Never Have I Ever…Stayed in an All-Inclusive Resort and that’s how Antalya happened! But there is more to this itinerary…
- Amy
- 12 minutes ago
- 16 min read
Planning this trip was initially painstaking. Since we’re not typically the all-inclusive resort type, we thought we’d try it for a change. We were determined to stick to the plan: one full week in Antalya, soaking in heated pools, getting pampering hammam baths and massages, sipping cocktails, indulging in lavish lunch and dinner spreads, enjoying beach time, and maybe exploring a few ruins during the day.
The long stretch of Konyaaltı Beach, with the stunning Taurus Mountains in the background, seen from my hotel balcony, could keep me gazing for hours, just soaking in the winter sun. The whole idea of an all-inclusive stay, where everything you need is right there felt wonderfully relaxing.
But no matter how much we tried to convince ourselves to simply unwind at the resort, our minds kept wandering. We couldn’t believe that Pamukkale was so close and that we might skip a day trip to see those surreal white terraces. Or that we were resisting the temptation of driving to Izmir to explore the magnificent ruins of Ephesus, perhaps even stopping at Side Ancient City along the way.
As relaxing as the resort life was, the explorer in us simply couldn’t ignore the history, landscapes, and adventures waiting just beyond the hotel gates.
Was it really that hard to stay put like so many blissfully relaxed resort-goers? Oh yes, it was hard. And honestly, I’m so glad our gut nudged us (okay, shoved us) to just be US.
So we gently set aside our original plan of spending an entire week at an all-inclusive resort. Instead, we decided to spend a few nights in Antalya, explore the beaches, and focus on the things we truly love, discovering history, soaking in local culture, going on little adventures, and of course hopping from one great food spot to another.
We decided to make our all-inclusive experience both adventurous and enriching. The ancient cities of Perge, Aspendos Theatre, and Side Ancient City, all rich in history, were just a short drive away. For the kids, we added fun visits to The Land of Legends Theme Park and Antalya Aquarium, famous for its long underwater tunnel. And to complete the experience, we also enjoyed a traditional Turkish hammam, all of which made our few days in Antalya feel wonderfully full and memorable.
You would wonder why we chose these places specifically?
One of our main ideas was to travel in mid-February, when this part of Türkiye enjoys wonderfully pleasant weather. It’s cool enough to comfortably explore the historical sites, yet sunny enough that you can truly enjoy being outdoors. It’s also much quieter, with fewer tourist crowds, which makes the overall experience far more relaxed. While Antalya isn’t exactly cheap in February, it’s definitely more affordable compared to the peak summer months, when prices for hotels and attractions can skyrocket.
We also wanted a destination where we could both unwind and keep the kids entertained. Knowing us, we’re always looking for a mix of relaxation and unique experiences. Antalya, Pamukkale, and Izmir offered exactly the right balance. Izmir appealed to us for its rich history and charm, while Antalya was perfect for laid-back family time. Moreover, the city boasts great family attractions like The Land of Legends Theme Park, the impressive Antalya Museum, and the fascinating Antalya Aquarium.
Husband happy, wife happy, kids happy.
What more could one ask for?
Renting a Car
Do you need to rent a car? Yes, if you are going to drive to the sights yourself and hire a guide there or do the sightseeing by yourself.
No, if you are booking the tours via GetYourGuide or Viator or Trip.com as all these tours provide pick up and drop off to your hotel or a common pick up point which is included in their price.
Initially we had decided on not renting a car in Antalya as we were doing day trips through these companies. One only needs a car to drive from Antalya to Pammukkale to Izmir and then hand it over at Izmir. However, when we checked the rate of renting a car or on the fourth day, it turned out to be almost the same so we finally got a car on the day we landed in Antalya itself so that we could drive leisurely to our hotel.
