Tours to Turkey: which resort to choose and when to go
A tour to Turkey bundles flights, hotel, and meals into one package. For travelers from Europe, it's the simplest way to spend a week on the Mediterranean. You pick the dates and hotel category, and the tour operator handles everything else.
The catch is something else. The southern coast stretches for hundreds of kilometers, and the resorts differ noticeably. One suits a family with kids, another is better for those looking for history and nightlife. We've put together the swimming season, an overview of six resorts, and what's included in the all-inclusive package so you can choose without surprises.
Short answer: for a first introduction, go with Antalya, for a calm family beach look at Belek, and for sea and mountains head to Kemer. Bodrum and Fethiye stand apart on the western end of the coast.
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Why people keep choosing tours to Turkey
💡 In short:
- One payment for the tour covers accommodation, meals, drinks, and entertainment at the hotel.
- The resort is chosen by type of vacation: city and history, beach with kids, or nature.
- The swimming season on the southern coast runs from May to November.
The all-inclusive system is what makes package vacations in Turkey work. Add to that a long swimming season. The sea here is warm, and the beaches are interspersed with ancient cities, fortresses, and old ports (according to the official goTürkiye tourism portal).
This combination meets the needs of both families and travelers who explore the country independently. Below we break down when to go, which resort to choose, and what's included in the package.
Swimming season: when to go to the Mediterranean
The swimming season on the southern coast runs from May to November. The water near Antalya warms up to 29 °C in August, and in other months stays in the range of 17 to 29 °C (as of 09/2026, weather-and-climate.com).
© Alexkom000 · CC BYPhoto: Alexkom000, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe peak heat falls in July and August. With small children, June or September is calmer: the sea is already warm, and the air is milder. In September you get warm water and fewer people on the beach.
If you go in May, bring a windbreaker for the evenings. The water at the start of the season may feel cool, but the beaches are empty and prices are lower.
Resorts in Turkey: what to choose
The resorts of the southern coast differ in logistics and character. Below are six destinations that most often appear in package tours.
Resort | Type of vacation |
|---|---|
Antalya | big city: beaches, old town, and history |
Belek | hotel zone with all-inclusive |
Kemer | sea and mountains, nature nearby |
Alanya | long coastline in the east |
Fethiye | calm bay in the southwest |
Bodrum | west of the Riviera, Aegean Sea |
Excursions to ancient cities are easier to book in advance, especially in high season (browse excursions on GetYourGuide).
Antalya
Antalya remains the largest resort on the coast. The beaches here sit side by side with the old town and historical sights. From the airport you can get to your hotel quickly.
The city suits both sea lovers and those who want to wander narrow streets.
- How to get there: about 15 km from the airport (by map).
- Who it's for: those who want to combine the beach and the old town.
Belek
Belek is located east of Antalya Airport (by map). It's a quiet beach area of all-inclusive hotels, convenient for family vacations.
© King Otto · CC BY-SAPhoto: King Otto, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons- How to get there: about 30 km from the airport (by map).
- Who it's for: families with children.
Kemer
Kemer lies south of Antalya, at the foot of the mountains (by map). Here the sea meets nature, with forested slopes rising up to the coastline. The resort is a good fit if you want to alternate between the beach and walks.
© Emin Başar ÖZDEMİR · CC BYPhoto: Emin Başar ÖZDEMİR, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons- Who it's for: those who want sea and mountains in one trip.
Alanya
Alanya sits in the eastern part of the coast, farther from the airport (about 130 km by map). The drive takes about two hours, but the resort stretches along the sea as a long strip of beaches.
© Ozgurmulazimoglu · CC BY-SAPhoto: Ozgurmulazimoglu, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons- How to get there: about 130 km from the airport (by map).
- The catch: far from the airport, about two hours on the road.
Fethiye
Fethiye is located in the southwest, near the bay (by map). Travelers choose this resort for its relaxed pace and surrounding nature. It's closer to fly into Dalaman Airport rather than Antalya.
© Alexander Annenkov from Moscow, Russia · CC BYPhoto: Alexander Annenkov from Moscow, Russia, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons- Who it's for: those who don't like busy hotel complexes.
Bodrum
Bodrum closes out the list at the western end of the Riviera, already on the Aegean Sea (according to goTürkiye). It's more convenient to fly into Bodrum Airport rather than Antalya.
© The 3B's · CC BYPhoto: The 3B's, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons- The catch: it's a long drive from Antalya, so a direct flight is the better choice.
All-inclusive: what's included
In practice, all-inclusive means breakfast, lunch, and dinner as a buffet, non-alcoholic and local alcoholic drinks, pools, and entertainment.
Paid options almost always remain. Premium imported alcohol, the spa, and a la carte restaurants are usually charged separately. Check the list of services before booking so you don't get surprises at the front desk.
For families, all-inclusive removes the question of finding food and activities for the whole day.
Hotels: what to look for when choosing
There are a huge number of hotels in Turkey, so don't look at the stars, look at the specifics. First, check the distance to the sea and the type of beach, whether it's private or public. Then look at the meal plan: all-inclusive saves you time and money on food.
Delphin Palace in the Lara Beach area is on the first line, 10 km from the airport and 15 km from central Antalya (as of 09/2026, checked 14.09.2026 on the official website).
© Jörg Fuhrmann (Intermerker) · CC BY-SAPhoto: Jörg Fuhrmann (Intermerker), CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsWhen choosing, pay attention to the dates: prices are higher in high season. If your budget is limited, plan your trip for early October.
How to get there: Antalya Airport and transfers
The southern coast is primarily served by Antalya Airport (AYT). From the terminal to hotels in the Lara Beach area it's about 10 km, to Belek roughly 30 km, to Kemer about 60 km (by map).
© Smart580 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Smart580, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsPackage tours often include a group transfer. If you're traveling on your own or want your own schedule, arrange your transfer in advance so you don't end up standing outside the terminal.
Tours and tickets in Antalya
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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to go to Turkey for a beach vacation?
The swimming season on the southern coast opens in May and lasts through November. June and September are the most comfortable: the sea is warm and the heat is milder. In August the water is warmest, but the beaches are crowded (as of 09/2026, water temperature by month).
What's included in an all-inclusive tour?
Usually it includes accommodation, a buffet three times a day, local drinks, pools, and entertainment. Premium alcohol, spa access, and a la carte restaurants are often separate. The list of services depends on the hotel, so check it before booking.
Which resort should I choose for a vacation with kids?
Antalya and Belek are convenient for families: beaches are close by, and hotels have entertainment and pools. Kemer works well if you want to add walks near the mountains. Alanya is farther from the airport, but the beach strip there is long.
When should I book a tour to Turkey?
Booking 2-3 months before your trip usually gives you a wider selection, making it easier to find the right hotel and dates. Last-minute tours offer discounts, but the choice of hotels is limited.
How much does a tour to Turkey cost?
There's no single answer: the price depends on the season, resort, and hotel category. Compare what's included in the all-inclusive package and factor in the flight and transfer. A midweek stay is usually cheaper than a weekend one.
In short: what's worth booking
If this is your first trip, go with Antalya and an all-inclusive hotel. If you're traveling with kids, look at Belek. If you want sea and mountains, choose Kemer. For a long, quiet beach, Alanya is a good fit, and for a trip to the Aegean Sea, go with Bodrum. A calm bay in the southwest awaits you in Fethiye.
Start by choosing a hotel: check prices for Antalya hotels on Trip.com. Then check what's included in your package and arrange an airport transfer.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.