Konyaaltı or Lara: which Antalya beach area suits you?
West or east of the old town: two very different ways to spend a beach holiday in Antalya.
By the IONETO Antalya team · Published 8 November 2026
In short: choose Konyaaltı if you want a long pebble beach with a promenade, city life and the tram; choose Lara if you want sandy beaches, large resorts and a short airport transfer. Konyaaltı suits independent travellers and long stays; Lara suits resort holidays and families who stay on site.
Side by side
| Konyaaltı · Lara | |
| Beach | Pebbles, long promenade · sand |
| Atmosphere | City beach, cafés, local life · resort strip |
| Getting around | Tram and buses · car, taxi or hotel shuttle |
| Airport | Further · about 15 km |
| Nearby | Antalya Museum, aquarium, Tünektepe · Lower Düden Waterfall |
Konyaaltı
A long pebble beach with the Beydağları mountains behind and a promenade for walking and cycling. Apartments, guesthouses and city hotels sit close to cafés, the aquarium and Antalya Museum, and the tram takes you to Kaleiçi. Bring water shoes.
Lara
East of the centre, Lara has sandy beaches and a strip of large resort hotels, plus the clifftop park at Lower Düden. It is close to the airport, which makes short stays easy, but you will need transport to explore the old town.
Which one?
- Long stay or remote work: Konyaaltı.
- All-inclusive with children: Lara.
- Exploring Antalya every day: Konyaaltı or Kaleiçi.
- Short break, quick transfer: Lara.
More detail in where to stay in Antalya, Antalya hotels & villas, family holiday in Antalya and digital nomad life in Antalya.
Quick answers
Is Konyaaltı beach sandy?
No, it is pebbly; water shoes help.
Is Lara beach sandy?
Yes, Lara has sandy beaches.
Which is closer to the airport?
Lara, about 15 km away.
Which is better without a car?
Konyaaltı, thanks to the tram and buses.
Sources
Illustrative images. Mutlu insan dünyayı aydınlatır: a happy person lights up the world.