Sunshine, history, turquoise seas – Antalya, Turkey’s crown jewel on the south-west coast, is the ultimate family escape. After a dreamy trip flying directly with Corendon Airlines and staying at the fabulous Corendon Playa Kemer, here’s why my friends and I want to go back soon. Here’s why you’ll want to pack your bags too – and maybe an extra suitcase for souvenirs!
1. Blue Flag Beaches for Days
Antalya boasts more than 200 stunning beaches, with over 200 Blue Flag awards – more than anywhere else in Turkey. Whether you prefer soft sands or pebbly coves, the calm, clear waters are perfect for paddling, snorkelling or just lounging like a lizard.
2. Family-Friendly Turkish Hospitality
In Turkey, children are treated like VIPs. Expect baby chairs in restaurants, kids’ menus at every turn, and even a friendly shopkeeper offering free fruit to tiny tourists. Stress-free meals? Yes, please!
3. Sun, Glorious Sun
With over 300 sunny days a year, Antalya guarantees a tan and is perfect for pool hopping, ice cream eating, and family water fights.
4. History That Makes Indiana Jones Jealous
From the grand Hadrian’s Gate to the ancient cities of Perge and Aspendos (home to one of the world’s best-preserved Roman theatres), Antalya is a living museum – minus the “do not touch” signs.
5. Kaleiçi – Old Town Magic
Step into a living postcard as you wander Kaleiçi’s maze of cobbled lanes, where crumbling Ottoman mansions lean into each other, bougainvillaea spills from balconies, and every corner feels like a secret waiting to be found. Antalya’s historic streets are filled with friendly, sunbathing cats – unofficial city mascots who’ll happily pose for your family album.
Mum tip: Turn it into a treasure hunt – let kids spot colourful mosaic lamps, pose by ancient Roman gates, and chase down the ice cream sellers who turn buying stretchy Turkish dondurma into a hilarious tug-of-war show.
6. Flavours to Please the Fussiest Eaters
Turkish cuisine is secretly genius at sneaking in healthy stuff. Think juicy kebabs, grilled fish straight from the sea, vibrant salads, warm, pillowy gözleme, fluffy pilav rice, and homemade breads fresh out of the oven – all washed down with a glass of ayran. And when the kids (or adults) need a sweet reward after a day at the beach? There’s endless baklava, sticky Turkish delight, and künefe oozing with melted cheese and syrup. Meltdowns? Magically cured with dessert!
7. All-Inclusive Value
Corendon Playa Kemer is a five-star, ultra all-inclusive resort just 40 minutes’ drive west of Antalya. Perfect for families, it offers pools, a beachside location, endless buffets and plenty of kid-friendly activities, all at a great price. The hotel features modern rooms, a relaxed atmosphere, and attentive service.
Facilities include a private beach, cabanas, a private jetty, indoor and outdoor pools, water sports, tennis club with 14 clay courts, a spa, fitness centre, and a kids’ club. Dining options range from the Zephyrantes Main Restaurant (buffet with sea views) to à la carte options like the Pier Seafood and Bona Fides for elegant international flavours. There’s also a 24-hour patisserie and bars. www.corendonhotels.com/corendon-playa-kemer/
8. Easy Breezy Travel
Corendon Airlines flies direct from London and other regional airports to Antalya in under five hours. Antalya Airport is refreshingly slick, with speedy luggage delivery (and crucially, good coffee for sleep-deprived parents). www.corendonairlines.com
9. Live Tunes, Sweet Treats, and Serious Pampering
At Corendon Playa Kemer, your senses are in for a treat. Sip Turkish tea or coffee at the gorgeous patisserie while listening to brilliant live music from local talents like Okan. As if that’s not enough, you’ll have to make the very tough choice between a rich New York-style cheesecake, a creamy strawberry swirl, or a sinfully good chocolate cheesecake – honestly, some of the best we’ve ever tasted. And when you’re not busy indulging your tastebuds, why not spoil yourself properly? Think traditional Turkish baths (hammams), complete with skin-peeling facials, foam massages, and more heavenly pampering than you thought humanly possible. Bliss, sorted.
10. Shop Till You Drop in Kemer
If you love a good bargain, Kemer’s buzzing markets are your paradise. From gorgeous leather bags that might just remind you of a certain French designer, to perfumes that smell suspiciously like the ones behind shiny glass counters, you can bag yourself a little luxury without the luxury price tag. Haggling is half the fun – and you’ll leave feeling like a champion treasure hunter!
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