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Hotels in Belek

Golf, pine forest and an ancient theatre a short drive away

Belek

LanguageTurkish
CurrencyTRY
TimezoneEurope/Istanbul
Temperature8-32 °C
Dial Code+90
Population85.3M
Area783,562 km²
SocketsType C / Type F
Tap waterNot drinkable

Discover Belek

Belek is the youngest and most upmarket part of Turkey's southern coast. As recently as the 1980s, this was just pine forest and sand dunes; today, a strip of five-star resorts with their own water parks stands between Antalya and Side, surrounded by 15 golf courses where Europe's top players train. Golf and high-end all-inclusive are the main reasons people come here, and why accommodation prices rank among the highest in Turkey. The beach is darker sand mixed with fine gravel, wide and gently sloping, backed by pine and eucalyptus trees instead of a concrete promenade. The dunes are protected as a nesting site for loggerhead turtles, so access to some stretches is restricted at night. But Belek has another advantage most guests underestimate: within a 50 km radius stand Aspendos, home to the best-preserved ancient theatre in the world, the colonnaded street at Perge, and no fewer than 3 waterfalls. The season runs from April to November.

What to see

The places worth your time in Belek, and what to expect at each

Aspendos

Aspendos

30 km northeast

The best-preserved ancient theatre in the world, dating from the 2nd century, seating 15,000 spectators, with acoustics so good that a whisper from the stage can be heard in the back row. Above the theatre stand the remains of the acropolis and one of the best-preserved Roman aqueducts in Asia Minor.

Tip: Test the acoustics: have someone stand on the stage and walk up to the top row. The site has no shade, so go right after opening.

Admission:
from 700 TRY
Time needed:
2 h
Perge

Perge

35 km west

An extensive ancient city with a 300-metre colonnaded street, down whose centre ran a water channel, along with baths, a stadium for 12,000 spectators and a Hellenistic gate. It ranks among the most impressive sites in Turkey, both in scale and state of preservation.

Tip: The site is large and hot — bring a hat and water, and expect 1.5 hours of walking on stone.

Admission:
from 600 TRY
Time needed:
2 h
Side

Side

30 km east

An ancient city on a peninsula, its columns and theatre standing right among today's shops and restaurants. On the tip of the peninsula above the sea rises the Temple of Apollo, the most photographed spot on the southern coast, best at sunset.

Tip: Go to Side late in the afternoon — the tour groups leave, the stone cools down, and the Temple of Apollo photographs at its best.

Admission:
town free, museum from 300 TRY
Time needed:
half day
Köprülü Canyon and Rafting

Köprülü Canyon and Rafting

60 km northeast

A 14 km-long gorge on the Köprüçay river, with walls up to 100 m high and a Roman bridge spanning the canyon. Turkey's most popular rafting run follows the calmer stretch and is manageable even for children from age 7.

Tip: The water in the canyon is around 12°C even in August, and it's the biggest surprise of the whole trip — plan your clothing accordingly.

Admission:
rafting from 1,200 TRY
Time needed:
full day
Manavgat Waterfall

Manavgat Waterfall

40 km east

A wide, low waterfall on the Manavgat river, where the water spills across the full width of the riverbed into a green pool. Terraced tea houses line the water, and boats leave from the nearby jetty for trips down the river to the sea.

Tip: The waterfall is at its best in spring, when the water is highest; by late summer the flow drops and it becomes more of a spot for tea by the river.

Admission:
from 150 TRY
Time needed:
2 h
Kurşunlu Waterfall

Kurşunlu Waterfall

45 km west

An 18-metre waterfall in a wooded ravine, with several smaller cascades and pools, surrounded by trails through the pines. Unlike Manavgat, it's more of a nature park than a tourist stop, and pleasantly cool.

Tip: It's the most pleasant spot nearby at midday in the heat — the ravine is around 5°C cooler than the beach, even in August.

Admission:
from 150 TRY
Time needed:
2 h
Belek Beach and Loggerhead Turtles

Belek Beach and Loggerhead Turtles

resort

A wide beach of darker sand and fine gravel, backed by pine forest and protected dunes. From May to August, loggerhead turtles lay their eggs here and the hatchlings emerge at night; some stretches are therefore closed after dark, with limited lighting.

