Located on Turkey’s magnificent Turquoise Coast, Belek is one of those holiday destinations that never puts a foot wrong. Blessed with a staggeringly beautiful landscape of endless beaches and lush forested areas made for hiking, it also puts you front and centre to a vast range of important historical attractions that tell a vivid story of the country’s long and entangled past. Even if you’ve only got three days, it’s long enough to get a fascinating and insightful picture of Turkey’s past — so pop on your walking shoes and let’s get exploring!
- Historical Attractions at your Fingertips in Belek
- Day One: Aspendos
- Day Two: Perge
- Day Three: The Temple of Apollo
- Where to Stay
- How to Get There
Historical Attractions at your Fingertips in Belek
Positioned in a prime location in the Pamphylia region, close to the important ancient cities of Aspendos, Perge and Sillyon, Belek has a vital place in Turkey’s history. Its influences are written in its food, culture, and architecture, with visible inspirations from Greek, Byzantine, Hellenistic and Roman civilisations.
Unless you have weeks to explore, you always have to pick and choose the highlights to include in a holiday itinerary — so if you’ve just got a few days, here’s what not to miss in beautiful Belek if you want to do more than simply soak up the sun on one of the stunning beaches. Although, it must be said, that could be pretty tempting… .
Day One: Aspendos
Probably one of the most recognisable historical sites around Belek is the Roman Theatre of Aspendos. The magnificent structure (22m high and 96m wide) dates back to the second century, its form bearing all the hallmarks of its impressive Roman engineering. Constructed by the Master architect Zenon, as a tribute to Emperor Marcus Aurelius, it is testament to his remarkable feat that today it still plays host to performances of opera and ballet in front of modern day audiences.
Encompassing 41 tiers of seating, in its heyday the theatre accommodated up to 15,000 spectators. The theatre is incredibly well-preserved and is renowned as one of the “most intact” monuments of the Ancient World, recognised by UNESCO as such.
Day Two: Perge
Book a half day tour to Perge, less than 30 minutes by road from Belek. This stunning historical site is home to some of the best-kept Roman and Hellenistic ruins in the country, and you can’t help but be a little awestruck as you wander around. Speaking of which, you’ll be following in some pretty incredible footsteps, as Alexander the Great and the Apostle Paul both walked through the gates of this ancient city.
Perge was one of the most elite and wealthiest cities of its time, and known as the capital of the Pamphylia region. Along with the endless rows of towering colonnades that line the streets, you’ll see the Hellenistic Gate, Roman baths, the main street (which is made of marble), the acropolis, and some impressive Hellenistic defences. You can also see numerous nearby caves and the ruins of several outpost settlements.
Top tip: Book a tour with a local guide who offers commentary, as there’s no better way to get a history lesson as you walk around the ruins.
Day Three: The Temple of Apollo
Another worthwhile half day trip (which can be combined with Aspendos on a full day tour), is to Side, to visit the monumental Temple of Apollo. Dating back to 150 A.D. it presides over the ocean alongside the Temple of Athena. It makes for a striking sight in itself, but set against the backdrop of dazzling azure ocean and endless blue sky, the temple is a photo opportunity to die for.
As the name suggests, the temple is dedicated to Apollo, the Greek and Roman god of light, music and harmony. The five grand columns of the temple are decorated with intricate carvings and reliefs. They have stood for centuries, withstanding time and the elements, but the structure underwent restoration in the 1980s and again, more recently, in 2017, to stabilise the concrete base. A visit to this romantic ancient temple is an experience you’ll never forget.
Belek situates you in the perfect place to explore the entire region, with other highlights including Sillyon, Hadrian’s Gate, and Kaleici. You can choose to do tours (recommended) or strike out on your own to explore all of these (and more) historical sites. The real beauty of Belek is in the ability to blend fulfilling cultural highlights with long, lazy days on the beach soaking up the Mediterranean sun of the Turkish Riviera. Could Belek be the perfect holiday destination? Maybe…
Where to Stay
The X Belek: With a private beach, beautifully-appointed rooms, and luxurious spa facilities, the X Belek makes a wonderful base from which to explore the town and surrounding area. Everything is designed to wrap you in a feeling of well-being and relaxation, with a host of amenities including onsite restaurants, a fitness centre, and rooms with air-conditioning, Wi-fi and balconies to take in the oceanfront views.
