All-inclusive on the Turkish Riviera: what to know before you go

Most holidays on the coast around Antalya are booked as all-inclusive packages: flight, transfer and a resort where meals, drinks and the pool are covered. It is a relaxed way to travel, especially with children, but "all-inclusive" does not mean the same thing in every hotel. Here is what is usually included, which area suits which kind of trip, how tipping works in Turkey and how to get more out of the week.

The main all-inclusive areas

Almost every beach resort on the coast offers all-inclusive, but these are the areas where it is the norm. They differ mostly in the beach, the transfer time and what lies outside the hotel gate.

Times are daytime drives from Antalya Airport in normal traffic. For Konaklı and Avsallar a flight to Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport is often shorter; see Gazipaşa transfers.

What is usually included — and what is not

Included almost everywhere

Breakfast, lunch and dinner from the main buffet, snacks during the day (often a pancake or gözleme stand by the pool, ice cream in the afternoon) and local drinks: soft drinks, tea and coffee, Turkish beer and wine, rakı and locally made spirits. Pools, sunbeds and parasols on the beach, the evening animation programme and the kids' club are part of the package in most resorts. Wi-Fi is now included in nearly all hotels, though it can be slow on the beach.

Often limited or extra

À la carte restaurants (Turkish, Italian, Asian, fish) are usually included once or a few times per stay, but you must book a table and the best evenings go fast. Some charge a small cover fee or extra for certain dishes. Imported drinks and premium spirits (brand-name whisky, gin, cocktails with them), fresh-squeezed juice, Turkish coffee in some bars, and bottled wine at dinner are often extra.

The spa, hamam and massages are almost always paid; a sauna or steam room may be free. The minibar varies: some hotels refill water and soft drinks daily, others charge for everything. Water sports, tennis lessons, babysitting, room service at night and the doctor also cost extra.

"Ultra" all-inclusive

There is no fixed rule for "ultra all-inclusive", "premium" or "deluxe" all-inclusive. Usually it adds some imported drinks, more à la carte visits or a stocked minibar, but every hotel and tour operator defines it differently. Read the hotel's own all-inclusive concept in your package, not just the label, and check opening hours: some bars close at midnight, and the 24-hour offer may be limited to a snack bar.

Choosing the region

Lara is the shortest transfer on the coast and puts Antalya's old town within a taxi ride; read our Lara and Kundu guide. Belek has the biggest, most polished resorts and the golf courses; see the Belek guide. Around Side, the Çolaklı and Evrenseki strip is the classic family choice with very shallow sand, and Side's ancient town is close by; see the Side guide.

East of Manavgat, Kızılağaç is quieter, with fewer shops and bars outside the hotels; see our Manavgat guide. Avsallar and İncekum combine fine sand with pine forest (Avsallar–İncekum guide), and Konaklı near Alanya is often the most affordable (Konaklı guide). West of Antalya, Kemer and Tekirova have pebble beaches, clear water and mountains behind; see the Kemer guide.

The time column in the table shows the drive from Antalya Airport. It roughly doubles from Belek to Side and again towards Alanya, so with small children or a short trip the airport distance matters as much as the hotel. For families, our Turkish Riviera with kids guide compares beaches in more detail.

Tipping in Turkey

Tipping in Turkey is customary, not mandatory. Staff in resorts earn modest wages, so a tip is appreciated, but nobody will expect it as a condition of service. These are general customs, not rules:

Who usually gets a tip

Restaurants outside the hotel: around 5–10% if service is not already on the bill; in a simple café, rounding up is enough. Housekeeping: a small amount left on the pillow every few days, rather than once at the end, tends to reach the person who cleans your room. Bar staff and waiters in an all-inclusive hotel: optional; a little at the start of the week or for someone who looks after you is a kind gesture.

Transfer drivers and guides: a small tip per person at the end of a transfer or tour is common. Hamam attendants: a small tip after a scrub and foam massage is usual. In resort areas, tips in Turkish lira or euros are both accepted; small notes are easier for everyone than coins.

Tips for a better all-inclusive week

In the hotel

Keep your wristband on: it is your ticket to the bars and restaurants. Book the à la carte restaurants on the first day, before the best evenings are full. Sunbed rules differ: some hotels remove towels left without anyone around, others tolerate them; follow the hotel's rules and don't reserve a bed you won't use for hours. In July and August keep the middle of the day for the shade, the pool or a nap, and drink plenty of water.

Get out at least once

The coast has much more than the hotel. Plan at least one of our day trips, visit a local market on one of the market days or spend a day on the water with boat trips. Budget for the extras (drinks, excursions, spa, tips) with the holiday budget calculator, pick your dates with the weather by month and check the Antalya Airport transfers for your resort.