Kids club with a side
of Emperor’s

Turkey, Antalya? Yep, we said the same. But one trip in, and we were officially hooked. Ancient ruins, turquoise water, beachside gözleme, and enough slides to keep the kids happy (read: exhausted). It’s now a certified family fave.

Antalya, But Make It Family-Friendly

When someone says Turkey, my Aussie brain used to picture chaotic bazaars, the clink of tulip-shaped glasses, and greasy-but-glorious gözleme served with a side of strong Turkish coffee. Istanbul was the default, and let’s be real—it’s a vibe.

But since moving to the UAE, a whole new travel playground opened up. Flashback to our first Dubai summer: we were absolutely melting. That infamous desert heat hit different, and we knew we needed to make a swift exit. After a few Googling rabbit holes and hot tips from fellow expat parents, the southern coast of Turkey kept popping up as the spot for families. Affordable, beautiful, packed with things to do—and, spoiler alert—they weren’t wrong.

Too Many Hotels, Not Enough Time

When we started researching where to stay, the number of family-friendly resorts was almost overwhelming. Waterslides, kids’ clubs, beachside gozleme stations (more on that later)—it’s like Turkey read our dream holiday wish list and said, “Sure, take your pick.” The hardest part? Narrowing it down.

So we didn’t.

Getting there

We flew direct from Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport to Antalya Airport—a smooth 4.5-hour flight with Wizz Air. Now, I know what you're thinking: budget airline + kids = potential chaos. But honestly? It was completely seamless. No delays, no drama, and the kids handled it like champs. Best part? As soon as we landed, our private transfer was ready and waiting, making the whole arrival process stress-free and easy..

Stop 1: Side – Ancient Vibes & Modern Tan Lines

First up, the postcard-perfect seaside town of Side (pronounced See-deh). This place is a glorious mash-up of sun, sea, and Roman ruins—with just enough modern holiday sparkle to keep both parents and kids happy.

Once a Roman port city, now a laid-back beach haven, Side is the kind of place where you can swim in the morning and wander through 2,000-year-old ruins in the afternoon—all without needing a babysitter or a history degree.

What Makes Side a Family Gem?

Walkable City: The town is close to all, and safe for pedestrians. We brought the kids’ scooters and cruised the scenic coastal path straight into town. Zero complaints, zero tantrums.
Kid-Friendly Beaches: Most resorts back straight onto sandy beaches with shallow water that’s perfect for little paddlers. Our kids lived in the sea.
History Without the Homework: Think temples, amphitheaters, and ancient city walls—just lying around like casual backdrops to your beach walk. Educational and Instagrammable? Win-win.
Adventure Nearby:

Manavgat Waterfall – A shaded, picnic-perfect escape.
Boat Trips – River or coastal options that are super chill for families.
Jeep Safaris & Aquaparks – For when your kids need more adrenaline than ice cream.

Where We Stayed: Arum Barut Collection

We chose the Arum Barut, and honestly, it ticked all the family boxes.

Smaller than the mega-resorts you’ll find in central Antalya, it still offered all the perks of an all-inclusive without feeling like a chaotic theme park.

Our room had two separate sleeping areas plus a little entryway, which was ideal for giving everyone their own corner (read: space for toy explosions). But let’s be honest—we were outside 99.9% of the time.

Why We Loved It:

Just the Right Size: Big enough for variety, small enough to keep an eye on your kids without needing a walkie-talkie.
Waterslides: Four slides = hours of entertainment. They ran up and down them until they passed out at dinner.
Buffet Life: Varied, tasty, and themed. Everyone found something to love—even the picky eaters.
Kids Club: Crafts, games, and just enough downtime for parents to sneak off to the beach bar.
Beach Bar Bliss: This was our parenting paradise. Daily fresh gözleme, ocean breeze, and the occasional beachside spritz? Yes, please.
Dock Jumping: The pier off the beach became our morning ritual. Even the little ones loved leaping into the calm sea like mini daredevils.

The Not-So-Perfect Bit:

Lost in Translation: Most guests were Russian or German, and the kids’ activities (songs, dances, even the evening mini-disco) were mostly in German. While our kids embraced it (and now sing German songs at home—who knew?), it made making poolside pals a little tricky.