Tip: No lights or flash photography are allowed at the nesting sites at night — light disorients the hatchlings and leads them away from the sea.

Admission:
free, sunbeds included with hotel
Time needed:
full day
The Land of Legends

The Land of Legends

10 km west

Turkey's largest theme park, with a water park, roller coasters, a dolphinarium and a shopping street, built as a fairy-tale city. For families with children, it's the single biggest draw on the whole coast and can easily fill a whole day.

Tip: Tickets for the water park and the dry section are sold separately or combined — work out beforehand what you'll actually use.

Admission:
from 1,800 TRY
Time needed:
full day
Antalya and Kaleiçi

Antalya and Kaleiçi

40 km west

Antalya's historic core sits behind its walls above the old harbour, with Ottoman houses, Hadrian's Gate and the fluted Yivli Minaret. Alongside it, the archaeological museum, with ancient statues from Perge, is one of the best in Turkey.

Tip: Walk through Kaleiçi from top to bottom down to the harbour, then ride the lift back up by the park — the steps up are unpleasant in the heat.

Admission:
free, museum from 600 TRY
Time needed:
full day

Photos: Aspendos — Dosseman (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Perge — Saffron Blaze (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Side — Saffron Blaze (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Köprülü Canyon and Rafting — Gökhannergiz at Turkish Wikipedia (Public domain) · Manavgat Waterfall — Spiritia (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Kurşunlu Waterfall — The original uploader was Callipides at German Wikipedia. (Original text: de:Benutzer:Callipides) (CC BY-SA 2.0 de) · Belek Beach and Loggerhead Turtles — János Korom Dr. >17 Million views from Wien, Austria (CC BY-SA 2.0) · The Land of Legends — János Korom Dr. >17 Million views from Wien, Austria (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Antalya and Kaleiçi — Esginmurat (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Where to stay

Areas and districts, matched to the kind of trip you are taking

Belek Beachfront

Best for: five-star resorts and golf

The main strip of resorts between the pine forest and the beach, where most hotels stand with their own water parks and access to the golf courses. There's practically nowhere to go outside the resorts, which suits most guests fine — expect your whole stay to happen inside the hotel.

Belek Centre

Best for: lower prices and shopping

A small town a few kilometres from the coast with shops, a pharmacy, restaurants and a market. Accommodation is noticeably cheaper than in the resorts, and dolmuş minibuses run to the beach. Suits those who don't want all-inclusive.

Kadriye

Best for: combining resort comfort with life outside

A neighbouring village west of Belek with its own pedestrian street, restaurants and a bazaar, while still having resorts right on the beach. The best compromise if you want a quality hotel while still being able to go out for dinner beyond the resort.

Boğazkent and Serik

Best for: quiet and longer stays

The eastern end of the strip towards Side, where hotels thin out and fields and pine trees take over. Quieter and cheaper, but without a car or a hotel shuttle you're reliant on infrequent transport.

Search hotels →

Getting around

From the airport

Antalya Airport lies around 35 km to the west and is Turkey's second-busiest airport; in season it receives charter and scheduled flights from numerous European cities, typically 3 to 4 hours' flying time from central Europe. The transfer to Belek takes 45 minutes and is usually included in package stays. Independent travellers can take the Havaş bus into Antalya and a dolmuş from there, though with luggage this is slow — a private transfer or taxi is more comfortable.

Antalya (AYT) · 35 km

  • Hotel transfer· 45 min· included in the stay
  • Private transfer· 40 min· 1,400 TRY
  • Taxi· 40 min· 1,600 TRY
  • Havaş to Antalya plus dolmuş· 1 h 45 min· 400 TRY

Around town

Belek is built for hotel guests, so public transport is weaker here than in Antalya or Side. Dolmuş minibuses run between Belek, Kadriye and Serik, connecting to services to Antalya and Manavgat, but between the beachfront resorts you'll rely on hotel shuttles or taxis. For the ancient sites and waterfalls, a rental car or organised trip is simplest; both Aspendos and Perge lie beyond the reach of regular transport.

