Choosing where to stay in Antalya matters more than choosing the hotel. The resorts along this coast feel very different: sandy family beaches in Lara, Belek and Side, mountains and pebbles in Kemer, a real city in Antalya itself, and a lively town with a castle in Alanya. They also range from 15 minutes to two hours from the airport. This guide compares each area so you can pick the one that fits your trip.
Quick answer: for a first family beach holiday, Belek or Lara are the easiest choices: sandy beaches, big all-inclusive hotels and only 15–40 minutes from the airport. Side suits families who also want a historic old town, Kemer suits walkers and anyone who prefers mountains and clear water, Alanya is livelier and often cheaper but nearly two hours away, and Antalya city or Kaleiçi is best for sightseeing without a car and for winter breaks.
Table of Contents
Where to stay in Antalya: the areas at a glance
| Area | Drive from the airport | Beach | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antalya city & Kaleiçi | 20–30 minutes | Small coves; Konyaaltı nearby | Sightseeing, couples, winter breaks |
| Konyaaltı | 30–45 minutes | Long pebble beach | City and beach together |
| Lara & Kundu | 15–25 minutes | Long sandy beach | Families, short transfers |
| Belek | 30–40 minutes | Sandy beach | Families, golf, Land of Legends |
| Side | Around 1 hour | Sandy beaches | Families who want history too |
| Kemer | 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes | Pebble beaches, clear water | Mountains, walking, boat trips |
| Alanya | 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours | Sandy beaches in town | Nightlife, value, independent travellers |
Antalya city and Kaleiçi
Staying in the city puts you in Kaleiçi, the walled old town of narrow lanes, small hotels and restaurants above the Roman harbour, or in the modern districts around it. You can walk to the old harbour boat trips, take the tram and reach the Düden waterfalls by taxi, so you do not need a car. There is no big sandy beach in the old town, though Konyaaltı is a short ride away.
- Good for couples, sightseeing, food, short breaks and winter holidays, when the city stays lively while some resorts quieten down.
- Less good for families who want a pool-and-beach holiday with everything on site.
- From the airport it takes 20–30 minutes; a metered taxi costs roughly ₺650–800. See our city centre transfer guide.
Konyaaltı
Konyaaltı is the long beach on the western side of the city, backed by a seafront promenade and the Beydağları mountains. The beach is pebbly, the water clears quickly, and you have the city’s shops and restaurants close by. It suits people who want a city break and a beach in one.
Lara and Kundu
Lara is the closest beach area to the airport: the hotel strip is only about 15–20 km away, usually 15–25 minutes by car. The beach is long and sandy, and further east Kundu is lined with very large all-inclusive resorts, some with themed buildings. The Lower Düden waterfall and the city are close.
- Good for families who want the shortest possible transfer, and for late arrivals.
- Less good if you want a village atmosphere; most life happens inside the hotels.
- A metered taxi costs roughly ₺800–1,050; see our Lara transfer guide or check transfer prices to Lara.
Belek
Belek is a purpose-built resort area of large hotels, golf courses and sandy beaches, about 35 km from the airport. Land of Legends theme park is here, and the Aspendos theatre is close. It is the most popular choice for UK families on all-inclusive holidays and for golfers, who come all year.
- Good for families, golfers and anyone who wants a big resort with pools and kids’ clubs.
- Less good for exploring on foot outside the hotel, as the hotels are spread out along the coast.
- Allow 30–40 minutes from the airport; a metered taxi is about ₺1,800–2,500. See our Belek transfer guide and Land of Legends guide.
Side
Side combines a Roman old town on a small peninsula, with the Temple of Apollo by the sea, with long sandy beaches either side, where most hotels are. In the evenings the old town is good for a walk and dinner. The Green Canyon, Manavgat and the Aspendos theatre are easy day trips.
- Good for families and couples who want beach days and some history and evening atmosphere.
- Less good if you want a short transfer: allow around an hour, about 70 km.
- A metered taxi is about ₺3,550–5,000, so a pre-booked transfer is usually cheaper. See our Side transfer guide, the Green Canyon boat trip and the Aspendos tour.
Kemer
Kemer sits between the Taurus Mountains and the sea, south-west of Antalya, with pine forests running down to pebbly beaches and very clear water. The area stretches from Beldibi and Göynük through Kemer town to Çamyuva and Tekirova. The Olympos cable car, the ruins of Phaselis and boat trips to quiet bays are all close.
- Good for walkers, snorkellers, couples and anyone who prefers mountain scenery to long sandy beaches.
- Less good for small children who want sand to dig in; most beaches are pebble.
