Turkey Holiday Diary 8 min read
Belek: Turkey’s Luxury Playground
Belek is not your typical Turkish holiday town. There’s no bustling old quarter, no winding bazaar streets, no ancient temple on the waterfront. What Belek offers instead is something quite different — arguably the best collection of luxury all-inclusive resorts in the Mediterranean, world-class golf courses, long sandy beaches, and a family theme park that rivals anything in Europe.
This Belek Turkey travel guide is for anyone considering a resort holiday on the Turkish Riviera, golfers looking for their next destination, or families wanting a holiday that keeps everyone happy.
Golf in Belek: A World-Class Destination
Belek is Turkey’s undisputed golf capital. Within a compact area, there are over 15 championship golf courses designed by legends like Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, PGA Sultan, and David Feherty. The Turkish Airlines Open, a European Tour event, has been held here multiple times.
Top Golf Courses in Belek
| Course | Designer | Par | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carya Golf Club | Peter Thomson | 72 | Links-style, excellent drainage for year-round play |
| Cornelia Golf Club (Faldo) | Nick Faldo | 72 | 27 holes, challenging layout, beautiful scenery |
| Montgomerie Maxx Royal | Colin Montgomerie | 72 | Former host of Turkish Airlines Open, immaculate greens |
| Gloria Golf (Old & New) | Michel Gayon | 72/72 | Two 18-hole courses plus a 9-hole, great variety |
| Sueno Golf (Pines & Dunes) | David Feherty | 72/72 | Pine forest setting, excellent value for money |
| Lykia Links | Perry Dye | 72 | True links course, only one in Turkey near the sea |
Golf Practicalities
- Season: Golf is played year-round in Belek, but the best months are March-May and October-November. Summer is too hot for most people.
- Green fees: Expect to pay 3,000-8,000 TL per round depending on the course and season. Many courses offer multi-round packages at discounted rates.
- Golf packages: Most luxury resorts have partnerships with nearby courses and offer stay-and-play packages. These are usually the best value.
- Equipment: All courses have pro shops and full equipment rental. No need to lug your clubs across Europe unless you want to.
Pro tip: Book tee times well in advance during spring and autumn — the courses fill up fast with European golf groups. Mid-week rounds are often cheaper and less crowded than weekends.
Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts
Belek is home to some of the finest all-inclusive resorts in the world. These aren’t your basic all-inclusive joints with buffet food and watered-down drinks. We’re talking about sprawling resort complexes with multiple restaurants, private beaches, water parks, spas, and entertainment programmes that run from morning to midnight.
What to Expect from Belek Resorts
- Multiple restaurants — Most resorts have 4-8 a la carte restaurants (Turkish, Italian, Asian, seafood, etc.) alongside the main buffet. Reservation required at some.
- Private beaches — Manicured sandy beaches with sunbeds, umbrellas, and waiter service. Some have beach bars and water sports centres.
- Water parks — Many resorts have on-site water parks with slides, lazy rivers, and splash zones for kids.
- Spas and hammams — Full-service spas with traditional Turkish hammam experiences. Budget extra for treatments — most aren’t included in the all-inclusive package.
- Kids’ clubs — Professional childcare and activity programmes for different age groups, often included in the rate.
- Evening entertainment — Live shows, themed nights, live music, and dance performances nightly.
Resort Price Guide
| Category | Price per Night (2 adults) | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Upper luxury | 8,000-20,000+ TL | Regnum Carya, Maxx Royal, Calista |
| Premium all-inclusive | 4,000-8,000 TL | Gloria Serenity, Rixos Premium, IC Santai |
| Mid-range all-inclusive | 2,000-4,000 TL | Belconti, Papillon Belvil, Crystal Waterworld |
| Family value | 1,500-2,500 TL | Sueno Hotels, Belek Beach Resort |
Pro tip: The ultra-luxury concept in Belek means everything is included — top-shelf spirits, imported wines, premium cocktails, and even some spa treatments. At standard all-inclusives, imported drinks and spa treatments usually cost extra. Read the fine print before you book.
Belek Beaches
Belek’s beach is a long, unbroken stretch of golden sand backed by pine and eucalyptus forests. The sand is soft and fine, the water is warm from May through October, and the beach gently shelves into the sea — perfect for small children.
Most of the beach is occupied by resorts, so access is primarily through your hotel. However, there are a few public beach areas:
- Belek Public Beach — Near the centre of town, this small public section has basic facilities. Free entry but limited shade.
- Boğazkent Beach — South of Belek, a wilder and less developed stretch of sand. Good for a quieter beach day and popular with loggerhead turtle nesting (May-September). Be careful not to disturb any nesting areas.
One special thing about Belek’s beaches — they’re a nesting ground for Caretta caretta (loggerhead) sea turtles. Some resorts participate in conservation programmes. If you’re lucky, you might see a turtle release event during nesting season.
