Antalya or Side – where is it better to relax in 2021
Both popular Turkish resorts are in great demand among Russians. And when planning their next trip, many people think – which is better: Antalya or Side? There are both similarities and differences between them. Similarities are expressed in the presence of a large number of excellent hotels, a high level of service, beaches marked with the Blue Flag, a variety of excursion programs, and excellent shopping.
Best time to travel
As a resort, Antalya has been developing since the end of the 20th century, but even today it can offer tourists a lot – first of all, first-class hotels and a high level of service. Therefore, you can come here even in the low season, which lasts from the end of November to the first half of April.
You will stay in great hotels at low prices, swim in indoor pools, go on excursions, go sightseeing, relax in spas. Take a break from the Russian frosts, gain impressions and save money at the same time.
In April and May it is already possible to sunbathe in the sun, but the sea is still cold, especially for children.
The summer months are traditionally the most popular, the disadvantages include scorching heat in the middle of the day, high prices and the fact that excursions in extreme heat are not very comfortable. The velvet season will offer the best value for money. Air and water temperatures are starting to drop, and so are prices.
You can swim in Side for 6 months. If you want to save a lot, come in May or the last month of autumn. From the end of November to April is a good time for excursions. The attitude towards the few tourists during this period is especially reverent, prices are reduced to a minimum (except for the New Year holidays).
Very crowded in summer. Be prepared for the fact that during the day the air temperature rises to + 35 ° C, the prices are very high. The ideal month is October, the “velvet season”. The water in the sea is warm, there are plenty of fruits, you will pay much less for hotel accommodation and excursions than in summer.
Climate and weather
The climate in Antalya is quite humid, so it is difficult to endure the heat here. Keep this in mind if you are planning a summer vacation. In April, the air temperature is already more than +20°C, and from mid-May it is quite possible to swim. But at night it can be quite cool, so warm clothes will not interfere. These months are great for excursions.
In summer, the daily temperature rises to +38-39°С, and the sea water is warmed up to +29-29°С. It is comfortable to walk only after sunset. In September it is hot, almost like in summer, the “velvet season” begins in October, when the temperature drops below +30°C. From November to April, it is quite warm, during the day it can be up to +17 ° С, but precipitation is a fairly frequent phenomenon, rains sometimes prevent you from going on an excursion.
View prices for tours to Anatlia
In Side, the climate is somewhat drier. During spring, the air temperature rises from +18°С (in March) to +25°С (in May). In the last month of spring, many people are already swimming – the water is warmed up to +21°C. In summer it is hot and stuffy, the average temperature is +34°C, but can reach +39°C. At this time, beach activities are especially popular.
You can swim almost all autumn – until mid-November. During the day it is warm enough to walk around in light clothes, but in late autumn you will almost certainly find it raining. In winter, it is usually + 16-17 ° С, cloudy, although the sun often peeks out. Very comfortable time for sightseeing.
Hotels
Both Turkish resorts offer tourists rest in comfortable hotels. It is best to stay in a 5* hotel. In this case, you will not be disappointed with the food – there will be a large selection of quality dishes and drinks. Entertainment programs in the “fives” are very rich, and well-trained staff speaks Russian.
What options are worth paying attention to?
Antalya:
Concorde De Luxe Resort 5 – 1st coastline, luxurious rooms, great spa. An abundance of sports entertainment, tennis courts and numerous swimming pools.
IC Green Palace 5 is designed in Asian style, natural materials and wood are used in the design. Very green area with exotic plants.
Limak Lara De Luxe Hotel & Resort 5 is located in the Lara microdistrict. A large selection of rooms, numerous restaurants offer cuisine from around the world, swimming pools for adults and children.
Royal Seginus 5 – different types of rooms, its own amusement park and water park, the hotel is suitable for business events.
Club Hotel Sera 5 is an elegant complex with over 500 rooms. Meals according to the program “ultra all inclusive“. On the territory of shops, hairdressers, beauty salons, entertainment centers.
Delphin Imperial Lara 5 – a memorable design, the most comfortable stay. Bowling, spa, own water park and disco.
Lara Barut Collection 5 is a boutique hotel with spacious rooms, plenty of entertainment, its own cinema, live music.
Side:
Side Crown Palace 5 – a very large and comfortable hotel, all-inclusive meals, restaurants, a “children's table” for younger guests.
LRS Port River & Spa 5 – Features a private beach, pools with water slides, an on-site spa and shopping mall.
Side Star Elegance 5 – own stretch of coastline, sports activities, car rental, windsurfing.
Horus Paradise Luxury Resort 5 has its own garden with citrus and olive trees, historical sights are nearby, and bazaars are also two steps away. Exceptionally comfortable rooms.
Alva Donna Beach Resort Comfort 5 – a lot of trees and shrubs on the territory, a beach equipped with everything you need, entertainment for adults and children.
Nashira Resort Hotel & Aqua-Spa 5 – own water park, evening shows, tennis, entertainment programs for children.
