🏨 Side hotels and beaches for family vacations: what to choose in 2026

Side sits on a green peninsula between Antalya and Alanya. The beach and the ancient city are practically neighbors here. For a family trip, that is a rare combination.

But the resort stretches along the coast. Some hotels are in Colakli, others in Sorgun. The area determines how far you will walk to the sea every day.

Below is a breakdown of hotels with kids' facilities, calm beaches, excursions, and the season. The short answer for busy readers: with kids, pick a hotel with its own beach in Colakli or Sorgun. Swimming is more comfortable on the western side of the peninsula.

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About the Side resort

💡 In short:

With kids, choose a hotel with its own beach in Colakli or Sorgun.
Swimming is more comfortable on the western beaches: the entry into the sea is gentle.
Tickets and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the Turkish museums portal.

The Go Türkiye portal calls Side a port on a narrow peninsula about 80 km east of Antalya (official tourism portal). The city's history goes back to the 6th century BC. Over the centuries, Greeks, Pergamenes, Romans, and Byzantines all left their mark here. Old quarters and modern hotels stand side by side, and that creates a special atmosphere.

Today Side has turned into an open-air museum. You walk along cobbled streets, and ancient foundations are visible under the glass floors of shops. The ancient theater still hosts concerts. The Temple of Apollo greets the sunset right at the water's edge. For a family, this is convenient: you see history between swims, without long transfers.

Columns of the Temple of Apollo in Side against the sky

Vacation with kids: what to consider

The resort area is divided into several villages. You choose where to go. Sorgun, Titreyengol, and Kizilagac are surrounded by palm, pine, and orange groves. Kumkoy is tucked into a windless bay. Colakli is densely built up with hotels and has almost no greenery.

For families, the main criterion is one thing: the walk to the sea. In Side, many hotels are on the first line. Others shuttle guests to the beach by golf cart or bus. Check this in advance. Otherwise, you will have to walk to the water every day in the heat with a child and bags.

Water activities in Side are concentrated at the hotels. There are no large standalone water parks or dolphinariums in the city. But almost every family complex has water slides and a kids' club. That matters if your child cannot sit still.

Sandy beach with shallow water and beachgoers

Which hotel to choose

Side has many hotels: from modest family-run guesthouses to large all-inclusive complexes. Almost all of them cater to families. You will not have to look for a pool with slides or a kids' club outside your hotel. Below are ten complexes most often chosen for trips with kids.

Hotel	Area	Beach	Who it's for
Otium family stone palace	Colakli	private sandy	families with kids
Port river hotel spa	outside the center	sand and pebbles	animation lovers
Lake & River Side Hotel & Spa	by a river and lake	sandy, with a shuttle bus	families with toddlers
Dream World Hill	outside the center	private sandy	active families
Royal Atlantis Spa & Resort	Colakli, first line	long sandy	families who want to be by the sea
FUN&SUN FAMILY Serra Palace	by the sea	private beach	large families
Crystal Admiral Resort Suite & Spa	by the sea	sand and pebbles	for the water park
Club Hotel Turan Prince World	green area	wide sandy	kids of different ages
Bosphorus Sorgun Hotel	Sorgun	sandy	nature lovers
Vonresort Golden Coast	Colakli	wide sandy	for the pools and sea

Otium family stone palace

The complex in Colakli consists of several buildings and is surrounded by gardens with tall trees. The grounds feature pools with water slides, kids' carousels, swings, trampolines, and sports courts. There is a wellness center, bars, and restaurants. A paved path through palm-lined alleys leads to the private beach. The beach has a water sports center: banana boat rides, jet skiing, boat trips, and parasailing. The complex is surrounded by tall trees with lush canopies, so you will find shade even at midday.

Who it's for: families with kids who want the full range of entertainment inside the hotel.
Location: Colakli area, along the first line.
Beach: private sandy, with loungers, umbrellas, changing rooms, and a water sports center.
Book: prices on Trip.com

Port river hotel spa

The hotel is built in the shape of a multi-story cruise ship. It stands away from the city center. Guests have access to a spa, a gym, playgrounds, indoor and outdoor pools, water slides, a hammam, and restaurants. Rooms are bright, with air conditioning, bathrooms, TVs, and balconies. An animation team puts on shows and music concerts for you every evening.

