The Antalya coast is not one place but a chain of very different towns, and choosing the right one for your trip changes the whole holiday. This guide covers the four that most visitors weigh up, Kemer to the west and Belek, Side and Manavgat to the east, and explains how each differs from Antalya itself. Alanya, Cappadocia and Pamukkale are also popular parts of the same journey, but they have their own pages on the site, so we keep the focus here on the places closest to Antalya.
Kemer: pine forest and mountains
Kemer lies about forty minutes to an hour west of Antalya, where the Taurus Mountains meet the sea and pine forest runs to the shore. The town has a marina, a lively centre with shops and bars, and a string of hotels along beaches that are often pebbly or mixed. It is the home of the pirate boat trips, the base for many diving days, and the starting point for the Olympos cable car to Tahtalı and for excursions to Phaselis, Olympos and the Chimera flames. If you want green scenery, boats and mountain activities, and you do not mind a busy summer, Kemer is a strong choice.
Belek: golf, big resorts and long beaches
Belek is a purpose-built resort area east of Antalya, known for large all-inclusive hotels, golf courses and wide sandy beaches backed by pine forest. It is calm, well manicured and designed for families and golfers, and it is close to the airport. The compromise is that there is little in the way of a traditional town, so most guests stay within their resort and take tours for variety. Belek is well placed for Aspendos, Perge and the Köprülü Canyon, so it works well as a base for the classic ancient-sites day.
Side: ancient stones and a lively old quarter
Side is a small resort town on a peninsula, built around the ruins of an ancient port. The temple of Apollo stands by the sea, the theatre dominates the skyline, and the old town has shops, restaurants and beaches on both sides. It is much more atmospheric than Belek, and it has an easy walkable centre, which suits couples and history lovers. Side can be crowded in summer, but the setting is memorable, especially at sunset, and it is an easy place for evening strolls.
Manavgat: river, waterfall and market
Manavgat is a working town on a river, a few minutes from Side. Its main attractions are the river cruise, the wide waterfall and the market, and it is often combined with a visit to Side in the same day. Few visitors stay in Manavgat itself, but many choose hotels nearby on the coast, where the beaches are broad and the atmosphere is relaxed. The Green Canyon and Oymapınar Dam trip also starts in this area, and it makes a fine day on the water.
Which base to choose
For atmosphere and history, choose Side or Antalya's old town. For mountains, boats and diving, choose Kemer. For families who want a fixed-price resort with long beaches and theme parks, choose Belek or the hotels toward the Land of Legends. For a mix of city life, ruins and sea, Antalya itself is hard to beat, because every other town is a day trip away.
Getting around
Tour operators collect guests from hotels in all four areas, so you rarely need a car. Local minibuses, called dolmuş, link the towns cheaply, and taxis are plentiful, though fares differ, so ask for the price or use a meter. Distances are modest, but traffic builds in summer, so allow extra time when you have a flight or a tour to catch.
Seasons
From June to September the coast is hot, busy and full of activities. April, May and October offer warm days, quieter beaches and comfortable sightseeing, although some resort facilities are only partly open. In winter, the towns are calm and some venues close, but the mild climate and mountain views still make the coast pleasant for walking and ruins.
Whichever base you pick, remember that the best sights are close. Aspendos, Perge and Side form one loop, Phaselis and Olympos another, and the canyons and the Taurus Mountains offer a third. A good plan is to choose a base for comfort and use day trips for variety.
