Report about a trip to Turkey. Where is the best holiday in Turkey: Antalya, Kemer, Belek, Side or Alanya? Belek or Side
Turkey is currently one of those countries where tourism is developing best.
This is due not only to the excellent climate and historical sites, but also to the availability of appropriate infrastructure.
In the article we will look at popular resorts like Belek and Side and compare which is better and where.
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Popular resorts in this state Belek and Side are considered. They differ from each other to some extent, so travelers need to compare all the factors that are important to them before setting off.
Belek is a popular resort in Turkey that can please holidaymakers beautiful clean sandy beaches. The coastline of the settlement is more than 20 kilometers.
The main difference between Belek and many other tourist places is the absence of elevation changes and the presence of gentle slopes into the water.
The resort is located near Antalya, making it very convenient to get to. The beaches of Belek are awarded for their perfect cleanliness Blue flags of UNESCO.
That is why tourists love this resort very much, which is facilitated by the presence of pine forests directly near the water.
Side is fundamentally different from Belek. There are two beaches in this locality, the more western of which attracts tourists more.
This is due comfortable conditions and gentle descent into the water. But at the same time, during the High season, both places are filled with vacationers.
That is why, if a person wants privacy, local residents may suggest that they go to turtle beach. There are much fewer travelers on it, but at the same time they can be visited by exotic hosts emerging from the sea.
Distance between cities
The Mediterranean Turkish resorts of Side and Belek are actually not very far from each other. The distance between them by road is only 46 kilometers.
You can stop public transport anywhere in the city, not just at the bus station.
Flights are quite frequent - once every half hour or hour a bus always leaves from one resort to another. The trip in the end will take no more than 30-40 minutes.
In order to choose the most correct place to spend your summer holiday - Side or Belek (which is better), you need to compare several of the most important factors of a particular resort.
Among them, experts highlight prices, hotel stock, availability of attractions, condition of beaches, weather conditions, features of the sea and possible ways of entertainment.
We offer you several more recreation options: , .
Prices
Average prices in Belek and Side approximately the same. But it is worth noting that the first resort is intended for a more sophisticated and high-end vacation.
That is why you can find some services here that most tourists cannot afford. In Side, a similar situation occurs somewhat less frequently, since the city is primarily designed for the typical vacationer who has average financial income.
Belek is a resort that is intended primarily for wealthy tourists who love luxury hotels. That is why most hotels in this locality have 4 or 5 stars. This is reflected both in the living conditions and in the features of guest service.
Most of the expensive and most comfortable hotel complexes in Belek are located on the first coastline - directly near the coast or on it. More modest three-star apartments are located on the second or third coastline.
Side also has a very significant hotel stock, consisting of hotels with 3, 4 and 5 stars. In parallel with this, any tourist can choose cheaper options - apart-hotels.
Attractions
As for the attractions in Belek and Side, it is worth noting that the first resort is not rich in historical monuments - they are absent there. But at the same time, in the surrounding area tourists can visit the ruins of ancient cities- Aspedos and Perge.
In addition, there is a beautiful national park called Koprulu Canyon. It is characterized by beautiful landscapes, wonderful cypress groves and dense eucalyptus forests.
In Side, over the long history of its existence Many architectural objects have been preserved, such as:
- archaeological complex, in which there are remains of baths, temples and columns of Ancient Greece;
- theater ruins, where gladiator battles were held;
- Temple of Dionysus, built by the ancient Romans.
Thus, if visiting historical cultural sites plays a certain important role, it is better to choose Side rather than Belek.
Belek has one single fairly long sandy beach. It was awarded the UNESCO Blue Flag, which is why it enjoys significant popularity. Its distinctive feature is the absence of steep descents and ascents.
As for Side, at this resort there are three different beaches. They all have their own distinctive features.
A tourist can choose a fairly popular sandy beach with no elevation changes, a less popular coastline characterized by uneven terrain, and a remote area where turtles emerge from the sea to bask.
For comparison, find out about other beaches in Turkey:,.
Weather
The weather in Belek and Side is approximately the same. Four months a year at these resorts the average temperature exceeds 30 degrees Celsius. This applies to June, July, August and September. In April, May, October and November, temperatures rise above 20 degrees.
In July and August, the precipitation level at the resorts does not exceed 2 millimeters. From April to July and in September this figure is also insignificant - only 20 millimeters.