Who it's for: families who enjoy evening shows and concerts.
Location: away from the center, next to a pine alley.
Beach: sand and pebble; you walk to the sea through a pine alley or ride an electric cart.
Book: rooms on Trip.com

Lake & river side hotel & spa

The complex stands between the Manavgat River and Lake Titreyengol. The buildings are designed in Ottoman architectural style with clean facade lines. The grounds are compact, planted with flowering shrubs and palm-lined walkways. There are adult and children's pools with slides, a spa, a hammam, a kids' club, a fitness center, restaurants, and bars. In the evenings, show programs, discos, and quizzes are organized for you.

Who it's for: families with children who want calm evening entertainment.
Location: between the river and the lake, in a green part of the resort.
Beach: sandy; a bus runs to the shore, and there is also a walking path along the lake.
Book: available dates on Trip.com

Dream World Hill

White hotel building with a curved facade

The hotel is easy to recognize by its blue facade. The complex stands away from the historic center. The grounds feature pools, water attractions, restaurants, and bars. A gym, spa center, and sauna are available for adults. Rooms are spacious, with air conditioning, safes, and refrigerators. Children enjoy the playroom with toys, and in the evening discos and shows are organized for them.

On the beach you will find showers, changing rooms, and a bar with soft drinks and snacks.

Who it's for: families with children who need a full evening program.
Location: away from the historic center.
Beach: private sandy beach, with loungers, umbrellas, showers, changing rooms, and a bar.
Book: see prices on Trip.com

Royal Atlantis spa & resort

The hotel occupies the first beachfront line in the village of Colakli. It consists of several six-story buildings. Rooms are spacious, in light tones. The grounds are planted with flowers, conifers, and palms. The infrastructure is extensive: pools and water slides, an amphitheater and a cinema, restaurants and bars, sports and play areas, a spa and a hammam. A kids' club with animation programs is available for children.

Who it's for: families with children who want a long beach right at the hotel.
Location: Colakli, first line.
Beach: long, with soft golden sand; loungers and umbrellas are freely available.
Book: prices and photos on Trip.com

FUN&SUN FAMILY Serra Palace

The complex consists of two buildings and separate bungalows. It sits almost right by the sea. Rooms come with TVs, air conditioning, safes, and minibars. Kids have plenty of room to roam here: two water parks, several pools, a children's playground with rides, sports courts, a gym, an amphitheater, a spa, and a sauna. The animation team runs contests, competitions, and concert programs for you.

The spacious apartments are furnished with comfortable furniture. The complex's private beach stretches along the shore, so you'll find a spot by the water even at the height of the season.

Who it's for: large families who value on-site bungalows and water parks.
Location: first line, by the sea.
Beach: private, right at the complex.
Book: availability on Trip.com

Crystal admiral resort suite & spa

The complex consists of one large six-story building arranged in a semicircle. The interiors are memorable for their panoramic elevators, glass partitions, and domes. The grounds feature lawns, palm and flower alleys, and coniferous shrubs. Guests have access to several pools, a water park, a gym, sports courts, a Turkish bath, and a spa. Kids have clubs and playgrounds, and the beach lies almost at the hotel.

Who it's for: families with children who want striking architecture and a water park.
Beach: private sand-and-pebble, close to the hotel; there are loungers, umbrellas, showers, changing rooms, and wooden walkways.
Book: rooms and prices on Trip.com

Club hotel turan prince world

Child at a colorful water slide in a water park

The complex consists of a main building and many two-story villas. The grounds are lush with citrus trees, palms, and shrubs. Guests can enjoy pools, a water park, an amusement park, a spa, and a mini zoo. For sports, there's soccer, tennis, volleyball, and basketball. Kids have playgrounds and play zones. In the evening, the animation team puts on discos, contests, and theatrical performances for you.

