Things to Do in Kemer

About Kemer

Kemer lies about 40 km southwest of Antalya, on a narrow strip of land between the sea and the Taurus Mountains. The mountains come down almost to the water's edge, the slopes are covered in pine forest, and Mount Tahtalı rises 2,365 m above the coast. The beaches are mostly pebbly, and the water is clear and usually a little cooler than in Antalya and Side. A string of villages runs along the shore: Beldibi and Göynük in the north, Kemer itself with its yacht marina and promenade in the middle, Kiriş, Çamyuva and Tekirova in the south, and further on the quiet villages of Çıralı and Adrasan.

What to see

• Phaselis An ancient city between Kemer and Tekirova, with three harbors, a colonnaded street, an aqueduct and ruins set right in a pine forest by the sea.
• Mount Tahtalı A cable car takes you almost to the summit. On a clear day you can see the whole coastline and the Taurus Mountains from the top.
• Olympos and the Chimaera Near Çıralı stand the ruins of Lycian Olympos, and on the Yanartaş slope above the village natural gas burns as it seeps out of the ground. The flames are visible during the day, but they look their best after sunset.
• Göynük Canyon A gorge with cold mountain water a few kilometers from the sea, which you explore on foot and by swimming.
• Marina and promenade In the center of Kemer you'll find the yacht harbor, a beach in the bay, Moonlight Park and pleasant evening strolls.

When to go

The season runs from May to October. In July and August daytime temperatures reach +32 to +34 °C and the sea warms up to +27 °C, but cool air drifts down from the mountains in the evening, so the heat is easier to bear here. In May the water is still cool, around +21 °C, but the mountains are green and there are fewer people. September and October are the best months for tours and mountain walks.

Beyond Kemer

From Kemer you can take day trips to the Lycian tombs of Myra and the sunken city of Kekova, to Kaş and Kaputaş Beach, to the ruins of Sagalassos and İnsuyu Cave, and a two-day trip to Cappadocia. Popular tours are listed below.