Evrenseki Holiday Guide: Golden Sand and Easy Family Days Near Side
Evrenseki is built around one idea: an easy beach holiday for families. Resorts sit along a long run of golden sand west of Side, the transfer from Antalya is short, and the old town is close when you want a change. Here is a practical guide to holidaying in Evrenseki with children, grandparents or simply a stack of books.
Two Villages, One Resort Coast
Evrenseki takes its double name from two villages, Evrenköy and Seki, which were merged in 1998; since 2012 it has been a neighbourhood of Manavgat. Today the coastal part is given over to resort hotels, many of them all-inclusive and aimed squarely at families, with the village itself further inland. It sits between Çolaklı to the west and Ilıca and Kumköy to the east, on the same long shoreline that leads to Side. There is little nightlife and no seafront town centre, and that is deliberate for most of the people who choose it. Life is organised around the beach, the pool and the hotel restaurants, which keeps days simple when you are travelling with small children.
Golden Sand in Front of the Hotels
The beach is long, with fine golden sand that children love to dig in. Some resorts stand directly behind it, while others are a short walk back, so look at the map if you want to be steps from the sea. Evrenseki Public Beach is open to everyone, and handy for guests in holiday flats. The rhythm of a day here is easy to settle into: an early swim before breakfast, shade in the middle of the day, and a second beach session when the sun drops lower. A walk along the shore towards Kumköy is a gentle outing in itself. Pack a sun tent or ask your hotel about shaded sunbeds, and bring water shoes only if your children dislike hot sand.
When You Fancy a Change
Side is about 7 km away, and a taxi there makes an easy half-day: the Temple of Apollo on the tip of the headland, the Roman theatre, and the Side Museum in old Roman baths opposite the agora. In Kumköy, on the way, a seafront promenade with shops and restaurants runs into Side centre, so you can be dropped there and walk the last stretch. Further afield, organised trips go to the 2nd-century Roman theatre at Aspendos, near Serik, and to Manavgat, where the river and the waterfall just north of town are popular with families. Grandparents and children alike tend to enjoy a boat trip on the Manavgat River, which your hotel or a local agency can arrange.
Choosing Your Months With Children
For families, June and September are often the sweet spot: the sea is warm, the beach is less crowded and the midday heat is easier to manage than in July and August, the peak of both temperatures and school-holiday numbers. May and October can be lovely too, though the sea is cooler at the start of the season. Whatever the month, plan outings for the morning or late afternoon and keep the hottest hours for shade or the pool. Evrenseki suits parents with young children, multi-generation groups and anyone who wants an uncomplicated beach holiday. It is less ideal for travellers who want nightlife on the doorstep; for that, Side is a short ride away.
Getting to Evrenseki
Antalya Airport (AYT) is the one to fly into: Evrenseki is 61 km away by road, about 45 minutes on the D400 coastal highway, which is a comfortable journey even with tired children after a flight. Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport (GZP) is 116 km away, about 1 hour 20 minutes, so it only makes sense if your flight lands there. Our transfer is private, so there are no stops at resorts in Gündoğdu, Çolaklı or Kumköy on the way. Your driver meets you in arrivals with a name sign, we track your flight, and child seats are free on request; just tell us your children's ages. Some Evrenseki hotels are sold under the Çolaklı or Side name, so please give us the full hotel name.