Kemer sits approximately 45 kilometres south-west of Antalya Airport on the western edge of the Bay of Antalya, where the Taurus Mountains meet the Mediterranean in one of the most dramatic coastal landscapes in Turkey. The drive from the airport takes around 40–50 minutes and is itself one of the most scenic transfers on the Antalya coast — the road drops through mountain forest before the sea opens up below you.
What makes Kemer distinctive is not the hotels but the landscape they sit in. The mountains here rise steeply from almost directly behind the resort — forested slopes that in winter carry snow on their upper peaks while the sea below remains swimmable. The water in Kemer is among the clearest on the Turkish Mediterranean coast, a product of the depth of the bay and the lack of river sediment in this part of the coastline. For snorkellers and swimmers who care about water quality, Kemer is consistently one of the strongest answers on the Antalya coast.
The all inclusive hotel offer here is strong at the top end. Properties like Maxx Royal Kemer Resort, Rixos Sungate and Club Med Palmiye are among the finest all inclusive resorts in the region, taking full advantage of the pine forest and mountain backdrop that defines the Kemer environment. The Phaselis area, a short distance south of Kemer town, is where some of the most beautifully positioned hotels on the coast are located — set directly in pine forest above small coves, with a more intimate and secluded atmosphere than the larger resort strips.
Kemer town itself is a pleasant, compact resort with a marina, good restaurants along the waterfront and a more relaxed atmosphere than the larger resort areas. The ancient ruins of Phaselis — a Lycian harbour city dating back to the 7th century BC, set among pine trees directly by the sea — are one of Turkey’s most atmospheric ancient sites and are easily reached from any Kemer hotel. It is the kind of place that genuinely surprises guests who were not expecting history to be part of a beach holiday.
One practical note: Kemer is a longer transfer from Antalya Airport than Belek or Lara, and the road through the mountains means the journey feels longer than the distance suggests. For guests who prioritise a short airport transfer, this is worth factoring in. For guests who are drawn to Kemer’s distinctive natural setting, it is a journey that begins the holiday rather than delaying it.
For all inclusive holidays in Kemer, luxury Kemer hotels or family holidays on the Antalya coast — book through GotoBeach with full ATOL protection under licence #11211, low deposits from £30 per person and the honest advice of a team that knows this destination properly.
