Almost every Russian knows that Turkey is one of the most popular tourist destinations today. And there are many reasons for this. In short, tourists from Russia go to Turkish resorts for the warm sea, hot sun, shopping and excellent high-quality service. And with all this, you don’t need a visa.
Türkiye is big and there are a lot of resorts here. Let's look at some of them to decide which one is better.
How to save on transfer?
There are regular or charter flights to each of the resorts in Turkey (How long will the flight take?). The flight to Antalya takes approximately 3 to 4 hours, depending on the flight. Business class airline tickets will cost you a little more, but you will fly in comfort. Antalya has its own Airport, which will amaze you with its luxury. This is a really large, clean and modern airport that will simply surprise you with its European quality of service.
You can get to Kemer from it in 30 minutes by regular bus, and to Alanya in 2 hours. And from Antalya to Side you can get there in 1 hour and 15 minutes. In principle, the travel time is approximately the same, so this criterion for choosing a resort is quite subjective.
Fundamental differences between resorts
Antalya is a large and rapidly developing resort city with a highly developed network of hotels, a large number of bars and restaurants, various entertainment centers, discos and nightclubs. There are also many water parks, attractions and other entertainment for children. Your child will be able to fully enjoy a quality holiday during the school holidays.
But Antalya is more of a city resort than a beach resort, since most of the hotels are urban. And if you are going on vacation with children and want to be surrounded by picturesque forests, then it is best to choose another resort (for example, Kemer), since in Antalya you will not find a lot of greenery. I would also like to note that pebble beaches predominate here. But if you are relaxing in hotels that are located in the central part of the city, then there are mainly beaches - platforms where both adults and children can relax comfortably. Also, the new areas of Lara and Kundu, where full-fledged resort complexes with a high level of service are located, have their own sandy beaches, where a holiday with children will be simply excellent.
A more inexpensive vacation awaits you and in Kemer. And if you compare it with Antalya described above, here you will find very beautiful landscapes with dense vegetation, coniferous forests, picturesque mountains and a beautiful sea coast. But again, pebble beaches also predominate here, along which there are a huge number of hotels from modest to fashionable. If you are sensitive to pebbles, there are special piers from which you can dive.
If you come on vacation with children, then a wide variety of entertainment awaits you here: water parks, dolphinariums, sports grounds and much more. I would also like to recommend choosing hotels in Kemer with their own sandy beaches, where children will be very comfortable.
You can also purchase inexpensive tours or vouchers to Alanya, which is one of the most remote resorts in Turkey. Unlike Kemer, there is also little greenery here, not counting palm trees, which grow mainly on the territory of hotels. The resort areas of Alanya are designed for tourists with average incomes, and therefore many young people who are interested in active recreation, beaches and nightlife usually relax here. And all this is enough here. I would also like to note that it is very convenient to relax here with children, since most of the hotels are located across the road from the beach and all of them are sandy, gently sloping with a convenient entrance to the sea.
Many people are interested not only in beach holidays, but also in excursion programs, so many choose an “open-air museum” - Side city. This resort is located on the coast of the warm and gentle Mediterranean Sea and is the main archaeological zone of the region. Here you will find hotels just like in any of the resorts in Turkey - from inexpensive budget ones to five-star luxury ones. As for the beaches, they are sandy and therefore after lunch the water in the sea becomes a little cloudy. But it’s quite comfortable for children to relax here. There is also a lot of entertainment for children and adults: rides, diving, jet skiing, parasailing and much more. Nature, just like in Alanya, is not very much and mostly trees and palm trees are found on the territory of hotels.
But it’s too early to draw conclusions and let’s see what the climate is like in each of the above resorts.
In Antalya, the holiday season begins in May and ends in October. The average daily temperature in June - September varies from +30°C to +33°C, and the sea water temperature reaches its maximum of +27°C. So it is warmest in the summer months.
In Side and Alanya in summer, the air and water temperatures are approximately the same and even in August you will not feel intense heat, since the air does not warm up above +31°C. The weather is fine and the air temperature is quite comfortable.
But in Kemer it is much hotter and in July and August it can be very hot up to +36°C, so those who cannot stand extreme heat are best to choose resorts such as Antalya, Alanya or Side. Or go to Kemer at the very beginning of summer or during the high season. The end of the season also sees a large number of tourists.
What are the main attractions?
Turkey is rich in its attractions and therefore each of the resorts can boast of its own cultural and architectural monuments.
In Side you can visit the archaeological complex, as well as the public baths of the ancient period, which now houses a museum. And behind the baths are the ruins of the Temple of Tyche and Fortuna, where slaves used to be sold.
In Antalya, along with the tour, you can purchase a sightseeing tour of the city, but there is very little educational information in it, so if you wish, you can visit the most famous attractions of the resort yourself. Here you can see Hadrian's Gate, which was built in honor of the Roman emperor, the symbol of Antalya - the Yivli Mosque, Mermeli and Karaalayoğlu Park, the Ataturk Museum, the Ethnographic Museum and much more. There are many beautiful waterfalls here, so Antalya has much more to offer in terms of attractions than Side.
Alanya is famous for its Byzantine fortress Ich-Kale, which overlooks the city on a hilltop. This fortress looks great at night and is an open-air museum. There are also many caves here and if you like stalactites and stalagmites, then you will definitely like Damlatas Cave, Lovers Cave, Phosphorus Cave and Pirates Cave.
And in Kemer you can visit the beautiful “Yoryuk Park”, which is a living ethnographic exhibition dedicated to the life and history of the Turkish people. There is a dolphinarium, a reptile park, children's clubs, etc. for children. And the main value of Kemer is considered to be the fiery mountain Yanartash, which is located in the small town of Ciraly.
Kemer or Antalya, Alanya or Side, where is better
Many people believe that vacationing in Turkey is much cheaper than in European resorts, since prices there are much lower. And if you have not yet decided where you will vacation in Turkey, then we will help you we can say with confidence that no matter which resort you choose, everywhere you will find excellent hotels, a high level of service and a lot of entertainment.
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.
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.
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.
In contact with
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 coast characterized by uneven terrain and a remote area where turtles come out of 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.
In contact with
Belek
Rich vegetation, picturesque landscapes. The resort is located in the National Reserve area. Dense pine forests, air permeated with the scent of pine needles, clear sea, nature reserves and national parks. World class resort. The climate in Belek is typical for Turkey, but due to the presence of pine forests, the heat is more easily tolerated.
Side
The landscape and views of Side vary depending on the village. In the area of the village of Tetrengel there are numerous pine trees and lush vegetation. But the closer you get to Alanya, the more deserted the landscapes, the less greenery. The swimming season lasts as long as in Belek.
Beaches
Belek
Most beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness. Most beaches have a smooth sandy entrance to the sea, convenient for families with children. The swimming season lasts from early May to early October.
Side
Side beaches vary from village to village. Most of the beaches are sandy and pebble, with a gentle slope into the sea. There are also small pebble beaches.
Distance to airport
Belek
Belek is close to the airport - 30 km. The transfer takes no more than 40 minutes.
Side
The transfer takes on average about 1 hour. The villages located closer to Alanya are no more than 1.5 hours away. Distance from Antalya - 55-70 km.
Hotels
Belek
Belek is a developing elite resort with predominant 5* deluxe hotels. There are practically no 4* here. Most hotels have a huge territory and are located on the 1st line. Prices for tours to Belek are the highest in the country. Belek hotels are self-sufficient - all infrastructure is located on their territory. All hotels have huge green areas. In order not to disturb the ecological balance, forests are not cut down, but become part of the hotel landscape. Most hotels are open all year round. Wealthy tourists usually vacation in Belek. There are many tourists with children due to the excellent children's infrastructure of hotels.
Side
Here you can find hotels of different categories - from economical city 3* to good 5*, but there are few luxury hotels here. In Side itself you can find very cheap options for young people with a municipal beach and within walking distance of clubs. Read about inexpensive 3* hotels in Side in our TOP 7 best 3* hotels. There are many excellent club hotels with a large territory and affordable prices. In general, tours in Side are much cheaper than in Belek. Entertainment is found not only in the hotels themselves, but also outside them - in towns and cities. The territory of hotels varies from very tiny in city hotels to huge in 5* club hotels. Most hotels close for the winter. The hotels in Sile are mainly visited by the middle class.
Entertainment, nightlife
Belek
There are no good clubs in the village of Belek itself. All the best discos are in the territories of fashionable 5+*. If you are vacationing in an inexpensive 5* hotel, you can visit discos in luxury hotels for a fee. There is practically no entertainment outside the hotels, and there are few good cafes with reasonable prices. Few shops. You need to understand that Belek is not a city, but a small resort village with all the attendant pros and cons. In Belek, most good 5* hotels have a developed entertainment infrastructure. All conditions have been created for children's leisure - the hotels have excellent amusement parks and water parks.
Side
The city of Side is an ancient ancient city with preserved monuments of the past. You can also find many bars here, and there are a couple of good clubs. The variety of entertainment makes holidays in Side city hotels popular among young people. When buying a tour to an inexpensive 3-4* hotel near the city or in one of the villages, you can be sure that there will be something to do outside the hotel, even if the hotel animation does not satisfy you. As in Belek, quality 5* hotels in Side offer entertainment for children such as amusement parks and aqua parks.