If you plan to rent a car, let me assure you that it was very easy to drive around Antalya. Despite being a large city, the roads were well organized and traffic was quite manageable. In many ways, the city reminded us of Abu Dhabi, wide roads, modern buildings, and palm trees lining the main roads. The blend of greenery and modern infrastructure with coastal views is appealing to car drivers.
Best time to visit
April to June and September to November offer perfect weather and fewer crowds. Although February itself isn’t too bad if you want to escape the chilly winter of Netherlands so some place warmer. The temperatures range between 12 and 18 during the day and between 5 and 8 during the night. Public transport is easy, but renting a car gives you more freedom to explore the coast.
Hotels in Antalya
If you are the full board resort stay kind of tourist, then Antalya is your go-to place. Because of its access to the best beaches, Antalya has prepared itself to charm its visitors with its luxurious properties launched on the beach with a full access to pools, hot and cold, children play area, babysitting services, inclusive of tours to the most promising attractions like the temple of Apollo, day tours to Pamukkale and cappadocia etc. The massive food spread from morning till night at these resorts is no mean deal. It’s a great selection of international and domestic food that cater to the needs of most travelers. Ofcourse they are priced accordingly at a whopping €250-500 euro a night for a family of four. However, if you are looking at more reasonable options, do not get disappointed. There are tonnes of different kinds of accommodations available for every kind of traveller, however albeit the frills and fancies.
Here’s a closer look at some of the best places we considered, and how we made our final decision.
If you’re planning your trip, here are a few platforms I personally recommend and often use for bookings:
Rixos Downtown Antalya
Location: Close to Antalya city centre and near Konyaaltı Beach.
Price point: ~€896 (4 nights, 2 adults + 2 children)
Amenities & Services:
The hotel offers spacious rooms with sea or mountain views, a large outdoor pool, spa and wellness facilities, fitness centre, and multiple restaurants and bars. Its central location makes sightseeing and beach time equally convenient.
Adalya Elite Lara Hotel
Location: Lara Beach area, around 20 minutes from Antalya city centre, with direct beach access.
Price point: ~€748 (4 nights, 2 adults + 2 children)
Amenities & Services:
A full all-inclusive resort featuring large swimming pools, water slides, kids’ club, daily entertainment, themed restaurants, and a private beach, making it ideal for a self-contained holiday.
Calista Luxury Resort
Location: Belek, approximately 40 minutes from Antalya city centre, with a private beachfront.
Price point: ~€887 (4 nights, 2 adults + 2 children
Amenities & Services:
The resort features elegant pools, a luxury spa and wellness centre, fine-dining restaurants, beautifully landscaped grounds, and access to nearby golf courses.
Falcon Hotel
Location: Close to Antalya city centre with a private beach platform along the coast.
Price point: ~€512 (4 nights, 2 adults + 2 children)
Amenities & Services:
Falcon Hotel offers sea-view rooms, an outdoor pool, relaxed dining options, and easy access to city attractions while still enjoying a seaside setting.
Concorde De Luxe Resort Lara
Location: Lara Beach, about 25 minutes from Antalya city centre, with direct access to a sandy beach.
Price point: ~€1,021 (4 nights, 2 adults + 2 children)
Amenities & Services:
This large all-inclusive resort includes multiple pools, water slides, themed restaurants, entertainment programmes, and spacious family-friendly rooms.
Sealife Family Resort Hotel (Our Pick)
Location: Along Konyaaltı Beach, around 10–15 minutes from Antalya city centre.
Price point: ~€664 (4 nights, 2 adults + 2 children)
Amenities & Services:
The hotel features multiple swimming pools, direct beach access, spa and fitness facilities, kids’ activities, entertainment programmes, and modern, comfortable rooms suitable for families.
Akra Hotel Antalya
Location: Near Antalya city centre, set on cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean with direct sea access.
Price point: €1,200+ (4 nights, full board)
Amenities & Services:
A stylish, upscale hotel offering panoramic sea views, several high-quality restaurants, a luxury spa, fitness centre, and swimming pools designed for both relaxation and wellness.