Who it's for: families with children of different ages: there's entertainment for both toddlers and teenagers.
Location: green grounds with villas and a garden.
Beach: wide sandy beach, next to the hotel, with loungers and umbrellas.
Book: booking on Trip.com

Bosphorus Sorgun Hotel

Hotel facade with pools and sun loungers

The hotel sits between the sea and the Manavgat River in Sorgun. The building is easy to recognize by its facade with decorative honeycomb elements. Guests are offered a cinema, a gym, children's play zones, a spa center, restaurants, and bars. A large outdoor pool with an unusual shape stands separately. The rooms' panoramic windows look out onto green scenery, and you can walk to the sandy beach.

Who it's for: families who value the green Sorgun area.
Location: Sorgun, between the sea and the river.
Beach: sandy, not far from the hotel, with loungers and shade canopies.
Book: prices on Trip.com

Vonresort Golden Coast

The complex consists of a main building and two wings and is located in the village of Colakli. The grounds are landscaped with lawns, palm alleys, and flowering shrubs. Guests have access to indoor and outdoor pools, a water park, a fitness center, a spa, sports courts, a game room, a kids' club, bars, and restaurants. The animation team works almost around the clock and puts on evening shows for you.

Who it's for: families with children who want both pools and the sea.
Location: Colakli, near the resort center.
Beach: wide sandy beach with a gentle entry into the water, changing rooms, and showers; banana boat, jet ski, and parasailing are available.
Book: see rooms on Trip.com

Which beach to choose

Aerial view of a sandy beach and ocean waves

The Side coastline is divided into western and eastern parts. Between them lies a cape with the ancient city. The western beaches stretch as a wide sandy strip. The entry into the water is gentle, so swimming with children here is relaxed. There are sections where it's still shallow even far from the shore.

The eastern shore is chosen by those seeking quiet. The sand here is coarser, and there are almost no bars, clubs, or shops along the water. But the sea is deeper than in the west. If your child is just learning to swim, the eastern part is less suitable.

The Sorgun beach stands apart. It's a well-maintained sandy strip surrounded by coniferous forest, palm groves, and citrus orchards. All entertainment is concentrated within the hotel grounds. You get the sea, the shade, and the infrastructure all nearby.

Excursions and boat trips

Sunset reflections on sea water and spray

From Side, it is easy to take a day trip to another city or into nature. The itinerary usually includes caves, waterfalls, canyons, national parks, mountain valleys, and lakes. A separate category is whitewater rafting on a mountain river. The Go Türkiye portal recommends a jeep safari through Green Canyon and rafting in Köprülü Canyon (Go Türkiye).

For sea lovers, scuba diving and yacht cruises along the coast are available. Day trips to Antalya and Alanya are popular. Many people book a tour to the Pamukkale terraces to see the snow-white travertine pools.

It is better to book excursions in advance. In high season, group spots sell out, and on site you will only be offered whatever is left. Booking ahead also lets you choose both the time and the guide.

Things to do with kids

On the beaches, you will be offered banana boat rides, catamaran rides, tubing, and jet skis. Diving, parasailing, and yacht cruises are also available.

With kids, it is worth taking a trip to Manavgat. The town lies in a green valley near the Taurus Mountains. It is home to a wide waterfall on a mountain river. Another family-friendly spot is the Discovery Park complex. Its grounds include a terrarium, an aquarium, a zoo, and an area with animatronic dinosaur figures.

A jeep safari through the surrounding area is also popular with families. During the trip, you will see the local flora and fauna. But keep in mind: the bumpy ride is not suitable for all children.

The ancient city of Side

The ancient city occupies a separate part of the peninsula. It is separated from the residential neighborhoods by a moat and small fortress walls. Here you will see triumphal arches, fragments of walls, marble sarcophagi, a market square, colonnaded streets, and Roman baths.

The main structure is the Roman theater. According to Go Türkiye, it could hold about 20,000 spectators (Go Türkiye portal). The theater stands apart from the hillside and still hosts concerts. In summer, open-air evening performances take place here.

Check tickets and opening hours for the ancient sites on the official museum portal of Türkiye (as of 09/2026, muze.gov.tr). A single MüzeKart gives access to more than 350 museums and archaeological sites across the country for a year.

