Kemer

Kemer is a coastal resort south of Antalya, framed by pine-clad slopes of the Taurus range and the sea, and a launching point for one of Turkey's most dramatic tandem paraglides — flights that begin high on Tahtalı, the peak the ancients called Mount Olympos.

A cable car climbs to around 2,365 metres on Tahtalı, and paragliders take off from near the summit to descend more than two vertical kilometres toward the coast, one of the biggest altitude drops offered anywhere in the region. Tandem passengers need no experience; the qualified pilot manages launch and landing while flyers take in the Lycian shoreline, forested ridges and, on clear days, a huge stretch of the Mediterranean. The high alpine launch means cool air and long flight times.

Kemer pairs the air sport with water and trail, including scuba diving on nearby reefs and wrecks, sea kayaking, and access to the coastal section of the Lycian Way. The ruins of ancient Phaselis and Olympos lie close along the shore, giving rest days an archaeological bent.

Best conditions run spring through autumn, roughly April to October, with the summit launch usable when winds aloft are light; spring and early autumn bring the most comfortable temperatures. The mountaintop is markedly colder than the beach, so warm layers help even in summer. Flights hinge on weather at altitude, so a flexible day or two is wise before committing to the high launch. The resort strip offers plenty of accommodation and makes an easy base for combining a flight with a day on the water or among the ruins, and shuttle services handle the transfer up to the cable car.