Combining holidaying with outdoor pursuits is a great way to liven up your leisure time. Dabbling into adventurous activities propel mental as well as physical well-being of an individual. It is a welcome relief from the daily hub-dub and the busy life schedule. If you are keen on exploring the best from a trip, it would definitely remain incomplete without shaking a leg into various adventure sports in Turkey.
A number of adventurous activities open for tourists, have already gone up astonishingly well, coupled with the promotional initiatives. The increase in outdoor adventure sports in Turkey is an indication of how extreme adventure activities are gaining momentum and thus receiving wider patronage in the region. Turkey has emerged as an ideal thrill-fix destination where travellers as well as locals redefine the thrill of adventure sports.
12 Best Adventure Sports In Turkey
Due to its highly advantageous geographical location on the cusp of Europe and Asia, Turkey is well-connected to various parts of the world and draws tourists from across the globe. While some drop in for exciting adventure sports, others visit for a relaxing vacation. Read on to get a glimpse of the various alternative extreme adventure sports in Turkey to enjoy. The region has been redefining this concept by welcoming visitors to delve into unique activities that become a part and parcel of their lives.
1. Hot Air Balloon Over Cappadocia In Turkey
Let yourself loose in the air! A literal heart-stopper afloat in the hot air balloon is surely a lifetime experience. It is one of the top and exciting adventure sports in Turkey that also offers a perfect bird’s eye view of the city below. You get an opportunity to enjoy the panoramic 360-degree view of the lofty limestone spires while the ‘fairy chimneys’ over Cappadocia region of Central Turkey is also visible. It is an ideal romantic experience for couples as well as an adrenaline boost for the young travellers alike.
Time Required: Normally, the fly-time is 1 hour
Hot Air Balloon Ride Cost In Turkey: Several tour operators offer hotel pick and drop service. Besides this, the charge for activity usually starts from INR 15,000.
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2. Scuba Diving
Presence of great water bodies combined with supportive government policies have given a fillip to the emergence of exciting adventure sports in Turkey. When it comes to enjoying the best Adventure sports activities in Turkey, by tourists as well as locals, Scuba Diving ranks high among all notable adventure sports. The 200 km coastline between Tekirova and Alanya has the presence of multiple spots for Scuba Diving. Caves, canyons, walls and wrecks are abundant in this region which makes it an ultimately unique platform for scuba and water sports activities. Another unique feature of this area is the presence of the numerous well-planned scuba diving schools for various grades of divers ranging from beginners to experts to get their skills honed.
Best time to scuba dive in Turkey: Scuba diving season in Turkey is usually between April to November. Holidaymakers are put through a test dive in their hotel swimming pools before experiencing the actual thrill of the scuba.
Precautionary Measures to Take: Safety Certified instructors ensure the safety of the scuba divers. Children below 12 years of age and people with heart-related ailments are not advised for this sport.
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3. White Water Rafting
Talking about Alanya coast in Turkey, tourists can definitely spend memorable moments with each other while delving into white water rafting and many other water-related sports there. White water rafting is one of the most extreme adventure sports in Turkey which provides a thrilling and white-knuckle experience. The rivers of Koprulu and Antaria or the slightly far away Dalaman River have spots for exciting water rafting sports which are tailor-made for the tourists to experiment. Experienced professional rafters ensure greater safety. The daring dart through the canyons and troughs of the Taurus Mountains is an experience not to be missed.
Ideal for: It is a great adventure for solo and family travellers
Precautionary Measures to Take: Considering the risks involved in this form of adventure, the government has put in place tight regulations for the safety of rafters.
Children under 15 years of age and people with back-related issues are advised to stay off from these adventure activities.
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4. Water and Jeep Safari
A truly new form of adventure sports that has caught the attention of both tourists and tour operators alike, Water and Jeep Safari. The resorts between the coasts of the Mediterranean and the Aegean are favorite spots for jet skiing, parasailing, and banana rides. If averse to water, go for the jeep safari at Saklikent Gorge. Jeep safari takes the tourists through the spellbinding canyons, ancient ruins and the vast swathe of the hilly terrains. You can also go for a natural mud bath while exploring the beaches of Turkey.
Time Taken: It is a full-day adventurous tour through varied landscapes by Jeep, with a relaxed session in the evening at the beach. You can also enjoy packages of your choice which range from 30 minutes to 3 hours.
Ideal for: Solo and family travellers
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5. Canyoning and Mountaineering
Fast action-oriented sports like climbing, trekking, jumping and abseiling or surfing over the waterfalls are increasingly becoming common in Turkey. Ranked as one of the best Adventure sports activities in Turkey; Canyoning and Mountaineering offer a rare view of nature in all its resplendent beauty to explore. Turkey, being a land of the mountains has many spots for this kind of adventurous activity. The regions around Anatolia and the famed Mount Ararat have become the favorite spots for tourists.
Time Taken: Depending on the operator you choose while booking the activity.
