Turkey, a country rich in history and boasting a varied terrain that includes both sandy shores and towering mountains, has been connecting people from Europe and Asia for millennia.
Turkey is a culturally and linguistically diverse nation as a result of its history as a trading hub and crossroads. Located at the crossroads of East and West, the country’s diverse cultural heritage is on full display in its tantalising cuisine, countless religious buildings, and ancient ruins.
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Top 10 Places to Visit in Turkey
Most holiday plans revolve around Istanbul, the former capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, but that city is just one of many fantastic options.
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Cappadocia, with its cave hotels and hot air balloon rides over the surreal terrain, Ephesus, with its ruins from the Greco-Roman era, and the Aegean coast, with its opulent beach resorts, all offer unique holiday experiences. The top tourist destinations in Turkey are as follows.
1. Ankara
Ankara, the Turkish capital, is a large metropolis that is home to several institutions of higher education, corporations, and embassies from across the world. Ankara serves as a major transit hub for both locals and visitors, thanks to its central location in Turkey and the Anatolia area.
Yet there’s more to Ankara than just commerce. The cultural and historical offerings of this busy metropolis are not to be overlooked. Ankara’s long history is reflected in the city’s many historic buildings and ruins from the Hittite, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods.
The Citadel, a Roman theatre, and the Temple of Augustus are among the city’s most famous landmarks. There are also many old mosques scattered across the city. Anitkabir, a mausoleum containing the tomb of Turkey’s first President Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, is a significant monument from the 20th century.
The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara is home to more than 200,000 artefacts, and the city as a whole has a thriving theatrical and museum scene. Fresh food, spices, rugs, and electronics can all be acquired from a wide variety of vendors at either traditional markets or sophisticated shopping complexes.
2. Mardin
Mardin, the capital of Turkey’s Mardin Province, is located on a hilltop with a commanding view of the plains of Mesopotamia in the country’s southeast. Mardin is one of the region’s earliest settlements, and its Old City’s cascading sandstone buildings are a major tourist draw.
The historic district of Mardin can be explored by foot. The Deyrü’z-Zafaran Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in the world, and the Sultan Isa Medresesi, a mediaeval structure that previously served as an astronomical observatory, are just two of the many popular locations along the winding alleyways.
Beautiful courtyards and artwork can be found at the Islamic school of Zinciriye Medresesi, which dates back to the 14th century. The Great Mosque is easily identifiable by its prominent minaret.
The citadel offers great photo ops, but unfortunately is off-limits to the general public. There are numerous stores offering traditional goods all across the Old City, including as ceramics, cutlery, leather, and headdresses.
3. Konya
Konya, located in Turkey’s Central Anatolia Region, is one of the oldest cities in the world and is famous for its Seljuk architecture and Whirling Dervishes. Konya thrived as a capital city throughout the 12th and 13th centuries when it was ruled by the Seljuk Dynasty.
Beautiful structures from that time period, like the Alaeddin Mosque, which contains the tombs of multiple sultans, can still be admired today. The Ince Minare Medrese is another well-known mosque that has been converted into a museum featuring antiquities from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods.
The Seljuk Palace is equally interesting to see, despite being in ruins. The Seljuk Tower is one of the tallest buildings in Turkey and a modern architectural marvel; its uppermost two stories house a rotating restaurant.
Rumi, a Persian mystic and Sufi scholar, was born and raised in the city of Konya in the 13th century. The Mausoleum of Rumi and the Melvana Museum are also excellent places to visit while in Konya.
Rumi’s disciples established the Mevlevi Order, well known as the Whirling Dervishes for their distinctive religious rituals, in which they wear white, flowing robes and spin wildly on the left foot. Sama ceremonies are held every week at the Mevlana Culture Center.
Alaeddin Hill, in the heart of the city, and the Japanese Park, with its stunning pagodas, waterfalls, and ponds, are just two of the many parks and green areas available in Konya. Konya is one of the most conservative cities in Turkey, hence its nightlife options, including bars and nightclubs, are limited. However, alcoholic beverages can be purchased at some hotels and cafes.
