10 Best Places to Visit in Turkey
Steeped in history, with a landscape that includes beaches and towering mountains, Turkey has acted as a gateway between Europe and Asia for thousands of years. Being a place of trade and exchange of cultures has made Turkey a very diverse country. The point where East meets west, the wealth of culture and breadth of influences has left its mark and is evident in the country's delicious culinary landscape, as well as its myriad religious monuments and archaeological sites.
10. Ankara
The capital of Turkey, Ankara is a sprawling, modern city with government buildings, commercial establishments, universities and foreign embassies. Located right in the center of the country and Anatolia region, Ankara is a major transportation hub connecting locals and tourists alike to other key destinations in Turkey. However, Ankara is not just about business. This bustling city also offers some historical sites and some art and culture.
An ancient city once inhabited by diverse cultures including Hittite, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman, Ankara is dotted with ancient structures and ruins that reflect its history. Some of the most notable are the Temple of Augustus, the Citadel and a Roman theater. Numerous historic mosques can also be found throughout the city. An important 20th-century landmark, Anitkabir is a mausoleum housing the tomb of Turkey's first President, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
Ankara has a vibrant arts and culture scene with a large concentration of theaters and museums, including the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which houses more than 200,000 objects. Traditional markets and modern malls offer fantastic shopping opportunities where items such as fresh produce, spices, carpets and electronics can be bought.
9. Mardin
Located on a strategic hilltop overlooking the Mesopotamian plains in southeastern Turkey, Mardin is the capital of Mardin Province. As one of the oldest settlements in the region, Mardin is best known for its cultural diversity and old town with sandstone buildings cascading down the hill.
The old town of Mardin can easily be explored on foot. The maze of winding streets takes visitors past row houses and popular attractions such as the Deyru'z-Zafaran Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in the world, and the Sultan Isa Medresesi, a medieval monument that once served as an astronomical observatory. Zinciriye Medresesi, a 14th-century Islamic school, has beautiful courtyards and artwork.
The Grand Mosque with its soaring minaret is hard to miss. Although closed to the public, the citadel offers Fantastic photo opportunities. Shops selling pottery, silverware, leather and traditional headwear are plentiful throughout the Old Town.
8. Konya
One of the oldest cities in the world, Konya is best known for its remarkable Seljuk architecture and whirling dervishes. It is a large city in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Konya prospered as a capital under the rule of the Seljuk dynasty. Attractive buildings from this period can still be admired today, such as the Alaeddin Mosque, which houses the tombs of several sultans. Another popular example is the Ince Minare Medrese, now a museum displaying artifacts from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods.
Although in ruins, the Seljuk Palace is also worth a visit. A modern architectural attraction is the Seljuk Tower, one of the tallest skyscrapers in Turkey, with a revolving restaurant on the top two floors.
In the 13th century Konya was the home of the Persian theologian and Sufi mystic Rumi. His tomb, the Mausoleum of Rumi, with the neighboring Melvana Museum, is a must-see in Konya. Rumi's followers founded the Mevlevi order, also known as the due to their famous religious ceremonies in which they twirl on their left foot in billowing white robes. Also known as Sama, these ceremonies can be observed weekly at the Mevlana Cultural Center.
7. Antalya
Nestled on the beautiful Turkish Riviera on the Mediterranean coast, Antalya is a large, vibrant city that welcomes tourists with numerous resorts, hotels, bars and restaurants. A spectacular landscape frames the city with beautiful beaches and lush green mountains dotted with ancient ruins. From swimming and sailing to mountaineering, sightseeing and family fun, Antalya has something for everyone.
A stroll through Kaleiçi, the old quarter, offers a step back into the city's ancient past with views of the ancient city walls, Roman gates, labyrinthine streets and historical monuments, including the clock tower and beautiful old churches, mosques and temples. In the heart of the old town is Cumhuriyet Square, surrounded by shops, cafes, Turkish baths and street performers.
6. Marmaris
One of Turkey's most popular beach resorts, Marmaris is a scenic backdrop of pine-clad mountains, white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and historic architecture. Located on the Turkish Riviera in southwestern Turkey, this stunning cruise port is a tourist paradise with exceptional sightseeing, water sports, fantastic restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.
Marmaris offers so much to see and do that visitors are spoiled for choice. A stroll through the cobbled streets of the Old Town offers attractive architecture and a visit to the 16th-century Castle of Suleyman the Magnificent. Various boat tours lead visitors to explore the picturesque bays and neighboring villages.
5. Kusadasi
The seaside resort of Kusadasi on the western Aegean coast is the starting point for tours to the ruins of Ephesus and is therefore served by many large cruise ships. Worth seeing in the city itself are the beach promenade, the marina and the Byzantine fortress on the island from the 14th century, which was once intended to protect Kusadasi. The island is connected to the mainland by a causeway. The former ancient metropolis of Ephesus is now one of the most visited ruined cities in the world. Here you can still discover the ruins of the Celsus library, the Artemis temple and the very well-preserved theater.
4. Bodrum
Located in Mugla Province in Turkey's southern Aegean region, Bodrum is the site of the ancient fortified city of Halicarnassus, which was once home to marble buildings, temples, statues, cobbled streets and the mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of Turkey's ancient worlds.
After the city fell into ruins, it remained a quiet fishing village until the 20th century, when Turkish intellectuals brought it popularity through their writings. Today, Bodrum's fascinating ruins, stunning beaches and cliff-top resorts attract people from all over the world.
On the east side of Bodrum, tourists will find a beautiful beach overlooking the bright blue waters. There are many cafes, bars and nightclubs near the beach. On the west side of town are the marina, shopping malls and restaurants.
3. Ephesus
Ephesus, Europe's most complete classical metropolis, is an ancient site in Turkey's Aegean. In the 1st century B.C. Ephesus was one of the largest cities in the entire Roman Empire and boasted one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis. The ruins of Ephesus are well-preserved and set within a large archaeological site, making it one of Turkey's most popular tourist attractions.
Ephesus was founded in 133 BC. declared a Roman settlement, but only reached its peak around 200 years later. At a time when the city was the capital of Roman Asia Minor, Ephesus was home to more than 250,000 permanent residents. Saint Paul lived in Ephesus and promoted Christianity among many other religions. With the decline of the port of Ephesus and the sack of the city by Germanic Goths in the third century, Ephesus began its decline.
2. Cappadocia
Located in Central Anatolia in Turkey, Cappadocia is best known for its fairytale-like landscape with unusual formations resembling chimneys, cones, mushrooms and pinnacles. Natural processes such as ancient volcanic eruptions and erosion have sculpted these strange formations over the centuries, some towering up to 40 meters in height. However, thousands of years ago people added remarkable accents to the landscape by carving houses, churches and underground cities out of the soft rock.
Already 1800 BC BC, Hittites and other residents carved out underground tunnel complexes to seek shelter from invading Persians and Greeks. Much later, in the 4th century AD, Christians fleeing religious persecution from Rome took refuge in the tunnels and caves of Cappadocia. Today, the natural wonders and historical sites make the region a popular travel destination.
1. Istanbul
Once the capital of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, Istanbul is now the largest city in Turkey and one of the largest in the world. Istanbul stretches on both sides of the Bosphorus, a narrow strait connecting Asia and Europe, making it the only city in the world to span two continents. Impressive architecture, historical sites, restaurants, shopping, nightlife and an exotic atmosphere make Istanbul one of the most popular travel destinations in the world.
The Old City is home to most of the city's impressive historical sites, including Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. Another important district is New City, known for its modern attractions, skyscrapers and shopping malls. Beyoglu and Galata are popular zones for nightlife and entertainment, while the Bosphorus area is home to beautiful palaces, waterfront mansions and urban parks.