Holiday prices
The price of tours depends on the category of the hotel, high or low season, the city where you will fly from. To save money, you can take part in the “Early Booking” promotion or purchase a “hot tour”. On average, it is worth focusing on such prices.
Antalya:
Side:
The cost is indicated for 2 tourists, departure from Moscow. The price includes: flight, transfer, insurance and all-inclusive meals.
Vacation with children
In beautiful and well-groomed Antalya, there is everything for parents with children to spend time comfortably. The beach season here is long. An important plus is that the road from the airport to the hotel will take only about half an hour. Also here you will find a large selection of entertainment programs, beaches – pebble and sand, many of which have been awarded the Blue Flag. Teenagers will not get bored either – Antalya offers many interesting excursions.
At the service of parents are shops where you can buy everything you need for a child, pharmacies, cafes aimed at young tourists. In hotels, especially 5 * category, every little thing is thought out, and the service here is at a high level. Perhaps the only negative – if you go on vacation in the high season, and your child is very small – Antalya may seem too noisy, at this time it is difficult to find a quiet and peaceful corner.
Side has a very mild climate suitable for children. There is a clear sea, wonderful sandy beaches. You can choose a family hotel, where you will be offered a wide range of entertainment programs for children. Older children will be interested in the local monuments of architecture.
Almost every hotel has a fairly spacious green area where it is pleasant to walk with a child. The atmosphere at the resort is calm, it will be comfortable even with babies. Hotels, as a rule, have a special menu for kids, which is healthy and tasty at the same time. There is also a corner where mothers can cook meals – everything you need for this is sold in local stores.
Of the minuses – it will take quite a long time to get from the airport to the hotel.
Beaches
The resorts have beaches that are widely known. So, all tourists usually visit Konyalti in Antalya, this sand and pebble beach is wide and long, stretches for 8 km. The entrance to the sea here is different – there are gentle areas, which is convenient for children, there is a sharp increase in depth, and a rocky seabed, which is ideal for divers.
One part of the beach is for those who want to sunbathe “on a towel”, in the other part the infrastructure is more developed – there are showers, sunbeds, and much more – for an additional fee, of course. The beach is clean and cleaned regularly. Marked with the Blue Flag. Children will enjoy playgrounds, adults – prices for snacks and drinks at the bar.
Topcham attracts tourists with beautiful landscapes. Nearby is the Olympos National Park. The beach is far from the city center. The coverage here is sand and pebble, the infrastructure is developed. It will be comfortable to relax here with children.
Beach Park will appeal to those who love not only to bask in the sun, but also appreciate the opportunity to play sports – there are many opportunities for this. The cover is sandy, the length is about 1.5 km. Showers, changing rooms, sun loungers are available. There are many cafes and bars nearby, in the evenings discos are noisy on the shore.
Mermerli – the size is small, the depth grows quickly. Parents with children are unlikely to like it here, but if you do not want to move away from the city center and you like beautiful views, then this beach will suit you.
Adalar is a beach on platforms. You will have to pay for the rest here, but comfort awaits you. In the sea you have to go down the stairs. This place will appeal to those who love a relaxing holiday.
Lara – there are many hotels near this beach. There is sand on the shore, but it has a rather dark color. Part of the coastal zone belongs to hotels, but other tourists who have not settled in them will find a place to sunbathe. The beach is very clean as is the sea. But swimmers should be careful – near the coast, currents, both warm and cold, await them. Next to Lara is the Museum of Sand Sculptures.
Side will delight vacationers with a calm sea. There are rarely storms and waves of considerable height.
West Beach is considered municipal. You can sunbathe here for free. You have to pay only for a sun lounger and an umbrella. The infrastructure is developed, everything is available: from toilets and showers to cafes and sports entertainment. For children there are water attractions. You can go on a boat trip or scuba dive. At the same time, there are areas of shallow water on the beach where small children will like to splash around. There are shops near the coastline; in the evenings, young people come to this area for discos.
The eastern beach is sandy and not crowded, the entrance to the water is rather gentle. On the shore lies sand of a beautiful golden color, but there are also pebbles. There are no shops and clubs here, but you can sit in a cafe. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available for a fee.
Kumkoy is located a few kilometers from the center. Young people like to gather here, and in the evenings it is especially noisy and crowded. Bars, discos and nightclubs are waiting for you.
Sorgun is located in the village of the same name near Side. There are coniferous forests and palm trees, as well as citrus trees. Families with children like to come here – the rest is calm and comfortable.
Excursions
The resorts offer you a rich excursion program. You can see the sights located directly at these resorts, as well as in other regions of the country, order a group or individual tour. Such a tour involves insurance, transport services, guide services and meals on the route.
Travel agencies are located at every turn, but it is safest to book excursions in your hotel.
Where can you go from Antalya?
Pamukkale. This is a whole complex that all tourists who come to Turkey try to visit. You will see the ruins of the ancient city, but, most importantly, visit the thermal springs, admire the beautiful white terraces resembling mountains of cotton. You can even swim in the healing water. Keep in mind that the tour takes a long time, in the heat it is difficult for children and the elderly to stay in the sun for so long.
