A Place in the Sun

Hot Properties in Belek

Property in Belek

Just 15 minutes from the fringes of Antalya, and 30 minutes from the airport, is Belek, thirty years ago a small village, now it is arguably the Med’s number one year-round golfing destination.

It’s got 14 golf courses, end to end along the south coast of Antalya, that represent the biggest concentration of high-quality, good-value golf courses around the Mediterranean, although there are still more being planned.

It’s also carved a name for itself as an affordable alternative to more established golf destinations like Portugal and Spain.

So the place is primarily a leisure holiday resort, with the best courses: the National, Montgomerie, Faldo, Sultan, Gloria New Course and Carya.

The Montgomerie Papillon is deemed one of the leading clubs, has 18 holes plus a nine-hole academy course, and the resort hosts a big tournament there every autumn.

Sporting minibreaks are very practical with Antalya’s ever increasing flights but how does this impact the property market? Most foreigners arriving in Belek currently come on golf holidays and stay in one of the 50-plus five-star hotels, located on the beachfront or within one of the golf clubs.  But the aim is to increase the capacity by getting more golfers to rent privately owned properties.

Where to Buy Property in Belek 

It’s not possible to buy frontline golf or beach property in Belek – integrated golf properties as seen in Portugal or Spain, for example - it simply doesn’t exist. This is due to the entire land mass adjoining the beach and sea having to be leased from the owners – the Government, who solely reserve it for hotel and leisure use.

Consequently, all new developments are being built in rows in the strip of land immediately behind the golf and hotel resorts in an area that extends to Kadriye.

Many of the developments look very similar to each other so whilst you wouldn’t say there is anything authentically Turkish about it, there are some high-quality properties available.

Indeed, some might say Belek is a little soulless, but the prime appeal of property in Belek is its proximity to the golf courses. Investors have purchased many of the homes here specifically for onward holiday rental purposes mainly targeting the golfing fraternity.

But bear in mind that private rental properties need to compete with the high-quality hotels that offer good-value all-inclusive holidays – and frontline beach access.

But Belek for its choice and quality of courses does suit real golfing enthusiasts – and the Russian market seem to love it for its modern purpose-built luxury.

Apartments start at around £50,000 and resale villas from around £100,000 and mid-price quality new villas with a private pool from about £250,000.

That said, you can get the odd three-bed resale villa for around £75,000,  or plenty of two-bed apartments for this budget. Location is key, as always.

If you enjoy a few rounds but don’t need to play golf every day, you could do what many expat residents and second homeowners do: buy in more scenic – and cheaper – locations close to Belek, such as Side or one of the coastal developments between Belek and Side.

That way non-golfers (or golfers’ families) can enjoy the beaches and amenities of a vibrant town.