Things To Do in Antalya area

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As far as good looks go, Moonlight Beach leads the competition. This quiet slither of sand in Kemer is backed by thick pine and cedar trees. There is a string of watersports on offer if you fancy a break from sunbathing – choose from the likes of parasailing, banana boats and jet skis.

Southern stretches
When it comes to beaches, Antalya boasts a winning hand. This region in Turkey’s deep south has a coastline crammed with stretches of sand and shingle. In places like Lara Beach and Belek the beaches come lively, while smaller resorts like Alanya, Kemer and Manavgat turn the pace down a good few notches.

The big beach
In the summer months, most holidaymakers hotfoot it to Lara Beach. Set in the resort of the same name, it’s a long stretch of gingerbread-coloured sand and pebbles. The waters here are pretty calm, so it’s a great spot for little ones to splash about. Take a packed lunch with you – there’s a lovely park backing the sand with a picnic and barbecue area.

The secret beach
If peace and quiet is more your thing, head to the tiny village of Cirali, about half an hours’ drive from Kemer. The beach here is a 3-kilometre sweep of sand, flanked by dramatic mountains. It’s a protected spot – loggerhead turtles nest here – so you won’t find row upon row of loungers and parasols. Instead, you get empty sands and inviting waters. And when lunchtime rolls around, the village has a handful of simple restaurants serving up fresh fish and tasty Turkish dishes.

Rich-red spices and rainbow-bright scarves are just part of the sea of colour at Belek’s weekly bazaar. You can walk among a canopy of leather bags, pick through the orderly rows of T-shirts, and try out a new pair of shades. Haggling here is a national sport, so come prepared to throw yourself into the fun.

With a history that stretches back at least as far as 333 BC, this once-glorious city was a busy Roman trading port before its harbour silted up in Byzantine times. It’s less than an hour’s drive from Belek, and boasts monumental gate towers, a 12,000-seater stadium, and an incredibly well-preserved main avenue, where the chariot wheel grooves are still visible.

The ribbon of sand and pebbles that makes up Lara Beach fronts the town of the same name. It’s backed by a leafy park that offers up plenty of seating spots and barbecue areas. Kiosks freckle the sands, which means it’s easy to get hold of ice-cream, cold drinks and the local gozleme pastries.

Get a different view of Turkey’s coastline on a gulet cruise. On board one of these traditional wooden boats – that take their name from the French ‘goulette’ or schooner – you can nip in and out of little coves and find your own secluded beach. Or, just stretch out on the roomy deck and enjoy a day at sea.

Once upon a time, Side was a great Roman port. And, because the modern town is still entwined with its ancient ruins, sightseeing couldn’t be easier. Among the rollcall of monuments are a theatre and a marketplace where slaves were once traded. Check out the Temples of Apollo and Athena, where Mark Antony and Cleopatra met for romantic trysts.

About 20 minutes’ drive out of Belek gets you to the Roman amphitheatre at Aspendos. It’s an epic sight – one of the best-preserved places of its kind. You can wander around hidden nooks and crannies, and climb the steps where 17,000 spectators sat to watch gladiators do battle 2,000 years ago. Today, opera and ballet are performed here instead.