Temple of Apollo and the Nymphaeum fountain

The Temple of Apollo is called the landmark of Side. From the large sanctuary, columns about nine meters high have survived. The top of the colonnade is decorated with a parapet featuring bas-reliefs and floral ornamentation. In the evening, the lighting is switched on, and that is the best time for your photos.

Colonnade of the ancient Nymphaeum fountain in Side

Nearby stands the Nymphaeum fountain. Only the facade remains of the monumental structure. It is divided into sections and arched niches with Corinthian columns. You can walk to both sites along the promenade.

Best time to visit

Sandy beach at the height of the swimming season

AIIllustrative image: AI-generated

The swimming season in Side lasts from April to November. The most comfortable time for families is June. The water is already warm, and the influx of visitors has not yet peaked. At the start of the season, there are fewer tourists, and hotels offer better prices.

In July and August, the heat sets in with no rainfall. The air warms up above thirty degrees. With the heat comes high season. Hotel prices rise, and the beaches get crowded.

The shoulder season works well if you want to combine the sea and sightseeing. In September, the heat eases, but the water stays warm. You still have time to swim and to see the ancient cities without the exhausting heat.

What to bring

Start with your documents. You will need passports, children's birth certificates, hotel vouchers, tour vouchers, medical insurance, and plane tickets. Keep copies on your phone. That way you won't be digging through papers at the airport.

For clothing, pack light, bright items made from natural fabrics. Add a couple of warm layers for the evening or a trip to the mountains. Workout clothes and shoes will come in handy for the hotel gym.

Don't forget sunscreen, hats, and comfortable shoes. In your travel first aid kit, pack fever reducers, antiseptic, something for an upset stomach, and anti-itch cream for bug bites. These small things save you in the first days of a vacation. A camera will also be useful, since there are plenty of scenic spots around Side. Just don't forget spare batteries and chargers.

How to get from Antalya Airport

The nearest major airport is in Antalya. From there, you drive to Side along the coastal highway. The trip takes about an hour. In summer, there can be traffic jams at the entrance to the resort area, so allow extra time.

You can get there by transfer, taxi, or rental car. With kids, a transfer is more convenient. You'll be met in the arrivals hall and driven straight to the hotel without any connections. It's better to book a car in advance. In the evening during high season, there are few available taxis at the terminal. Public transport requires a connection in Antalya, and with luggage, a stroller, and a child, that route takes a lot out of you.

Tours and tickets in Side

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Side with kids?

June and September are the most comfortable. The water is warm, and the heat is milder than in the peak of summer. In July and August, temperatures climb above thirty degrees, beaches are packed, and accommodation prices hit their peak. If you're going in summer, choose a hotel with pools and shaded grounds.

Which beach in Side is good for kids?

The western beaches. The entry into the sea is gentle, the sand is fine, and the water warms up quickly. The eastern shore is deeper and quieter, with almost no bars or entertainment. For families with little ones, the western side of the peninsula and Sorgun Beach near the hotels are more convenient.

How much does entry to the ancient city and museum cost?

Tickets for the ancient sites and the Side Museum are sold through the official Turkish museums portal (official Turkish museums website). Prices change by season, so check them before your trip. The MüzeKart gives access to more than 350 museums and archaeological sites across the country for a year.

Do I need an airport transfer in Side?

Antalya Airport is far from the resort, so book a car in advance. With kids, a pre-booked transfer is more convenient: the driver waits for you in the arrivals hall and takes you straight to the hotel. Bus connections with luggage and a child are exhausting, especially in the heat.

What should we see with kids besides the beach?

Take a trip to Manavgat Waterfall and the Discovery park complex with a zoo and aquarium. The hotels themselves have water parks, mini zoos, and kids' clubs. On the beaches, banana boat rides, catamarans, and parasailing are available for older kids.

In short: what to book

The choice comes down to two scenarios.

If you have little ones: pick a hotel with its own beach and kids' club in Colakli or Sorgun. You can compare options on Trip.com.
If you want excursions: book tours to Antalya and Manavgat Waterfall in advance. You'll find options on GetYourGuide.

Book a family room in advance. During high season, available dates with a crib go first.

Side with kids: how to choose a hotel, beach and entertainment