The luxury, exclusivity, and vitality of Türkiye’s golf coast
The Turkish Riviera may be synonymous with beach getaways and ancient explorations, yet on the very same coastline lies a parade of luxury golf resorts, offering golfers a perfect blend of sun, sea, and sporting fun.
The Turkish golfing capital
Belek, in the ancient region of Antalya, is Türkiye’s most popular luxury golfing destination. Year on year, it charms enthusiasts from across the globe with courses designed by world-renowned golf course designers and set in a prime location – just a 30-minute drive from Antalya International Airport.
And with 18 golf courses on offer, an average temperature of 19℃C (around 66℃F), and over 300 days of sunshine, golfers are spoiled for choice when it comes to where and when to play.
Away from the fairway, Belek has the potential to transform golfers’ time on the green into a holiday to remember. Numerous white sand beaches line the golf resorts, giving them the perfect opportunity to reenergize in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. While the town center offers them a true taste of Turkish culture, from the best fine dining à la carte restaurants to the bustling open-air bazaars.
Further still lies some of Türkiye’s most exclusive wonders, including the Düden Waterfalls in the west, Yeşil Vadi Manavgat (Green Canyon) in the east, and the 2000-year-old Aspendos theater in the north. Round off your tour of Belek with a play, performance, or film screening within the theater’s well-preserved walls, before returning to the comfort of your golf resort and the luxury of 5-star hospitality.
Designed for (and by) champions
Belek has been gaining international recognition as a top golfing destination since the opening of its first course in 1994 – also the first facility to host an international professional tournament in Türkiye. Today, the region welcomes golfing legends to a series of European tours, including the Turkish Airlines Open and Antalya Open.
But competition isn’t reserved for professionals. Golf courses in Belek offer several Pro-Am tournaments throughout the year, allowing amateur golfers to follow in some of the most iconic golfing footsteps. Whether it’s a 9-hole or 45-hole experience, competitors can negotiate a minefield of pine-lined fairways, crystal-clear lakes, and bunkers that threaten to take them over par.
Those wanting to gain a competitive advantage can enroll in a lesson at one of the many available club academies. Run by PGA-certified instructors, they offer professional tips for perfecting an enviable putting technique. Belek is also home to the only TrackMan range in Europe, which allows golfers to track the distance, height, and speed of their ball, and the first fully-lighted golf course in Europe, so they can extend their practice way into the evening.
As challenging as they are rewarding, Belek’s golf courses aren’t just an ode to the sport, but to design too – with some of the biggest golfing names having added their signature touches to the area in association with European Golf Design. These include former professionals, including Colin Montgomerie, David Jones, and Nick Faldo, to name a few.
But competition isn’t reserved for professionals. Golf courses in Belek offer several Pro-Am tournaments throughout the year, allowing amateur golfers to follow in some of the most iconic golfing footsteps. Whether it’s a 9-hole or 45-hole experience, competitors can negotiate a minefield of pine-lined fairways, crystal-clear lakes, and bunkers that threaten to take them over par.
Those wanting to gain a competitive advantage can enroll in a lesson at one of the many available club academies. Run by PGA-certified instructors, they offer professional tips for perfecting an enviable putting technique. Belek is also home to the only TrackMan range in Europe, which allows golfers to track the distance, height, and speed of their ball, and the first fully-lighted golf course in Europe, so they can extend their practice way into the evening.
As challenging as they are rewarding, Belek’s golf courses aren’t just an ode to the sport, but to design too – with some of the biggest golfing names having added their signature touches to the area in association with European Golf Design. These include former professionals, including Colin Montgomerie, David Jones, and Nick Faldo, to name a few.
After an exhilarating day on the green, club restaurants are a perfect opportunity to reminisce over a meal of typical Turkish cuisine and international gastronomy. While private rooms, suites, and villas are a chance to order straight to your door for a bespoke fine dining experience.
Not just a sporting retreat
For every golf course in Belek, there is a hotel to bring you a truly all-inclusive experience. Whichever one you choose to stay at, discover the luxury, privacy, and comfort of a home away from home.
After an exhilarating day on the green, club restaurants are a perfect opportunity to reminisce over a meal of typical Turkish cuisine and international gastronomy. While private rooms, suites, and villas are a chance to order straight to your door for a bespoke fine dining experience.
Back on the mainland, drive two hours from Fethiye to Çamlı before taking another boat to Sedir Adası, also known as Cleopatra Island. Renowned for its iridescent beach, it is said that Mark Anthony had each egg-shaped seashell shipped across from the Red Sea for Cleopatra. Today, honeymooners walk through the island’s only agora and pose with the heart-shaped stones, trying to capture the magic of the ancient romance. Plan your trip carefully: the beach closes at 19:00 and it’s advisable to be back on the mainland by sunset.
Continue this sense of solitude at a hotel spa. Here you can unwind in one of the biggest spas and beauty centers in Türkiye, which features a hamam/hammam (Turkish bath), an indoor heated pool, and seawater-based treatments. Combining traditional aromatherapies with contemporary techniques, tranquility is almost always guaranteed.
Even if you’re not traveling solo, there are plenty of group activities to keep everyone entertained beyond the golf course. Couples can relax on a private stretch of beach against a backdrop of the Taurus Mountains. Friends can fire up their endorphins with a selection of watersports. And kids can enjoy the supervised hotel facilities on offer.
As a year-round destination with a coastline dedicated to golf, Belek is perfect for those looking to take their favorite sport overseas. It provides a unique golfing experience, where amateurs and professionals share common ground, hospitality and competition share a sense of exclusivity, and land and sea share one of the world’s most picturesque borders.