4 days in Antalya with @lian_ireri

After visiting Turkey for the first time last year, I knew it was a place I wanted to return to. I’d heard so much about the Turkish Riviera, so this time my sister and I headed to Antalya for four days of sunshine, relaxation, good food and a little adventure. If you’re planning a similar escape, here’s exactly how we spent our time in Antalya…

Day 1: Arriving in Antalya and exploring the hotel

After arriving in Antalya, we made our way to Rixos Park Belek, where we would be staying for the next few days. The resort has everything you need for an easy All Inclusive escape – several swimming pools, a private beach, evening entertainment, spa facilities and plenty of dining options. After checking into our room and dropping off our bags, we spent the rest of the day exploring the resort and settling into holiday mode. Our room was spacious and beautifully designed, with plenty of room to unwind. There are also several room categories available, making the hotel a great option for couples, families and larger groups.

One of the things I immediately loved was the choice of food. Alongside Turquoise Restaurant – the main buffet – there are several à la carte options, including L’Olivo, Mermaid Restaurant, The Grill and UMI Teppanyaki. There’s also Patisserie Art, which quickly became our go-to for coffee and something sweet. On our first evening, we kept things fairly relaxed, enjoying dinner at the hotel before calling it a night.

Day 2: A traditional Turkish bath and beach day

Our second day was all about slowing down and making the most of the hotel. After breakfast, we headed to the spa, which ended up being one of my favourite parts of our stay. The highlight was experiencing a traditional Turkish bath – from the exfoliation to the foam massage, the whole experience was incredibly relaxing, and something I would definitely recommend adding to your itinerary while in Turkey.

We spent the rest of the afternoon between the pool and the hotel’s private beach, with plenty of time to swim, lounge and enjoy the sunshine. One of the benefits of staying somewhere like Rixos Park Belek is that you can easily dedicate an entire day to the resort without feeling like you need to go anywhere else. In the evening, we enjoyed another dinner at the hotel before ending the day with a cocktail, enjoying some of the late-night live entertainment.

Day 3: The Land of Legends and dinner at Nemo

On day three, we had the chance to explore beyond the resort, with a visit to The Land of Legends Theme Park. There’s much more to it than just the theme park, though – you can spend the day going between rollercoasters and water attractions, before exploring the promenade. It’s lined with shops, restaurants and designer boutiques – with so much to see and do, it’s worth setting aside plenty of time. One of the biggest benefits of staying at Rixos Park Belek is that guests receive free access to The Land of Legends, making it an experience that I would definitely take advantage of if you’re staying here.

For dinner, we booked Nemo Restaurant, an underwater restaurant located within The Land of Legends. We ordered sushi and cocktails, while watching marine life swim through the huge aquarium surrounding the restaurant. It was easily one of the most memorable meals of our trip. If you can, stay into the evening to experience the promenade after dark, when the canal shows, lights and entertainment completely change the atmosphere.

Day 4: A slow final day at Rixos Park Belek

For our final full day, we deliberately kept our plans simple. After a leisurely breakfast, we spent the morning enjoying the resort, moving between the pool and beach, before stopping for lunch. We made sure to use this day as another opportunity to make the most of the hotel’s dining options. The Grill was a great chance to try more Turkish flavours, with grilled meats, kebabs, fresh breads and meze on the menu. With nowhere we needed to rush off to, the rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing and enjoying our final few hours in the sunshine.

This trip to Antalya gave us exactly the balance we were looking for. We had time to completely switch off at the resort, while still fitting in some memorable experiences outside of it. Between the Turkish bath, The Land of Legends, incredible food and plenty of time by the sea, it was the perfect introduction to another side of Turkey, and somewhere I would happily return to.

If @lian_ireri’s trip sounds like a bit of you, have a look at our Antalya area holidays and you can find all her picks on our Insiders Hub.       