- Allow 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes to Kemer town; a metered taxi is about ₺3,200–4,500. See our Kemer transfer guide and Olympos cable car guide.
Alanya
Alanya is a busy holiday town below a castle on a rocky headland, with sandy beaches such as Cleopatra Beach right in town, a harbour full of boat trips and lots of bars and restaurants. Hotels are often cheaper than in Belek or Lara. The catch is the distance: about 125–130 km from Antalya Airport.
- Good for couples, groups of friends, nightlife and travellers on a budget.
- Less good for a short break, because of the long transfer each way.
- Allow 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours; a metered taxi is about ₺6,400–9,000, so pre-booking is cheaper. Gazipaşa–Alanya Airport is closer if your airline flies there. See our Alanya transfer guide.
Where to stay in Antalya by type of trip
| Your trip | Where to stay |
|---|---|
| First family beach holiday | Belek or Lara |
| Family holiday with some history | Side |
| Shortest transfer | Lara or Antalya city |
| Couples and food | Kaleiçi or Side old town |
| Mountains, walking and clear water | Kemer |
| Nightlife and value | Alanya |
| Golf | Belek |
| Sightseeing without a car | Antalya city |
| Winter break | Antalya city, Lara or Belek; see Antalya in winter |
How far is each area from Antalya Airport?
When you decide where to stay in Antalya, transfer time matters most if you land late or travel with children. Lara and the city are 15–30 minutes away, Belek about 35 minutes, Side and Kemer about an hour, and Alanya nearly two hours. On the longer routes a pre-booked transfer is usually cheaper than a metered taxi as well as easier. Our Antalya Airport transfers guide compares every option, and the arrivals guide shows where your driver will wait.
Tips for choosing where to stay in Antalya
- Check the beach type: Lara, Belek, Side and Alanya are sandy, while Kemer and Konyaaltı are pebbly.
- Look at a map before you book. Hotels listed as “Side” or “Kemer” can be up to 15–20 km from the town itself.
- If you plan several day trips, a central base such as Antalya city or Belek keeps the drives shorter; our things to do in Antalya guide shows what is near each area.
- In winter, many hotels run a reduced programme, so check what will be open on your dates.
Our pick for first-timers
If this is your first trip and you want an easy beach holiday, choose Belek or Lara: sandy beaches, plenty of family hotels and a short drive from the airport. Pick Side if you want an old town on your doorstep, Kemer for mountains and clear water, Alanya for nightlife and value, and Antalya city if sightseeing matters more than the beach. Travelling with young children? See our guide to Antalya with kids.
Choosing Alanya? Our comparison of Gazipaşa vs Antalya Airport explains which airport is quicker from the UK.
FAQ: where to stay in Antalya
What is the best area to stay in Antalya?
For a family beach holiday, Belek and Lara are the most popular: sandy beaches, big all-inclusive hotels and a short transfer. Side adds a historic old town, Kemer has mountains and clear water, Alanya is livelier and cheaper, and Antalya city is best for sightseeing.
Which Antalya resort is closest to the airport?
Lara is the closest beach area, about 15–25 minutes from Antalya Airport. Antalya city takes 20–30 minutes and Belek about 30–40 minutes.
Is Belek or Side better?
Belek is closer to the airport and best for big resort hotels, golf and Land of Legends. Side is about an hour away but has a Roman old town and more to do outside the hotel in the evening.
Which Antalya resorts have sandy beaches?
Lara, Belek, Side and Alanya have sandy beaches. Kemer and Konyaaltı are mostly pebble, with very clear water.
Is it better to stay in Antalya city or a resort?
Stay in the city or Kaleiçi for sightseeing, food and winter breaks without a car. Choose a resort such as Belek, Lara or Side for a pool-and-beach holiday.
More AYT Survival Guides
- Antalya Airport Transfers: Taxi, Shuttle or Private Car
- Gazipaşa vs Antalya Airport: Which Is Better for Alanya?
- KiwiTaxi Review: Is It Reliable for Antalya Airport Transfers?
- Antalya Airport Arrivals: Step by Step from Plane to Hotel
- Antalya Airport Departures: How Early to Arrive
- Antalya Airport to Lara & Kundu Transfer
- Antalya Airport to City Centre & Konyaaltı
- Antalya Airport to Belek Transfer
Sources: distances, drive times and taxi fares from our Antalya Airport transfer guides (Antalya taxi tariff adopted on 13 March 2026, in force from 23 March); area descriptions from local knowledge; background on the old town from Wikipedia’s Kaleiçi article. Checked on 11 October 2026. Prices change, so check the price shown when you book.
Disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
