🗺️ Belek and surroundings: ancient cities, Koprulu Canyon and pine forests

Belek looks like a young resort, but it stands on the land of ancient Pamphylia. The beaches and golf courses here were built recently, while the ancient cities nearby are more than two thousand years old. In one trip you can swim in the morning and walk along a Roman street after lunch.

Perge, Aspendos and Side are 20-55 km from the hotels (on the map). Köprülü Canyon lies farther, about 90 km from Belek. Also nearby are the Manavgat Waterfall and the pine forests that draw visitors here in July. Below are all the places you can realistically see from Belek: with prices, hours and how to get there.

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Ancient cities of Pamphylia

💡 In short:

Perge, Aspendos and Side are within an hour's drive of Belek, and Köprülü Canyon is about 90 km away.
Tickets are sold at the entrance, cash or card, no advance booking.
Bring water and a hat: there is almost no shade among the ruins.
Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official website of Turkey's museums.

Perge

Perge spreads 17 km east of Antalya (according to the official website of Turkey's museums). From Belek hotels it is about half an hour by car (on the map). The ancient city is open every day from 8:00 to 20:00, and the ticket office closes at 19:30 (as of: 09/2026, official website).

Two Hellenistic towers more than two thousand years old greet you first. City gates once stood between them, through which merchants and pilgrims entered. Behind the towers begins a colonnaded street with a canal running down the middle, lined with shops and fountains.

The stadium of Perge held up to 12,000 spectators and is considered one of the finest in Anatolia (as of: 09/2026, site page). The city's main theater is currently closed for restoration, so a visit centers on the stadium and the baths.

The catch: in summer at midday there is nowhere to hide from the sun on the stones. Come at opening time or after 17:00.

Aspendos

Aspendos is known for its 2nd-century theater, which has survived almost entirely intact. The stage remains at full height, so performances are still held there. From Belek it is about 40 km toward Side (on the map).

Besides the theater, take a look at the aqueduct and the ruins of the palace of Zeno from the Hellenistic era. Tickets are sold only at the entrance; they cannot be booked in advance.

The catch: there is almost no shade, and the climb to the upper rows is steep. Bring water and do not plan your visit for midday.

Side

Side sits right on the seashore, 55 km from Belek (on the map). The ancient theater is built into the modern development, and the columns of the Temple of Apollo rise nearby.

Central square of Belek with large BELEK letters

The convenience of Side is that the ruins are inside a resort town. You combine sightseeing with the beach and lunch in the harbor. In one day you can do both.

The catch: in summer the waterfront is crowded, and entry to the site is paid. Come before 10:00 or after 17:00.

Mountain ruins of Anatolia

Termessos

Termessos lies high in the mountains, so people come here for the views and the quiet. The city was founded by the Pisidians, and the ruins stretch along the slopes of a gorge. The drive from Belek takes over an hour (on the map).

The trail to the theater goes uphill, so wear comfortable shoes. You leave the car at the lower entrance and continue on foot.

The catch: in summer it is hot and dry here, and there is no water on the site. Bring your own drinking water.

Olympos

Olympos hides in a forest by the sea, inside a national park. The ruins lie along a river, and at the end of the trail a pebble beach opens up. Nearby burns the Chimaera (Yanartaş): natural gas comes straight out of the rocks.

Stone ruins with an arch among olive trees

Entry to the site is paid, and you leave the car in the parking lot before the ruins. Bring a swimsuit: after sightseeing you come back out to the water.

The catch: you have to walk to the ruins along a rocky trail, so closed shoes are a must.

Sillyon and Seleucia

You will see Sillyon from the highway: the city stands on a rocky plateau above the plain. Seleucia is surrounded by a national park, so people also come here for a walk in the forest.

Both places are uncrowded, and there are no cafes or shops nearby. You can get there by car or with a tour (on the map).

Köprülü canyon and Manavgat waterfall

Köprülü Canyon

Köprülü Canyon is part of a national park and stretches along the gorge of the Köprüçay River. Cedars and pines grow along the banks, and the water stays cool in summer. From Belek it is about 90 km (on the map).

Rafting and gorge walks are popular here. Entry to the park is paid; check the price at the entrance, as the rate changes by season.

Manavgat Waterfall

Manavgat Waterfall drops in a wide flow from a low ledge near the town of the same name. Around it there are viewing platforms, cafes, and shady walkways. From Belek it is about 50 km (on the map).

Come in the morning on a weekday: during the day the platforms are noisy. Entry is paid, and tickets are bought at the ticket office by the entrance.

Lakes and pine forests of Belek

Oymapınar Reservoir

Oymapınar Reservoir lies above Köprülü Canyon, among green gorges. From the dam a panorama of mountains and water opens up.