In a Nutshell:

Side was the perfect intro to Turkey’s south coast. It’s got beach vibes, ancient ruins, and just the right level of chaos. For a family-friendly getaway that mixes culture, comfort, and a whole lot of sandcastle-building, we’d go back in a heartbeat.

The Road Trip That Felt Like a Mini Tour

Our journey from Side to Antalya wasn’t just a transfer—it turned into a mini adventure of its own. We booked a private driver, and honestly, it was one of the best decisions of the trip.

Not only was he incredibly friendly and professional, but he also went above and beyond to make the ride fun (yes, you read that right—fun with kids in a car).

He kicked things off with cold drinks and surprise stuffed toys for the kids (instant hero status), then took us on a scenic detour to the Manavgat Waterfall and the stunning Green Canyon. Both were absolutely worth the stop—refreshing, peaceful, and great for stretching little legs.

As if that wasn’t enough, he even pulled over at a hidden gem of a local restaurant, complete with a kids’ slide and a pool. The food was delicious, and the kids got to play while we actually enjoyed a meal. Win-win.

If all transfers were like this, we’d never dread travel days again.

Stop 2: Antalya – Turkey’s Family Playground by the Sea

After our peaceful coastal escape in Side, we rolled into Antalya—and let’s just say, this city knows how to bring the energy. Sitting right on Turkey’s turquoise coast, Antalya is where ancient ruins meet resort life, and beach days effortlessly blend with family-friendly fun.

It’s a bigger, busier vibe than Side. With palm-lined promenades, sparkling beaches, world-class resorts, and endless activities for kids, Antalya is made for families who want it all—sun, adventure, and maybe even a little relaxation (when the kids are at the kids' club, of course).

Why Antalya Works So Well for Families:

All-Inclusive Paradise: Antalya is packed with sprawling resorts that seem designed with families in mind—think waterslides, kids’ clubs, buffet feasts, and entertainment galore.
A Bit of Culture, Too: Want to sneak in a little history with all the holiday fun? Antalya’s Old Town (Kaleiçi) is a charming maze of cobblestone streets, Roman gates, and Ottoman houses—easy to explore and stroller-friendly.
Great for Making New Friends: With such an international crowd, our kids made new friends at the pool in about five minutes. And with so many activities, they were busy all day.

Stop 2: IC Green Palace – Antalya’s All-Inclusive Wonderland

After soaking up the chilled-out charm of Side, we shifted gears and made our way to Antalya for our next stop: the IC Green Palace. If Side was our coastal history lesson with a splash of beach time, IC Green was full-blown holiday mode activated. Think: lush gardens, palm-lined pools, endless buffets, and more kids’ activities than we could keep up with.

Why IC Green Palace Was a Hit With the Whole Family

Pool Game Strong: We lost count of how many pools there were. Big pools, quiet pools, activity pools—you name it. But the real hero? The toddler aqua park area. Our kids lived for the water slides and splash zone, and we loved having sunbeds close enough to supervise without needing to be glued to their side.
Non-Stop Entertainment: From foam parties and evening shows to beach games and mini-discos, the entertainment team didn’t miss a beat. There was always something happening, and it kept the energy up without being overwhelming.
Buffet Bonanza (and Snack Stops Galore): The food scene was next level. Multiple restaurants, themed nights, snack corners, ice cream carts, and even a patisserie for mid-afternoon cake breaks.
Kids Club Kingdom: The kids’ club here felt more like a mini festival. Crafts, treasure hunts, face painting, dancing—you name it. And yes, they wanted to go every day, which meant we got a few glorious adult-only hours to chill (or nap).

Room for the Whole Crew

Our room was modern, clean, and spacious enough for a family without everyone being on top of each other. It wasn’t luxury luxury, but honestly, we weren’t in it much except to sleep and occasionally collapse into a heap after a day of sun and sugar highs.

What We Loved Most:

Variety. So much to do that no two days felt the same.
Shady green spaces and quiet zones if you needed a break from the buzz.
The Kids club. Say no more.

The Only Downside?

Honestly? It’s busy.
This is a big resort, and in peak season, it’s bustling. If you’re more of a “quiet boutique hotel” kind of family, it might be a bit much. For us, with high-energy kids and a love for variety, it was spot-on. At night they had a band play which would buzz through our room and make it hard to sleep. A huge downside in our eyes.