Turkey all-inclusive holidays from the UK: a practical guide

Turkey is one of the best-value all-inclusive destinations for UK travellers. The resorts are large, the beaches are long and the season is warm from late spring to autumn. Most holidays fly to one of three airports, and each serves a different stretch of coast.

Getting there

• Antalya (AYT): the busiest holiday airport, for Lara, Belek, Side and Alanya. Flights take around four to four and a half hours.
• Dalaman (DLM): for Fethiye, Ölüdeniz, Hisaronu and Marmaris. Around four hours.
• Bodrum-Milas (BJV): for the Bodrum peninsula, including Gumbet, Turgutreis and Yalikavak. Around four hours.

Turkey is two hours ahead of the UK in summer and three hours ahead in winter, as it does not change its clocks.

Which coast to choose

• Antalya coast: the classic all-inclusive area. Lara and Belek have big resort hotels, water parks and golf; Side has sandy beaches and a Roman old town; Alanya is livelier and good for a mix of beach and town.
• Dalaman coast: greener, with pine-covered hills. Ölüdeniz has the famous blue lagoon and paragliding; Marmaris sits on a large bay with a marina and nightlife.
• Bodrum peninsula: smaller bays, a marina town and a more stylish feel. Gumbet is lively, Turgutreis and Yalikavak are calmer.

When to go

• May, June, September and October: warm, with sea temperatures good for swimming and prices usually lower than in the peak weeks.
• July and August: hot, often well over 30°C, and the busiest and most expensive time, especially during UK school holidays.
• November to April: many beach hotels close or run a reduced service. The Antalya coast stays open longest and can be mild for golf and sightseeing.

Things to do

• Ancient sites: the theatre at Aspendos and the ruins of Side and Perge near Antalya, Ephesus within a day trip of Bodrum, and the rock tombs of Dalyan near Dalaman.
• Boat trips: a day on a traditional gulet is one of the most popular excursions on every coast.
• Turkish baths, markets and old towns, such as Kaleiçi in Antalya.

Money and practical tips

• The currency is the Turkish lira. Cards are widely accepted in resorts; some places also quote prices in euros or pounds.
• British passport holders do not currently need a visa for a holiday, but Turkey asks for a passport with plenty of validity left. Check the latest entry rules on GOV.UK before you travel.
• All-inclusive rarely means everything: imported drinks, à la carte restaurants, spa treatments and some activities often cost extra. Check what your hotel includes.
• Take travel insurance and check what it covers.

Getting a good deal

The same hotel can cost much less in late May, June, September or October than in late July and August. Compare the total price for your group, including luggage and transfers, and see our guide on how to spot a real holiday deal. Our all-inclusive holidays page lists the Turkish hotels we have picked, with the date we checked each price.