Car Hire Kemer — Explore the Lycian Coast and Taurus Foothills
Kemer is a compact resort town wedged between the Mediterranean and the pine-covered slopes of the Taurus Mountains. It attracts visitors for its marina, pebble beaches and the immediate access to mountain trails and ancient sites. A hire car here turns a standard beach holiday into a proper exploration of the Lycian coast: Olympos and its treehouse hostels, the eternal flames of Chimaera, the harbour ruins at Phaselis, and mountain villages where life moves at a very different pace. The town centre is busy in season but easy to navigate. Parking near the marina fills by late morning; side streets and the western outskirts offer more space. The main coastal road runs through Kemer, so traffic can be heavy during summer weekends when Antalya residents head west for the beach.
Rental offices in Kemer are clustered near the marina, along the main street and at nearby Antalya Airport for arrivals by air. If you are staying in Kemer, a local office is convenient for day trips, but airport collection may offer a wider vehicle choice. Your voucher will specify the exact pickup location and required documents: driving licence, passport, credit card and an International Driving Permit for non-Turkish licences. Summer demand is high, so book early for automatic or family-sized vehicles.
Mediterranean / Antalya Province
Plan this first.
Marina, pebble beaches, mountain trails
Confirm before booking.
Antalya (AYT)
Confirm before booking.
Right-hand traffic
Confirm before booking.
Match collection to the actual itinerary
Include transfers, parking days, opening hours and return timing when comparing the two options.
Compact car for coastal roads and marina parking
A small hatchback or economy car is perfect for the winding D400 coastal road, tight marina parking and quick trips to nearby beaches. Fuel costs stay reasonable for short day trips, and manoeuvrability helps in Kemer's narrow side streets.
Crossover for mountain trails and longer excursions
If you are planning to drive into the Taurus Mountains, visit highland villages or tackle rougher access roads to trailheads, a crossover adds clearance and comfort. It also gives more luggage space for hiking gear, snorkelling equipment and beach supplies.
Plan the handover, price and first drive
Kemer is a strange mix: a modern marina full of yachts, a pebble beach backed by all-inclusive hotels, and a road that leads within minutes to ancient harbours and mountain villages where goats outnumber people. That contrast is exactly why a car matters here. Without one, you are confined to the resort strip. With one, the whole Lycian coast is open.
The drive west to Olympos is one of the prettiest on the Turkish coast. The road hugs cliffs, dives through tunnels and emerges above coves so blue they look edited. Olympos itself is a ruin overtaken by forest, a place where backpackers sleep in treehouses and the beach is never more than a short walk from ancient walls.
At night, the Chimaera flames flicker on the hillside above Çıralı, a natural phenomenon that has burned since ancient sailors used it as a landmark. It is a steep walk up, but the sight of flames emerging from bare rock in total darkness is worth the effort. A car gets you to the trailhead; your legs do the rest.
Check the conditions behind the price
The selected supplier’s terms and booking voucher control the rental. Review them before payment and again before collection.
Total payable price
Compare the full payable amount and inclusions rather than an unsupported daily-price promise.
Deposit and payment card
Confirm the deposit, accepted card type and whose name must appear on the card.
Excess and cover
Read the renter's liability, exclusions and what any optional protection actually changes.
Fuel policy
Know the collection level, return requirement and whether a refuelling charge can apply.
Mileage and territory
Check any distance limit and where the vehicle may be driven.
Extras and return
Price additional drivers, seats, after-hours service and one-way return before payment.
Choose for people, bags and roads
A category normally represents a group of similar cars, not a promise of one exact model.
- Compact: convenient for couples and tighter parking.
- Intermediate: more room for bags and longer journeys.
- Family or SUV category: useful only when the required capacity justifies it.
- Transmission: select automatic explicitly if manual is unsuitable.
Practical planning before departure
Coastal road east and west
The D400 runs through Kemer in both directions. West toward Olympos and Kalkan, the road is scenic but winding, with steep drops to the sea. East toward Antalya, it is wider and busier. Allow extra time in summer for holiday traffic and for queues at the mountain tunnel west of Kemer.
Parking in Kemer
The marina area has paid parking that fills quickly. Hotels on the western edge often have guest parking. For day trips to Olympos or Phaselis, use the designated car parks at each site; do not park on the roadside as it blocks the narrow coastal road.
Fuel and stops
Petrol stations are frequent on the D400 and in Kemer centre. Mountain roads have fewer stops, so fill up before heading inland. Many coastal stations stay open late in summer; mountain villages may have only a single pump with limited hours.
Toll roads
The main motorways near Antalya use electronic tolling. Most rental cars include a transponder. Ask your supplier how tolls are billed after return, especially if your route includes the airport tunnel or major highways.
Local access, road and operating conditions can change. Check current signs, your supplier instructions and the linked source before travelling: Kemer Municipality.
Build a realistic first journey
Kemer to Olympos and the Chimaera
Drive west along the D400 and turn inland at the Çıralı junction. Olypomos is a ruined Lycian city buried in forest, reachable by a short walk from the car park. At night, hike up to the Chimaera, where natural gas flames have burned from the rocks for thousands of years. Bring a torch and sturdy shoes.
Kemer to Phaselis
Just east of Kemer, the ancient harbour city of Phaselis sits on a pine-shaded peninsula with three harbours and calm swimming coves. It is an easy half-day trip from Kemer, ideal for combining history with a beach afternoon. The site car park is shaded and reasonably priced.
Kemer into the Taurus Mountains
Head north from Kemer and the road climbs into cedar forest, mountain pastures and villages where agriculture still dominates. The village of Beycik is a popular starting point for summit hikes, and the higher roads offer cool relief from coastal heat in midsummer.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Kemer?
Yes, if your licence was not issued in Turkey. Carry it with your original licence. Suppliers at Antalya Airport and in Kemer usually require it at pickup.
Is Kemer too touristy?
The centre is busy and commercial in peak season, but the surrounding area, especially west toward Olympos and east toward Phaselis, offers quieter alternatives. A car lets you escape the main strip easily.
What is the best car for mountain roads near Kemer?
A crossover or compact SUV adds confidence on steep, winding mountain roads and unpaved access tracks. In winter, snow tyres may be needed for the highest villages; check with your supplier if travelling between December and March.
Can I drive to Olympos beach?
You can drive to the Olympos car park, but the beach and ruins are reached on foot. The walk is flat but takes ten to fifteen minutes. Wear shoes you do not mind getting sandy, and carry water in summer.
Compare Kemer car hire
Enter dates above, then compare pickup method, vehicle category and complete supplier terms before booking.
Continue planning with Car hire Antalya Airport, Turkey car hire, Trabzon Airport Car Hire, Dalaman Airport Car Hire.