Kemer, Antalya Province, Turkiye

Kemer is a seaside resort and one of the districts of Antalya Province on the Mediterranean coast of Turkiye. It's located 43 kilometers or 27 miles west of the city of Antalya, on the Turkish Riviera.

Kemer is on the Gulf of Antalya, 53 kilometers or 33 miles of sea coast with the foothills of the western Taurus Mountains behind it.

This coast has the typical Mediterranean hot, dry weather and a warm sea. Until the early 1980s this was a quiet rural district covered in orange orchards, but today the town of Kemer and coastal villages in the district play a very important part in tourism in Turkiye.

I went to Kemer in the late 1980's and it was still orange orchards, the harbor was in the process of being dredged and crews had just begun paving the streets in the city center. Club Med was about the only commercial entity in Kemer.

The highway south towards Demre was a small 2 lane road. Demre town center had dirt roads with a couple of blocks of businesses.

20 years later I was completely amazed to see that Demre was then a long row of 5 story apart buildings stretching out of sight down its main street.

Kemer was the ancient Greek city of Idyros and a member of the Lycian League, which after the Ottoman era was called Eski Köy (Old Village until a 23 kilometer or 14 mile long stone wall was built in 1916 - 1917 to channel the mountain stream water.

Its purpose to protect the town from flooding, which until then had been a persistent problem. The name Kemer refers to these walls.

Before the population exchange between Greece and Turkiye, Greek families lived in the area with the Turks of the area peacefully coexisting.

A water mill still exists in the village of Aslanbucak that used to belong to the Greeks of the village of Kemer and Aslanbucak, but the mill is currently located on private property.

Until the 1960's there was no road connection and the district was accessible only by boat. Then a road was built and from the 1980s onwards this was followed by a great investment in infrastructure.

The project was planned by the state and funded by the World Bank, aimed at developing a large tourist industry.

The district had a population of 36,010 according to the 2010 census. The town itself has 20,785 inhabitants. Kemer has four municipalities: Beldibi, Çamyuva, Göynük, and Tekirova as well as four smaller villages.

Town/Village - Population

Kemer 11,733

Beldibi 2,494
Çamyuva 3,981
Göynük 5,666
Tekirova 3,547

Beycik 317
Kuzdere 4,530
Ovacık 61
Ulupınar 824
Total 33,153


The economy of the Kemer district is mainly based on tourism. In the district, which has been declared a first-degree tourism area, there are generally tourism businesses all along the coast.

Oranges, lemons and tangerines are grown in the region where agriculture is maintained, and recently, pomegranate cultivation has also become widespread.

One of the major attractions of Kemer is its natural environment, including the sea and beaches and the mountains and their pine forests. The shore from Beldibi to Tekirova consists of a number of beaches in bays of various sizes, mostly pebble and stone rather than sand.

Supported by transport and communication links, and related municipal services, Kemer has a large proportion of the hotel bed capacity of the Antalya region, and attracts visitors from countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, and in recent years families from Russia and Scandinavia.

Many of the visitors come as part of low-cost all-inclusive package deals but tourism is still the mainstay of the local economy. There are so many visitors that most shops in Kemer are set up to sell goods like leather jackets and other holiday items to foreign visitors.

Kemer's 320 berth marina offers several restaurants for the tourists as well as being a wintering-over marina for liveaboard sailors from the US, England and other parts of Europe.

Göynük Canyon, Ulupınar, Olympos, Chimaera, Phaselis, Three Islands and Eco Park are the tourist oriented sites of the Kemer area.

The town of Kemer has a number of clubs, bars and restaurants, blue flag beaches and a 320 capacity yacht marina. Coastal villages include Beldibi, Kiriş, Çamyuva, Aslanbucak, Kuzdere, Beycik, Göynük, and Çıralı.

Annual events in the area include art exhibitions in Phaselis, boat races, WRC (World Rally Championship), Turkey Offshore Championship, Turkey Motocross Championship, Phaselis Art Festival, and Kemer Carnival. International pop stars and DJs, such as Tarkan and DJ Tiesto, have given summer concerts on this coast.

The Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey (Turkish: Cumhurbaşkanlığı Bisiklet Turu) is a professional bicycle road racing stage race held each spring.

In recent years there has been a rising number of outdoor enthusiasts visiting Kemer for trekking the Lycian Way and for local mountain biking trails.

Abandon all care and woes and travel southwards to the coastal paradise of Kemer, Antalya, Turkey. Find sunny coves filled with private beaches and all-inclusive hotels ready to cater to your every whim.

There, you’ll discover markets filled with Turkish textiles, the legendary Mount Tahtalı and part of the coastal Lycian Way trail.

Relax on a lounger around the outdoor pool at the Crystal De Luxe Resort and Spa where their marble-lined lobby welcomes you to this all-inclusive resort that has everything you need and more. If you’re feeling a little sleepy after eating, burn off your lunch on the tennis or at it's basketball court.

If you want to be pampered, enjoy an underwater massage or mineral-rich mud treatment at their spa.

Alternatively, if you’d like to cool off in the water, make a splash in the water park or stroll through the sprawling tropical gardens to the Blue Flag pebble beach.

Marvel at the large pools flanked by buildings resembling 16th-century Dutch architecture at the Orange County Resort Hotel in Kemer. Orange County has brought the colourful canal houses, canals and windmills of Amsterdam to Kemer.

While you can’t swim in the famous Dutch canals, you can play volleyball in the ones in Kemer. The hotel comes with views of the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea.

With 526 rooms including suites and two-storey villas - if you book the two-bedroom Queen Beatrix suite, you can enjoy a one-time VIP service at the pool.

Sunloungers and umbrellas line the private beach at the Doubletree by Hilton Antalya-Kemer. A hotel that is quite serious about having fun.

From its private beach to the cinema, water slides and spa, this all-inclusive escape in northern Kemer is designed to keep you entertained.

You can go to one of the five restaurants, or check out the food trucks – each with its own speciality. From noodles to tacos, you can create your own food tour.

Cabanas and sunloungers line the beach at the Crystal Aura Beach Resort and Spa in Kemer. Water babies are going to really love this beachfront hotel.

Not only does it have a pebbly beach that boasts a Blue Flag, but it has four different swimming pools, including one in the spa and one with a swim-up bar.

The spa takes inspiration from its aquatic locale with a sea moss treatment and an underwater massage.

If you want to stay close to nature, choose the honeymoon suite, where you can sleep outside under the stars.

Shaded sunloungers line the beach and pier at the Golden Lotus Hotel - this beach retreat is within walking distance of the city centre and just a hop, skip and a jump away from the marina.

At the resort, you can snorkel along the private beach, relax on the pier or cool off in the indoor saltwater pool. Alternatively, you can go hiking, mountain biking or scuba diving if you’re looking for more adventure.

The family room is the most spacious, and each guest is given a pillow menu, so that no matter which room you choose, you are ensured a good night’s sleep.

People sunbathe on the sunloungers and swim in the outdoor pool at Meder Resort Hotel while enjoying stunning mountain views. This five-star hotel in Kemer offers the best of both worlds.

It has mountains as its backdrop, but it also features a private beach filled with candy-striped sunloungers. If you prefer to hang out around the pool, you can do that, too, as the hotel curves around a cerulean-coloured pool.

But that’s just one of the pools - there are two more. Kids will love the swirling slides at the aqua park, while parents will love that it’s an all-inclusive resort.

Paths flanked by lush landscaping lead to the L’Ancora Beach Hotel - this seafront hotel is ready to pull out all the stops for its guests. You can relax under an umbrella on its private beach or pull up a lounger around one of its two outdoor pools.

You can do this because – just like the breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet meals – the umbrellas, loungers and towels are included. If you want to kick up your heels, the hotel plays host to live music three times a week.

