Belek, on Turkey's Antalya coast, is one of the world's great all-inclusive value destinations: sprawling five-star resorts, championship golf, warm Mediterranean water, and Roman ruins down the road. The scale and quality you get for the price genuinely surprise first-timers – and entry just got easier for Americans.
- Language
- Turkish
- English common in resorts
- Currency
- Turkish lira (TRY)
- euros often accepted at resorts
- Power
- 230V, Type C/F plugs
- US devices need an adapter
- Driving
- On the right
- Main airport
- Antalya
- AYT
Where Turkey splits
The resort areas are not interchangeable. What each one is actually for.
Lara & the Antalya beaches
The city's own coast: Lara's sand to the east, Konyaaltı's pebbles to the west, and Antalya's old town and museums between them. Pick it for the shortest transfer in Turkey and for having a real city on your doorstep. It is busier and more urban than the purpose-built strips further out.
Start with Concorde De Luxe Resort, five-star.
Belek
The golf and mega-resort strip east of Antalya: pine forest, long dark-sand beach, and the biggest, most lavish all-inclusives in the country. Pick it for the highest resort standard per euro anywhere in the Mediterranean. It is purpose-built and there is no town to speak of, so the resort is the holiday.
Start with Gloria Serenity Resort, five-star.
Kemer
West of Antalya where the Taurus mountains meet the sea: pebble bays, pine slopes behind them, and cooler evenings than the plain. Pick it for scenery and for walking or rafting between beach days. Pebble beaches and a twisting coast road are the price of the setting.
Start with Maxx Royal Kemer Resort, five-star.
When to go to Turkey
Climate normals for Antalya coast, and our verdict on each month.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 59 degrees Fahrenheit | 60 degrees Fahrenheit | 64 degrees Fahrenheit | 70 degrees Fahrenheit | 78 degrees Fahrenheit | 86 degrees Fahrenheit | 93 degrees Fahrenheit | 93 degrees Fahrenheit | 87 degrees Fahrenheit | 79 degrees Fahrenheit | 69 degrees Fahrenheit | 61 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Rainfall | 9.2″ | 6.3″ | 3.8″ | 1.8″ | 1.2″ | 0.4″ | 0.1″ | 0.1″ | 0.6″ | 2.6″ | 7.1″ | 10.2″ |
| Verdict | Off-peak | Shoulder | Shoulder | Good | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Off-peak | Off-peak |
Sweet spot. May–June and September–October; July–August regularly tops 90°F; rainy season runs November–February (impressively wet winters, irrelevant to summer trips).
Storm risk. No tropical systems: bone-dry, hot summers on the Turquoise Coast.
Figures are long-term climate normals for Antalya coast, good for planning. They are not a forecast.
Do you need a passport or visa for Turkey?
Good news: as of January 2024, U.S. citizens no longer need a visa or e-Visa for tourism in Turkey. You can enter visa-free for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period – the previous online visa requirement has been dropped.
You do need a passport with blank pages and solid remaining validity; plan on at least six months beyond your stay to be safe. Always reconfirm entry rules on travel.state.gov before you fly, as policies can change.
Is Turkey safe?
The Antalya coast, including Belek, is a long-established, heavily touristed resort region and is far from Turkey's trouble spots. Turkey carries a country-wide U.S. travel advisory due to terrorism and arbitrary detention concerns (the current level is shown at the top of this guide).
Crucially, the 'do not travel' warnings apply only to a narrow zone within about 10 km of the Syrian and Iraqi borders – hundreds of miles from Antalya. Use normal precautions in crowds and check travel.state.gov before you go.
Currency and tipping
The currency is the Turkish lira (TRY), which has been volatile, so check the day's rate. Resorts and many tourist businesses also accept euros, and cards are widely taken; carry some lira for small local purchases.
Tipping (bahsis) is customary: around 5–10% in restaurants, and a few lira or euros for housekeeping, drivers, and helpful resort staff is appreciated.
When to visit
The Antalya coast has a long, hot summer. June through September brings reliable beach weather, with July and August very hot and at peak prices.
Late spring (May) and early autumn (September–October) are the sweet spot – warm sea, sunny days, and milder temperatures, ideal for both the beach and sightseeing.
