
Where to go in Turkey with kids: 6 resorts, hotels and season
Turkey remains the easiest destination for a first seaside vacation with kids. Warm sea, all-inclusive hotels, and a short flight from Germany take half the parental worries off your plate.
Finding a resort for any age here is easy, from the quiet coves of Kemer to bustling Antalya. The drive from the airport to most family hotels takes between half an hour and two hours, so arrival day doesn't turn into an ordeal.
We've broken down six major resorts, seven family hotels, the best months to travel, and what to do with kids outside the pool.
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What to know before you go
💡 In short:
- All-inclusive covers more than just food: kids' clubs, heated pools, and entertainment are included in the price.
- For first trips with little ones, Kemer, Side, and the Lara area of Antalya are convenient.
- The most comfortable months for a vacation with kids: early June and September.
- Tickets and opening hours for parks and the aquarium: 09/2026, verified on the aquarium's official website.
All Turkish family resorts are set up similarly. The hotel sits on the first line, has its own beach, a kids' club, and all-inclusive dining. What differs is the climate, beaches, and distance from the airport.
Choose the beach based on your child's age. In Side and Antalya it's sand and a gentle entry, in Kemer it's pebbles and very clear water, and on the Aegean coast the sea is calm with almost no waves.
Resort | Beach | Season | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
Antalya | sand, fine pebbles | May-October | first trip, close to the airport |
Kemer | pebbles, sand and pebbles | May-October | clear water, quiet coves |
Alanya | sand, fine pebbles | April-November | warmest season, lower prices |
Side | soft sand | May-October | little ones, gentle entry |
Bodrum | sand | May-October | mild climate, premium service |
Marmaris | sand, pebbles | May-October | calm sea, no waves |
Plan your trip in advance. In June and September, family hotels with a water park sell out quickly, and direct flights from Germany get cheaper several months before departure.
Bring familiar medications and baby food from home if your child is used to them. Everything is available locally, but familiar products save your nerves in the first days. Pack a first-aid kit ahead of time too: sunscreen, insect bite remedies, and fever reducers.
The Mediterranean coast is warmer and has a longer season. The Aegean is milder and calmer at sea, but the swimming season here is shorter. For a first trip with little ones, look for a hotel with a heated kids' pool and a gentle entry into the water.
If you arrive in the evening, arrange a transfer in advance. After a long journey with kids, waiting for a car in the heat is the last thing you want, and a driver with a sign solves that problem.
Antalya
© Esginmurat · CC BY-SAPhoto: Esginmurat, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsAntalya is the country's largest resort and the most convenient option for a first trip with kids. The beaches here are sandy with fine pebbles, and the water entry is gentle. There are more all-inclusive hotels here than at any other resort in Turkey.
Choose a hotel based on the beach and the line. Family complexes in Lara have their own shoreline with loungers and umbrellas, and the drive to them takes less than half an hour. Check in advance whether there's a heated kids' pool and a club for little ones.
You won't be bored outside the hotel. Aktur Park has rides for both toddlers and teenagers (according to the official website). Nearby is an aquarium with the world's longest glass tunnel, measuring 131 meters (as of 09/2026, official website). In total there are more than 40 themed halls: you'll see sharks, a sunken ship, and a snow zone.
Antalya's districts differ by beach. Lara is a sandy shore with a gentle entry into the water. Konyaaltı is a pebble beach right by the city, but it's easy to reach from the hotel. Quiet and green Belek is chosen by families with little ones; there are many complexes with water parks here.
The old town of Kaleiçi is pleasant for an evening stroll: narrow streets, a port, and a view of the bay. From here you can take boat trips along the Düden Waterfall, and on the promenade you'll find cafes and fish restaurants.
Kemer
© Emin Başar ÖZDEMİR · CC BYPhoto: Emin Başar ÖZDEMİR, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsKemer is surrounded by orange groves and pine forests, so even in the heat it's easier to breathe here. The air mixes the scent of pine needles and the sea, and most beaches are pebble or sand-and-pebble. The water stays clear all season.
With kids, choose quiet Tekirova, away from the noisy center. Here you'll find calm beaches, tangerine groves, and a gentle entry into the water. The cleanest coves are in Göynük, and the Tahtalı Mountain cable car takes you up with a panorama of the entire coast.
