When you start looking for a hotel in Antalya, the first decision usually comes down to one question: Konyaaltı or Lara? Both are part of the city and both have a long beach, yet the feel of a holiday in each is quite different. Konyaaltı lies west of the centre, facing the mountains and within easy reach of city life. Lara lies to the east, close to the airport, and is known for its fine sand and large resorts. This guide compares the two areas on beaches, transport, places to stay and things to do.
Konyaaltı: mountain views and the city on your doorstep
Konyaaltı Beach starts just west of the city centre and runs for several kilometres. The Beydağları mountains rise straight behind the sea and, especially at sunset, create one of Antalya’s best-known views. The beach is made of pebbles and coarse sand; the water is very clear and gets deep quite quickly. Along the seafront you will find walking and cycling paths, parks, cafés and beach clubs.
Konyaaltı’s biggest advantage is how close it is to the city. The historic old town of Kaleiçi, the old harbour and the Antalya Museum are a short taxi ride away, so dinner in town and a late stroll are easy. The area mixes city hotels, beachfront resorts and apartments. You can browse the area’s hotels on our Konyaaltı hotels page.
Lara: fine sand and resort hotels
Lara, east of the city, is the beach area closest to the airport. Its beach is light, fine sand and the sea deepens gently, which is why families with young children often choose Lara. Heading towards Kundu you will find a long line of large resorts with big gardens, several pools and all-inclusive packages. Closer to town, along the Lara road, there are city hotels and hotels on the cliffs with sweeping sea views.
Lara’s best-known natural sight is the Lower Düden Waterfall, where the Düden river drops over the cliffs straight into the sea. The area also has large shopping centres and plenty of restaurants. You can compare hotels on our Lara hotels page.
Side by side: which beach suits whom?
- Beach: Konyaaltı has pebbles and coarse sand with clear water that deepens quickly. Lara has fine sand and a gently shelving sea.
- Airport: Lara is about 20 minutes away; Konyaaltı 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic.
- City centre: Konyaaltı is closer and blends into the city. Getting to the centre from Lara takes a little longer.
- Places to stay: Konyaaltı mixes city and beach hotels. Lara is dominated by large all-inclusive resorts.
- Best for: Konyaaltı suits couples, short breaks and anyone who wants to combine sightseeing with the beach. Lara suits families and longer stays where you rarely need to leave the resort.
Hotels in our holiday packages
Our packages with flights, hotel, tours and transfers include hotels in both areas. On the Konyaaltı side, Sealife Family Resort Hotel offers pools and activities for families, Porto Bello Hotel Resort & Spa sits close to the beach, and Rixos Downtown Antalya includes access to The Land of Legends theme park. On the Lara road, close to both the city and the airport, there is Akra Hotel. See every package, with 3- and 7-night options, on our holiday packages page.
Things to do from either area
Whichever beach you choose, Antalya’s highlights are easy to reach. A stroll through Kaleiçi, the Düden Waterfalls, the ancient cities of Perge and Aspendos, boat trips and rafting in Köprülü Canyon are the favourites. Most tours include hotel pick-up; see the options on our Antalya tours page. Taking the cable car from the western end of Konyaaltı up to Tünektepe for views over the city and the bay is another memorable outing.
Getting around
Both areas are easy to reach from the airport by private transfer: see Antalya Airport to Lara and, for Konyaaltı and the city centre, Antalya Airport to Antalya. Taxis are widely available in the city, and trams and buses connect Konyaaltı with the centre. If you are flying in from the UK, our London to Antalya guide covers flights and arrival.
Eating out and evenings
In Konyaaltı, evenings are usually spent at the cafés and restaurants along the seafront or in Kaleiçi, a short taxi ride away. Fish restaurants overlooking the old harbour, courtyard restaurants in restored mansions and small bars are the old town’s best-loved features. The seafront parks in Konyaaltı are also ideal for a walk in the cooler evening air and for children to play.
In Lara, evening life tends to happen inside the hotel: resorts offer à la carte restaurants, shows and kids’ clubs to round off the day. If you want to eat out, there are plenty of restaurants along the Lara road and in the shopping centres, and the city centre is reachable by taxi, although the journey is a little longer than from Konyaaltı.
Notes for families with children
With young children, Lara’s fine sand and gently shelving sea make life much easier, and the children’s pools, water slides and mini clubs at the big resorts fill the day. In Konyaaltı the sea deepens faster, so keep a closer eye on little ones at the water’s edge; on the other hand, the Antalya Aquarium, seafront parks and city activities are close by. Wherever you stay, in July and August avoid the midday sun and look for shaded areas.
For theme-park fans, The Land of Legends makes a great day out, and hotel packages that include access also make getting there easier. When choosing a hotel you can check family rooms, cots and children’s menus with the filters on our Antalya hotels page.
The verdict
There is no single right answer to Konyaaltı or Lara. If you want a holiday woven into the city, with evenings out and plenty of sightseeing, choose Konyaaltı. If you want an easy beach holiday on soft sand with children and a large resort to enjoy, Lara is the better fit. Filter hotels by budget and dates on our Antalya hotels page to find the right one.
