The best resorts in Turkey: where to relax by the sea? Our trips to Kemer and Side

Guess the riddle: beach vacation, inexpensive, all inclusive - what kind of country? The riddle is simple, and the answer is Turkey, beloved by Russians.

In this article, we will consider all the resorts of Turkey, determine where it is better to relax on the sea, and how much it all costs - we will briefly and informatively go over the most popular questions, but we will leave links to more detailed articles.

This is our general article on Turkey, and each of the sections leads to a full text on the topic. Interested → click → read on 🙂 Convenient?

Resorts of Turkey - where is the best place to relax?

There will be a place for a desperate party-goer, for a family man with a child, for students, and for wealthy people. Let's just say that the universal resorts are Antalya, Alanya, Kemer. Young people will love Bodrum and Marmaris. And with children it is better to go to Belek and Side.

Where is the best place to go to Turkey?

Side

From Antalya Airport - 1-1.5 hours
Beaches - sandy

Side consists of 7 villages and the city of the same name Side. The resort may seem quiet and boring and is therefore preferred for families and the older generation. And if you love antiquity and different kinds of antiquity, Side is ideal.

In the historical center, tourists visit the ruins of ancient buildings and an ancient Greek city. It is worth taking a walk through the well-preserved amphitheater and checking its acoustic properties. My friend and I were very surprised when she, standing above, said something, and I heard below. Entrance to the theater - $ 3.

Side beaches are long and sandy, divided into east and west. Both are clean, the western one is safer, with a gentle approach. Of the minuses of Side - little entertainment for young people and little green lush nature.

Why are we coming back here for the second time?

+ The sand on the beaches is not golden, but pleasant. A great place to go with kids to Turkey.
+ Side is not a completely "Russian" resort, there are many Europeans here.
+ Calmer, without parties and revelry.
+ You can find both a budget but high-quality hotel - and a classy one, of the Max Royal level, but for a more adequate price tag.
+ And also in Side (in the old town) you can “catch” the atmosphere of Greece, and I really like that too! Other Turkish resorts on the Antalya coast cannot boast of this.
+ Read our Side Travel Guide and discover even more of the resort's benefits.

How much does the tour cost? A week for two - from 50,000 rubles. Look at the best deals on Travelata (we bought our tour in Side here).

P.S. Instead of a thousand letters: in addition to the HowTrip blog, we are filming a video on our YouTube channel, where there are just a couple of reviews about Side. One - over the past year, and the other - after the opening of the borders:

Alanya

From Antalya Airport - 2-3 hours
The beaches are sandy, but you have to choose carefully

A large city with almost 300 thousand local population. One of the most popular and budgetary resorts, pleasing with weather and sea longer than all Turkish regions. This is the resort where it is better to go to rest in Turkey in May and November, in addition to the summer months - during the "transitional" periods it is definitely warm there.

I used to think, well, how wonderful it is to relax on the beach, but at the same time in a lively, large city. You will definitely not get bored! In fact, it turns out a little differently: all hotels in Alanya, where they go on tour, are located in nearby villages, and not in the city itself.

Alanya has wide sandy beaches with a gentle slope, but the sea sometimes storms. It will be difficult for those who do not swim well: waves + stone slabs (on some beaches) cause frequent pontoons instead of the standard entry into the water. The coast is divided by a cape into two parts, the most famous and beautiful beach is Cleopatra, which is located in the city. Here the entrance is sharp, so with children it is worth choosing another place, for example, the village of Inzhekum, where it is shallow, clean and fine sand.

As soon as you get bored at the hotel, hop on the bus to the city. There is a port with an embankment, a bunch of authentic cheap cafes, Starbucks (!!), and nice places to explore. A beautiful location with a stunning view of the city at sunset - the Alanya fortress. Not only is it possible to get there by funicular - which is already exciting - it looks spectacular in the evening when the lights come on. Another attraction is the Red Tower of Kyzyl Kule with a small ethnographic museum inside.