Kids will love Dinopark near Göynük. It's Turkey's first dinosaur park: the models are life-size, move, and roar (according to the official website). Kemer's hotels are often on the first line and have their own beach.
Kemer's beach line stretches along the entire bay. Right at the center the shore is pebbly, in Beldibi and Çamyuva the strip is wider with more shade from the pines. Toward Tekirova it becomes completely quiet.
The promenade is easy to walk: smooth paths connect hotels, cafes, and small parks. It's comfortable with a stroller here, and you don't need a car for the whole vacation.
Alanya
© Ozgurmulazimoglu · CC BY-SAPhoto: Ozgurmulazimoglu, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsAlanya is the warmest region of Turkey, and the season here opens as early as the second half of April. The beaches have Blue Flag status, and prices are lower than in Antalya. Many resorts sit in well-kept green gardens.
If you are traveling with a baby on a special diet, it is better to bring formula and cereal from home. Hotels have entertainers for children, and almost every one has a kids' club, playgrounds, and a nanny.
Nearby, in Okurcalar, the Water Planet aquapark is open. Half of the slides here are designed for small children, and the rest will appeal to teenagers. In the town, you can climb up to the fortress on the cliff and go down to the caves where pirates once hid.
Side
© Dosseman · CC BY-SAPhoto: Dosseman, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsSide is a small town between Antalya and Alanya, founded by the ancient Greeks. Soft sand, a gentle entry into the sea, and pine groves make it one of the best places for a family vacation. The air itself is saturated with pine phytoncides.
The drive from Antalya Airport is short, and you will spend just over an hour on the road. People come here by car or by dolmus, and almost all hotels in Side are located by the sea and operate on an all-inclusive basis.
Choose your beach in advance. The western shore is convenient for toddlers: clean soft sand, a safe entry, and plenty of entertainment. The eastern shore is quieter, with orange groves nearby, and turtles often crawl onto the sand.
The town has preserved the ruins of an ancient polis and an amphitheater. In summer, opera and ballet performances take place on its stage, and the Manavgat Waterfall roars nearby.
The Side Archaeological Museum is housed right in the old baths building, so there is plenty to do here even on a hot day. In the evening the town becomes quiet, and strolling along the promenade with a stroller is easy.
Bodrum
© The 3B's · CC BYPhoto: The 3B's, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsBodrum stands on the site of ancient Halicarnassus and is considered the liveliest party town on the Aegean coast. For families with children, there are still quiet areas here, so look for a hotel with some distance from the center.
The climate in Bodrum is milder than on the Mediterranean coast. In midsummer it is not as hot here, and the greenery and sea soften the heat. With children, stay near Bitez Bay, away from the nightclubs. The beaches there are sandy, and pines and mandarin trees grow along the shore.
Bodrum is more expensive than Antalya, but the service is also better. Children will enjoy the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, and the remains of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, are worth seeing for adults too.
For water activities, you can go to Bodrum Aquapark, formerly Dedeman. It has a wave pool, gentle slides for little ones, and attractions for teenagers.
Marmaris
© Mstyslav Chernov · CC BY-SAPhoto: Mstyslav Chernov, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsMarmaris is protected by mountains on three sides, so the sea in the bay is always calm. The water is warm and salty, and it keeps even those who are still afraid of depth well afloat. The entry into the water is gradual, with no rocks or sudden drop-offs.
Cedar and pine groves rise above the town. The air blends sea freshness with the scent of pine needles, and the suburbs are noticeably quieter than the center.
Families usually choose hotels in the suburbs. They have their own grounds with pools, a kids' club, and all-inclusive dining. This way you avoid the nighttime noise of club complexes.
From Marmaris it is easy to reach natural attractions: the town of Dalyan with the turtles of Iztuzu Beach, Lake Köyceğiz, and the Kız-Kumu sand spit.
Hotels in Marmaris on Trip.com
How to choose a hotel
For a vacation with children, hotels with large green grounds, a water park, and a kids' club are a good fit. Below are resorts from different areas that families choose most often.
Look at the hotel's beach and its shoreline. A private sandy beach with a gentle entry is more convenient for toddlers than a public beach two stops away. If you are traveling with a child under three, ask about cribs in advance.
