Antalya is one of the easiest places in the Mediterranean for a family holiday: a short flight from the UK, sandy beaches with gentle water, big hotels built around children and plenty to do when they tire of the pool. Planning Antalya with kids still takes a few decisions, though: which resort, which month, how to get from the airport with car seats, and which trips suit which ages. This guide covers all of them.
Quick answer: for Antalya with kids, stay in Lara, Belek or Side for sandy, shallow beaches and family hotels 15 minutes to an hour from the airport. Go in May, June, September or early October to avoid the 35°C heat of July and August. Pre-book an airport transfer with child seats, because taxis rarely have them. The best family days out are Land of Legends, the Lara pirate boat, the Antalya Aquarium and, for children over about 6–8, rafting in Köprülü Canyon.
Table of Contents
Best areas to stay in Antalya with kids
| Area | From the airport | Why families choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Lara | 15–25 minutes | Long sandy beach; the shortest transfer, good for late flights |
| Belek | 30–40 minutes | Sandy beaches, big family resorts and Land of Legends |
| Side | Around 1 hour | Sandy beaches plus an old town for evening walks |
| Kemer | 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes | Pebble beaches; better for older children who snorkel |
| Alanya | 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours | Sandy town beaches, but a long transfer for small children |
With young children, the transfer time and the beach matter most. Lara and Belek are close to the airport and have sandy beaches that shelve gently, which suits toddlers. Our guide to where to stay in Antalya compares every area in more detail.
When to go to Antalya with kids
| Month | Daytime high | Sea | With kids |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | About 27°C | About 21°C | Warm and green; the sea is still fresh for small children |
| June | About 32°C | About 24°C | Hot but manageable; school holidays have not started |
| July and August | About 35°C, often more | 27–28°C | Very hot; plan beach time for mornings and late afternoons |
| September | About 32°C | About 27°C | Warm sea and fewer crowds once UK schools go back |
| October | About 27°C | About 24–25°C | Warm and sunny; UK half-term falls late in the month, when it is a little cooler |
July and August are the busiest and hottest months; small children feel the heat quickly, so a hotel with shade, a kids’ club and an indoor area helps. See our Antalya weather by month guides for each month.
Getting from Antalya Airport with children
- Taxis at the rank rarely carry child seats, so if your children need one, pre-book a private transfer and add the seats when you book. Infant seats (up to about 10 kg), child seats (about 9–18 kg) and boosters (about 15–36 kg) are usually available.
- Many UK flights land late in the evening. A driver waiting with your name in the arrivals area means no queue with tired children; our arrivals guide shows where to meet them.
- Luggage trolleys need a refundable deposit, paid by card or coins.
- Set up an eSIM before you fly so you can message your driver as soon as you land; Yesim still works in Turkey.
Things to do in Antalya with kids
- Land of Legends in Belek: a theme park, water park and evening shows. The water park opens in the summer season only. Read our Land of Legends guide for the traps to avoid, or check tickets.
- The Lara pirate boat: a day at sea with swim stops, lunch and a foam party, ideal for younger children. See the pirate boat trip.
- Antalya Aquarium near Konyaaltı, with a long tunnel tank, plus a wax museum and Snow World on combo tickets; a good plan for a very hot or rainy afternoon. Check aquarium tickets.
- The Düden waterfalls, a short and free outing in Lara with space to run around; our Duden Waterfalls guide has the details.
- Rafting in Köprülü Canyon for children over about 6–8 years old, depending on the operator; see our Antalya rafting guide or the top-rated rafting tour.
- A Green Canyon jeep safari and boat trip from Side, with water fights between the jeeps; see the tour and our Green Canyon guide.
- The Olympos cable car near Kemer, which is pushchair-friendly; take warm layers for the summit. See our Olympos cable car guide or check tickets.
Day trips that are hard work with young children
Some popular trips are long or hot for small children. A Pamukkale day trip takes 11–14 hours with about three hours on the coach each way, so it suits older children better. Perge and Aspendos have very little shade, so go early in the day or outside the summer months; our Aspendos tour guide and Pamukkale guide explain what each day involves.
Health, safety and documents
- Every child needs their own passport, valid for at least 150 days from the date you arrive. UK citizens do not need a visa for holidays of up to 90 days. Check the latest GOV.UK travel advice before you go.
- The UK GHIC card is not valid in Turkey, so take out travel insurance that covers medical treatment for every family member.
- Most visitors drink bottled water rather than tap water; hotels and shops sell it everywhere.
- The sun is strong from May to October: use high-factor sun cream, hats and swim tops, and keep children in the shade in the middle of the day.
- Pharmacies (eczane) are easy to find in every resort and can help with minor problems; one in each area stays open at night on a rota.
Tips for a smoother family holiday
- Choose a hotel with a shallow children’s pool, shade and a kids’ club, and ask which facilities run on your dates.
- Pack swim shoes: some beaches have pebbles at the water’s edge, even in sandy areas.
- Budget for drinks and snacks at attractions, which cost more than outside; our Antalya scams guide covers the common traps.
- Carry some lira for small purchases; read euros or lira in Turkey.
- Plan one outing a day at most with young children, ideally in the morning.
Planning your family trip
For most families with young children, Lara or Belek in May, June, September or October gives the easiest holiday: a short transfer, sandy beaches and plenty for children to do. Pre-book the airport transfer with the right car seats, pick one or two days out such as Land of Legends or the pirate boat, and keep the long, hot trips for when the children are older.
FAQ: Antalya with kids
Is Antalya good for families with young children?
Yes. Lara, Belek and Side have sandy beaches with gentle water, many hotels are built for families, and the airport is 15 minutes to an hour away. Avoid the hottest weeks of July and August with very young children if you can.
Which part of Antalya is best for kids?
Lara and Belek are the most popular for young children: sandy beaches, family resorts and short transfers. Side adds an old town, while Kemer’s pebble beaches suit older children.
Do taxis in Antalya have child seats?
Rarely. If your children need a car seat, pre-book a private transfer and add infant seats, child seats or boosters when you book.
What is there to do in Antalya with kids?
Land of Legends theme park, the Lara pirate boat, the Antalya Aquarium, the Düden waterfalls, the Olympos cable car and, for children over about 6–8, rafting in Köprülü Canyon.
What is the best month to visit Antalya with kids?
May, June, September and early October are the most comfortable. July and August are very hot, with daytime highs around 35°C or more.
More AYT Survival Guides
- Things to Do in Antalya: Best Trips, Free Sights & Prices
- Antalya Rafting in Köprülü Canyon: Prices, Tours & Tips
- Olympos Cable Car (Tahtalı): Tickets, Prices & Times
- Green Canyon Boat Trip: Prices, Tours & Tips
- Duden Waterfalls Antalya: Boat Trips, Tours & Prices
- Aspendos Tour from Antalya: Perge, Aspendos & Side
- Pamukkale Day Trip from Antalya: Is It Worth It?
- Turkish Bath in Antalya: What to Expect & Prices
Sources: climate averages from MGM 1991–2020 normals as used in our monthly guides; child seat types from KiwiTaxi’s Antalya Airport page; tour details from GetYourGuide listings; entry and passport rules from GOV.UK travel advice for Turkey. Checked on 11 October 2026. Rules and prices change, so check before you travel.
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