Cirali Beach

Cirali Beach (Turkish: Çıralı Plajı) is a long sandy/pebbly beach on Turkey’s Mediterranean (Akdeniz) coast, in Antalya Province’s Kemer district (Ulupınar neighborhood). It lies between the Yanartaş (Chimaera) eternal flames and the ancient Lycian city of Olympos, within the Beydağları (Olympos Mountains) national park. The beach curves for about 3.0–3.2 km, mostly covered in soft sand (kum) with areas of fine pebbles (çakıl) and small stones, especially toward the ends. Its orientation is roughly southwest-facing along a protected bay, so the sea (Akdeniz) is usually calm and clear.

Under typical summer conditions the water is very clear turquoise and flat. Mornings are often glassy-calm; a gentle breeze or small waves may develop by afternoon. Water depth increases quickly a few meters offshore – children can stand waist-deep only about 5–6 m from shore. The sea bottom is a mix of sand and stones, so water shoes are useful (as one visitor noted, “going to the sea is rocky, but aqua shoes solved this problem”). Summer sea temperatures reach the high 20s °C, making swimming pleasant from June through September. Cirali’s beach sand and seabed support families with small children in its shallow zone, but beyond about 6 m the water drops off steeply.

Cirali is a public halk plajı (municipal beach) open most of the year. There is no fixed entrance fee – entry is generally free, though some local operators may suggest a small donation (the shoreline is protected because loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) nest here). The beach itself is largely undeveloped: as a first-degree sit (protected) area no private resort complexes were built here. Consequently there are no municipal showers or restrooms on the beach; visitors are advised to use facilities at nearby cafes or hotels. A few family-run cafés and pension restaurants line the shore, serving snacks and seafood and renting sunbeds (şezlong) and umbrellas (şemsiye). Beach umbrellas and sunbeds are paid rentals (typically via the beachside businesses), but you may also bring your own towel or mat; one local guide notes the freedom to spread out anywhere if you “don’t want to waste” money. There are no large beach clubs or watersport operations on Cirali – no jet skis, no loud music – giving it a quiet, low-key atmosphere. A limited parking area exists at the main beach access point, but space is scarce; visitors report that the jandarma strictly enforce a no-parking zone along the shoreline road. Some hotels in Çıralı provide parking for guests, but otherwise plan to arrive early or use nearby lots.

The surroundings are pine-forested dunes and hills, as Cirali Beach lies within the Olympos Beydağları National Park. This park was established in 1979 to protect the area’s biodiversity and ancient sites. In fact, Cirali is famous as a prime nesting ground for endangered loggerhead turtles. Local residents formed the Ulupınar Environmental Protection Cooperative (SS Ulupınar Çevre Koruma Kooperatifi) in 2000 to monitor the nests and guard the beach. During nesting season (late spring–summer) many cordoned turtle nests (turtle cages) can be seen on the sand, and strict rules are enforced: no beach lighting or fires, and loungers are kept away from the water’s edge at night. In short, Cirali’s environmental protection status means little built infrastructure (by 1989 all new construction was banned here) and excellent natural quality: the air carries the scent of pine and citrus, the night sky is dark, and even small negative impacts (like stray cigarettes or plastic) are noted by observant visitors.

Getting to Cirali Beach requires a bit of travel planning. By car the route is scenic but winding: from Antalya take the Kemer–Kumluca coastal highway (D400) west toward Kumluca, then turn south at Ulupınar/Cirali junction. Alternatively, one can follow signs to Tekirova/Ulupınar and then a gravel road to Çıralı. The drive is about 1.5–2 hours from Antalya city (80–90 km) and about 30 minutes (25 km) from Kemer. Note that the parking at the beach entrance is limited; visitors report that gendarmes fine cars parked along the narrow dirt road, so park only in marked areas. Public transit is possible: Antalya–Kaş buses stop at the Çıralı junction (ask the driver to stop at “Çıralı sapağı”), where you can transfer to a local dolmuş (minibus) to Cirali village. The one-way dolmuş ride from the junction takes a few minutes. From Kemer or Kumluca there are also minibuses to Ulupınar (Çıralı) daily; connections often require a change at Kumluca, with total travel around 1–1.5 hours. A more adventurous access is via the Lycian Way trail: from Olympos beach or from the foot of Tahtalı Mountain one can hike over the hills to Çıralı (a few hours’ trek). Boat excursions from Kemer or Tekirova also cruise along this coast, stopping off at Çıralı for a swim and lunch.

