Representatives from dozens of sports organize training camps in Turkey, and local cities host major international tournaments.
The country has an excellent infrastructure for professional athletes, as well as everything you need to train at an amateur level. Tourists can easily find a professional coach and even try their hand at some sports for the first time.
It is worth noting the ease of transportation of the region: 200 thousand people come to Antalya Airport every day.
If you are an active recreation enthusiast, what sports can you do in Antalya?
Cycling
During the winter months, famous cyclists from many countries, including Russia, come to Antalya to train. In 2018, the region hosted the Tour of Antalya cycling race for the first time, with athletes from many countries from Russia to England participating. In 2023, Antalya hosted the GP Aspendos bicycle racing winter series, which started at the Ancient Aspendos Theater, the symbol of the region.
If you are just starting to explore the world of cycling, there are many places in Antalya where you can improve your riding skills. The beauty around you will be a pleasant bonus; One of them is Oymapınar Dam. It is 22 km away from Manavgat center. Here you can conquer a simple route with ups and downs, during breaks you can admire the nature around you and enjoy the fresh air.
Football
The city of Belek is a magnet for football players from all over the world. Branches of Manchester United and Barcelona football schools operate here, after which young football players have the opportunity to go to the main team’s camp in Europe. Local training grounds host around 40 teams a year. From December to February it is filled with football clubs from different parts of the world.
Golf
Belek is also famous for its professional golf tournaments. Local pitches are illuminated 24 hours a day, so you can always choose a game time that suits you.
Two hotels in particular stand out in the city, which offers the opportunity to play golf not only for professionals but also for amateurs. For example, 27 holes of 1.5 million square meters will be at your service at Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa. m.The design of this course was designed by the famous British golfer Nick Faldo.
The holes have three difficulty levels: King Course, Queen Course and Prince Course. Session duration is usually around 5.5 hours. 18 holes are normally always open throughout the year, but it is worth noting that from June to October nine holes are closed for renovations.
It is worth noting here that only people who have certificates confirming the level of playing golf (indicated by the term “handicap”) can play. For example, representatives of the fair sex must have a handicap of at least 28 points in order to play on domestic fields. However, the hotel has a golf school open all year round and you can earn this handicap there even from scratch.
The courses at Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa are played in all weather conditions except storms. A maximum of 300 people can use the holes at the same time. The hotel is very popular with Brits, Germans and Czechs. Russians come here less for golf.
However, as hotel representatives noted, a Russian spring golf tournament will be held here in April 2024, with 170 participants participating, which will contribute to the development of Russians’ interest in this sport.
Another hotel that can surprise tourists with its professional approach to golf organization is Montgomerie Maxx Royal & Golf Resort.
The courses here were designed by Scottish golfer Colin Montgomerie. In total, the hotel has 18 holes, nine of which are illuminated. The sites operate throughout the year without any renovation work.
To benefit from local courses, women must have a handicap of 36 and men must have a handicap of 28 (the lower the handicap, the higher the level of play).
Golf is not only a sport accessible to professionals; Therefore, you can also learn under the guidance of a Russian or English-speaking instructor at this hotel.
The cost of one hour of training with a trainer will be 96 Euros, regardless of the season. September to October and April to May are the hotel’s peak season for golfing guests. It’s harder to reserve a space right now.
That’s why agencies often book hotel rooms for their clients a year in advance, as early as January. However, in low season you can make a reservation on the same day. In the high season, the fields are freer in the afternoon.
tennis and padel
The game of tennis is also actively developing in the region, and the biggest contribution to this is made by the Ali Bey Club Manavgat hotel. The hotel’s high tennis season runs from October to April.
There are also padel games and a fitness room. Ali Bey Club Manavgat has a total of 900 rooms and 2800 beds.
In 1992, the hotel built its first court. Ali Bey Club Manavgat now has 62 courts, 3 for children and 1 for entertainment. Local courts are suitable for both beginner tennis players and professionals.
The hotel has the largest tennis center in the world. Red Clay (soil) is used in all fields. It allows you to be on the field within half an hour after rain.
Various international tournaments, including for the disabled, are held here. In 2024, it will host Turkey Team Championship qualifiers, World Team Championship, Individual World Championship, 21st International Wilson Masters Open, Russian Open and many more competitions.
Ali Bey Club Manavgat became the World Champion for eight consecutive years. For several years the hotel has won tenders to host tournaments of representatives of other countries.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) Commission leaves a list of three competitors from which the winner will be selected. ITF President constantly points out that the tournament organizations in the Ali Bey Club Manavgat territory are at a high level. The hotel is particularly proud of having expanded the Russian Open tournament from 70 to 800 participants.
In addition to classical tennis, the hotel also develops padel, a type of tennis played by teams of two. A large area is allocated for this sport at Ali Bey Club Manavgat. The hotel states that they plan to bring the organization of padel tennis tournaments to the same level as classical tennis.
Training of professional athletes
Located in Belek, Gloria Verde Resort hosts athletes from all over the world competing in 50 disciplines. It is the only complex in Turkey and the second in Europe to train professional athletes. It has its own 1,700-seat stadium, practice area, 2,000 square meter gym, indoor cycling studio with 24 bikes, weightlifting, martial arts and group training studios. There is also a 25-meter outdoor swimming pool on site where you can improve your diving skills.
Volleyball and basketball halls, tennis courts, swimming pool and athletics stadium are in particular demand among Russian representatives.
The hotel developed a special menu for athletes, taking into account the workload of athletes. By agreement, you can bring your own food and eat according to your personal plan.
Medical tests to check the condition of your back, determine your body fat percentage, balance test, oxygen consumption test, muscle building test and many more are performed on site.
Gloria Verde Resort is equipped with a cryochamber whose temperature reaches 110 degrees below zero. The hotel can host a total of 300 athletes at the same time, including the training and accommodation of Paralympic athletes.
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Therefore, Turkey is a place not only for beach holidays but also for active sports. In addition to all this diversity, the region also hosts various rafting competitions, the annual motorcycle festival and other events.
If you like peace and solitude, the town of Kemer, where you can do yoga and meditation among orange groves and stunning views, is just for you.
Plan your 2024 holiday with pleasure.