The undoubted advantages of Alanya (and its villages):

+ Cheap tours.
+ The hottest resort (including the closing and opening of the season in Turkey).
+ Sandy beaches.
+ Lots of fun.

How much does the tour cost? Holidays in Turkey in 2021 will be the cheapest in Alanya - a 7-day tour for two costs from 45,000 rubles. Catch such prices for Travelata (+ Level.Travel and Onlinetours, they are also good at this business).

Belek

From Antalya Airport - 20-45 minutes
Beaches - sandy

Belek has a reputation as an expensive resort - but this is, rather, a relic. Cool and "biting" hotels have appeared in many places, and in terms of price tags, other resorts in Turkey (for example, on the Aegean coast) are ahead of it by a margin.

Now the main point of attraction for tourists in Belek is the huge and modern amusement park The Land of Legends. And besides him, there is nothing special to do at the resort, fortunately, the infrastructure of the hotels will not let you get bored. A dozen of luxury hotels now account for the same number of budget hotels, and rest in Belek is affordable for everyone (but I would choose another resort).

Belek is the resort where it is better to relax in Turkey with a child, because:

+ near the airport,
+ no "external" entertainment,
+ sandy beaches,
+ many "children's" hotels.

How much does the tour cost? A voucher for two adults for a week in Belek - from 60,000 rubles. This is the cost directly from tour operators, and Travelata will tell you which one will be more profitable.

Kemer

From Antalya Airport - 30-60 minutes
Beaches - pebble

Sandy resorts in Turkey are over, pebble ones begin. Remember, if you don't recognize pebble beaches, skip to Kemer. Pebble beaches are what makes Kemer not the best choice for a vacation with children. They are cramped and small.

Overall, it is the greenest and wettest resort on the Mediterranean coast. The peculiarity of its climate is that the heat spreads more slowly due to the relief, and it is better to consider Kemer for a beach holiday from the second half of June.

Kemer, like other Turkish resorts on the Mediterranean Sea, consists of the Kemer Center and several villages. What is the difference between each - we told in a separate article, it will be below.
Of the interesting things in Kemer: the dinosaur park in the village of Goynuk (entrance $ 40) and a cable car ride to Mount Tahtali (the price of the lift is $ 37.5 per adult and $ 19 per child). You can go to the Moonlight Park (admission is free), where there are cafes, clubs, a water park, a dolphinarium, and playgrounds. There is also a beautiful embankment in the city.

Of the pluses of the resort:

+ Nature! Mountains, hills, greenery.
+ The most transparent sea - because of the pebbles, of course.
+ Lots of cheap (and sometimes trash) hotels.
+ There are a lot of Russians (yes, this is a kind of plus, but it is important for someone).
+ Kemer Center is an ideal place for students, young people who need to break away. The villages are good for families and retirees.

How much does the tour cost? Kemer for 7 nights in 2021 costs from 45,000 rubles for two.
We were in Kemer. Read: our guide to the resort or skip directly to the rating of the best hotels in Kemer.

Antalya

From Antalya Airport - 10-30 minutes
Beaches - sandy and pebble

The capital of the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, located 12 km from the airport. It is good for its extra-hotel life, promenades and scale - still, a large city, there is where to roam!

As in the situation with Alanya, people go to Antalya on a voucher not to the city itself, but to the villages - Lara, Konyaalti, Kundu. The coast is sandy and pebble. The most popular beach is Konyaalti. With its 10 km long and 50 m wide and good infrastructure, it attracts many tourists.However, the best is the coast of the village of Lara, covered with fine sand.

Antalya is a bustling city. Traffic, tourists, local life. In contrast, there are many cafes, places to sit with a glass of wine and a view of the sunset, interesting shops - and people, in general, are simpler. It is recommended to see all the sights of the country in the Minicity open-air miniature park. On a scale of 1:25, the antique theater of Aspendos, the mausoleum of Ataturk, the Cappadocian valleys are presented. Entrance - $ 1.5. The inhabitants of the seas can be seen in the local aquarium. There are also underwater shows, concerts, exhibitions, fish feeding.

