Family Travel Toolkit
Turquoise sea and beach on the Turkish Riviera
Destination guide

Turkey with Kids

Brilliant value, warm turquoise seas, world-class resorts, and some of the most extraordinary landscapes in Europe. Turkey is one of the best-kept secrets for UK family holidays.

11 min read · Updated August 2026

Flight time3.5–4.5 hrs from UK
Best monthsMay–Jun, Sep–Oct
CurrencyTurkish Lira (₺)
LanguageTurkish (English widely spoken in resorts)
Budget£–££ excellent value
Best forAll ages

Turkey punches well above its weight as a family holiday destination. The Turkish Riviera — stretching from Bodrum to Alanya — has warm, calm seas, long sandy beaches, and all-inclusive resorts that are genuinely excellent value. But Turkey is also so much more than a beach holiday: Cappadocia's hot-air balloon landscape, the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, and the ancient ruins of Ephesus make it one of the most varied and rewarding destinations you can visit with children. Flights from the UK take around 4 hours, and the value for money is hard to beat anywhere in Europe.

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Top things to do in Turkey with kids

From world-class beach resorts to extraordinary landscapes — Turkey's best family experiences.

Turquoise sea and beach on the Turkish Riviera near Antalya
beachresortsall ages

The heart of Turkey's family resort coast

Antalya & the Turkish Riviera

The stretch of coast around Antalya — taking in Side, Belek, Kemer, and Alanya — is Turkey's most developed family resort area. Long sandy beaches, warm shallow water, and a huge range of all-inclusive hotels make it the easiest and most relaxing base for families. Side's Roman ruins sit right next to the beach, giving older children a genuine sense of history alongside the sunbathing. Belek has the most upmarket resorts; Alanya is the liveliest and best value.

  • All-inclusive is the best-value option here — food and drinks are included
  • Side has Roman ruins right next to the beach — great for older children
  • Belek is the most upmarket resort area; Alanya is the liveliest
  • Sea temperatures are warmest in August–October
Best for All ages
Hot air balloons over the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia at sunrise
natureadventureculture

One of the world's most extraordinary landscapes

Cappadocia

Cappadocia is unlike anywhere else on Earth — a lunar landscape of fairy chimneys, cave hotels, and underground cities carved from volcanic rock. The hot-air balloon flights at sunrise are one of the most spectacular experiences in travel, and older children (typically 6+) are allowed on most flights. The underground cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı are brilliant for children who love exploring. Cappadocia is best combined with a beach stay — fly into Antalya or Bodrum and add 2–3 nights inland.

  • Book balloon flights months in advance — they sell out fast
  • Most operators require children to be at least 6 years old for balloon flights
  • The underground cities are brilliant for children aged 7+
  • Fly into Kayseri or Nevşehir airports — both are close to Göreme
Best for 6+ years
Family at the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, Turkey
naturehistory5+ years

Turkey's spectacular white travertine terraces

Pamukkale

Pamukkale — meaning 'cotton castle' in Turkish — is one of Turkey's most iconic sights. The white calcium carbonate terraces cascade down the hillside, filled with warm thermal water that children can paddle in. At the top, the ancient Roman city of Hierapolis adds a history lesson to the experience. It's a long day trip from the coast (around 2.5 hours from Antalya) but absolutely worth it for families with children aged 5 and up.

  • Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat
  • You must remove shoes to walk on the terraces — bring a bag for them
  • The thermal pools at the top are warm and children love paddling
  • Combine with Hierapolis ruins for a full day out
Best for 5+ years
Turquoise sea at a Turkish beach resort
beachcultureall ages

Stylish resorts, calm bays, and crystal-clear water

Bodrum & the Aegean Coast

Bodrum is Turkey's most stylish resort town — a whitewashed harbour town with a Crusader castle, excellent restaurants, and some of the clearest water on the Turkish coast. The peninsula has dozens of quiet bays and coves, and the area around Turgutreis and Gümbet is particularly good for families with young children. The Aegean coast is slightly cooler than the Mediterranean south, making it more comfortable in July and August.

  • Bodrum Castle is worth a visit — great views and a museum inside
  • Gümbet beach is the calmest and most family-friendly near Bodrum town
  • The Aegean is slightly cooler than the Med — better for July/August
  • Hire a gulet (traditional wooden boat) for a day trip around the bays
Best for All ages

Which resort is best for families?

