Dörtyol Karting Park& Cafe

In Dörtyol, in the province of Hatay, this open-air karting park pairs the track with a café, a format built for spending the afternoon or evening on site. The outdoor layout is driven in the open air, and the venue welcomes children and adults alike, in the family mood typical of this town on the Mediterranean coastal plain. People come to string together timed laps, then catch their breath over a drink between races.

Karting stays open to all, with no licence or experience: you take the safety briefing, put on the gear, and head off to find the best line. The format suits families, groups of friends and birthdays, with the chance to extend the moment at the adjoining café. As is often the case outdoors, opening times and prices depend on the season, and a phone call before coming avoids any nasty surprises. People rarely leave after a single run, the urge to better their time soon taking over.

Dörtyol is a citrus town on the Gulf of İskenderun, ringed by orange groves and fertile plains opening onto the Mediterranean. The Hatay region, at the southern tip of Turkey, is known for its mix of cultures and its cuisine, among the richest in the country. Antakya, ancient Antioch, and its famous museum of ancient mosaics, among the finest in the world, are worth the detour, as are the beaches and the Amanos mountains that overlook the coast. The town is linked by the motorway that runs along the coast, close to the port of İskenderun and Hatay airport.