Destinations / Antalya
Antalya with kids
The coast around Belek is built for families who want one resort for the whole week: long sandy beaches, big pools with slides, kids' clubs from toddler age and a board that covers food and drink. The Land of Legends park sits in the same stretch, so a theme-park and aqua-park day needs no long transfer. Flights from the UK and Germany are about four hours, and prices run well below Spain or the Algarve for the same standard of hotel.
Antalya
Which ages it suits
Ages 0–2 · Good
Cots, high chairs and baby rooms at the better resorts, and Turkish restaurants are relaxed with small children. July and August heat above 35C is hard on babies, so May, June or September suit better.
Ages 3–6 · Great
The sweet spot. Shallow pools, splash areas, kids' clubs from age 3 or 4 and short transfers from the airport.
Ages 7–12 · Great
Slides, aqua parks and the Land of Legends rides keep this group busy. Most clubs run programmes up to 12.
Ages 13–17 · Good
Some resorts run teen clubs (Papillon Belvil and IC Santai list a 13–17 club), and the water slides work, but resort life can feel repetitive after a few days. Add excursions.
When to go with children
Weather for kids and school-holiday crowds together. Best: May, June, September, October.
- May · 24°C
- May: sea about 20C, warm days and lower prices before school holidays. Some water parks and outdoor pools are open, but the sea is cool for small children.
- June · 29°C
- June: hot and sunny with the sea warm enough for kids. Quieter than July and August until UK and German school holidays start.
- July · 34°C
- July: peak season. Daytime highs commonly reach the mid-30s C and prices and crowds peak, so plan indoor or shaded time in the afternoon.
- September · 30°C
- September: sea still warm, heat easing and prices dropping after the German and UK holidays. One of the best months for families who can travel in term time.
- October · 24°C
- October: warm days, a sea still comfortable for swimming and fewer crowds. Some resort facilities and parks start to shorten their programmes.
- December · 13°C
- December: mild but not beach weather. Several resorts close facilities or reduce kids' club hours in winter; the Land of Legends runs a New Year programme, so check what is open.
Parks and days out, by car
Typical minutes by car from Belek. School-holiday traffic can add a lot.
Rides, a Nickelodeon-themed area, shows and a large water park on one ticket, open 10:00–21:00 per the park's site; the official site showed an adult day ticket at EUR 50 and child (4–11) at EUR 40, with online discounts. Buy online and check which areas are open in winter.
Best for 4–14 · Adult day from about $55 · Tickets on GetYourGuide · Official site
Park-run water slides including a funnel slide, a free-fall capsule slide, a family raft slide and a kids' play tower. Seasonal, so confirm it is open before you go outside summer.
Best for 5–16 · Adult day from about $55 · Tickets on GetYourGuide · Official site
Dolphin shows and meet-and-greet passes sold through the park. Captive-dolphin attractions are controversial with some families, so decide before you book.
Best for 4–12 · Tickets on GetYourGuide · Official site
Free to walk: Roman-era Hadrian's Gate, narrow lanes and a small harbour with boat trips. Go early or late in summer, as the cobbles hold heat.
Best for 6+ · Tickets on GetYourGuide
A walk-through tunnel aquarium, with a snow world and a wildlife park sold separately on site. Ticket resellers quote about $33 adult and $25 child for entry only; hours differ between sellers, so check on the day.
Best for 3–12 · Adult day from about $35 · Tickets on GetYourGuide · Official site
Where to stay
Belek
Purpose-built resort strip with the largest all-inclusive hotels, sandy beaches and the Land of Legends close by.
Lara
Beach hotels on the edge of Antalya city, about 25 minutes from the airport, with the Aquarium and the old town within reach.
Side / Manavgat
Quieter coast east of Antalya with a historic old town, long beaches and a cluster of big family aqua-park hotels.
Family resorts we checked
Top-end all-inclusive resort with a dedicated children's area split by age.
A true 2+2 family room with a door between the sleeping areas at a Kempinski standard.
Kids sleep in SpongeBob, PAW Patrol, Dora, Ninja Turtles or Star Trek themed rooms next to a theme park.
A Kids Suite sized for four with bunks, in a resort whose clubs start from age 0.
A 70 m2 two-bedroom family room, which gives a 2+2 family real separation.
Large slide park and a two-bedroom family room at a lower price than Belek's big names.
A 10-night trip, paced for kids
Land at the resort
Transfers from the airport to Belek take about 35 to 40 minutes. Keep days one and two on the beach and pools, with the kids' club to settle in.
Land of Legends
Do the theme park and Aqua Land on one day, starting at 10:00 when it opens. Leave the next day free, as these are long, hot days for small children.
Antalya old town and aquarium
Spend the morning in Kaleici and the harbour, with lunch in the shade. Visit the Aquarium after a rest.
Side or Aspendos
Drive to Side for the ruins, beach and ice cream, or to Aspendos for the Roman theatre. Children over 7 enjoy it more.
Pool and beach finish
Back to the resort for pool days and the club. Pack and keep the last evening early before the airport transfer.
Good to know
- The catch
- July and August heat above 35C means most of the day is spent in water or shade, and big outings should start at park opening.
- Flights
- Antalya (AYT) has nonstops from most UK airports (about 4h30 from London) and from German hubs (about 3h30–4h). From the US East Coast there is usually one stop in Istanbul, around 12–14 hours in total.
- Jet lag
- Turkey is UTC+3 all year, so 2 hours ahead of the UK in summer and 3 in winter; about 7 hours ahead of US East in summer. Little jet lag from Europe.
- Health
- Tap water is not drunk; use bottled. Strong sun and heat in July and August; no malaria risk on the coast.
- Safety
- The UK FCDO (updated 27 October 2026) advises against travel only within 10 km of the Syria border; Antalya, Belek, Side and Lara are not on that list. Check the page again before you book.
- Getting around
- Resort transfers are easy; hire cars are not needed for Belek. Pavements are patchy in old towns, so bring a lightweight pushchair. Taxis and tour pick-ups are common.
- Budget
- About $200 a night for a mid-range family room for four, $550 for luxury, plus about $90 a day for food, transport and outings.
Pairs well with: Cyprus, Crete
Partner links are marked and may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Kids' club ages, seasons and prices change; check with the provider before booking.