List of the world's most extreme countries for sports adventures
Are you looking for the world's most extreme countries to explore? The sensation of flying through the skies in freefall skydiving, or experiencing icy mountain winds when skiing... There are feelings that only the most extreme sports provide, making people feel alive like never before.
This is a guide for lovers of extreme sports who are looking for a thrill! After all, there' s no shortage of places to try new sports and explore the thrill of adrenaline.
Deciding on the destination for your next adventure is the first step towards an unforgettable travel itinerary! With that in mind, we've put together the 9 best destinations for practicing extreme sports.
Ready, aim, go!
9 countries for those who love extreme sports
Practicing physical exercise promotes quality of life, providing us with health in many ways. The Ministry of Health explains this in its Guide to Physical Activity for the Brazilian Population. There's no doubt about it, practicing intense sports brings us into contact with our more adventurous side, which is very good for our physical and mental well-being.
There are many different destinations to visit and sports to try out, creating new memories. We've put together 9 destinations for lovers of extreme sports!
Check out the most extreme countries in the world:
1. United Arab Emirates - Dubai
When it comes to skydiving, Dubai is one of the most visited places by adventurers from all over the world. This is due to the artificial island complex in the Emirates - the Jumeirah Palm - which forms a tree when viewed from the sky during the jump. So if parachuting is your passion, Dubai is a great option for your itinerary!
- Major sports: Dubai is known for hosting world-class sporting events such as golf, tennis, camel racing and cricket. It is also a center for water sports such as sailing and jet skiing.
- Local language: Arabic, but due to the diversity of the population, English is widely used in business and tourism.
- Local currency: United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED).
- Other Activities: Among the main attractions are the Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world, and the Palm Jumeirah, the famous artificial island we've already mentioned. The beautiful beaches, such as Jumeirah Beach and La Mer, are perfect places to relax too! In addition, the city is a paradise for shopping, with the gigantic Dubai Mall. This is a fact: no matter how many days you spend there, there will always be something new to discover in Dubai.
Speaking of great options for your itinerary, take a look at our selection of the best cars for traveling abroad.
2. Norway - Voss
Norway is a Scandinavian country made up of glaciers, mountains and vast green areas to explore. In addition to the beautiful landscapes made up of snow and hills, this is a highly recommended destination for practicing dangerous sports. The city of Voss is the capital of this country and is responsible for hosting one of the world's largest extreme sports events: Ekstremsportveko. The event has been affectionately dubbed Veko by the locals. Easier, right?
There are many activities to enjoy: kitesurfing, skateboarding, base jumping, rock climbing, among others. The list is long, ideal for those who want to challenge themselves in different extreme sports. In addition, Voss has ski centers with more than 30 kilometers of slopes. This is where the Ski World Cup events regularly take place.
- Main sports: Voss is known for being a popular destination for adventure sports, such as skydiving, paragliding, rafting, and skiing during the winter. Furthermore, it is a popular place for hiking and mountain biking.
- Local language: The official language is Norwegian. Most people in Norway also speak English, especially in tourist areas like Voss.
- Local currency: Norwegian Krone (NOK).
- Other Activities: In addition to Norway's extreme sports, you can enjoy boat trips on Lake Vangsvatnet or go hiking in the nearby mountains, accompanied by impressive views. You can also enjoy the Tvindefossen and Skjervsfossen waterfalls - these are unmissable and offer a perfect backdrop for photos.
3. Australia - Tasmania
Despite Australia's fame, rest assured that we're not going to talk about giant spiders or dangerous snakes. Today's highlight is Tasmania, which is widely known for its range of water sports: extreme kayaking, diving and rafting. The hotspot for these practices is the Franklin River, with wild and fast rapids, surrounded by surreal natural landscapes!
But it's not just in the water that lovers of daring sports venture there: on the island there are granite rock formations perfect for extreme climbing, where you can watch kayakers and surfers wading in the waters off the coast.
Who wouldn't love to keep this scene as a souvenir?
- Main sports: Tasmania offers a variety of walks and trails in its natural landscapes, fishing, surfing and water sports due to its extensive coastline. It is also a popular destination for wildlife watching, such as the iconic Tasmanian devil.
