Love hitting the beach for a lazy day in the Turkish rays? Or are you more of a thrill-seeker who likes to hit the waves and try out all the water sports on offer? Whatever type of beach-goer you are, in Turkey (Türkiye)’s Antalya Area, you’re bound to find a sandy spot that suits you to a tee.

The Turkish Riviera, also known as the Turquoise Coast, is a glamorous and sought-after part of Turkey (Türkiye). And in the Antalya Area alone, the coastline spans a whopping 650km, so you can just imagine how many amazing beaches there are!

Fancy dipping your toe in the shimmering waters? Let’s explore Antalya’s best beaches…

Konyaalti Beach

Stretching for more than six kilometres along the western side of the resort, you’ll find the pebbly sands of Konyaalti Beach. It’s one of the two main beaches here in Antalya so unsurprisingly, it has everything to keep the whole family grinning. It’s got Blue Flag status, so you know it’s clean and cared for well, and there’s a whole host of café-bars and restaurants for when you get peckish.

Lara Beach

Lara Beach is another of the area’s most-popular beaches. Its 8km-long swathe of sand is where a lot of Turkey (Türkiye)’s top, five-star hotels call home. There are plenty of loungers to hire if you just fancy sunbathing and the water’s calm and shallow so little paddlers will love it. As the sun goes down, the glitz and glamour of the resort really comes to life in the neon-lit nightclubs and bars.

Damlatas Beach

Another Blue Flag beauty is Damlatas Beach which stretches right up to the Alanya peninsula. It’s famed for its clear water and attracts lots of snorkellers and scuba divers who are on the lookout for colourful fish beneath the surface. At one end, there’s a rocky outcrop that’s a haven for underwater life and the Damlatas Cave is also worth a look if you fancy a spot of exploring. Why not hang around until the evening and watch the sunset?

East Beach

For a quieter, more chilled-out beach day, make a beeline for East Beach. It’s one of a duo of beaches in Side that are popular with both tourists and locals alike. There are some small dunes to one side of the beach if you fancy a walk, but the soft sand makes it perfect for sunbathing. So roll out your towel, grab a good book and soak up those rays. Fruity cocktail optional!

West Beach

Yup, you guessed it – West Beach is East Beach’s partner in crime. It’s the livelier of the two with a promenade that’s lined with cafés, bars, restaurants and big hotels. There’s a wide range of water sports on offer or you could pop into one of the nearby shops and grab a bucket and spade for some good, old fashioned sandcastle building instead.

If you want to secure a good spot on the shore here, it’s best to get down early!

Kleopatra Beach

The soft, white sand and calm turquoise waters make Blue Flag Kleopatra Beach a big hit with families. There’s plenty of space to spread out and lay down your towels and there are private parts of the beach which offer sunloungers and umbrellas for hire. When it comes to lunchtime, you’ve got a great choice of friendly cafés and restaurants just minutes from the sand. In the late afternoon, it gets much quieter, so if you fancy a stroll along the shore, it’s the perfect time for it.

Belek Beach

Enjoy 16 kilometres of beautiful, Blue Flag sands in upmarket Belek. There are a number of separate beach sections, varying from the bustling and jam-packed with loungers and water sports to the more secluded spots that are great for a romantic afternoon by the shore. Keep your eyes peeled and you might spot the local turtles popping their heads out of the water to say ‘hello’!

Moonlight Park and Beach

Over on Kemer’s calm coast sits half-moon shaped Moonlight Park and Beach. The beach itself stretches for only around 500 metres but the leafy park that shelters it gives it a real lush and green feel. It’s a great spot for families thanks to the water sports, children’s play areas, restaurants, and toilets available. Kick back with a good book, bathe in the shallow turquoise water or cruise through the waves on a banana boat ride. Whatever you like doing, it’s a great day out for all!

Olympos Beach

Flora and fauna fans, you’re in for a treat at Olympos Beach. This blissful beach is backed by a fragrant pine forest and rocky mountains and remains relatively untouched by tourists. That means, you’re best off packing a lunch to bring here for the day alongside plenty of water. The sea glows in a bright aquamarine that couldn’t look any more inviting if it tried. The shore is a mixture of sand and shingle but it’s perfect for plonking down on and soaking up the toasty Turkish sunshine.

In the mood for a Turkish beach break?