Weather conditions are the main indicator for tourists who decide to relax in Turkey. Familiarize yourself with the climate in different regions and at different times of the year: , in , .
Sea
Both in Belek and Side, the descent into the water is very gentle. At the same time, at the first resort, due to the muddier gray sand, the sea seems a little polluted.
As for the water temperature, from May to November it ranges from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius.
Due to the fact that Belek is designed primarily for those tourists who like to relax at a high level, this resort is full of appropriate types of entertainment. Among them it is worth highlighting the following:
- golf;
- historical sites;
- nature monuments;
- discos;
- a large number of shops, etc.
As for Side, the list of possible entertainment is approximately the same. But at the same time, the number of cultural attractions in this resort is smaller. Any tourist in the city can buy souvenirs, jewelry, etc.
It is impossible to determine where it is actually better to relax - in Belek or Side. This is due to the fact that some vacationers may like the first resort, while others may like the other. Such a situation is influenced by a lot of different factors, the main one of which is a person’s subjective perception of certain conditions.
For the average tourist in both Belek and Side it will be very interesting.
As for travelers who are interested in spending their time culturally in nature reserves and museums, they need to choose a second resort. Those who like holidays at a higher level should choose Belek.
To make it easier for you to choose which resort to go on vacation, look at the photo below.
Conclusion
Just as Belek is a wonderful Mediterranean Turkish resort, so is Side. Each of them has its own characteristics, which may appeal to some tourists and be completely indifferent to others.
That is why today it is impossible to choose a leader between these settlements. You should set certain priorities before your trip, and then compare which resort best suits them. Only this approach to choice can help in determining the most optimal place to relax.
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Türkiye is one of the world's best summer beach holiday destinations. The country has an excellent climate and warm sea (the season lasts from May to October), a huge number of historical and natural attractions, as well as comfortable hotels, water parks, restaurants and nightclubs. In a word, Turkey has everything for a tourist, and therefore it is not surprising that it is the most popular destination among domestic travelers.
However, you need to understand that there are a number of resorts on the Turkish Riviera, offering slightly different conditions and entertainment, so before buying a ticket or tour package to this country, we recommend that you choose the region that suits you best. Today we will not consider all the options (there are too many of them), we will focus on two, namely, and compare Side and Alanya, famous for family and sightseeing holidays and located near the largest airport in the south, Antalya.
If you have already started looking for last-minute tours to Turkey, for example, on the website https://hottours.in.ua/catalog/turtsiya/, then you have probably noticed that prices for tours in Side are perhaps the most expensive. What is this connected with? First of all, with the fact that this city is the most popular among respectable European tourists, since in addition to marine entertainment, it offers a truly interesting excursion program. In the historical center of Side, located on a picturesque cape, you can see a large number of monuments: the well-preserved ruins of a Roman theater, the ruins of a Greek temple, agora and baths.
The second significant advantage of the resort is its specialization on family vacations. Most hotels in the city and surrounding areas have children's pools with slides, playgrounds, and interesting animation programs. In addition, Side has quite a lot of places for walking with the whole family, and they are all easily accessible - no need to rent a car.
Another advantage of Side is its variety of sandy and sand-pebble beaches. The resort has them, both small, secluded and cozy, and large, wide, where tourists are offered numerous water attractions and entertainment.
Situated 65 km east of Side, Alanya has a slightly different reputation - it is a city that never sleeps, a true paradise for nightlife lovers. The city has a huge number of discos and clubs, offering a rich program of events during the tourist season and thereby attracting young people from all over Europe.
However, it cannot be said that Alanya is an exclusively “party” resort; it also has all the conditions for an interesting family holiday, namely historical attractions (an ancient fortress and a port with a red tower), picturesque views of the Taurus Mountains, as well as excellent sandy beaches , the most famous and popular of which is the famous Cleopatra Beach.
In addition, Alanya provides unique shopping opportunities - the city has several typical Turkish bazaars where you can buy fresh fruits, cheeses, nuts, fish and other food products. There are also stalls selling souvenirs and a variety of local handicrafts. Please note that in Turkey, at bazaars, you can and should bargain with sellers - this will allow you to have fun and sometimes reduce the price of goods several times.
