Activities in Turkey
There's a vast selection of activities in Turkey. We've also put together some information on sightseeing for more ideas to keep all the family entertained while in Turkey.
Don't forget to check out 'Places in Turkey' so see what activities in Turkey there are where you're staying...
Boat Trips
Boat trips are a popular choice of activity in Turkey, more so in areas where the sea is calm. The trips usually visit a selection of islands and bays, where you can stop and have a swim, and sometimes snorkel to see the amazing array of sea life off the coast of Turkey. Many of the boats have a shaded area, nevertheless it's a good idea to take a sunhat and appropriate clothes with you, as the sun is twice as strong on the water.
Many of the boat trip operators include lunch and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks in the price of the ticket. It's always a good idea to check however, it wouldn't be a good idea to be stranded by a picturesque bay with a rumbling tummy and no food!
There is also the possibility to go yachting in Turkey; famously dubbed 'The Blue Voyage!'. The extensive coastline makes this a very enjoyable experience! Bodrum is famous for it's yachting facilities, so there's no shortage of available trips; ranging from a few hours to several days.
The area local to Bodrum is so steeped in history that visiting many of the sites by sea can be great fun.
Camel Wrestling
Camel wrestling, a little-known sport, is a favourite activity in Turkey, especially in the Aegean region.
More for comedy than violence, camel wrestling involves two bull camels in a ring, firstly being paraded around the ring by their keeper, then being teased and wound up by a young camel, then fighting one another. Each camel will possess a few of a range of techniques, including crushing the other camel's head between the chin and the chest, tripping the other camel up via use of a strategically placed foot, butting one another to induce falling over, and many other clever, and amusing tactics. Some of these moves (although it's hard to tell which) are classed as illegal, and illegal moves usually encourage a hoard of Turkish men dressed in colourful t-shirts to enter the ring and pull the offended camel away. As each camel usually weighs over a ton, moving one against it's will requires several men, with a running start, some serious strength, and a healthy measure of stupidity.
The real comedy comes when one of the camels surrenders, and heads straight for the audience, who then fall over each other in quite the comedy fashion, in the hurry to get out of the way. Fortunately the event has caused very few accidents over the years, and it's well worth a watch if you're lucky enough to stumble across a match. In fact, the real beauty of the event is the masses of people sat around the ring with their beer, raki and selection of Turkish food, enjoying the whole day. If you're in the area, try the event held in Selcuk in mid-January, or keep your eyes and ears open around Bodrum between December and March.
Camel wrestling is continually attracting more and more fans from around the world, and interestingly, it is one of the most expensive sports to compete in. Bets are placed on which camel will win the fight, as a tourist it's a must to put a bet on to really participate in the culture!
The keepers feed their camel carefully to increase their size, to obviously increase their chances of winning. Some camels can weigh up to a massive 1000kg.
Shopping in Turkey
Bazaars
As an activity in Turkey, shopping is right up there with the favourites! Many of Turkey's tourist and non-tourist destinations have a weekly market, known as a bazaar, selling everything you could imagine, from food to clothes, household items to perfume. They are excellent to wander around; even if you have no intention of buying anything, there will certainly be a few bargains that catch your eye. Even so; it's great spending the afternoon navigating around, seeing all the different produce and watching other tourists haggle for their goods.
Aside from the weekly market, you can bet your bottom dollar that where you're planning on staying has an indoor market where you can bag a bargain or seven, including clothes, hangbags, suitcases, table cloths and more!
Also slowly making their way across more and more of the country are the western style malls which encompass many western shops as well as shops and stalls selling traditional Turkish produce.
What to buy...
Leaving Turkey without the treasured 'Mavi Boncuk', a Turkish good luck charm which protects the wearer from evil spirits, would be a crime. as would leaving without abusing the incredibly cheap prices for designer jeans and handbags which are invariably as good quality as the real thing.
Traditional Turkish goods can make excellent souvenirs; from households goods such as tiles, carpets or 'kilim' and rugs to pillow and cushion cases and tablecloths. These goods are generally great value for money and good quality, and with goods like tiles or carpets, shipping is usually available so you don't have to worry about getting them home yourself.
The carpets in Turkey are great quality. The density of knots determines the quality, and indeed the price, of the carpet - the more there are, the longer the carpet will last.
Clothing is also great quality - pasmina shawls, kaftans and such like are gorgeous for the ladies; and they'll probably last for years too!
