Belek mountains. Holidays in Belek - what you need to know about the elite resort in Turkey

Every country with a developed tourism industry has cities that have the status of elite resorts. Belek, Türkiye, can be classified as one of these. This resort has absorbed everything that modern tourism can offer: luxurious hotels, clean beaches, various attractions, endless entertainment, sporting events and convenient infrastructure. You can learn more about Belek and its possibilities from our article.

General information

Belek is a small resort town in southwestern Turkey, located 40 km east of the center of Antalya and 30 km from the international airport. Its population is just over 7,700 people. This is a fairly young resort, which has already established itself as one of the most elite in Turkey. It is famous for its extensive golf courses, luxurious luxury hotels, and recently the Rixos hotel chain built a large water park, The Land of Legends.

It’s hard to imagine that just three decades ago Belek was a wild area planted with eucalyptus trees and pine groves, on the territory of which carreta turtles found their refuge. It is in this region that more than 100 of the 450 species of birds present in Turkey live, and among them there are many exotic and rare birds. And although the resort itself is quite young, in its vicinity there are attractions with a long history (Aspendos, Side and Perge).

Today Belek in Turkey, whose hotels are often included in the top best hotels in the country, offers tourists a developed infrastructure with an abundance of shops, cafes and restaurants, nightclubs and water parks, thereby providing the best conditions for a comfortable vacation. It will be of interest to both passive tourists accustomed to a leisurely beach holiday, and active travelers interested in sports and excursions. And the close location of the resort to Antalya only expands the list of opportunities for tourists who come here.

Attractions and entertainment

The sights of Belek are located both in the city itself and in its surroundings. Among them you will find ancient monuments, natural areas, and entertainment facilities. The following iconic places may be of particular interest to you:

Troy Aquapark

The water park, stylized as ancient Troy, is located in the south-eastern part of Belek on the territory of the Rixos Premium Belek hotel and covers an area of more than 12 thousand square meters. m. Here, in the middle of the hills, stands a wooden statue of a Trojan horse about 25 meters high. Troy has 15 attractions for adults, and an area with slides and a swimming pool for small children.

Throughout the day, the water park hosts shows, cheerful music plays, and interesting competitions are organized. There is an excellent cafe on site with a varied menu. And next to the water park there is also a dolphinarium, where twice a day there is a performance with the participation of dolphins, a walrus and a white whale.

The water park is open daily from May to October from 10:00 to 16:30
Admission price for adults is $15, for children from 7 to 12 years old $9
Entrance to the dolphinarium is paid separately and is 10 $

The Land of Legends Aquapark

In 2016, another water park appeared in Belek. Initially, the owners of the Rixos hotel chain planned to open Disneyland, but due to pressure from France, the only owner of the famous amusement park in Europe, they reformatted the project into a hotel and water park. The huge entertainment complex houses more than 40 water attractions with 72 slides. The park is divided into thematic zones, each of which is designed in the style of a specific fairy tale.

Here you will find a variety of restaurants, an alley with boutiques, a 5 D cinema, bars, spa centers and even an artificial volcano. The first five-star children's hotel in Turkey was built in the “Land of Legends”. In the water park you can take an underwater walk in a spacesuit, swim with dolphins and surf in a special pool.

The water park is open daily from May to October from 10:00 to 17:00
Admission for adults is $40, for children – $30.

National Golf Club

Looking through photos of Belek, you will undoubtedly come across photographs of golf courses: after all, the resort has long been the center of this sport. There are 8 golf clubs here, the most famous of which is the National Golf Club, more designed for professionals rather than beginners. Here the price for a six-hour lesson is $250 per person. For those just starting to master this game, the TAT Golf Belek International Golf Club is more suitable, where instructors offer express training, the cost of which starts from $70 per person. The golf season in Turkey starts in September and lasts throughout the winter and spring until the heat sets in.

"Sandland"

Undoubtedly, the lion's share of attractions that can be seen during a holiday in Belek are located in Antalya. Among them, the Old Town area, the Archaeological Museum, the Aquarium, the Sandland Sand Sculpture Museum, Lara Beach, Kursunlu Waterfalls and others deserve the greatest attention. We will talk in more detail about the sights of Antalya in a separate article.

