Antalya, Turkey, is one of the most complete family beach destinations available to UK travellers: long sandy shores, ancient ruins within easy afternoon reach, direct flights from 16 UK airports, and all-inclusive resorts that consistently undercut equivalent Greek or Spanish options on price. The Turkish Riviera stretches across six distinct resort areas, each with a different character, so the right choice depends entirely on what your family wants from a holiday. Antalya is a consistently popular package destination for UK travellers, and once you understand how the value stacks up, the reason becomes obvious. This guide covers the best areas to stay, top beaches and attractions, when to visit, what everything costs, transfer times from the airport, and how to find and book the most competitive package from the UK.
Key takeaways
- Value vs rivals: A 7-night all-inclusive family package to Antalya typically costs 20–30% less than an equivalent Majorca booking at the same star rating; Corfu is generally more expensive too, though the gap varies by property.
- Six resort areas: Lara and Belek suit resort-focused families; Side adds history; Kemer suits nature lovers; Alanya suits independent travellers; Konyaaltı suits city-and-beach combinations.
- Best travel months: May, June, September and October offer warm seas, lower prices and manageable crowds. Sea temperatures across this window range from around 21°C in May to 27°C in September.
- Transfer times matter: Lara is 15–25 minutes from the airport; Alanya is up to 2.5 hours. Choose your resort area with transfer time in mind.
- ATOL-protected packages: Booking flights and hotels together through Broadway Travel costs less than booking separately and provides full financial protection.
- Peak pricing spike: Prices for the same hotel can be 40–60% higher during late July and August compared to the weeks either side.
Why Antalya keeps beating other Mediterranean destinations on value
Compare a 7-night all-inclusive stay in Lara Beach to an equivalent booking in Majorca or Corfu and the Antalya option consistently comes in cheaper for the same board basis and star rating, typically 20–30% less than Majorca and noticeably so against Corfu. For a family of four, that difference is meaningful: on a £1,600 benchmark, you are looking at a saving of £320 to £480 before extras. Lanzarote comes closest on price, but Majorca and Corfu both typically run higher than Antalya for comparable family all-inclusive packages.
The lower price point does not mean a lower-quality experience. Antalya's resort hotels have developed their facilities considerably in recent years, reflected in consistently high ratings for pool complexes, onsite water parks, well-staffed kids' clubs and beachfront dining, all of which have become standard across four- and five-star properties. The combination of competitive pricing and strong facilities is precisely what makes the Turkish Riviera such a compelling proposition for UK families working with a realistic holiday budget.
What Antalya also offers that most Mediterranean beach destinations cannot match is genuine variety within a single trip. Roman ruins at Perge and Aspendos, the Ottoman quarter of Kaleiçi, and the Düden Waterfalls are all reachable from the main resort areas, typically within 45–90 minutes depending on which resort you are staying in. Families who want more than a sunlounger for a week have real options without needing to fly to a separate destination entirely.
Which Antalya, Turkey resort area is right for your holiday?
The single most important decision you will make when booking an Antalya holiday is which resort area to choose. Each one has a distinct character, and the wrong choice for your family's holiday style will affect your experience more than the hotel rating or board basis.
Lara and Belek
Lara and Belek are the two resort zones purpose-built for all-inclusive holidays. Lara is just 15–25 minutes from Antalya Airport and lines up some of the largest all-inclusive hotels in Turkey, most with private beach access, multiple pools and dedicated kids' clubs. Standout options include Lara Barut Collection, IC Hotels Green Palace and Titanic Mardan Palace. Belek, 30–45 minutes east, skews more upscale, with golf courses, premium spa facilities and spacious resort grounds; The Land of Legends Kingdom Hotel here is a particularly strong pick for families with older children who want rides and water attractions alongside beach time. Both areas suit families who want to spend most of their time at the hotel and want a short, predictable transfer on arrival.
