Konyaaltı: the beach that comes with a city

Many Antalya holidays happen inside a resort fence. Konyaaltı works differently. It's the long beach on the western side of the city, so a morning swim, an afternoon in a museum and dinner in the old town all fit into one easy day.

People who choose Konyaaltı tend to be first-time visitors who want to see Antalya itself, or short-break travellers who'd rather not spend an hour in a transfer van. If that sounds like you, read on.

What's the beach like?

According to Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, Konyaaltı Beach runs for about 7 km. There's a public beach plus more than 30 beach areas run by private businesses. The surface is mostly fine pebbles, with sand in places.

That matters if you have small children who want to dig. For sandcastles, Lara's beach on the other side of the city may suit you better. In Konyaaltı, sea shoes are a good idea.

Behind the beach runs a long seafront park lined with cafés and restaurants, and the Beydağları mountains rise up behind it all.

Things to do nearby

• Kaleiçi. Antalya's old town is a short drive away. Walk in through Hadrian's Gate, wander the stone lanes down to the old harbour, and if you fancy a swim, Mermerli Beach sits right by the Kaleiçi marina.
• Antalya Museum. It's on Konyaaltı Caddesi and holds finds from the region's ancient sites. Visit before Perge, Aspendos or Side and those ruins make a lot more sense.
• Antalya Aquarium. The aquarium's official address is on Dumlupınar Bulvarı in Konyaaltı. It's a handy plan for a scorching afternoon or a windy day with kids.

Where to stay

Konyaaltı doesn't have the sprawling resorts of Belek or Lara. Expect city-beach hotels, mid-sized all-inclusives and smaller places. At several hotels you reach the beach through a tunnel or after a short walk.

For an all-inclusive beach stay

• SeaLife Family Resort is a family-focused ultra all-inclusive. A tunnel leads to the beach, and the pool area has a single-slide aqua pool and children's pools.
• Porto Bello is all-inclusive and about 6 km from the city centre. Its sand-and-pebble beach is reached through a tunnel of about 100 metres.
• Megasaray Westbeach on Akdeniz Bulvarı is ultra all-inclusive. It isn't on the beach itself; a free shuttle takes you to its beach area about 500 metres away.

For a water park

• Hotel Su & Aqualand sits next to the Aqualand water park and about a five-minute walk from Konyaaltı Beach. According to the hotel's official site, whether Aqualand is open depends on the weather and the season, so check with the hotel for your dates.

For exploring the city

• Rixos Downtown Antalya is a city-beach hotel on the Konyaaltı side. Its beach area is about 300 metres away, reached by lift or shuttle.
• Crowne Plaza Antalya suits business and leisure stays. It has no beach of its own; Konyaaltı Beach is about 2 km away.
• Basel Hotel and Golden Orange Hotel are smaller options. Check distances to the beach and airport with the hotel before booking.

Getting around

From the airport. Konyaaltı hotels on our list are usually 18–25 km from Antalya Airport. A taxi or transfer crosses the city, so evening traffic can slow things down. With light luggage, the tram and municipal buses are also options. Our airport transfer guide has the details.

In town. Public transport uses the Antalyakart, and the Antalyakart app lists routes and times. Taxis between Konyaaltı and Kaleiçi are quick and easy.

Is Konyaaltı right for you?

It's a good fit if you want to mix sightseeing with beach time, you're on a short break, you like going out in the evening, or it's your first trip to Antalya.

It's a weaker fit if you insist on sand, want a big water park and sprawling gardens, or plan to stay inside the hotel all week. In that case, Lara or Belek is probably a better match.

FAQ

Is Konyaaltı Beach sandy? Mostly not. The municipality describes it as mainly fine pebbles with some sandy patches.

Can I walk from Konyaaltı to Kaleiçi? It depends on where your hotel is. From most hotels, a taxi or public transport is more practical.

Are there all-inclusive hotels in Konyaaltı? Yes, including SeaLife Family Resort, Porto Bello and Megasaray Westbeach.

Is there a public beach? Yes. According to the municipality, Konyaaltı has a public beach alongside the sections run by private businesses.