Akra V Hotel
Location: Opposite Akra Hotel, close to the city centre and coastal walking paths.
Price point: Lower than Akra Hotel (breakfast only)
Amenities & Services:
A newer, modern property with contemporary rooms, stylish interiors, rooftop facilities, and easy access to nearby cafés, beaches, and city attractions.
Our Journey
We boarded our flight from Amsterdam at 1:20 p.m. with AJet, the low-cost subsidiary of Turkish Airlines (formerly AnadoluJet), which operates flights across Türkiye and Europe. The aircraft had a standard 3-by-3 seating configuration, with food available for purchase and no in-flight entertainment. Since it was a short three-hour transit flight with a layover in Istanbul, it suited us perfectly.
The domestic transfer at Istanbul Airport was smooth and efficient, giving us plenty of time to enjoy some delicious potato and chicken pide before our next flight. We finally landed at Antalya domestic airport T4 at 11:30 p.m. because we landed so late all the rent-a-car kiosks inside the airport were closed. Instead we had to walk 300 metres away from the airport where all the rent-a-car offices lie. Luckily there wasn’t much of a queue and we got our car quickly.
All-Inclusive Resort Itinerary of Antalya
This city is the jewel of Türkiye’s Turquoise Coast. The vibe is primarily sun-drenched beaches, ancient ruins, and lively bazaars. If you read blogs or run a brief search on Google, the Top highlights mention 'Wander the historic Old Town (Kaleiçi), relax on Konyaaltı Beach, and take in the Düden Waterfalls. For history lovers, the Roman-era Hadrian’s Gate and Aspendos Theater are must-sees.'
I completely agree it’s a must-see but there is much more than meets the eye or the internet search 👀.
We broke down our all-inclusive Antalya itinerary as below.
Day 1 - Arrival in Antalya
Arrive in Antalya, transfer straight to hotel.
If you’re eager on sightseeing, Book a hotel close to Kaleiçi or Lara. If you’re eager to swim in the Mediterranean, then book a hotel close to the coastal areas near Muratpaşa/Konyaaltı. Best is to enjoy the facilities of the hotel like Turkish Hammam, spa and pool or relax in the open deck sipping cocktails.
Overnight – Stay in Antalya.
Day 2 - Kaleiçi Old Town and Waterfalls
There is an excellent walking tour that I recommend that you book on GetYourGuide to explore the Kaleiçi Old Town including Hadrian’s Gate, marina, Yivli Minaret area and old city walls with an experienced local. I believe there is no better way to explore a place than by walking on its streets, soaking in the culture and history and listening to stories of the place from people who inhabit it.
However, this time around we decided to explore the city ourselves. After a relaxing breakfast, our first stop was the Kalechi old town. We parked our car at Cumhuriyet Meydanı Kapalı Otaparkı (Republic Square Indoor Parking) which is right at th old town. But id you don’t find parking there. Then you can park at the Mall Mark Antalya. It is a 20 min walk from there to the old town.
From the Republic Square, we walked towards the Hadrian Gate. Along the way, we passed many local markets (bazaars) and vendors selling first copies of designer bags and clothes. There were also a dozen vendors selling fresh pomegranate and orange juice. A cup of corn turned out to be a big hit with the kids!
And then we finally reached Hadrian’s Gate. This historic Roman gate, built in honor of Emperor Hadrian’s visit to the city in the 2nd century, stands tall and majestic with its three elegant arches and beautifully carved marble columns. It marks as one of the main entrances to the old town.
We wandered deeper into the charming cobblestone streets of Kaleiçi. Along the way we passed the historic Antalya Clock Tower (Saat Kulesi), which once formed part of the old city walls. Nearby stood the beautiful Tekeli Mehmet Pasha Mosque with its elegant Ottoman dome, while the famous Yivli Minare Mosque and its distinctive minaret rose above the skyline of the old town.