Side and Kemer
Side and Kemer both add scenery and context to a beach holiday. Side pairs sandy beaches with a walkable ancient town and Roman ruins right on the coast, making it ideal for families who want evenings out and some historical sightseeing. Kemer, backed by pine-covered Taurus Mountains, suits active travellers more than those seeking a traditional beach resort; the mountain-and-sea scenery is striking. Both areas involve transfers of 45–90 minutes from the airport.
Alanya and Konyaaltı
Alanya is the liveliest and most independently oriented resort, with a prominent castle, a long beach, real town-centre shopping and the broadest price range; the trade-off is a transfer of 1.5–2.5 hours. Konyaaltı, Antalya's city beach, suits couples and independent travellers who want a promenade, restaurants and urban attractions on the doorstep rather than a self-contained resort environment.
Top beaches and sights worth planning around
Lara Beach and Konyaaltı Beach are the two principal city beaches, both long, well-serviced and accessible from late spring through October. For something more distinctive, Patara Beach is one of the longest pale-sand beaches in Turkey, shallow enough for younger children and partly protected as a sea-turtle nesting site. Kaputaş is a dramatic narrow cove between steep cliffs with vivid turquoise water; it photographs beautifully, though it gets crowded in peak season and is reached by stairs. Çıralı offers a quieter natural setting near the ruins of Olympos for families who prefer a more relaxed atmosphere.
On the cultural side, the Antalya Archaeological Museum is one of the strongest regional collections in Turkey and well worth a half-day. Hadrian's Gate and the Kaleiçi old town are free to explore and easy to combine into a single morning or afternoon excursion. Aspendos Roman theatre, 47 km east of the city, is extraordinarily well-preserved and still hosts performances in summer, one of those sites that makes the trip feel worthwhile. Perge, closer to the airport, offers colonnaded streets, baths and a stadium across a large site, and pairs well with Aspendos on a full-day excursion from most resort areas.
For families wanting an organised day trip, the Perge, Aspendos and Side combined excursion runs 8–10 hours and covers the main Roman-era highlights in one go. The Düden Waterfalls and Antalya city tour is the shortest and most accessible outing, taking 6–8 hours and working well even with younger children. Pamukkale's white travertine terraces are a remarkable sight, but allow a full 12–14 hours given the three-hour drive each way from Antalya. Any solid Antalya travel guide will list these Antalya province attractions as essential stops, and rightly so.
When to visit and what does it actually cost?
May, June, September and October give the best balance of warm sea temperatures, manageable crowds and competitive pricing. Sea temperatures across this period range from around 21°C in May to a peak of approximately 27°C in September, comfortably warm for swimming throughout. July and August are the hottest months, with daytime temperatures often in the mid-30s (averaging around 34°C); pool decks and beaches fill quickly during UK school holidays and prices peak sharply. November through March is the cheapest period, but some resort hotels reduce services or close entirely, and flight schedules thin out considerably.
The all-inclusive versus B&B decision is worth thinking through carefully before you book. All-inclusive board generally costs 30–100% more than B&B for the same room, but it suits families who plan to spend the majority of their holiday at the hotel and want predictable costs. For travellers who want to eat out locally or explore Side, Alanya or Antalya city in the evenings, a B&B rate with a lower room price often works out cheaper overall. The all-inclusive board basis earns its premium most clearly in Lara and Belek, where the resorts are self-contained and outside dining options are limited.
Transfer times from Antalya Airport: the honest numbers
Transfer time from Antalya Airport (AYT) is one of the most overlooked factors in resort selection, and it matters considerably when you are travelling with children or arriving on a late-evening flight. Lara is the closest resort zone at 15–25 minutes; Antalya city centre and Konyaaltı follow at 20–35 minutes; Belek is 30–45 minutes; Kemer runs 45–75 minutes; Side and Manavgat are 60–90 minutes; and Alanya is 1.5–2.5 hours depending on traffic and hotel location. These timings assume a direct route: shared shuttles with multiple drop-offs routinely add 30–60 minutes to the journey.
