Belek-Antalya beaches

In Belek-Antalya you can enjoy seemingly-endless beaches of golden sand. Bathed by clear, tranquil waters, the beaches of Belek-Antalya are ideal for enjoying a wide variety of water sports or simply swimming and delighting in the warm waters of the Turkish Mediterranean.

The gentle currents and shallow waters mean the Belek-Antalya coast is the perfect place for children to have fun. Both the RIU hotels in the area, ClubHotel Riu Kaya and Hotel Riu Kaya Belek, are located on the beachfront.

Perge

The impressive Byzantine remains of the city of Perge are an obligatory stopover. The first thing to draw one’s attention is the two huge towers at the gateway to the city, imposing structures indeed.

The theatre and stadium, both of which are in an excellent state of conservation, are the most impressive constructions in Perge. Strolling amidst their stone walls and archways is a real trip through time.

Streets adorned with columns, capitals and fountains run through the city starting from the agora, or main square.

You can enjoy privileged views from the hill where the acropolis is located, in the high town. The elevation affords ideal views for photography.

If you are interested in finding out more about Perge, visit the museum of Antalya. It contains many of the treasures found in the city: sarcophagi, statues and delicate mosaics, and above all a statue of a belly dancer in black and white marble.

Aspendos

Aspendos is Turkey’s best-preserved Roman theatre. The emperor Marcus Aurelius ordered it to be built in 180 BC. Nowadays the 12000 seats of Aspendos are still the venue for concerts and cultural events.

If you go up the stone stands to the highest point you will have a fantastic view of the front of the beautiful stage, which is in a surprisingly good state of conservation.

Most observers will notice that the stone seats have the names of the people they were reserved for engraved on them. The weight of history is notable, making Aspendos a magical place indeed.

Surrounded by green mountains and picturesque crop fields, Aspendos is a must for any visitor to Belek-Antalya.

Kursunlu Waterfall

The green Taurus Mountains that dominate Belek-Antalya and the region are the source of a large number of waterfalls. The most beautiful one is the Kursunlu Waterfall, which lends its name to a large protected area. The path that runs through them is decorated with idyllic lagoons and a broad range of vegetation, reminiscent of a botanical garden. The area also contains a wide variety of birds.

Other extremely-interesting waterfalls are those of Duden and Manaygat, just a few kilometres from Belek-Antalya.

Antalya

The main attraction of Antalya, a busy city with 2 million inhabitants, it its magnificent old town, known as Kaleici. The Ottoman elegance of its streets, buildings and bazaars surrounds the port, of Roman origin, which treasures a special charm with its traditional vessels and fishing boats.

The Yivli mosque, with its whitewashed walls and an imposing minaret that can be seen from anywhere in the city, simply must be visited. And you also have to go through Hadrian’s Gate, an extremely beautiful monument of Roman origin, surrounded by gardens, albeit badgered by the intense traffic circulating along the avenue where it stands.

Archaeology enthusiasts should not miss Museum of Antalya, which contains many of the treasures unearthed in the region’s main historical remains - Aspendos, Limyra, Myra, Perge, Phaselis (Faselis Harabeleri), Selge and Termessos, among others.

Golf

In only a few years the coast of Belek-Antalya has become Turkey’s golfing centre. There are now 5 international-standard courses plus several more in the design and construction stages.

A few minutes from the ClubHotel Riu Kaya and the Hotel Riu Kaya Belek, lies the Kaya Eagles Golf Club, with a course riddled with pine trees and several lakes. This highly-beautiful course is suitable for both beginners and advance players.

The Carya Golf Club, National and Gloria Old are three more courses worth mentioning that lie just a short distance from the RIU hotels in the area.

Watersports

The peaceful waters of the coast of Belek-Antalya are the setting for a wide variety of water sports. Enthusiasts can enjoy windsurfing, diving, water skiing or jet skis. You can also hire catamarans to explore the most beautiful nooks and crannies of the Turkish Riviera.

Shopping in Belek-Antalya

The markets of Belek-Antalya exude a very characteristic atmosphere and charm, and are without doubt one of the most oriental features of Turkey. Local crafts hold pride of place: copper, iron or clay articles and leather garments are the most popular products with visitors.

Specialities

Turkish gastronomy is a rich mixture of flavours, aromas and produce that reflects is position halfway between East and West.

The famous Kebab, beef or chicken with bread and vegetables, is one of the most popular dishes in Turkey, tempting tourists and locals alike. It is usually accompanied by spices and yoghurt, a product that occupies a central place in Turkish gastronomy. It is used in desserts, soups and the aforementioned kebabs.

Neither should you fail to try the delicious Lahmacum, or Turkish pizza. Minced meat, onion, parsley and lemon are added to a bread base – the combination is a pleasure for the palate.

Dolmas and Salmas – vine leaves stuffed with courgette, aubergine or tomatoes – are very popular dishes. Both as a main course, stuffed with meat or fish, or as a dessert, filled with pistachios or fruit, these dishes are another central part of Turkish cuisine.

Over recent years, thanks partially to the increase in tourism, fish has been acquiring a more prominent place on local tables. The anchovies, mackerel and gilthead bream stand out in particular. You will also find mussels, either fried or stuffed, but always top quality.

Turkey’s most popular dessert is Baklavá, a pastry filled with walnuts and pistachios and bathed in honey. There are many varieties of this delight, since each region has its own recipe.