Beach

The Blue Flag coastline in Belek stretches over 16 km and is divided between local hotels. However, the resort also has a public Kadriye beach, where anyone can relax completely free of charge. The coastline here is covered with soft golden sand, both coarse and fine. The area is characterized by shallow water, the entry into the sea in Belek is gentle, the depth begins only after a few meters. In some places at the bottom there may be small, non-sharp stones. This is a completely safe place to relax with children.

The public beach in Belek, Turkey has sun loungers and umbrellas for rent. There are numerous restaurants and coastal cafes along the entire coast. For an additional fee, beachgoers can enjoy water sports, jet ski rides and parasailing. There is a beach volleyball court on site and a lifeguard service. Nearby there is a green park with children's and sports grounds, and picnic areas.

Hotels

Belek is a kingdom of five-star hotels, and some of them have the status of the best in all of Turkey. There is a huge selection of 5 * hotels located on the first coastline and with their own beach. There are very few 4* and 3* hotels in the city, and they are located quite far from the sea, which can make your vacation very difficult. During high season, the cost of accommodation in a double room in hotels of different categories starts from:

In a 3* hotel – from $50 per night
In a 4* hotel – from $60 per night
In a 5* hotel – from $100 per night

Let's look at three fairly popular hotels that offer the best combination of price and quality.

The cost of living in a double room during high season is $300 per night. The price includes two breakfasts, lunch and dinner on a full board basis.

The hotel is located about 500 meters from the beach and has its own golf course. There is a large spa center and several outdoor pools with slides on site. The hotel rooms are equipped with all necessary equipment, including air conditioning, TV, minibar, hair dryer, etc.

pros

Close to the beach
Varied food, themed dinners with costumes
Polite attitude of the staff
Interesting evening shows

Minuses

All drinks are paid
Wooden decks on the beach need updating
The hotel is aimed at German tourists

Prices for a double room in high season start from $200 per night. The price includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The hotel is located on the Mediterranean coast, has a golf course, which is located 3 km from the hotel. The rooms are equipped with TV, air conditioning and jacuzzi. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, sauna and fitness center.

pros

Large and clean rooms
Well-groomed area and beach
Abundance of dishes offered
Good hotel for a family holiday

Minuses

Unfriendly staff
Internet is malfunctioning
Not enough sun loungers on the beach and by the pool

The cost of a double room in the summer months starts from $190. The price includes meals.

The hotel has three outdoor pools, a spa, several restaurants and its own sandy beach. There is a tennis court, golf course and gym on site. The rooms are furnished with the necessary equipment, air conditioning, TV and minibar.

pros

Polite staff
Clean sea and beach, convenient pier
Excellent conditions for sports
Varied cuisine

Minuses

Room cleaning suffers, bed linen is not always changed
Noise during a disco from a neighboring hotel

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Weather and climate

Belek is characterized by a hot Mediterranean climate with long, warm summers and short, rainy winters. The swimming season at the resort starts in May, when the water temperature warms up to 21-22 °C, and the air temperature reaches 26-27 °C. The warmest and sunniest months here are July, August and September. During this period, the thermometer does not drop below 31 °C, and the water in the sea pleases with a mark of 28-29 °C.

The month of June is also very comfortable for relaxation, with an average daytime temperature of 31 °C and fresh evening air of 22 °C. The beaches of Belek will pamper tourists with their warm sea even in October, when the water and air temperatures remain between 25-26 °C. But during this period, precipitation is likely, which can last no more than 3 days. You can find out more detailed information about the weather in Belek from the table below.

Month	Average temperature during the day	Average temperature at night	Sea water temperature	Number of sunny days	Number of rainy days
January	13.1 °C	8.2 °C	18°C	16	7
February	15 °C	9.4 °C	17.2 °C	16	4
March	17.6 °C	11°C	17 °C	22	4
April	21.3 °C	17.6 °C	18.2 °C	24	2
May	25.4 °C	17.4 °C	21.3 °C	28	1
June	31.1 °C	21.7 °C	25 °C	30	0
July	35°C	25 °C	28.3 °C	31	0
August	35.2 °C	25.1 °C	29.4 °C	31	0
September	31.6 °C	22.2 °C	28.4 °C	30	1
October	26°C	17.9 °C	25.4 °C	27	3
november	20.4 °C	13.8 °C	22.3 °C	24	3
December	15.4 °C	10.1 °C	19.7 °C	20	5

How to get to Belek from Antalya Airport

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If you are fascinated by the photos of the beaches of Belek in Turkey, and you decide to go to the resort on your own, it is important to find out in advance how to get there. There are no direct buses from Antalya Airport to the city, so you can get there either by taxi, or by pre-booked transfer, or by public transport.

