Best Places to Visit in Kemer: Beaches, Ancient Cities and Day Trips

Kemer sits on a narrow strip of coast about 45 km southwest of Antalya. The Taurus Mountains rise straight up behind it, and pine forest runs down to pebble beaches in front. The town itself is compact, with a marina, a seafront promenade and a sandy beach you can walk to. Within half an hour you also have ancient harbour cities, a canyon, a cable car to a 2,365 m summit, and boat trips to quiet bays.

This guide covers the best places to visit in Kemer, from what you can reach on foot in town to the day trips worth booking.

Places to Visit in Kemer at a Glance

In Kemer Town

1. Kemer Marina and the Seafront

The marina is the centre of town life. Yachts and excursion boats line the quay, backed by cafés and restaurants, and the seafront promenade leads along the water towards Moonlight Beach. It is where most boat trips leave from, and a pleasant place for an evening walk.

2. Moonlight Beach (Ayışığı Plajı)

Kemer's best-known beach is a short walk from the centre and free to enter. Unlike many pebbly beaches along this coast, it has a sandy stretch and calm water, which makes it popular with families. Sunbeds, cafés and water sports are available in season.

3. Moonlight Park and the Dolphin Park

Behind the beach, Moonlight Park is a pine-shaded area with cafés, restaurants and small shops, and a cool escape from the midday heat. The park is also home to Kemer's dolphinarium. The Kemer dolphin show with hotel transfer includes the entrance ticket and a dolphin and sea lion performance of about 45 minutes.

4. Yörük Park

On a hill near the marina, Yörük Park is an open-air park dedicated to the traditional life of Turkey's nomadic Yörük people. It has tents, everyday objects, local food and sea views. It is an easy half-hour visit from the centre.

Along the Kemer Coast

The "Kemer" area stretches along the coast from Beldibi in the north, through Göynük, Kemer town and Kiriş, to Çamyuva and Tekirova in the south.

• Beldibi: the first resort on the road from Antalya, quieter and convenient for both Antalya and Kemer.

• Göynük: home to Göynük Canyon and the Dinopark (below).

• Kiriş and Çamyuva: clear water and pebble beaches, mostly in front of large hotels, a few minutes south of town.

• Tekirova: the southern end of the strip, with larger resorts, close to Phaselis and the Tahtalı cable car.

5. Göynük Canyon

About 13 km from Kemer, Göynük Canyon is a gorge with a forest trail, turquoise pools and rock walls. It is one of the best nature outings near the resorts. Entry is paid, and some operators offer canyoning or zipline activities there. Wear shoes that can get wet.

6. Dinopark in Göynük

For children, the Dinopark in Göynük has life-size animatronic dinosaurs along forest trails, a fossil exhibition and a dig pit, plus play areas and water games. The Kemer Dinopark tour includes the entrance ticket and pickup from hotels between Beldibi and Tekirova.

Ancient Sites Near Kemer

7. Phaselis

About 12 km south of Kemer, Phaselis is an ancient port city in a pine forest, built around three natural harbours that you can still see today. Walk the Roman street between the harbours, past the theatre, baths and aqueduct, then swim from one of the small beaches beside the ruins. Entry is paid, and the Museum Pass is accepted.

8. Olympos and Çıralı

About 40 minutes from Kemer, the ruins of Olympos lie scattered through a wooded valley that ends at a long beach. The neighbouring village of Çıralı is a laid-back base with a long, quiet beach, and the coast here is known as a nesting ground for Caretta caretta sea turtles.

9. The Chimaera Flames (Yanartaş)

On the hillside above Çıralı, natural gas escaping from the rock keeps small flames burning, as it has since antiquity. The walk up is steep, and the flames are best seen after dark, so bring a torch and sturdy shoes.

For more ancient sites across the region, see our guide to historical places in Antalya.

Mountains and Nature

10. Tahtalı Mountain and the Olympos Cable Car

The Olympos cable car above Tekirova climbs to the 2,365 m summit of Tahtalı in about 10 minutes, with views across the coast and the Gulf of Antalya. It is much colder at the top, so bring a layer. The summit is also a launch point for tandem paragliding: see our paragliding in Antalya guide.

11. Ulupınar

Inland between Kemer and Çıralı, Ulupınar is known for its cold natural springs and riverside restaurants, where tables sit over the water in the shade. It is a welcome stop on a hot day, and easy to combine with a trip to Olympos.

12. Horse Riding in the Taurus Foothills

For a gentle outing, the Kemer pine forest horse ride heads inland to a ranch in a green valley. It suits beginners. See our guide to horse riding in Antalya.

Kemer by Boat

13. The Bays Around Kemer

The coast south of Kemer is lined with coves that are easiest to reach by boat. The relax boat tour from Kemer leaves from Kemer Marina, with swim stops at Phaselis Bay, Paradise Bay and Moonlight Bay and lunch cooked on board. Divers can join the Kemer scuba diving trip, which dives at two bays.

14. Suluada and Adrasan

Further south, Suluada's white beaches and turquoise water are often called the "Turkish Maldives". The Suluada boat trip from Kemer drives you to Adrasan Harbour for a day of coves, a sea cave and lunch on board. For more about the island, see our Suluada boat tour guide.

Day Trips from Kemer

• Antalya: the Antalya city tour from Kemer covers the Düden waterfalls, Kaleiçi and a boat ride.

• Rafting in Köprülü Canyon: combined with a jeep, buggy and zipline in the Kemer rafting combo.

• Pamukkale: a long day to the white terraces with the Pamukkale day tour from Kemer.

• The Land of Legends night show: evening shows and the boat parade in Belek, with the night show from Kemer. See our night show guide.

Browse all tours in Kemer.

Suggested One-Day Plans

• An easy day in town: Moonlight Beach in the morning, lunch in Moonlight Park, Yörük Park in the afternoon, then the marina at sunset.

• Nature and history: Göynük Canyon in the morning, then Phaselis for the ruins and a swim.

• Mountain and fire: the Tahtalı cable car in the morning, lunch at Ulupınar, Olympos in the afternoon and the Chimaera flames after dark.

• A day at sea: the relax boat tour from the marina, or Suluada from Adrasan.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Kemer from Antalya?

About 45 km southwest of Antalya city, usually under an hour by road.

Is there a beach in Kemer town?

Yes. Moonlight Beach is a short walk from the centre and free to enter.

What is there to do in Kemer with children?

Moonlight Beach and Park, the dolphin show, the Dinopark in Göynük and a boat trip to the bays are all easy family outings.

Is Phaselis worth visiting?

Yes. It combines ancient ruins with small beaches where you can swim, only about 12 km from Kemer.

How do you get to the top of Tahtalı?

By the Olympos cable car from near Tekirova. The ride takes about 10 minutes to the 2,365 m summit.

When is the best time to see the Chimaera flames?

After dark, when the flames are easiest to see. The path is steep, so bring a torch and good shoes.