Is Turkey a good family holiday destination?
The combination of glorious sunshine, beautiful beaches and ancient sights makes Turkey an understandably popular destination for families.
Some excellent resorts go above and beyond in terms of kid-friendly attractions, catering for babies through to teens. What’s more, compared to many European alternatives, Turkish hotels offer good value for money.
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Is Turkey safe for holidays in 2026?
Most tourist-orientated, coastal areas of Turkey - including all areas where the resorts listed above are situated - are generally considered safe to travel to according to current guidelines and the latest advice from the UK Foreign Office.
Be sure to check the latest travel advice from the Foreign Office for up to date information on the areas which are not considered safe for travel in Turkey, and always ensure your passport is valid when planning a holiday abroad.
Where in Turkey is best for a family holiday?
Families will find some of Turkey’s best beaches, attractions and hotels on the Turkish Riviera, around the southwest coast. This area includes bustling Bodrum and stretches past picturesque Ölüdeniz over to the plush resorts at Antalya and Belek.
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Where is the best place for a family holiday in Turkey?
All the resort towns on the Turkish Riviera have their own distinctive charms. Arguably, Antalya and Belek have some of the best hotels for families and are well-located for the airport and day trips to archaeological sites. However, for sheer beauty, it’s hard to beat Ölüdeniz.
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Where can I get cheap flights to Turkey?
It’s a good idea to use a price comparison site, such as Skyscanner or Expedia. These websites will help you search travel agents as well as different airlines. Flights are often cheaper the further you book ahead. Of course, there are some last-minute but not usually in the school holidays. It’s also worth looking out for package holiday deals.
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Do I need to hire a car?
Unless you are very keen to get off the beaten track, hiring a car in Turkey isn’t usually necessary. Your hotel should be able to organise airport transfers and the occasional day trip.
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When is the best time to go to Turkey?
With long days and warm weather, spring is a great time to visit most parts of the country. The autumn months can also be surprisingly warm with temperatures ranging from 20-30 degrees celsius. If you're seeking blazing sunshine, travelling to Turkey during the school summer holidays will deliver exactly that, but plan to book well in advance to get the best deals on flights and accommodation.
Read next: The best destinations for October half term
Will the current fuel shortages affect my 2026 holiday?
Not necessarily.
According to the Department for Transport:
There is no current need for passengers to change their travel plans. UK airlines buy jet fuel in advance, and airports maintain stocks to support their resilience. The government is working closely with the aviation industry to monitor risks and minimise disruption to passengers.
"If your flight is cancelled, you have clear legal rights, including the right to a full refund or re-routing.
TUI have released the following statement:
We know you may be feeling a little uneasy after recent headlines, and we want to reassure anyone travelling over May half term that they can look forward to their holiday with confidence with TUI. We have good visibility on fuel supplies and are operating our holiday programme as planned, with no flights being cancelled due to fuel shortages.
"Our careful planning across fuel, flying and hotel capacity means we’re able to continue offering great value and stable prices – with no fuel surcharges added by TUI. The price you see is the price you pay, and all TUI package holidays are ABTA & ATOL protected, giving peace of mind from booking right through to returning home.
-Neil Swanson, Managing Director, TUI
How we chose our recommendations
Because we know that there’s nothing like a real recommendation, we first headed to the Mumsnet holiday forums to find out what family hotels in Turkey were being recommended.
We then did some research across the wider web, looking at what family hotels in Turkey had won accolades or been featured in ‘best choice’ lists across websites, and what customer reviews said about them. Having collated all that information, we then narrowed our list down to the best family hotels in Turkey at the moment.
About the author
Jenny Elliott is a freelance lifestyle and travel writer based in Leeds. Her work has featured in publications such as the Guardian and Lonely Planet. She also runs her own blog, The Little Adventurer, where she documents the joys and frustrations of travelling with her two rascals.
About the editor
Jenny Wonnacott is a mum of three school-aged children and a content editor for Mumsnet, where she covers a wide range of parenting topics. She combines her professional experience with real-world parenting know-how to guide families on everything from the best baby monitor to safe sleeping advice to the board games guaranteed to get preteens off screens.
Travel has always been a big part of Jenny’s life, from childhood holidays right through to travelling with her own family today. She’s experienced just about every kind of family holiday – including camping, holiday parks, long-haul adventures, skiing, city breaks and all-inclusive stays. From Club Med to camping in the Cotswolds, Jenny has years of experience discerning which facilities, amenities, activities and thoughtful little extras makes the difference between a good holiday and the best holiday ever.
Why you should trust us
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