Kemer is a charming Turkish municipality and a seaside resort for masses of tourists every year. If you’re planning to join them anytime soon and you’re wondering what you can do in Kemer, we’ll try to help you with that today. Today’s post will be all about what you can do and see in Kemer.
Centre of Kemer
What to see in Kemer?
We’ll start out our list with the fairly obvious choice – a stroll around the most touristy part of Kemer, its centre. If you’re wondering what to see in Kemer, or more specifically its very centre, we’d certainly recommend the distinctive Clock Tower, which you’ll certainly see mentioned in every tourist guide to Kemer ever. I mean, ours too now. It’s not unjustified, it’s a great spot and a popular meeting place for both locals and tourists alike. The tower is on a neat and tidy square with fountains and an eye-catching statue of Turkey’s first president, Ataturk.
It’s also worth mentioning the Yorük Parkı, or ‘a nomad museum’, located near the city centre. This distinctive open-air museum takes a closer look at the lifestyle of the nomads who ‘inhabited’ the area until a few hundred years ago.
Kemer Marina
Best places to visit in Kemer
We certainly could not not include the picturesque marina here. Kemer is an important centre for yachting tourism and its marina can accommodate more than 300 of these vessels. It is worth remembering here that the larger ferries usually head for the port of Antalya, while small cruise ships and private yachts tend to dock in Kemer. During the season, a stroll around the harbour provides an opportunity to see these massive yachts up close, which, combined with the pristine waters of the bay, makes for an unparalleled aesthetic. We’re sure it looks just as good from one of those yachts, though we can’t say we’ve tried.
Kemer’s public beach
The beach in Kemer
We also naturally have to delve into the most important place of every seaside resort for so many tourists around the world – the beaches. Kemer’s beach is covered with distinctive, small and colourful pebbles. The beach has quite a gentle descent at first, though the deep sea starts deceptively quick. The clear water and rocky bottom create ideal conditions for swimming. The beach itself is also equipped with facilities for tourists such as showers, toilets, changing rooms and tents. Additionally, the beach in Kemer is equipped with free and paid options for stands with sun loungers and umbrellas. Sadly, to occupy any of them, you have to be there early in the morning. It is, afterall, a seaside resort.
Cruises from Kemer
Kemer attractions
If you’re planning a longer trip and you’re not sure what to add to your plan in Kemer, you can take advantage of the wide array of cruises departing from the city. As we mentioned earlier, numerous cruise ships and small yachts dock at the local port. For this reason, tourists, especially during the peak summer season, can choose from a wide range of vessels sailing to different parts of this part of the Turkish coast (including a cruise to the island of Suluada or a trip to Phaselis).
Okay, sounds great and all but can I afford it? Naturally, this depends on both the destination in question and the standard you choose. Some cruises include additional activities or lunches in their price, so there’s a variety of offers you can choose from. On average, however, it’s really not that bad. A total cost of such a trip in a commoner standard can range from £15 to £50.
Hiking in the Likya Yolu mountains
Kemer hiking trails
If you’re more of an active holiday person who needs some degree of movement in their holidays, we have an option for you too. There’s a unique hiking trail less than 10 miles away from Kemer – the Likya Yolu. Its name translates to ‘Lycian road’ (the name commemorates the civilisation that ruled the south-western part of Turkey a few thousand years ago).
This trail totals over 320 miles and provides some really stunning views as well as opportunities to see some of the remains of ancient settlements. The whole trail runs along the Turkish coast and we could not possibly skip this one either.
Göynük Canyon
A canyon in the Kemer area
What else to see near Kemer? Certainly the Göynük Canyon, around 8 miles away from the city. At nearly 3 miles long, the canyon is an important part of the Lycian road described earlier. The site is full of pools, waterfalls and ponds. The uniqueness of this place led people to establish sort of a theme park in the canyon where visitors can enjoy additional activities such as:
- Canyoning Safari (around £12 per person)
- Torylean slide (around £10)
- Boat trip through the canyon (around £8)
Phaselis
Ancient ruins
The ancient ruins of the once-city Phaselis are a great spot for both history lovers and people simply wanting great views. Located approximately 7 miles from Kemer, Phaselis Archeological Site contains the remains of a city founded in the 7th century BC. Visitors can see, among other things, ruins of an ancient temple, a theatre and fragments of a Roman aqueduct. And if this wasn’t enough, you also have three beaches and a densely planted park within the site. Entry costs about £4.
Olympos beach
A beautiful beach in Kemer
Finally, we have the stunning Olympos beach, about 21 miles away from Kemer. The crystal clear water, the colourful pebbles and the beautiful mountainous landscape create a setting straight out of a fairy tale. Add to this the ruins of an ancient city located right on the beach, and you have a ready-made recipe for one of the most unique locations in this part of Turkey. If you have the spare time, be sure not to miss out on this one.
Trip to Antalya
A day trip from Kemer
The final item on our list is actually the largest and most popular city in this part of Turkey – Antalya. The two are less than 30 miles apart and you can get from Kemer to Antalya via the frequently circulating buses. The ride takes about 1h20min and the price ranges from £5 to £7.
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