Antalya advantages:

+ The airport is nearby.
+ The combination of both city and beach recreation - like in any Barcelona.

How much does the tour cost? For two for 7 nights - from 45,000 rubles, look at Travelata.ru.

Marmaris

From Dalaman Airport - 1.5-2.5 hours
Beaches - pebble

Who said that the best resorts in Turkey are limited to the Mediterranean Sea? Marmaris is another coastline and the sea is Aegean. Pebble, cooler, can be compared with Greece (by the way, it is not far away).

Marmaris is a youth resort with a picturesque hilly landscape and a never-ending nightlife. Very lively, modern, with a port and a fortress. From here you can get to the Turkish natural miracle of Pamukkale and visit the ancient theater of Hierapolis, take a ferry to the Greek island of Rhodes (a single-entry visa is bought on the spot). Young people will appreciate the bar street, where they dance the night away, moving from club to club. You can easily find someone with whom to practice English: the resort is considered European.

The beaches of Marmaris are narrow and pebbly, with a gentle sunset, the sea is calm. The most famous is Nirvana Beach. There are two water parks. The swimming season is shorter than on the Antalya coast.

Why Marmaris is good:

+ Lively city, lots of fun.
+ You can choose a hotel without all-inclusive and relax without being tied to a meal schedule.
+ Another coastline you haven't seen yet.
+ Nice.
+ Cheaper than other Aegean resorts.

How much does the tour cost? You can spend a week in Marmaris by the sea from 50,000 rubles for 2 people. And all the details - from areas where to choose a hotel, to locations with delicious fruits, read our guide to Marmaris "

Bodrum

From the airport - 30-40 minutes if you arrive at Milas airport
Beaches - sand mixed with pebbles

But Bodrum is a real luxury resort. The sea with a beautiful ebb, new hotels (one more luxurious than the other), top restaurants, branded boutiques and a corresponding contingent: Europeans.

In terms of climate, Bodrum resembles Marmaris, but a little cooler. This city - a neighbor of the Greek island of Kos - looks more like Greece with blue and white houses on the hills. Bodrum is recommended for those who prefer diving to a lazy beach holiday, love parties in clubs and are not constrained in finances (remember that the main category of tourists is Europeans). Hotels are concentrated in the outskirts and prices are higher than in Marmaris.

Bodrum cannot be called a family one, but if by some miracle you found yourself here with children, you can have fun in the water park at the Cactus Hotel ($ 20 for an adult, $ 17 for a child).

From Bodrum and Marmaris, it is really possible to sail away to explore the islands of Greece, even without a Schengen visa. On the spot, you can apply for a short-term visa for € 35 on your own and € 65 at a street agency (of course, that is not at the moment, while everything is closed).

What can be noted for Bodrum?

+ Luxury rest, on a par with Europe.
+ Beautiful sea.
+ Hotels with the highest quality and service, but you have to pay for it at the same level.

How much does the tour cost? A 7-day vacation in Bodrum for two costs from 65,000 rubles. But of course, you can fly on a super-budget, bypassing expensive hotels. As it will be? Read in our guide to Bodrum "

On a note.
You can endlessly compare and describe Turkish resorts in words, or you can watch our video on the same topic: everything on the case and with inserts from our trips to Side, Kemer, Alanya and Antalya!

We were in Turkey in four of the listed resorts. We are starting to write a series of articles, and so far, if interested, there is such a comparison of Side and Kemer.

Weather and season in Turkey: when is the best time to go?

Resort Turkey is located in the subtropical Mediterranean climate zone, thanks to which the summer is humid and hot, and the winter is relatively warm and rainy. All famous resorts lie in two climatic regions: the Aegean and the Mediterranean, and are washed by the seas of the same name.

