Turkey’s Mediterranean coast has seduced travelers since antiquity. In Roman times, emperors passed under Antalya’s Hadrian’s Gate; today, beachgoers dip into clear waters while paragliders arc over golden arcs of sand. Base yourself in Belek—home to pristine beaches, golf greens, and a lively dining scene—and day trip to storied ruins and teal coves.

Belek sits just east of Antalya city, near some of Anatolia’s most celebrated archaeology: Aspendos and Perge. The area is modern and resort-forward, yet within an hour you can wander Ottoman lanes in Kaleiçi, cruise beneath the thunder of Düden Waterfall, or soak in Pamukkale’s UNESCO-listed travertine terraces. It’s a perfect “sun + culture” pairing.

Expect generous Turkish breakfasts, grilled sea bream, tahini-rich Antalya-style piyaz, and charcoal-fired kebabs. Summers are hot; pack a hat, reef-safe sunscreen, and light layers for mosques. Tipping 10% is standard in restaurants. The Turkish lira is used everywhere, though cards are widely accepted in resorts and the city.

Belek

Belek is your beachfront base for the Antalya region, known for pine-fringed sands, river deltas rich with birdlife, and a constellation of all-inclusive resorts. Golfers flock to fairways like Carya and Gloria; families gravitate to The Land of Legends with its evening fountain shows and lively shopping avenue.

• Top sights nearby: Aspendos theater (best-preserved Roman amphitheater), Perge’s colonnaded streets, Antalya’s Kaleiçi (Old Town), Lower Düden Waterfall, and Köprülü Canyon for rafting.
• Where to stay: Browse villas and apartments on VRBO Belek or compare resorts on Hotels.com Belek. Look at Regnum Carya, Gloria Serenity, Maxx Royal Belek, Rixos Premium Belek, and Cornelia Diamond for polished service and strong dining programs.
• How to get there: Fly to Antalya (AYT). Check flights on Omio (flights). From AYT it’s ~35–45 minutes by taxi to Belek; dolmuş minibuses connect via Antalya city. For intercity buses in Turkey, see Omio (buses).

Day 1 — Arrival, Belek Beach Stroll, and a Mediterranean Welcome

Morning: Travel day. Aim to arrive at Antalya Airport (AYT) around midday. Check Omio for flights (Istanbul–Antalya is ~1h15). From the airport, a taxi or hotel car is ~35–45 minutes to Belek; dolmuş via Antalya center takes ~1.5 hours.

Afternoon: Check in and decompress on Belek Beach. Swim, then order a frosty ayran and grilled corn from a beach kiosk. Coffee fix? Pop into the MADO café (Turkish ice-cream and strong espresso) at The Land of Legends shopping avenue.

Evening: Seafood first night: Deniz Fish & Steak House in Belek is a popular local pick for meze spreads, grilled sea bream (çipura), and raki service. Prefer a casual pub vibe? Gardner’s Bar is a long-running community spot for cold Efes, live sports, and hearty plates. Finish with baklava and Turkish tea at MADO.

Day 2 — Antalya City, Waterfall Boat, and Kaleiçi Legends

Morning: Early Turkish breakfast—eggs menemen, cheeses, olives—then get picked up for a full-day city orientation that neatly stitches nature and history. Book the guided Antalya City Tour w/Boat Trip, Old Town & Waterfall From Belek (hotel pickup from Belek).

Afternoon: Cruise under the cascading Lower Düden Waterfall, then wander Kaleiçi’s Roman walls, Hadrian’s Gate, and harbor views. For lunch near the clock tower, Topçu Kebap is a local stalwart for şiş kebap and pide. Coffee break? The Sudd or other specialty cafés dot the old town lanes.

Evening: If your tour returns before sunset, dine at 7 Mehmet above Konyaaltı Beach—famous since 1937 for seasonal meze, grilled lamb, and panoramic terrace views. Stroll the promenade for gelato and sea breezes before the drive back to Belek (~45–60 minutes).

Day 3 — Aspendos Theater and a Land of Legends Night

Morning: Pick up simit and brewed tea, then drive 25–30 minutes to Aspendos. Stand in the nearly intact 2nd-century AD amphitheater—acoustics so precise you can hear a whisper from the stage. Explore the basilica and aqueduct remains on the plateau.

