Where to Stay on the Antalya Coast: Alanya, Side, Belek, Kemer, Kaş & Lara Compared
The Turkish Riviera stretches for hundreds of kilometres either side of Antalya, and each resort town has its own character. Whether you want a lively beach holiday, five-star golf, ancient ruins or a quiet boutique escape, this guide compares the main areas — what they are like, who they suit, and how far each is from Antalya (AYT) or Gazipaşa (GZP) airport — so you can choose your base with confidence.
How to choose your base on the Antalya coast
Three things usually decide it: the vibe you want, your budget, and how far you are happy to travel from the airport. Most charter flights land at Antalya (AYT); Gazipaşa (GZP) is the handy little airport for the Alanya end of the coast. Western spots like Lara, Kemer and Belek are closest to AYT, while Alanya sits about midway between the two airports. Whichever you pick, a fixed-price private transfer takes you door to door.
Alanya — lively, great value and a long sandy coast
Alanya is the busy, friendly, great-value end of the coast, famous for its castle peninsula, Cleopatra Beach and a buzzing harbour. It has the widest choice of hotels and apartments at the friendliest prices, plenty of nightlife and a long string of resort suburbs — Mahmutlar, Oba, Kestel and more. It is about 125 km from Antalya airport but only around 40 km from Gazipaşa, so flying into GZP saves a lot of travel time.
Side & Manavgat — ancient ruins beside sandy beaches
Side combines a romantic ancient town — Roman temples and a theatre right by the sea — with long sandy beaches and a relaxed resort feel. Nearby Manavgat adds a river, a waterfall and a giant bazaar. It suits couples and families who want history and beach together, with a calmer pace than Alanya. Side is roughly an hour from Antalya airport.
Belek — five-star golf and polished family resorts
Belek is the coast's upmarket, manicured corner: championship golf courses, big all-inclusive five-star resorts and pine-backed sandy beaches. It is ideal for golfers, families wanting a polished all-inclusive stay, and anyone after a more refined, resort-style holiday. Belek is close to Antalya airport — usually well under an hour — which makes for an easy arrival.
Antalya city, Lara & Konyaaltı — a real city by the sea
If you like a proper city with its beaches, base yourself in Antalya. Lara has golden Blue-Flag sand and grand themed resorts, Konyaaltı a long pebble beach beneath the mountains, and between them sits the atmospheric old town of Kaleiçi. You get culture, shopping, dining and nightlife on top of the beach — and you are just minutes from the airport, perfect for short stays.
Kemer — pine-clad mountains and turquoise bays
West of Antalya, Kemer is where forested Taurus mountains drop straight to a clear turquoise sea. It is greener and more scenic than the eastern resorts, with pebbly bays, a smart marina and resort villages like Göynük, Çamyuva and Tekirova. It suits nature lovers and active travellers (canyons, diving, the Tahtalı cable car) and is around 45 km from Antalya airport.
Kaş & Kalkan — boutique, scenic and laid-back
Far to the southwest, Kaş and Kalkan are the coast's boutique, characterful end — whitewashed hillside houses, a yacht harbour, superb diving and views toward the Greek islands. There are few big all-inclusives here; instead think stylish small hotels and villas. It is the longest transfer (about 3 hours from Antalya airport), but rewards those wanting somewhere quieter and more scenic.