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Outdoor activities are a fantastic way to spice up your free time in Turkey. You have the option to select from an array of thrilling and adrenaline-pumping adventures: hot air ballooning and mountain biking in Cappadocia, sea kayaking around Kekova Island, paragliding and scuba diving in Oludeniz, taking a jeep safari ride to the Taurus Mountains, and rock climbing at Aladaglar National Park. Read our guide below for more information about these spots!
Hot air balloon rides in the Cappadocia region are one of the most popular tourist attractions in central Turkey. From the air, the area is truly a spectacular sight to behold. With its fairy chimneys, river valleys, and hills Cappadocia finds a spot on our list of the most Instagrammable places in Turkey.
There are a variety of Cappadocia hot air balloon tours available: standard (shorter flights), deluxe (longer flights), and even private ones. Most of the tours start before or shortly after sunrise, around 5:00 or 5:30 am. Enjoy a small breakfast before takeoff, and get your cameras ready to capture the breathtaking scenery.
Mountain Biking, Cappadocia
Turkey is full of adrenaline-pumping adventures and mountain biking is one of them. Apart from the world-famous hot air balloon rides, Cappadocia is often boasted as the biking capital of the country. The 11.7-km loop trail near Göreme is a moderately difficult route and takes around 3.5 hours to complete. Some parts of the trail are sandy, so wear appropriate footwear!
The Mediterranean and Aegean coast of Turkey offers the perfect scenery for sea kayaking. This adventure sport is an ideal outdoor activity during the summer months. Tourists love to go on kayaking tours around the beautiful Kekova Island, but visiting Sunken City and Simena Village is also an option.
Paragliding & Scuba Diving, Oludeniz Beach
On the southwest Turkish coast, there is a famous beach called Oludeniz. It's a calm area usually visited by families who want to get away from the noisy towns nearby. This charming spot is a great summer destination for adrenaline seekers too. If you're a fan of paragliding and scuba diving, this is the place to be.
In addition to being a natural wonder, Babadag Mountain, which rises over Oludeniz, also creates fantastic conditions for paragliding flights. In fact, Oludeniz is the best site in Europe for paragliding. You can fly tandem for up to 45 minutes while admiring the picturesque mountainside and lagoon. Keep in mind that the flying season runs from the third week of April to the first week of November. You also don't need any prior experience as you'll be in the hands of a pilot.
The fun doesn't stop here! Oludeniz scuba centers allow you to go scuba diving three times a day. Explore the crystal clear waters, secret canyons, caverns, and drop-offs. The centers provide you with the needed equipment and diving suits. Remember, the best time to scuba dive in Turkey is usually between April and October.
If you're looking for a full-day adventure, take a jeep safari ride to the Taurus Mountains. You can easily reach the top and explore the mountain peaks without feeling exhausted. On this tour, you'll pass through little villages along the roads and take breaks every now and then to enjoy the sweeping panoramic views. Additionally, there is a quaint eatery serving delicious regional cuisine.
Rock Climbing, Aladaglar National Park
Aladaglar National Park was established in 1995 and stretches over Aladag, Nigde, Camardi, and Yahyali. It's covered in black and red pine forests and its highest peak is Kizilkaya (3767 meters).
There are many different climbing options available here, ranging from sport single pitches to enormous bolted and traditional multi-pitches. Cimbar Valley, next to the settlement of Karamuk, and Kazikli Valley, close to Cukurbag are two places where climbers can show their skills.
