The Best Family Destinations in Turkey

From beautiful beaches and ancient ruins to bustling cities, these are the top family destinations in Turkey for your next holiday.

Whether you’re traveling with younger children or teenagers, it isn’t always easy to find the perfect location for a vacation that will please everyone.

For families with kids who are looking to skip the lines at Disneyland or the crowds at the Eiffel Tower, consider Turkey as your next holiday hot spot.

From legendary landmarks, unforgettable and unique experiences to the most underrated beaches in the world, Turkey truly has it all. In this guide, we dive into the best family destinations in Turkey that are perfect for anyone looking to switch up their typical holiday routine.

Start planning your own holiday! Discover the most exciting and family friendly destinations in Turkey along with practical travel information.

Affiliate Disclaimer: Please note that some links found in our posts are affiliate links. Should you choose to purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Quick List: Memorable Family Destinations in Turkey

• Ephesus Archaeological Site
• Phaselis Ancient City
• Cappadocia
• Istanbul
• Ishak Pasha Palace
• Dalyan
• Mount Nemrut
• Datça Peninsula
• Antalya
• Alanya
• Marmaris
• Kas

The Essentials for Visiting Family Destinations in Turkey

🇹🇷 Turkey is the perfect family holiday which effortlessly combines nature, history, culture and extraordinary beaches.

🚙 Getting around Turkey with kids is easiest with a rental car or by flying from/to local airports within Turkey.

📸 Guided tours (especially walking tours) are the perfect way to make the most of your time in popular destinations like Istanbul or Cappadocia.

🏔 There’s no shortage of scenic outdoor destinations for families who enjoy hiking, such as Pokut Yaylası or Mount Nemrut.

🏖 Antalya, along with Marmaris and Alanya are among Turkey’s best classic seaside destinations to visit in the summer.

⛑ Turkey is a safe place for tourists with kids. To protect your family from the unexpected, it’s still a good idea to purchase travel insurance.

Are There Good Family Destinations in Turkey?

As a travel destination, Turkey flies under the radar in many ways, including being chosen for a family holiday. Although we tend to lean on the edge of intrepid travel, we’d still recommend Turkey as a place to visit with a family regardless of how experienced or inexperienced you consider yourself.

Choosing Turkey for a family trip guarantees excitement, history, extraordinary scenery, crowd-pleasing food, and incredible beaches. If any, or all, of these things sound like something your family would enjoy, Turkey is undoubtedly the right place for your holiday.

Turkey offers a very wide range of activities, top sights, and various themes of what kind of family holiday you’re looking to experience. Any type of traveller and therefore any type of family will find something to dazzle them while visiting Turkey.

Additionally, Turkey’s culture is very family oriented. Based on our own family’s travels throughout Turkey, we noticed that their society simply values family.

The people of Turkey are already some of the warmest people in the world, but they’re especially gracious and kind when they see travelers with children.

At one of our stays, our daughter was even gifted a pair of hand-woven socks that she loves to sleep in.

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What to Do in Turkey With Kids

1. Hit the Beaches

The easiest way to keep a family with children entertained is to head to the beach. More so, this trick seems to work for kids of all ages.

Turkey’s southern coastline, also nicknamed the Turquoise Coast, is a wonderland of gorgeous beaches, crystal clear water and breathtaking landscapes. Much of the beaches in Turkey are also sandy or comprised of fine pebbles which is ideal for families with younger children.

Depending on the type of travel style your family prefers, there are both wild and secluded beaches in addition to full-blown beach resorts in Turkey to choose from.

2. Explore Istanbul

Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city, the most popular place among tourists and often described as an open-air museum. It also happens to be an excellent choice for a family trip, especially if you have older kids or teenagers.

The one-of-a-kind city is Turkey’s best example of an exciting urban life mixed with iconic historic sights. Istanbul is a collection of both past and modern-day culture – a place where you can visit trendy boutique shops in addition to one of the world’s most beautiful mosques and ruins of the Ottoman Empire.

The food alone makes Istanbul one of the best family destinations in Turkey. Turkish cuisine is excellent and magically seems to please even the pickiest of eaters, which makes going out to eat as a family less complicated.

Another important key factor for a successful family trip is getting around. Affordable public transportation and Istanbul’s walkability are just another reason it’s a convenient place to visit as a family.

Furthermore, the above ground tram is one of the easiest forms of delight if you’re travelling with a young child.

Istanbul, in addition to other large cities like Izmir, Antalya, or Ankara, is also home to classic child-friendly activities like zoos, aquariums, and kid museums.

👍 Read More: A First Timer’s Guide to Istanbul

3. Visit Ancient Landmarks

The modern-day nation of Turkey was only established in 1923, which makes it a relatively new country. Of course, the geographical coverage of Turkey’s location goes back much further.

