The Turkish resort where a week in summer costs under £400

Sunday May 19 2024

Reliably sunny with long stretches of golden beaches, family-friendly Antalya is always a strong contender for bargain fly-and-flop holidays in southern Turkey. Prices can soar in the warmer months, but savings are still possible if you're canny.

It helps if you can go for an early summer break, before the school holiday crowds arrive. More southerly than most of its European neighbours on the Med, Turkey already has temperatures pushing the high twenties by May. Come early June, the sea will have warmed up and summer's in full swing — all without the need for the 6am sunlounger dash. Another trick is to pick a resort that's a little further from the airport. The sprawling province of Antalya extends east and west from the airport, with the furthest reaches about three hours' drive away, but driving half an hour along the coast can mean big savings.

With these strategies in mind, we've found a great-value, seven-night package for Side, a history-packed resort an hour's drive from Antalya airport. It costs £393pp, including up to 23kg of checked luggage — forgo this and you'll save £64pp. Transfers are separate though; about £30 return if you book through Thomas Cook or a bit less if you shop around. Car hire is also surprisingly affordable — sometimes less than £5 a day — and well worth it if you plan to explore.

Your base for the week is the confusingly named A Hotel Side, a well-regarded modern property with a lappable pool and 48 simple but comfortable rooms, where you'll stay on a B&B basis. It's in a quiet spot outside the main strip, but there are plenty of bars and restaurants within a ten-minute walk. The sandy public beach, where you'll find sea-view restaurants and water-sports kiosks with jet skis for hire, is about the same distance away. For a premium experience, take the complimentary shuttles to Coppa Beach Club, where parasols and sunloungers come with attentive drinks service. The hotel lays on a DJ in the evenings, but don't expect the jam-packed entertainment schedule of an all-inclusive.

As for Side, besides doing a wonderful job of sun, sea and sand, it's also well placed for sightseeing. The modern resort envelops an ancient city founded in the 7th century BC, which was subsequently ruled by Greeks and Romans. Remnants of this rich history are still visible and incredibly well preserved, with the Greek amphitheatre, the Apollon Temple and the Nymphaeum among the highlights. All are within a 30-minute walk or five-minute cab ride of the hotel.

A 15-minute cab ride will take you to the postcard-pretty Manavgat waterfall, which is surrounded by picnic spots. Boat rides are popular here but you'll get better value for money on a short cruise upriver through the Green Canyon, where the emerald waters of the Oymapinar dam lake are surrounded by the towering Taurus Mountains. For an adrenaline-packed alternative, go for an open-roofed Jeep tour of the region that includes photo stops aplenty. The beach, the pool and all those empty loungers will still be waiting for you when you get back.

Temple of Apollo ruins

GETTY IMAGES

What you get for your £393pp

• Return Gatwick-Antalya flights

• 23kg hold luggage

• Seven nights' B&B, departing on June 6 (thomascook.com)

Feeling flush?

The £800 holiday

Antalya is arguably the luxury all-inclusive capital of Turkey, and doubling your budget means an upgrade to the five-star Castival Hotel. Across from the Mall of Side on the western edge of town, it offers a choice of five pools, three restaurants and a patisserie. The spa is a highlight, with a steam room and hammam as well as treatments. It's a short walk to the hotel's private section of the beach with loungers, but you'll need a taxi to reach central Side.

Details Seven nights' all-inclusive from £767pp, including flights and transfers, departing on June 6 (easyjet.com)

The £1,400 holiday

A room in the Paloma Perissia Hotel

A little closer to town is Paloma Perissia Hotel, a swish five-star property right on the beach and a fantastic choice for families. It has four restaurants, six bars and three main pools, plus a shallow toddler pool with slides. Even better, the hotel offers transfers and free entry to its own water park, Palomaqua. The package we found is for two adults and one under-16, and you'll stay in a spacious sea-view family suite with a hot tub. The total price for a couple is about £200 cheaper.

Details Seven nights' all-inclusive from £1,364pp, including flights and transfers, departing on June 6 (tui.co.uk)

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