4. Antalya
Antalya is a bustling city on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, home to many hotels, restaurants, and other tourist amenities. Gorgeous beaches and lush green mountains filled with ancient ruins surround the city and create a spectacular backdrop. Antalya is a fantastic holiday destination since it has activities suitable for the whole family.
Taking a stroll around Kaleiçi, the Old Quarter, is like taking a trip back in time, with its ancient city walls, Roman gates, winding lanes, and historic buildings like the Clock Tower and stunningly gorgeous mosques, churches, and temples. Cumhuriyet Square is the hub of the Old Quarter and is surrounded by restaurants, cafes, Turkish spas, and street artists.
Konyaalti and Lara are Antalya’s most popular beaches because of the white sands, water sports, resorts, and nightlife they provide. Water parks, amusement parks, and a zoo may all be found in close proximity to the beaches. Many museums, like the highly regarded Antalya Museum, provide displays of local antiques and relics.
5. Marmaris
With its pine-covered mountains, white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and old buildings, Marmaris is one of Turkey’s most popular seaside destinations. This beautiful cruise port can be found in the southwest of Turkey, along the Turkish Riviera, and is a tourist’s dream thanks to its convenient location, beautiful scenery, and abundance of exciting activities.
Visitors to Marmaris will be spoiled for choice due to the abundance of attractions. The ancient neighbourhood is worth exploring on foot for its charming architecture and the Castle of Suleyman the Magnificent, which dates back to the 16th century. Tourists can take a boat ride to see the surrounding communities and bays.
Horseback riding safaris wind through pristine pine woods and orange groves, while jeep safaris take you to remote bays and past breathtaking waterfalls. Marmaris also has family-friendly water parks and luxurious Turkish baths where you may soak your cares away. Day tours from Marmaris can take you to otherworldly locales like Dalyan, Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Cleopatra Island.
Marmaris, Turkey, has a vibrant nightlife scene. There are literally hundreds of dining options, ranging from quick bites to five-star gourmet. The city and its beaches are littered with bars and clubs. Turkish Night Shows are not to be missed, since they feature authentic Turkish cuisine, mezes, and belly dancing.
6. Side
After being taken by Alexander the Great in the fourth century BC, the town of Side, which was once a significant harbour in ancient Pamphylia, has since been transformed into a gorgeous village of classic ruins and modern day resorts overlooking sandy white beaches.
Side, a small peninsula in Turkey’s Antalya Province on the Mediterranean Coast, is a great place to enjoy the area’s incredible sights, nightlife, and outdoor adventure. An excavated site of ancient Hellenistic and Roman remains, including a gigantic amphitheatre, agora, Byzantine church, public baths, marble columns, and several temples, is Side’s main draw.
The Roman baths have been renovated into a museum where a variety of ancient Roman items can be viewed. The Temple of Apollo, perched on a cliff above the shore, makes for a breathtaking view, especially as the sun goes down.
The lovely town of Side, with its winding alleys and pretty parks, is also home to a wide selection of eateries serving everything from quick sandwiches and pizza to fine dining. The Manavgat River is a great place to go boating, white water rafting, or just check out some stunning waterfalls just outside of town.
7. Bodrum
Bodrum, in Turkey’s Mugla Province on the Aegean Sea, is where the ancient city of Halicarnassus—famous for its marble architecture, temples, statues, paved streets, and the Mausoleum—was fortified.
After its decline, the city remained a sleepy fishing community until the works of Turkish intellectuals in the 20th century revived interest in it. Tourists from all over the world visit Bodrum to explore its fascinating ruins, beautiful beaches, and cliff-top resorts.
Visitors can relax on a gorgeous beach with a view of crystal-clear ocean on Bodrum’s eastern side. There are many restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs in the area. The marina, major commercial areas, and best restaurants are all on the western side of town.
Bodrum Castle, commonly known as the Castle of St. Peter, is an essential stop on any trip to Bodrum. Originally constructed beginning in 1402 by the Knights Hospitaller, it is now a museum. The Myndos Gate, where a fierce battle took place when the city was under siege by Alexander the Great, is another point of interest.