As a nation which spans over the course of both Europe and Asia, it has seen a great deal of events and many generations of people. Turkey’s land has been home to and established numerous empires, with the Ottoman Empire being one of the most notable.

Within Turkey’s borders, it’s not uncommon to see remnants of civilizations such as the Roman Empire, which came long before the Ottoman or even Byzantine.

Lastly, ruins of Ancient Greece also hold real estate in present-day Turkey and are one of the most fascinating of historic landmarks. Whether you’re fans of ancient history or not, there is no shortage of impressive archaeological sites to take your family back in time.

Visiting landmarks is a right of passage for any family trip and Turkey is one of the best places in the world to accomplish this.

4. Enjoy Nature

Beyond Istanbul, the Turkish Riviera and historic landmarks are the many various landscapes of Turkey.

Nature lovers have much to choose from – wild rivers, cliffside monasteries, soaring mountain peaks and mesmerising deserts. In our opinion, the Black Sea Region is one of the best family destinations in Turkey for those who love being outdoors.

5. Plan Memorable Experiences

Family trips are a time to have a memorable experience or two. Fortunately, Turkey is home to some of the most unique places on Earth! So, you’ll have the opportunity to try and enjoy interesting activities that you may not find elsewhere.

A few incredible experiences to have during a family trip to Turkey include:

A) Hot Air Ballooning in Cappadocia

For most people visiting Cappadocia, this is a must do activity. The hot air balloons fly over Cappadocia nearly every day of the year at sunrise, if weather permits.

It is one of the most iconic and special experiences in Turkey that’s sure to please the entire family.

B) Paragliding in Fethiye

As you fly over the heart of the Turkish Riviera, you’ll see nothing but turquoise water and stunning beaches below. Unquestionably, paragliding is also sure to provide the most memorable family photos.

C) A Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul

It’s not every day that you can journey through the water that separates two continents. A tour of the Bosphorus Strait accomplishes just that all while providing a stunning cityscape view of Istanbul. You can join a group tour or book a private ride for the whole family.

D) Dolphin Watching in Antalya

Among the many boat tours which include snorkeling and diving, you’ll also find dolphin watching tours along the coast between Antalya and Alanya. If you get lucky, you’ll not only spot dolphins but also sea turtles swimming around you.

The Best Family Destinations in Turkey

1. Ephesus Archaeological Site

Ephesus is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Turkey. It has roots dating back to 6000 B.C. and has been walked through by famous figures in history including Cleopatra and Alexander the Great.

Located near the city of Selçuk in the Izmir province, it’s a popular destination for tourists and an excellent activity for families. The ruins are in spectacular shape and the complex is large enough where you don’t constantly feel like you’re among a crowd.

If you are visiting with young children, we recommend leaving the stroller behind and utilizing a baby or toddler carrier instead.

2. Phaselis Ancient City

The ruins of Phaselis Ancient City combine a couple of Turkey’s best features – historic landmarks and beautiful beaches. Phaselis was once a prominent sea port city and left behind some fascinating ruins that visitors can now enjoy for a small fee of less than €10 per person.

It is technically part of an archaeological complex which means you must pay to enter.

The site is comprised of Roman-era ruins including a traditional theatre and a notable aqueduct that still stands tall. Its most prized characteristic is the pristine water and beaches which surround the ancient site.

3. Cappadocia

The central region of Cappadocia is renowned for its eccentric landscape and dreamy horizon filled with hot air balloons at sunrise. As much as it is a compatible destination for a girls trip or honeymoon, it’s also a great place where families can “ooh” and “aah” together at the jaw-dropping scenery.

Cappadocia is unassumingly one of the best family destinations in Turkey because it’s so effortless.

Filled with a long list of natural wonders, open-air museums, and iconic landmarks to visit, planning an itinerary is unchallenging, and whatever you do end up seeing is sure to impress the whole family. Simply put, it’s an easy crowd pleaser.

🎈 Read More: Cappadocia 3-Day Itinerary

4. Istanbul

For the family who has enjoyed a trip to NYC, London or Tokyo, a visit to Istanbul will unquestionably amaze you. Geographically, it is the center of the world (assuming you’re using a flat map) and undoubtedly feels like it.

There is no shortage of excitement when visiting Istanbul, and in our opinion, is one of the most unique big cities on earth.

For a family trip that’s packed with remarkable events, activities and world-famous landmarks, Istanbul is a one-stop shop. Istanbul is where you’ll find the celebrated Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, and the Galata Tower, all within a tram ride from each other.

Visiting Istanbul is also the quickest way to get smacked in the face by a different culture and completely immerse yourself into the metropolis life of Turkey’s largest city.

