandy Beaches

Antalya has many sandy beaches. Here is an overview of our favorite sandy beaches in the region. We have included as many pictures, video tours and maps as possible to give you the best possible idea of what to expect. Keep reading to find out more!

Kemer Beach

Kemer is an amazing little holiday village to the west of Antalya. It is a popular holiday destination for people from all around the world. It has many sandy beaches and has a very calm waters thanks to its location inside of a natural bay.

Kemer is an excellent destination for both day trips and complete holidays. Personally we take the trip down to Kemer from Antalya regularly to enjoy its amazing beach with calm waters.

If you’re planning to book a complete holiday in Kemer make sure you book a hotel at the seafront. If you’re planning to visit for a day trip we recommend moonlight beach, which is located next to the marina in a small bay. The waters are clear and calm which is great for snorkeling and the beach is sandy. There is plenty of choice of beach clubs which offer sunbeds, food, drinks parasols etc. Personally we recommend Dakapo Beach Club and Robert’s Coffee. Check out our map below for the exact location of Moonlight Beach.

Apart from the beach there are many excellent activities that can be enjoyed in Kemer area. There are handful of nightclubs which host international artists and Phaselis, an amazing historical site is not far from here. Which brings us to the next entry in our list.

Phaselis Beach

Phaselis is located just a few minutes south of Kemer by car. In our opinion it is one of the most amazing places to visit in the Antalya region due to its history and its secluded location in a calm bay. Even after having visited Phaselis multiple times, it never ceases to amaze!

Phaselis is the site of an ancient Greco-Roman city. The ruins are in a pretty good state and consist of a aqueduct, a harbor, market place and a theater. Phaselis beach consists of two bays on the opposing sides of the site. On the southern side you will find another beach which is a mix of sand and pebble. While on the northern side there is a small bay with a pebble beach at the location of the ancient harbor.

Phaselis is located just off the D400. Since the site is an archeological site there is a small entrance fee of 20 Turkish Lira. Entrance is free for Museum Pass holders. Phaselis is located at around an hour by car from Antalya itself making it an excellent destination for a day trip. See the exact location of Phaselis on the map below.

Check out the video tour below to get a better understanding of all the amazing things you can expect to see at Phaselis.

Kaputas Beach

Kaputas beach is a small sandy beach located west of Kas. Kaputas is famous for the turquoise color of the sea and its location at the mouth of a canyon. If you are looking for a sandy beach with an amazing scenery Kaputas is the place to be.

Kaputas beach now offers some limited facilities despite its secluded location. You will be able to find showers, changing huts and sunbeds can be rented at the l

Kaputas beach looks stunning but it does have a few downsides to be aware of. Due to the small size of the beach it can get quite crowded during the high season. So make sure to arrive extra early if you’re planning to visit in this period. Also be aware that the number of parking spaces are very limited.

Kaputas is located along the D400. At around 20 minutes by car from Kas which is the nearest city. Check out the map below for its exact location.

Patara Beach

Patara Beach is not far from Kaputas and is located on the western most edge of the Antalya region. Patara consists of a long stretch of sandy beach and is surrounded by untouched nature with sandy dunes and the ruins of the ancient city of Patara. Patara is famous for its especially white and fine sands.

Ancient Patara

Like Phaselis, Patara is an excellent destination to combine beach time with cultural activity. Patara has a rich history. It was conquered by Alexander The Great in 333BC and it is the birthplace of St. Nicholas of Myra, who became the inspiration for modern day Santa Claus.

Patara is located at a few minutes from Kalkan by car. Patara is under natural habitat preservation. Nonetheless it can be reached by car. It has a car park where you can leave your car and continue to the beach on foot for a few hundred meters. See the map below for the exact location of Patara beach.

Cirali Beach

Cirali beach is located in Olympos national park. It offers yet another opportunity to combine leisure and culture during your visit to Antalya. Cirali Beach is a mix of pebble and sand beaches. The western part is more pebbly whereas the eastern part offers sandy beaches.

Caretta Sea Turtles

Cirali is famous for its Caretta sea turtles which nest on its beach. Cirali is an excellent choice to try your luck to swim alongside these amazing animals. Cirali beach is closed at night to protect the turtles while they’re laying their eggs.

Ancient Olympos (Lycia)

Cirali is located very close to the ruins of the ancient city of Olympos. In fact you can reach the ruins from the beach on foot. Olympos was founded before 400 BC and was part of the Lycian League. Later the city was conquered by the Romans, Venetians, Genoese and Rhodians.

The Flames of Mount Chimaera

Another amazing site that is just a hike away from Cirali is Mount Chimaera which is famous for its constant burning fires. Methane and other flammable gases emerge from the rocks resulting in eternal flames. These flames have been attested by the famous classical authors like Pliny and Strabo among others.

Cirali can be reached in under one and half hour from Antalya by car. It is located on the coast along the D400. See the map for a detailed view.

Cleopatra Beach

Cleopatra beach is a long and wide stretch of sand to the west of Alanya’s peninsula. Alanya is a nice small town located at around 2 hours east of Antalya by car. It is famous for its castle and amazing beaches.

The beach consists of a wide and long stretch of sand. There are many beach clubs which offer all the amenities needed to enjoy your day at the beach. Some beach clubs even offer free Wi-Fi. The sea is known to be warm and wavy.

Check out the map below for the exact location of Cleopatra Beach.

Lara Beach

Last but not least is Lara beach. Lara is located near the city of Antalya and is just a few minutes from its airport by car. It is a very long stretch of sandy beach which offers many activities due its location near Antalya.

Read our article Lara Beach – All You Need to Know to find out about everything Lara Beach and its surroundings have to offer!