On the other hand - if you have a lazy relaxed vacation in mind you might like to head for the seemingly endless white beaches which spread out from Belek along the Mediterranean. Numerous resorts with views of pine forests in the background, the river flowing into the fields and the backdrop of the Taurus Mountains relax the weary mind and body. Children can play fearlessly in the calm water, while you spend the day sun-bathing.
And the Cuisine! - You may wish to sample some typical Turkish dishes and even enjoy an open-air disco in the evening, or try the various international restaurants of the highest standard which are also available.
Truly a remarkable haven for tourists, Belek lies in the south of Turkey on the shores of the Mediterranean in the midst of its surrounding pine forests. Belek's natural beauty and potential as a resort was discovered as far back as 1984 when the region was acclaimed as the "Belek Tourism Centre". Recently it was chosen by the Tourist Ministry to be a tourism model not just for today's tourist, but also for the tourist of the new millenium.
Belek is conveniently located only 25 Kilometres to the East of Antalya's main international airport a simple 25 minutes drive. Midway between Antalya and Side, Belek makes the perfect base for a holiday, combining nearby quaint and ancient destinations with the modern international flavour which came with tourism to this area, co-existing here to give Belek a unique flavour. A blend of historical sites, sun-kissed beaches and world-class golf courses make Belek attractive to young and old alike.
Furthermore, the welcome given by naturally friendly Turkish people makes Belek the warm and charming destination chosen by sophisticated visitors with a taste for the gentle culture of region.
During the last 3 decades Belek has been developed as a holiday location for tourists of varied interests. With the natural beauty of the sea and the mountains flanking the coastal environment, its rich history, it has something for everybody. So pack your bags and head for this exotic place where the past and the present have amalgamated to offer you a dream holiday.
If you are a globetrotter with a thirst for history and archeology, the Aspendos Theatre would perhaps be the chief attraction in Belek. Built by the architect Zenon in the 2nd Century it is the best preserved example of an ancient theatre and thrills many thousands of visitors of visitors each year. With a seating capacity of 20,000 it remains a fine example of skills in engineering and architecture that existed even in Turkey's bygone days. The galleries, stage decorations and acoustics make it an architectural marvel, being so well preserved that an esential part of the visit even today are the concerts and recitals held at the Aspendos Theatre during the summer months
While in Belek you can also visit the City Walls and the Hadrian Gate, which are historical remnants of the rich Roman style. The Antalya museum is a famous and informative archeological venue, which will be of interest to every visitor. Apart from this, there are the numerous mosques and minarets throughout the antalya region, some belonging to the Byzantine era and others having been built by the Seljuks. From Belek, one can visit the greek and roman ruins at Perge, which is 18 kilometres from antalya. St. Paul is said to have preached some of his first semons here. Once again the architecture, gymnasium, the pulic baths form the main attractions.
Hadrian Gate
ruins at Perge
For the more energetic Belek also provides, besides golf, the oppotunity for a wide range of adventure sports like wind surfing, waterskiing, sailing, rafting, mountain climbing and hunting. So if you are a sports enthusiast Belek is just the place for you during your stay in Turkey.
For the walker, the Koprulu National Park is a days trip from Belek. The dramatic gorge offers breath-taking scenic beauty on the winding mountain route taking the visitor by surprise at every turn. Manavgat Falls has a milky white foaming water rush over its wide expanse of rocks while trout swim upstream, high up in the mountain lies Burdur, the Roman city of Termossa that was founded by Alexander.