- Local language: English.
- Local currency: Australian Dollar (AUD).
- Other Activities: You can take advantage of the trip to visit local wineries, go on day cruises, shop at cultural fairs and enjoy Australian waterfalls.
4. New Zealand - Queenstown
Queenstown is a small town in New Zealand located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu - with crystal clear waters, surrounded by mountains and local nature. There are few cars, lots of pedestrians and plenty of adventure! That's because this town is known worldwide as the Capital of Extreme Sports. You can take boat trips, go bungee jumping (while feeling your heart leap out of your mouth), go skydiving and even venture out on the mountain biking trails.
- Main sports: Extreme athletes visit New Zealand to enjoy the dangerous disciplines of skiing and snowboarding, as well as bungee jumping, skydiving, rafting and mountain biking.
- Local language: English.
- Local currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZD).
- Other activities: In addition to adventure sports, Queenstown also offers cruises on Lake Wakatipu, numerous wine routes and gastronomy centers. There are also hikes and trails in the mountains, as well as boat trips on Milford Sound.
5. Chile - Patagonia
We don't have to go that far to immerse ourselves in extreme tourism! Chile is considered one of the best destinations for those who love sports and adrenaline. The region is highly praised by tourists, boasting an extensive coastline bathed by the Pacific Ocean in the west. It also has the presence of the Andes mountain range in the east, which gives it a mountainous terrain and exuberant landscapes for practicing long and challenging trails .
- Main sports: Chile could be your destination of choice if your favorite adventure sports are hiking, canoeing, climbing in the Andres Mountains, trekking and surfing.
- Local language: Spanish.
- Local currency: Chilean Peso (CLP).
- Other activities: Other things to do when visiting Chile can include visiting wineries in the region (such as in the Colchagua Valley and the Maipo Valley), stargazing in the Atacama Desert and exploring historic cities with great cultural weight, such as Valparaiso - known for its bohemian culture and colorful architecture!
6. Italy - Le Marche
"Fly, fly, go up, go wherever you go, go down until the sky falls..." Remember the song 'Dream of Icarus'? In Le Marche, Italy, extreme athletes take the 'fly, fly' part seriously.
This region of Italy excels (a lot!) in extreme tourism, where its Italian landscapes and clear skies make it a paradise for skydiving enthusiasts . Between hills and historic towns, you'll find the perfect setting to descend 'till the sky falls. In addition, Le Merche is close to the Adriatic Sea, where its calm, crystal-clear waters are the perfect haven for relaxation and vacations.
- Main sports: When you visit Italy, you'll find opportunities for skiing, skydiving, cycling, sailing and rugby.
- Local language: Italian.
- Local currency: Euro (€).
- Other activities: The wine route, hiking and trekking in the Sibillini mountains, boat trips, diving on the Adriatic coast and traditional festivals such as "Caccia al Cinghiale" in Mondavio make up the true Italian experience that many dream of!
To tour the Italian coast, reach the region's beautiful beaches and enjoy the extreme adventure of Italian skydiving, you can count on Happy Tours to rent your car and guarantee safe and comfortable transportation.
7. Switzerland - Interlaken
Do you like hang-gliding? If so, visit the Swiss Alps! This sport is well known and practiced in the region due to Switzerland's cold, natural and majestic landscapes. The country is full of imposing mountains, crystal-clear waters, green lawns and picturesque villages, making it the perfect destination for your extreme sports tourism.
In addition, there are some of the most famous ski resorts in the world: the resorts in the Interlaken area have a mixture of marked slopes and open areas for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, from beginners to advanced. Ice skating, snowshoe hiking and paragliding are also extreme sports to be found there.
- Main sports: In Switzerland, you can enjoy the adventures of skiing, snowboarding, paragliding, paragliding, mountain climbing, mountain biking and even take a chance (and have fun) with rock climbing and base jumping.
- Local language: German (predominantly), French and Italian (also spoken in some areas of Switzerland).
- Local currency: Swiss Franc (CHF).
- Other activities: In addition to the screaming and action of the world's most extreme sports found in Switzerland, you can also enjoy scenic train rides (such as the Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe), visits to museums, shopping for local handicrafts and typical Swiss products (such as chocolate and watches) and even explore caves and grottoes (such as the St. Beatus Caves).
8. South Africa - Cape Town
This is one of the best destinations for those who enjoy extreme water sports. Cape Town is located between the mountains and the sea, making it an ideal (and very beautiful) place for surfing, kayaking and sailing.
Leaving the waters for a while and heading for the town of Table Mountain, there are more hardcore zip lines, extreme rock climbing, skydiving and trekking to get you into the adventure!
- Main sports: Enjoy water and outdoor sports! Surfing on the Atlantic beaches, windsurfing, kitesurfing, scuba diving, hiking in the mountains, climbing, cycling and kayaking.
- Local language: English (predominantly) Afrikaans and Xhosa.
- Local currency: South African Rand (ZAR).
- Other activities: In addition to Cape Town's more extreme sports, you can also enjoy boat trips to Robben Island, visits to the Cape of Good Hope, explore the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and take cable car rides up Table Mountain. In addition, wine tasting at local wineries and getting to know the city's vibrant cultural and gastronomic life are also favorite plans of tourists visiting the region.
9. Nepal - Manaslu
This last destination is for those who think and breathe climbing! For some people, climbing is more than a hobby, it's a lifestyle. With this in mind, Nepal is the best destination. Many visit the country to hike the intense trails of the Himalayas.
With this in mind, the town of Manaslu is appreciated by mountaineers from all over the world, located in the Gorkha district in northwestern Nepal. But beware: this trip is not for beginners!
Why do we say it's not for beginners? Because these are intense trails, which begin with paths through the forest, surrounded by pine trees and local fauna. However, the route intensifies along the trail, climbing walls of rock and ice that reach heights of more than 7,000 meters. - It's difficult, it's extreme, it's fantastic!
- Main sports: In Nepal, you can find extreme and fun sports such as climbing in the gigantic mountains of Manaslu, mountaineering and trekking.
- Local language: Nepali.
- Local currency: Nepalese Rupee (NPR).
- Other activities: you can also enjoy the region's cultural trails and religious events, visit Buddhist monasteries, explore traditional villages, observe wildlife and native flora.
Did you know about all these extreme sports destinations? These are countries where you'll definitely find thrilling trails and emotions to match your exciting itineraries!
There are options for all types of adventure sports enthusiasts, with diving, mountain climbing, alpine climbing and more, all surrounded by amazing natural scenery.
Speaking of adventurous travel, you can check out our article How to save on international travel? See 10 tips! after you've finished reading!
The extreme sports scene in Brazil
Our landscapes favor extreme sports! Brazil's diverse climate, vegetation and terrain mean that different types of extreme sports are practiced in different states. As a result, you can enjoy the chill in your belly that only the experience of extreme sports can offer you here in Brazil!
A trip idea to enjoy extreme sports in Brazil: Rent a minivan, call family, friends or colleagues who are also passionate about adrenaline and take a tour of the adventures that only our country can offer, such as skydiving over the green and beachy landscape of Rio de Janeiro. Discover 10 trips to take in Brazil by car!
This way, without having to go far, you can visit big cities like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Curitiba and have fun! These are the country's major capitals where you can enjoy sports such as skydiving, surfing, abseiling and rafting.
To understand how to rent a bigger car to take everyone on this adventure, read the article What do you need to rent a car? Check it all out with Happy!
We hope you enjoyed this guide to the most extreme countries in the world! We have presented the main tourist spots for practicing extreme sports, but there are many other regions to explore.
To choose your next extreme trip, think about the sport you practice (or want to practice), read about the local culture, compare travel prices, put together your itinerary and of course, count on Happy Tour to rent your car without stress! We are specialists in tourism and getting around! Our mission is to provide you with maximum comfort and safety on your trip by renting a car.
We think you might like this content: International travel checklist: so you don't forget anything. That's it for today, we'll see you in the next article!