DolmuşBelek – Kadriye – Serik and on to Antalya or Manavgat; runs during the day, stops in the evening. · 80 TRY
Hotel shuttleMost resorts run guests into central Belek or Kadriye free of charge several times a day.
Rental carThe most sensible option if you want to see Aspendos, Perge and the waterfalls at your own pace. · 1,200 TRY / day
Organised tripA typical combination of Perge – Aspendos – waterfall in a single day, including lunch. · from 1,500 TRY

Useful apps: Google Maps, BiTaksi, Moovit

When to go

Swimming is comfortable from May to November; the sea reaches 29°C in August and is still 25°C in October. May, June and September to October are best: warm without extremes, the sea warmed up, and the golf courses playable. In July and August, temperatures hover around 34°C, which is too much for both golf and the shadeless ancient sites. The winter months are Belek's main golf season, since the courses are green and temperatures sit around 15°C.

Best time

May, June and September to October

What to avoid

midday in July and August, when the ancient sites hit over 35°C

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Day15°16°18°21°26°31°34°34°31°27°21°16°
Night6°6°8°11°15°19°22°23°19°15°11°8°
Rainy days11986420025711
Sea17°17°17°19°22°25°28°29°28°25°22°19°

Food & drink

Most guests in Belek eat at their resort, where all-inclusive dining is noticeably better than elsewhere in Turkey — buffets typically include grilled fish, there are à la carte restaurants, and the wine is decent. For real Turkish cuisine you have to go out: to Kadriye, the centre of Belek, or Manavgat, where lokantas cook for locals and lunch costs a fraction of a resort's à la carte surcharge. On a trip to the waterfalls, stop for gözleme by the roadside, cooked by women on a griddle.

What to try

Kahvaltı

A Turkish breakfast: cheeses, olives, tomatoes, eggs, honey with cream and endless tea. It's served over hours and is a social occasion, not just a meal.

Mezeler

Cold and hot starters — yoghurt with garlic, roasted pepper paste, stuffed vine leaves. Ordered to share in the middle of the table, easily replacing a main course.

Kebap and köfte

Grilled skewered meat or minced-meat patties, the backbone of Turkish cuisine. Cheapest at local lokantas, where you point at what you see.

Pide and lahmacun

Turkish flatbread topped with cheese or minced meat. Lahmacun is rolled up with lemon and parsley and is the cheapest filling lunch in the country.

Baklava and künefe

Sweet filo pastry with nuts in syrup, and melted cheese in shredded pastry. Served with Turkish tea, not coffee.

Gözleme

A thin flatbread filled with cheese, spinach or potato, cooked on a griddle. The cheapest meal on a day trip, often made by women right by the roadside.

Çay and Turkish coffee

Tea in tulip-shaped glasses is drunk all day and topped up almost for free. Turkish coffee is served with grounds at the bottom, which aren't drunk.

Trout from the river restaurants

Along the Köprüçay and Manavgat rivers stand restaurants over the water, grilling trout from local farms. A classic stop after rafting.

What it costs

Tea at a tea house

30–50 TRY

Lunch at a lokanta in Kadriye

300–450 TRY

Dinner outside the resort

700–1,200 TRY per person

Beer, 0.5 l

180–300 TRY

Aspendos entry

from 700 TRY

Rafting in the Köprülü Canyon

from 1,200 TRY

The Land of Legends

from 1,800 TRY

Green fee for golf

from 3,500 TRY

Indicative prices that change over time — treat them as a guide, not a price list.

Practical information

SocketsCEuroplug, two round pinsFSchuko
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Tap waterDo not drink tap water — Don't drink tap water, even though it's chlorinated. Bottled water is very cheap, is usually included in all-inclusive resorts, and a 19-litre barrel for an apartment costs just a few lira.
TippingIn restaurants, around 10% is left if service isn't included in the bill. Hotel staff, transfer drivers and guides are given a little cash, but no one expects it.
Driving on theright
SafetyBelek is a calm and very safe resort. The main risks are strong sun at the shadeless ancient sites and occasional rip currents in the sea after windy days. The dunes are a protected loggerhead turtle nesting site — marked stretches are off-limits and unlit at night. On organised trips, check in advance whether site entry fees are included — often they aren't, and are paid on-site.
Opening hoursResorts run round the clock; shops in central Belek and Kadriye are open from 9am until late evening. Ancient sites close around 5pm in winter, 7pm in summer. The Land of Legends water park is open only in season, while the dry section runs year-round.
Customs & etiquetteShoes come off before entering mosques, and women cover their hair and shoulders; a headscarf is usually available to borrow at the entrance. Swimwear is normal in resorts, but a T-shirt and longer trousers are appropriate in ordinary towns. Bargaining is expected at bazaars and carpet shops, not in shops with fixed price tags.
A few local wordsHello — MerhabaThank you — Teşekkür ederimPlease — LütfenHow much is it? — Ne kadar?The bill, please — Hesap, lütfen

