Yes, we’ve all been to Antalya. It’s one of those destinations that’s been written about a thousand times. But I still have something to add. Let’s talk about beaches. As someone who spent every summer of my childhood at Issyk-Kul, endless sandy beaches don’t impress me anymore. When I’m in Turkey, I want to feel like I’m not just at the sea—I want to feel like I’m on the Mediterranean, surrounded by turquoise water and dramatic cliffs.

In this guide, I’m sharing my favourite swimming spots in and around Antalya. They don’t feel like the typical Turkish resort beaches—they have that unmistakable Mediterranean charm.

Mermerli Beach

Mermerli Beach is tucked away in the most picturesque part of Antalya—the historic Old Town (Kaleiçi). The beach club sits beneath the ancient city walls, right next to the old harbour.

To get there, you enter through a restaurant and walk down a long staircase with this incredible view.

As you might expect, entrance isn’t free, and it’s definitely not cheap. Considering Turkey’s ever-changing inflation, I’m not including the exact price because it may be outdated by the time you read this. Your ticket includes a sunbed, shower, changing room and toilets. There’s also a beach bar serving drinks and food—but be prepared for tourist prices.

There are two ways to enter the water: a gentle sandy entrance or a rocky one. Just beyond the beach are small rocky coves where you can spot tiny fish and little crabs. Swimming between these rocks, away from the crowds, is one of my favourite things to do here. Watch my review.

Adalar beach club

Adalar Beach Club (location) is also near the Old Town, just a little farther than Mermerli at the end of Karaalioglu Park.

It’s slightly cheaper, much quieter, and usually far less crowded. Unlike Mermerli, there isn’t a beach here at all—the club sits directly on the cliffs. You access the sea via ladders, so this definitely isn’t the place for small children or anyone who isn’t comfortable swimming. The upside? No kids means a much more peaceful atmosphere. You’ll find everything you need here: sunbeds, a bar, restaurant, showers, changing rooms and toilets.

This place has peak Mediterranean vibes: crystal-clear turquoise water, dramatic cliffs, plenty of spots to jump into the sea, and even small caves to explore. Just be careful—the rocks are sharp. Watch my review.

Take a look at these photos I took here. Honestly, they don’t look like Turkey at all. They’re still my phone wallpaper.

Suluada Island

Suluada is a tiny uninhabited island near Antalya, often nicknamed the Turkish Maldives. The island itself isn’t particularly remarkable—but its shoreline absolutely is.

Because the beach is covered with white pebbles, the water turns an unbelievably clear turquoise that really does resemble the Maldives.

Getting there on your own isn’t easy, so the simplest option is to join a Suluada boat tour, which is surprisingly affordable. The tour usually includes hotel pick-up, a boat trip, a swimming stop near another beautiful island, lunch on board, and finally enough time to swim in Suluada’s famous crystal-clear water.

f I’m honest, I wish we’d had more time there. After leaving the island, the boat makes one final stop in a scenic bay where you can jump straight into the sea from the deck.

For me, it’s the perfect half-day escape if you’ve had enough of Antalya’s busy beaches. Watch my full review