Sightseeing tour. During this trip, the guide will introduce tourists to the sights of the Old Town, they will also climb the cable car to the top of one of the mountains, from where they can admire the panorama.
Rafting and safari. Suitable for those who love extreme entertainment. First, tourists will have to raft along the river, located in the national park, and then a mini-trip on ATVs.
Demre-Mira-Kekova. Involves sightseeing of historical sights. In the city of Mira, tourists will see tombs, an ancient theater. In Demre, they will visit the ancient church in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, and during a boat trip they will see the remains of a sunken city. It was destroyed during an earthquake.
Jerusalem and Istanbul. During these excursions it will be possible to see the famous cities, see their main sights. Tourists will fit in one day – the cost includes air travel, an excursion program, meals. Don't miss the opportunity to explore ancient Istanbul and swim in the Dead Sea.
No less diverse excursion program will be offered to you in Side.
From here you can also go to Pamukkale, take a tour along the Demre-Mira-Kekova route. What else is waiting for you?
Cappodocia. You will visit the valley where volcanoes erupted. The landscapes here are simply amazing. The journey will take 2 days. You will see the Goreme reserve, picturesque valleys, a rock fortress, the city of Saratly, located underground and ancient temples.
Diving. Adults and teenagers over 14 years old can dive. It will be interesting for both beginners and experienced scuba divers. All necessary equipment is provided. An instructor will accompany you.
Tourists will get acquainted with the rich underwater world, it will also be possible to see sunken ships and flooded caves.
Sapadere Canyon. Located near Alanya. The trip will take about half a day, you will enjoy wonderful views, ride in jeeps, walk along the hiking trail, swim in the natural pool.
Yacht trip. It will take about 7 hours, you will admire the scenery, there will also be a feast and a foam party. This walk is more suitable for young people.
Entertainment
The seething, crowded Antalya is rich in entertainment. You can order rafting on the Kepruchay River, go to a beautiful aquarium, visit the Dinosaur Park. The local zoo, where many animals and birds live, will be interesting for children and adults. The Upper Duden and Lower Duden waterfalls, as well as the Koprulu Canyon, are very beautiful. Nature lovers will also enjoy a trip to the trout farm.
Adventure park awaits guests in Side – an amusement park that will appeal to fans of extreme sports. Here they will find bungees, suspension bridges, and much more. You can go rafting, go for a walk on the sea or along the river. Many hotels have mini-aqua parks; the travel agency offers safaris and fishing trips. There is also no shortage of nightclubs and shops.
Service
In Antalya, you will definitely not have language barriers. Almost every hotel of category 4-5 has Russian-speaking employees, and basic English is understood by everyone involved in the tourism industry. Be careful when choosing a hotel. If you are young, you will not like the hotel, where pensioners from Europe usually come to relax. And families with children will feel uncomfortable surrounded by noisy youth who love to “hang out” at discos until late.
All-inclusive holidays are in great demand, the service is excellent, but some points are paid extra. For example, hookah and certain types of alcohol. Spa and massage lovers will also not be disappointed with their stay in Antalya.
In Side, 5 * hotels can provide their guests with a high level of comfort. There are private beaches, entertainment programs, all-inclusive meals. Add to this magnificent beaches, Turkish baths, massage – and the rest will be wonderful.
shopping
Prices in Antalya are quite high. Therefore, it is better to buy things and souvenirs either in large shopping centers (especially at sales), or in a market where you can bargain. What to buy – everyone chooses to their taste. From here they bring sweets and tea, spices and olive oil, furs, leather goods, and ceramics. Shops close late, most are open until 21:00, and some – until the night.
If you are planning expensive purchases – for example, you want to buy a mink coat, gold items or carpets – go to branded stores, where all goods are guaranteed to be of high quality.
Please shopping and Side. From here, ceramics with beautiful hand-painting are brought as gifts to friends, a popular product is carpets made of wool or silk (a cheaper option is synthetics). Tourists also buy cezves, and coffee along with them. Clothing, textiles and leather goods will delight you too. Children can bring Turkish delight and other Turkish sweets.
Reviews of tourists
Tourists have long appreciated Antalya, many fly here year after year. In their reviews, they note that the resort is focused on different categories of guests. Children, teenagers and young people will feel great here. A big plus is the presence of the airport nearby. Of the minuses – only the influx of tourists in the high season.
Side is preferred by those who like a more relaxing holiday. There are many 5* hotels here, where guests are provided with a high level of comfort. The territories of these hotels are so large that they resemble beautiful parks. But finding an economy option for living in Side, especially in summer, is quite difficult. The resort is aimed at wealthy tourists.
Conclusion
Both resorts will be an excellent choice for those who are going to spend their holidays in Turkey. Side has a milder climate, it is quieter, calmer, more expensive hotels. You will not be bored in Antalya, hotels – for every taste and budget, shopping, excursions and nightclubs, discos on the beach and extreme entertainment – are waiting for you. Turkey welcomes tourists, and popular resorts welcome Russians with unfailing hospitality.