Gölcük Karting-Gokart

In Gölcük, on the southern shore of the Gulf of İzmit, in the province of Kocaeli, this open-air circuit offers karting along the seafront. The outdoor layout is driven in the open air, facing the bay, and people gather as a family or with friends to string together timed laps. It is a local option for the residents of this coastal town, who can fit in a dose of speed a short walk from the seaside promenade.

Karting stays open to all, with no licence or experience: a briefing, a helmet, and you head off to find the best line. The short format suits beginners as much as regulars working on their lines, and groups happily set up short heats to sort out the drivers. As the activity takes place outdoors, it is best to check opening times and prices by season before coming, with summer the busiest spell. People rarely leave after a single run.

Gölcük is a maritime town on the Gulf of İzmit, known for its large port and its opening onto the Sea of Marmara. Its redeveloped seafront, its waterside parks and its beaches make it a stroll spot appreciated by the region's residents. Close by, Lake Sapanca, the wooded heights of Kartepe, a ski resort in winter, and the surrounding forest offer fine escapes into nature. Istanbul is about an hour and a half away by road, and the town, well linked by motorway, fits easily into a tour between the metropolis and Anatolia.