The Ultimate Turkey Travel Guide – Beaches, History & Family Adventures

The Ultimate Turkey Travel Guide – Beaches, History & Family Adventures

Some holidays are all about switching off.

You find a beautiful beach, unpack your suitcase, order something cold to drink and spend the next few days doing very little.

And then there are places where you somehow end up doing all of that and exploring ancient ruins, eating your way through local markets, jumping on a boat and discovering places you didn’t even know existed.

For us, Turkey is exactly that kind of destination.

One morning you can be walking between ancient Roman ruins, trying to imagine what life looked like thousands of years ago. A few hours later, you’re in the Mediterranean Sea, watching the kids build sandcastles or racing them down a water slide.

That combination is what makes Turkey such a fantastic destination for families.

There are beautiful beaches, fantastic food, friendly people, impressive historical sites and resorts where children can quite happily spend an entire day in the pool.

And the best part?

You don’t necessarily have to choose between adventure and relaxation.

Welcome to our Turkey travel guide for families – the places we love, the things we’d do with kids and the practical tips that can help you plan your own family adventure.

Why Turkey Works So Well for Families

When we plan a family holiday, we always look for roughly the same things.

Can the kids have fun?

Can we actually relax sometimes?

Is there enough to see and do?

And, preferably, can we do all of that without spending a fortune?

Turkey ticks a lot of those boxes.

You have:

• Warm Mediterranean weather
• Beautiful beaches
• Thousands of years of history
• Food with plenty of options for children
• Family resorts with pools, slides and kids’ clubs
• Boat trips and outdoor adventures
• Ancient cities and fascinating historical sites
• Plenty of opportunities to simply slow down

The Turkish Riviera is particularly good for families. Antalya, Belek and Side are all quite different, but together they offer a great mix of city, beach, history, adventure and resort life.

And honestly, that’s what we like most about travelling in this part of Turkey.

You don’t have to plan every day.

Sometimes a morning exploring ancient ruins followed by an afternoon by the pool is all you need.

Antalya: More Than Just the Airport

For many families, Antalya is where a Turkish holiday begins.

Most flights arrive here, but it would be a shame to simply collect your luggage and head straight to the resort.

Antalya itself is worth exploring.

We discovered that particularly well during a walking tour through Kaleiçi, Antalya’s historic old town. What started as a way to learn more about the city turned into one of those family experiences where we ended up learning about the history and eating our way through it.

The walking tour was incredibly informative, taking us through the narrow streets, old Ottoman houses and historic buildings of Kaleiçi. But somehow, the food became just as memorable as the history.

Of course, Evelijn had to have an ice cream.

But this wasn’t just any ice cream.

It came with the famous Turkish ice cream show, where the vendor twists, stretches and pulls the ice cream away just when you think you’re finally going to get it.

Let’s just say Evelijn wasn’t quite prepared for the experience.

She tried all sorts of ways to get the ice cream to stay in her hands, while the ice cream seller seemed to be having almost as much fun as she was.

And then there were the Turkish sweets.

During the walking tour, we stopped at a shop where we could try different kinds of Turkish sweets. Of course, we couldn’t just taste them and walk away.

We brought some home with us.

And those big handmade rolls?

So, so good.

They were the kind of holiday treat that somehow tastes even better when you know you discovered them while wandering through the old streets of Antalya.

And naturally, we couldn’t experience Turkish culture without joining in on the tea experience.

Tea isn’t just something you quickly drink in Turkey. It is part of the whole experience – sitting down, taking your time and enjoying the moment.

For us, that’s what made the walking tour through Kaleiçi so memorable.

We didn’t just learn about Antalya.

We tasted it, laughed our way through it and brought a little bit of it home with us.

If you’re planning to spend some time in the city, we’ve put together Antalya with Kids: Beaches, Old Town & Family Adventures, where you can find more of the places we’d recommend for families.

And if you’re flying into Antalya but don’t actually want to stay there, that’s fine too. Antalya Airport makes it a convenient starting point for exploring the Turkish Riviera.

Belek: When the Resort Becomes Part of the Holiday

If Antalya is about exploring, Belek is where you can properly slow down.

Belek is famous for its large family resorts, beautiful beaches, swimming pools and, most importantly when you’re travelling with children, water slides and entertainment.

