Kemer

Kemer is the largest resort town on Turkey's Lycian coast, drawing visitors with its combination of Mediterranean beaches, ancient ruins, and access to the Lycian Way hiking trail. The town has a well-developed tourist infrastructure with hotels, restaurants, and nightlife concentrated along the main strip. It's particularly popular with Russian tourists in the 2020s, though west European visitors are also common. The area encompasses several villages from Beldibi in the north to Tekirova in the south, offering diverse experiences from beach resorts to canyon adventures.

Kemer is approximately 40 km southwest of Antalya, making Antalya Airport (AYT) the main arrival point for international visitors. From the airport, travelers take a bus or tram to Antalya bus station, then catch buses TA07 or TA08 to Kemer. Bus TA08 runs every 30 minutes to Kemer, Çamyuva, Phaselis, and Tekirova (fare ~40 TL in 2023), while TA07 runs every 15 minutes to Beldibi, Göynük, and Kemer. The Kemer Otogar (bus station) is located 1 km west of the town centre at the intersection with the D400 coastal highway. Those driving should follow directions to Antalya then join the D400 south along the coast.

Local buses connect the resort strip, with most routes passing through Kemer clocktower as the focal point. Bus 5 runs to Arslanbucak, Bus 4 to Kuzdere, and Bus 1 to Kiriş beach, all departing from Kemer Marina. Yellow taxis are plentiful with a flagfall of about 10 TL plus 10 TL per kilometer. The D400 coastal highway provides road access throughout the area, with the Çamdağ Tunnel providing access to secluded beaches.

The peak tourist season runs from April through October, when boat trips, diving centers, and nightclubs operate daily (often until 04:00). Summer months see the highest temperatures and crowds, particularly sardine-packed beaches. Many hotels and restaurants close during winter (November to March), making this a poor time to visit unless seeking quiet hiking on the Lycian Way. The Land of Legends theme park is a major draw but located east of Antalya in Belek, requiring a full day trip.

Accommodation ranges from budget-friendly mid-range hotels in Göynük (B&B doubles from 2500-3000 TL) to upscale resorts in Beldibi and Tekirova (B&B doubles up to 6000 TL). The Beldibi stretch along Atatürk Cd has several large all-inclusive properties, while Kemer itself offers more centrally located options like Doubletree by Hilton and Akra Kemer. Kiriş and Tekirova have additional resort options. Most hotels offer half-board or B&B packages. The tourist strip has no hostels, so budget backpackers should look at Antalya for cheaper accommodation options.

Kemer offers diverse dining from Turkish kebab houses to Georgian and Montenegrin cuisine. Tadim Kebab near the clocktower serves filling portions daily 08:30-00:00, while Kemer Pastanesi (05:30-00:00) is popular for breakfasts and borek. Seafood lovers should try Balıkçı Faruk (open until 03:00) or Naturel Balık Evi. Gürcü offers authentic Georgian cuisine on 127th Sk. Nightlife clusters at the north end of Kemer beach with clubs like Aura, Kristall, and Inferno operating April-October 10:30-04:00. Most cafes serve beer, but wine and cocktails are available at hotel bars.

Major attractions include Phaselis (90 TL admission), dilapidated Graeco-Roman ruins in pine forest with three harbors dating to the 3rd century AD. Göynük Canyon charges €20 for entry including shuttle, helmet, life-jacket and paddle. Olympos Teleferik (1200 TL return) ascends Mt Tahtalı (2365 m) with shuttle buses from Kemer (250 TL return). The Lycian Way, a 540 km marked trail from Fethiye to Geyikbayırı, passes nearby. Scuba diving is available at Octopus, Aqua Age, and Diving Kemer in Kemer, plus DiveEx in Tekirova. Üçadalar ("Three Islands") 3 km offshore offer snorkeling and diving excursions. Boat trips depart from Kemer marina for sightseeing and fishing.

Kemer is generally a safe tourist resort, though standard precautions apply. The area is vulnerable to pirate raids in ancient times (leading to abandonment), but modern safety concerns are typical of any resort town. Yellow taxis are regulated. Hikers on the Lycian Way should carry water and inform others of their route. Swimming in canyons can be dangerous due to cold water and strong currents. The Kemer Dolphinpark is described as a sad tourist trap; visitors should research animal welfare concerns.

Kemer and the coastal D400 road have 4G coverage from all Turkish carriers. As of June 2023, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey. WiFi is widely available in hotels and restaurants. SIM cards from Turkish providers like Turkcell, Vodafone, and Turk Telekom are readily available at convenience stores and phone shops throughout the resort strip. Power plugs use Type F (two-pin Schuko) compatible with most European devices.

Daily backpacker budget in Kemer ranges from 800-1500 TL including dorm accommodation (rare in resort), street food meals, local transport, and activities. Budget travelers should note that many hotels are all-inclusive, which may not suit independent backpackers. Admission to major sites: Phaselis 90 TL, Göynük Canyon €20, Olympos Teleferik 1200 TL. Local bus fares start at 40 TL to Antalya. Street food and budget restaurants offer meals from 100-200 TL.

Olympos (Çıralı) is a few kilometers south, featuring better-preserved ancient ruins than Phaselis. Beldibi Cave at the north end of Beldibi contains rock paintings of unknown date (unlikely to find open). Gedelme Castle and Gedelme Cave (30 TL admission) are accessible by hiking. The Belek area east of Antalya offers golf resorts and the Land of Legends theme park. Antalya itself has antiquities and an old quarter worth exploring.

Antalya to the north is a major city with an international airport, making it the transit hub for the region. Olympos (Çıralı) to the south has ancient ruins in a more natural setting than Phaselis. The Lycian Way hiking trail continues west to Fethiye and east to Geyikbayırı above Antalya. Belek is known for golf resorts, while Side has extensive Roman ruins. Kaş and Demre to the south offer further Lycian sites but require catching buses on the D400 at the Otogar intersection.

Turkish hospitality is important; accepting tea when offered is polite. Dress modestly when visiting mosques or religious sites. Beachwear is acceptable only at beaches and pools. Tipping 10% is customary in restaurants. Bargaining is expected in markets but not in restaurants or hotels with fixed prices. Staff are more likely to know Russian than English due to the tourist demographic.