Historic windmills, Turkish saunas and mud baths, windsurfing, scuba diving, and boat trips with nightclubs and glass-bottomed dance floors are just some of the things to do in Bodrum. The Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology is located in Bodrum Castle and has won numerous awards.
8. Ephesus
The ancient city of Ephesus in Aegean Turkey is the best preserved antique metropolis in Europe. One of the greatest cities in the Roman Empire by the 1st century BC, Ephesus was also home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
One of Turkey’s top tourist destinations, Ephesus is home to well-preserved ruins that are housed within a sizable archaeological site. It wasn’t until some 200 years after Ephesus was named a Roman town in 133 BC that it really began to flourish.
Ephesus was home to about 250,000 people when it served as the Roman capital of Asia Minor. St. Paul spent time in Ephesus, where he helped spread Christianity and many other faiths. The collapse of Ephesus began in the third century, when the city’s port began to deteriorate and the city was sacked by Germanic Goths.
Ephesus was largely forgotten for about 1,500 years. In the 1860s, an international team of archaeologists began uncovering the ruins of this great classical metropolis, which had been hidden from the world for centuries. Ephesus is remains one of the largest open-to-the-public archaeological sites in the world, despite the fact that only around 20% of it has been excavated so far.
The Temple of Artemis is, without a doubt, Ephesus’s most well-known landmark. This temple, once the largest in the world, attests to Ephesus’s prominence in antiquity. The temple was mostly destroyed in the fifth century, although the ruins can still be visited.
The Terraced Houses are among the most recent and most talked-about excavations in Ephesus. These modern Roman-style mansions belonged to Ephesus’ wealthiest citizens around the turn of the first century.
Some of these houses even had heating systems, marble floors, and hot and cold showers, which is rather remarkable. Strange paintings, mosaics, and handwritten love poetry adorn the walls. The Library of Celsus is a must-see on every visit to Ephesus.
The library, which was constructed in 123 AD, was third in size only to the libraries of Alexandria and Pergamum at the time. The columns and capitals of the library’s two stories are now more visible thanks to the restoration work that was done.
Look at the four statues that stand for the four cardinal virtues. Wisdom (Sophia), Knowledge (Episteme), Thought (Ennoia), and Goodness (Arete) are all represented, but in replica form rather than their original forms.
9. Cappadocia
Cappadocia, a region in central Turkey’s Anatolia region, is famous for its surreal scenery of weird rock formations like chimneys, cones, mushrooms, and pinnacles.
Some of these peculiar formations, which can be as high as 130 feet (40 metres), were shaped over time by natural processes including previous volcanic eruptions and weathering.
Houses, churches, and even underground towns were hewn out of the soft rock by humans thousands of years ago, adding amazing touches to the environment.
As early as 1800 BC, the area was inhabited by the Hittites, who, in response to invasions from the Persians and Greeks, dug elaborate networks of underground tunnels.
Later, in the fourth century AD, Christians fled to the underground cities of Cappadocia to escape religious persecution in Rome. Natural attractions and historical landmarks have contributed to the area’s rise in popularity as a holiday spot.
Nevsehir is home to much of Cappadocia, and the cities of Ürgüp, Göreme, Avanos, Ortahisar, and Mustafapasa are all worth visiting while you’re there.
Hotels, restaurants, nightlife, and tourist attractions like rock castles, fairy chimneys, underground tunnels, ancient Greek villages, monasteries, and artisan markets can be found in many of these cities.
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10. Istanbul
Once the capital of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, Istanbul is now Turkey’s largest metropolis and one of the world’s largest. Istanbul is the only city in the world to span two continents, as it is built on both the Asian and European sides of the Bosphorus Strait.
Istanbul is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world because to its impressive architecture, historic monuments, cuisine, shopping, nightlife, and exotic environment.
Stunning architectural marvels like Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace may all be located in the Old City. The modern attractions, towers, and shopping malls of New City make it a significant area as well.
The Bosphorus district features stunning palaces, waterfront residences, and urban parks, while the neighbouring Beyoglu and Galata neighbourhoods are known for nightlife and entertainment.
