Turkey has always been the most popular holiday destination for Russians. And for good reason, you can find entertainment for every taste here: sailing, playing golf or sunbathing on the sandy beach. The main thing is to choose the right resort and hotel so that you don’t end up with children in the epicenter of nightlife or with a fun company away from noisy parties.
We have selected seven major resorts in Turkey for you and described in detail the features of each of them.
Antalya: tourism center
Antalya is considered the main resort in Turkey. It is a megalopolis of millions on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea with an airport where the main stream of tourists arrives. The summer weather here lasts an average of eight months. Many tourists prefer to stay in the city itself, within walking distance of discos, bars and shopping malls. However, this may not seem very convenient for lovers of relaxing holidays in sun loungers, since not all hotels have their own access to the sea, and beaches will have to be reached by public transport. But you can choose a resort area according to your taste.
For example, Lara in the eastern part of Antalya is famous for its sandy coast, and the multi-kilometer coastline of Konyaalti district in the west is covered with pebbles. On public beaches, deck chairs can be rented at coastal bars. Sometimes, to get a place under the umbrella, it is enough to order a drink. After sunset, these establishments host incendiary open-air discos. You only need to purchase a cocktail as an entrance fee. By the way, Antalya’s most famous shopping center Migros 5 M is located in Konyaalti district. An aquarium, a miniature museum, a water park, an Action moon park, a dolphinarium, a city culture park and a cinema, as well as the Antalya Archaeological Museum are within walking distance.
Belek: a top-class resort
Belek, Turkey’s most prestigious resort, is located 30 kilometers east of Antalya. It is considered relatively new. The development of the local coast began only in 1984. Golf fans come here. Belek is home to the world-famous golf center. Many tourists set aside one day specifically to spend it on excursions to the Koepryulu Canyon National Park. The local coniferous forests are home to more than 100 species of birds, and Belek has been nicknamed “bird paradise” for its diverse fauna. In the park, tourists are offered to go mountain climbing, horseback riding or arrange a one-day rafting trip along a mountain river on inflatable boats.
Here you can also walk along the ancient bridge, located almost 30 meters above the Kokadere River. It was built back in the era of Ancient Rome and has been preserved inperfect condition. Another attraction of Belek is the Kusunlu Waterfall with picturesque caves and century-old exotic trees. However, this resort attracts tourists not only with its natural beauty and high-level hotels with first-class service, but also with the cleanest sandy beaches with a gentle entrance to the sea, stretching along the coast for 20 kilometers.
The Land of Legends amusement park at the Rixos Hotel is open for thrill seekers in Belek. Here you can ride on 30 water slides, watch fish in a huge aquarium, or explore fabulous worlds in a 5D cinema. Water, fire and music shows are held for guests. And Turkish Disneyland also has 23 extreme attractions, pools, spas, cafes, and an alley with shops.
Side: Cleopatra’s Domain
Side resort, which is called the open-air museum, is located next to Belek. Fans of ancient culture can imagine themselves as Cleopatra and the Roman commander Mark Antony: according to legend, they loved to spend romantic evenings here, and now many newlyweds choose Side for their honeymoon. The main local attraction is the ancient amphitheater, which in ancient times could accommodate up to 20,000 people.True, this is not the largest such structure in Turkey, but it is considered to be the most beautiful. From the upper rows, you can see the city’s baths, the Nymphaeum fountain, the Hellenic gates, the temples of Apollo and Athena, and the altar of the goddess of Fortune. There are also several columns and the ruins of the old Agora temple, which was the name of the central square in ancient cities.In the museum located in the neighborhood, you can see statues of Greek gods, jewelry, household items, bas-reliefs and sarcophagi found during excavations. The coast of Side consists of small sandy beaches, and the hotels are located in the suburbs and nearby villages, and the resort has both modest accommodation options and elite hotels. Side is also famous for its pomegranate orchards and large sea turtles. This holiday destination is suitable for families with children as well as for water sports enthusiasts.
