There aren’t too many places that successfully combine high-end luxury and unblemished wilderness. Belek is one of them. Against a postcard-pretty backdrop of shallow turquoise seas and distant, snow-capped mountains, this upscale resort is a feast for all the senses.
The area has 16 kilometres of palm-fringed, white-sand beaches, which are studded with a steadily growing number of plush, architecturally gorgeous hotels. Golfers will especially love Belek holidays – the area is home to the Turkish national course, and several others that are certified as championship standard.
Thrilling water sports such as jet-skiing and powerboating are also on offer, and the restaurant scene – based mostly in the hotels – is forward-thinking and creative. Not far away, meanwhile, the Zeytintasi cave is a monumental cathedral of stalactites, left undisturbed for millennia. Holidays to Belek will give you a taste of the good life, in surroundings of astounding natural beauty.
Swing by the links
Golfing really is a huge deal here, and it’s what’s behind much of Belek’s luxury growth. Don’t worry if you’re a newbie, as most clubs offer sessions for beginners.
Head to the park
Set aside a day to explore Koprulu Canyon, a ravishing national park that offers hiking trails, plunging gorges, fast-flowing rivers (popular for rafting) and countless colourful songbirds.
Go back in time
Nearby Perge is a site of great historic significance where, among other impressive ruins, archaeologists uncovered a vast Roman amphitheatre that once held 12,000 spectators.
PROTECTION PROMISE