Colorful bougainvillea hung from old Ottoman-style houses, and the street was adorned with cozy cafés or boutique hotels. Many restaurants tried to usher us in for a tasty lunch of seafood, which is a specialty of Antalya. Lunch was at Pastorale Restaurant, a quaint and cute little place with a lovely garden terrace. It was the perfect spot to relax after our walk through the old town. We tried their Adana kebab while the kids went for pasta bolognese. I settled for a warm bowl of lentil soup and şiş tavuk, both of which were simple but delicious.
After lunch, we drove about 20 minutes to the Upper Düden Waterfalls. The park surrounding the waterfalls is peaceful and green. There are shaded walking paths and plenty of spots to sit and relax. One of the highlights is being able to walk behind the waterfall through small caves and tunnels. The kids loved the open spaces where they could run around freely while we enjoyed the scenic views.
By evening, we returned to Antalya and stayed overnight in the city.
Day 3 - Perge, Aspendos Ruins and Side Seaside Adventure
In the morning, we drove about an hour from Antalya to Perge, one of the most impressive ancient cities in the region. The scale of the city gives you a real sense of how important Perge once was during Roman times. With a guide, we wandered along the grand colonnaded streets, past the remains of Roman baths, mosaics, and the massive ancient stadium.
I’ve written more about our visit in my blog post titled 'A Morning of Family Memories in Perge - Half-Day Tour in Turkiye'
After exploring Perge, we drove another 30 minutes to the remarkable Aspendos Theatre. The theatre could seat around 12,000–15,000 spectators (although the guide told us that it could seat around 25,000 spectators). It was built in the 2nd century AD during the reign of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. This Roman theatre is considered one of the best-preserved ancient theatres in the world. We climbed up the steep stone seating to take in the incredible views of the stage and surrounding countryside. Standing at the top really shows the sheer scale of the structure. One of the fun parts of visiting is testing the famous acoustics. Right at the centre of the stage in fron tof the steps, if you make even a small sound, it can be heard clearly from the higher rows. No wonder the theatre is still used for concerts, opera, and ballet performances, especially during the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival.
For lunch, we stopped near Aspendos at Belkıs Restaurant. It was a very simple, low-budget place with just a few tables and chairs, but the food was hearty and satisfying. The restaurant offered a fixed menu where you could choose between fish and rice, chicken and rice, or meat and rice. Alongside the main dish, there was a small buffet with fresh farm-to-table salads, yogurt, and soup.
The meal felt very local and homemade, exactly the kind of place you might miss if you were only looking for tourist restaurants. Drinks were extra, and the freshly squeezed orange juice was especially delicious. After a hearty meal, we proceeded to the beautiful city of Side.
In the afternoon, we continued our journey to Side Old Town, which sits beautifully along the Mediterranean coast. From the parking area, we walked about 15 minutes toward the old town. From there, we took a small shuttle to reach the main ruins area, which cost €4 per person, something that hadn’t been mentioned in the itinerary. However, when we checked at the ticket booth later, it was just €1 per person. Clearly, the guide had pocketed the money.
Side is a beautiful seaside town with a long and fascinating history. What was new to me was its symbol - the pomegranate! It is seen on old coins and monuments and obviously there are a plethora of pomengranatejuice shops in the town . From a historical pov, this city was very rich and important, because it was ruled by different empires, including the Persians, Alexander the Great, and later the Romans. The Romans built remarkable structures here, including a grand theatre, the agora, and the iconic Temple of Apollo by the sea, many of which can still be visited today. The tall white columns of the temple of Apollo overlooking the water make it one of the most picturesque spots along the Turkish Riviera. The temple was built about 2,000 years ago during the Roman period. It was dedicated to Apollo, the god of the sun and light. In ancient times, Side was an important port city, and sailors arriving by ship would have seen this temple standing near the harbour. Today, only a few columns remain, but they give a beautiful glimpse of how grand the temple must have once been.