The Land of Legends Theme Park
If you’re travelling with kids — or you’re a kid at heart — The Land of Legends is Belek’s biggest non-beach, non-golf attraction. Think of it as Turkey’s answer to Disneyland, with a massive water park, a theme park, a shopping avenue, and its own resort hotel.
What’s Inside
- Water park — Dozens of water slides including Turkey’s tallest, wave pools, a lazy river, and children’s splash areas.
- Theme park — Roller coasters, 5D cinema, bumper cars, and more. Not on the scale of Disney, but impressive for the region.
- Shopping Avenue — Open to the public (no ticket needed). Shops, restaurants, and a fountain show in the evenings.
- Aquarium — One of the largest in Turkey, with a walk-through tunnel.
Day tickets cost around 1,500-2,500 TL per adult and 1,000-1,800 TL per child, depending on the season. Some Belek resorts include free or discounted entry as part of their package.
Pro tip: Go early in the day and start with the biggest water slides — queues build up fast after 11 AM. The evening shopping avenue and fountain show are free to visit and make for a nice after-dinner stroll.
Aspendos: Ancient Theatre Next Door
One of the world’s best-preserved Roman theatres is just 20 minutes from Belek. Aspendos is an absolute must-visit, even if you’re not typically into ancient history.
The theatre seats 15,000 people and the acoustics are extraordinary. Stand at the top row and have someone whisper on stage — you’ll hear every word. It was built in the 2nd century AD and has been in continuous use ever since. Even today, it hosts concerts and the Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival.
Beyond the theatre, the ancient city has an impressive aqueduct, a basilica, and a stadium. Most visitors skip these and only see the theatre, which means you’ll have them to yourself.
Admission is around 200 TL. Visit in the late afternoon for the best light and fewer crowds.
Family Activities in Belek
Belek is arguably the best destination in Turkey for families. Beyond the resort facilities and The Land of Legends, there are plenty of activities to keep kids and adults entertained.
- Rafting on Köprülü Canyon — About 45 minutes from Belek, this is one of Turkey’s top rafting spots. The rapids are exciting but manageable for beginners and older children (usually 10+). The scenery through the canyon is spectacular.
- Quad/ATV tours — Guided ATV tours through the pine forests and along dirt tracks. Fun for teens and adults.
- Horse riding — Several stables near Belek offer rides through the forests and along the beach.
- Perge ancient city — Another impressive archaeological site about 25 minutes from Belek. Less crowded than Aspendos and equally interesting.
- Antalya day trip — The city of Antalya is 35-40 minutes by car. Visit the old town, the aquarium, or the Düden waterfalls for a change of pace.
- Boat trips — Coastal boat tours depart from nearby Side and Antalya harbour.
Where to Eat Outside the Resort
Since most visitors stay all-inclusive, Belek’s independent restaurant scene is smaller than in other Turkish towns. But if you want a night out, there are options:
- Belek town centre — A few restaurants and cafes serve authentic Turkish food at local prices. Try pide (Turkish pizza) and lahmacun at one of the local spots.
- The Land of Legends Shopping Avenue — Several restaurants including Turkish, international, and fast food options.
- Kadriye village — The nearest proper village to the resort strip, with some good lokantas serving home-style Turkish cooking. A plate of güveç (clay pot stew) or kuzu tandır (slow-roasted lamb) here costs a fraction of what you’d pay in a resort area restaurant.
Pro tip: Even if your resort has 8 restaurants, get out for at least one meal at a local lokanta. The home-style Turkish cooking in these simple family-run places is often better than anything you’ll find at a resort buffet. And it’ll cost you practically nothing.
How to Get to Belek
Belek is about 30 km east of Antalya Airport (AYT) — roughly 25-35 minutes by car depending on traffic.
- Hotel transfer — Nearly all Belek resorts offer airport transfers, and many include them in the package. Check when booking.
- Private transfer — Book through a transfer company for around 600-1,000 TL per car.
- Rental car — The drive is easy and straightforward. Useful if you plan to explore the region beyond your resort.
- Public transport — Possible but awkward. Bus from airport to Antalya, bus to Serik, dolmuş to Belek. Not recommended with luggage and children.
When to Visit Belek
| Season | Weather | Best For | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|
| March-May | 20-28°C, pleasant | Golf, sightseeing, early beach | Moderate |
| June-August | 30-40°C, hot | Beach, water parks, resort life | Peak season, very busy |
| Sept-November | 22-32°C, warm | Golf, beach, excursions | Moderate, great value |
| December-February | 10-16°C, mild | Golf, spa retreats, off-season deals | Quiet, some resorts closed |
Final thought: Belek isn’t for everyone. If you want authentic village life, winding bazaars, and cultural immersion, head to Kaş or the old town of Antalya. But if you want an incredibly comfortable holiday with world-class facilities, excellent golf, and a beautiful beach — Belek is hard to beat. Sometimes a holiday just needs to be easy, and Belek does easy better than almost anywhere.
Our previous article Side Travel Guide: Turkey's Perfect Beach & History Mix in our article titled antalya, Beach Holidays ve Historical Places provides information about.