The Big Four: A Roman Empire Power Tour Day Trip Distance & Logistics Matrix Fuel Stop Strategy for Day Trips Handling Road Emergencies Day Trips While Belek’s all-inclusive resorts in the Kadriye and Boğazkent districts offer luxury, the true magic of the Antalya region lies along the D400 highway. Within a 75-kilometre radius, the ruins of Roman, Greek, and Lycian cities await. By securing a rental car, you can trade the poolside for ancient colonnades on your own schedule. The Big Four: A Roman Empire Power Tour The main D400 highway is your direct route to the "Big Four" historical sites. Perge (near Aksu) was a sprawling Roman provincial capital. Aspendos boasts the best-preserved Roman theatre on earth. Side offers a stunning blend of seaside charm and Greco-Roman ruins, while Manavgat provides a refreshing natural escape with its famous waterfalls. Day Trip Distance & Logistics Matrix Destination Distance / Time from Belek Key Highlight Parking Situation Perge Ancient City 30 km / 35 mins Vast colonnaded streets & stadium Large, free official museum car park Aspendos Theatre 40 km / 30 mins World's best-preserved Roman theatre Ample, free designated lot opposite entrance Side Antik Kent 50 km / 45 mins Temple of Apollo at sunset Free Side Otogar car park (500 spaces) Tazı Canyon 75 km / 1h 30m Breathtaking canyon viewpoint Roadside parking (last 2km is dirt track) Termessos 65 km / 1h 15m High-altitude "Eagle's Nest" ruins Free visitor centre car park (paved road) For a stress-free day of sightseeing, combining Perge and Aspendos is an ideal choice. Both are a straightforward drive along the well-maintained D400. From Belek, head west towards Antalya. For Perge, take the Aksu turn-off. The access road is fully paved and leads directly to a large, free car park right at the entrance. For Aspendos, head east towards Serik and Manavgat. The turn-off from the D400 is clearly marked. The road winds through local villages for about 10 minutes before the magnificent theatre appears. Parking is plentiful and free in the designated lot opposite the main entrance. Visiting the seaside ruins of Side requires local knowledge. To preserve the ancient peninsula, a municipal order bans private vehicles from entering the historical centre. 🚗 Local insight: Park at the Side otogar for free and take the ₺2.50 SİDE'MWAY electric shuttle into the ruins. It departs every 10-15 minutes. Do not drive straight toward the Antik Kent roundabout. Instead, follow signs for the "Otogar" (Bus Station). Here you will find a large, free car park with 500 spaces. From the car park, it's a short walk to the shuttle stop. If you crave dramatic landscapes, point your car inland. Termessos sits over 1,000 metres above sea level. The winding mountain road to the visitor centre is fully paved and a spectacular drive in its own right. Tazı Canyon (Eagles Canyon) offers one of Turkey's most iconic viewpoints. However, drivers must be aware of the road conditions. While most of the route is paved, the final leg is not. ⚠️ Warning: The last 2 km to Tazı Canyon is a dirt track. A standard CDW or SCDW will not cover undercarriage damage or tyre and glass exclusion incurred on unpaved roads. This rutted, unpaved track is considered off-road driving by rental agencies like Avis, Enterprise, or Sixt. Any damage to the undercarriage will result in a full charge against your deposit block. If you plan to tackle routes like this, you must arrange specialist insurance for gravel roads beforehand. Fuel Stop Strategy for Day Trips While major highways are well-served, fuel stations can be scarce once you head towards national parks or mountain sites. A Renault Clio or Hyundai Accent will easily manage these trips on a single tank, but larger vehicles like a VW Transporter should plan accordingly. Route Last 24/7 Fuel Station Distance to Next Station Aspendos / Köprülü Canyon Shell on D400 (Belek-Serik junction) None inside the park (~80 km round trip) Side / Manavgat Petrol Ofisi on D400 (Manavgat entry) Plentiful along the D400 corridor Perge / Termessos Opet on D400 (near Aksu junction) None on the mountain road (~70 km round trip) 💡 Tip: Fill up at the Shell on the D400 before heading towards Aspendos. There are no service stations inside the national park boundaries. Choosing the right vehicle is critical for inland Turkey. For strictly coastal runs to Side or Perge, an Economy car like a Fiat Egea or Dacia Sandero is perfect. However, if your itinerary includes the steep inclines to Termessos, consider upgrading to a Mid-size SUV. Ensure your Belek car rental prices include a comprehensive Third-party cover. If you are driving through mountainous regions, verify that your Zero Excess policy explicitly covers off-road scenarios, as many standard policies contain an unpaved road exclusion. Handling Road Emergencies If you experience a breakdown or an accident, follow these sequential steps: Secure the Scene: Turn on your hazard lights and place the reflective warning triangle at least 30 meters behind your vehicle. Call for Help: Dial the ALO 175 tourist police hotline, or the Antalya Tourism Police (Turizm Şube) at +90 242 243 17 17. Document the Scene: Take extensive photos of the road conditions, especially if an unpaved road exclusion dispute arises. Contact the Agency: Notify your rental provider (e.g., Europcar, Budget, or Localrent) immediately to initiate the incident report. Log the Incident: For disputes over damage claims, you can file an official consumer complaint via the TÜBİS portal (tuketicisikayeti.ticaret.gov.tr) or the Tüketici Hakem Heyeti. Compare Car Rental Deals