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5 Best Beaches In Antalya You Won’t Believe Exist (But Totally Do)
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Travel writing based on first-hand experience

Chasing the Best Beaches In Antalya? From the lively buzz of Konyaaltı to the silky shores of Lara and the hidden gems tucked along the Lycian coast—Antalya is a beach lover’s paradise waiting to be explored.

Planning more beach days and adventures in Antalya? Read these next

Best Beaches In Antalya

1. Konyaaltı Beach

Konyaaltı Beach in Antalya with clear Mediterranean water and mountain views

Konyaaltı Beach is one of the easiest beaches to visit if you are staying in central Antalya. Stretching along the western side of the city, it combines clear Mediterranean water with dramatic views of the mountains rising behind the coast. It is the sort of setting that makes an ordinary afternoon swim feel considerably more cinematic.

The shoreline is mostly covered with small pebbles rather than soft sand, so water shoes can make the day more comfortable. Along the beach, you will find public areas as well as sections with sun loungers, umbrellas, cafés, and other facilities. The long promenade also makes Konyaaltı a good choice if you want to combine swimming with a walk, a coffee stop, or a slow evening beside the sea.

Best for: easy access from the city center, mountain views, long beach walks, and travelers who want plenty of facilities nearby.

2. Mermerli Beach

Mermerli Beach beneath the cliffs of Kaleiçi Old Town in Antalya

Mermerli Beach is the beach to choose when you want a swim without leaving Antalya’s historic center. Tucked beneath the cliffs beside Kaleiçi Marina, it is small, atmospheric, and framed by the old harbor rather than a long resort-lined coast.

You reach the beach by walking through Kaleiçi and descending the steps near Mermerli Restaurant. Once you arrive, the setting feels surprisingly tucked away considering how close it is to the busiest streets of the Old Town. Sun loungers are arranged along the rocky shoreline, and the calm water makes this an appealing place for a cooling swim between sightseeing stops.

Mermerli is not the best choice if you want a wide sandy beach or lots of space to spread out. It is better suited to a shorter, more scenic swim followed by lunch, drinks, or another wander through Kaleiçi.

Best for: Old Town sightseeing days, harbor views, a quick swim, and travelers staying in Kaleiçi.

3. İnciraltı Beach

Cliffside swimming platforms and clear water at İnciraltı Beach in Antalya

İnciraltı Beach offers a different kind of beach day. Instead of walking onto a sandy or pebbly shoreline, you descend from Antalya’s cliffs and enter the sea from platforms and steps. The water is clear, cool, and especially inviting on a hot summer afternoon.

This is a good choice if you enjoy swimming more than lying on a beach for hours. Sun loungers and umbrellas make it possible to relax between dips, but the real appeal is the direct access to deeper water and the dramatic cliffside setting.

Because the swimming area sits below the cliffs, take extra care on wet steps and follow local safety guidance. It is a scenic place for a swim, not a place to experiment with jumping from the rocks.

Best for: confident swimmers, clear water, cliffside views, and a more local city-beach experience.

4. Lara Beach

Wide sandy shoreline and warm Mediterranean water at Lara Beach in Antalya

Lara Beach is the obvious choice if your ideal beach day involves sand rather than pebbles. Located east of central Antalya, it has a broader, more open feel than the compact beaches closer to the Old Town. There is room to settle in, swim, and spend a proper lazy day by the water without pretending you are going to leave after one hour.

The shoreline is sandy, the sea is generally pleasant for swimming, and different sections of the beach offer varying levels of facilities. You can bring your own towel and beach gear or choose an area with sun loungers and umbrellas. Public transport and parking make Lara relatively straightforward to reach from the city.

Lara works especially well for families and travelers who want a more traditional beach day. It is less about squeezing in a quick swim between sightseeing stops and more about committing to several hours of sun, sea, snacks, and very limited ambition.

Best for: sandy shores, families, long beach days, and travelers who want space to relax.

5. Örnekköy Beach

Relaxed local beach atmosphere at Örnekköy Beach in Antalya

Örnekköy Beach is a more relaxed option if you want to escape the busiest stretches of Antalya’s coastline without traveling far from the city. Popular with local residents during the summer, it feels less like a major sightseeing stop and more like a neighborhood beach where people come to swim, cool down, and spend an easy afternoon by the sea.

The surrounding area has cafés, restaurants, and small shops, so it is simple to stop for food or drinks before heading back to the water. The beach also suits travelers interested in activities such as swimming, fishing, and exploring the quieter parts of Antalya’s coast.

Örnekköy is not the beach to choose if you want a polished resort setting with rows of facilities. Come here for a more low-key atmosphere and a break from the louder, more heavily visited parts of the city.

Best for: a quieter local atmosphere, casual swimming, nearby cafés, and an easygoing afternoon away from the main tourist beaches.

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