When to go on vacation? In general, the holiday season in Turkey lasts from mid-May to mid-October (although the Mediterranean coast is where it is warm in November as well). Of course, you can go earlier and later, but there is a high probability that restaurants, swimming pools and animation will not work, and the weather will let you down.

And it is best to have a rest in June and from the second half of September to the second half of October: the prices for tours are much lower, there are not so many people, and without the insane heat.

Seasonal weather (average temperatures, ° C)

Holidays in Turkey all inclusive - prices for tours

How much do tours cost in 2021? Depends on many factors: the star rating of the hotel, remoteness from the beach (hotels on 1 line are more expensive than hotels on 2 lines), the “age” of the hotel, for how many days the voucher is (10 days is slightly more expensive than 7!) And the price category of the resort in the whole.

You can see offers from all tour operators on online aggregators:

• Travelata
• Level.Travel
• Onlinetours

This is convenient, because the services show all the tours available for a given date - from the cheapest to the most expensive, plus they allow you to compare price tags and immediately catch the last-minute options as soon as they are "thrown" on the market.

In the table, we give the starting cost of a voucher for two (given: a package vacation in Turkey with a flight from Moscow for a week) for hotels of different stars.

Prices for holidays in Turkey in 2021 for all inclusive, in rubles:

By the way, Turkey is known for its "fortune" - a separate category of tours, when a tourist does not know which hotel he will be accommodated in, right up to arrival at the airport. Compensation for understatement - several thousand rubles from the price of the most budget "specific" voucher!

Prices in Turkey

Side Starbucks Prices / Tourist Cafe Prices

As for the cost of food and entertainment, tourists note that it is relatively cheap in Alanya and Antalya, the middle price category is Kemer, Marmaris, Side, expensive resorts - Belek and Bodrum.

Approximate prices for holidays in Turkey:

For interest, on a September trip in 2020, I wrote down the prices for the most "popular" goods in the resorts:

• Swimming goggles - 20-30 TL (200-300 rubles)
• A rag bag with the ANTALYA inscription - 50 lira (500 rubles)
• Magnets - 4-15 lira (40-150 rubles)
• Painted plates - 6-15 lire (60-150 rubles)
• Turkish delight by weight - 65-120 lira per kg (650-1200 rubles)

Holidays in Turkey with children - where is it better?

What criteria are important for those planning a family vacation? A mild climate, clean sandy beaches, where children like to sculpt Easter cakes and build castles, a gentle entry into the sea and the absence of waves, the presence of hotels with a large territory, slides, animation.

Where is the best place to relax in Turkey with a child? The most comfortable resorts are Belek and Side. Tourists prefer Belek because of the pine scent, great hotels, proximity to the airport (try shaking with a lyalka for three hours in a transfer, heading to Alanya), smooth entry and good beaches. However, it should be noted that the water often becomes cloudy, and everything is still very expensive, even by Turkish standards.

The ancient town of Side near Alanya is another option. There are sandy beaches, shallow, interesting center in terms of excursions. Minus Side - there is no water park (only hotel rooms).

Reviews of tourists about the rest in Turkey

Vacationers love Turkey for a long and successfully debugged all inclusive program, a huge selection of vouchers, options for a quiet vacation in the off-season, excursions in Russian, a long holiday season, the beauty of nature, color and cuisine. This is definitely the country from which you can begin to get acquainted with abroad without stress and with comfort.

Pros and cons

Let's summarize:

✓ Do you want to relax without leaving the hotel? Choose Resort and Spa hotels, preferably outside the city, where there is more territory. Belek, Side, Alanya will do.

✓ Do you want to combine hotel and excursions? Pay attention to Kemer, Side, Alanya, Antalya.

✓ Want to have fun all night and get to know the city? Choose Kemer, Marmaris or Bodrum.

In Turkey, there is always an option, to which category of tourists you would not consider yourself!

Resorts of Turkey on the map

Noted where it is better to relax in Turkey, on the map: