On Wednesday in July, we allowed ourselves a long and slow start at the hotel. The weather was simply too intense for ambitious plans. Even in the shade, the temperature climbed above 38 degrees Celsius, and the humidity made the air feel heavy and sticky. It was the kind of day when every movement needed a reason.
After a short bit of research, we looked for something that would give us a little movement without turning into sport. A beach would have been obvious, but we wanted a change of pace. That was how we found the go-kart track in Ierapetra. After reading a few online reviews, the decision was made quickly: this sounded like exactly the right kind of spontaneous activity for a brutally hot day.
Finding the Track
We set off from the hotel and followed the main road toward Ierapetra. The only slightly tricky part was finding the correct turn-off. Coming from our direction, there was no clear sign visible from the road. Instead, we mainly noticed a few worn and slightly tattered flags. Only the following day did we realise that from the opposite direction there was a large sign indicating the go-kart track much more clearly.
Once we had taken the turn, the track was easy to reach. After only two or three minutes, we arrived. At first, we were not entirely sure whether the place was even open. We seemed to be the only guests, and a few workers were busy setting up arcade-style machines such as table football and boxing machines.
We looked briefly toward the pit lane, but nobody was there. Then suddenly a woman called down from above and asked us to come up the stairs. That moment changed the whole impression. What had looked quiet and uncertain from below suddenly became friendly and straightforward.
Choosing the Karts
Upstairs, the options were explained to us clearly. Different kart categories were available, and we decided on the medium-powered version. For 25 minutes, the price was 25 euros per person. We were offered the option of splitting the session into two rides of twelve and a half minutes each, which we gladly accepted.
That split turned out to be a very good idea. In the midday heat, even go-karting becomes sweaty work. The short break in between gave us time to drink something, cool down and reset before going back onto the track.
The race itself felt very balanced. The karts seemed to have a similar level of power, so the fun came from the driving line, braking points and small mistakes rather than from one kart being noticeably faster than another. We drove lap after lap in the heat, and the airflow on the straights almost felt like air conditioning.
Safety and Service
One thing we appreciated very much was the level of care around safety equipment. Helmets were not simply handed to us. They were selected in the right size and properly fitted. We were also given neck supports, which were placed around our necks before the ride.
We assumed these supports are intended to protect or relieve the neck in case of bumps or collisions. Whether you are an experienced driver or just trying it for fun, that kind of attention makes the experience feel more professional and reassuring.
After roughly half an hour of racing fun including the break, we walked back to the car with wide smiles. For me as the driver, the strangest part came afterwards: getting back into our rental car. After a few rounds in a go-kart, normal driving suddenly feels very slow and very formal. I had to concentrate quite a bit not to transfer the karting mindset directly to the road.
Was It Worth It?
For us, the answer was clearly yes. Paying 50 euros for two people and about half an hour of shared racing fun felt very reasonable. It was spontaneous, simple, and exactly the kind of activity that can rescue an unbearably hot day.
If we had one wish, it would have been slightly more speed. There were larger and more powerful karts available, but we deliberately chose not to take them because we were not sure whether we would control them confidently enough. A medium kart with just a little more power would have been perfect for us.
The place also seemed suitable for families. Shortly after us, a mother arrived with a small child, and it appeared that the child could ride along on her lap. That made the track feel accessible not only for competitive drivers but also for families looking for a memorable holiday activity.
- Finding the turn-off may be easier from one direction than the other, so watch carefully for flags or signage.
- Splitting a longer session into two shorter rides is very helpful on extremely hot days.
- Bring water, especially if you visit around midday in summer.
- The medium-powered karts were easy to handle and made the race feel nicely balanced.
Sometimes the best holiday idea is not the most scenic one, but the one that makes everyone laugh despite 38 degrees in the shade.
