10 Best Outdoor Adventures in Turkey
If you are anything like me, then there are a plethora of exciting adventure activities and experiences from around the world that are on your bucket list! Don’t get me wrong, there is something nice about sitting on an exotic beach, with a fruity cocktail in your hand, as you listen to the ocean. But in all reality, I am an active traveler who loves all kinds of outdoor adventures! That is why the country of Turkey is definitely on my bucket list!
In doing my research for the Bucket List Project, I found unbelievable outdoor adventures in the mountains, on the water, and even in the skies. Many people don’t realize the beauty and rich culture that Turkey has so we hope after reading this, you’ll add it to your bucket list too! Since traveling without your Turkey visa is a big mistake, gather up the proper paperwork because you are going to want to check out the 10 best outdoor adventures in Turkey!
Table of Contents
10 Best Outdoor Adventures in Turkey
1) Hot Air Ballooning 
There is no doubt that taking a sunrise hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia’s amazing landscapes ranks as my top outdoor adventure to do in Turkey! There is just something about hopping in the basket and lifting up above one of the most striking yet bizarre landscapes in the world. Plus, with the 40+ Hot-Air Balloon Rides in Cappadocia offered by Viator, you are bound to have a once in a lifetime experience!
From the amazing waters off the coast to hiking in the mountains, there are some amazing outdoor adventures in #Turkey. See the 10 Best Outdoor Adventures in Turkey for any type of traveler! #OutdoorAdventures #ActiveTraveler Click To Tweet2) Soaking in a Geothermal Pool 
If you followed our adventures through Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, then you know that one of our absolute favorite outdoor activities to do is to soak and swim in any geothermal pool or river. So when I discovered geothermal pools of Pamukkale where you can actually take a soak, I was sold! Whether you just put your feet in or fully submerge yourself, you will love your time amid the white cotton candy looking pools.
HOT TIP: (See what I did there? Hot Tip?!?!) Make sure you take a dip in the antique swimming pool where Cleopatra is rumored to have bathed.
3) Go Hiking
From the country’s highest Peak at Mount Ararat to the 509-kilometer Lycian Way, there is a wide array of areas to hike in Turkey. No matter if you are a total beginner or an experienced climber, you can easily find opportunities to suit whatever level of difficulty you desire. Now, we can’t guarantee you will find Noah’s Ark but there is no shortage of breathtaking views whether you are in the mountains or along the coast.
4) Sailing the High Seas 
Surrounded by four different seas and endless coastline, there is no doubt that you will find some amazing outdoor adventures in Turkey on the water. From taking a dinner cruise around the Bosphorus Strait and Black Sea to a full day sailing around the nearby islands of the Mediterranean, you will have some great opportunities to take one of the top Turkey Cruises or Sailing Tours.
5) Paragliding 
If the idea soaring heights of 9,000-10,000 feet above sea level are on your bucket list then you are in luck. Turkey is a paraglider’s heaven. This is perhaps due to the light clear air that offers some of the best opportunities for stunning photos. The most popular place to paraglide is over Ölüdeniz. But wherever you decide to paraglide in Turkey, you will be greeted with views overlooking turquoise waters and sandy beaches.
6) Kayaking 
If paddling is your idea of fun then, kayaking in Turkey needs to be on your bucket list! If you prefer a more relaxed environment, then head not to far from Kas to a small island known as Kekova along the coastline. Here you can easily kayak over the sunken ruins of an ancient Byzantine town called Dolchiste. For those looking for a bit more activity, then you will want to try sea kayaking along the Lycian Coast. Here in the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean, you can explore the amazing coastlines as you paddle the secluded inlets & secret coves.
7) Canyoneering 
If the idea of hiking, climbing, or swimming through canyons all in pursuit of amazing landscapes like gorges or waterfalls is on your bucket list, then Turkey won’t disappoint you. Places like Saklıkent National Park outside of Kas, offer some amazing views and fun outdoor activities as you explore the canyon.
Hot Tip: Make sure you bring a towel and some old shoes for wading across the river in the gorge to protect your feet as it is rocky and the water is known to be ice cold!
8) Horseback Riding 
Horseback riding is another popular outdoor activity throughout Turkey. For example, if the idea of soaring through the air in a hot air balloon is not your thing, you can still discover intriguing landscape and hidden troglodyte dwellings in Cappadocia with a horseback riding tour. There are plenty of other horseback riding tours that will allow anyone to explore anything from the beautiful beaches to hidden mountain villages.
9) Snorkeling or Diving 
With the warm waters of the Mediterranean, it is no shock that snorkeling and scuba diving are extremely popular outdoor adventures in Turkey. The best part is that since the water is relatively clear and calm that any level of diver can enjoy exploring the waters. Perhaps the two spots that are on most people’s underwater bucket lists are diving the World War 1 wrecks off of Gallipoli and diving the Blue Cave and surrounding underwater rock formations near Kas.