Are you thinking about where to go next summer? It is worth considering as an excellent option the delightful beach resorts of Turkey that we all love so much. What will you get with this choice? Very tasty prices for a luxurious, visa-free holiday in 5* hotels with All Inclusive. It will be cheaper than similar vacations in other countries of the world. A safe environment and a feeling of carefree peace. Special love and attention to tourists from Russia, because... their flow has noticeably decreased, and every guest is a reason for celebration :)
If you don’t know (or have forgotten) which popular resort in Turkey is right for you, read our guide, compiled by an expert, and keep your eyes peeled for the special hint sign!
Antalya – from 15,000 rubles/person
Antalya is a beautiful city, built on a plateau, at an altitude of 40 meters above sea level. The airport is 12 km away. From the plane - it's a blast, and you're on vacation! However, the resort is quite noisy and is more suitable for young people. It is not necessary to choose “All inclusive”, because... The city is full of great restaurants.
What to see? Duden waterfalls falling into the blue bay. The upper waterfall hides a huge karst cave. Kursunlu National Park with a waterfall among lush greenery, the enchanting Old City with winding streets and bazaars, Emperor Hadrian's Gate, which is about 2000 years old, Yivli Minaret.
Things to do? In Antalya, you should go for bargain shopping and visit grandiose water parks. Go diving next to moray eels, dolphins and turtles. Dance from night to morning in the suburb of Lara, where there are a great many discos.
Alanya – from 17,900 rub/person
Alanya is located 120 km from the airport. And this, of course, is another challenge - getting to the hotel. Especially if you are traveling with small children. In this case, it is better to order an individual, faster transfer. But Alanya is the most economical resort, where most of the inexpensive hotels in Turkey are located. The best sea with sandy beaches is in the Okudzhalar and Avsallar areas.
What to see? The main historical attraction of the resort is the Byzantine fortress of Ich-Kale, an open-air museum. Its walls with towers stretch for 6.5 km along the peninsula. The Damlatsh cave with colored stalactites and stalagmites, which are 15 thousand years old, is simply amazing!
Things to do? Sunbathe on Cleopatra Beach, go on a cruise through the caves of the coast, and lose your head with delight at the attractions of the Sealanya Marine Park.
Side – from 18,700 rub/person
A family-friendly resort, Side, is hidden between Antalya and Alanya, 75 km from the airport. It attracts with a combination of golden sandy beaches with the shady greenery of a pine forest and the remains of ancient architectural monuments. You may stumble upon some real surprises! Therefore, a holiday at this resort will delight you not only with blissful idleness on the beach while your skin turns bronze, but also with rich excursion programs. The city was founded by the Greeks, leaving behind a lot of interesting things...
What to see? Admire the ruins of ancient Side - the amphitheater, which saw gladiatorial fights and ancient tragedies, the ancient basilica, the Temple of Apollo, the Agora, and the Arc de Triomphe. See artifacts found during 20th-century excavations at the Side Museum.
Things to do? In addition to studying antiquities, include in your stay program rafting, jeep safari, parasailing - flying over the sea with a parachute. It is worth going on an excursion to the Manavgat waterfall.
Kemer – from 15,700 rubles/person
At the foot of the Taurus Mountains, on the pebble coast, lies Kemer, immersed in greenery. The clockwork city, 45 km from Antalya, can offer a scattering of the most famous clubs - active nightlife and foam parties with sets of fashionable DJs. Families with children go to the quiet area of Tekirova, where small pebble beaches are surrounded by pine and cedar forests, and healing pine air. The eco-park with a unique collection of plants is inhabited by amphibians and reptiles.
What to see? In the northern part of Kemer, check out the Yoruk Ethnographic Park with an exhibition telling the history of the nomadic Turks. Here you can try their traditional food and see how handicrafts are created. Olympos has a famous village of hippies who live in tree houses.
Things to do? Climb to the top of Takhtali along the longest cable car in the world, the same name. Go on a journey through the Goynuk Canyon. This is a godsend for thrill seekers. Although the Water World water park will be no less great!
Marmaris – from RUB 19,569/person
The yachting capital of Turkey is also a wildly incendiary dance floor city. It is 100 km from Dalaman Airport. It is famous for the 200-meter long Bar Street, whose entertainment venues open closer to 23.00 and buzz until the morning. Marmaris, surrounded by a pine forest, is located almost in a closed bay and is washed by two seas at once - the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. Divers flock here for interesting dives. The coastal waters here are very clean and calm (about 50 dive sets), and the beaches are sandy, with a gentle entrance to the sea.
