Lara Beach is Antalya’s long sandy beach, about 10 km east of the old town of Kaleiçi. Gentle waves and a gradually shelving, mostly sandy shore make it popular with families, and it holds Blue Flag status.
The western end has a free public beach (Lara Halk Plajı) with showers, toilets and changing rooms, while the Kundu strip further east is lined with large all-inclusive resorts.
Plan your visit to Lara Beach
- Entry: free (loungers extra)
- Open all day; lifeguards in season
- Time needed: 2 hours to a full day
History of Lara Beach
Lara lies on the coast east of Antalya, where the Düden river drops into the sea over cliffs. Until the late 20th century it was a quiet stretch of shore outside the city. From the 1990s onwards it developed rapidly, and the Kundu area became known for huge themed resort hotels.
Today Lara is both a beach suburb for Antalya residents and one of the city’s main resort zones, with the public beach and the Lower Düden Waterfall at its western end.
Attractions at Lara Beach
- Lara public beach: free sandy beach with showers, toilets and changing rooms; loungers and umbrellas can be rented.
- Lower Düden Waterfall: at the western edge of Lara, the Düden river plunges off the cliffs straight into the sea. Viewing park is free.
- Sandland: a seasonal open-air sand-sculpture exhibition on the beach, with a new theme most years (paid entry).
- Kundu resort strip: the eastern part of the beach, where most of the shore is in front of resort hotels.
Things to Do at Lara Beach
- Swim: the sandy bottom and gentle waves suit children and weaker swimmers; swim near lifeguards.
- See the Düden Waterfall: go at sunset, or take a boat trip from Antalya’s old harbour to see it from the sea.
- Visit Sandland: in the evening the sculptures are lit up (check the season’s dates and hours).
- Walk the coastal park: the cliff-top park between the waterfall and the beach has sea views and cafés.
Lara Beach – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
The public beach is free and open at all times. Loungers, umbrellas and beach clubs charge a fee, and facilities and lifeguards operate mainly in the summer season. Beaches in front of resorts in Kundu are generally reserved for hotel guests.
How Long to Spend at Lara Beach
Plan 2–3 hours for a swim and the Düden Waterfall, or a full day if you are making a beach day of it.
How to Get There
- By bus: city bus KL08 runs from Atatürk Caddesi near Kalekapısı in the centre to Lara, taking about 45 minutes. Pay with an Antalyakart transport card.
- By taxi: about 20–30 minutes from Kaleiçi, depending on traffic.
- From the airport: Lara is one of the closest beach areas to Antalya Airport, about 20–30 minutes by car.
Arriving at Antalya Airport? Book a fixed-price airport transfer straight to your hotel.
Eateries Nearby Lara Beach
There are cafés and snack bars at the public beach and many restaurants along Lara’s main roads, from fish restaurants to simple kebab places. The cliff-top area near the Düden Waterfall also has cafés with sea views. Resort restaurants in Kundu are mostly for hotel guests.
Other Attractions Nearby Lara Beach
- Lower Düden Waterfall: at the western end of Lara.
- Perge: the ancient city in Aksu, a short drive inland.
- Hadrian’s Gate and Kaleiçi: Antalya’s Roman gate and old town.
- Konyaaltı Beach: the city’s long pebbly beach on the western side.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Antalya: Lara and Kundu have many resorts close to the beach and the airport.
- Get a Turkey eSIM before you land, for maps and ride-hailing apps.
Lara Beach is Antalya’s sandy, family-friendly beach, with a free public section, Blue Flag water and the Lower Düden Waterfall pouring into the sea at its western end. Further east, the Kundu strip is lined with large resort hotels.
For a pebbly beach with mountain views, compare it with Konyaaltı Beach, and add a half-day at the ruins of Perge, just inland.