Antalya — sun, sea and mountains on the Mediterranean

Destination guide • Antalya

Antalya and Alanya tourism: resorts and family programs

Q: Antalya or Bodrum: which is better?

Antalya suits families better thanks to its large resorts, its variety of tours and its halal resorts, while Bodrum suits those looking for the atmosphere of marinas, yachts and quiet bays. We help you choose according to your travel style.

Tourism in Antalya is Turkey's address for a beach holiday: turquoise sea, all-inclusive resorts, and waterfalls, ancient cities and the Taurus Mountains close by.

Best time to visit: May to October, with the best swimming from June to SeptemberSuggested duration: 5–7 daysNearest airport: Antalya International Airport (AYT), about 15 km from the city center

Request an Antalya program Suggested programs

Why Antalya?

Antalya at a glance

Antalya lies on Turkey's southern coast on the Mediterranean Sea, and its province stretches a long way from Kemer in the west to Alanya in the east, with the Taurus Mountains sloping right down to the shore. It is one of the Turkish cities that welcomes the most tourists, thanks to its long sunny season and its large international airport (AYT). The beach season is long here, and swimming is usually possible from late spring to mid-autumn.

The heart of the city is Kaleiçi, the old town with its stone lanes, Ottoman houses, old harbor and the Roman Hadrian's Gate. Around it are the Düden Waterfalls, which pour straight into the sea, the long Konyaaltı Beach, and the Olympos cable car, which climbs to the summit of Mount Tahtalı above Kemer. You can move between these sights in a single day with a private driver, or by boat from the old harbor to the waterfalls. In the evening Kaleiçi and the old harbor turn into a stage of restaurants and cafés overlooking the sea.

Antalya is known for its "all-inclusive" and "ultra all-inclusive" resorts with pools, water parks, kids' clubs and open meals, which makes it ideal for families who want to relax without planning each day. There are also resorts with a conservative family concept, offering separate pools for women and no alcoholic drinks, and these are the most requested by many families. The large resorts offer daily activities for children and evening shows, so everyone in the family finds something to enjoy without leaving the resort.

Besides the beach, you can visit the Roman Aspendos Theatre, the ancient city of Side, Alanya Castle and Damlataş Cave, or spend a day at The Land of Legends theme park in Belek. We arrange this in the 7-day Antalya program, or add Antalya to a program that includes Istanbul, with domestic flights and airport pickup. In Lara, Belek and Alanya there are options for every budget, from luxury resorts to comfortable family hotels.

Best time to visit: May to October, with the best swimming from June to September
Suggested duration: 5–7 days
Nearest airport: Antalya International Airport (AYT), about 15 km from the city center
Distance from Istanbul: About 700 km by road, and about an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half by plane

Top sights

The best sights in Antalya

A carefully chosen list of what is worth your time in Antalya, with the visits smartly arranged in our programs.

Kaleiçi Old Town

Winding stone lanes, wooden Ottoman houses and cafés overlooking the old harbor, at their loveliest at sunset.

Hadrian's Gate

A Roman gate with three arches, built in honor of Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD, and the best-known entrance to Kaleiçi.

Düden Waterfalls

The upper falls sit in a green park with a path behind the water, while the lower falls drop from a rocky cliff straight into the sea and can be seen from a boat.

Konyaaltı Beach

A long beach of fine pebbles and clear water, framed by the Taurus Mountains, with a promenade, gardens and restaurants along its length.

Lara Beach

A long sandy beach east of the city lined with large resorts, with fairly calm water that suits children.

Olympos Cable Car (Mount Tahtalı)

It takes you from near Kemer to the summit of Mount Tahtalı at over 2300 meters, so you see the coast and the mountains from above the clouds.

Aspendos Theatre

One of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world, built in the 2nd century AD and still hosting performances in summer.

Ancient City of Side

A coastal town where ruins mix with everyday life, best known for the columns of the Temple of Apollo at the water's edge.

Alanya Castle and Damlataş Cave

A Seljuk castle on a rocky peninsula overlooking Cleopatra Beach, with Damlataş Cave below it and its limestone formations.

The Land of Legends

A huge theme park and water park in Belek, with rides for children and adults and evening shows, good for a whole family day.

Antalya Aquarium

One of the largest tunnel aquariums in the world, with interactive sections suited to children on hot days.

Manavgat Waterfall and River

A wide waterfall in the middle of nature near Side, and from the town river boat trips set out to the river mouth at the sea.

Ready-made programs

Tour programs that include Antalya

Day-by-day programs that can be fully adjusted to your number of days and budget.

All programs

7 days / 6 nightsAntalya • Kemer • Side • Alanya

Antalya 7-Day Program

A week on the Turkish Riviera: a seaside resort, the Old Town and Düden Waterfalls, the Olympos cable car, Side and Manavgat, and Alanya Castle.

