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33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
1. Paragliding at Babadağ - Babadağ Mountain is within the borders of the western Turkish province of Denizli. During the Babadağ paragliding flight, you will experience exciting 360-degree turns, wingovers and even thermal flows that may extend your descent. Contrary to popular belief, Öludeniz paragliding in Fethiye does not include a jump from a cliff but rather several running steps before you take off into the sky. Shortly after taking off, the excitement that you experience gives way to admiration of the area’s gorgeous scenery. You’ll be able to see the entire region from an altitude of almost 2,000 meters. If the weather is clear, it’s possible to see Patara, Dalaman and even the Greek island of Rhodes.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
2. Camping in Yenice Forest - This forest is located in the western Turkish province of Karabük’s Yenice district and recently became a hub for nature lovers. Considered one of the most important forests in the world due to its monumental trees and unique ecosystem, Yenice Forest’s wild vegetation and wealth of biodiversity is rare outside of the tropics and attracts many people here. In Yenice Forest, other than hiking and camping, you can also do many outdoor activities such as rock climbing and canyoneering.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
3. Balloon ride in Cappadocia - If you want to live a magical experience, then try a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia. With one of the most stunning landscapes in the world, especially with the warm sun over the valleys, the picture-perfect horizon will leave you astonished. There are three types of flights, including the standard, the deluxe and the private tariff. With the standard one, you fly with up to 23 other people. The deluxe has a smaller passenger capacity and a longer flying time of 1.5 hours. The private flight is booked specifically for you and it takes up to two hours.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
4. Cycling in Gökova - Traveling the coasts of Turkey’s Aegean region by bicycle, looking at the sea from above, getting lost in the forests, falling asleep while listening to the sound of the waves... These are what you should expect to experience while having an adventure in the Gulf of Gökova. After departing from Bodrum with your bicycle, you can rest at the villages of Kızılağaç, Yalıçiftliği, Hurmanlık and Çökertme. Apart from these, you can also make daily visits to the Sedir Island, Çamlık Dock and Ayın Bay.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
5. Climbing at Demirkazık - Demirkazık contains many different routes and is one of the most frequently visited mountain peaks by both local and foreign climbers. Demirkazık formerly had the highest peak at the Anti-Taurus Mountains with the altitude of 3,756 meters. However, after more recent calculations, Kızılkaya took the title of the highest peak with an altitude of 3,767 meters. Unlike Mount Ararat and Mount Süphan, Demirkazık can be life threatening for inexperienced climbers.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
6. Hiking in the Phrygian Valley - Walking around the Phrygian Valley and discovering the settlements in the forests between the mountains is an old adventure. The valley is mostly covered with tuffs and because the rocks can easily change shape, earth cellars have been formed in the region. Phrygian Valley, which is located within the triangle of Kütahya-Eskişehir-Afyon, is one of the most beautiful organized tourism regions in the country.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
7. Canyoneering in Kızılırmak - Kızılırmak is the longest river in Turkey with a length of 1,355 kilometers, emerging from the south hillside of Kızıldağ and reaching the Black Sea at Bafra Burnu. The 120-kilometer long stage that begins in Sivas and goes around Gemerek is very suitable to pass with a canoe in the summer.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
8. Discovering Ayvalık - Ayvalık is a seaside town with old Ottoman architecture and cobbled streets. Known for its olive oil production, its port features great views of the Aegean Sea and the longest sandy beach in Turkey. Far away from the tourist hustle and bustle, you will be pleased to visit the old Greek village with spirited abandon. Ayvalık is also the springboard to the island of Lesvos in Greece.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
9. Nallıhan - Kızıltepe, which is located in the borders of Ankara’s Nallıhan district, is a very suitable place for daily adventures. Nallıhan’s visible erosion gives the best example of a natural location’s degradation over the decades. No need for you to be in a forest or a plateau, as no plants grow in Nallıhan, but you can still have a good time by enjoying the beautiful natural landscape.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
10. Sand dunes in Karapınar - The sand dunes in Karapınar are a completely different beauty. This is where cars plunge into the sand, giving people a real idea of the locals’ daily life and permitting you to live a genuine “desert adventure.” However, with the difficulty of walking in a desert in the midday heat, activities are usually organized at night.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
