Turkey is the best country for family vacations. All-Inclusive and Ultra All-Inclusive systems, combined with the refined service of Turkish hotels, make for a worry-free experience. Kids enjoy activities with animators in hotel kids’ clubs, Turkish water parks are a delight for everyone, and resort life is vibrant, with bars, clubs, discos, and concerts. Add the wonderful nature and local attractions (yes, Turkey has more than just beach relaxation), and you get the perfect setting for a peaceful escape! All Turkish resorts generously share the sun with their guests, but each has its own peculiarities. We tell you which one to choose, depending on your favorite type of vacation.

Antalya

This is Turkey’s most popular and largest resort, with many shops, markets, cafes, restaurants, discos, and nightclubs. The city has parks, squares, fountains, and charming cobbled streets.
In Antalya, there’s plenty to do besides beach-going: water parks, an aquarium, amusement parks, a zoo, and bustling eastern bazaars. The liveliest spot is Beach Park, part of Konyaalti Beach, near the aquarium, where the nightlife is especially lively.
Antalya’s beaches suit every taste. The most popular sandy beaches are in Kundu and Lara districts, while the 7-kilometer pebble Konyaalti Beach is always lively. For sunbathing on rocks, central beaches offer platforms for sun loungers and swimming.
Things to see: The old city with Hadrian’s Gate and the Yivli and Kesik minarets, and the archaeological museum filled with ancient sculptures.

Bodrum

Bodrum is Turkey's most bohemian and lively resort—a favorite of top model Kate Moss and Hollywood star Nicole Kidman. The city lies on Turkey’s southwestern coast on the bay of the Aegean Sea, with direct flights from Riga. The city’s charm is accentuated by its whitewashed houses.
Beaches are either pebbled or with imported sand. For family-friendly beaches, try Akyarlar (gentle entry and fine sand) or Bitez (long shore). Gumbet Beach is ideal for those ready to dance all night, while in Gelturk Buku, you might spot celebrities drawn to the mandarin groves and pine forests. Couples often choose the romantic town of Torba, 11 km from Bodrum, a quiet, upscale town perfect for relaxation, while Bodrum itself is great for entertainment.
Bodrum has as many clubs as hotels, and time in the famous “Halikarnas,” one of the largest dance floors in the world for 5,000 guests, is a must. Strolling down Bar Street with its unique bar interiors is also a unique experience.
Things to see: The Castle of St. Peter (Bodrum Fortress) with its Museum of Underwater Archaeology, the Mausoleum of Mausolus (one of the 7 wonders of the world, just 15 minutes away in neighboring Halicarnassus), and an ancient amphitheater.

Alanya

Alanya, the southernmost and most family-friendly resort, features sand-pebble beaches. Cleopatra Beach, with its turquoise water and Blue Flag certification, is one of the best. Alanya has a calm sea, especially in season, making it ideal for families with children.
Most hotels are across a road from the beach, accessed via underpasses. Alanya has an amusement park, a water park with 23 slides, a wave pool, a children’s pool, and foam parties with dancing. There’s also a 3D cinema, fish and spice markets, and a tea market.
Nearby, the Sealanya Marine Park combines water attractions, swimming with dolphins, observing sharks, and swimming among coral reefs with tropical fish.
Things to see: The 13th-century Red Tower with a museum, a Byzantine fortress with 140 towers, and the Damlatas Cave with 15,000-year-old stalactites and stalagmites.

Kemer

Located 45 kilometers from Antalya, Kemer is known for its microclimate. Situated at the foot of the Taurus Mountains, covered in evergreen pines, the air remains fresh even on hot days.
The beaches here are pebbly or sand-pebbly, and the sea is very clean. Hotels in Kemer have small areas, as the mountains are close to the sea.
Kemer has a lively nightlife with numerous bars, discos, and nightclubs. Nearby towns are quieter, offering a peaceful stay for families with children or older guests.
Kemer’s attractions include a Moonlight Park with a small zoo, a dolphinarium, a beautiful marina, and a weekly eastern bazaar.
Things to see: Ruins of the ancient cities of Phaselis and Olympus with temples, amphitheaters, and aqueducts. You can also take a boat excursion to see the remains of the ancient sunken city of Ucagiz or head to the picturesque Goynuk canyon with waterfalls.

Belek

A young resort 30 km from Antalya, Belek has already gained a reputation as Turkey’s most respectable destination.
Belek’s clean golden-sand beaches with easy sea access are among Turkey’s best and ideal for children.
Most hotels are four- and five-star, often featuring pools, beauty salons, gardens, and clubs.
Belek is a destination for total relaxation, featuring numerous golf courses, and is sometimes called Turkey’s golf capital.
In the center of the resort is a clock tower, a beautiful mosque, and a landscaped park with an artificial waterfall. Seven kilometers away, Kadriye village offers fountains and a Turkish bazaar on Tuesdays. The Land of Legends, Turkey’s largest entertainment park, offers 20 amusement park attractions, 40 water slides, and a lovely shopping avenue.
Things to see: Ruins of the ancient cities of Perge and Aspendos, Kursunlu Waterfall, Koprulu National Park, and the “Bird Paradise” reserve, home to more than 40 exotic bird species.

Side

A resort 65 km from Antalya Airport, Side offers an encounter with ancient history near the sea, with remnants of the Temple of Apollo from the 2nd century BC, an ancient amphitheater, aqueduct, and other attractions in the old town.
The city streets offer rest under the shade of banana trees, junipers, cypresses, and palms. Side also has the Discovery Park with a small zoo, figures of cartoon characters, a terrarium, aquarium, and dinosaur park.
Side’s beaches are sandy or sand-pebble, and in the suburban areas of Kumkoy and Colakli, they are clean and sandy.
Things to see: The archaeological museum, the ancient bridge of Aspendos, Aktur Lunapark, the waterfall, and the Green Mosque in nearby Manavgat.