Enjoy a spacious room with one bed and a private balcony at the Imperial Turkiz Resort Hotel and get ready for some fun in the sun at this family-friendly hotel overlooking the cobalt-blue Mediterranean Sea.

If the private beach isn’t close enough to the water, you can get even farther into the ocean by taking a seat on the pier.

DJ shows, foam parties, aerobics lessons and the kids’ club are free.

Alternatively, if you want to go out and start your active holiday - you can hit the tennis court, go diving or book a photographer to snap some epic vacation photographs.

Book a room with two twin beds and a furnished balcony at Viking Nona Beach where a lush green garden leads you to a private pebbly beach, from where this hotel can organise a champagne breakfast for you – if you want to make your day extra special.

While the hotel doesn’t have a spa, it’ll arrange for you to be chauffeured to a sister hotel to enjoy some serious pampering.

If you are looking for an adventure, you can go mountain biking, snorkelling and canoeing, as well.

Kemer Bus Terminal, which was put into operation in 1990, has facilitated the transportation of the district.

There are bus services to Kemer Bus Terminal from almost every city in Turkey. There are regular shuttles from the surrounding districts to Kemer Bus Station every day.

Central Kemer (Kemer city centre) is the main resort of the whole Kemer region with its variety of great hotels, apartments, restaurants, cares, bars, beaches, attraction centers and more. The city center of Kemer is situated about 43,5 km. (45 mins) on the east of Antalya, between the resorts of Goynuk and Kiris.

Situated on the skirts of magnificent Taurus Mountains, central Kemer is one of the most visited and accommodated holiday resort along Antalya region with its variety of great hotels, apartments, restaurants, cares, bars, beaches, attraction centers and more.

Central Kemer is also the center of great entertainment and nightlife activities in Kemer. Kemer city center can be explored by the Watch Tower, Ataturk Statue and the pedestrian shopping street on the inland and Kemer G-Marina, Nomad Theme Park and Moonlight Park on the coast, through the beautiful views of the Beydaglari Mountains at the background.

Central Kemer Moonlight Park is a daily entertainment and recreational area housing a blue-flagged Moonlight beach, a Dolphinarium, shopping center, mini zoo, tennis and basketball courts, recreation and green areas.

Moonlight Park, with its beautiful environment full of pine, gum and palm trees, is a must see place in central Kemer. Continue reading…

Folkloric Nomad Theme Park, located just behind the Kemer marina, about 3 km. from central Kemer, is the one of the most popular places to visit in Kemer. You can experience and enjoy the culture of Nomads here as well as having a rest or tasting the local cuisine of Nomads with beautiful views of Kemer Bay. Continue reading…

There are variety of great beaches along the beautiful coast of central Kemer. The Moonlight beach, with a length of 500 meters, is situated on the right hand side of the Kemer marina and it is the most popular beach of central Kemer.

Entrance to Moonlight beach is free of charge but you need to pay for sunbed and umbrella. Holidaymakers may spend great time at the beach clubs of Moonlight beach and also make water sports activities.

On the left hand side of the Kemer Marina, you’ll find the 3,7 km. coastline of central Kemer with beachfront walking paths, central Kemer Urban Beach and other beaches belonging to hotels located at the beach front.

Entrance to hotels’ beaches is free of charge but you need to pay for sunbed, umbrella and beach services.

Central Kemer coastline beaches - Moonlight Beach.

The hotels located on the inland central Kemer also has beaches on the coast and they make daily transportation to their beaches.

Kemer G-Marina is a lovely place located between central Kemer’s coastline and Moonlight Park. Holidaymakers may spend great day out at the quality restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs of the Kemer G-Marina.

Daily Boat Trips

Attending to daily boat trips made from the central Kemer, along the Kemer marina, is a great day out attraction in central Kemer.

Variety of themed boat leave the harbor in the morning, sail through the beautiful bays and coves around Kemer and return about 15.30-16.00. This is a must take attraction for sea lovers for spending lazy afternoon on the water.