👍 Read More: How to Spend One Day in Istanbul

5. Ishak Pasha Palace

Stumbling upon the Ishak Pasha Palace feels surreal because it is surrounded by a remote region. Located on the east side of Turkey and near the border with Iran, it requires some effort to reach but is certainly worth the journey.

If your family is one for an adventure, this is one destination you cannot miss during a holiday in Turkey.

The palace is in impeccable condition and notably features a chilling dungeon and extraordinary living chambers in Ottoman and Persian style. It is unique in its cliffside location, overlooking the valley below while offering gorgeous panoramic views.

Ishak Pasha Palace will make your family feel like they are on a movie set and really, who wouldn’t enjoy that?

6. Dalyan & The Caunos Tombs of the Kings

The town of Dalyan is situated on the Dalyan River and only a few kilometers from the coastline of the Turkish Riviera. However, it’s not a destination known for being close to the beaches but instead, for the ancient city of Kaunos.

Among the historic site are Lycian rock tombs that are believed to have been constructed in the 4th century BC. There are around 150 tombs that are cut directly and vertically into the rocks of the cliffs.

They are known as the Caunos Tombs of the Kings and naturally, said to be the resting places of the area’s kings.

Along the Dalyan Strait, you can also take a boat ride through the lagoons and out into the open sea. Or, opt for a horseback riding tour, the perfect fun activity for both adults and older children.

7. Mount Nemrut

Hidden along the rolling hills of the Taurus Mountain range is the peculiar Mount Nemrut. Soaring more than 2,000 metres in the sky, it is one of the most unique sights in Turkey that most tourists don’t know about.

Although it requires a steep set of stairs to reach, the slight hike is not unrealistically impossible for the average traveller. We were able to accomplish it by carrying our toddler in a hiking backpack.

Atop the mountain is where you’ll find monstrous statues of large heads and mythical creatures. The rhyme and reason of Mount Nemrut stems from being the location of a royal tomb from the 1st century.

Miraculously, the stone sculptures remain today and greet the tourists willing to make the trek. Mount Nemrut is by far one of the best family destinations in Turkey for families who love discovering hidden gems and killer sunsets.

🌄 Read More: How to Visit Mount Nemrut

Beautiful Places to Go In Turkey for a Family Beach Holiday

1. Datça Peninsula

Opposed to much of the famed Turkish Riviera, the Datça Peninsula is one of the few beach destinations in the Aegean Sea. The narrow cape is within stone’s throw of Greek islands and only offers one main road which runs through the middle of it.

For families who like to travel off the beaten path and visit wild beaches opposed to paid beach clubs, there’s no better place for a family holiday than the Datça Peninsula.

Its beaches are breathtaking and comprised of many small inlets and coves instead of large stretches of sand. You will not come across many inclusive resorts but instead, private bungalows and family-friendly campsites.

2. Antalya

The southern city of Antalya is known as a resort hotspot. So, if your intentions are to find a hotel with amenities, beachfront location, and entertainment for the kids, your search should conclude in Antalya.

It is one of the best places to go in Turkey with kids who want the complete package of a proper beach vacation.

Antalya is a blend of a big city atmosphere with laid-back beach vibes, which makes it an attractive choice for tourists who “want it all” in one place. The beauty of visiting Antalya is that if you do get enough of the beautiful beaches, there’s always something more to do and see within the same city that requires little to no travel.

Adrenaline-seeking families will also enjoy Antalya for its close proximity to Köprülü Canyon National Park. The canyon is a favored destination for whitewater rafting and just over one hour from the city.

3. Alanya

Alanya is known for its miles of sandy and wide coastline. It is one of the few places along the southern coast of Turkey that consistently provides fine light sand at all of its beaches.

Naturally, it’s adored by families with younger children because of the uncomplicated access to water and the many beach clubs where you can rent sun beds and umbrellas for the day.

Popular sea tours that depart from Alanya include dolphin and sea turtle watching boat rides.

4. Marmaris

Marmaris is nestled in a bay among one of the most beautiful coastal sections of Turkey. The back drop of mountains and rugged cliff landscapes create a dramatic scenery, while the city of Marmaris overlooks the idling yachts and sailboats in the cove.

Along the immediate shoreline of the city is a range of waterfront hotels, tour operators and even a couple of water parks.

For families who want to stay put in one location during their beach holiday but keep their options open, Marmaris is the best choice.

There are a variety of tours and activities that depart from Marmaris which allow your family to experience off-roading excursions, a quad safari, and a pirate boat trip for the kiddos.

5. Kaş

The endearing seaside town of Kaş is the perfect seaside family destination in Turkey for families who don’t want to stay in a resort town. It has an authentic energy, charming cobblestone streets and many boutique shops which strips away any mainstream energy.

You will also find a variety of accommodation in Kaş, compared to just chain hotels and massive complexes.

