Konyaaltı Beach Guide: Antalya's Long City Beach

Konyaaltı Beach stretches for several kilometres around the bay west of Antalya city centre, from below the city cliffs near the Antalya Museum to the foot of Tünektepe hill. It is a pebble beach rather than a sandy one, and the sea gets deep a few steps from the shore; on most days the water is strikingly clear. What makes it memorable is the backdrop: the Beydağları mountains rise steeply behind the bay, often still white with snow in spring.

Unlike the resort strips of Belek or Side, Konyaaltı is a city beach. Hotels and apartment blocks line the road behind it, locals swim before and after work, and the beach is public, with sunbed areas run by cafés alternating with free stretches where you simply lay down your towel.

Tip: pebbles get hot in summer and can be hard on bare feet, so pack water shoes, especially for children.

A long seafront promenade with walking and cycling paths runs behind the beach, so you can stroll for an hour in either direction with the sea on one side and parks on the other. Along it you will find playgrounds, lawns and plenty of places to stop for a drink, an ice cream or a meal.

Towards the city end lies the area known as Beach Park, a busy stretch of beach clubs, restaurants and cafés that comes alive on summer evenings. Families like the open green spaces; younger travellers drift towards the beach clubs. Whoever you are, sunset is the moment to be on the promenade, when the light turns the mountains pink and the whole city seems to come out for a walk.

• Antalya Aquarium – a large aquarium known for its long walk-through tunnel, a short walk inland from the beach. A good plan for a very hot afternoon or a rare rainy day; see our Antalya Aquarium guide.
• Antalya Museum – the region's main archaeological museum, at the eastern end of Konyaaltı, with statues and finds from Perge and other ancient sites of the province.
• Tünektepe cable car – at the western end of the beach, a cable car climbs Tünektepe hill to a viewpoint over the whole bay, the city and the mountains.

Opening hours and tickets for these change from season to season, so check them locally before you set off.

One of the biggest advantages of Konyaaltı is how close it is to the rest of Antalya. The old town of Kaleiçi, with its Roman-era Hadrian's Gate, narrow lanes, Ottoman houses and the old harbour below the walls, lies just east of the beach, a short taxi ride away. Many visitors swim at Konyaaltı during the day and head into Kaleiçi for dinner. Our Kaleiçi and old bazaar guide has tips for an evening there.

Shops, supermarkets, pharmacies and restaurants are all around, which makes Konyaaltı practical for longer stays and for travellers who like to explore on their own rather than stay inside a hotel all week.

• City + beach travellers who want to swim in the morning and see Antalya in the afternoon.
• Families: a flat promenade for buggies and scooters, playgrounds and the aquarium nearby.
• Long stays and off-season visitors: Konyaaltı is a living neighbourhood all year, with apartments and everyday shops.
• Independent travellers who prefer restaurants and walks to an all-inclusive buffet.

Less ideal if you want soft sand underfoot: Lara, on the other side of the city, has a sandy beach. If you are still deciding between the city areas, compare them in Lara, Kundu, Konyaaltı or Kaleiçi: where to stay.

Konyaaltı is ≈ 24 km from Antalya Airport (AYT), about 35 minutes by car. Unlike Lara, which is close to the airport on the same side of the city, the drive to Konyaaltı crosses Antalya from east to west, so weekday rush hours and summer evenings can add time. Keep that in mind for the return too: leave your hotel with a comfortable buffer before your flight.

With a private transfer from Antalya Airport to Konyaaltı the driver meets you in arrivals with a name sign, tracks your flight and waits free of charge if it is delayed. The price is fixed per vehicle, not per person, and does not change for traffic, night arrivals or luggage. Child seats are free on request. Choose a Minivan for up to 6 people, a VIP Mercedes-Benz Vito for up to 7 or a Mercedes Sprinter for 8–16. You pay in the vehicle, and the return can be booked at the same time.

Konyaaltı is also the natural starting point for the coast to the southwest. The road leaves the western end of the beach and follows the mountains down to Kemer, ≈ 39 km away, with Beldibi and Göynük along the way. A Konyaaltı to Kemer transfer is handy if you split your holiday between the city and a resort, or simply want a day on the Kemer coast.

Inland and to the east, the waterfalls, ancient sites and shopping areas around Antalya are all within a comfortable drive, which is why Konyaaltı works so well as a base.