Turkey's Turkish Riviera has several distinct resort areas — here's how they compare for families.

1

Side

One of the most popular family resorts on the Turkish Riviera — long sandy beaches, Roman ruins right in the town centre, and a huge range of all-inclusive hotels. Excellent for families who want history alongside the beach.

Best for: Families wanting beach and culture

2

Belek

Turkey's most upmarket resort area, with large luxury all-inclusive hotels set in pine forests behind long sandy beaches. Quieter and more spacious than Side or Alanya — ideal for families who want quality and space.

Best for: Families wanting luxury and space

3

Alanya

The liveliest and most affordable resort on the Turkish Riviera, with a dramatic clifftop castle, a long sandy beach, and the best value all-inclusive hotels in Turkey. Busier and noisier than Belek but great fun for families.

Best for: Families wanting value and entertainment

4

Bodrum

Turkey's most stylish resort — a whitewashed harbour town with excellent restaurants, a Crusader castle, and crystal-clear Aegean water. Better for families with older children who can appreciate the atmosphere.

Best for: Families with older children, culture lovers

Practical information for families

Getting there

Direct flights from most UK airports serve Antalya (AYT), Bodrum (BJV), Dalaman (DLM), and Istanbul (IST). Flight times are 3.5–4.5 hours depending on your UK departure airport. Jet2, TUI, easyJet, and Turkish Airlines all fly the route. Most package holidays include transfers; taxis from Antalya airport to the main resorts cost around £25–50 depending on distance.

Best time to visit

May, June, September, and October are the best months for families — warm enough to swim (25–30°C), cooler for sightseeing, and significantly less crowded than July and August. July and August are extremely hot (35–40°C) and very busy. October half-term is popular and still warm. Avoid visiting Cappadocia in winter — it can be very cold and balloon flights are often cancelled.

Getting around

Within resort areas, dolmuş (shared minibuses) are cheap and easy to use. For day trips to Pamukkale, Ephesus, or Cappadocia, organised excursions from your hotel are the easiest option — they include transport, a guide, and entrance fees. Hiring a car gives more flexibility but Turkish driving can be challenging for first-time visitors. Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive by UK standards.

How much does it cost?

Turkey is exceptional value for UK families. A week's all-inclusive package for a family of four typically costs £1,500–£2,800 — significantly cheaper than equivalent Spanish or Greek holidays. Eating out is very affordable (a family meal at a local restaurant costs £20–35). Entrance fees for attractions like Pamukkale and Ephesus are around £10–15 per adult. The weak Turkish Lira means your pounds go further than almost anywhere else in Europe.

Tips for a family holiday in Turkey

1

All-inclusive is outstanding value

Turkish all-inclusive resorts are among the best value in the world. Food, drinks (including alcohol), and entertainment are all included — and the quality is generally excellent. It removes the stress of mealtimes with young children and makes budgeting easy.

2

Avoid July and August if you can

Temperatures regularly hit 38–40°C in peak summer, which is genuinely uncomfortable for young children. June and September give you warm weather, open beaches, and a much more relaxed experience.

3

Add Cappadocia to a beach trip

Cappadocia is one of the world's great travel experiences and works brilliantly as a 2–3 night add-on to a beach holiday. Fly into Antalya or Bodrum, spend a week on the coast, then fly to Kayseri for Cappadocia before flying home.

4

Check FCDO travel advice before booking

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) publishes up-to-date travel advice for Turkey. Check it before booking and again before travel — advice can change. Most tourist areas are considered safe for families.

5

Dress modestly when visiting mosques

Turkey is a Muslim country and mosques require covered shoulders and knees. Bring a light scarf or sarong for the children — it's a good opportunity to talk about respecting different cultures.

6

Book excursions through your hotel

Organised excursions from your hotel are the easiest way to visit Pamukkale, Ephesus, and other day-trip destinations. They include transport, a guide, and entrance fees — and are generally good value.

Check FCDO travel advice before booking

Always check the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice for Turkey at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey before booking and again before travel. Advice can change. Travel insurance is essential.

Frequently asked questions

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