11. Rafting in Çoruh - Located in the Black Sea province of Artvin, the Çoruh River is one of Turkey’s most famous rafting areas. This place hosts sea kayaking, mountain biking, canyoneering, sky touring and much more. The most ideal time for rafting is in August and September when the river is calm. The spectacular images of Çoruh River and the pleasure of rafting enchant the participants. For all things adventure, the Çoruh River is the place you want to be.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
12. Conquering the glacial lakes - Turkey’s most beautiful glacial lakes are located in the Kaçkar Mountain National Park. The ones that are located on Verçenik Mountain on the border of Rize-Erzurum are the most beautiful glacial lakes in the East Black Sea Mountains. Mal Lake, Deli Lake and Yıldız Lake are among the places most suitable for daily visits. Unlike other glacial lakes, the ones on Altıparmak Mountain don’t attract many visitors. For more spicy adventures, it is highly recommended to camp beside these glacial lakes.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
13. The Gallipoli battlefields - What is more adventurous than re-living history through battlefields and cemeteries? Let’s pay a visit to the site of the Battle of Gallipoli in remembrance of those who lost their lives in World War I. Learn about history, visit the war cemeteries and take in the impressive Çanakkale Martyrs’ Memorial overlooking the mouth of the Dardanelles.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
14. Discover Istanbul’s underground - The Basilica Cistern, also known as the “Sunken Palace,” is located near Sultanahmet Square. The tunnels were constructed by Justinian in 532 to furnish water to the Byzantine Palace. With its 336 columns and its size, 132 meters in length, by 65 meters wide, the cistern has become a must-see for curious adventurers who are willing to take the challenge to resolve this place’s mystery. Water still drips melancholically from above, while the brick-domed ceiling echoes classical music.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
15. Exploring the underground city of Derinkuyu - Located in the Cappadocia region, the underground city of Derinkuyu, where people lived in order to escape the persecution of the Roman Empire, will fascinate you. Learn about the history of this amazing eight-level city and see the cellars, kitchens, churches and rooms for food storage buried under the earth.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
16. Kayaking and hiking in Kaş - Let’s discover Kaş, a coastal town of all possibilities. Boat trips, kayaking tours and hikes are all easily arranged from here. Located in Antalya, Kaş is known for its six-kilometer-long Çukurbağ Peninsula, which offers a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea. Above Kaş, several Lycian rock tombs in the mountain wall can be seen, even at night as they are illuminated. If you are lucky enough to be in town during the Turkish national holiday, Republic Day, a street parade and celebrations are enjoyed by the port for the occasion.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
17. Pretending to be Roman in Ephesus - The archaeological site, located near Selçuk, offers an incredible return to the past with its library and 2,000-year-old public toilets that have remained intact, despite how often they must have been used. Enjoy the experience by spending a few hours exploring the ancient ruins, take pleasure sitting in its impressive theater, or view the nearby site of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which is now marked by a lone column in an empty field.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
18. Ride a horse down the Evliya Çelebi Way - The Evliya Çelebi Way is an equestrian route named in honor of Evliya Çelebi, the Ottoman traveler who hung around the Sultan’s domains from Vienna to the Nile in the mid-1600s. Combining the romance of horseback travel along with stunning landscapes and a rediscovery of Turkey’s historical past, the Evliya Çelebi Way is a must-see you would not want to miss.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
19. Göbekli Tepe - Located next to Urfa, Göbekli Tepe is said to be world’s oldest temple. Its megaliths predate Stonehenge by some 6,000 years. You will be pleased to enjoy the 11,000-year-old carved stones crafted by prehistoric people, and the amount of history hidden beneath the site.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
20. Swim in Pamukkale’s natural spa - Pamukkale, next to Denizli, is Turkey’s famous mineral-bath spa because of its natural beauty, featuring hot calcium-laden waters which spring from the earth and cascade over a cliff. As they cool down, they form dramatic travertines of hard, brilliantly white calcium that form pools. Named the “Cotton Fortress,” you can swim in the pools for a fee, in the delightful atmosphere between the marble columns from the Roman Temple of Apollo. You will be surprised by the water’s warmth!
