İstanbul Karting Park

In Maltepe, on the Asian side of Istanbul, İstanbul Karting Park lays out one thousand metres of open-air track, six metres wide, which makes it one of the major circuits in the metropolis. The outdoor layout, which even features a bridge spanning the track, is driven on petrol karts and leaves real chances to overtake and to build up speed. It is a genuine sporting course, a far cry from small urban tracks, a short walk from Maltepe's large seafront.

Karting stays open to all, with no licence or experience: a briefing, a helmet, and you head off to find your best lap. The length and width of the track suit beginners as much as confident drivers out to test themselves against the clock, and groups happily set up close races. As the activity takes place outdoors, it is best to check opening times by season before coming. People rarely leave after a single run, the urge to shave off a few seconds soon taking over.

Maltepe is a lively district on the Asian side of Istanbul, known for its huge coastal park reclaimed from the sea, one of the largest stroll spaces in the city, with its marina and its landscaped beaches. The Princes' Islands, reachable by ferry from the nearby pier, offer a car-free escape by bike or horse-drawn carriage. The lively quarters of Kadıköy and Bostancı, their markets and cafés, are within reach, while the historic centre of Istanbul remains reachable by transport to extend the day.