Radisson Blu Resort & Spa
A large hotel on the first line of the Aegean coast. The well-kept grounds feature several outdoor heated pools, with a relaxation area with loungers and canopies nearby. The private sandy beach is a couple of minutes' walk away, and the entry into the water is gradual.
A junior club, a separate children's pool, and playgrounds are available for kids. You will also find a spa with a sauna, hammam, and an indoor pool with hydromassage, as well as restaurants serving Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine.
Ilica Hotel Spa & Wellness Resort
© mertaydogdu · CC BYPhoto: mertaydogdu, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe hotel stands right on the Aegean shore, and its private beach has been awarded the Blue Flag. The beach is equipped with loungers and umbrellas, and the entry into the water is gradual and convenient for toddlers.
The grounds include a complex of several outdoor pools, one of them with thermal water. Buffet dining is served in a restaurant with panoramic windows. There are family rooms, some with panoramic windows and a hydromassage bathtub.
A mini club, play areas, and a pool with slides are available for kids. You have access to spa treatments, massage, and a modern gym. A water park where you can spend the whole day is nearby.
prices at Ilica Hotel Cesme on Trip.com
VONRESORT Golden Coast & Aqua
One of the most kid-friendly hotels in this selection, the whole concept is designed for families. The large green grounds house residential buildings and a water park with slides, with several more outdoor heated pools nearby.
The spa area includes an indoor pool, sauna, and hammam, and beauty treatment rooms are available. The fitness center has modern equipment, and you can do yoga outdoors with an instructor.
Dining is buffet style, and the Safran restaurant prepares Italian and Turkish dishes. A clean sandy beach is a couple of minutes' walk away, the entry into the water is easy even for toddlers, and there is plenty of entertainment on the shore.
prices at VONRESORT Golden Coast on Trip.com
Liberty Hotels Lara
A comfortable complex in Lara with highly developed infrastructure. The grounds include two outdoor pools with slides, tennis courts, and a fitness center, and there is a quiet relaxation zone by the pool. The private beach with soft sand is nearby, with a volleyball court set up there.
Rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a refrigerator, a safe, and a minibar. The restaurant offers a wide selection of buffet dishes and a separate children's menu. You can grab a snack during the day at the pool and beach bars.
A shallow pool with slides is set up for kids, and an animation team and kids' club are available. Programs are designed for both toddlers and teenagers: from games to sports competitions.
prices at Liberty Hotels Lara on Trip.com
Vogue Hotel Supreme Bodrum
A hotel in Bodrum with huge grounds immersed in greenery and flowers. There is an entire water park with slides, outdoor pools, a garden, and sports areas. Two fully equipped beaches are at your disposal.
Dining is provided by several restaurants, operating both buffet style and à la carte. There is a special menu for children, plus a patisserie and bars throughout the grounds and on the beaches.
The spa center offers treatments based on Ayurvedic recipes, and you can relax in the sauna and Turkish hammam. A club village for kids has its own pools, an amusement park, and a mini zoo, with workshops held there as well.
prices at Vogue Hotel Bodrum on Trip.com
Aska Lara Resort & Spa Hotel
© Mike Finn · CC BYPhoto: Mike Finn, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsA large resort complex in Lara designed for family vacations. The grounds feature a water park with slides and zones for both active and quiet relaxation. The sandy beach is equipped with loungers, a wooden pier, and VIP gazebos.
The animation team keeps guests of all ages entertained. Mornings start with exercise and sports competitions, afternoons feature workshops, and evenings bring show programs. You won't have to come up with entertainment on your own.
The wellness center offers massage and beauty treatment rooms, a hammam, and an indoor pool. A mini club is open for kids, where teachers and caregivers work with them, so children quickly make friends.
prices at Aska Lara Antalya on Trip.com
Gloria Serenity Resort
The hotel offers spacious rooms with balconies and views of the sea or blooming gardens. Its private beach is right on the shoreline, and you can book beauty treatments directly on the beach.
The spa center offers thalassotherapy, several types of massage, a sauna and a Turkish bath, as well as hydromassage tubs. The resort's restaurants serve everything from Japanese cuisine to Turkish dishes, and the bars offer a wide selection of drinks and fresh fruit cocktails.
