Why Turkey wins on value
Nowhere in the Mediterranean matches the Turkish Riviera for what an all-inclusive pound buys: five-star resorts with multiple à-la-carte restaurants, water parks, spas and swim-up rooms at prices Spain charges for four-star half-board.
A quality 5-star all-inclusive week in Antalya typically runs £450–£650 per person including flights in shoulder season, £700–£950 in the school summer holidays. Ultra-luxury names (Regnum Carya, Maxx Royal, Titanic Deluxe) sit above that but still undercut equivalent resorts in Dubai or Greece.
Pick your resort area
- ·Antalya & Belek: the flagship strip — biggest resorts, golf, water parks; best for families wanting everything on-site
- ·Side & Alanya: better value, long beaches, lively bazaars — the budget-smart pick
- ·Bodrum: boutique, stylish, Aegean breezes — more couples than kids clubs
- ·Marmaris & İçmeli: buzzing nightlife and bay views, great for groups
- ·Fethiye & Ölüdeniz: the postcard lagoon, paragliding and 12-island boat trips — scenery first
Flight time from the UK is about 4 hours to Antalya or Dalaman, with direct services from most regional airports — Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle and all London airports.
When to go and when to book
The season runs April to early November. May, June and September–October are the sweet spot: 26–32°C, warm sea, and prices 30–40% below August.
For summer-holiday dates, book by February — Turkey sells earlier than Spain because capacity is snapped up by the big European operators. For May/June and September, 6–10 weeks out still finds excellent packages.
UK passport holders currently enter Türkiye visa-free for stays up to 90 days — no e-visa needed.
What 'all-inclusive' includes in Turkey (check these)
- ·All buffet meals plus snacks through the day — standard everywhere
- ·Local drinks (beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks) — standard; imported brands often chargeable
- ·À-la-carte restaurants: usually 1–3 free visits per stay — confirm how many
- ·Water parks, kids clubs, gym, most daytime activities — standard at 5-star level
- ·Spa treatments, motorised water sports and Turkish-bath packages — almost always extra
- ·Ultra all-inclusive (24h service, minibar restocked daily, imported drinks) — worth the small uplift for many