Five rides on the Turkish Riviera and the Aegean coast

Antalya

Photo Betül Nisa Çetin, Pexels

According to the ministry's tourism portal, the Turkish Riviera runs from Antalya in the east to Muğla in the west, with coasts, forests, mountains and ancient ruins. Around Antalya lie Perge, 18 kilometres east, and Termessos, 30 kilometres north-west of the centre. The offers are a forest and beach ride, a ride over the beach and through pine forest, and a private tour with a canter.

• Confirmed: location of the Riviera, Perge, Termessos (tourism portal), highs (weather service MGM).
• From the provider: route, forest and beach, duration, level.
• Clarify before booking: a start time outside the midday heat.

Kemer

Kemer lies west of Antalya. In the district lies Beydağları Coastal National Park, from the sea into the mountains, with cedars in the higher areas. Mount Tahtalı can be reached by cable car, and Phaselis lies 18 kilometres south-west. The offer is a landscape ride, a riding trip with hotel transfer.

• Confirmed: location, national park, cedars, Tahtalı, Phaselis (tourism portal), climate as in Antalya.
• From the provider: landscape ride, hotel transfer, duration.
• Clarify before booking: pick-up point and whether the ride lies inside the national park.

Alanya and Syedra

Alanya is a seaside resort on the south coast, on a small peninsula directly below the Taurus. About 20 kilometres from the centre, on the hill Asar Tepesi near the village of Seki, lies the ancient city of Syedra, with theatre, odeon, colonnaded street and cisterns. Excavation has been under way since 2019 with permission from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The offers lead to the ruins of Syedra and through forest with sea views.

• Confirmed: location of Alanya (tourism portal), Syedra, buildings, excavation (independent heritage database, not an authority).
• From the provider: route to the ruins, duration, hotel transfer.
• Clarify before booking: whether the ruins are entered or only approached and which rules apply there.

Belek

Belek is about 20 minutes by car from Antalya. The coast is 17 kilometres long, with pine forests and a wide beach. The tourism portal writes of the green of the forests meeting the blue of the Mediterranean. The offer is a riding trip on the beach and in the forest.

• Confirmed: distance, coast length, pine forests, beach (tourism portal), climate (MGM Antalya).
• From the provider: route, duration, level.
• Clarify before booking: whether the ride starts in the forest or on the beach and when it starts.

Bodrum

Bodrum lies on a peninsula in the south-west of the Aegean region, in Muğla province, with a mild Mediterranean climate and bays with turquoise water. In Gümüşlük lie the ruins of ancient Myndos, and the tourism portal calls the place known for the most beautiful sunsets on the peninsula. Gümbet is surrounded by pine-covered mountains, and Torba has pine forests. The offers are rides on the beach with a sunset option, with a forest or coastal route, and with hotel transfer or hotel pick-up.

• Confirmed: peninsula, climate, Gümüşlük, pine mountains (tourism portal), highs of the province (MGM Muğla).
• From the provider: beach, forest or coastal route, sunset option, hotel pick-up.
• Clarify before booking: whether the sunset ride is offered in your season.

Season at a glance

According to the weather service data, the average highs in Antalya are about 34 degrees in July and August, just under 27 in October and 21 in April. About 5 millimetres of rain fall in July, and most rain comes from November to February. As a hint from that: longer rides suit spring and autumn, in summer the early morning or the late afternoon. The values apply to the province stations Antalya and Muğla, not to the individual places.

What to pack

Sun protection, plenty of water, light airy clothing, sturdy shoes with a heel. Ask the provider what is supplied.

Questions for the provider

1. How much of the time are you in the saddle?
2. Which level and which weight limit apply?
3. How big is the group?
4. When does the ride start, and how is the heat taken into account?
5. Where is the meeting point, is there pick-up or hotel transfer?
6. How are breaks, water and weight limits for the horses handled?