Belek is best known for golf and five-star resorts, but its coastline is the real draw for many visitors. The shore here is a long ribbon of soft, pale golden sand backed by umbrella pines, running from the resort strip east towards Bogazkent and the Acisu river mouth. Several hotel beaches fly the Blue Flag for water quality and safety, while quieter public stretches and the wilder Sorgun pine beaches near Side reward anyone willing to travel a few kilometres along the coast.
This guide covers where to swim, which beaches suit families, and how the sands change as you move east towards Side. We include the Blue Flag hotel beaches, the free public access points, the broad Kadriye and Bogazkent stretches, and the shaded Sorgun coves. We also cover getting there: Belek sits 33 km from Antalya Airport, roughly a 35 to 45 minute private transfer, and reaching each beach is straightforward with a fixed-price car and a driver who knows the coast.
Table of Contents
- Belek's beach character
- Blue Flag hotel beaches
- Public beach spots
- Kadriye sands
- Bogazkent beach
- Sorgun pine beaches near Side
- Getting there and best months
Belek's beach character
Belek's coastline is a continuous run of soft, pale golden sand mixed with fine grey-gold grains, quite different from the pebbles you find further west at Kemer. Umbrella and stone pines grow almost to the waterline in places, throwing natural shade over the dunes. The Mediterranean here shelves gently, so the shallows stay calm and warm, which makes the whole strip well suited to families with young children. Behind the sand sit the manicured lawns of the resort hotels, while the Acisu and Kopru rivers break the shore into distinct sections. The water is clean and clear through the summer, and the flat, open aspect means long, uninterrupted swimming and sunbathing from spring right through to late autumn. Lifeguard flags mark the safe swimming zones on the busier stretches, and a gentle breeze off the sea keeps the afternoons pleasant even at the height of summer.
Blue Flag hotel beaches
The bulk of Belek's shoreline belongs to five-star resorts, and many of these hotel beaches hold the Blue Flag award for water quality, safety and facilities. Expect raked sand, tiered rows of loungers and parasols, lifeguards, showers and beach bars. If you are staying at one of the resorts, beach access and sunbeds are usually included. Day visitors can often buy a beach pass at the larger hotels, which typically covers a lounger, umbrella and use of the pools, though prices vary by season and property. The Blue Flag stretches tend to be the tidiest and best-serviced sand in the area, with the trade-off that the busiest sections fill quickly in July and August. Arrive early to claim a front-row bed near the water.
Public beach spots
You do not need to book a resort to enjoy Belek's sand. There are free public access points, most notably the Belek public beach near the town centre and the stretch by the Acisu river mouth. Facilities here are simpler than at the hotels, with basic changing cabins, a few cafes and seasonal sunbed hire rather than full service. The sand is the same soft gold, and the swimming is just as good. These public spots are popular with local families and independent travellers who prefer a relaxed, unstructured day by the sea. Bring water, sun cream and a parasol if you want guaranteed shade, as the natural pine cover thins out along the open public sections. Parking is available but fills up on summer weekends.
Kadriye sands
Just west of Belek, Kadriye has its own broad, sandy beach and sits within easy reach of the Land of Legends theme park and the golf courses. The sand is wide and gently shelving, and the area mixes hotel beaches with more accessible public stretches. Kadriye works well if you want a beach day combined with shopping, dining or a theme-park visit, as the resort centre is compact and walkable. A private transfer from Belek to Kadriye costs from €15 per vehicle one-way and takes only a few minutes, so it is easy to hop across for the day. Families often base a beach afternoon here around a morning at Land of Legends, which is roughly 6 km from central Belek and reachable from €15 by sedan.
Bogazkent beach
East of Belek, towards Side, the coast opens into the long, quiet sands of Bogazkent. This is one of the more natural stretches on the strip, backed by pine and less built-up than the core resort area. The beach is broad and shallow, with warm, calm water that suits paddling and gentle swimming. Bogazkent and the neighbouring Belek shore are important nesting grounds for loggerhead sea turtles, or Caretta caretta, so parts of the sand are protected during the summer nesting season. You will find seasonal beach bars and sunbed hire rather than dense development, which is exactly the appeal for travellers seeking a calmer day. The small resort of Bogazkent has local restaurants and guesthouses, giving the area an easy-going village feel away from the big hotels. A private transfer runs from Belek in minutes, and it pairs neatly with a visit to nearby Side.
Sorgun pine beaches near Side
Continue past Bogazkent and you reach Sorgun, the pine-forest beaches on the eastern edge of Side. Here dense stands of umbrella pine come right down to the shore, giving natural shade that is rare elsewhere on this coast. The sand is soft, the water shallow and clear, and the wooded backdrop keeps the whole area cooler and quieter than the open resort strip. Sorgun is a favourite for a picnic day out, and it sits within a short drive of Side's Roman ruins and the ancient theatre. A private transfer from Belek to the Side area costs from €35 per vehicle one-way and takes around 30 to 40 minutes. Combine a morning on the sand with an afternoon exploring Side's old town and harbour.
Getting there and best months
The Belek beaches are easiest to reach with a fixed-price private transfer, so you are not tied to bus timetables or hire-car parking. From Antalya Airport it is 33 km and roughly 35 to 45 minutes, with a sedan from €25, a Mercedes Vito from €35 or a minivan from €45 per vehicle. Short hops along the coast are affordable: Kadriye from €15 and the Side and Sorgun beaches from €35. The best months for the sea are May to October, when water temperatures are comfortable and rain is rare; July and August are hottest and busiest. Booking is on WhatsApp and you pay the driver in cash. Every transfer includes flight tracking, 60 minutes of free waiting, a name-board meet and greet and free child seats.
Practical Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Many of the five-star hotel beaches along the strip hold Blue Flag status for water quality, safety and facilities. If you stay at a resort, beach access and sunbeds are usually included, and day passes covering a lounger and pools are often available at the larger hotels for visitors staying elsewhere.
Yes. There are free public access points, including the Belek public beach near the town centre and the stretch by the Acisu river mouth. Facilities are simpler than at the hotels, with basic cabins, a few cafes and seasonal sunbed hire, but the sand and swimming are the same quality.
A private transfer from Belek to the Side area, which includes the Sorgun pine beaches, costs from €35 per vehicle one-way and takes around 30 to 40 minutes. Book on WhatsApp and pay the driver in cash on arrival.
Very much so. The sea shelves gently and stays calm and warm, and both Kadriye and Bogazkent have broad, shallow sand. Free child seats are included on every transfer, so families can travel between beaches easily and safely.
The Belek and Bogazkent sands are protected nesting grounds for loggerhead turtles, known as Caretta caretta. Nesting zones are marked and protected through the summer season, so keep your distance, avoid the marked areas after dark and do not disturb the sand.
May to October gives warm, swimmable sea and very little rain. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, while late spring and September are quieter with pleasant water temperatures and easier space on the popular hotel beaches.