If you don’t want to spend your Kemer holidays in the city center just at your hotel on a routine day out, attending to daily tours and excursions from central is a great opportunity to experience and enjoy the stunning landscapes and natural surroundings.

Experience long stretches of golden sandy beaches, crystal clear turquoise seas, quiet little bays and the many charms of Kemer.

Daily boat trips, cycling, 4×4 off-road safari, ATV quad safari tours, scuba diving, Olympos cable-car to Mount Tahtali, Goynuk Canyon and Koprulu Canyon Rafting.

Tours are the top selling and the most popular excursions and daily tours from central Kemer.

Holidaymakers may find great shopping opportunities from popular outdoor markets, supermarkets, antique and handicraft shops to great stores at the central Kemer.

The central Kemer pedestrian street offers jewelry, leather, carpet, rugs and clothing. The more traditional tastes and souvenir shops are conveniently located in central Kemer.

The Pedestrian street of central Kemer is a popular spot in central Kemer that you may find all your needs and holiday shopping desires there.

You may experience and enjoy the Mediterranean cuisine, authentic Turkish cuisine and the authentic flavor of the sea at the popular restaurants and cafes in central Kemer.

Traditional mezes with yogurt, aubergine, pepper, tomato and olive, fresh green beans and seafood are the popular traditional dishes in central Kemer.

Kemer city center offers great dine/wine opportunities with its variety of world class restaurants and cafes.

The touristic inland parts of central Kemer, the famous Pedestrian street, the Kemer marina and Moonlight Park regions are the popular spots for great eating out in central Kemer.

NIGHTLIFE IN CENTRAL KEMER? Central Kemer is the liveliest region in the whole of Kemer. The popular and liveliest nightclubs, discos and bars are all located in central Kemer.

After dinner and at dusk, all central Kemer streets become very lively, full of tourist and entertainment. The Kemer marina, Moonlight Park, the famous Pedestrian street and the coastline of central Kemer are the popular spots for intense entertainment and nightlife in central Kemer.

There are also live music and karaoke bars along the coastline of central Kemer. - Aura Club and Club Inferno are the most popular nightclubs in Kemer.

ACCOMMODATION – WHERE TO STAY?

As for accommodation in central Kemer, central Kemer boasts the most comprehensive and best equipped network of hotel, apartment, pension, bed & breakfast, holiday villas and holiday accommodation in the Kemer region.

Central Kemer offers wide range of accommodation opportunities from 3 star, 4 star, 5 star and family friendly hotels, apartments to quality holiday villas and apartments from standard packages to deluxe residences. See;

We also recommend you make your hotel search and book online via the world’s biggest online hotel booking websites. Really good discounts and the best prices with a match.

Trivago Kemer City Center Hotels - Trivago claims that they guarantee the best price with their price matching system.

Agoda Kemer City Center Hotels (Agoda claims that if you find the same hotel cheaper elsewhere, they will refund the difference)

HOW TO GET THERE?

Kemer city center is situated 43.5 km. or 45 minutes on the east of Antalya, between the resorts of Goynuk and Kiris. You can take regular buses from Antalya to reach Kemer city center.

If you are a group or a family with kids or having lots of luggage with you, than we highly recommend you private transfers.

The airport shuttles will bring you to at the Intercity Bus Terminal of Marmaris and you’ll need to take a taxi from there again. Private transfers will drive you just to the entrance of your hotel.

As for private shuttle transfers, we highly recommend Tranigo (a Turkish company operating since 1996, and partnered with renowned names like Hertz, Thrifty, Budget, and many reliable and efficient local suppliers) as we recently booked with them had a great trip to our hotel.

It offers low-priced, fixed rate private shuttles that include meet-and-greet airport pickups and luggage assistance. Their large selection of comfortable taxis, minivans, luxurious cars and 6-19+ passenger minibuses can match any need while ensuring quick and safe travels to and from Antalya airport (AYT).

www.kemer-tr.info

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