There is a kids' club for children, and the animation team runs activities for them throughout the day.
prices at Gloria Serenity Belek on Trip.com
How to compare hotels. Look at three things: distance to the beach, an on-site water park, and the size of the kids' club. A beachfront hotel saves you the commute, and an on-site water park replaces trips into town.
For toddlers, warm water in the children's pool and a gentle entry matter more than the number of slides. For teenagers, look for a volleyball court, tennis courts, and evening show programs.
Almost all of the hotels listed here operate on an all-inclusive basis and are located by the sea. The beach, pools, and dining are right at hand, and you can head into town for entertainment.
Compare prices for the same dates across several resorts. The weekly price difference between similar hotels can be significant, so choose from several options rather than just the first one.
What to see
Turkey is interesting for more than just its beaches. To keep your vacation from turning into a string of identical days, get out of the hotel and visit local attractions.
In Antalya, that means Aktur Park and the aquarium with its long glass tunnel; in Kemer, the dinosaur trail at Dinopark and the cable car up Mount Tahtali. In Alanya, it is worth climbing up to the fortress, and in Side, walking through the ruins of the ancient city and the amphitheater.
On the Aegean coast, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology in Bodrum are worth a visit. From Marmaris, people travel to the town of Dalyan to see the turtles of Iztuzu Beach and the Kiz-Kumu sandbar.
In any city with children, stop by the local bazaar or market, and in the evening head to the amusement park. Check opening hours and ticket prices on official websites in advance.
Best time to visit
Most Turkish hotels operate year-round, but the best time for a family vacation depends on the region. On the Anatolian coast, midsummer is very hot, especially in Alanya.
For a trip with children, choose early June or September. During these months the sea is already warm and the heat is mild. There are fewer vacationers, so the beaches are calmer and prices are lower than in high season.
On the Aegean coast, the climate is milder and the season is shorter. In Bodrum and Marmaris you will be comfortable as early as June and in September, and at the height of summer it is easier to breathe there than in Antalya.
Getting there and transfers
The region's main air gateway is Antalya Airport. From here it takes less than half an hour to reach Lara hotels, just over an hour to Side and Kemer, and about two hours to Alanya.
For Bodrum and Marmaris, it is more convenient to fly into Dalaman or Bodrum airports. From there, transfers or dolmus buses run to the resorts, and plenty of taxis and minibuses are available on arrival.
If you are traveling with children and luggage, book an airport transfer in advance. That way you will be met with a sign and driven straight to your hotel, without having to find a car after a long flight.
Tours and tickets in Antalya
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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Turkey with children?
The best months for a trip are early June and September. The sea is already warm, the heat is mild, and there are fewer tourists. On the Aegean coast, both June and September are comfortable. Mid-July and August are best avoided: in Alanya and Antalya it is very hot at that time, even in the evening.
Which resort should I choose for a family vacation?
For a first trip, Kemer and Side are good options: quiet beaches, a gentle slope into the water, and plenty of family hotels. Antalya is convenient because of its proximity to the airport and its amusement parks. Bodrum and Marmaris are more expensive, but they offer a mild climate and calm sea. Alanya is the warmest and opens its season earlier.
What is included in the all-inclusive package?
The price usually includes buffet meals, drinks, kids' club access, entertainment, and use of the pools. Small, shallow toddler pools are often heated. When booking, check whether the water park, nanny service, and à la carte restaurants are included in the rate, as these often cost extra.
What can children do outside the hotel?
Kids enjoy water parks, the aquarium in Antalya, and Dinopark in Kemer, where the dinosaur models are life-size. Alanya has the Water Planet water park, and Bodrum has Bodrum Aquapark. In the evening you can visit an amusement park or take a stroll through the local bazaar.
Do I need to book the hotel in advance?
Yes, and as early as possible. Family hotels with a water park and kids' club sell out quickly in June and September, especially rooms for four. Book several months ahead. Excursions and airport transfers are also best booked in advance so you do not overpay on the spot.
In short: what to book
If you are traveling with toddlers for the first time, choose a hotel in Kemer or Side: calm sea and a gentle slope into the water. For entertainment for older children, pick Antalya with its parks and aquarium.
If a mild climate and a short flight matter to you, look at Bodrum and Marmaris. Budget-conscious families will like Alanya with its long season and below-average prices.
Start with this selection of family hotels on Trip.com. Excursions, tickets, and flights are easy to compare by your travel dates.