How to plan your days

1 day

A Day at the Ancient Sites

  1. 1Morning at Perge, before it gets hot.
  2. 2Lunch at a lokanta by the road.
  3. 3Afternoon at Aspendos and the aqueduct.
  4. 4Early evening back at the resort for a swim.

2 days

2 Days with Water

  1. 1Day 1 as above.
  2. 2Day 2: rafting in the Köprülü Canyon.
  3. 3Lunch by the river with farmed trout.
  4. 4Afternoon at Manavgat Waterfall and tea by the river.

3 days

3 Days including Side and Antalya

  1. 1The first 2 days as above.
  2. 2Day 3 morning: Antalya and the old town of Kaleiçi.
  3. 3The archaeological museum with statues from Perge.
  4. 4Early evening at Side and the Temple of Apollo at sunset.
  5. 5If a day remains, The Land of Legends or golf.

Day trips

Side and Manavgat

30 km · 40 min

An ancient city with the Temple of Apollo on the tip of the peninsula, and a waterfall on the Manavgat river a little further on. The best combination for an afternoon and evening.

Antalya

40 km · 50 min

The old town of Kaleiçi behind its walls, Hadrian's Gate, the harbour below the cliff, and an archaeological museum with finds from Perge. A full-day trip.

Pamukkale

270 km · 4 h

White limestone terraces with thermal water, and ancient Hierapolis above them. A long drive with an early start, but it's the most photogenic place in the whole of Turkey.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Belek suited to?+

For families and couples who want a high-quality all-inclusive stay and don't mind that the programme is mostly inside the resort, and for golfers — there are 15 courses of international standard here. Anyone looking for life outside the hotel, bazaars and cheap local bars will be happier in Side or Antalya.

What are the beaches like in Belek?+

Wide, made of darker sand mixed with fine gravel, with a gentle entry into the water and pine forest instead of a concrete promenade. Water shoes are worth having. Some stretches are loggerhead turtle nesting sites and are closed at night.

Is a trip to Aspendos worth it?+

Definitely — it's the best-preserved ancient theatre in the world, and the acoustics are so good that a whisper from the stage can be heard in the back row. Ideally combine it with Perge; both fit into a single day. The sites have no shade, so set off in the morning.

Do I need a visa for Turkey?+

It depends on your nationality — many countries, including most of the EU, can enter Turkey for tourism for up to 90 days without a visa, while others need to arrange an e-visa online in advance. Check the current rules for your passport before travelling. Your passport must be valid for at least 60 days beyond the end of your stay; an ID card is not accepted.

What's golf like in Belek?+

15 courses of 18 holes set in pine forest, hosting European tournaments. The main season runs from October to May, when temperatures are a pleasant 15–25°C; in summer, play early in the morning. Green fees start at around TRY 3,500, and resorts often have package deals.

Is Belek suitable for young children?+

Yes. Resorts have water parks, kids' clubs and shallow pools, the beach shelves gently, and The Land of Legends theme park is 10 km away. Just watch the firmer beach surface — water shoes help children a lot.

When is the sea warmest?+

In August and September, when it's 29°C, and still 25°C in October. Comfortable swimming starts in May, at 22°C. The season here is longer than on the Aegean or in Bulgaria.

Can I get around from Belek without a car?+

Dolmuş minibuses run to Kadriye, Serik, Antalya and Manavgat, and hotels shuttle guests to the centre. But there's no regular transport to Aspendos, Perge or the waterfalls — it's either a rental car or an organised trip from around TRY 1,500.

Visa Requirements

Check the latest visa requirements for entering this country. Some nationalities may need to apply for a visa or e-visa before travel.

Check visa requirements

Emergency Numbers

Police155Ambulance112Fire110

Language

Turkish

Currency

TRY

Timezone

Europe/Istanbul

Dial Code

+90

Population

85.3M

Area

783,562 km²

Voltage

220V / 50Hz

Driving Side

Right

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