What are the beaches like in Antalya — sand or pebble, and is the sea clean and warm?

Don't worry about cold water — in summer the sea in Antalya is warm and pleasant, despite some travel agents warning it's cooler than other resorts.

Along the Antalya coast there are beaches where you can watch loggerhead sea turtle (caretta caretta) hatchlings emerge — known spots are around Belek and further along toward Patara.

Many travelers note that Antalya's beaches aren't classic soft sand or pure pebble, but rather a mixed surface (small stones with sand); for a truly sandy beach, head to areas like Lara rather than the city center.