9 Best Things to Do in Kemer

Beautiful beaches grace Kemer’s coastline, with the nearest to the town being Kemer Beach (Kemer Plajı to the locals). The pebbly beach is scenic with a backdrop of the forested Tahtali mountains. Just a 10-minute stroll to the south is Kemer Halk Plajı 4 and if you’re up for some great swimming in crystal-clear waters as well as water sports action, go past the marina and Yoruk Park to Moon Light Beach.

Beyond Kemer town, there are even more beautiful coasts to discover and escape the crowds. Alacasu of Paradise Cove, a 20-minute drive south, is one of the many rugged and hidden coves along this eastern coastline. Then there’s the beach of Phaselis with its ancient Greco-Roman ruins for when you want to add a bit of history to your coastal road trip. Adrasan Beach near the southern tip of the peninsula offers a truer escape – uncrowded but with great infrastructure.

Phaselis is a beautiful and remote beach just a 15-minute scenic drive south of Kemer. It’s a secluded coastal area where you can escape the town crowds but is best known for being home to one of southern Türkiye’s important archaeological sites. Getting to Phaselis along the Kumluca Kemer Road, you’ll drive through forests that are peppered with ruins dating back to ancient Lycia.

Ancient Greco-Roman ruins of what once was a 7th-century BC seaport. Bask on the golden sand on one side of Phaselis Beach and swim in the calm and clear Mediterranean water. Explore ruined stone houses, dried canals, marketplaces and baths – and even a grand theatre – all a short stroll from the sand.

Book a seat on the Olympos Teleferik (Olympos Cable Car) for a steady cruise over the Tahtali mountains towards the summit at 2,365 metres above sea level. The uphill ride starts at the base in Tekirova, around a half-hour drive southwest from the seaside town of Kemer.

Along the journey up, you’ll be able to truly take in the beauty of the Lycian region with stunning views of the forested slopes and undulating hills below, accompanied by the vast seascape afield. It’s a great way to escape the summer crowds down by the seaside, and if you come in the winter you’re treated to even more spectacular scenery of the snow-capped peaks and slopes. It can be freezing up there, though, so be prepared with your winter gear.

Even though Mount Chimaera is the mythological name of an ancient Lycian region that’s known for its eternal flames, Yanartas is where you can see it in real life. These perpetual flames are a result of geothermic activity in the region that gave birth to the mythical fire-breathing hybrid beast known none other than as the chimaera.

To see the perpetual flames, otherwise known as the fires of Yanartas, you’ll first need to take the long 45-minute drive south from Kemer. Then, continue with an approximate 1-km hike up the mountain along rocky trails. Some of the flames flicker out from rocky crags, while others are small flares that lick the sooted rocks laid on soft soil out in the open. While the morning hikes are recommended, many prefer the evenings to fully admire the fiery sights.

DoluSu Park is high on the list of great things to do in Kemer for families thanks to its collection of thrilling waterslides and rides. Slides to give you an adrenaline rush range from the 80-metre-long Tunnel, the speedy 40-metre-long Bullet to the open-air counterpart called Kamikaze which will send you right into the pool. If you simply want to relax, you can take the River that takes you on a 75-metre-long steady slide down with great views of the whole waterpark and the sea beyond.

The waterpark also presents a regular mermaid show in its ‘aquatorium’ where models in mermaid suits swim in sync to laser lighting effects and theatrical music. They even offer mermaid swimming courses if you fancy gliding through the water in a monofin.

Markets and bazaars are common occurrences in Kemer with some of the popular weekly markets selling distinct items and opening on certain times of the week. If you set out on a Monday from the Republic Square and stroll south along Ataturk Boulevard, you’ll stumble upon the so-called Monday Market which is the largest place for groceries in town.

If you’re looking for great Turkish textiles, you can set out along the same area on the following day and browse the so-called Tuesday Market, which also features vendors selling very affordable clothing items and decent accessories. The next day, you can head out of town to Camyuva Neighbourhood Market which features both textiles and local fresh goods.

Dakapo Beach Club enjoys a superb location on Moonlight Beach in Kemer, where you can drink and dine while overlooking the gorgeous crescent beach. The beach club has plush-top rattan sofas and tables laid out right on the beachfront and even a small lawn with cabanas. There’s a small stage with lighting and sound system rigs on the sand where live performances turn up the vibe during special gigs and beach parties.

On any regular day, you can claim a spot, enjoy a Mediterranean lunch, go for a dip in the calm and tempting waves and go back for refreshing cocktails, ice cream or crack a cold beer. The restaurant’s kitchen is busy throughout the day, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.