Belek is unlike the neighbouring Turkish resorts. No noisy promenade, no nightclubs: just pine groves, kilometres of sand and hotels where the golf courses don't empty even in winter. We look at the best time to go and why people choose Belek again and again.

Antalya, Kemer, Alanya, Side: many Russians have been to every resort on the Turkish Riviera. Belek often ends up last on that list, and one of the most unusual. Forty years ago, this was an almost untouched stretch of coast; today it's one of the most expensive resorts in Turkey and the country's main golfing centre.

Where Belek Is

Belek lies on the Mediterranean coast of Antalya Province, about 30 km east of Antalya. The airport is about 33 km away, a 30–40-minute taxi ride. The flight from Moscow takes about 3.5–4 hours, and there's no time difference.

The resort stretches along the sea for about 20 km. It's surrounded by pine, cedar and eucalyptus groves, which create a special microclimate and a scent of pine right by the sea.

When the Swimming Season Begins

People start swimming in Belek in May, when the water warms to around 20°C and daytime air temperatures reach 25°C. In June the sea is already around 23°C and it's 30°C by day: the start of the full beach season.

The hottest months are July and August: 33°C by day and around 21°C at night, with the water at 26–27°C. In August the sea can reach 29°C. There's almost no rain in summer, but prices are at their highest at this time.

The Velvet Season: September and October

For many people, the best time in Belek is September. It's around 31°C by day, the water stays at 26°C, and there are fewer children on the beaches once the school year starts.

In October it's still 26°C by day, and the sea holds at around 25°C, warmer than the air in the mornings and evenings.

There's more rain than in summer, but hotels often offer discounts this month. The swimming season usually ends in late October.

Belek in Winter: Golf and Excursions

From November to April, beach holidays give way to something else. From December to March it's 14–17°C by day and 5–7°C at night, with the water at around 17–20°C: only the hardiest swimmers go in. But this is the best time for excursions and golf.

Belek is Turkey's main golf centre: it has 16 courses out of the country's 21, many of them designed by well-known golf course architects. The high season for golfers runs from September to the end of June, while in summer ordinary holidaymakers take to the courses.

"Golf is the only kind of tourism that works all year round," said Hasan Ceylan, head of the Kariya golf club in Belek's tourist centre, in 2024.

That's why many hotels here don't close for the winter.

Why People Choose Belek Again

  • Beaches

Almost all the beaches belong to five-star hotels: the sand is cleaned and raked every day, and the water shelves gently. Belek is one of the leading Turkish resorts for the number of Blue Flag beaches. For guests at hotels set back from the sea, there are two public beaches, where you pay for sun loungers and parasols.

  • Hotels

Almost all are four- or five-star, with all-inclusive or ultra all-inclusive. There are adults-only hotels, family complexes with their own water parks and kids' clubs, golf hotels and spa resorts. Many visitors come to Belek not for the town but for a particular hotel.

There's almost no nightlife here, and for many people that's the main advantage. Belek is chosen by couples and families with children who want a break from the bustle of Antalya and Alanya.

  • Nature

Pine groves come right up to the hotels, and Belek's beaches are one of the nesting sites of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta).

What to See Nearby

Belek is a convenient base for excursions: the region's main ancient cities are very close by:

  • Aspendos. Its 2nd-century theatre is one of the best-preserved ancient theatres in the world. It's 20–30 minutes' drive from Belek.

  • Perge. The ruins of an ancient city with colonnades, baths and a stadium, also 20–30 minutes away.

  • Sillyon. The ruins of an ancient hilltop city, again 20–30 minutes' drive.

  • Köprülü Canyon. A national park about 60 km from Belek, where people go rafting.

  • Side. A resort town with ancient ruins by the sea, about 45 km along the coast.

  • The Land of Legends. A theme park and water park in Kadriye, the neighbouring part of Belek.

What a Holiday Costs

Belek is noticeably more expensive than other resorts on the Turkish Riviera. According to tour operators, a week for two from Moscow on an ultra all-inclusive basis in 2026 cost from 160,000 roubles in a budget hotel and from 290,000 roubles in a premium one.

At the best-known hotels, the figures are higher.

For example, two weeks for two in July 2026 at one of Belek's popular five-star hotels cost from 500,000 roubles excluding flights, according to TEZ TOUR. July and August are the peak period, and Belek is cheapest in spring, late autumn and winter.

How to Choose When to Go

For a beach holiday with children, June and September are best: the sea is warm, without the heat of July and August. If you want the warmest sea and cope well with heat, choose August.

If you want to save money but still swim, consider October: the sea is still warm, and hotels often cut their prices. And for excursions and golf, November–April is ideal, when Belek is quiet, warm by day and cool in the evenings. Just don't forget a light jacket: even in Turkey, it can be around 5°C at night.