PriceDepends on the season — request your quote

12 days / 11 nightsIstanbul • Sapanca • Trabzon • Uzungöl

Turkey Family Program, 12 Days

A family trip at a calm pace: Istanbul's landmarks and places for children, two nights in a bungalow in Sapanca, then Trabzon and Uzungöl among lakes and horse farms.

PriceDepends on the season — request your quote

9 days / 8 nightsIstanbul • Cappadocia • Sapanca

Turkey Honeymoon 9-Day Program

Nine days for newlyweds: romantic Istanbul on the Bosphorus, two nights in a cave hotel in Cappadocia with a balloon option, and two nights in a private bungalow in Sapanca.

PriceDepends on the season — request your quote

14 days / 13 nightsIstanbul • Cappadocia • Konya • Antalya • Trabzon • Uzungöl

Complete Turkey 14-Day Program

Two weeks to see all of Turkey: Istanbul, the cave hotels of Cappadocia, the historic Konya road, Antalya's beaches, then Trabzon and Uzungöl.

PriceDepends on the season — request your quote

Day Trips

Tours and day trips from Antalya

City and waterfalls tour: the Düden Waterfalls, Kaleiçi, Hadrian's Gate and the old harbor, with a short boat trip to see the lower falls from the sea.
Kemer and the Olympos cable car: up to the summit of Tahtalı, then time at Moonlight Beach in Kemer, with optional parasailing.
Alanya and the Dim River: Alanya Castle, Damlataş Cave and Cleopatra Beach, then lunch on the bank of the cool Dim River.
Side, Manavgat and Aspendos: a history day combining the Roman theatre, the Temple of Apollo and a boat trip on the Manavgat River.
Sea boat trip: a boat tour along the coast with swimming stops in bays and lunch on board. We choose the boat according to the children's ages and the level of calm you want.
Köprülü Canyon and rafting: fun rafting on the Köprülü River inside a mountain national park, suitable for young people and for families with older children.

Where to stay?

Best areas to stay in Antalya

Lara: close to the airport and the city, with large luxury resorts on a sandy beach, suitable for families who want a complete resort with easy access to the city.
Konyaaltı: inside the city on the western beach, close to the aquarium, the promenade and restaurants, a practical choice for those who want the sea and the city together.
Belek: a luxury "Ultra All Inclusive" resort area with golf courses and Land of Legends, ideal for families who want complete comfort within the resort.
Kemer: between the mountains and the sea southwest of the city, quieter and closer to nature, and well suited to couples and lovers of scenic views.
Alanya: a lively city east of Antalya with Cleopatra Beach and a number of family-friendly and halal resorts. It is about two hours from Antalya Airport; Gazipaşa Airport (GZP) is closer, but it has fewer flights.

Antalya hotels: areas and options

We can also arrange airport pickup and a private English-speaking driver for you.

OYA tips

Tips before traveling to Antalya

The heat is intense in July and August, so plan your outings for early morning and leave the afternoon for the pool and the sea.
If you are looking for separate pools for women and no alcoholic drinks, ask specifically for a "halal or conservative family resort", and we will suggest the options available on your dates.
"All inclusive" usually covers meals and drinks within the resort, while "Ultra All Inclusive" adds broader services such as à la carte restaurants. Details vary from one resort to another, so read them before booking.
The domestic flight from Istanbul to Antalya takes about an hour and a quarter, much faster than the road, and we arrange it for you together with airport pickup.
Distances within the province are large: Belek, Side and Alanya lie to the east and Kemer to the west, so choose your area according to the activities that matter to you.
A private English-speaking driver is useful for long excursions such as Alanya and Aspendos, while inside the resort you will not need to get around much.

Design your trip

Plan your trip to Antalya

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Questions & answers

Frequently asked questions about visiting Antalya

What is the best area to stay in Antalya for families?

Lara and Belek for big resorts with sandy beaches and kids' clubs, Konyaaltı for those who want the sea and the city together, and Alanya for family-friendly and halal resorts in a range of categories.

What do all-inclusive and ultra all-inclusive mean?

With all-inclusive you get main meals, snacks and drinks inside the resort included in the price, while ultra all-inclusive usually adds a wider range, such as à la carte restaurants and extra services. Terms differ from resort to resort, and we explain them to you before booking.

What is the best time to swim in Antalya?

From June to September the water is warm and the weather is stable, and May and October suit those who prefer lower temperatures and fewer crowds. Winter is mild but is not swimming season for most visitors.

Are there halal resorts with separate pools for women?

Yes, there are resorts with a conservative family concept, especially in Antalya and Alanya, with separate pools for women and no alcoholic drinks served. There are only a limited number and they fill up early in summer, so book well in advance.

How long is the flight from Istanbul to Antalya?

About an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half, with many daily flights from Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen. Direct flights to Antalya also operate from some Arab cities, and schedules vary by season.

Antalya or Bodrum: which is better?

Antalya suits families better thanks to its large resorts, wide choice of tours and halal resorts, while Bodrum suits those looking for marinas, yachts and quiet bays. We help you choose according to your travel style.

From the OYA guide