On the cost side, shared shuttles start from around €3–10 per person for closer resort areas and €10–20 per person for Alanya, making them the most economical option for solo travellers. Private transfers are priced per vehicle, typically €35–55 to Lara or Belek and €80–100 to Alanya, which makes them a competitive choice for families of three or more when you factor in luggage flexibility and a direct route. For families travelling with children or significant baggage, a pre-booked private transfer is almost always the most straightforward option. Public buses and trams work efficiently within Antalya city itself but are impractical for reaching most resort hotels directly.
How to find and book a competitive Antalya package from the UK
Direct flights to Antalya Airport operate from 16 UK airports as of the 2026 summer schedule, including London Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle and East Midlands, among others. Airlines including Jet2, easyJet, TUI Airways, SunExpress, British Airways and Corendon all operate routes, with Gatwick offering the highest number of carriers. Heathrow currently has no direct Antalya service, so travellers using London tend to route via Gatwick or Luton.
Broadway Travel's Antalya packages combine return flights and hotel accommodation from UK departure points, with ATOL protection included as standard. Booking flights and hotels together through a single package consistently comes in cheaper than booking each element separately through different platforms, and it simplifies everything: one confirmation, one point of contact, and clear inclusions from the outset. Packages to Lara, Belek, Side and Alanya are available across a range of board bases and hotel ratings, so whether you are looking for a straightforward B&B city-break base or a premium all-inclusive with a water park, the range covers most requirements.
The booking timing makes a tangible difference to price. For summer travel, booking four to six months ahead is commonly advisable and tends to lock in better rates than last-minute availability allows. Late April through June and late September through October deliver the best combination of competitive pricing and good weather. Avoid the peak UK school holiday fortnight in late July and early August if budget is a priority: prices for the same hotel can be 40–60% higher during that window compared to the weeks directly either side. For shoulder-season travel, being flexible by three days either side of your preferred dates can move the final price noticeably.
Planning your Antalya, Turkey holiday: where to go from here
Antalya gives UK families a strong package: straightforward direct flights from most UK airports, beaches that range from busy resort shores to quiet natural coves, ancient ruins within easy reach of most hotels, and pricing that holds up well against other Mediterranean options. The resort area decision is the most important one you will make, and it comes down to transfer time, holiday style, and whether you want a fully self-contained all-inclusive or a base from which to explore. Lara and Belek for resort comfort, Side for culture and sand combined, Kemer for scenery, Alanya for independent value, once you know which fits, the rest of the planning falls into place quickly.
The cost comparison with Majorca, Corfu or the Canaries is compelling at four and five stars, where Turkish resorts consistently offer larger family rooms, more extensive facilities and bundled all-inclusive pricing at a lower per-person cost. That advantage is strongest outside the peak August period, which reinforces the case for booking shoulder-season travel wherever family commitments allow. To compare current Antalya, Turkey holiday packages combining flights and hotels from your nearest UK airport, contact the Broadway Travel team directly and we will put together the options that match your dates, airport and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Antalya suitable for families with very young children or toddlers?
Yes, Antalya is well suited to families with very young children, with long shallow beaches like Patara and resort hotels offering well-staffed kids' clubs and pool complexes. Many four- and five-star properties provide family-friendly facilities such as onsite water parks and private beach access, and shorter transfers for Lara and Konyaaltı make arrivals and departures easier with small children.
Do Turkish resorts offer larger family rooms compared with Majorca or Corfu?
Yes, at four- and five-star level Turkish resorts consistently offer larger family rooms and more extensive facilities than equivalent properties in Majorca or Corfu. That, together with bundled all-inclusive pricing, is a key reason Antalya often represents better value for UK families.
Does Patara Beach have restrictions because of sea‑turtle nesting and is it safe for children to swim?
Patara Beach is partly protected as a sea‑turtle nesting site but remains shallow enough for younger children and suitable for family swimming. Visitors should be mindful of protected areas and crowded peak periods, but the beach's pale sand and shallow water make it a good choice for families.
Are there direct flights to Antalya from London Heathrow?
No, Heathrow currently has no direct Antalya service, so travellers from London usually fly from Gatwick or Luton instead. Gatwick offers the highest number of carriers operating to Antalya among UK airports.