On the Internet you can find many companies providing transfers to all destinations in Turkey. Thus, the price of a trip from the airport to Belek by economy class car starts from $25. Of course, there are taxis right next to the air harbor that will gladly take you in the right direction, but the price tag in this case may be higher and average $35-40.

If you don't want to spend money on travel, you can use public transport, but it will take you longer. Before you get to Belek, you need to go to the main bus station of Antalya, which can be reached from the airport by bus number 600 for $1.5. The bus arrives 2 times an hour. Arriving at the bus station, you can easily purchase a dolmus ticket to Belek, which departs from Antalya every 20 minutes. The cost of such a trip will be no more than $4, and the travel time will take about 50 minutes. This, perhaps, is the end of the ways to get to the resort of Belek, Türkiye.

On the territory of this protected area there are more than 600 different species of plants, and about 30 of them are endemic and grow only in this area. The canyon got its name from the river from which it was formed. This water route with numerous rapids and waterfalls is a favorite place for launching special rafts and attracts fans of extreme sports. For lovers of heights and active recreation, the opportunity to practice mountaineering and horseback riding is offered.

After swimming and walking to your heart's content, you should pay attention to the Oluk Bridge and the ruins of the once famous city of Selge. These buildings are architectural monuments - the hardworking Romans erected them back in the second century AD. And the most compelling argument in favor of visiting this area is that the air in the national park has a high concentration of ozone, is clean and very good for health.

Perge and Aspendos

the ancient city of Perge and the Aspendos Theater - every tourist vacationing in Turkey should visit here, feel the atmosphere of the ancient era, touch history.

What sights of Belek did you like? Next to the photo there are icons, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.

Ancient theater

The ancient theater is one of the main attractions of the architectural and historical complex of Perge, located near the settlement of Belek. This theater, designed to seat twelve thousand spectators, was built by the Romans on the site of a similar Hellenic building in the second century BC.

The ancient theater is considered one of the best preserved theaters in Asia Minor. The height of the theater stage, decorated with bas-reliefs, is 25 meters. The bowl of the amphitheater contains 42 rows of seats - 19 at the bottom and 23 at the top. Some of the decorations of the theater are still in place, but some were transported to the Antalya Historical Museum for greater safety.

Thirty kilometers from Antalya are the ruins of the ancient city of Aspindos. The main attraction of this open-air museum is the theater-palace of Zeno, dating back to 167 AD. This is the largest building of its kind - the theater's capacity was 20 thousand spectators.

The ancient theater-palace is considered the best preserved theater in Asia Minor. According to legend, it was in this theater that the curtain was first used. An innovation in the architecture of that period was the addition of walls, rather than the use of natural relief. This theater was the first to be built in this way. The preservation of the building is so satisfactory that it is still used every year to host the Opera and Ballet Festival.

Waterpark "Troy"

Original thematic stylization “reminiscent of deep antiquity”. There are many attractions only for tourists, without local ones. There are practically no queues, exciting and new slides for everyone - scary, for children, for couples and much more! The ticket includes the cost of lunch.

Ruins of the city of Hattusha

Not far from the modern Turkish city of Bogazkoy was the ancient capital of the Hittites - the city of Hattusha. The ruins of this ancient city are among the sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

During the Hittite Kingdom of Hattusha, up to 50,000 people lived. The city was destroyed along with the Hittite kingdom around 1200 BC. BC. The capital of the once powerful Hittite Empire appeared to the eyes of our contemporaries only thanks to the work of archaeologists. Almost all that remains of the huge empire are the ruins of a great city and mysterious writings that have not yet been fully deciphered by scientists.

On the excavation site, you can walk along the once crowded streets and squares of the legendary Hattusha, examine the remains of palaces, religious and residential buildings, and admire the cuneiform writings of ancient bas-reliefs that capture the history of a long-vanished civilization. It has its own museum where you can get closer to the history of the ancient settlement and archaeological finds.

The most popular attractions in Belek with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Belek on our website.

Tours to Belek

Prices for tours for 2 people for 7 nights with departure from Moscow are given.