Oymapınar Dam and turquoise reservoir among rocks

It is quiet here even in season, so bring food and water with you. The road winds in switchbacks, so drive carefully.

Titreyengöl Lake

Titreyengöl Lake is surrounded by pines and reeds. A walking path runs along the shore, and the resort hotels stand nearby.

Panorama of Lake Titreyengöl with a promenade and trees

The spot works well for a morning walk before breakfast. In the evening it is quiet here, so it is better to watch the sunset by the sea.

Sorgun pine forest

The Sorgun pine forest borders Belek on the east. There are even paths, the smell of pine needles, and shade even in the July heat.

Bring water with you and stick to the marked trails. The forest is pleasant for walking or cycling.

Belek pine forests

The pines around the resort were planted back in the Ottoman era, by order of Sultan Abdulaziz. These forests are what gave Belek its reputation as a green resort. Between Sorgun and Belek they stretch almost continuously.

Ottoman heritage of Belek

The history of the Ottoman dynasty began in Söğüt, and around Belek there remain mosques, tombs, and pavilions from the Ottoman period. Some of them are connected with the early centuries of the empire.

Sheikh Edebali Mausoleum

The Sheikh Edebali Mausoleum (Şeyh Edebali Türbesi) is revered as a memorial to the mentor of Osman I. In September, celebrations in his honor take place here, and guests come to the town from all around.

Mausoleum of Sheikh Edebali with a dome and minarets

Half an hour is enough for a visit. Respect local rules: visitors are asked to keep quiet and wear modest clothing inside the mausoleum.

Orhan Gazi and Osman Gazi mosques

Two mosques are named after the first Ottoman rulers. They are active, so take photos inside without flash and only with the permission of the attendants.

Stop by here on the way to other sites: a visit takes about twenty minutes.

Kaplıkaya Tomb

The Kaplıkaya Tomb (Kaplıkaya Türbesi) dates back to the early Ottoman period. It is a modest structure rather than a grand mausoleum, so do not expect palace-like decoration.

Köprülü Mosque and caravanserai

The Köprülü Mehmet Pasha Mosque and the caravanserai nearby are reminders of the trade routes through Anatolia. Caravanserais served as overnight lodging for merchants and their animals.

Gülalan and Rüstem Pasha pavilions

The Gülalan and Rüstem Pasha pavilions have preserved the layout of Ottoman estates. Today they are more like historical points on the map than museums with tickets.

Belek Ethnography Museum

The Belek Ethnography Museum showcases the daily life of the Yörük nomads and the first settlers of the resort. It houses carpets, dishes, tools, and old photographs.

The museum is small, and a visit takes about an hour. It is a good option on a rainy day when the sea is rough.

Tickets and opening hours

Site	Admission	Hours	Closed
Perge	paid	8:00-20:00, ticket office until 19:30 (museum website)	none
Aspendos	paid	seasonal schedule	none
Side	paid	seasonal schedule	none
Köprülü Canyon	paid	daylight hours	none
Manavgat Waterfall	paid	daylight hours	none

Turkish museum hours change by season: in summer they stay open until 20:00, in winter they close earlier. Check the times on the official website before your trip.

It's easier to book a tour of Perge, Aspendos, and Side in advance: compare options on GetYourGuide.

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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get from Belek to Perge and Aspendos?

Perge is about half an hour by car, Aspendos is roughly an hour toward Side (on the map). Public transport runs infrequently, so take a tour from your hotel or rent a car.

Can you visit the ancient cities without a tour?

Yes. Tickets are sold at the entrance and can't be booked in advance. Bring a map, water, and a hat, and decide in advance where you'll leave the car.

When is the best time to go to Köprülü Canyon and Manavgat Waterfall?

On weekday mornings: by midday the viewing areas and the water's edge get crowded. In summer bring a swimsuit and towel, and after rain wear non-slip shoes.

What is there to do in Belek on a rainy day?

Visit the ethnographic museum or one of the Ottoman mosques. Another option: drive through the Sorgun pine forest and stop at a cafe on the shore.

Do you need a car to see the surrounding area?

For Perge, Aspendos, and Side, a tour from your hotel is enough. For Termessos, Sillyon, and Oymapınar, a car is almost essential.

In short: what's worth booking

If you have two or three days, group the sites by distance. Do Perge in the morning, leave Aspendos and Side for a separate day, and put the canyon and waterfall on one route.

Side is more convenient for families with children: the sea, ruins, and cafes are all close by. For a quiet getaway, choose Titreyengöl and Sorgun, where there are few people even in high season.

Book hotels in Belek in advance: in summer there are almost no rooms left by the sea. See Belek hotels on Trip.com.

What to see in Belek: Perge, Aspendos and Koprulu Canyon