Turkey’s Mediterranean coast is one of the world’s best holiday regions for families with children: long sandy beaches, shallow clear water, resorts with water parks and warm hospitality. This guide looks beyond Antalya city at Mediterranean family resorts in Alanya, Side, Kemer and Ölüdeniz, and what each area offers families.
Why a Family Holiday on the Mediterranean?
The swimming season on the Mediterranean coast is long and the sea is usually calm. All inclusive makes it easy to keep children fed and watered all day, and thanks to kids’ clubs and entertainment teams, parents get time to relax too. The differences between the areas let you choose according to your family’s holiday style.
Alanya: Castle, Beach and a Wide Choice
Alanya is very popular with families thanks to the fine sand of Cleopatra Beach, its historic castle and lively town centre. The choice of hotels is huge, including family-focused properties such as Larina Family Resort Hotel, A Good Life Utopia Family Resort and Sun Heaven Family & Spa. Damlataş Cave, the cable car up to the castle and boat trips are all activities children enjoy.
Side: Ancient City and Calm Beaches
Side adds history to your holiday with its ancient theatre and the Temple of Apollo, while wide beaches and family clubs are ideal for children. Family-focused stays such as Side Family Suite and Gülce Family Aparthotel sit alongside big resorts. The Manavgat waterfall and a river boat trip are easy day trips from Side.
Kemer: Nature and Boat Trips
Where pine-covered mountains meet the sea, Kemer is a lovely alternative for nature-loving families. Beaches are mostly pebbly, but the water is exceptionally clear. Kids concept hotels in Çamyuva such as Seven Seas Hotel Life and Kimeros Park Holiday Village stand out, and boat trips along the coves are a children’s favourite.
Ölüdeniz: A Shallow Lagoon and Nature
In Muğla, Ölüdeniz has a shallow, calm lagoon that is a wonderful swimming spot for families with small children. Alize Hotel Ölüdeniz and the alcohol-free Ölüdeniz Manzara Family Hotel are examples of family stays. Watching paragliders drift down from Babadağ and a boat trip to Butterfly Valley create unforgettable moments for children.
What to Check When Choosing a Family Resort
- Beach: choose a sandy beach with a gentle slope for small children.
- Pools: check for separate baby, children’s and slide areas.
- Kids’ club: check the age range and opening hours.
- Room: ask about family rooms or connecting rooms.
- Concept: decide between all inclusive, alcohol-free or half board.
When to Go and Getting There
July and August, with the school holidays, are the busiest; June and September are quieter while the sea is still warm. Alanya, Side and Kemer are reached via Antalya Airport and Ölüdeniz via Dalaman Airport; Gazipaşa Airport is another option for Alanya. When travelling with children, arranging your transfer in advance and requesting a child seat makes arrival day easier.
Practical Tips for Family Holidays
Keep children in the shade when the sun is strongest and use UV swimwear and hats. Spend the first days at the hotel so children can settle in, and plan excursions for the middle of the week. Confirm cots, high chairs and pushchairs with the hotel before booking, and pack a small first-aid kit in your hand luggage.
Choosing an Area by Your Children’s Ages
For babies and toddlers, a shallow sandy beach matters most; Alanya’s Cleopatra Beach, Side’s wide sands and the Ölüdeniz lagoon all stand out. School-age children love pools with slides, kids’ club activities and boat trips, and the wide choice of resorts in Alanya and Side helps here too. With teenagers, Kemer’s water sports and nature walks or paragliding at Ölüdeniz make the holiday more exciting. If your children are different ages, choose a resort whose clubs cater for separate age groups so everyone is happy.
Staying In and Going Out
All inclusive resorts make it possible to spend the whole holiday on site, but short day trips add colour. The castle and Damlataş Cave in Alanya, the ancient theatre and Manavgat waterfall in Side, boat trips in Kemer and Butterfly Valley from Ölüdeniz can each be done in half a day. Plan outings for early morning or late afternoon so children avoid the midday heat.
How to Book
On the hotels in Alanya and hotels in Side page, enter your check-in and check-out dates and the number of guests to see the available room types and board options. Compare the room types, what the price includes and the cancellation terms before the payment step. Card payments are processed securely. Your card is not charged now; the amount is taken once your booking is confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which area of the Turkish Mediterranean is best for families?
Alanya and Side for sandy beaches and big resorts, Kemer for nature and boat trips, and Ölüdeniz for its shallow lagoon.
What should a family resort have?
Children’s pools and slides, a kids’ club, family rooms, a children’s menu and a sandy, shallow beach all make a family holiday easier.
Alanya or Side?
Alanya stands out for town life, its castle and a huge choice of hotels; Side for its ancient city and calmer feel. Both have sandy beaches.
Are there alcohol-free family hotels?
Yes; Ölüdeniz, for example, has family hotels with an alcohol-free concept. Check the concept in the hotel description.
When should we go?
July and August, during school holidays, are the busiest; June and September are quieter while the sea is still warm.
Which airport should we fly to?
Antalya Airport for Alanya, Side and Kemer, and Dalaman Airport for Ölüdeniz; Gazipaşa Airport is also an option for Alanya.