Perge

The ancient town of Perge is just a 20-minute drive from Belek. This once bustling Roman port was founded around 1300 BC. e. It is believed that this was the first stop of the Apostle Paul on his missionary travels around the Mediterranean. Take a tour through the triumphal gates and admire the ruined temples, market and fountains. Columns lined the main street, where chariots once passed and people in long togas walked. There is also a magnificent 12,000-seat stadium and the remains of the Bronze Age Acropolis.

Aspendos

Aspendos is worth seeing one of the best preserved Roman theaters in the world. The huge semicircular building, built on a steep slope, could accommodate up to 15,000 spectators. Excellent acoustics have been preserved after thousands of years; concerts and operas are still held here. The annual international opera and ballet festival in Aspendos has been held for almost two decades in a row. Be sure to book your tickets in advance as they are very popular and sell out quickly.

Koprulu Canyon

Koprulu National Park is convenient to visit on a day trip from Belek. This is a high narrow valley with amazing flora and fauna, ancient bridges and fantastic landscapes. Here you can go rafting along the stormy Kepryuchay River, hike, horseback ride, or explore the ruins of a Roman theater, ancient city walls and the Temple of Zeus in the mountain town of Selge (Altynka), or simply have a picnic against the backdrop of picturesque Mediterranean landscapes.

Kursunlu Waterfall

To the north of the ancient ruins of Perge you can find an amazing waterfall - Kursunlu, located in the territory of the National Park of the same name. It is slightly smaller than the famous Duden Waterfall in Antalya, but looks much more organic in its natural environment. The 18-meter waterfall is located on one of the tributaries of the Aksu River, falling from a cliff and forming natural small lakes of an unusually beautiful azure color, full of trout and other river inhabitants. To fully appreciate the beauty of Kursunlu, go down the steps to the very bottom of the gorge with crystal clear water.

All lovers of nature walks love this calm and quiet place offering a wonderful atmosphere. The route to Kursunlu has the scent of a pine forest and the parking lot is surrounded by huge trees, offering shade and cool air on the hottest summer days. In some places, you can even see turtles swimming peacefully in the ponds. And if you want to make a wish, walk behind the falling streams of water and touch them with your hands - and all your plans will definitely come true!

Saturday market

Every Saturday morning there is a bustling market in the center of Belek. Dozens of traders lay out their wares, selling everything from fake designer bags, T-shirts and magnets to spices and kitchenware. Look for products with a local flavor: ceramics, Turkish delight or apple tea. And to finally immerse yourself in the local flavor, bargain properly.

This is the youngest resort town in the country, which was built taking into account all the requirements of the modern tourism industry within seven years. During construction, the emphasis was placed on wealthy tourists of different ages and marital status.

The area of the Belek resort is 170 km2, which stretches across picturesque places: between the Mediterranean Sea and the Taurus Mountains. The name of the city comes from the old name from the Byzantine Empire - Belokeme.

What makes this resort attractive for nature lovers is the fact that it is located on the territory of a National Nature Reserve. The symbol of the city is the barn owl bird.

Story

Belek is located in an area that was first inhabited in the 4th century BC. by the Greeks. In 133 BC. the lands were transferred to the Romans, during this period most of the grandiose structures were erected here; the scale of construction of that period can be judged by the ruins. Later, houses were built on this land and the wealth of the Seljuk Turks, to whom the territory passed, was increased.

The name Belek was first mentioned during the time of Sultan Abdul Aziz, and the translation from Turkish means “memory”. By order of Abdul-Aziz, pine trees and eucalyptus trees were first planted on the territory, which today adorn the area as marvelous plantings. The modern history of the resort town began in 1984, when the Turkish Ministry of Tourism decided to develop the city into a rich tourist center.

Map

How to get to Belek

Antalya International Airport is located 33 km from Belek. Direct flights from several airlines regularly fly here from the European part of Russia. The journey will only take a couple of hours. Those wishing to fly from more remote regions of our country may need to make a transfer in Istanbul.

From Antalya International Airport to the resort you can take a taxi or an intercity bus that goes from the bus station. A bus ride is much cheaper and the journey takes no more than 40 minutes.

When is the best time to go?

The tourist season in Belek lasts from late April to mid-November. The most popular time at this resort is in the summer, when the air temperature sometimes reaches 40 degrees, and the beach season is in full swing. During this period, tourists of different age categories with high or average income levels relax here. With the onset of winter, Belek does not turn into a dead zone at all: there are, of course, significantly fewer tourists, but there is a large amount of entertainment prepared for them. At this time, athletes, golf, basketball and tennis fans come here. The “quiet” time at the resort lasts from November to April.

