Belisirma is a little village located in Cappadocia on the Melendiz River down the Ilhara Vallley near Urgup, Turkey. The most important specialty of this village of Güzelyurt County of Aksaray Province is that it is actually established in the Ihlara Valley. Basicly the Belisirma Village was established on the slopes of the valley, on the right side of the Melendiz brook which flows through the valley.
It has been indicated in the historical resources that the name “Belisırma” is derived from the Greek word “Peristrema”. Even though this area is not as large as the city center of Güzelyurt or town of Ihlara, Greeks intensively settled in this village.
Belisirma village is located in the middle of the trekking path continuing across Ihlara Valley, the trekkers who walk up to here are able to leave the valley through the road coming all the way down to the valley.
The drive down to Belisirma in the heart of Ihlara Valley was picturesque and well worth the effort. After parking the car the first thing we encountered was this attractive and inviting restaurant. The shade of the cute little huts, not to mention the opportunity to immerse my feet in the cool clear waters of Melendiz Stream.
For the first I'd like to point out that this restaurant is NOT in Göreme. Ihlara Valley is more than 100 km from Göreme. It is the place where most of the tours have a lunch break. I took a green tour last week and also visited Belisirma restaurant. I don't think that the food was that awful 🙂
Belisirma is in the Ihlara Valley, Goreme in Cappadocia. It is the restaurant all tourists are brought to after a 3 kilometre hike. Needless to say, the hikers are hungry, but even this cannot mask the atrocious fare that is offered as food. Tasteless soup (what is in it?) burnt meatballs, leathery stew, and three thin small slices of watermelon…
Belisirma Village located in the middle of the Ihlara Valley the birds and the stream’s sound… very charming and peaceful place…
This was the worst meal i've had after a week of traveling around turkey, which includes many meals of street food. It is unfortunately the restaurant tour companies choose to use as their inclusive lunch.
Starting at Ihlara is the valley following the river north as far as a village called Selime, passing through another called Belisirma, where many, as did I, choose to stop.
The walk itself is very easy and quite relaxing. Just you, the river and the valley walls on either side. Taking it slow it took about 2.5-3hrs from Ihlara to Belisirma.
Belisirma is undoubtedly the best place along the valley to stop for a bite to eat as there are four restaurants right on the river’s edge near the bridge leading to the village, which is located about halfway between Ihlara and Selime. There are also some interesting churches here in Belisirma, including Direkli Kilise and the church of St. George, both of which are just off the path near the river.