Horseback Along the Coast & a Turkish BBQ at the Ranch

Highlights

• Matched to your horse by height and experience — genuine first-timers are genuinely welcome
• Ride through pine forest and sand dunes, then onto the beach itself
• Confident riders can lift the pace; nervous beginners stay comfortable at a walk
• Guides carry water and take the photographs you would never think to
• A Turkish BBQ laid out under the pines back at the ranch — lamb şiş, grilled aubergine, ayran, watermelon
• The spa is expecting you in the afternoon: aromatherapy massage, hammam if wanted, quiet time

Your day, in full

The horses know the way. A short drive east of Side brings the group to the ranch, where each guest is matched to a mount by height and experience and briefed calmly by the head guide. There is no test to pass and nothing to prove — the pace of the whole ride is set to the least experienced rider in the group.

Then the gate opens, and the morning unspools: out through pine forest, across low sand dunes, and — the reason to do this here rather than anywhere else — onto the beach itself, hooves printing the wet sand at the waterline. Riders confident at a canter can let the pace lift on the open stretches; first-timers stay comfortable at a walk, a guide never more than a nod away. The guides carry water, know every horse by name, and take the photographs the riders would never think to take of themselves.

Back at the ranch, a Turkish BBQ is already smoking under the pines: lamb şiş straight from the coals, grilled aubergine, cold ayran, watermelon cut thick. Lunch is long, unhurried and slightly smug — as lunches following a beach ride tend to be.

The coach has the group home by mid-afternoon, where the spa is expecting you. An aromatherapy massage works out whatever the saddle put in; the hammam is there for anyone wanting the full ritual; the rest of the afternoon belongs to the pool, the beach, or your balcony. Dinner tonight is at the hotel — an easy evening after an honest morning.

The day’s itinerary

1. Depart Mira Palace SideMorning departure — early enough to beat the heat
2. Minibus to the ranch20 minutes
3. The ranch — matching and briefing30 minutesHorses matched by height and experience, calm briefing from the head guide, helmets fitted
4. The ride — forest, dunes and beach2 hoursPine forest trails, Sand dunes, Beach riding, Photo stops
5. Turkish BBQ under the pines90 minutesLamb şiş, grilled aubergine, ayran, watermelon
6. Return to the hotel20 minutes
7. Arrive back at Mira Palace Side by mid-afternoonThe spa is expecting the group — aromatherapy massage, hammam if wanted, quiet time

Timings are indicative and confirmed by your host the evening before. Itineraries flex gently around weather and the group’s own pace.

Meeting point

Mira Palace Hotel lobby, Side, Antalya — your host confirms the departure time the evening before.

What to bring

• Long, comfortable trousers — the single most important item today
• Closed shoes with a firm sole (riding helmets are provided and worn)
• Sunscreen, applied before the helmet goes on
• Swimwear for the spa and pool afterwards

The full concierge packing guide lives at What to Bring.

Know before you go

• No riding experience is needed — the whole ride moves at the pace of its least experienced rider
• Helmets are provided and worn by everyone, on every ride
• Rider weight limits apply for the horses' welfare — if you are unsure, a quiet word with our concierge team beforehand settles it discreetly
• In August and September the ride runs early to stay ahead of the heat; from October the whole morning is mild