Aydinbey Queen’s Palace & Spa: Offering a fabulous location and 5-star amenities, this stylish and elegant accommodation offers a very different kind of all-inclusive experience. Featuring well-appointed rooms and unbeatable onsite facilities, you’ll be spoiled for choice with multiple pools and restaurants, and an appealing range of wellness opportunities.
Kaya Belek: Looking for celebrity treatment and world-class service? The Kaya Belek guarantees all that and more, with a reputation for excellence and the reviews to back it up. Set in a brilliant location with its own 300m private beach, the onsite amenities include three pools, a spa centre, and multiple bars and restaurants. The accommodation itself leaves nothing to desire, with stylish decor, comfortable furnishings and garden view balconies.
How to Get There
One very appealing thing about planning a short break to Belek is that the logistics are easy. You’ll need to book a flight into Antalya Airport (AYT) with any one of numerous carriers that service the route. You can choose from Jet2, easyJet, and British Airways, among others. The flight time from UK airports is around 4.5 hours, and while it’s always fairly reasonable, the cheapest month to fly is December.
Once you land at the airport, getting to your final destination is easy if you pre-book one of the convenient services from Shuttle Direct. Select from budget-friendly shared rides or a luxury private transfer from Antalya Airport to Belek.
Overview
UK to AYT Flight Time: 4 hours, 30 mins approx.
LCA to Belek: 33 kilometres
Shuttle Direct Transfer: 30 minutes approx.
Types of Transfer
Shuttle Direct offers numerous different options to get you safely and swiftly from Antalya Airport to Belek because we understand everyone’s needs are different. No matter what your budget or requirements, one of these below will suit.
Shuttle Bus: For those who want to save money on the transfer from Antalya to Belek, an affordable shared shuttle bus is a great option. You’ll meet at a designated spot at the airport and travel with multiple other passengers to a central drop-off point convenient to your accommodation.
Taxi: Standing in a taxi queue is no fun, but when you pre-book a local taxi through Shuttle Direct, that’s not even a factor in your journey from Antalya Airport to Belek. As soon as you land you’ll make your way to a prearranged place to meet your driver then be on your way. This is a great door-to-door option without the extra cost of a private luxury transfer.
Private Transfer: Speaking of which, if luxury is your bag and you don’t mind paying for it, our private transfers are the answer. A professional driver will meet you inside the terminal when your flight lands, then escort you to your waiting vehicle. You’ll be able to sit back and relax in style and comfort to travel right to the doorstep of your hotel or accommodation.
Minibus Transfer: For anyone holidaying with a group of friends or family, pre-booking a minibus transfer with Shuttle Direct will simplify the logistics no end. The large capacity vehicle has room for all passengers and their luggage to travel together, so you’ll not only save time and money, but also headaches trying to keep track of everyone.
Choosing the Right Transfer
It’s up to you which transfer option suits your needs best, but the decision on how to get from Antalya Airport to Belek will come down to whether you prioritise cost or convenience.
Cost: If sticking to a prescribed budget is the most important factor for you, then one of our shared shuttle buses will suit your needs perfectly. Belek transfers in a pre-booked shared shuttle cost much less than a private transfer, but you’ll never have to compromise on comfort and safety. Even though shared rides aren’t door-to-door, you’ll be taken to a convenient central drop-off point.
Convenience: If the door-to-door aspect is non-negotiable for you, and you don’t mind paying a little more for it, then one of our pre-booked local taxis or a private transfer from Antalya Airport to Belek is the answer. A private airport transfer or pre-booked taxi offers the ultimate in comfort and convenience.
About Shuttle Direct
The entire team at Shuttle Direct is dedicated to maintaining our reputation as the best on the market for fast, reliable and affordable airport transfers all over the world. Offering great communication and a wide range of services to suit every traveller’s needs, we can provide pre-booked transfers from budget-beating shared shuttle buses right up to a luxury private vehicle. Our friendly drivers will ensure all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the ride. Book with us today!