Thanks to its busy harbour, Side grew through trade and became a powerful city in ancient times. We spent some time strolling along the harbour, enjoying the coastal views and relaxed vibe of the town. The kids also managed to squeeze in a short beach break, dipping their feet in the sea before we continued exploring the area. I would have loved if the guide had explained a bit more about the history of Side and its fascinating ruins.
In the evening, we drove back to Antalya, which took roughly 1 to 1.5 hours, ending the day after a wonderful mix of ancient history, seaside scenery, and relaxed exploration.
This Perge, Aspendos, and Side day tour is a full-day experience (approx. 8–10 hours) covering major historical highlights, including the ancient city of Perge, the impressive Aspendos Theatre, and the coastal ruins of Side. Tip: Book the option without entrance fees. If your child aged 7 or below, the entrance is free for your child. It’s s much cheaper to book without entrance fees, instead of booking the tour with entrance fees because it comes to so much more. BOOK HERE. |
Day 4 - Aquarium and traditional Turkish hammam
Later in the day, we visited Antalya Aquarium, which turned out to be another highlight. It is best known for its giant underwater tunnel, which is one of the longest tunnel aquariums in the world, 131-meter-long. Visitors walk through a clear tunnel while sharks, rays, and many kinds of fish swim all around and above them, creating the feeling of being underwater. The aquarium also had several interactive exhibits and themed sections that the kids really enjoyed exploring. The complex also includes areas like Snow World, WildPark (a reptile house), and a 4D cinema, although some of these are separate ticketed experiences. You can see a sunken plane and a shipwreck underwater in the aquarium.
Back at the hotel, we experienced a traditional Turkish hammam and opted for a shorter, family-friendly session. The experience began in the warm marble steam room, allowing us to relax and unwind. This was followed by a gentle scrub and a foamy wash. After that, we were left to enjoy the hammam privately as a family. The kids had a blast playing with the bubbles from the foam wash, while we relaxed on the warm marble stone. It was both refreshing and soothing after a busy day of sightseeing, and a wonderful way for all of us to experience an important part of Turkish culture together.
Day 5 - Land of Legends Adventure Park
We primarily booked this only for the kids. We are not theme park biggies. Yes we definitely enjoyed it growing up but unlike other parents who have been to Disneyland a zillion times or by hearted Universal studio layouts, we prefer to put our mind, energy and money in other more natural things that kids and adults alike enjoy.
However Land of Legends looked promising so we decided to take our chance. We booked our tickets in advance. Being winger we got a decent discount, so Tickets were priced at €50 Per head. The park is divided into many zones, like nickoledan land, aqua park, masha and bear and others (name them). All the rides weren’t open and the aqua park was closed, however the kids and us had a ball of a time from 12 pm to 6 pm. It takes about an hour by car from Antalya. But if you fancy there are also resorts and hotels located very near the park.
For day tickets, you can book directly through the official website: Official Land of Legends Website Alternatively, the Land of Legends night experience is a great option, a 3–4 hour evening tour priced around €20–€40 per person, featuring light and fountain shows, performances, and shopping with transfers included. BOOK HERE. |
Final Thoughts
Looking back, Antalya turned out to be exactly what we needed. What began as a carefully planned week of doing almost nothing at an all-inclusive resort slowly transformed into something much more meaningful. We still enjoyed the comforts of resort life, however, stepping beyond the hotel gates opened up an entirely different side of the region.
In the end, this trip reminded us of something simple: travel doesn’t have to be one thing or the other. It can be restful and adventurous at the same time. It can be slow mornings by the sea and afternoons that are spent wandering through ruins that are thousands of years old.
Antalya gave us exactly that balance, a little relaxation and a lot of discovery which eventually transform into memories that our whole family will carry for a long time. And honestly, that might just be the perfect kind of holiday :)
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