Are you looking for a perfect beach destination for your next vacation? Do you want to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea in a beautiful and relaxing setting? If yes, then you should definitely visit Lara Beach, one of the most popular and stunning beaches in Antalya, Turkey.
Lara Beach is a long and sandy beach that stretches for 12 km along the Mediterranean coast. It is famous for its crystal-clear water, golden sand, and spectacular views. It is also home to some of the best and most luxurious hotels and resorts in the region, offering world-class amenities and services.
But Lara Beach is not just about sunbathing and swimming. There are plenty of things to do and see at Lara Beach, such as water sports, sand sculptures, shopping, nightlife, and more. You can also explore the nearby attractions, such as the ancient city of Perge, the Duden Waterfalls, and the Antalya Museum.
In this article, we will give you a complete guide to Lara Beach, covering everything you need to know before you go. We will tell you what to do, where to stay, how to get there, and more. We will also answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Lara Beach, and give you some tips and recommendations to make your trip unforgettable.
Things to Do at Lara Beach
Lara Beach is a paradise for beach lovers. You can spend hours relaxing on the soft and clean sand, swimming in the turquoise water, or enjoying the breeze and the scenery. You can also rent a sunbed and an umbrella, or a cabana and a hammock, for a more comfortable and private experience.
But if you are looking for some more action and adventure, Lara Beach has plenty of options for you. You can try various water sports, such as jet skiing, parasailing, banana boating, windsurfing, and more. You can also join a boat tour or a cruise, and visit the nearby islands and coves, where you can snorkel, dive, or fish.
One of the most unique and impressive attractions at Lara Beach is the Sandland, a huge open-air museum that showcases amazing sand sculptures. Every year, artists from all over the world create incredible sculptures based on different themes, such as myths, legends, history, and culture. You can admire the sculptures, take photos, and even learn how to make your own sand art.
If you are in the mood for some shopping, Lara Beach has a lot to offer. You can find a variety of shops, boutiques, markets, and malls, selling everything from souvenirs, handicrafts, jewelry, clothes, and more. You can also bargain and haggle for the best prices, and enjoy the local culture and atmosphere.
Lara Beach is also known for its vibrant and lively nightlife. You can find many bars, pubs, clubs, and discos, where you can drink, dance, and party until dawn. You can also enjoy live music, shows, and entertainment, or join a beach party or a foam party, and have a blast.
Hotels and Accommodation Options at Lara Beach
Lara Beach is one of the best places to stay in Antalya, as it offers a wide range of hotels and accommodation options for every budget and preference. You can choose from luxury resorts, budget hotels, apartments, villas, and more.
Some of the top hotels and accommodation options at Lara Beach are:
Lara Barut Collection: This is a five-star resort that offers an all-inclusive service and a stunning beachfront location. It has 401 rooms and suites, each with a balcony, a minibar, a TV, and a private bathroom. It also has a spa, a fitness center, a pool, a kids' club, a tennis court, and a water park. It has several restaurants and bars, serving Turkish, Mediterranean, Asian, and international cuisine. It also has a nightclub, a cinema, and a theater, where you can enjoy shows and entertainment.
Titanic Beach Lara: This is another five-star resort that offers an all-inclusive service and a spectacular beachfront location. It has 586 rooms and suites, each with a balcony, a minibar, a TV, and a private bathroom. It also has a spa, a fitness center, a pool, a kids' club, a tennis court, and a water park. It has several restaurants and bars, serving Turkish, Mediterranean, Asian, and international cuisine. It also has a nightclub, a bowling alley, and a game room, where you can have fun and entertainment.
Delphin Imperial: This is a five-star resort that offers an all-inclusive service and a magnificent beachfront location. It has 750 rooms and suites, each with a balcony, a minibar, a TV, and a private bathroom. It also has a spa, a fitness center, a pool, a kids' club, a tennis court, and a water park. It has several restaurants and bars, serving Turkish, Mediterranean, Asian, and international cuisine. It also has a nightclub, a cinema, and a theater, where you can enjoy shows and entertainment.
How to Get to Lara Beach
Lara Beach is easy to get to, as it is well-connected by different modes of transportation. You can choose from plane, bus, car, taxi, or shuttle, depending on your preference and budget.
