Tekirova: pine forest, pebble beaches and Phaselis next door

Tekirova is the southernmost resort area of the Kemer coast, about 70 km from Antalya Airport. Pine forest runs down to clear water and pebble beaches, the Taurus mountains rise straight behind, and the ruins of Phaselis and the Tahtalı cable car are a few minutes away. Most of it is large all-inclusive resorts around a small village centre: a good base for nature and sightseeing, less so for nightlife.

Where to stay in Tekirova

Tekirova is mostly resorts strung along the shore between the D400 main road and the sea, with a small village core inland. The real choice is between a beachfront resort and a cheaper hotel or apartment a walk from the sea.

Times are daytime drives from Antalya Airport (AYT), about 70 km (Antalya Airport to Tekirova). The last row uses the Kiriş / Çamyuva time; see the Kemer guide for the rest of the coast.

Beaches

Pebbles, pines and clear water

Tekirova's beaches are pebble and shingle, not sand. The upside is very clear water and pine trees that come almost to the shore, so there is natural shade. Most of the beachfront is divided into hotel sections with sunbeds and piers; there is also a public beach near the village centre.

The sea usually gets deep within a few metres. Water shoes help with the pebbles, and families with small children should check how the beach entry looks at their hotel before booking.

Phaselis bays

The three ancient harbours of Phaselis are also small beaches, sheltered and shaded by pines. Swimming between the ruins is one of the nicest things to do here, but you pay the site entry, and late mornings get busy when the boat tours arrive.

Things to do

Phaselis

The ancient port city of Phaselis lies in the forest just north of Tekirova, a few minutes by car. You walk along a paved main street between the harbours, past an aqueduct, baths and a small theatre. Go early or late in the day in summer, and see our ancient sites guide for how it compares with the others on the coast.

Tahtalı cable car

The valley station of the cable car to the 2,365 m summit of Tahtalı mountain is in the forest above Tekirova. The ride takes about ten minutes and the view on a clear day covers the whole coast. It is cold at the top even in summer, the cable car can stop in strong wind, and the ticket is not cheap, so check the weather before you go.

Olympos, Çıralı and the Chimaera

Tekirova is the closest resort to Olympos and Çıralı, roughly 15–25 minutes further south. You can spend a day on Çıralı's long natural beach and the ruins of Olympos, then walk up to the Chimaera flames at dusk. See our Olympos and Çıralı guide.

Kemer, boat trips and walking

Kemer town, with its marina, shops and bars, is about 20 minutes north; boat trips to the bays leave from there (boat trips). The Lycian Way passes through the hills behind Phaselis, good for half-day walks outside the hot months (Lycian Way). More in our Kemer guide and on the day trips page.

Eating out and evenings

Most visitors stay all-inclusive, so the village centre is small and quiet: a handful of restaurants, cafés, small supermarkets and shops, busier in high season. Evenings are calm. If you want bars, a promenade or a livelier scene, go to Kemer town by dolmuş or taxi; staying in Tekirova and wanting nightlife every evening is a mismatch.

The nearest weekly markets are in Kemer and the other villages along the coast; see market days.

Getting there and around

From Antalya Airport it is about 80 minutes by car, the longest transfer on the Kemer coast, as the road goes around Antalya and through the tunnels along the mountain coast (Antalya Airport to Tekirova, all Antalya Airport transfers). Weekday rush hour in Antalya can add 20–30 minutes.

Dolmuş minibuses run along the main road to Kemer and on to Antalya. For Phaselis, the cable car and Olympos a hire car or taxi is easier, because the sites are off the main road and the cable car station is up a mountain road.

When to go

The season runs from April to the end of October. July and August are hot and the resorts are full, though the pines and mountain breezes help a little. May, June, September and October are the best months for Phaselis and walking. Many resorts close in winter. See weather by month and the holiday budget calculator.