Quite early - at the end of April - the resort welcomes its first beach lovers. However, you won’t be able to swim in the sea at this time, but you can get a great tan in the sun, which warms the air in Belek to +23 degrees. As for the velvet season, it lasts until the last days of October, and sometimes the weather allows vacationers to enjoy the warm rays of the sun until mid-November. The resort has a special feature - the golf season, which lasts from October to the last days of May. This place is one of the most famous golf centers in the world.

Weather in Belek

The climate at the resort is very comfortable. Already in early spring, the air temperature here warms up to +20 degrees, and in April the thermometer reaches +23 degrees. By the end of spring, precipitation becomes less and less, and in May real summer weather already reigns here. Summer in Belek is characterized by fairly high temperatures: the hottest month is July and August, when the temperature even in the shade reaches +34 degrees, while in the sun the air warms up to +40 degrees.

Autumn is a more comfortable time: vacationers are still actively swimming in the sea, and the air temperature, having dropped a couple of degrees, becomes more comfortable. The first short-term rains in Belek appear in October, and in November the air cools down to +21-23 degrees. Winter is a good time to visit the resort if you are not interested in a beach holiday. At this time, there are significantly fewer tourists, prices drop significantly, and a wide range of entertainment is available for vacationers: excursions, sports, shopping.

Attractions

Belek is a young city that does not have any architectural or historical attractions as such.

The resort is famous for its nature, sea and beaches. But it is surrounded by ancient cities, visiting which you can see many interesting sights.

Water park "Troy" is one of the most interesting water parks in Turkey, located in Belek. It is decorated in a Trojan style, and its main composition is the famous life-size Trojan horse;
Koprulu Canyon is a protected area in which more than 600 different plant species grow, 30 of which are endemic, i.e. They only grow here. The name of the canyon sounds in honor of the river that formed this natural object;
The ancient theater is one of the main attractions of the architectural and historical complex of Perge, which is located near the settlement of Belek. This is one of the best preserved theaters in Asia Minor. The theater stage is decorated with bas-reliefs and its height is 25 meters;
The sculptural group “Turtles” are two sculptures of sea turtles, which are located in the resort village of Kadriye, northwest of the resort town. Turtles are one of the symbols of the resort town. These animals are protected and honored here;
Gloria Aspendos Arena is the world's famous open-air ancient theater arena. It is located 30 km east of Antalya and has an area of 13 thousand m2. Here, foreign guests of Belek can see performances of foreign and local dance groups;
The Oluk Bridge was built in the second century AD and is located in the Kaprulu Canyon National Park. This is a stone bridge that connects the banks of the canyon at its narrowing. It is one of the symbols of the region;
Of course, the main attractions of the resort town of Belek are the golf clubs. Here are places to play the classic English game brought to perfection.

Excursions, entertainment in Belek

In the city itself, due to its short history, there are no historically or architecturally significant objects, so tourists who come here and want to get acquainted with the history of the country often go on sightseeing tours of the Antalya region. As part of such walks, vacationers, under the guidance of guides, get acquainted with the history and culture of the local people, take a walk through the old city, visit famous waterfalls and an ancient fortress.

Excursions to Perga and Aspendos: routes passing through these ancient monuments are popular among tourists in Belek. Both cities were founded in the 12th-15th centuries BC. and have survived to this day surprisingly well;
Pamukkale is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Turkey. This is an extraordinary place with an exotic landscape and unique nature. The thermal springs of these places are believed to have healing and rejuvenating properties;
The organizers of the resort have not forgotten about active recreation: Belek has all the conditions for practicing almost all types of water sports (water skiing, windsurfing, paralyzing). Diving, which reveals the unknown depths of the sea, is very popular. During such a voyage, you can see not only amazing wildlife, but also shipwrecks and mysterious caves;
Belek is one of the world's most famous golf centers. The playing fields here are equipped with the highest quality, and instructors will help fans master this classic English game.

Beaches

The beaches of Belek are a series of sandy beaches stretching for many kilometers, awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness and well-groomed conditions. The entrance to the water is everywhere without cliffs, this is an ideal place for a family holiday with children. Some are closed at night and have warning signs: this is due to the fact that sea turtles go to their nests at night.

