Kemer Travel Guide

Kemer is a resort town about an hour southwest of Antalya, where the Taurus Mountains rise almost straight out of the sea and pine forest runs down to the beaches. The town itself has a marina, a lively promenade and nightlife, while the coast on either side, Beldibi, Göynük, Kiriş, Çamyuva and Tekirova, is lined with family-friendly all-inclusive hotels. What makes Kemer special is how much nature is close by: canyons, mountain villages, ancient cities hidden in the forest and one of the highest cable cars in Europe.

Why go to Kemer

• For a family beach holiday with plenty of all-inclusive choices and very clear water.
• For nature: mountains, canyons and pine forest right behind the beach.
• For history in a beautiful setting: Phaselis and Olympos are ruins among the trees, by the sea.
• For an easy transfer: Antalya Airport is about an hour away.

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Top things to do in and around Kemer

• Olympos Teleferik to Tahtalı Mountain: a cable car from near Tekirova to the summit at 2,365 metres. The ride takes around 10 minutes and the view over the coast is enormous. Go early for clear skies and bring a jacket: it is cold at the top even in summer. The cable car does not run in bad weather.
• Phaselis: an ancient Lycian port city in a pine forest by the sea, with three natural harbours, a theatre, an aqueduct and a main street paved with stone. You can swim in the little coves between the ruins.
• Göynük Canyon: walk along the river through a narrow gorge and swim in its cool rock pools. Zip-lines and guided canyoning are available.
• Olympos and Çıralı: the ruins of Olympos lie in a wooded valley that opens onto a long beach. Next door, Çıralı is a quiet village of family pensions where sea turtles nest.
• Yanartaş (the Chimaera): natural gas flames that have burned from the mountainside for thousands of years. Best seen at dusk, after a walk of about 1 km uphill.
• Ulupınar: trout restaurants beside cold mountain springs under plane trees, a favourite lunch stop on the way to Olympos.
• Kemer marina and Moonlight Park: the promenade, the park and the departure point for boat trips.
• Jeep safari up into the Taurus mountain villages.

Beaches

Most beaches around Kemer are pebble or shingle, which keeps the water exceptionally clear. Bring water shoes. In town, Moonlight Beach is the main beach, next to the park and marina. Along the coast you’ll find Göynük, Beldibi, Çamyuva and Tekirova, most of them backed by pine trees and hotels. For sand, head south to Çıralı and Olympos, or swim in the small coves of Phaselis.

Boat trips and tours

• Boat trips from Kemer marina along the coast to Phaselis and hidden coves, including family-friendly “pirate ship” trips.
• Olympos Teleferik tickets for the Tahtalı summit.
• Jeep safari to mountain villages.
• Göynük Canyon canyoning or rafting.
• Evening Chimaera tour to the eternal flames of Yanartaş.

Getting there

• Antalya Airport: about 55–65 km, roughly 50–60 minutes along the coast road through the tunnels.
• Dolmuş minibuses and buses run often between Antalya, Kemer and the coastal villages.
• Traffic on the coast road toward Antalya can be slow in summer.

Where to stay

• Kemer centre: mid-range hotels close to the marina, shops and nightlife.
• Beldibi, Göynük, Kiriş, Çamyuva and Tekirova: large all-inclusive resorts on the beach.
• Çıralı and Olympos: small pensions, bungalows and tree-house style lodges for a quieter, back-to-nature stay.

When to go

May to October is beach season. The water is very clear, though stretches fed by mountain streams can feel cool in spring. July and August are hot. In winter Kemer is quiet and many resorts close.

What to eat

Try fresh trout at Ulupınar, gözleme and honey in the mountain villages, and a long village breakfast in Çıralı.

What visitors say: practical tips

• Families love the clear water and how much there is to do nearby.
• Bring water shoes: the beaches are pebbly.
• Take the Tahtalı cable car in the morning for the clearest views, and bring a warm layer.
• “Pirate ship” boat trips are great fun for children but can be crowded.
• Kemer centre can be loud on summer nights; the coastal villages are quieter.

Day trips from Kemer

• Phaselis (about 15 km) and Göynük Canyon (about 10 km).
• Tahtalı cable car (20–25 km).
• Ulupınar, Olympos and Çıralı (35–40 km).
• Antalya old town, Kaleiçi (about 45 km).
• Demre and Kekova (about 110 km, a long day), or stay a few nights in Kaş.

Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Çıralı beach by Mehmet TORUN (CC BY-SA 4.0, colours adjusted); Phaselis by Лобачев Владимир (CC BY-SA 4.0, colours adjusted); Göynük Canyon by Qasinka (CC BY-SA 4.0).