Destination guide
Turkey Holidays: The All-Inclusive Capital, Explained Properly
Last updated · 2026-07-06
Turkey delivers the best all-inclusive value in this part of the world — that much is true. What the brochures skip is that Turkey is really three or four different coastlines, and the resort machine of Belek has almost nothing in common with a whitewashed Bodrum bay. Book the wrong coast and the value doesn't matter. This guide separates the coasts honestly, explains what Turkish all-inclusive genuinely includes, and covers the practical 2026 details UK travellers ask about most.
Quick facts
| Topic | The short version |
|---|---|
| Flight time from UK | 4–4.5 hours to Antalya or Dalaman |
| Visa | None needed — UK passports enter visa-free for up to 90 days |
| EES/ETIAS | Not applicable — Turkey is outside Schengen |
| Currency | Turkish Lira; resorts widely accept card, euros and pounds |
| Accommodation tax | 2% konaklama vergisi — built into your package price |
| Best weather | May to October; sea warmest August–September |
| Ideal stay | 7–14 nights |
| Best value months | May, early June, late September, October |
The coasts, sorted honestly
Belek is purpose-built resort country east of Antalya: enormous five-star all-inclusives with waterparks, multiple à la carte restaurants and golf. Rixos Premium Belek, Maxx Royal Belek and Gloria Serenity Resort are the tier that competes with anywhere on earth for family luxury.
Side and Alanya run cheaper versions of the Belek formula — the best hunting ground for sub-£700pp weeks in shoulder season.
Lara Beach splits the difference: big all-inclusives with Antalya city 25 minutes away, and the shortest transfers of any resort zone.
The Turquoise Coast (Dalaman side): Ölüdeniz, Fethiye, Kalkan. Liberty Lykia — the main resort, not the adults-only wing — is the standout large all-inclusive here. Kalkan is villa-and-boutique territory.
Bodrum is the stylish one — boutique hotels, beach clubs, nightlife. Pick it for atmosphere, not for all-inclusive value.
Antalya city — Akra Antalya suits couples who want a pool, sea view and Kaleiçi old town rather than a resort compound.
What Turkish all-inclusive actually includes
At the good five-stars: all buffet meals, snacks all day, local-brand drinks, ice cream, minibar, waterslides, kids' clubs, gym, usually one or more à la carte dinners per stay.
Still commonly extra, even at five-star: imported spirits and branded drinks, fresh-squeezed juice, motorised watersports, spa treatments, babysitting, and à la carte restaurants beyond your included allocation.
Resorts worth shortlisting
Rixos Premium Belek
Belek
Tier that competes with anywhere on earth for family luxury — waterparks, à la carte restaurants and golf.
Maxx Royal Belek
Belek
Ultra-luxury Belek flagship with most of the same toys at the very top of the price bracket.
Gloria Serenity Resort
Belek
Strong five-star all-inclusive with golf and extensive facilities — sits just below the Maxx Royal tier on price.
Titanic Deluxe Golf Belek
Belek
Big-resort formula at a sharper price — waterpark, multiple pools and solid all-inclusive baseline.
Liberty Lykia
Ölüdeniz
Standout large all-inclusive on the Turquoise Coast — the main resort for adults and families, with the Blue Lagoon nearby. Not the separate adults-only wing.
Akra Antalya
Antalya city
Pool, sea view and Kaleiçi old town access rather than a mega-resort compound.
What it costs in 2026
Peak-summer guides per person for 7 nights all-inclusive including flights: £550–£800 at good four-star Side/Alanya properties; £900–£1,400 at strong Lara/Belek five-stars; £1,800+ at the Maxx Royal / Rixos Premium tier. Drop 25–40% in May or October.
Best time to go
July–August: hottest, busiest, priciest — school-holiday reality.
May–June and September–October: the smart window. Late September still gives 28°C and a warm sea with school-holiday crowds gone.
Winter: most coastal resorts close or run skeleton service.
Common mistakes
- Booking Bodrum expecting Belek facilities, or Belek expecting Bodrum charm.
- Ignoring transfer times — some Side and Alanya hotels are 90+ minutes from Antalya airport; Lara is 25.
- Paying the ultra all-inclusive premium without checking whether you'd actually use imported drinks.
- Assuming beachfront means a sandy beach — parts of the Antalya coast are pebble or platform.
- Skipping travel insurance — Turkey is outside the GHIC/EHIC system.
Who should pick somewhere else
Guaranteed winter sun: Egypt or the Canaries. A city-plus-beach cocktail: Dubai. Island-hopping romance: Greece. But for a family, a fortnight, everything included, a four-hour flight — nothing on this site beats Turkey on value.
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Frequently asked questions
- Do UK travellers need a visa for Turkey?
- No. UK passport holders enter visa-free for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Passports need at least 150 days' validity from arrival.
- Is Turkey in the EU's new EES/ETIAS border system?
- No — Turkey is outside Schengen, so the biometric EES registration and the forthcoming ETIAS authorisation don't apply.
- Which airport should I fly to?
- Antalya (AYT) for Belek, Lara, Side and Alanya. Dalaman (DLM) for Ölüdeniz, Fethiye and Kalkan. Bodrum (BJV) for Bodrum.
- Is Turkey safe for tourists?
- The Mediterranean and Aegean resort coasts are long-established, heavily touristed and generally very safe. Check current FCDO advice before travel.
- Half board or all-inclusive in Turkey?
- All-inclusive, almost always. The price gap is small and Turkish resorts are built around it.
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