Children in Side

The children's programme in Side starts with water and animals. The dolphinarium runs a half-hour show with dolphins and seals — a short outing that fits between the beach and lunch. Seapark works differently: you swim rather than watch, an aquarium pool lets people into the water beside real sea creatures, and for a child that is a wholly different experience from a grandstand. Both take families with small children, and hotel transfer is usually part of the ticket.

Then come the boat formats. The pirate ship Legend Big Kral collects from Side for seven hours: games, music and swimming stops keep children busy the whole way. The Green Canyon cruise is calmer and quieter: lunch on board, two or three swims, and reservoir water cold enough that a thicker towel is worth packing for the youngest. Both fill a full day.

The country's largest theme park, Land of Legends, sits near Belek about forty kilometres away: roller coasters, a water zone and shows by day, a fountain and water-projection performance in the evening. From Side you can get there on a plain return transfer or as part of an excursion. Worth checking at booking: height limits on the rides, and how late the return transfer runs, since the evening show finishes late.