Ideal for: Solo and family travellers
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6. Windsurfing and KiteBoarding
If adventure sports in Turkey is a top priority in your mind this summer, delving into Windsurfing and Kiteboarding would be a good option to explore. The Gulf of Gokova in Turkey is a haven for Kiteboarding activities due to excellent weather conditions, 3 km long surfing course, and shallow waters. The adrenaline-pumping flight through the sky is a must-do sport on your bucket list. Turkey’s coast along the Aegean is ideal for windsurfing due to the bays and islands. Several schools training in this sport have transformed the Alacati region into a hip hop and happening summer destination for travellers.
Time Taken: Depending on the operator you choose while booking the activity.
Ideal for: Solo and family travellers
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7. Paragliding
A perfect adventure sports for the adrenaline-junkies! Tandem paragliding has become the centre-stage sports in the regions of Oludeniz Beach in Turkey. This sleepy town off the Mediterranean coast, south of Turkey is home for the famed Blue Lagoon bedrock for paragliding. Revellers from around the world flock to this spot during the summers to savour this one of the best Adventure sports activities in Turkey. The drive through the beautiful mountains and inviting view of the Blue Lagoon is a lovely precursor to what follows when one is strapped with the pilot in the parachute. Gear up for an all-body experience!
Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate
Ideal for: All age groups
Time to Visit: Between October to November
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8. Rock Climbing
Places like Antalya and the National Park at Ala Daglar have emerged as the favourite spots for rock climbing in Turkey. The mountainous nature of this country provides a great chance for establishing new routes through the mountains. Tourists have a choice of 4 top spots for rock climbing – Geyikbayiri, Feslekan Yayla, Citdibi and Akyarlar to choose from. Check with your local tour operator to decide which is best suitable for you in terms of distance from your stay and conveyance facilities.
Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate
Ideal for: All age groups.
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9. Sea Kayaking
One more outdoor adventure sport in Turkey is sea kayaking in Antalya. The Mediterranean and Aegean coast of Turkey with its ideal sea and weather conditions offer a perfect backdrop for paddling and sea kayaking. Travel through times and great civilizations as you experience the balmy coastal waters and the soothing wind while delving into this adventure activity. No previous experience is required for kayaking. A reliable life jacket is all that is needed to raft in the light craft over the waters.
Difficulty Level: Easy
Ideal for: All age groups
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10. Skiing
The list of adventure sports in Turkey is not complete if skiing is not included! Skiing―a truly breathtaking experience in the bone-chilling cold―has emerged as another top-notch sport for the travellers to Turkey. From Istanbul to Ankara, the number of ski resorts has shot up of late with excellent facilities for wholesome ice and snow experience. The prominent ski rinks are located near the towns of Antalya, Isparta and Erzurum. It would be best to take the advice of your local tour operator in determining which rink you can reach easily.
Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate
Ideal for: All age groups
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11. Horse Safari and Mountain Biking
Fairy chimneys, queer heritage and culture, lanky lime spirals and several wonders welcome the tourists to the Cappadocia region of Central Turkey. While strange lunar eclipse and cave cities are associated with this region, it is also famous for exciting outdoor activities and sports like horse safaris. The rugged plains of the area present a great opportunity to try your hand at the horse riding. Alternatively, you can experience the thrill of riding a motorbike in the hard terrains and winding mountainous routes.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ideal for: All age groups
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12. Caving or Potholing
It is one of the relatively leisurely but high on excitement top adventure sport in Turkey. It is like an expedition to explore the inner realms of the earth by looking for underground cavities with specialized equipment. Turkey is famous for this outdoor activity due to large presence of caves and caverns. It is best enjoyed with a small group or a team of travellers. Huddle together and set about finding the hidden underground lakes, cisterns, caverns and stalagmites of Turkey.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ideal for: All age groups
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Pack your bags and have a great and exciting fun-filled holiday in Turkey! With stunning scenery and rich historic legacy, this is an ideal holiday destination for you. For adventure-thrill seekers, there are plenty of activities to get involved in and engage yourself with. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, book a trip to seek adventures of a lifetime.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Adventure Sports In Turkey
Is it safe to join strangers in adventure sports in Turkey?
It is advisable to join a team where you are known to somebody for good companionship. If your tour operator makes a group and supervises, it is worth going.
What are the popular adventure sports in Turkey?
There are many adventure sports like Scuba Diving, White Water Rafting, Water and Jeep Safari, Canyoning and Mountaineering, Paragliding and more.
Can anyone with certain health conditions try adventure sports in Turkey?
Those of you with certain health conditions should discuss with the experts before going for such activities for safety reasons.
How to decide which adventure sports in Turkey that one must try?
You can for a number of sports like White Water rafting, Paragliding, Windsurfing, Scuba Diving and more.
When to plan a trip to Turkey for a great sporting experience?
The best times to enjoy adventure sports in Turkey would be from April to May and from September to mid November, for a delightful experience.
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