Afternoon: Return via Belek’s river mouth for a casual beach lunch: grilled köfte, ezme salad, and smoky patlıcan (eggplant). Siesta by the pool or take a shoreline bike ride.

Evening: Head to The Land of Legends for the nightly fountain and light shows that animate the Venetian-style canals. For dinner, Nusr‑Et Steakhouse on the shopping avenue is a crowd-pleaser for dry-aged cuts and theatrics; seafood lovers go for NEMO Restaurant & Lounge with its aquarium ambiance and sushi selection.

Day 4 — Pirate Boat Day on the Mediterranean

Morning: Board a themed cruise with swim stops, music, and sun decks. The family-friendly Belek Pirate Boat Trip With Animations and Lunch includes lunch on board and photo ops along the coast.

Afternoon: Swim in coves, jump off the stern platform, and laze on the upper deck. Bring a rash guard, reef-safe sunscreen, and water shoes for rocky entries.

Evening: Back in Belek, keep it relaxed with a pide-and-meze dinner in town, or go modern Turkish at your resort’s à la carte venue. Nightcap: a stroll on the sand to hear the surf.

Day 5 — Full-Day Pamukkale & Hierapolis (UNESCO)

Trade sea blues for chalk-white terraces on a long yet rewarding inland excursion. Book the private Antalya Pamukkale Hierapolis Salda Lake Daily Private Tours, which covers the travertines, the Roman city of Hierapolis (don’t miss the immense necropolis), and photogenic Salda Lake when operating.

Depart early; it’s ~3.5 hours each way. Wear non-slip sandals, bring a swimsuit if you plan to wade the terraces or dip in Cleopatra’s Pool, and pack a hat. On return, grab a late dinner back in Belek—grilled sea bass, shepherd’s salad, and a cooling cacık (yogurt-cucumber).

Day 6 — Rafting Adventure and a Traditional Turkish Bath

Morning: Aim north to Köprülü Canyon (~1–1.5 hours). The rapids are beginner-friendly in summer; outfitters provide helmets, paddles, and guides. Expect splashes, lush cypress scenery, and a riverside lunch of trout or köfte. Wear water shoes; secure valuables in a dry bag.

Afternoon: Return to Belek for pool time or a catnap. Snack on gözleme (thin pastries griddled to order) from a local stand—try spinach-feta or minced meat.

Evening: Soothe tired muscles in a proper hamam. The Authentic Turkish Bath & Spa Experience in Belek pairs a steam room warm-up with kese exfoliation, foam massage, and optional oil massage. It’s both cultural and blissfully restorative.

Day 7 — Golf Greens, Last Dips, and Farewell Antalya

Morning: Tee off at Regnum Carya’s floodlit course or Gloria Golf Club (reserve in advance), or savor a long breakfast: tomatoes, cucumbers, village honey, kaymak, simit, and börek. If golf isn’t your game, walk the river delta boardwalks for birdwatching.

Afternoon: One more swim and a leisurely lunch—order grilled calamari, piyaz (Antalya’s signature bean salad with tahini), and fresh watermelon. Souvenir hunt on The Land of Legends avenue for Turkish delight, ceramics, and olive-oil soaps.

Evening: For a finale, head into Kaleiçi for dinner at Seraser—romantic courtyard dining with a refined Anatolian-Mediterranean menu—or choose a sea-view table at Arma Restaurant overlooking the harbor. Toast the week with Turkish wine from Kalecik Karası grapes before your afternoon departure tomorrow.

Practical Tips

• Getting around: Taxis are plentiful; dolmuş minibuses link Belek with Antalya center (~60–75 minutes). For regional buses, browse Omio.
• Airport transfers: Prebook a private car for comfort and direct hotel drop-off; pickups are timed to your flight.
• Where to book activities: Featured options above are vetted and convenient for Belek-based travelers.
• Where to stay: Compare rates and maps on Hotels.com Belek and browse private stays on VRBO Belek.

Optional Add-Ons (time/season permitting)

• Half-day waterfall cruise from Antalya with swim stops and lunch if you want an extra boat day: Half-Day Boat Tour to Antalya Waterfalls.

  

In one week you’ve tasted the Turkish Riviera’s best: Belek’s beaches, Antalya’s Old Town, Roman marvels, and Pamukkale’s surreal terraces. Come back in spring or autumn for softer light, fewer crowds, and another lap of meze, ruins, and warm Mediterranean waters.