Belek

Belek is a purpose-built resort enclave 30 kilometres east of Antalya Airport. High-end all-inclusive resorts and professional golf courses line its pine-forested coastline. Taxis and private transfers dominate transit, as dolmuş minibuses run infrequently between districts. You come here for controlled comfort, pristine fairways, and swift access to major Roman ruins.

Dining in Belek splits between all-inclusive hotel buffets and independent regional restaurants. Antalya province specializes in Antalya Piyazı, a warm white bean salad bound with tahini, garlic, and citrus dressing. Fresh mountain trout from the nearby Aksu River appears on local menus alongside spicy Adana kebaps.

• Antalya Piyazı

  Unlike standard Turkish bean salad, this version uses a rich tahini sauce. Pair it with grilled meatballs at local lokantas in Belek Centre.

• Dinner timing

  Resort buffets operate strictly between 18:30 and 21:00. Independent town restaurants serve continuous food from midday until midnight.

• Payment in town

  Town centre restaurants accept Visa and Mastercard. Tipping 10% in cash directly to your waiter is standard practice.

Belek's coast sat on the edge of ancient Pamphylia, serving as a trade corridor between the major Greco-Roman cities of Perge and Aspendos. For centuries the marshy pine forest remained sparsely populated by pastoralists. In 1984, the Turkish government designated Belek a special tourism development zone, transforming coastal farmland into a planned corridor of luxury golf resorts and high-capacity hotels.

1. 155 AD

   Aspendos Constructed

   Architect Zeno completes the Roman theatre at Aspendos, dedicated to Marcus Aurelius.

2. 1984

   Tourism Master Plan

   Turkey declares Belek a dedicated tourist center, allocating land for golf and resort development.

3. 1994

   First Golf Course Opens

   National Golf Club opens, initiating Belek's transition into a Mediterranean golf destination.

4. 2015

   G20 Summit

   Belek hosts the 10th G20 summit at the Regnum Carya, cementing its international event capacity.

Choose your location based on whether you prefer gated resort seclusion, daily golf access, or direct proximity to town facilities. The coastline is almost entirely claimed by large-scale all-inclusive properties, while inland options offer boutique stays and easier access to local transport.

• GolfersKadriye — Direct access to Carya, National, and Sueno golf courses without long road trips.
• Budget TravellersWalkable access to local restaurants, dolmuş transit, and lower nightly rates.

Belek stretches over 15 kilometres of coastline without a central rail system. Taxis run on metered rates or fixed resort rate boards. Local dolmuş minibuses connect Belek Centre to Kadriye and Serik, but rarely serve individual resort entrances directly.

• Minibuses run every 20 minutes between Belek Centre and Kadriye. Flag them down anywhere along the main road.

• Most resort taxi stands publish fixed rates in Euros for key destinations, avoiding meter confusion.

• Resort properties are expansive; walking between neighboring hotels along the highway is impractical due to high fences.

• Dolmuş services stop operating around 23:00. Taxis remain the sole transport option after midnight.

Prices in Belek reflect its dual economy. Inside resort compounds, transactions are charged in Euros or billed to rooms. In Belek Centre, prices appear in Turkish Lira, though Euros are widely accepted at tourist shops.

• Green fees (18 holes): €90–180

  High season rates apply from October to April. Twilight rates after 14:00 offer discounts up to 30%.

• Town lunch (Piyaz + Kebap): 250–400 TRY

  Inexpensive local eating options in Belek Centre deliver authentic meals at standard Lira prices.

• Belek Beach Park day entry: 50–100 TRY

  Grants access to public beach facilities, changing rooms, and showers.

• Dolmuş ride: 30–50 TRY

  Flat fare paid directly to the driver in cash when boarding.

• Currency preference

  Euros are accepted everywhere in Belek, but change for Lira transactions is paid in Lira. Keep small Lira notes for dolmuş rides.

• Golf dress codes

  Championship courses strictly enforce soft spikes, collared shirts, and tailored shorts. Denim is forbidden on green areas.

• Saturday market

  Belek Centre hosts its weekly market on Saturdays. Bargaining is expected for spices, leather goods, and clothing.

• Mosque etiquette

  When visiting Belek Centre Mosque, cover shoulders and knees, and remove shoes at the entrance.

• Beach currents

  The sea deepens quickly along the Belek coast. Afternoon wind produces chop and moderate swell.