Bear in mind that even if the Turkish stall/shopholders have shown you every item in the shop and been incredibly hospitable you're still under no obligation to buy anything.
Experienced travellers to Turkey usually take the bare minimum with them and fill up their suitcase with produce they've bought out there. We've even known people to buy a second huge suitcase out there and fill it with clothes, handbags, perfume and household goods!
IPA's Guide to Haggling...
Once you have set your eye on a product you want, ask the shopkeeper how much it is, he/she will then give a figure which will be largely plucked out of the air. The norm is to then offer around half of the shopkeeper's price, and he/she will reply ith another price, a good idea is to increase your price by however much the shopkeeper has decreased their price. For example, if the shopkeeper says that the product you want is 100YTL, you say 50YTL, the shopkeeper could say 90YTL so you increase your price to 60YTL, and continue as such until you both reach a price. Once a price has been reached you are ethically required to buy so don't haggle for something you have no intention of purchasing.
Haggling can be fun and is all part of the experience but remember a few YTL could be nothing to you, but a lot to the shopkeeper, so be reasonable.
Turkish Bath
Known in Turkish as a hamam, one of the activities in Turkey that's a definite must is a Turkish bath, of which there are so many, especially in the more popular tourist areas.
The turkish bath lasts around two to three hours, involving a sauna to rid your skin of impurities, an exfoliation session, and a full massage, where the experienced Turkish bath masseurs will make you feel 100% refreshed and rejuvenated, not to mention making your skin feel really soft and silky. Although, remember to go at the beginning of your holiday; sometimes the exfoliation process can remove your tan!
Trekking
A popular route for trekking along in Turkey is The Lycian Way - which was created in 1999 to make the best of the many sights it passes. Some major planning is needed to complete the route however - it can take a long while to complete the 509km route, however it is possible to undertake sections over a day or several days.
The best times to tackle the route are March to May or September to the end of October, bearing in mind the searing heat in high Summer can make the journey more arduous than agreeable.
Established by Kate Clow, the route has red and white flashes marking out the way for the trekkers to follow, covering such sights as the city ruins of Xanthos, the views of the paragliders in the evening from Baba Dagi, the cliffs of Butterfly Valley, Mount Olympos and the lighthouse at Cap Gellidonia.
There's sufficient accommodation along the route, which begins in Fethiye and runs through to Antalya, so trekkers shouldn't have to carry a tent in addition to the food and water needed for the journey.
Support is available for less experienced walkers, and is highly advisable for those who'd like their luggage to be transported by bus rather than having to carry it. The Lycian Way offers some stunning sights and a challenging way to experience them - an all-round top experience.
River Rafting
It is possible to participate in river rafting whilst in Turkey; admittedly it isn't the most obvious location, but nevertheless it is still possible!
There is river rafting for beginners and professionals alike in Turkey, thanks to the rivers cascading through the mountain ranges, and the slower rivers gently flowing along flatter ground.
As an activity in Turkey; the potential of river rafting is still being explored by tourists; with the two hour ride at Melen Cayi, near Istanbul, generally being the favourite.
Skiing in Turkey
Yet another surprise activity in Turkey! Yes, it is possible to go skiing in the land where East meets West. A few skiing resorts are already up and running, however the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has plans in place to increase and improve the resorts to make Turkey an established skiing destination.
As usual; the facilitates cater for everyone from beginners to professionals. Instructors are also available for beginners who want to become professionals!
There are facilities for hiring and buying all skiing gear at the resorts too.
Skiing resorts currently in action are Uludag, in Bursa, Eezurum in Palandokon and Ilgaz Mountain Ski Centre in Kastamonu.
Golf in Turkey
Turkey is an up-and-coming golf destination. Istanbul already has a few courses, however there are rumoured to be no less than 18 golf courses planned for the Bodrum area.
There are two golf courses currently in operation in the Bodrum area, one of which is a pay and play course. A third course, by Golfplan, has recently broken ground and is aiming for a Spring 2009 completion date.
Keep an eye on our news section for information about new golf courses in Bodrum.
Sightseeing in Turkey
Turkey offers an abundance of things to see and do, from Pamukkale, aka the 'Cotton Castle' to Ephesus; one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Click here to read on...
Other Activities in Turkey
Turkey is host to some prestigious sporting events such as the Formula One is Istanbul, Champions League matches and, as International Property Agents recently announced, the Turkish Ladies Open, which is part of the 2008 Ladies Open European Tour.