Hot Tip –There are plenty of places around Turkey to learn how to scuba dive & even get PADI Certified. However, we strongly recommend that you consider getting Scuba Diving Travel Insurance from World Nomads! It is simple and flexible insurance to keep you safe on your next dive trip.
10) Whitewater Rafting 
If you are looking for some adrenaline pumping outdoor adventures, then white water rafting in Turkey should definitely be on your bucket list! Whether you raft through narrow limestone gorges of the Korpulu Canyon or hit up the thrills and spills of the Dalaman River you are sure to experience some exhilarating white water.
Other Outdoor Adventures in Turkey
Do you say Turkey or Türkiye?
Well, we personally still say Turkey but either way, there is no doubt that this beautiful country is the ultimate outdoor playground. But we’d like to know your opinion too.
Have you ever wanted to check out the best outdoor adventures in Turkey before? Have you already been? Which of the outdoor adventures in Turkey is your favorite? Have we left out other outdoor adventures that you would recommend? Let us know in the comments below!
Don’t forget to Pin this to your favorite Bucket List Travel or Adventure Board! 
Disclosure: This post, “10 Best Outdoor Adventures in Turkey”, may contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.
43 thoughts on “10 Best Outdoor Adventures in Turkey”
I never pictured Turkey being a place to visit for outdoor adventures, so this was a nice surprise. My sister was going to visit earlier last year but had to postpone her trip. She really wants to hop on a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia. You ranked it as your top outdoor adventure in Turkey. How was your experience? Were you nervous?
We love Turkey and have family over there so we go quite often and have done/ been to most of the places listed. Our family actually lives close to Oludeniz where the paragliding is and we’ve done it a couple of times, really amazing. Love Cappadocia too, it’s unreal!
All of my friends who’d been to Turkey said they love their visits there. Riding in a hot air balloon is one of the things that I must do when I find myself there. Canyoneering looks fun, too. I know the country won’t disappoint me.
You have helped to convince me that we need to head back to Turkey. Hot air ballooning was definitely already on our plans for a return visit. That geothermal pool looks so fascinating piled up like cotton candy. We would definitely head out on the water. And check out what the scuba diving might be like in those beautiful waters. And the Blue Cave sounds great. Some nice things to see in Turkey that aren’t ruins or architecture!
Great article, Eric! I’ve always wanted to visit Turkey beyond Istanbul, but I didn’t do it in time and now we can’t go anywhere because of this pandemic. My favorite from your list are the geothermal pools of Pamukkale.
Hey Anda,
Yeah for sure Turkey has so much to offer all around the country. Don’t get us wrong, Istanbul looks amazing but there is plenty to do elsewhere also! We agree that the geothermal pools of Pamukkale are probably one of the coolest things to add to your Turkey Bucket List too!
Pamukkale was my favorite experience in Turkey, but I’d love to come back to do the hot air balloon!
Those geothermal pools look breathtaking!
I am afraid of horses, so would skip that. I am obsessed with kayaking and natural hot springs and do that wherever I go. I have never been in a hot air balloon ride, but Turkey would be the place to do it!
Yeah, the Kayaking amid the sunken city looks really awesome plus with all the beauty surrounding it would be a fun outdoor activity in Turkey for Sure! I too am personally obsessed with swimming in Hot Springs too, so this is a must for me as well!
Lots of great ideas here for when we next get to Turkey! I especially like the idea of canyoneering and the geothermal pools. What fun!
Yeah, those Pools are amazing!
evet arkadaşlar Türk kültürünü ve tarihini gelip görmenizi şiddetle tavsiye ederim sizlere ve özellikle yazın Akdeniz sahillerini Bodrum Marmaris Efes Antik şehiri kapodokya pamukkale görülmeye değer dünyanın cennet bir köşeleridir.
yes friends I strongly recommend you to come and see the Turkish culture and history and especially the Mediterranean coast in the summer Bodrum Marmaris Ephesus The ancient city of Cappadocia Pamukkale is a paradise of the world worth seeing.
I’m game for anything that doesn’t pull me away from earth’s gravity (like the hot air ballooning or paragliding). While I’m sure they’re fun, and the views fantastic, this explorer is a bit afraid of heights. 🙂
Wow, interesting. I have no desire to sky dive or bungee jump but I have no problem floating up. Well I’ll send you pics from the hot air balloon. Haha
Wow so many cool things to do in Turkey! I’d say I’d definitely like to do 8/10 of your suggestions. The air ballooning and white water rafting are two particular things I would do. I like a bit of adventure on my travels.
