The Turkish Riviera with kids: where to stay and what to do

The coast around Antalya is one of the easiest beach destinations in Europe's reach for families: a flight of three to four hours from most of Germany, the UK and the Netherlands, long sandy beaches that slope gently, warm sea from June to October and resorts built around pools and kids' clubs. The choice that matters most with small children is where you stay: how long the drive from the airport is, and whether the beach is sand or pebbles.

The best areas for families

All of these have hotels and apartments that take children seriously. They differ in the beach, the transfer and what there is to do outside the hotel.

Times are daytime drives in normal traffic: from Antalya Airport, for Alanya from Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport and for Sarıgerme from Dalaman Airport.

How to choose

Keep the transfer short

After an early flight a long drive with tired children is the part of the holiday nobody remembers fondly. From Antalya Airport, Lara is about 20 minutes away and Kadriye about 30, while Side takes around 70 minutes, Alanya over two hours and İncekum about 1 hour 45 minutes. For Alanya and İncekum, check flights to Gazipaşa: from there Alanya is about 40 minutes. Sarıgerme is 25 minutes from Dalaman. All routes and times are under airport transfers.

Sand or pebbles

East of Antalya the coast is mostly sand that slopes gently into the sea: Lara, Belek, Side, Kumköy, İncekum and Alanya's Cleopatra Beach. Toddlers can sit in the shallows and build sandcastles. West of Antalya, around Kemer, Kaş and Kalkan, beaches are mostly pebbles and the water gets deep quickly; the sea is clearer and the scenery greener, but for small children it is harder work. Fethiye's Çalış Beach and Sarıgerme near Dalaman are calmer, sandier options on the Turquoise Coast; see our Çalış guide.

All-inclusive or apartment

Most family holidays here are all-inclusive: pools with slides, kids' clubs, child-friendly buffets and no shopping or cooking. It is the easy option for Belek, Lara and the resorts around Side. An apartment or a smaller hotel in a town such as Kumköy, Alanya or Kemer gives you more space, a kitchen for small eaters and real streets outside, but you organise meals and beach things yourself. Estimate both with the holiday budget calculator.

Things to do with children

The Land of Legends and aquaparks

The Land of Legends in Kadriye is a large theme park and water park with an evening show of lights and fountains, the main family attraction on the coast; read more in our Belek guide. Many resorts have their own slides, and there are standalone aquaparks in Antalya, Side, Alanya and Kemer that make an easy half-day out.

Boat trips

Slow river boats run down the Manavgat river to the sea, usually with a swim stop and lunch, an easy day even with small children. From most harbours, glass-bottom boats and pirate-style boats go out for a few hours with swim stops; choose a short trip with shade on board.

Aspendos, Düden and the canyon

The Roman theatre of Aspendos near Belek and Side is impressive even for children if you keep it to an hour in the morning. The Düden waterfalls in Antalya are a cool green break, and the lower falls drop straight into the sea at Lara. Rafting in Köprülü Canyon is gentle in summer, and many operators take children from about 6 years with life jackets and helmets.

Turtles at Dalyan

If you stay on the Turquoise Coast, the boat ride through the reeds to İztuzu Beach near Dalyan is a highlight: loggerhead turtles nest on the beach in summer and there is a small turtle rescue centre. See our Dalyan guide and more ideas under day trips.

When to go with kids

June and September are the best months for most families: average highs around 31 °C, the sea at 25 °C in June and 28 °C in September, and fewer crowds than in high summer. July and August are hot, with average highs of 34 °C and the sea at 28 to 29 °C; plan beach time for the morning and late afternoon and keep the middle of the day for shade, the pool or a nap.

School holidays fill the coast from late June to early September, and prices rise with them. May (sea 21 °C) and October (sea 25 °C, highs around 27 °C) are pleasant for sightseeing and pools, with fewer people on the beach. See the weather by month and compare costs with the holiday budget calculator.

Practical tips

Sun and heat

The sun is strong from May to September. Bring high-factor sunscreen, UV swimwear and hats, keep children in the shade between about 11 and 16 o'clock and make them drink regularly. Sunscreen, nappies and baby food are easy to buy in supermarkets and pharmacies in every resort.

Water shoes

On the pebble beaches of Kemer, Kaş and Kalkan, water shoes make the difference between happy and miserable children. They also help on rocky spots of sandy beaches and on hot sand at midday.

Child seats on transfers

Taxis and shared shuttle buses usually have no child seats. If you need one, book a private transfer in advance and ask for the seat by your child's age; most operators provide them. See airport transfers for times and typical costs.

Pharmacies and water

Pharmacies (eczane) are in every town, and one in each area stays open at night on a rota posted in the window. Most resorts have a doctor on call. Drink and mix baby milk with bottled water; tap water is safe for brushing teeth but most people do not drink it.