In the southern part of the Turkish Riviera, where ancient Lycia was located hundreds of centuries ago, today Kemer is located. This resort is full of special charm. Here, the fragrance of citrus orchards and pine forests mixes with the delicate aroma of a salty breeze, forming a miraculous healing cocktail. The local nature is amazing and multifaceted: after soaking up the sun by the sea surf, you can make a trip to Mount Tahtali, where even at the height of the summer heat the air temperature does not rise above +18ยฐC.
Central Beach
It starts at the port and stretches for 3.5 km towards the village of Goynuk. Some sections of it are owned by hotels, but most (marked with the โHalkโ sign) is municipal.
Both hotel and public areas are kept in perfect cleanliness: bins are placed everywhere, in the evenings the staff takes out the garbage accumulated during the day. Showers, toilets and changing rooms are available to visitors free of charge. You can rent sun loungers and umbrellas or sit on the edge of the surf on your own towel.
The entire coastal territory, protected from the wind by the slopes of the Western Taurus Mountains, is covered with multi-colored pebbles, and the entrance to the sea is covered with it. This has both pluses and minuses. The absence of sand guarantees crystal clear water. However, it is inconvenient and sometimes even painful to walk on rounded stones, so many vacationers prefer to move around in special shoes.
Central does not skimp on entertainment: no one will be bored. The beach holiday program includes catamarans, bananas, paragliding, jet skis, sea fishing. Diving centers are open in the nearby harbor, and pleasure boats depart from the piers: from modest boats to spectacular three-masted yachts.
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Moonlight (Moonlight)
Despite the fact that most hotels in Kemer have their own beaches, many tourists prefer to enjoy the sun on the stretch of coast located south of the port of Turkiz Marina and adjacent to the folklore park Moonlight Park. And there is an explanation for this. The 500 m long well-groomed beach, awarded with the Blue Flag, is covered with soft imported sand mixed with shells. The descent to the sea is smooth, small pebbles, the water is clean, there are almost no strong waves.
The territory is divided into two sectors. You will have to pay to stay near the Dakapo Beach Club bar. The price includes the use of a sun lounger, mattress and parasol. The rest of the territory, equipped with toilets, showers and changing cabins, is free. Connoisseurs of comfort can rent the necessary beach equipment.
Many opportunities gives โMoonlightโ to fans of outdoor activities. Along with paragliding, jet skiing, banana, tablet and catamaran rides, here you can rent a motor boat and go sea fishing, as well as admire the beauty of the underwater fauna, accompanied by an experienced instructor. For sports fans on land there is a small tennis court and a volleyball court.
Kiris
The former fishing village offers its guests a peaceful and quiet holiday. Life in this resort is concentrated by the sea and on a single street lined with hotels, shops, bars, restaurants and tourist offices. Fans of nightlife and fun parties will be bored here. But lovers of a measured pastime in the bosom of beautiful nature will find a small village wonderful.
The main hangout place for guests is a 2.5-kilometer coastal strip. Its surface โ medium and large pebbles โ alternates with loose sand, which luxury hotels import for the convenience of their guests. The entrance to the water is gentle, there are no plates and sharp stones. Each hotel has its own area, equipped with sun loungers, awnings, showers and other necessary equipment. You can grab a bite to eat at nearby cafes.
Not far from the entrance to the village there is a wild beach with a magnificent view of the neighboring resort of Camyuva and the Taurus Mountains. It is almost always deserted here: walking along the wide coast, you will meet only local fishermen and rare tourists seeking solitude.
Callista
Immediately behind the โMoonlightโ is the bathing area โKalistaโ, for cleanliness and livability marked with the Blue Flag. Despite its small size, this sand and pebble strip has a good infrastructure: sun loungers with umbrellas (for a fee), toilets, showers, changing rooms and a standard set of water activities.
There is Wi-Fi, the employees of the Calista Beach cafe willingly share the password from it. By the way, in this establishment you can not only treat yourself to a soft drink, but also order a full-fledged hot dish, which the waiters can bring directly to the sun lounger.
As the sun goes down, the Calista blooms with colorful party lights. Live music plays, Calista Beach bartenders prepare exotic cocktails and light snacks. Romantics will appreciate the large bonfire, which gives the beach a unique cozy atmosphere at night.
Both โKalistaโ and โMoonlightโ have an undeniable advantage: lazy pastime in sun loungers can be diversified by a walk in Moonlight Park. Hammocks and secluded arbors are hidden among ship pines and flowering ornamental shrubs, where you can hide from the scorching sun. Along the alleys there are small shops, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants. There is a dolphinarium, a mini-club, a childrenโs playground with attractions and a water park.
Chamyuva
The shallow mouth of the Agva River separates Kirish from the neighboring village of Camyuva, which borders on the west with a green belt of mountains. This secluded region, whose name is translated from Turkish as โPine Nestโ, attracts travelers with an atmosphere of tranquility, wonderful landscapes, scents of pine needles and orange trees hovering in the air, and the clearest sea, changing its color from turquoise to dark blue.
The wide coastline stretches for 2.5 km. Its southwestern part is densely built up with hotel complexes. At the disposal of hotel guests are sun loungers, umbrellas, gazebos, beach bars, sports and playgrounds. Those who wish can fly on a parachute, race on a scooter or take a boat trip on a boat or yacht. Lifeguards ensure the safety of vacationers throughout the day.
The northeastern part of the coast is practically undeveloped. You can drive to the sea by car or rent a place at a nearby campsite. There are also several bars and restaurants here. Although their furnishings are far from chic, the verandas offer a unique view of the vast expanses of water. You can sunbathe on a small-pebble beach on your own towel or in a rented sun lounger. You will have to pay for the use of the shower, toilet and changing room.
