Sport Activities in Turkey

WRC World Rally Championship

One of the most prestigious events of motorsports is undoubtfully the world rally championship, held in Kemer, Antalya every year. As the city hosts one leg of the WRC, the citizens of Antalya have the possibility to watch this wonderfull and exciting attraction.

The rally consists of a race in the middle of breathtaking mountain roads in the southwest of the country. The headquarters of the event is situated in Kemer, 40 km from Antalya.

Extreme wheather conditions can occur during the race, since the temperatures can change at unexpected speed, due to temperatures at sea level, that differ from those in the mountains.The competition is a gravel event based around the Mediterranean coastal resort of Antalya, Turkey.

Rafting

Rafting is one of the exciting,adventured outdoor sports.When you flow on the river with your boot,you'll reach to summit of your exciting.B esides,You'll have satisfaction to watch unique panaroma of canyons. Especially,to have lunch can't be described in middle of beautiful natural views. Shortly, you'll have an excellent time in rafting...

After you arrive to the rafting area, you will receive 'life jackets' before you get on the river boat. Boat type's are for (4 pax - 6 pax - 8 pax - 12 pax) and a experienced guide will assist in the boat during the exciting tours (back side in the boat).

The streams are not risky at the Manavgat river. The icecold water comes from the majestic Taurus Mountains and the length of the river is 12 km. Be prepared for some funny, adventurous hours on the river.

A few places where rafting trips in the Antalya region are possisble: Koprulu Canyon - Emerging from the Taurus Mountains, the Koprucayi flows in the Mediterranean Sea in Serik / Antalya. Then there is the Alara River, of which the course is about 25 km, starts in Gundogmus Village and ends in Alarahan, the castle that dates back to the Seljukians.

Jeep-safari

Jeep safaris are very popular amongst the tourists in Turkey. One of the reasons is, that everyone above 18 years with a driverslicence can drive his/her own jeep. The trip starts in the morning, and consists of a convoy of minimum 4 jeeps. The trip is made in the mountains, where also a typical Turkish village will be visited and luch will also be in the village. Late in the afternoon the jeeps bring the tourists back to the meetingpoint.

Paintball

Paintball is becoming very popular in Turkey the last few years. More and more local people and also tourists sign up for the sport. There are various places in the Antalya region, where the sport is beeing done. Every team has a captain. At the meeting, captains will receive any final instructions and written notice of rules. After the game, captains of both teams attend the calculation of the points done by the referee.

Horseback Riding

The horse has an important place in our history, but untill recently, horseback riding was not drawing enough attention in Turkey. This is the result of improper presentation to the Turkish people. It is seen as a rich man's sport, but every sport has its costs. It is the same in football, golf or anything else. In the last few years, however, horsebackriding sport has gained more and more fans again in Turkey, mostly thanks to the tourists and foreign inhabitants who ride a lot. The Antalya region by itself is a wonderfully suitable region for this very very ancient sport. Kemer, Belek, Side and Alanya, all have various stables available for the horseback riding fans. Especially trained horses for the smaller children are also available. On the beach, in the forests or even in the mountains, enjoy your ride!

Motorcycle

The feeling that you can only get from the open road; a motorcycle tour in Turkey.

Enjoy Turkey with a motorcycle short trip, or even have a whole vacation with a motorcycle. Turkey offers guided dual sport motorcycle tours, training and trials riding, throughout the country. Outstanding rides over the historic and scenic by ways of Antalya, twisty roads just made for motorcycle touring, the snowcapped peaks of the Taurus Mountains, towering forests, cascading rivers.

If for a few hours, or a whole vacation with your motorcycle, Turkey is more than worth it!

Skiing

The high altitude mountains of Turkey have made the country an important centre for winter tourism, and skiing is becoming increasingly popular. Winter sports resorts in Turkey are generally located in forested mountains of average height. Every year thousands of tourists from all over the world come to Turkey for winter sports (especially skiing), mountains climbing and hiking.

Antalya is known for its mild winters and bathing is possible most of the year.

However just over an hour's drive away up in the mountains lies the small skiing resort of Saklikent. The season is quite short usually from January to March but is well worth visiting during the week when it is relatively uncrowded.

Situated north east of Bakirli dagi,in the Beydag mountain range, 50 km north west of Antalya, at a height of 2000 m. Accommodation for skieers is available. The best season is from January to April. The special attraction of this centre is that in March and April one can ski in the mornings then drive down to the coast and swim in the warm waters of the Mediterranean in the afternoons.

Trekking

Trekking or backpacking mainly is a form of hill walking; which is a pity, because the country is made for backpacking. Turkey is becoming more and more popular amongst the tracking and backpacking fans, since this beautiful country is just perfect for the sport. Turkey has also unique plateaus for one other popular way of tracking "plateau hiking". This means large grasslands, lots of flora, water and natural beauty.

Plateau hiking is another popular form of trekking. The plateaus of Turkey are unique; meadows with large grasslands, its flora, plenty of water and natural beauty. The Tekir and Burucek meadows on the Toros (Taurus) mountains are very popular among the trekking fans. Trekking in the Taurus Mountains in the region of Antalya means trekking in a mountain range in the southern Anatolian plateau, from which the Euphrates (Firat) goes further into Syria. These mountains have many peaks rising above 10,000 ft, with The Demirkazik as the highest point.

Mountaineering

Turkey is also very suitable for mountaineering, but to be able to do so, you have to get informed properly. For example, to climb the Buyuk Agri (Ararat) it is advisable to inform the Turkish Mountaineering Club of the region about time and date of the climb, so that the club will be able to inform the relevant authorities.

The most important peaks of the Taurus Mountains in Antalya are Teke, Mt. Bakirdagi, Mt. Tahtali and Kizlar Sivrisi. The highest one is Kizlar Sivrisi with a height of 3069ms. These mountains make up the western portion of the Taurus Mountains, located in the province of Antalya. They run north-south, parallel to the Mediterranean coast. Climbing and hiking are possible year-round, with the best months between April and June. Climbing this mountain within one day is possible, and after you see the view once you are on top, you will know, it is well worth the effort. Also parachuting is possible here, when you catch the right wind.

Paragliding

Turkey's mountainous terrain combined with sunny, clear skies makes it one of the best spots in world for paragliding in Turkey. The best time for this exciting sport is between April and November, and f.e. the Olu Deniz near Fethiye is one of the most perfect places to see Turkey in its very unique way. Kas is another popular destination to go paragliding in Turkey. In this ancient town, paragliders are sent to the nearby Asaz Mount. Whichever site one chooses, all paragliding facilities will have professional pilots and modern, internationally recognised equipment to ensure that the experience is both fun and safe.ntain to take off and soar. Popular destinations such as Anatalya also have paragliding operators.

Bird-watching (Ornithology)

Watching or observing birds with the naked eye or even with binoculars is called Ornithology. Birdwatching throughout the world is mainly pursued for recreational or social reasons.

Birdwatchers will have no problem whatsoever in the breeding areas in the north and in the south of Turkey. Several areas such as Izmir and cesmealti have been declared a natural heritage since 1985 because of the vital stop that migratory birds make. The best month for birding is May. However, Antalya, Belek is home to more than 100 birdspecies, such as the camouflaged owl, which can be tracked the whole year through, the Tyto Alba, Apus Apus, Athena Noctua and many many more. Antalya, Belek provides a wonderful vacation opportunity, as well as the possibility to watch all these birdspecies almost all year through.