Once you arrive, the main attraction is the beach itself and its scenery. The long bay is flanked by forested headlands and the hills of the Olympos range. People note that Cirali Beach is very wide – hundreds of meters at low tide – so even at peak season (July–August) you can spread out along the sand. Weekdays and the shoulder seasons (May, early June, September–October) are particularly quiet. Weekends in summer do draw more day-trippers, but overall Cirali remains less crowded than resort beaches like Antalya or Belek. There is no heavy partying here, so the soundscape is natural: waves, birds, and the distant chatter of families. Sunsets over the water (west-facing) are beautiful if the sky is clear.

Families with children will appreciate Cirali’s gentle shallows near shore. The water is warm and calm enough for safe swimming in summer, and lifeguards are not usually stationed, so parents should watch the kids. It’s best for kids who are comfortable with a gradually deepening beach rather than very shallow water. Snorkeling is possible here in calm conditions – visibility is often excellent and fish can be seen – though there are no reefs; one can swim out 10–20 m off any of the sandy or rocky areas. Some swimmers like to wear beach shoes because the seabed has stones. A favorite spot is where a small seasonal stream flows into the sea (near the village side) which can slightly cool the water.

No entry fee or museum card is needed for the beach itself (though visiting the Olympos ruins at the east end of the bay does require a fee or museum card). Beach amenities are minimal – many note that there are no public toilets or showers due to the protected status. However, several beachfront hotels and restaurants have outdoor showers and WC for customers (some hotels have private beach areas). For snacks and meals, there are a handful of open-front cafés and lokantas on the sand: they serve grilled fish, döner kebab, meze plates, fruit juices and coffee. A couple of bars and a small market (bakkal) are in the village just a short walk from the beach. For sunshade, local operators rent matching şezlong and şemsiye packages; expect to pay a few tens of lira for a day (though visitors often prefer to bring a personal towel or mat).

Nearby attractions add to Cirali’s appeal. At the east end of Cirali Beach the ruins of Olympos begin (marked as Olympos Antik Kenti). You can walk along the shore or a path (there is a ticket booth just at the transition to Olympos Beach). About 3 km northwest, the Yanartaş burning rocks are reached by a 30–45 min walk or 4WD road; a short evening hike up there to see the eternal flames is a popular sunset excursion. The tiny village of Ulupınar (1–2 km north) has restaurants built over a river spring – it’s a pleasant spot for lunch or swimming in river pools. The Lycian Way passes behind the beach and connects to village trails up Mt. Olympos or Mount Musa, offering panoramic viewpoints. Other nearby beaches are Adrasan (west, 15–20 km, with broader sandy bay) and Phaselis (east, 7 km, with ancient harbor ruins and pebbles).

In summary, Çıralı Plajı is valued as a natural, serene beach destination. It is family-friendly (gentle entry, shallow children’s areas) and suits couples and nature-lovers. It is not a high-energy beach: there are no clubs or water-ski rentals here, and waves are usually modest. Instead, visitors come for clean water, sea turtles, walks and views. Many consider it one of Antalya’s nicest coastal spots. If your needs are basic (no luxurious facilities needed), you will enjoy Cirali’s unspoiled character. A typical visit might last half a day to a full day: locals often spend 3–4 hours swimming and sunbathing, but some stay into evening to catch sunset.

Is Cirali Beach worth visiting? Travelers say yes if you value natural scenery and peace. The beach’s highlights are its 3+ km stretch of sand and pebbles, warm calm sea, and shady pine backdrop. You can swim easily in summer, see fish in the clear water, and enjoy mild waters up to ~28 °C. Sunbeds are available but not required – bring your towel or rent one. Bring sunscreen and plenty of water (there’s limited shade and only a few beach cafés). Note that there are no life jackets or lifeguard towers; swim with caution as the seabed slopes off. Also be mindful that Cirali is ecologically sensitive: do not litter, keep lights off at night, and avoid disturbing turtle nests.

Cirali Beach is free to enter and makes a good day-trip from nearby resorts. If you have a car or bus access, plan to arrive by late morning to secure a parking spot. Otherwise combine it with trips to Olympos or Adrasan. In late spring and early fall (May, June, Sept–Oct), the crowds thin and the weather is pleasant. High summer (July–Aug) will be the warmest and busiest time, but even then Cirali rarely feels as crowded as Antalya’s city beaches. In short, Çıralı offers a natural beach experience – long, clean, and scenic – best suited for those who seek tranquility and landscape over built-up resort amenities.