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
21. Hiking on The Lycian Way - Acclaimed as one of the top-10 long-distance walks in the world, the Lycian Way is a 540-kilometer, 29-day way-marked footpath around the coast of Lycia in southern Turkey, from Fethiye to Antalya. The trail consists mainly of Roman roads, old footpaths and mule trails, often hard and stony underfoot, not suitable for mountain bikes. You will enjoy the diversity of landscapes offered by the area’s proximity with the seaside and the mountains.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
22. Windsurfing in Alaçatı - If you’re looking for a thrill, you may want to try the world-famous windsurfing in Alacati, off Çeşme Peninsula. Alacati is home to professional windsurfer training, contests and the home of learning newbies. Alacati is also known as one of the most historical towns in Turkey, having many beautiful nature spots, cafes, plazas and more.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
23. The Datça & Bozburun peninsulas - The mountainous Bozburun Peninsula is the real hidden gem of Turkey. Almost a living museum, it provides an insight into life in rural Turkey much as it was 50 to 100 years ago. Even in the peak of summer, the peninsula remains peaceful and uncrowded. Far from the madding crowds of Marmaris, a more elemental and tranquil experience awaits visitors on its outlying peninsulas. The adjoining peninsulas unwind wonderfully into the blue waters at the meeting of the Aegean and Mediterranean, with stunning azure coves, hidden archipelagos and craggy, thickly-forested peaks overlooking it all.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
24. The Saklıkent Canyon - Saklıkent, which means “hidden city,” is a beautiful canyon that’s one of Turkey’s most famous areas. The canyon is around 300 meters (900 feet) deep and is the deepest in the world. The abrasion from the rising and lowering levels of the water every winter is the reason for its depth. But be careful, you’re only allowed to enter during the summer because of these rising levels during the winter.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
25. The Adventure Forest in Göynük - In the Adventure Forest you can redefine your borders away from trouble and noise, as well as proving your courage and skill. Floating high above the ground, equipped with climbing ropes, harnesses and helmets, one has to accomplish challenge after challenge on the course. Adventure is the highlight and everybody can join. A day in this forest brings a lot of adrenaline and a feeling of accomplishment at the end. This is an adventure that is sure to be the highlight of your Turkish vacation.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
26. Kaçkar Mountains - The Kaçkar Mountains form a rugged range between the Black Sea and the Çoruh River. Dense forest covers the lower valleys, but about 2000 meters above, grasslands carpet the passes and plateaus and the jagged ranges are studded with lakes and alpine summer springs. The Kaçkars are renowned for their trekking opportunities.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
27. Take a train from Istanbul to Tehran - Dare to travel for four days in air-conditioned comfort from Istanbul to the Iranian border and beyond. The end of the Turkish line is Tatvan, on the shore of Lake Van, famous for its swimming cats. Continue via train-ferry to Van, and then on to Tehran. It is an amazing opportunity to fulfil your curiosity and taste for adventure.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
28. Cycle or walk the 500-km Saint Paul Trail - If you want to enjoy spectacular views, herb-scented air and wild rose gardens, with heart-warming hospitality at many family-run pensions, then the Saint Paul Trail is made for you. It offers two different journeys along Roman roads and mountain tracks, starting at sea level in Perge, near the Antalya airport, climbing to 2,200 meters and ending at Eğirdir in Turkey’s lakes region. A second branch starts at Aspendos, 40 kilometers east of Antalya, and joins the route at the Roman site of Adada. Go for it and you won’t regret it.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
29. Climb Mount Ararat - Mount Ararat, 5,137 meters in height, located in Van, said by some to be the final resting place of Noah’s Ark, awaits you. Ararat is difficult to climb: parts of the mountain remain unmapped, and there’s a succession of false summits before you reach the top. The ascent takes three or four days; the descent, a day. Special permission is required by sending a photocopy of your passport two months in advance, and you’ll need ice equipment as you’ll be skirting the glacier!
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
31. Walk the Honey Road - As a honey fan, you will mistake this place for paradise. Close to the borders with Georgia and Armenia, the area around Kars is known for its cold winters but also for its natural beauty and its honey. The Honey Road promises village stays, mountain views, abandoned churches and an insight into the lives of the women who harvest the region’s gorgeous organic honeys.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
32. A challenge alongside the Izmir Bicycle Club Join or make a group of up to 10 riders and cycle from Izmir to Bodrum in four to five days to discover Turkey’s Aegean region. This non-profit activist group provides excellent local guides, sensitively planned routes and a healthy dose of Turkish hospitality to encourage people to bicycle more often. You’ll do up to six hours of riding a day along the seaside and lakeshore routes. Expect new insights into ancient sites such as Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis, a mixture of village byways and asphalt roads and family hotels with hot showers and cold beers. Enjoy!
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
33. Jeep safari in the Taurus Mountains and kayak to a sunken city Are you ready for a trek into the Taurus Mountains in Turkey’s Mediterranean region? During the jeep safari, you will see how people live in the mountains as well as mosques, valleys, the Taurus mountains’ peaks, a 2000-year-old tree, caves and many kinds of plants and animals. Ruined temples and scented maquis lead to village pensions; the last two days are spent sea kayaking to the sunken city of Kekova, with an overnight wild camp. (Curated by Ines Bensalem)
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
30. Stay in a Kurdish village - In Upper Mesopotamia, near the banks of the Euphrates, you’re encouraged to experience the essential experience of local hospitality, and to participate in village life. You can also run tours to exotic Urfa and Nemrut Dağ, with its mysterious mountain-top idols.
33 Adventures You Should Experience In Turkey
With its natural beauties and deep history of civilizations, Turkey is full of adventures. Mountains, rivers, forests and even a desert in Anatolia enable various outdoor activities such as camping, rafting and cycling, as well as other surprises. Click through for 33 must-experience adventures in Turkey that we have compiled for you.
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