Why is Turkey such a great holiday destination for families? It’s the diversity of experiences on offer that makes the country one of the best places for a European family holiday. There are beautiful Aegean seaside resorts and beaches, wonderful natural attractions, centuries of fascinating history and a rich cultural experience that your kids will remember for a long time to come. The water is crystal-clear with fairy-tale scenery, and the cities and towns offer lots of different activities for them to enjoy.
Family holidays in Turkey will take you from one of the world’s most iconic cities, Istanbul, to tiny villages where you’ll find all kinds of interesting places for the kids to explore. It’s a very relaxing place to visit, even during tourist season, which is when most people get the chance to take a family holiday abroad. You can join in the peak season fun, or get away from it all for some quiet family time together. Here’s how to get the most out of your Turkish family holiday.
Family holidays in Turkey: top places to visit with kids
Here’s a whirlwind tour of the best places to visit on family holidays to Turkey. There are several distinct regions that stand out. Some are famed for their natural beauty, while others have beach resorts or historical places of interest. From the gorgeous Aegean coast to high mountains and deep valleys, you can enjoy a wonderfully diverse holiday here.
Water sports and aquatic attractions
Visit Antalya in the south-east for two of Turkey’s nicest beach resorts, Konyaalti and Lara Beach. These offer water sports for children of all ages into the teens, and you can visit the Antalya Aquarium, Antalya Zoo and Aqualand too. Take the kids on a trip up the Tunektepe cable car for thrills and great views, or visit the old town, Kaleici. You can also spend some time in nature at the Manavgat waterfalls.
Chasing butterflies in Fethiye
The Fethiye region in on the southern coast is another great place for family holidays to Turkey. It has some of the country’s most desirable tourist attractions, including the beautiful Blue Lagoon in Oludeniz and Butterfly Valley. The latter will delight your kids with over 100 different butterfly species that flock there in spring. Another favourite activity for kids is a visit to Kayakoy Ghost Village, which they can explore on horseback for added delight.
Outdoor family holidays
The Cappadocia region of Anatolia is the area to head to if you’re in Turkey for an outdoor family holiday in nature. It has a myriad walking trails, taking you through natural attractions like Ihlara Valley and Zelve Valley. Your children will also love Derinkuyu underground city. Goreme open-air museum is another fascinating place to visit.
Children’s delights in Istanbul
Istanbul has to be included among the best places to visit on family holidays to Italy. Its myriad kids’ attractions include ferry rides to Princes’ Islands, cable car rides and cruises on the Bosphorus Strait. They’ll also love Legoland Discovery and Miniaturk, a large park containing miniature replicas of famous landmarks from all over the country. The city’s forested parks also make great family picnic spots.
Enchanting theme parks
Alanya is another kids’ paradise. It’s at the far eastern tip of Turkey, and offers tons of activities and places to explore, such as the Seaalanya theme park, the Red Tower and Damlatas cave. Or visit the town of Marmaris, another popular family destination for Brits. Icmeler is just up the road too, where the kids can take part in supervised water sports.
Family holidays in Turkey: best family beaches
Bodrum is likely the most popular family beach resort in Turkey, with its iconic white sandy beaches and clear, calm aquamarine water providing safe swimming conditions for children. Gümbet Beach is a favourite with families on holiday. It has modern amenities and organised water activities. You can get food and drinks at one of the seaside cafés or restaurants.
Beautiful blue lagoons
Ölüdeniz is the most famous beach in Turkey. Set at the foot of Babadag Mountain, it’s also one of the most beautiful to look at. Two peaceful lagoons surround a sunny strip of white beach. If you’re really feeling adventurous, you can go paragliding from the mountain over the lagoon.
Quieter beaches out in nature
If you want a more remote beach for a holiday in nature with your family, head to Patara Beach. It’s in a nature reserve that offers much to interest children. The long shoreline is a nesting area for loggerhead turtles. To get to this wonderfully undeveloped beach, drive to the ancient ruins of Patara and walk from there.
Underwater exploration
Kaş is a small fishing town with another really laid-back beach that’s ideal for a quiet family holiday, Kaputaş Beach. Adults can lounge on sunbeds placed on terraces over the sea, while keeping an eye on the children, who can safely swim from these. For a special treat, take the kids on a boat trip to Kekova Island close by. It has an underground city that makes a fascinating place for snorkelling.
A beach to fire the imagination
For something more unusual, visit Cirali Beach, near the peaceful little village of the same name. It’s an unspoilt beach with a special attraction at its one end, Olympos Mountain. You can drive up to see the ruins, which feature natural fires that have been constantly burning for more than 2,500 years – the Eternal Flames of the Chimaera. They’re absolutely enthralling for children once you share this fascinating titbit with them.
Family holidays in Turkey: general tips
The first thing you’ll probably want to know is when the best time is for family holidays in Turkey. Happily, you can visit all year round, as the climate is mild. Of course the summer months are the peak holiday season, and it’s also when you’ll find the hottest weather. If you’re planning a beach holiday, that’s the time to book your trip.
Aim for spring or autumn
If you’re able to take time away during off-peak months, the European spring and autumn are actually the best seasons to visit Turkey. It’s quieter and the temperate weather makes it ideal for exploring the country at your leisure. You can hire something like an MPV and take a road trip with the kids. You’ll be able to visit the cities and have a vehicle to take you to tourist attractions that are more off the beaten path.
Keeping your kids active
A good tip for a family holiday is to visit resorts that offer lots of outdoor activities to take advantage of the wonderful natural surroundings. The family beach resorts make a good option, as they offer everything from theme parks to water sports. Take the kids for a round of crazy golf, go zip-lining or snorkelling, or visit kids’ attractions like Land of Legends Theme Park in Antalya. You can also go hiking or cycling in the nature parks in Cappadocia.
What to pack
More practical tips, like what to pack, depend on the time of year when you’re visiting. If you’re holidaying in summer, pack lots of sunscreen for the kids and make sure they have hats, as the sun can be much harsher than you’re used to in the UK. Conversely, it can get really cold in winter, so pack warmly then. Get your children some comfortable walking shoes so that you can visit the more remote tourist attractions that require a bit of hiking.
Istanbul is probably the best place to start family holidays to Turkey, as it’s connected to the major centres in all the other regions of the country. Here’s a handy Travel Guide to Istanbul – it’s well worth spending a few days in this iconic city.