Olympus
Ancient Olympos, founded presumably in the 1st or 2nd century BC. e., is located about 40 km south of Kemer. The best way to get here is by car along the D400 highway. If you decide to use public transport, remember that there is one change waiting for you on the way. However, the long journey justifies itself, because the purpose of the trip is the picturesque ruins of the ancient city and the coastline included in the list of the cleanest beaches in the world.
Since Olympos is part of the Olimpos Beydaฤlarฤฑ National Park, the entrance to its territory is paid. After parting with 30 lyres, you will see the remains of the Acropolis, the ruins of tombs, temples, fortresses, basilicas and ancient dwellings of the Lycians. The excavations are still ongoing. The path, winding between centuries-old ruins, leads to a pebbly shore stretching for 4 km.
The turquoise sea, green rocks protruding from the water, grottoes and flooded caves give the beach of Olympos a special entourage. Although there are no awnings, sunbeds and latrines on the wild coast, it is quite crowded here, as this place was chosen by numerous fans of the hippie culture. It is not recommended to come here with children: the seabed drops very sharply, which is not suitable for bathing kids.
Beldibi
The coast of Beldibi, which is located 40 km from Antalya, will appeal to those who have nothing against large pebbles and rather weighty stones. The entrance to the water here is gentle, and the shallow depth of the sea near the coast is suitable even for bathing children. So that vacationers could move around without the risk of injuring their legs, many hotels covered their parts of the coast with imported sand or concrete slabs, and for the convenience of entering the water, they equipped wooden piers with stairs.
Local beaches, including the municipal one, are well-groomed and have the necessary infrastructure: latrines, sun awnings, sun loungers, showers and changing cabins. Territories of 5-star hotels also boast VIP gazebos, bars and ice cream stands. Near the coast there is a small park with a children's and sports ground.
Those who wish to find solitude and tranquility can visit a wild beach surrounded by picturesque rocks, located in the northeastern tip of the resort village, not far from an abandoned tunnel. On weekends, many locals rest here, but on weekdays, the coast pleases with silence and beautiful views. Clean air is filled with the aromas of the sea breeze and generously saturated with the smell of pine trees.
Chiral
Not far from the coastal strip of Olympos, there is a wide (up to 100 m) sand and pebble beach of the village of Cirali. It is not crowded and calm, which makes this place a paradise for lovers of silence and secluded relaxation. The territory is more civilized than in Olympos: there are small restaurants, cafes, parking, boat rental nearby. In the southern part you can rent umbrellas, sun loungers and bungalows. The descent into the sea is uneven, rocky, so it is better to enter the water in special shoes.
The bathing area, not occupied by sunbeds, is the home of the Caretta Caretta turtles. On May and June nights, adults emerge from the sea to lay their eggs. To hide future offspring from prying eyes, each animal digs about 90 holes in the sand. Of these, caring mothers choose only one, the most suitable for masonry. Babies are born in August. Carried away by instinct, they easily find their way to the water.
The main attraction of Cirali is Mount Chimera, on the slopes of which the fire created by nature itself does not go out. In addition, it is interesting to visit the hippie village lost in dense vegetation โ wooden houses located under the green crowns, chosen by the โflower childrenโ.
Tekirova
Tekirova is the most remote part of Kemer from the airport. The trip here from the Antalya air gate will take more than an hour. However, such a long journey pays off, because the local coastal strip, which received the Blue Flag for safety and cleanliness, meets the requirements of the most demanding tourists and is considered an elite recreation area.
Most of the territory is covered with small pebbles and sand. The entry into the sea is gentle, and the depth is gradual, which is ideal for swimming beginners and toddlers. Vacationers who prefer outdoor activities will be interested to know that there are more than enough beach activities in Tekirova.
Exploration of Neptune's realm has been added to the list of all kinds of water sports: the Blue World Diving Center is located in the center of the village. And if you want to get away from the sea and the sun a little, you can go to the ruins of Phaselis, get acquainted with the flora and fauna of the Ecopark, or take a ride in the cabin of one of the longest cable cars in the world, Olympos Teleferik.
You can take a break from the blessings of civilization and the accumulation of travelers on wild stretches of the coast, where mighty pine trees descend to the very water. One of them is located behind the Euphoria Tekirova 5 * hotel, the second is in Cleopatra Bay. According to legend, it was here, in a quiet, picturesque crescent-shaped harbor, that the Queen of Egypt met her beloved Mark Anthony.
Fazelis
Far from the usual tourist trails. Ancient city, founded presumably in 690 BC. e., today is an archaeological park filled with well-preserved ruins of ancient structures. Of particular value are the gates of Hadrian, the amphitheater, the ruins of the temple of Athena and the aqueduct, which is the second largest in Turkey. Entrance to the territory is paid.
The advantageous position of the ancient city allowed it to have three ports at once. Today, there are narrow (up to 30 m) bathing areas washed by crystal clear waves, framed by fluffy pine trees. The entrance to the sea is gentle.
The largest of the sections โ the South โ is strewn with sand, the rest are a mixture of large and small pebbles. Here you will not find the usual sun loungers and umbrellas, and in order to visit the toilet or take a shower, you will have to return to the entrance to the ancient city (about 1 km).
The only cafe selling water and simple snacks is open near the aqueduct. However, the prices there are far from democratic. You are allowed to bring drinks and food with you, you can have a snack at the picnic tables. But remember that barbecues are strictly prohibited in Phaselis.