Eucalyptus and pine forests come close to the shore - a real decoration of the coast. The most popular beach of the resort is Belek Beach Park. This municipal beach was opened to holidaymakers in 2006. There is everything you need for a comfortable stay: from sun loungers to cafes and bars. The beach is open all year round: in winter, when the beach season is no longer relevant, Turkish artists perform here.

What else to see, where to go in Belek

The resort offers a wide variety of entertainment: if you are not a fan of extreme recreation, you can enjoy horseback riding, cycling, or light jogging. The ideal place for this is the wonderful eucalyptus forests of the area.

You can get acquainted with the flora and fauna of Belek during a quad bike ride. During your trip, you will have the opportunity to take photos against the stunning backdrop of the local landscape. At the resort you will also have the opportunity to learn rafting - the Kepryuchay River is ideal for beginners in this activity. Numerous agencies will help organize this entertainment. You will be able to try boats that accommodate 8-10 passengers, and daredevils will be able to use a double board.

Where to live

Since Belek is a resort for high-income citizens, the hotels here correspond to this brand: these are fashionable establishments, most of which belong to the 4 or 5 star category, they are equipped to all modern high standards. Preference should be given to hotels that opened their doors relatively recently, because... In other establishments, the number of rooms is already somewhat outdated. Luxurious hotels in Belek are located on the first line of the beach; more budget options with three stars are, of course, located further from the shore.

There are no cheap guesthouses and hotels here, which forces more and more tourists to prefer renting apartments. But it is worth remembering that residential buildings are mainly located on the third line.

How to get around Belek

The small size of the resort town makes it possible to move around on foot without any discomfort. For those who do not want to waste time walking around Belek, there is a convenient and inexpensive means of transportation - dolmushi - a minibus. It operates over the dominant area of Turkey. Minibus taxi stops in the city are marked with the letter D, and outside the village you can stop anywhere. The fare for this transport depends on the route.

A regular taxi will also take you to any point in Belek or nearby cities. A kilometer of travel will cost from 0.5 to 1.5 dollars. Double rates apply at night. It is better to agree on payment in advance, because... Not all cars are equipped with meters. You can also travel to other cities by buses, seats on which must be booked in advance.

Where to eat

National cuisine restaurants in Belek are called “lokant”: this is where guests can try traditional Turkish cuisine. Restaurant "Adana Ocakbaşı" is one of the most popular places in the city among similar establishments. A large number of meat dishes and a wide selection of wines are presented on the menu for restaurant guests. High level of service leaves only pleasant impressions. Local bread and hot snacks will be served before your meal.

If you want to taste dishes prepared by a simple Turkish chef in accordance with the best traditions, go to the village of Kadriye, in the old part of Belek. A small regular bus will take you to this village, where you will find several good restaurants.

What to bring from Belek

The luxury of shopping arcades is one of the features of an upscale resort. The city's main bazaar features a wide selection of hand-painted pottery. A piece of the leisurely east is a Turkish hookah, which will be a good souvenir or just a thing to remember this place. From Belek you can bring an amulet - the “Eye of Fatima”, which protects against troubles and damage.

A separate list of souvenirs can be made from culinary masterpieces. Local delicacies are very popular among tourists as gifts. These are usually Turkish sweets, the national alcoholic drink is Turkish vodka and raki. Luxurious carpets are also of interest to holidaymakers.

Photos

A distinctive feature of all of Turkey is that throughout the country they treat their interesting historical past very carefully and quite reverently. They do not deny that the government has changed in the territory, the foundations and culture have changed. And even though Belek quite a young city, in it (and its surroundings) there are What look.
The city itself and its coastal strip are filled with luxury hotels. But as soon as you leave the city, you literally plunge into the historical past of Turkey.

1. The most interesting historical site in the Belek area is the ancient city of Perge.

It is from its name that the word “parchment” comes. The city is located near the D400 highway, near the town of Aksu, east of Antalya (almost in its suburbs). This attraction Belek from those, what you can see on your own. Because regular buses from Antalya to Manavgat and others run along this route. When approaching Aksu, get off near the pedestrian bridge and ask the driver to stop near “Perge yolu”. Then walk along this street, which is directed perpendicular to the highway, opposite to the sea. It will take you about 25 minutes on foot to get to Perge.

It is believed that ancient Perge was founded in the 13th century BC by the Mycenaean soothsayer Calchas. However, there is information that the city was founded several centuries earlier and was then called Parha.

