Antalya: a hub for professional camps and international tournaments
Every year, dozens of sports work with local organizers to run training camps across Turkey, with many cities in the country hosting major international events. The region offers excellent infrastructure for professional athletes and ample opportunities for amateurs to train alongside pros. Tourists can easily connect with qualified coaches and even try new sports for the first time, making Antalya a versatile choice for active travelers.
Antalya’s transport network adds to its appeal. The area’s airports handle massive crowds daily, making travel straightforward for visitors from North America and beyond.
For those who love active recreation, Antalya presents a wide range of sports options. The following sections highlight the main disciplines available to travelers and residents alike.
Cycling
Winter attracts top cyclists from many countries, including Russia, who come to train in Antalya. In 2018, the region hosted the Tour of Antalya, a cycling event that drew participants from numerous nations. The 2023 GP Aspendos series opened at the Ancient Aspendos Theater, a landmark reflecting the region’s heritage and its love of sport.
Newcomers to cycling will find plenty of places to practice and improve riding skills. One popular option is the Oymapınar Dam, about 22 km from Manavgat city center. Here riders can follow a relatively simple route with rolling hills, pause to enjoy the scenery, and breathe the fresh air between sessions.
Football
Belek has earned a reputation as a magnet for football talent, attracting clubs and academies from around the world. Branches of famed clubs and their youth programs operate here, providing pathways to professional camps in Europe. Local training grounds host around 40 teams annually, with the training season typically bustling from December through February as clubs from various regions converge for practice and competition.
Golf
Belek is renowned for its competitive golf scene. The local courses are illuminated around the clock, offering flexible tee times for players with busy schedules. Two standout hotels provide access to top-tier golf for both professionals and enthusiasts. One resort features a 27-hole layout spanning a vast site, designed by the celebrated Nick Faldo. This course emphasizes a mix of challenge and accessibility to welcome players of all levels.
The course complex includes three levels of difficulty—King, Queen, and Prince—while typical round durations hover around five and a half hours. The 18-hole layout generally stays open year-round, though renovations may temporarily close nine holes from June through October.
Access to courses often requires a playing handicap, with women typically needing a 36 handicap and men a 28, reflecting the balance between competition and enjoyment. However, the local golf schools at these hotels offer tuition to help players achieve the required handicap from scratch. The courses are designed to perform well in most weather, with capacity limited to around 300 players at a time. The area attracts many visitors from the UK, Germany, and the Czech Republic, while interest from Russia has grown through organized events and tournaments.
In spring 2024 a Russian spring golf tournament brought significant participation, highlighting growing interest among Russian players. Another standout option is Montgomerie Maxx Royal & Golf Resort, a hotel known for its golf program and year-round play.
Designed by Colin Montgomerie, the Montgomerie course offers 18 holes with half of them illuminated for after-dark play. The venue operates year-round and hosts ongoing golf activities. Handicap requirements are similar to other courses: women typically need 36 and men 28, though coaching can help players reach the requisite level. Golf instruction is available with English- and Russian-speaking coaches, making lessons accessible to a broad audience. The cost for practice with a trainer is around 96 Euros per hour, and peak demand occurs in the late spring and early autumn, encouraging early planning. In high season, tee times can be scarce, prompting many agencies to secure accommodations and bookings well in advance. During off-peak periods, securing a space is easier, particularly in the afternoons.
Tennis and padel
Tennis enjoys robust growth in the region, with Ali Bey Club Manavgat leading the charge. The hotel’s tennis program runs a long season from October through April and includes padel, fitness facilities, and a substantial accommodation capacity. The complex has a long history and now hosts a world-class tennis center with Red Clay surfaces prized for fast play and resilience after rain. The center supports both beginners and seasoned players and serves as a venue for a wide range of events, including disabled athletes’ competitions.
In 2024 the venue was slated to host multiple national and international championships, such as team qualifiers, world championships, and open tournaments, drawing players from around the globe. The hotel has also expanded its operation to padel, aiming to elevate this fast-growing racket sport to the same level as traditional tennis. The organization has earned recognition from the ITF for its commitment to high-caliber competition and event management.
Training of professional athletes
Belek’s Gloria Verde Resort stands out as a premier training complex, welcoming athletes across 50 disciplines. It is one of the few facilities in Turkey and among the notable European centers dedicated to professional athlete development. The campus includes a 1,700-seat stadium, extensive practice areas, a large gym, indoor cycling studios, weight rooms, martial arts facilities, and group training spaces, plus a 25-meter outdoor pool for aquatic training.
Facilities also cover volleyball and basketball courts, diverse swimming options, and an athletics stadium. A specialized nutrition and diet program helps athletes optimize workload, while on-site medical assessments monitor back health, body composition, balance, and oxygen uptake. The resort houses a cryogenic chamber for recovery and allows accommodation for up to 300 athletes, including Paralympic participants, under its comprehensive program.
Regional highlights
Beyond beaches, Turkey offers a thriving sports-focused destination with rafting events, a popular motorcycle festival, and other competitive activities. For those seeking quiet reflection, Kemer provides yoga and meditation amid orange groves and breathtaking views. The region invites travelers to plan a rewarding Nordic-level adventure or a leisurely yet active escape in the year ahead.
Sample journeys can blend high-intensity sport with restorative downtime, ensuring a balanced experience for athletes of all levels and backgrounds.