Does Antalya have Sandy Beaches?

Many of our customers when coming to Turkey for a property viewing trip in Antalya, ask about beaches first. We get that. Most are either looking for a holiday home or want to permanently retire to the area for an idyllic beachside life.

The good news is Antalya has many sandy beaches, and the icing on the cake is that some of them are classed as the best in Turkey. Antalya also ranks as the number one location in Turkey for Blue flags beaches.

Over 200 of them adhere to environmental and cleanliness standards needed to receive the award. Those beaches are scattered all around the Antalya region and not just confined to the city centre but if you are a beach lover, hopping from one to the other is quickly done by using public transport between coastal resorts on the D400 highway. So, if copious amounts of sand are what you want, where should you go?

6 of the Best Sandy Beaches in Antalya

1: Lara Beach

Konyaalti is one of the most famous beaches of Antalya city centre however it is more pebble than sand. It is still worth visiting, but if golden brown sand is a must, we recommend you swap to Lara beach, on the eastern outskirts of the city.

Large, all-inclusive hotels dominate the area and their themed architecture, like the Titanic has led locals to nickname it the Las Vegas of Turkey. The gorgeous sand also plays host to the annual Antalya Sand Festival, which sees local and international artists creating lifelike sculptures for public viewing. Such is its fame; Lara Beach package holidays are extremely popular with many nationalities.

2: Kaputas Beach

Kalkan and Kas are two resorts on the outskirts of the Antalya region and both bag claim to Kaputas beach sitting in the middle, although it is nearer to Kalkan. Kaputas, one of the most photographed beaches in Turkey often adorns the pages of independent travel magazines.

Reached by a steep flight of steps, visitors eventually reach the gorgeous sand and blue waters of the Mediterranean. Umbrellas and beds are available to rent, and a small restaurant makes beachside snacks. On certain windy days, the strong waves might be too much for kids, but otherwise, this place offers golden sands and stunning views in abundance.

3: Patara Beach

20 kilometres west of Kaputas is Patara, that is the king of sandy beaches in Antalya and Turkey. Stretching for 18 kilometres, and being the longest beach in Turkey, humans are not the only visitors because the fine grains of sand, makes the perfect breeding ground for the endangered Caretta Caretta turtle.

It is easily reached if you are staying in Kas or Kalkan, but for beach lovers in Antalya city centre, it is a three-hour drive so consider staying overnight in the rustic village and take time to explore the ancient ruins backing the beach as well.

4: Phaselis

On the outskirts of the Kemer district of Antalya, Phaselis is a must visit beach if you are into sandy havens. The smaller beach is pebbly, but the large, half-moon shape beach is a gorgeous collection of golden sands backed by magnificent views of Mount Tahtali.

Sitting within the national Olympus park, there is an entrance fee to enter, but it is worth it. Alternatively, if you are on a daily boat cruise from Kemer centre, they also drop anchor in the bay for swimming stops. Refreshments and food choices are limited so if you plan to spend the day there, pack a freezer or picnic box.

5: Cirali

The rustic village of Cirali shares a long beach with the hippy inspired Olympus Village. While the beach section laying in front of the latter is pebbly, heading further east, beach lovers can indulge in soft, brown sand, gorgeous Mediterranean waters and backing views of stunning mountain ranges belonging to the Olympus National park.

Cirali is ideally suited to couples rather than large families with kids that need to be entertained. Its protected status prevents a lack of facilities such as harbour or marina front as well as water sports. Never the less, it’s a gorgeous haven of sand and one of Antalya’s best-kept secrets.

6: Damlatas Beach in Alanya

Damlatas beach in Alanya connects with Cleopatra’s beach, of which some say it is the best in Turkey. It certainly delivers everything that beach lovers want with a wide range of umbrellas, sunbeds, bars and restaurants nearby.

However, many say Damlatas beach near the eastern point is more sandy. This is likewise a fully all-inclusive beach with refreshments and food sold nearby. To break up a day sunbathing and swimming, also visit Damlatas cave.

Famous for its 15,000-year-old stalagmites, asthma sufferers often spend hours in there because the air has a higher percentage of carbon dioxide helping them to breathe more easily.

Did You Know?

Antalya has many sandy beaches, but Turkey is one of the top beach holiday destinations in the world and one reason why millions of nationalities visit it every year.  Roughly 450 blue flag beaches lining the Aegean and Mediterranean coast become hives of activity in the summer, and many expats have bought beachside property in Turkey to live here all year round. Read more about the gorgeous beaches of Turkey here.