Antalya's two main city beaches sit at opposite ends of the urban area. Konyaaltı Beach stretches for several kilometres along the western edge of the city — a pebble beach backed by the cliffs on which the city centre sits, lined with beach clubs and cafes. It's popular with locals and easy to reach by tram. Lara Beach lies east of the city centre, a long sandy strip that is the favourite of the large package-hotel resorts. It tends to be more crowded and more dominated by hotel guests.
For cleaner water and fewer crowds, head further afield. Phaselis (40 km south) has three bays set within the ruins of a Lycian city, and the combination of pine forest, ancient harbour walls, and clear water is hard to beat. Çıralı is a more laid-back option, with a long pebbly beach at the foot of the Olimpos canyon, close to the eternal flames of the Chimaera.