What are the two that you don’t want to do?
Awesome post! We absolutely love Turkey and have been many times and have lots of friends over there as well as family living there too! We love it for the culture of course but its the diversity of the landscape and the adventures you can have that we really love. Cappadocia and the coastal region are our favourites for outdoor activities. We’ve done scuba diving, mountain and coastal hiking, paragliding, kayaking, boating, gorge walking and hot air ballooning over there and can’t wait to go back for more!!
Wow, Nicola, you’re amazing. We want to travel with you guys cause you’re so active. Love that you walked the gorge!!
My dad used to live in Turkey, and I have always wanted to visit there. These outdoor adventures look so amazing! I’d love to do the snorkeling or kayaking. I didn’t realize Turkey had those kinds of experiences!
I’d love to go to the Geothermal pool. I love the colors of the white cotton candy and I must go to the antique swimming pool. Cleopatra is such a historic icon!
Many people are aware of just a couple of these activities, aren’t they…hot air ballooning of Cappadocia and geothermal spas of Pamukkale. The thought of kayaking and hiking in those lovely landscapes is fascinating. How many did you try?
This definitely looks like a lot of fun. I would love to learn more about canyoneering in Turkey. Is it just walking or are there some slots with rope work involved?
There is Definitely some walking and hiking around the mountains and canyons. But you will also find yourself from time to time participating in rappelling, rafting, and waterfall jumping.
Turkey looks amazing!! & all these activities look like a blast especially white water rafting! I’ve always wanted to do that.
Oh I hope you definitely get to travel to Turkey because it is absolutely beautiful there. As for the white water rafting, that is an awesome bucket list item! I haven’t been since I ways in my teen years, but I remember vividly having a lot of fun bouncing around and riding the waves.
Still to touch Turkey (despite it being so near to me) but apart from Istanbul and checking out that city, I defo want to take a hot air balloon ride in the mountains. I done hot air ballooning before but over the flat lands of the UK which was still an amazing experience, but to do it here, it must be awesome!
Yeah hot air ballooning is Still on my bucket list but I really want to go try it. I just don’t know if my 1st time I want it to be over the temples in Bagan, Myanmar or over Cappadocia in Turkey.
Turkey has been on my radar ever since I visited Greece. It started with we couldn’t easily access Patmos from Greece, but it would be easy from Turkey. We didn’t have enough time to include Turkey that trip. Then visa issues with Turkey and the USA came into play. I started researching and the biggest thing I want to do there is a Hot Air Balloon ride. I didn’t know about the geothermal pools and there’s look unique! I also love to paraglide, snorkel and horseback ride so Turkey has to happen soon!
Man, With all of the stuff that you like to do Heather, it sounds like Turkey is the perfect playground with all of their amazing bucket list outdoor adventures right up your alley.
such a nice blog about adventure activities because i work for a travel weasite that’s why understand this
I’ve yet to visit Turkey but I didn’t realise how diverse a country it was. I would love to be sitting in a geothermal pool right now. I’ll have to come back to this post when I get round to visiting!
Wow, Turkey has so many things to do. I would definitely love the geothermal plants. Guess they are on Pamukkale. Also, hot ballooning and kayaking would be a great idea.
I’ll be honest, I’m not the most adventurous traveler, but would love to try some of these in Turkey. My favourite is definitely the geo-thermal baths, they look incredible, and of course natural too. I’d also give paragliding a try, but with my partner! Would love to visit next year!
Sad to say I have visited Turkey 3 times already, but so far only ticked off Pamukkale. Guess I need to go a 4th time and work through the rest of your list!
People do not realise how diverse Turkey is and the many options available for outdoor enthusiasts. I absolutely loved my visit to both Capadoccia and Pamukkale. Also, the coast was so pretty. What I really want to do on my next trip is paragliding in Ölüdeniz, it looks gorgeous!
Yeah Ölüdeniz is a great place for beach fun and outdoor adventures in Turkey. Can you imagine soaring over the beach on a beautiful day?
I’m also more of an active traveler, so I love this list! I really want to do everything on your list. I’m trying to kayak in as many places as I can. For some reason I never really thought of Turkey as a place to kayak, but I will have to give it a try now!
I wanna go! #2 looks so neat. All of them would be a good time.
Hannah Rooks
Turkey tops in my list of dream destinations. You have made me desperate now with this amazing doable list.
Turkey is an absolutely beautiful. I would have to take an extra long vacation so I could do everything.
I didn’t know you could do whitewater rafting! That sounds so fun!
We’ve heard so many great things about Turkey. It’s definitely calling to us – may be a destination for the new year. Thanks for sharing.
Comments are closed.