The mountain view
Beydağları peaks behind the sea.
Esginmurat — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Tanya Dedyukhina — CC BY 3.0 · Tanya Dedyukhina — CC BY 3.0 · Tanya Dedyukhina — CC BY 3.0 · Roy Egloff — CC BY-SA 4.0
Konyaaltı Beach is a long pebble shore in western Antalya, running about 7 km from the cliff edge of the city to Antalya port, backed by the Beydağları mountains. A 4.5 km stretch, 70 m wide, holds a Blue Flag as a public beach. It belongs as much to the city's residents as to tourists, with both free and paid sections. The name is thought to come from koy altı, the bay under the cliffs, since it lies below Antalya's limestone bluffs. The area stayed largely rural until development began in the 1980s. Close by are the remains of Olbia, the ancient coastal town that people of Termessos used as their port, scattered between the Boğa stream and Arapsuyu. Behind the pebbles run a long promenade, gardens, cycle paths and cafes, along with the Beach Park entertainment area. The pebbles can be large, and the water is a little cooler than at Antalya's other beaches because of an underground stream, so bring water shoes. Paid sections offer sunbeds and umbrellas. At the western end, the Tünektepe cable car climbs to a summit overlooking the bay and city, at its best near sunset. The beach is 2.2 km from Antalya Aquarium and 5.6 km from Kaleiçi in a straight line, with buses and trams to the centre. It gets busy from June to September but stays good for walks all year. Come early or near sunset to avoid the midday heat.
Beydağları peaks behind the sea.
Paths, cafes and gardens.
A summit view near sunset.
Konyaaltı, west of central Antalya
No. It is mostly pebbles, which can be hard on bare feet, so many people prefer water shoes.
Both are Antalya's main beaches. Konyaaltı lies west of the city, with pebbles and nearby mountains; Lara lies east, known for sand and resorts.