Getting there & around
There are no US nonstops; most travelers connect through Istanbul (IST) onward to Antalya (AYT), a major holiday airport about 30–40 minutes from the Belek resorts.
Private transfers are the easiest way from the airport and are often included with packages. Turkey drives on the right; you won't need a car if you're staying at an all-inclusive resort.
What to do beyond the resort
History is the headline act: tour the remarkably intact Roman theater and ruins at Aspendos and Perge, both close to Belek. Antalya's old town (Kaleici) is a charming maze of Ottoman houses, harbors, and cafes.
For nature, see the Duden waterfalls, take a Mediterranean boat trip, or head into the Taurus Mountains. Golf fans will find a cluster of top-tier courses right in Belek.
Good to know
Power & plugs: 230V with Type C/F sockets, so bring an adapter for US devices. Language: Turkish, with English common in resorts. Water: stick to bottled water for drinking. Etiquette: dress modestly when visiting mosques, and women may want a scarf for their head and shoulders.
Getting to Turkey
Indicative round-trip fares into Antalya (AYT) from the major US gateways, cheapest first. Tap through for live prices and dates.
| From | Airport | Round trip |
|---|---|---|
| New York | JFK | $751Cheapest |
| Newark | EWR | $779 |
| Boston | BOS | $779 |
| Chicago | ORD | $867 |
| Dallas | DFW | $919 |
| Miami | MIA | $931 |
| Atlanta | ATL | $949 |
| Los Angeles | LAX | $1078 |
Where the Turkey resorts are
19 resorts mapped stars are five-star properties
The best all-inclusive resorts in Turkey
The Turkey properties we would actually book. For the full numbered ranking, see the best all-inclusive resorts in Turkey.
Where to stay in Turkey
The resort areas we cover, and which properties sit in each.
Kemer
1Resort chains in Turkey
The brands operating here. The ones we rank in full link through to the chain, what its plan really covers, and every resort of theirs we track.
Turkey, head to head
Price, flights, sand, food and safety, compared honestly.
Turkey vs JamaicaMexicoDominican RepublicMaldivesGreeceSpainTurks & CaicosArubaBarbadosSt. LuciaItalyPortugalAntiguaCuraçaoBrazilCosta RicaPhilippinesFrench PolynesiaMoroccoEgyptSouth AfricaMauritiusKenyaTanzaniaMozambiqueThailandIndonesiaMalaysiaPunta CanaCancúnRiviera MayaLos CabosPuerto VallartaMontego BayNegrilOcho RiosGuanacasteCreteBahiaBora BoraMalé AtollsRodney BayBarbados South CoastBarbados West CoastViti LevuVanua LevuCanary IslandsBalearic IslandsCosta del SolSharm el-SheikhHurghada & the Red Sea CoastRhodesMaldives Outer AtollsCorfuHalkidikiKosSoufrière & South St. LuciaGrenadaFijiCroatiaU.S. Virgin IslandsSri LankaSeychellesBahamasChileArgentinaUnited States
Frequently asked questions
Do U.S. citizens need a visa for Turkey?
No. Since January 2024, Americans can enter Turkey visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days within 180 days – the old e-Visa is no longer required. You just need a valid passport. Reconfirm on travel.state.gov before traveling.
Is the Antalya/Belek region safe?
Yes – it's a major, long-established resort area far from any conflict zone. Turkey carries a country-wide advisory, but the 'do not travel' warnings apply only near the Syrian and Iraqi borders, far from Antalya. Check the current level at travel.state.gov.
Can I use US dollars or euros in Turkey?
The currency is the Turkish lira. Resorts and many tourist spots accept euros and cards, but dollars are less useful – carry some lira for small purchases and tips.
How much should I tip in Turkey?
Tipping is customary: about 5–10% in restaurants, and a few lira or euros for housekeeping, drivers, and helpful resort staff.
When is the best time to visit Antalya?
June to September for guaranteed beach weather. May and September–October are the sweet spot, with warm seas, sunshine, and milder, more comfortable temperatures for sightseeing.
Which airport do I fly into for Belek?
Antalya (AYT), typically via a connection in Istanbul since there are no US nonstops. It's about 30–40 minutes from the Belek resorts.