Antalya family holiday guide: beaches, resorts and day trips

Antalya is the gateway to the Turkish Riviera: long beaches, clear water, mountains behind the coast and many all-inclusive resorts. It is one of the easiest beach holidays for families from Iraq and the Gulf.

Where to stay

• Lara — long sandy beach and big resorts close to the airport
• Konyaaltı — pebble beach in the city with the mountains as a backdrop
• Belek — golf and family resorts, about 30–40 minutes from the airport
• Side and Alanya — further east, with lively towns and beaches
• Kaleiçi — the old town, for boutique hotels and evenings out

Things to do

• Wander Kaleiçi's narrow streets, Hadrian's Gate and the old harbour
• See the Düden waterfalls, where the river drops into the sea
• Visit the Roman theatre of Aspendos and the ruins of Perge
• Take a boat trip along the coast or a day at a water park
• Families love the large theme and water park at Belek

Tips for families

• All-inclusive resorts make budgeting easy — compare what is included (drinks, kids' club, water slides).
• Book an airport transfer in advance, especially with car seats or late arrivals.
• The season runs from May to October; July and August are the hottest and busiest.
• Use sun protection — the midday sun is strong even on cloudy days.

Getting there

Antalya Airport (AYT) has direct flights from several Iraqi cities in season and many connections via Istanbul. Lara is about 15–20 minutes from the airport, the city centre about 20–30 minutes.