Antalya with children: Lara, Belek, Kemer or Side, which area to choose?

After Istanbul, Antalya is the Turkish destination that comes up most often in searches made from Algeria, often alongside the words "hotel" and "all inclusive". On the Mediterranean, along the Turkish Riviera, the Antalya coast is lined with large resort hotels. Yet Lara, Belek, Kemer and Side are not interchangeable: beaches, distances and activities for children all differ. Here is how to pick the right area for your children's ages and the holiday you have in mind.

At a glance

• Sandy beach close to town: Lara.
• Big resorts and a theme park: Belek.
• Sea and mountains: Kemer.
• Ancient ruins and a beach town: Side, and further on Alanya.
• A city stay with beach and old town: Konyaaltı and Kaleiçi.

Lara: sand, close to the city

Lara is the seaside area of Antalya known for its fine sandy beach; together with Konyaaltı it is one of the city's two main beaches. Many luxury hotels line the shore.

For families, Lara's main advantage is proximity: the city and its old town, Kaleiçi, are easy to reach for an outing. It is a good pick for a first stay, especially with children who prefer sand to pebbles.

Belek: large resorts and a theme park

Belek is one of the centres of Turkey's tourism industry, with many four- and five-star hotels, and the area is also known for its golf courses. Many hotels here are large resorts with pools and restaurants on site.

For children, the big draw is The Land of Legends, in Kadriye in the Belek area: a theme park with a water park and a Nickelodeon area that has its own hotel. Aim for it if the park is the highlight of your trip. If you stay elsewhere, ask whether park entry is included in your stay or charged on top: it varies from one hotel to another.

Kemer: sea and mountains

West of Antalya, Kemer is a seaside resort backed by the Taurus Mountains. Tourism is its main activity, with hotels in Kemer itself and in nearby villages such as Beldibi. The more mountainous scenery suits families who enjoy nature and day trips. With small children, ask about the hotel's beach: sand or pebbles, and how easy it is to get into the water.

Side and Alanya: further east

Further east, Side combines a modern beach town with the ruins of an ancient city. Further still, Alanya is another busy beach resort. Both are much further from Antalya and its airport, so with young children, factor in the transfer time on arrival and departure.

Konyaaltı and Kaleiçi: staying in the city

Prefer the city? Konyaaltı beach, west of the centre, is right inside Antalya. The walled old town of Kaleiçi is entered through Hadrian's Gate, a Roman monument, and boats leave its old harbour for trips to the Lower Düden Waterfall, which drops straight into the sea. It is a practical way to mix beach, walks and restaurants instead of spending the whole week inside a resort.

When to go

Antalya has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers: the season for beaches and water parks. School holidays send many families away on the same dates, so book early.

Before booking: the family checklist

• The board basis: all inclusive, full board or half board, and what it really covers (drinks, snacks, activities).
• The room: family or connecting rooms, the actual number of beds, and up to what age a child counts as a child.
• Kids' club and aquapark: included or not, opening hours, minimum age.
• The beach: in front of the hotel, or reached by shuttle.
• The transfer: travel time from Antalya airport and who arranges it.

Visa: check before you travel

As a rule, entry conditions for Algerians travelling to Turkey depend notably on age and on visas already held; check the up-to-date conditions with the Turkish consulate or the official website before you travel. Our article on the Turkey visa for Algerians sums it up. We do not handle visa applications.

Book your Antalya hotel and pay in dinars

On Nreservi, the hotel search covers Istanbul and the whole of Turkey: choose Antalya, your dates and the number of travellers. From Algeria, you pay in dinars with no bank card: BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our Telemly office. Living abroad? You can also pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you once the payment is made. The whole process is explained in our guide to booking a hotel without a bank card.

See hotels in Turkey

Nreservi, online travel agency — 1st floor, 116 boulevard Colonel Krim Belkacem (Telemly), Algiers Centre — +213 540 28 40 40.