- Plane: The nearest airport to Lara Beach is the Antalya Airport, which is about 15 km away. You can fly to Antalya Airport from many domestic and international destinations, such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, London, Paris, Berlin, Moscow, and more. You can then take a taxi, a bus, or a shuttle from the airport to Lara Beach, which will take about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Bus: You can also take a bus to Lara Beach from different cities and towns in Turkey, such as Ankara, Izmir, Konya, Mersin, and more. You can find many bus companies that operate regular and comfortable buses to Antalya, such as Metro Turizm, Kamil Koc, Pamukkale Turizm, and more. You can then take a local bus or a dolmus (a shared minibus) from the Antalya bus station to Lara Beach, which will take about 40 to 50 minutes.
- Car: You can also drive to Lara Beach by car, as it is well-connected by highways and roads. You can follow the D400 highway from the east or the west, or the D650 highway from the north, and then take the exit to Lara Beach. You can also rent a car from the Antalya Airport or the Antalya city center, and enjoy the scenic drive to Lara Beach. You can find many parking spaces and garages near the beach and the hotels, where you can park your car for a fee.
- Taxi: You can also take a taxi to Lara Beach from the Antalya Airport or the Antalya city center, which will be the fastest and most convenient option, but also the most expensive one. You can find many taxis outside the airport or the city center, or you can book one online or by phone. You can expect to pay about 50 to 70 Turkish liras (about 6 to 8 USD) for a taxi ride from the airport to Lara Beach, or about 40 to 60 Turkish liras (about 5 to 7 USD) for a taxi ride from the city center to Lara Beach.
- Shuttle: You can also take a shuttle to Lara Beach from the Antalya Airport or the Antalya city center, which will be a cheaper and more comfortable option than a taxi, but also a slower and less flexible one. You can find many shuttle companies that offer regular and reliable shuttle services to Lara Beach, such as Havaş, Antalya Airport Transfer, Lara Beach Transfer, and more. You can book your shuttle online or by phone, and choose your pick-up and drop-off points. You can expect to pay about 10 to 20 Turkish liras (about 1 to 2 USD) for a shuttle ride from the airport to Lara Beach, or about 5 to 10 Turkish liras (about 0.5 to 1 USD) for a shuttle ride from the city center to Lara Beach.
Entrance Fees and Opening Hours of Lara Beach
Lara Beach is a public beach, which means that you can access it for free at any time of the day or night. However, some of the attractions and activities at Lara Beach may have entrance fees and opening hours, which you should be aware of before you go.
- Sandland: This is the open-air museum that showcases the amazing sand sculptures at Lara Beach. It is open every day from 9 am to 11 pm, and it charges 15 Turkish liras (about 2 USD) for adults and 10 Turkish liras (about 1 USD) for children for the entrance fee. You can also buy a combined ticket for Sandland and Antalya Aquarium, which costs 50 Turkish liras (about 6 USD) for adults and 35 Turkish liras (about 4 USD) for children. You can also join a sand art workshop, where you can learn how to make your own sand sculpture, for an extra fee.
- Water sports: There are many water sports operators and centers at Lara Beach, where you can rent equipment or book a session for various water sports, such as jet skiing, parasailing, banana boating, windsurfing, and more. The prices and opening hours may vary depending on the season, the weather, and the demand, but you can expect to pay about 50 to 200 Turkish liras (about 6 to 23 USD) for a water sport activity, and enjoy it from 9 am to 6 pm.
- Boat tours and cruises: There are also many boat tour and cruise companies at Lara Beach, where you can book a trip to the nearby islands and coves, such as Kekova, Olympos, Phaselis, and more. You can enjoy the scenery, the water, and the wildlife, as well as snorkel, dive, or fish. The prices and opening hours may vary depending on the season, the weather, and the demand, but you can expect to pay about 100 to 300 Turkish liras (about 12 to 35 USD) for a boat tour or a cruise, and enjoy it from 9 am to 5 pm.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lara Beach
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Lara Beach, and their answers:
- When is the best time to visit Lara Beach?
The best time to visit Lara Beach is from April to October, when the weather is warm and sunny, and the water is calm and clear. The average temperature is about 25°C (77°F), and the average sea temperature is about 22°C (72°F). You can also enjoy the festivals and events that take place at Lara Beach, such as the Sandland Festival, the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, and the Antalya Jazz Festival.
- What are the weather and climate conditions at Lara Beach?
Lara Beach has a Mediterranean climate, which means that it has hot and dry summers, and mild and rainy winters. The average temperature is about 18°C (64°F), and the average rainfall is about 1000 mm (39 inches) per year. The hottest month is August, with an average temperature of 28°C (82°F), and the coldest month is January, with an average temperature of 10°C (50°F). The wettest month is December, with an average rainfall of 210 mm (8 inches), and the driest month is July, with an average rainfall of 4 mm (0.2 inches).
- What are the safety and security measures at Lara Beach?
Lara Beach is a safe and secure place to visit, as it has a low crime rate and a high police presence. However, you should still take some precautions, such as keeping your valuables in a safe place, avoiding dark and isolated areas, being aware of your surroundings, and following the local laws and customs. You should also be careful when swimming or doing water sports, as there may be strong currents, waves, or rocks. You should always wear a life jacket, follow the instructions of the guides, and respect the flags and signs on the beach.
- What are the cultural and social norms at Lara Beach?
Lara Beach is a cosmopolitan and modern place, where you can find people from different backgrounds, cultures, and religions. You can expect to see a mix of traditional and western clothing, food, music, and entertainment. You should respect the diversity and tolerance of the people, and avoid any offensive or insensitive behavior.
- Dress code: You can dress casually and comfortably at Lara Beach, but you should also dress modestly and appropriately, especially when visiting religious or historical sites. You should cover your shoulders, knees, and chest, and avoid wearing shorts, skirts, or tank tops. You should also remove your shoes, hat, and sunglasses, and cover your head with a scarf, when entering a mosque.
- Tipping: You can tip about 10% of the bill at restaurants, bars, and hotels, if you are satisfied with the service. You can also tip about 5 to 10 Turkish liras (about 0.5 to 1 USD) to taxi drivers, guides, or porters, if they are helpful and friendly.
- Bargaining: You can bargain and haggle for the best prices at markets, shops, and stalls, especially for souvenirs, handicrafts, jewelry, and clothes. You can start by offering about half of the asking price, and then negotiate until you reach a fair and reasonable price. You should also be polite and respectful, and avoid being rude or aggressive.
- What are the best places to eat and drink at Lara Beach?
Lara Beach has a variety of places to eat and drink, where you can taste the delicious and diverse Turkish cuisine, as well as other international cuisines. You can find many restaurants, cafes, bars, and street vendors, serving everything from kebabs, mezes, baklava, and Turkish coffee, to pizza, burgers, sushi, and cocktails. Some of the best places to eat and drink at Lara Beach are:
- Kaleiçi: This is the old town of Antalya, where you can find many traditional and authentic Turkish restaurants, cafes, and bars, in a charming and historic setting. You can try some of the local specialties, such as piyaz (bean salad), tandır (roasted lamb), and şalgam (turnip juice).
- TerraCity: This is the largest and most modern shopping mall in Antalya, where you can find many international and fast-food restaurants, cafes, and bars, in a convenient and comfortable setting. You can try some of the popular and familiar dishes, such as pizza, pasta, burger, and ice cream.
- Lara Balık Evi: This is a seafood restaurant that offers a stunning view of the sea and the beach, and a fresh and tasty menu. You can try some of the seafood dishes, such as grilled fish, calamari, shrimp, and octopus, along with salads, bread, and wine.
- What are some of the nearby attractions and destinations to visit from Lara Beach?
Lara Beach is not only a great place to enjoy the beach, but also a great base to explore the nearby attractions and destinations, such as:
- Perge: This is an ancient city that dates back to the 12th century BC, and was once one of the most important and prosperous cities in the region. You can see the ruins of the temples, theaters, stadiums, baths, and gates, and learn about the history and culture of the ancient civilizations.
- Duden Waterfalls: These are a series of waterfalls that cascade from the Duden River into the Mediterranean Sea, creating a spectacular and scenic sight. You can admire the waterfalls from different viewpoints, or take a boat ride to get closer to them. You can also enjoy the park, the cave, and the picnic area around the waterfalls.
- Antalya Museum: This is one of the largest and most impressive museums in Turkey, where you can see more than 5,000 artifacts and exhibits, covering the history, art, and culture of Antalya and its surroundings. You can see the statues, mosaics, coins, jewelry, weapons, and more, from different periods and civilizations, such as the Hittites, the Lycians, the Romans, the Byzantines, and the Ottomans.
Conclusion
Lara Beach is one of the best and most beautiful beaches in Antalya, Turkey. It offers a perfect combination of sun, sand, and sea, as well as a variety of attractions, activities, hotels, and more. It is a place where you can relax, have fun, and discover the rich and diverse culture and history of the region.