Families who enjoy a unique Airbnb, glamping or perhaps a private villa in the hills will have many options to sort through in Kaş.

How to Visit the Best Family Destinations in Turkey

Plan a Family Road Trip

We are avid road trippers and if you are too, you can probably already guess that driving throughout Turkey is an absolute dream. Whether you are overlanding or not, Turkey is a playground for adventurers who like to explore on their own time and therefore, by car.

🗺 Read More: Best Turkey Road Trip Routes

If you have the time and confidence, consider renting a car for your family holiday in Turkey. It makes visiting the best places in Turkey for families a bit of an adventure itself when you’re on a road trip.

Driving in Turkey is very similar to driving in Europe and as long as you avoid major cities, getting around by car is feasible for any average driver.

Utilise Local Airports

Naturally, we don’t expect all travellers to feel this way about driving in Turkey. But luckily, Turkey is just as easily explored without having to drive yourself. Turkey is crawling with local airports and you’ll find one in every large city.

These are not just recreational airports but domestic airports which connect the vast country by regularly scheduled flights. If your family holiday itinerary includes multiple stops that are not within the same region or side of the country, book flights and not bus rides.

Domestic flights throughout Turkey are the quickest way to get from one landmark to the next. The cost of flying from one Turkish city to another is also very affordable and doesn’t eat up a huge chunk of your day at the airport, when you’re travelling domestically.

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Book Sightseeing Tours

The easiest way to reach the best family destinations in Turkey is by booking a group or guided tour. Tour operators in Turkey know that their beautiful country is big and that getting around may be an obstacle for tourists.

Depending on the destination, this is why you’ll find many tours you can book which include the cost and logistics of transportation for you.

For example, if you’re visiting Istanbul but also want to see Cappadocia, you can book a tour which includes a quick round-trip flight to Cappadocia in addition to the tour activities itself. Booking tour packages like these is also often cheaper because the tour companies receive discounts on flights for group bookings.

This method heavily eliminates having to worry about organizing flights and details for the whole family when you can just have the tour operators do it for you.

Which Month Is Best to Visit Turkey?

The fall season is the ideal time to visit the best places in Turkey for families. Particularly if you’re traveling with kids, you’ll likely want to spend time outdoors and in pleasant weather.

Yes, the summer months are traditionally the warmest, but in Turkey, there is such a thing as too warm. For this reason, steer clear of planning a family holiday to Turkey between June – August.

September and October are the perfect months for visiting Turkey, especially if you plan on still going to the beach. A family trip during these months is far more enjoyable because crowds have subsided, but the sea is still plenty warm.

Other outdoor activities such as visiting open-air museums, hiking and wandering through Istanbul is more preferable when the temperatures aren’t trying to kill you.

👍 Read More: Places to Visit in Turkey in September

How Long Do You Need in Turkey for a Family Holiday?

When planning your trip, keep in mind that Turkey is a huge place. If you plan on traveling to more than one destination, look up the travel time and logistics of getting around before committing to the length of your visit.

People who are interested in staying solely in Istanbul for a family holiday will be pleased with a one-week stay. However, if visiting additional destinations like Cappadocia, Ephesus, or the southern coast is on your bucket list, you should book a two-week trip at minimum.

Families who are just keen on a beach holiday can plan a 7-10 day vacation along the Turkish Riviera. This gives you enough time to properly enjoy the beaches, outdoor activities and visit multiple towns on the coast.

Or, book a stay in a city like Alanya or Marmaris where you can easily book a tour for various activities that travel outside of the area.

Unless you have four weeks or more to spare, do not plan a family holiday to Turkey with the intent to see everything. Choose a handful of destinations that you are most eager to see and leave the rest for next time.

Nothing will ruin a family trip quicker than relentless travel on a tight schedule.

The Best Family Destinations in Turkey: Where to Stay

Best Family Resorts in Turkey

Holiday Village (Located in Muğla) – CHECK PRICES

IC Santai Family Resort (Located in Antalya) – CHECK PRICES

Radisson Collection Hotel (Located in Bodrum) – CHECK PRICES

Pine Valley Hotel (Located in Fethiye) – CHECK PRICES

The Best Water Parks & Theme Parks in Turkey

Atlantis Water Park (Located in Marmaris) – CHECK PRICES

Dolusu Park Kemer (Located in Antalya) – CHECK PRICES

Tortuga Pirate Island (Located in Kuşadası) – CHECK PRICES

Travel Resources for Family Destinations in Turkey

☔️ TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage

✈️ FLIGHTS: Skyscanner, CheapOair or Kiwi.com

🚙 CAR RENTALS: Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com

🚊 TRAINS & BUSES: Busbud, Trainline or Omio

🛳 FERRIES: Direct Ferries

🛌 ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Agoda or Trivago

☎️ ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo

📸 TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator