Turkish Resorts: Elite Ones and Affordable Ones

Turkey is a warm country washed by several seas. Local resorts attract tourists from all over the world. High season lasts from May to October but foreigners visit Turkey at other times too to see the sights that are plentiful in the country. All Turkish resort cities offer wonderful recreation opportunities but their prices can differ significantly. Below we describe two expensive luxury resorts in Turkey and two affordable ones.   

Belek – the most reputable and elite Turkish resort

Belek is a beautiful and safe city at the Mediterranean coast inhabited by friendly people. The hospitality industry started to actively develop there a relatively short time ago but the place has already won many hearts. There are very few 3- and 4-star hotels in Belek: most of them are luxury 5-star hotels. The cheapest room in a 3-star hotel will cost you 320 liras per night and a room in a 5-star hotel will cost you 1,200 to 1,700 liras per night.

Belek is famous not only for its luxury hotels but also for its superb restaurants. There you can find Turkish, Mediterranean, and European cuisines as well as various seafood. Food prices are higher in Belek than they are in most other Turkish cities. You can have lunch at a café for 100 liras but you will have to pay twice as much if you go to a restaurant. An ice-cream cone or a bottle of drinking water costs 20 liras. The bus fare is 5 to 20 liras depending on how far you are going. Taxis are parked near all hotels and they are also rather expensive. Renting a car will cost you from 215 liras per day. Apart from Istanbul, Belek is where the wealthy live in Turkey.

Tourists prefer waterfront activities in Belek. A 10-minute water bike ride will cost you 50 liras and a ticket to the aqua park 250 liras (for an adult person). Massage services and hammam (Turkish hot bath) are available for 150 to 250 liras.

Fethiye – a pearl of Turkey

The city is one of the one of the most expensive and most scenic resorts in Turkey. It is located in the southwestern part of the country at the foot of the mountain. Fantastic nature, bright turquoise water, and sandy beaches are breathtaking in their beauty. There is a long walking path running along the seashore where you can find many cafes and small restaurants.

The tourists also like to explore ancient ruins found in the vicinity of Fethiye. You can join various excursions, go diving, rafting, or hang-gliding from the top of the Babadag mountain.

High season is long in Fethiye and it lasts from late March to late November. The level of hotel services is extremely high there. Guests stay not only in hotels but also in villas and bungalows. You can find a couple of 3- and 4-star hotels where the prices starts at 350 liras per room per night. The price can be even lower if the hotel sits far from the sea. If you would like to live at the coast, you’d have to pay at least 700 liras per night.

Food prices are generally lower in Fethiye than they are in Belek. The tourist infrastructure is well developed there: lots of shops, restaurants, and entertainment facilities. A taxi will cost you 4 liras per kilometer. Rental cars are popular with tourists as their prices are rather affordable. A simple car will cost you 150 liras per day. You can also rent a scooter for 60 liras per day.

Marmaris – a youth resort

The city is situated at the Mediterranean coast in the province of Mugla. It’s an inexpensive resort but it is a very nice place. There you can find tidy beaches and multiple entertainment facilities. Around 2 million tourists visit Marmaris during the high season. In the harbor sits an island that protects the city from stormy weather and high waves. July and August are the best months to visit Marmaris: the air is not too hot and the water temperature is comfortable. In September, it can be +30 and the water temperature rises to +26.  

Marmaris is not for beach vacations alone. There are multiple sights to see around the place. Excursions cost between 80 and 240 liras. You can visit neighboring towns, mud springs, and a turtle beach. A one-day trip to the Greek island of Rhodes costs 804 liras including the visa.

Most hotels in the city are averagely priced. You can rent a room for 90 liras per night. Five-star hotels can also be found in Marmaris but they are less expensive than in most other places. Hotels offer little entertainment but it does not upset tourists as there are many things to do in the city. Lunch in a café or restaurant will cost you 30 to 50 liras.  

Kemer – a popular yet affordable resort

Kemer is one of the oldest Turkish resorts but it’s still alive and kicking. Tourists are attracted by wonderful nature, pine-scented clean air, a great infrastructure, and multiple entertainment facilities. The ideal time to visit Kemer is between April and October. The sun is bright, the prices are affordable, and the service is good. Several festivals and carnivals take place in Kemer in summer.  

The city is rather small and you don’t need a car to go around. If you are too lazy to walk, you can take a taxi or rent a car. A taxi ride is not going to cost you a fortune as the distances are rather short. If you want to rent a car, you will have to leave a deposit. A small car will cost you 260 liras per day and a scooter will cost you 106 liras.

There are many hotels in Kemer and they are priced differently. A room in a 5-star hotel will cost you 2,700 liras per night or more. A room in a 4-star hotel is available for 2,000 liras per night. Most hotels offer full board (three meals a day) but you can also eat at a café or restaurant, which are plenty in Kemer. Dinner will cost you around 70 liras. You can choose from many different national cuisines.

There is a wide choice of entertainment facilities in Kemer and scuba diving is one of the most popular waterfront activities. You will also love going on a hiking tour around the area. Alternatively, you can pay 160 liras for a day on a pirate ship where you will be treated to some barbeque and told exciting stories about pirates’ lives.

Turkey welcomes tourists from around the globe and it offers wonderful recreation opportunities regardless of how much money you are prepared to spend.