Kemer Travel Guide
Everything you need to plan a trip to Kemer — a marina resort town on the Turkish Riviera where the Taurus Mountains drop straight into the Mediterranean, with the ruins of Olympos and the eternal flames of Chimaera close by.
Kemer sits about 40 km south-west of Antalya, on a strip of coast where pine forest and mountain rock come right down to a string of pebble and shingle beaches. The town itself is built around a modern yacht marina and a pedestrian centre of shops, bars and restaurants — a purpose-built resort rather than an old settlement, so do not expect Ottoman or ancient streets in Kemer itself. What it offers instead is a genuinely dramatic setting and easy access to some of the wildest coastline in this part of Turkey.
The real draw for many visitors is what lies just south: the ruined harbour city of Olympos, tucked in a river gorge behind a long beach, and above it Çıralı, a quiet cluster of guesthouses facing the same sand. Above both, the Chimaera (Yanartaş) sends small flames burning out of bare rock, a natural gas seep that has been alight for millennia and gave rise to the ancient myth of the fire-breathing monster. Inland, the Taurus foothills offer canyon walks, rafting on the Göynük stream and jeep safaris through the pine forest.
This guide covers the essentials for planning your trip: the top things to do, the best time of year to come, how to get to Kemer, and where to base yourself depending on the holiday you want.
Top things to do in Kemer
Start with the marina and old town centre for an evening stroll, then head south to Olympos to walk the ancient city through the trees to its beach, one of the most atmospheric ruin-and-sand combinations on this coast. Continue up the hillside for the Chimaera flames, best visited around dusk. Çıralı itself is worth a full day for its long, quiet beach backed by orchards. Closer to Kemer, the Göynük Canyon offers a walk or a rafting trip through a narrow river gorge, and Phaselis, a ruined Lycian-Roman port with three small bays, is a short drive south — good for combining ancient sites with swimming in the same afternoon.
When to visit Kemer
The Mediterranean season runs from around May to October. July and August are hottest, with warm sea temperatures but the busiest beaches and the most demanding conditions for canyon walks or the Olympos trail. May–June and September–October are more comfortable, with a swimmable sea, milder daytime heat and quieter trails and beaches — good months for combining the coast with hiking or a Chimaera visit. Winters are mild but quiet, with much of the tourist infrastructure closed.
How to get to Kemer
The gateway is Antalya Airport (AYT), about 40–45 km north, with a private transfer typically taking around 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic and which part of Kemer you are heading to. Olympos and Çıralı lie a further 20–30 minutes south of Kemer town along the coast road, so allow extra time for a transfer straight through to that end of the bay.
Where to stay in Kemer
Kemer town itself, around the marina, suits travellers who want restaurants, nightlife and an easy resort base within reach of day trips. The purpose-built resort strips north and south of the centre — Beldibi and Göynük towards Antalya, Çamyuva towards Tekirova — offer a quieter, more family-oriented stretch of beach with the same access to the mountains. For a slower, back-to-nature stay, Çıralı and Olympos are the choice: simple guesthouses and treehouse-style pensions facing a protected beach, with no high-rise development and an early curfew on nightlife by design, since the beach is a protected turtle-nesting site.
Know before you go
Antalya Airport (AYT) is about 40–45 minutes to an hour from Kemer by transfer; Olympos and Çıralı are a further 20–30 minutes south.
Kemer is a modern marina resort — its historic sites are day trips to Olympos and Phaselis, not in the town itself.
The Chimaera (Yanartaş) is a natural flame seeping from bare rock, best seen around dusk.
Çıralı beach is a protected turtle-nesting site, which is why the shorefront stays low-rise and quiet.
Best months are May–June and September–October for comfortable hiking and swimming without peak-summer heat.
The Göynük Canyon offers walking or rafting through a river gorge a short drive from Kemer.
Tours in Kemer
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kemer worth visiting?
Yes, especially for travellers who want mountains and pine forest running down to the sea, plus easy access to genuine ancient sites at Olympos and Phaselis. Kemer town itself is a modern marina resort rather than a historic centre, so it suits people looking for a beach base with day-trip variety rather than an old town to wander.
What is the best time to visit Kemer?
May–June and September–October give the best balance of a swimmable sea and comfortable conditions for canyon walks, the Olympos trail or a visit to the Chimaera. July and August are hottest and busiest; winters are mild but quiet, with much tourist infrastructure closed.
How do you get to Kemer?
Fly into Antalya Airport (AYT), then take a road transfer of around 45 minutes to an hour to Kemer town. If you are staying in Olympos or Çıralı, add roughly another 20–30 minutes south along the coast road.
What is the Chimaera near Kemer?
The Chimaera, or Yanartaş, is a hillside above Olympos and Çıralı where small flames burn continuously out of bare rock — a natural gas seep, not a man-made fire. It is the source of the ancient Greek myth of a fire-breathing monster and is usually visited on foot around dusk.
Should I stay in Kemer or Olympos/Çıralı?
Choose Kemer town for a livelier resort base with a marina, restaurants and nightlife. Choose Olympos or Çıralı for a quieter, nature-focused stay next to ancient ruins and a protected beach, with simpler accommodation and an early end to the evening.
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