Alanya: vacation in seclusion
East of Side on the coast is Alanya. Surrounded by mountains, this resort is known for its climate with dry, hot days and cool nights. The chain of hotels stretches along the coast, and some of them are very far from the tourist center. Such accommodation options are usually chosen by families and companies that do not need urban entertainment. For example, the infrastructure in Okurjalar is poorly developed, and therefore most of the rest time will have to be spent on excursions or in a hotel. However, you can also find activities there that suit your taste, such as catamarans and bananas, or take part in games hosted by animators.
InKonakly is a concentration of four- and five-star hotels. This place is focused on a relaxing beach holiday, but there are several shops in the village, and once a week there is a market selling clothes and souvenirs. In Avsallar has a vibrant nightlife and bars and discos are open until the morning. Guests of the resort are also invited to the spa with Turkish baths and massages. InFamilies travel to Injekum: the local air, saturated with the aromas of pine forests and orange groves, helps strengthen the immune system, and children like sandy beaches.
Kemer: beaches with blue flags
40 kilometers southwest of Antalya is one of theThe most popular Turkish resorts are Kemer. It is a small town surrounded by several villages of Beldibi, Chamyuva, Goynuk, Kirish, Cirali with numerous hotels of various levels, from modest, with a small number of rooms, to luxurious five-star complexes. The coast of Kemer is chosen by families with children. It is literally created for kids to relax, thanks to the abundant vegetation and well-thought-out infrastructure. Most of the local beaches are pebbly, but in some hotels there is also sand, however, imported from other regions, so the seabed will be rocky in any case. At the same time, the water is clean everywhere, which is why most beaches are awarded Blue Flags.
The most affordable resort in Beldibi, it is chosen as an economical vacation option. Chamyuva is preferred by fans of active water sports. Nature lovers and lovers of relaxing time go to Goynuk. Kirish is focused on luxury family vacations in five-star hotels with a high level of service. Cirali is the cleanest place in the resort, and giant sea turtles come to the local beaches. Kemer itself is home to young people. There are many shops, bars and several large nightclubs, and there is also a marina for boat trips along the coast.
Bodrum: a sailing paradise
Surrounded by mountains, tangerine and orange groves and pine trees, the Bodrum Peninsula is considered the country’s nightlife center and a recreational destination for yachting enthusiasts. Hundreds of sailboats with a crew offer tourists to go out to the open sea and admire the coast or learn the basics of seamanship. Fans of surfing, diving and other water activities also like to come here. At the same time, golden beaches and secluded coves with clear, clear water attract families with young children to Bodrum. One of these places is the suburb of Bitez, located seven kilometers away, which families choose because of the gentle entrance to the sea.Many restaurants in Bodrum have separate menus for children, and most hotels have playgrounds and pools for toddlers. Family tourists must visit the local Dedeman water park and go on an excursion to Turtle Island. In the evenings, young people gather at Halikarnassus, one of the largest discos in Turkey, with laser beams visible at a distance of several kilometers. Bodrum and fans of antiquity will not be left indifferent. They can visit the ruins of the mausoleum of the ruler of Mausolus, which are one of the seven wonders of the world, St. Peter’s Fortress and one of the largest amphitheaters on the Aegean Sea, which it could accommodate more than 10 thousand spectators.
Marmaris: dancing until the morning
South of Bodrum on the border of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas in a picturesque bay inMarmaris is surrounded by pine forests. This is a relatively inexpensive seaside resort that was once a fishing village. Now it is famous for its fun parties. Young people who like to dance all night long until the early hours of the morning prefer to relax in this place. There are 60 nightclubs and bars on one street here. And most establishments offer a discount, for example, you can buy ten drinks for the price of three or take part in some kind of competition. At Areena, the largest local club, where they host shows with fire and laser effects, the parties end at three in the morning.
During the day, you can spend time in numerous cafes and restaurants near the water and, if desired, plunge into the sea. Marmaris includes three resort centers: Icmeler, the lost paradise, which got its name due to its sandy beaches, Sarygeme, a favorite place for divers, and Turunch, where there are many coves with clear water and steep cliffs. the rocks where yachts like to dock.
We have compiled a selection of hotels for you based on popular queries:
• All-inclusive hotels in Turkey
• Weekend hotels in Turkey
• The best 5* ultra all inclusive hotels
• Hotels in Turkey on the first line
• The best hotels in Turkey with a swimming pool