Cirali beach (Çıralı Beach) near Antalya in Turkey is a beautiful 3.5 km stretch of sand and pebbled grains sprinkled along clear blue-green waters.Â
The cute fishing village of Cirali sits pretty on the stunning Turkish coastline and is a small detour off the main 500 km Lycian way.
As you drive towards the Cirali beach, you will find a winding path flocked with pension houses, home stays and cozy B&B’s. This is a refreshing sight after the resort hotels of Antalya which were quite honestly not my vibe.
In any case, accommodation was not a concern since we had a campervan but the whole vibe of Cirali beach was refreshing and quaint even if it wasn’t as quiet as we expected.
What to Expect at Cirali Beach?
Cirali beach is definitely an excellent spot for campervanning in Turkey. It even has an open ground right on the beach where vans can park. Not entirely private or secluded but has certainly managed to retain its chilled out vibe.
We were instantly at ease and it helped that our “van neighbors” were uber cool, sea was a few steps away and good food was lined up on both sides of the narrow path leading to the beach.
What more could we ask for?
Our initial plan was to just spend a day at Cirali but we enjoyed it so much we ended up spending 3 nights here.
Things to do in Cirali
Surrounded by mesmerizing landscapes and boasting of ancient Greek ruins, there’s a lot going for Cirali in general. The beach is the icing on the cake but the fishing village is excellent for treks and exploration.
Witness the Eternal Flames of Chimaera
One of the most popular things to do in Cirali is trekking up to the famous fire mountain – Chimaera.
As the name suggests, Chimaera boasts of flaming rocks which are natural vents in the rocks enabling fire 24/7. This rocky mountain has literally been “on fire” since centuries.
Legend states that this fire is the breath of a monster but ofcourse there is a scientific explanation for the fire mountain.
So basically, you can cook corn or roast a marshmallow on this free and eternal burning flame of Yanartas.
This is the short trek in Cirali where I was embarrassed by my lack of knowledge of the country when asked “If Istanbul was the capital of Turkey.” (Click to read this funny episode).
Take one of the Many Boat Day Trips at Cirali
Since Cirali is predominantly a fishing village, it is very easy to hop on a fishing charter boat here.
If that’s not your cup of tea, there are scuba diving excursions available as well. Plus the waters are so blue-green and clear you can literally jump in and watch fish everywhere. If you have your own snorkeling gear, you are in luck as Cirali beach is amazing for snorkeling.
You can also take a boat trip to explore sea caves and nearby bays like – Porto Genoise Bay or Shephard’s Bay.
No pre-booking is needed, you can simply walk to the beach and talk to one of the many boat owners docked there.
Of course there are the usual sunset party boats as well.
Check out the Ruins of Mt Olympos
A lazy 20 mins walk south of Cirali beach is home to the ruins of Olympos. This makes for an interesting history lesson for families with kids.
With no fences, it is easy to explore on your own and uncover the mysteries of the past.
Swin and Snorkel at the Pretty Cirali beach
Luckily, with my prepurchased Turkish eSim I could easily navigate and wander off on my own in any direction and explore the length and breath of Cirali by foot.
The waters are excellent for swimming with very good visibility for snorkeling. Carry your snorkelling mask and be ready to take a dip in these blue green waters.
You can spend hours chilling at the beach and its easy to find an isolated spot, if you so please.
Turkish and European Cuisine
Cirali has a ton of amazing restaurants with an array of menu options to choose from.
Our first night out, we were overwhelmed by the choices and zeroed in on what seemed to be a crowd favorite – Zakkum.
We totally lucked out and the food was absolutely delectable. Some of the best food I had in Turkey for sure.
Photograph the Stunning Landscape
The night sky at Cirali especially when you camp under the stars, is absolutely stunning. With the huge trees in the foreground and twinkling stars over a rugged landscape as the backdrop, the views are pretty surreal.
You can either pitch a tent or if you were in a campervan, you can enjoy the night sky from the rooftop. It is just as amazing on foot too.
To be honest these huge trees make for excellent snapshots during the day as well. I was just awe-inspired by the beauty of Cirali and didn’t really expect to uncover such a gem amidst hectic Antalya.
Renting a bicycle is a popular way to explore Cirali however, I prefer to walk and soak in the vibes at my slow easy pace.
Cirali has plenty of overpriced stores selling Turkish souvenirs mostly small gifts or food and wine. I would ofcourse recommend holding off your shopping urges till you reach Istanbul. That’s where you want to indulge in a day of shopping.
Best Cirali Tour To Cover all Hotspots
If you are not much for walking around and exploring yourself, taking this guided tour will be your best bet. It takes you across all popular Cirali attractions at night and dinner is included along with a guide.
So if you have limited time to spend at Cirali, simply take this tour covering the beach, Chimera and Olympos. This is your one-stop shop for exploring Cirali in just over 7 hours.
Where to stay on Cirali Beach?
Cirali beach aka Cirali plaji has so many cute BnB’s, pension houses and small cottages lining the vast expanse.
You can be spoilt for options as soon as you enter Cirali. The long winding path towards the beach is also full of interesting stay options.
Some cool spots had pool and Table tennis available with nice gardens to pitch your own tents or park your campervans.
We were staying in our campervan and had found the perfect parking spot in Cirali.
However, if you prefer to book your accommodation, be sure to check out these top-rated stays in Cirali –
Cirali friends pension and camping – Affordable, clean, pet-friendly spot with spacious garden and epic mountain views. Free cycles are provided for all guests. This is one of the best places to stay in Cirali beach, hands down. Click here to book at discounted rates.Â
Azur hotel – You can get your own private bungalow at this top rated property in Cirali. Take a dip in their private pool after spending the day at the beach.
Bayrams tree houses – For a budget stay in Cirali, these tree houses offer dorms as well as complete tree houses. I can only imagine how cool it would be to live in a tree house in Cirali.
Arcadia House – This lovely bungalow with a sprawling private garden is all yours when you book a stay here.
The best part about staying at Cirali is it wont even break the bank. All these awesome spots are affordable, clean and spacious.
Click here to check out all the wonderful stay options at Cirali.
FAQ’s
Is Cirali Beach Sandy?
Well yes and no. It has a lot of lovely white sand but its mixed in parts with tiny pebbles making it hard to walk barefoot, unless you are used to it.
Can you Spot Fish in the Waters at Cirali?
You can easily spot fish in Cirali even if you don't have your snorkeling mask. It is a fishing village and marine life abounds.
If you haven’t visited Cirali beach and want to stay at a place that has people/amenities/good food etc… and is still quiet? This is it! I think its one of the best beaches in Turkey and as a big time beach bum, I give Cirali full marks.
This alongside regular visits to Indian jungles in search of the Royal Bengal Tiger, fueled her zest for adventure, nature and wildlife.
Now she is a renowned travel blogger, outreach expert and has worked with over 500 travel brands in the last 15 years.
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