What to see? Lots of sculptures. Old Town of Marmaris. One of the main visited places is the fortress. The city museum awaits you at Calais Castle. And on the square in the city center there are singing fountains.
Things to do? Take a walk along the longest embankment in Turkey. Take a yacht and go to sea. Go on an excursion to the island of Rhodes. Drink all the cocktails on Bar Street. Experience the adrenaline rush on the slides of the Atlantis and Aquadream water parks.
March 28, 2013 It’s no longer a secret that Turkey is the most popular outbound tourist destination for Russians.In this article, we will not go into detail about how good beach Turkey is and why millions of our compatriots return here every year. In short, they are going for the sea, the sun, rags and their favorite “All inclusive” food system. And you don't need a visa. Why isn't it a vacation paradise for you?
Most Russian tourists choose the Mediterranean coast of Turkey for their holidays. It is here that the country's largest tourist centers are located - Antalya, Kemer, Belek, Side and Alanya, with hundreds of different resort complexes and corresponding tourist infrastructure.
In general, in this article we will try to figure out what is better - Antalya, Kemer, Belek, Side or Alanya?
Antalya
or Antalya- a large and rapidly developing city, with a developed network of modern hotels, many restaurants and coffee shops, all kinds of entertainment centers and nightclubs, water parks and countless shops. But this is still more of a city resort than a beach resort, since most of the hotels here are of urban type. That’s why you won’t find much picturesque nature in Antalya; after all, this is an urban area.
Antalya is divided into several tourist areas. Guests of hotels located in the Konyaalti area enjoy municipal beaches with large pebbles.
Tourists staying in hotels located in the central rocky part of the city use the platform beaches. And guests of full-fledged resort complexes in the new areas of Lara and Kundu have their own sandy beaches.
Kemer
- a large resort area located approximately 40 kilometers south of Antalya. There is a rich nightlife and very beautiful nature here - dense vegetation and coniferous forests coexist with picturesque mountains, and a rocky coast with numerous pebble beaches, along which a large number of different hotels have been built (from modest and inexpensive to fashionable).
One of the advantages of Kemer is its pebble beaches and clean, transparent sea. And for those who are sensitive to rocks and pebbles, almost all hotels have their own piers from which you can dive. Some hotels also have their own sand beaches, but the entrance to the sea is still pebbles.
The Kemer resort area consists of the city of Kemer and several surrounding areas - Beldibi, Goynuk, Kiris, Camyuva and Tekirova.
Belek
- a prestigious resort area located approximately 37 kilometers east of Antalya. There is almost no nightlife here, and if there is, it is usually only on the territory of resort complexes.
Prices for hotel accommodation here are slightly higher than in Antalya, since their level is also higher (mostly only good and luxurious “fives”).
It is also worth noting that Belek is one of the most famous golf centers in Turkey. There are many golf courses and hotels specializing in such tourists.
There is no picturesque nature or mountains here, the vegetation is mostly “hotel”, but to give credit to some resort complexes, the territories resemble parks, in general they are beautiful. The beaches in Belek are sandy, which is why cloudy water in the afternoon is not uncommon here.
Most often, holidays in Belek are chosen by connoisseurs of good service, families with children and couples.
Side
is a small resort town on the Mediterranean coast, located 75 km east of Antalya. It is also an “open-air museum”, the main archaeological zone of the region.
There are hotels in Side to suit every taste and budget: from multi-storey five-star resort complexes to modest aparthotels, but all of them are mostly “simpler” than in Belek.
In addition to the very center of the city of Side, its resort area includes several adjacent areas that have become increasingly popular among tourists in recent years - Colakli, Kumkoy, Sorgun, Titreyengol, Kizilagac and Kizilot.
The beaches in Side are sandy, which is why cloudy water in the afternoon is not uncommon here. It’s difficult to call the local nature particularly picturesque; dense vegetation is found mainly only in hotel areas.
Alanya
or Alanya- is located almost 140 kilometers east of Antalya and is the most separated resort area from it.
The coastal strip of the resort is very open and, apart from the vegetation with palm trees in the hotel areas, there is generally little greenery in Alanya.