Over time, the city (as well as all the territories around it) passed from the Lydians to the Persians, from Alexander the Great to Pergamum. Perge reached its greatest prosperity during the period of rule of the Roman Empire (until the 2nd century BC). It was under Rome that the most significant archaeological sites that have survived to this day were built in the city: a theater, a stadium, Roman gates, towers and city walls, baths and a nymphaeum (as large fountains were previously called), a temple and two basilicas, the streets of Perge and the palace, the acropolis.

Many of these archaeological sites are still being excavated. In the first centuries of our era, Christianity came here, churches began to be erected, and the apostles Barnabas and Paul came to preach. But ancient Perge gradually fell into decay and by the 7th century AD almost all of its inhabitants left the city. And with the raid on the territory of the Seljuks, Perge fell into oblivion.

It is believed that it was in Perge that the great ancient mathematician and astronomer Apollonius and his student Euclid lived. A one-time entrance to the territory of Perge per person costs about 30 Turkish lira. There you can also buy a special card for 70 and 190 liras with which you can visit other archaeological sites such as Olympos, Phaselis and others.

Spare no time and money to visit such a unique place. Lovers of antiquities will simply be delighted with Perge.

2. The second, but no less significant place, what is possible view in Belek (Türkiye) is Köprülü Canyon National Park.

This park is of artificial origin. The current park area contained wetlands that were highly susceptible to erosion. But by order of Sultan Abdulazid II, a large number of eucalyptus, coniferous trees and cypresses were planted here. The trees took root well and spread over an area of more than 500 hectares.

Nowadays, the “Köprülü Canyon” is a unique place located north of Belek on the slopes of the Eastern Taurus, where almost 600 species of endemic plants grow (plants that grow in a limited area, nowhere else); more than 100 species of birds, including the barn owl, which is the symbol of Belek; a large number of different animals; and at certain times of the year, unique huge Caretta Caretta turtles come here to lay eggs.

An area of 36 hectares, located between the villages of Beshkonak and Bolasan, has been declared the Köprülü Canyon National Nature Reserve since 1973. Entrance fee to the reserve is $25 for adults and $15 for children. You will have to pay separately for all services and excursions offered here.

“Köprülü Canyon” will delight tourists not only with its marvelous nature, but also with ancient Roman buildings (Oluk Bridge), and will captivate you with a descent down the stormy Köprüçay River, hiking and horseback riding in the park, and extreme mountain climbing.

3. If you are a fan of wandering through interesting natural sites, then you should pay attention to Zeytin Tash cave.

Another name for this cave is Olive Stone. The cave itself is small, located north of the city of Serik, half an hour’s drive from Belek and belongs to the category of objects What Can see for yourself. It was discovered quite recently, in the late 90s of the 20th century. Almost immediately after discovery, the cave was closed from loitering curious people. And only after everything was explored and equipped for visiting, they opened it. The uniqueness of the cave is that stalactites and stalagmites have been preserved in their original form. Some are so thin and delicate that you can’t believe they are of natural origin.

4. The category of Belek attractions includes water park "Troy" together with the same name dolphinarium.

They are located on the territory of the fashionable hotel Rixos Premium Belek. The area of the water park is more than 12,000 square meters, occupied by various pools, slides, water attractions, and all this is made “to resemble ancient Troy.” Various coniferous and eucalyptus trees grow on the territory of the water park. So, in addition to entertainment, you will get healthy air.

During the peak season, according to many tourists, there is nowhere for an apple to fall.

If you are a little tired of the elevation changes on the slides in the water park, we recommend visiting the Troy Dolphinarium. It is located nearby, so you don't have to go far. In the dolphinarium, in addition to the familiar dolphins and fur seals, you will also be greeted by unusual beluga whales.

Even if you come to Turkey on vacation at the height of the tourist season, try to set aside at least half a day to visit Troy - you are guaranteed a sea of positive impressions.

5. And of course, visit Belek and not go play golf on the famous golf courses resort - nonsense!

The game of golf does not tolerate haste, chaos and imbalance. While you move from one hole to another, you will be able to fully enjoy the seascape, peaceful nature and the highest level of service.

Belek's golf courses are so popular and famous in the world that world-class team competitions are often held here.

As you can see, despite the fact that Belek is a young city, it already has its own zest, its own charm and its own unique attractions. Come to Belek - and your holiday will be at the highest level!