Alanya is the most budget-friendly place on the Antalya coast. So if you're on a tight budget, it's a great place to spend a weekend with the kids.
Why Alanya is the place to go for children
- Climate. The resort is the warmest resort in the whole of Turkey with an ideal balance of quality and price. Therefore the bathing season starts in spring.
- Local beaches are covered with sand; only a few stretches of pebble can be seen. For younger children, the eastern part of the coast is ideal, as it is shallow. The western part on the other hand will suit sportsmen and lovers of entertainment on the water.
- Hotel services. Hotels offer mostly children's menus, playgrounds and clubs. The hotels in Alanya offer a wide range of services for children. The hotels in Alanya offer different all inclusive packages, however you will not be able to make use of the all inclusive system, as it is almost never used. Instead, they offer full board.
When planning your weekend getaway, be aware that the sea entrance is not good everywhere - in some places there are concrete slabs, slippery seaweed and stones.
Also bear in mind that the town is a long way from the airport. It takes a little over 2 hours to get to the hotels. However, you won't notice the time passing - there are no winding curves or sharp turns along the way.
The best time to take your children on holiday
The ideal time for family holidays is in June and September. The optimum temperature during these months is +28 ... +30° C and the optimum water temperature is +25° C.
However, it is not advisable to visit Alanya in July and August. The daytime temperatures can exceed +400C. The sea is not at all refreshing, the only thing that can save you is the air conditioning in your room.
Entertainment for children in Alanya
There's plenty to see and do for all ages, as well as museums and ancient monuments. Apart from the sunbathing on the beach, sandcastles and dabbling in the sea you can spend the day having fun.
- Some hotels have their own water amusement parks which you can visit for a small fee.
- There are no large entertainment centres in the resort but you can go for a walk in the amusement park and ride the merry-go-round.
Water Planet Water Park
It is situated in the nearby village of Okurcalar. There is a shuttle bus that takes you there in no time at all. There are 16 rides in total, half of which are for children and the other half are for teenagers and adult extreme lovers.
- It runs from May until the end of October.
Alanya Waterpark
This one is slightly smaller in size than the previous one and is suitable for pre-school and school-age children. There are high open slides, frog slides and other speed slides.
Sealanya Sea Park Dolphinarium
This interactive dolphinarium offers more than just a dolphin show. Only here you will have the opportunity to:
- swim with dolphins;
- watch the sharks from a safe distance;
- relax on a tropical beach;
- swim with colourful fish.
Excursions in Alanya for older children
If your child is a bit older, you can safely take him or her on excursions with the whole family. As there are so many places to see and do in the Alanya area, it is easy to plan your own excursions. Here is a list of the most interesting places:
- The 13th century fortress. The castle is beautifully preserved. Children can see the Muslim temples, the market square, the Sultan's palace and the caravanserai.
- The Red Tower is the symbol of the resort and has been around for 800 years on the Mediterranean coast. There is a history museum and an observation platform.
- Damlatas Cave. It is located near Cleopatra beach. It is famous for its warmth and microclimate, which is good for the respiratory organs. It is delicately illuminated, so the cave is also beautiful.
- Green Canyon. You can walk through the protected natural area located in the mountains.
- Waterfalls - many excursions include a trip to them.
- Side - ruins of an ancient city. It is 27 centuries old but the preservation of the temples, fragments of city walls and the amphitheatre is amazing.
- Archaeological Museum. There's plenty to see in the former building of the ancient baths: everyday items and sculptures, jewellery and coins.
Family weekends are a time to enjoy time with the family. And make the most of it, which is what you should do in Alanya.