The resort area of Alanya includes the areas of Incekum, Konakli, Avsallar, Okurcalar and Mahmutlar, and is generally designed for poor tourists. There are a lot of young people here and a rich nightlife.
The areas of most hotels in Alanya are small, many of them are located across the road from the beach. The beaches are mostly sandy, gently sloping, narrow, with yellow sand, and are very convenient for families with children.
Summarize
It turns out that in all the Mediterranean resorts of Turkey you can have a wonderful rest, and to the question “what is better: Antalya, Kemer, Belek, Side or Alanya?” You'll have to answer it yourself. After all, the choice, first of all, depends on your personal preferences and expectations.
Who have long appreciated its golden beaches, the clearest sea, rich excursion programs, and the famous all-inclusive system. Therefore, when asking a question such as, which is better, or, potential travelers are trying to find out only the nuances of a holiday in one or another Turkish resort.
Two more points need to be taken into account, the first is that these resorts are located in close proximity to each other, if you wish, you can relax in one and regularly visit the neighboring one. The second point is the age difference - Belek, as a resort, began to develop only in the 1990s, and Side, founded by the ancient Greeks, has long been on the list of popular Turkish resorts.
Belek or Side – who has better beaches?
Belek resort will delight lovers of sandy beaches - its golden sandy coastline stretches for more than 20 kilometers. The beaches are distinguished by the absence of elevation changes and gentle slopes into the water. In the surrounding area, this particular resort is ready to offer ideal cleanliness, marked by UNESCO specialists with Blue Flags. Many mothers vacationing with their babies will appreciate not only the “sterility” of the sand and the gradual transition to depth, but also the eucalyptus and pine forests that grow almost on the very shore.
Side resort has two beaches, which is interesting, they are radically different from each other. The western one is more popular because it is considered safe, has a flat bottom and a gentle slope. During the high season, both territories are filled with tourists; the guest who dreams of at least relative solitude can be advised to find the third, turtle beach. There are an order of magnitude fewer vacationers there, and exotic hosts (turtles) sometimes come out to meet each other.
Hotel fund
Belek is a resort for wealthy tourists who like to relax at the highest level. Most local hotels have 4-5* ratings on their facades; each of them has a huge surrounding area, perfectly organized, convenient for recreation and entertainment, including such rare ones as golf or horse riding. The second important point is that luxury hotel complexes are located on the first coastline. More modest 3* hotels were built on the second and third, but the cost of living in them is much lower.
Side has a rich hotel stock, there are large complexes and small hotels with 3 to 5* ratings on their facades. Other accommodation options at this resort are also popular, in particular, many guests stay in apart-hotels, which are much cheaper than their fashionable counterparts.
Entertainment and attractions
Belek is known as a resort with expensive entertainment, such as golf, and popular trips to local shops and the market, where the attention of tourists is primarily attracted by gold and silver, men's and women's jewelry with precious stones. There are no historical sights in the city itself, but they can be found in its surroundings, for example, the ruins of ancient policies, Aspedos and Perge. Among the natural monuments, Koprulu Canyon stands out, a national park that will be remembered by guests for its stunning landscapes, cypress groves and eucalyptus forests.
Side was founded by the ancient Greeks, some of the ancient buildings have survived to this day. Therefore, a holiday in this city is recommended for those travelers who adore history and are ready to spend days on excursions to monuments and historical sites. Popular attractions include the following:
- archaeological complex with the remains of temples, baths, columns;
- the ruins of a colossal theater that was used as a place for gladiator battles and as a place of worship;
- Temple of Dionysus, built by the ancient Romans.
But Side attracts not only ancient architectural masterpieces; this city has many modern entertainments, designed primarily for young and young audiences. There are discos and dance halls where you can have fun until the early hours, and restaurants where skilled chefs will cook trout, which is a local specialty, almost in front of the client’s eyes.
A comparison of two Turkish resorts confirmed that even the Almighty cannot determine a clear leader. Therefore, focusing on the slight differences between them, those tourists who:
- want to relax luxuriously;
- love wide sandy beaches;
- not interested in historical excursions;
- love nature and beautiful places.
Beautiful Side will be chosen by travelers who:
- would like to be able to choose where to live;
- plan to spend a lot of time on excursions;
- love dancing and delicious seafood cuisine.