And when we say family resort, Mega Saray really is the whole package.

We stayed here and quickly realised that you could spend an entire day at the resort without ever hearing the words, “I’m bored.”

There are several swimming pools, and we even had our own swim-up pool right outside our room.

Then there is the separate slide area, where the kids can really go wild.

And if they somehow manage to get tired of the pools, there’s the sea.

You can go parasailing, ride a Ringo and take part in all sorts of water activities. So there was really no shortage of things to do.

And then there was the food.

So. Much. Food.

It felt like there was something to eat practically all day long. But what made it particularly fun was that the different areas of the resort had their own specialities, with snacks and dishes being freshly prepared in different spots.

That did mean there was some walking involved.

Mega Saray is a big resort, so don’t expect to step out of your room and be everywhere within two minutes.

But honestly?

We didn’t mind.

Because every time we walked somewhere, there was usually another pool, snack stop, activity or little surprise along the way.

And the resort doesn’t stop when the sun goes down.

There is a kids’ club, a kids’ disco in the evening and theatre shows for the whole family.

It just didn’t stop.

And that, for us, is probably the best way to describe Mega Saray.

It is the kind of place where the resort itself becomes the holiday.

You can spend the morning at the pool, grab a freshly made snack, head to the sea for some water sports, wander back for dinner, let the kids dance at the kids’ disco and finish the evening watching a show.

Nobody needs to ask, “What are we going to do tomorrow?”

Because there is always something else to do.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you should spend your entire Turkey holiday inside a resort.

That’s one of the things we love about Belek.

You can have a completely lazy resort day one day and visit somewhere like Perge or Aspendos the next.

A morning walking through Roman ruins followed by an afternoon back at Mega Saray?

Yes, please.

That combination of adventure and relaxation is exactly why we think Belek works so well for families.

If you’re considering Belek for your own family holiday, our Belek with Kids: The Ultimate Family Resort Guide goes into much more detail about the area, the resorts and what there is to do beyond the hotel.

Side: Ancient Ruins, Beaches & One Very Important Family Lesson

And then there is Side.

Side is one of those places that immediately makes you stop and look around.

Ancient columns stand close to the sea, the Temple of Apollo rises above the coastline, and the old harbour and Roman ruins are right in the middle of town.

But if I’m completely honest, when I think back to our time in Side, my first memory isn’t the ruins.

It’s the afternoon we lost my niece, Amelie.

We had planned a lovely afternoon and evening in Side, with plenty of time for shopping, wandering around and enjoying the atmosphere. Everyone was having a great time.

Until suddenly, we realised someone was missing.

Amelie.

At first, we thought she must be just around the corner.

We went back to the last shop we’d been in.

No Amelie.

Okay…

What do we do next?

We tried calling her.

No answer.

That was the moment when the relaxed afternoon suddenly felt very different.

Then, thankfully, a woman walked up to us.

She asked if we were looking for a little blonde girl and told us we should go to the information point.

And there she was.

Nothing had happened.

Amelie had simply wandered off in the wrong direction because she had spotted other shops that looked interesting.

Let’s just say there was a very big sigh of relief from all of us.

And a lesson we haven’t forgotten.

Do a headcount before you move on. Every single time.

Especially when you’re travelling with a larger family group and everyone is busy looking at shops, food and all the things happening around you.

It was definitely not the way we’d planned to spend part of our afternoon, but it has become one of those family travel stories we still talk about.

And once the adrenaline had worn off, we could actually enjoy Side again.

Because Side really is a beautiful place to explore with children.

Ancient columns stand right beside the Mediterranean, and the Temple of Apollo makes an impressive backdrop for a walk through the old town.

The best part is that you can combine the history with a beach day.

Walk through the ancient ruins in the morning, stop for an ice cream, and then head down to the beach when everyone has had enough of history.

That combination of ancient history and the sea is what makes Side such a great family destination.

If you’re planning to visit, we’ve put together Side with Kids: Ancient Ruins, Beaches & Hidden Gems, where we share more about what to see and do in Side with children.

Things to Do in Turkey with Kids

One of the things we love about Turkey is that you don’t need to follow a packed itinerary.

One day can be completely different from the next.

And when you’re travelling with children, we think that’s a good thing.

You can spend the morning exploring an ancient city, have lunch somewhere local and finish the afternoon in the pool.

The next day can be a beach day.

And the day after that?

Maybe a boat trip.

That flexibility is one of the reasons Turkey works so well for a family holiday.

Spend a Day at the Beach

The Mediterranean coastline is beautiful, with clear, warm water and plenty of beaches where families can settle in for the day.

Around the Turkish Riviera, you’ll find everything from long sandy beaches to smaller bays.

Some beaches worth looking at include:

• Lara Beach near Antalya
• Belek Beach
• Side East Beach
• Konyaaltı Beach

Many have sunbeds, restaurants and activities nearby, which makes life considerably easier when you’re travelling with children.

Because let’s be honest – sometimes the best family activity is simply doing absolutely nothing for a few hours.

And after a few busy days of sightseeing, everyone might need that more than another attraction.

Cool Off at a Waterfall

Antalya isn’t only about beaches and ancient ruins. There are also some beautiful waterfalls in and around the city, making them a great option when you want to escape the heat for a while.

And yes, you can actually go into the water.

We couldn’t resist, of course.

After spending time swimming in the warm Mediterranean, we were expecting the water at the waterfall to be refreshing.

Let’s just say… we weren’t prepared for quite how refreshing it was.

The water was incredibly cold.

When I went in, the cold literally took my breath away. And that was despite being completely used to jumping into the sea to cool off.

We stood there laughing because none of us had expected it to be that cold.

But, of course, once you’re in, you’re in.

And after the initial shock, it was actually incredibly refreshing.

It’s one of those small travel moments that you don’t necessarily plan for, but that ends up becoming part of the story you tell afterwards.

Just don’t expect Mediterranean temperatures!

Explore Ancient Cities

Turkey is fantastic if your children enjoy exploring.

Aspendos is home to one of the best-preserved Roman theatres, while Perge is filled with impressive ruins and ancient streets.

And then there is Side, where you can combine ancient history with a beach day.

What we like about visiting these places with kids is that they can actually interact with what they see.

They can walk through the ruins, look for interesting details and imagine what people were doing there thousands of years ago.

It also helps that these aren’t just places where you’re expected to stand quietly and look at something behind glass.

You’re actually walking through history.

And if their attention span runs out?

That’s usually the moment for an ice cream.

Take a Boat Trip Along the Mediterranean

If you ask the kids what they remember most from a holiday, it isn’t always the big sights.

Sometimes it’s the day we spent on a boat.

The Turkish coast is perfect for this.

From Antalya and Side, you can book boat trips that take you to quiet bays and beautiful stretches of coastline. There is usually plenty of swimming, a chance to jump into the turquoise water and, depending on the trip, lunch on board.

For children, being allowed to jump off a boat into the sea is already an adventure.

For parents, it’s a pretty good way to spend a day too.

You can swim in hidden bays, discover little beaches, have lunch on the water and see the coastline from a completely different perspective.

And these are often the moments that stay with everyone long after the holiday is over.

Suluada: A Family Day on the Turquoise Mediterranean

If your family loves being on the water, there is another experience I’d definitely put on your Turkey wish list: Suluada.

This beautiful island off the Mediterranean coast is known for its incredibly clear, turquoise water and has even earned the nickname the Maldives of Turkey.

But for our girls, the highlight wasn’t actually the beautiful water.

It was jumping off the boat.

At first, neither of them was particularly keen.

The jump looked much higher from the top of the boat than it did from the water, and the height definitely made them hesitate. They watched other people jumping in and weren’t convinced that this was something they wanted to try.

But then they saw more and more people doing it.

And slowly, the hesitation turned into that familiar look of:

“Maybe I actually want to do this.”

Eventually, they went for it.

And once they’d made that first jump, they were so proud of themselves.

For us, those are the moments that make family travel so special. Not necessarily the beautiful view or the perfect beach, but watching your children push themselves just a little outside their comfort zone – and seeing the huge smile afterwards.

Of course, Suluada is also about the turquoise water, swimming, beautiful bays and spending a full day on the Mediterranean.

But if you ask the girls what they remember most?

I’m pretty sure the answer will be jumping off that boat.

We’ve put the whole experience together in Suluada: The Maldives of Turkey – A Family Day on the Turquoise Mediterranean, including what to expect from the boat trip and whether we’d recommend it for families.

Turkish Food: One of the Best Parts of the Trip

Let’s talk about food.

Because one of the easiest ways to make a family holiday better is to go somewhere where everyone can find something they like.

Turkey is brilliant for that.

There is plenty for adventurous eaters, but also lots of simple dishes for children who aren’t quite ready to try everything.

Think:

• Fresh gözleme
• Kebabs
• Rice dishes
• Fresh fruit
• Turkish ice cream
• Mezze
• Fresh bread
• Pide

And then there is breakfast.

A Turkish breakfast isn’t just something you eat quickly before heading to the beach. It’s practically an event.

Fresh bread, cheese, olives, eggs, fruit, jams and plenty of tea are spread across the table.

But there is one thing Anneloes still talks about – and, honestly, still seems to be mouth-watering over – the fresh simit with melted chocolate.

Warm, freshly baked simit with melted chocolate became one of those little holiday food memories that simply stuck.

Even now, mentioning Turkey somehow brings us straight back to that breakfast.

And I can understand why.

It is the kind of breakfast where you sit down thinking you’ll only have a little something and somehow you’re still eating half an hour later.

And nobody is complaining about that.

Food is also one of the easiest ways to make children feel comfortable when you’re travelling somewhere new. There are familiar flavours and simple dishes if they need them, but plenty of opportunities to try something different too.

We discovered quite a few favourites during our time in Turkey, and we’ve put those experiences together in Turkish Food with Kids: What We Loved Eating in Turkey if you’re wondering what to order when travelling with children.

Where to Stay in Turkey with Kids

There is a huge choice of family accommodation around Antalya, Belek and Side.

And this is where it pays to think about what kind of holiday you actually want.

If you’re travelling with younger children, a resort with a kids’ club, several pools and water slides can make life incredibly easy.

If you prefer exploring, you may want a smaller hotel where you’re not paying for facilities you won’t use.

Belek

Best for: an all-inclusive family holiday where the resort itself is part of the experience.

As we discovered at Mega Saray, you can easily spend an entire day at the resort without running out of things to do. The pools, slides, beach, water sports, food, kids’ club and evening entertainment really do make the resort part of the holiday.

Side

Best for: combining a beach holiday with history and sightseeing.

Antalya

Best for: city life, beaches, restaurants and day trips.

Lara

Best for: large family resorts and a convenient location close to Antalya Airport.

When we compare family hotels, we usually look at:

• Family rooms or connecting rooms
• Swimming pools and water slides
• Kids’ clubs
• Beach access
• Restaurants with child-friendly options
• Reviews from other families
• Location and transfer time

We also think about how much time we’re actually going to spend at the hotel.

If we’re planning to explore every day, we’d rather spend our money on experiences.

If the resort is going to be a big part of the holiday, however, we’re much more willing to pay for good pools, entertainment and family facilities.

And if you’re specifically looking for a resort, our Best Family Resorts in Turkey guide will help you compare the options once you’re ready to choose where to stay.

Is Turkey Really Family-Friendly?

We think so.

But whether Turkey is the right destination for your family depends on the kind of holiday you enjoy.

If your children love swimming, beaches, water slides, boat trips and exploring, there is a lot to like.

Turkey also makes family travel relatively easy because you can combine sightseeing with plenty of downtime.

You don’t have to spend every day visiting historical sites.

You don’t have to spend every day beside the pool either.

That flexibility is one of the biggest reasons we enjoy travelling here with children.

Of course, travelling with kids always comes with practical questions.

Is it easy to get around?

What is the food like?

Are the beaches suitable for children?

Is an all-inclusive resort worth it?

And how much sightseeing can you realistically fit into a family holiday?

We’ve answered those questions in Turkey with Kids: Is Turkey Really Family-Friendly?, because sometimes knowing what a destination is actually like with children is more useful than another list of things to see.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Turkey?

One of the reasons Turkey works so well for a family holiday is its long season.

Spring – April to June

Spring is a lovely time for exploring.

Temperatures are generally comfortable for sightseeing, there are fewer crowds and you can spend plenty of time outside without the intense summer heat.

If you want to combine sightseeing with beach time, late spring can be a great choice.

Summer – July and August

If your main priority is sunshine, swimming and beach days, summer is hard to beat.

It can get very hot, though, so keep that in mind if you’re planning lots of sightseeing with children.

For a resort holiday, the heat may be less of a problem because you can spend plenty of time in the pool or sea.

Autumn – September and October

This is probably our favourite period for a family trip.

The sea is still warm, the weather is usually lovely and the busiest summer crowds have started to disappear.

It can be a really nice balance between beach weather and exploring.

How to Get Around Turkey

Most families visiting the Turkish Riviera will fly into Antalya Airport.

From there, it is relatively easy to reach the main holiday areas:

Antalya Airport → Antalya

Antalya Airport → Belek

Antalya Airport → Side

If you’re staying in one destination and mainly planning resort days and organised excursions, you may not need a rental car.

If you want to explore more independently, however, renting a car can give you considerably more flexibility.

For us, it comes down to the kind of trip we’re planning.

If the plan is mostly pool, beach and a few organised excursions, we wouldn’t necessarily want a car sitting outside the hotel.

If we want to explore more of the coastline and surrounding area, having our own wheels can make things much easier.

How Many Days Do You Need in Turkey with Kids?

For a family holiday around the Turkish Riviera, we’d recommend at least one week.

Seven days gives you enough time to combine:

• Beach or pool days
• One or two sightseeing days
• A boat trip
• Some time exploring your destination
• Plenty of downtime

If you have 10–14 days, you can slow things down even more and combine several areas.

For example, you could spend part of your trip exploring Antalya or Side before finishing with a few relaxing days at a family resort in Belek.

But there is one thing we’d be careful about.

Don’t try to see everything.

Turkey is a huge country, and even around the Turkish Riviera there is always another ancient city, beach or boat trip you could add.

When you’re travelling with children, moving every couple of days can quickly turn a relaxing holiday into a suitcase marathon.

Sometimes fewer places and more time in each one makes for a much better family trip.

Want Us to Plan Your Turkey Itinerary?

By this point, you might have a whole list of places you want to see.

Antalya.

Side.

Belek.

Suluada.

Ancient ruins.

Boat trips.

Beach days.

And, obviously, some serious pool time.

But how do you turn all those ideas into an itinerary that actually works for your family?

That’s where we can help.

With our Let Travelicious Plan Your Trip, you tell us where you’re going, when you’re travelling, what your family enjoys, your budget and the things you definitely don’t want to do.

We’ll help turn all those ideas into a practical, family-friendly itinerary.

So instead of spending hours wondering whether you should stay three nights in Antalya or five nights in Side, you have a clear plan that fits your family.

You bring the destination. We’ll help you plan the adventure.

👉 Let Travelicious plan your Turkey itinerary

What to Pack for Turkey with Kids

Once you’ve worked out your route, the next question is usually:

What on earth do we pack?

For a summer family holiday, think lightweight clothing, swimwear, sun protection, comfortable shoes and something suitable for visiting historical sites.

If you’re planning boat trips, you’ll also want things like a waterproof bag, swim shoes and plenty of sun protection.

And don’t forget that ancient ruins can involve quite a bit of walking.

What you pack will also depend on whether you’re travelling in the height of summer, visiting in spring or autumn, or combining a resort stay with lots of sightseeing.

We’ve put together The Ultimate Turkey Packing List with the things we’d actually take on a family trip – including the practical items that are surprisingly easy to forget.

Turkey: A Family Adventure Waiting to Happen

What surprised us most about Turkey is just how easy it is to combine completely different types of holidays.

You can spend one day learning about Roman history and the next day doing absolutely nothing beside the pool.

You can wander through the streets of Antalya with an ice cream in your hand, explore ancient ruins in Side, spend the afternoon swimming in the sea or let the kids loose on a Belek water slide.

And that is exactly why Turkey works so well for families.

It doesn’t force you to choose.

You can have the beach holiday.

You can have the adventure.

You can have the history.

You can have the food.

And you can have those lazy days where everyone is happy because nobody has anywhere they need to be.

From the lively streets of Antalya to the family resorts of Belek, the ancient coastline of Side and the turquoise waters around Suluada, there is always another little adventure waiting around the corner.

So pack the sunscreen, leave a little room in the suitcase for Turkish sweets and get ready to explore.

Because Turkey isn’t just somewhere you go for a holiday.

It’s somewhere you can create an entire family adventure.