With metropolises steeped in history, unique strands, and a beautiful country, a visit to Turkey promises an entranced holiday. Different immolations similar to the ancient remains of Ephesus to the luxury sand resorts along the Aegean Sea will enthrall and allure indeed the most bored rubberneck. Istanbul, once the capital of the intricate and Ottoman Conglomerates, features prominently in utmost trip plans but there are numerous further great destinations. Then’s a look at the top 10 best places to visit in Turkey.
Number 10 - Ankara
The large, contemporary capital of Turkey, Ankara, is home to governmental structures, commercial establishments, educational institutions, and foreign embassies. Ankara, which is in the geographic heart of Turkey and the Anatolia region, serves as a critical transportation hub that connects both locals and visitors to the country's other significant cities. However, Ankara is more than just a commercial hub. This flourishing city also has a few historical landmarks and a few pieces of art and culture.
Ankara, an old city that was once inhabited by various cultures such as Hittite, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman, is riddled with ancient structures and ruins that reflect its history. The Temple of Augustus, the Citadel, and a Roman Theatre are among the most notable. Throughout the city, there are numerous historic mosques. Anitkabir, a 20th-century landmark, is a mausoleum that houses the tomb of Turkey's first President, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Number 9 - Mardin
Southeast of Turkey, on a magnificent hilltop with a view of the Mesopotamian plains, is where you'll find Mardin, the provincial capital of the Mardin Province. Mardin, one of the oldest towns in the region, is well known for its cultural diversity and the Old City's sandstone buildings that cascade down the hill. Walking is a convenient way to explore Mardin's Old City.
The maze of meandering streets takes visitors past terraced houses and popular sites such as the Deyrü'z-Zafaran Monastery, one of the world's oldest monasteries, and the Sultan Isa Medresesi, a medieval monument that once served as an astronomical observatory. Zinciriye Medresesi, an Islamic school built in the 14th century, has beautiful courtyards and artwork. The Great Mosque, with its soaring minaret, is difficult to overlook. Although it is not open to the public, the citadel provides excellent photo opportunities. There are numerous shops selling pottery, silverware, leather, and traditional headdresses throughout the Old City.
Number 8 - Konya
Konya is a large city in Turkey's Central Anatolia Region and one of the world's oldest cities, best known for its remarkable Seljuk architecture and Whirling Dervishes. Under the rule of the Seljuk Dynasty in the 12th and 13th centuries, Konya flourished as a capital city. Attractive buildings from that era, such as the Alaeddin Mosque, which houses the tombs of several sultans, can still be seen today. Another well-known example is the Ince Minare Medrese, which is now a museum displaying Seljuk and Ottoman artifacts.
The Seljuk Palace, though in ruins, is also worth a visit. The Seljuk Tower, one of Turkey's tallest skyscrapers with a revolving restaurant on the top two floors, is a modern architectural attraction.
Rumi, the Persian theologian, and Sufi mystic lived in Konya in the 13th century. The Mausoleum of Rumi, which is adjacent to the Mevlana Museum, is a must-see in Konya. Rumi's followers established the Mevlevi Order, also known as the Whirling Dervishes because of their famous religious ceremonies in which they spin around and around on the left foot while dressed in white, billowing gowns. These ceremonies, known as Sama, are held on a weekly basis at the Mevlana Cultural Centre.
Number 7 - Antalya
Antalya, located on the beautiful Turkish Riviera on the Mediterranean coast, is a large, vibrant city that welcomes tourists with a variety of resorts, hotels, bars, and restaurants. Beautiful beaches and lush green mountains dotted with ancient ruins frame the city's spectacular scenery. Antalya has something for everyone, from swimming and sailing to mountain climbing, sightseeing, and family fun.
A stroll through Kaleiçi, the Old Quarter, transports you to the city's ancient past, with views of the old city walls, Roman gates, maze-like streets, and historic structures such as the Clock Tower and beautiful, old churches, mosques, and temples. Cumhuriyet Square, in the heart of the Old Quarter, is surrounded by shops, cafes, Turkish baths, and street performers.
The main beaches of Antalya, Konyaalti, and Lara, have white sands, water sports, resorts, bars, and restaurants. Water parks, amusement parks, and a zoo are all nearby the beaches. Several museums, including the award-winning Antalya Museum, display artifacts and relics from the region.
Number 6 - Marmaris
Marmaris is one of Turkey's most popular seaside resorts, with pine-clad mountains, sandy white beaches, turquoise waters, and historic architecture. This stunning cruise port, located along the Turkish Riviera in southwest Turkey, is a tourist paradise with exceptional sightseeing opportunities, water sports, fantastic dining, and buzzing nightlife.
Marmaris has so much to see and do that visitors will be spoiled for choice. A stroll through the cobblestone streets of the old quarter reveals the attractive architecture and a visit to the 16th-century Castle of Suleyman the Magnificent. Various boat tours take visitors around the picturesque bays and neighboring villages.
Horse safaris canter through lush pine forests, orange groves, traditional villages, and around untouched bays and stunning waterfalls, whereas jeep safaris offer off-the-beaten-path adventures.
Marmaris also has water parks for the whole family and Turkish baths for total pampering and relaxation. If that isn't enough, there are a number of day trips from Marmaris to fantastic destinations such as Dalyan, Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Cleopatra Island.
Number 5 - Pamukkale
Pamukkale ("Cotton Castle" in English) is one of Turkey's most well-known natural wonders, with its pure white travertine terraces cascading down the slope like an out-of-place snowfield in the midst of the green landscape. The vast and rambling ruins of Greco-Roman Hierapolis, an ancient spa town, are scattered across the summit of this calcite hill and are a must-see on any trip to Turkey.
After exploring the ancient theatre and the remnants of the city's agora, gymnasium, necropolis, and grand gates, you can swim in the mineral-rich waters that made this ancient spa town famous in the antique pool.
Wading through the pools of water in the upper terraces, walk down the travertine hill to the small modern village of Pamukkale below.
Visit at dusk, when the travertines glow as the sun sets below the horizon, for the best photos.
Number 4 - Bodrum
Bodrum, in Turkey's southern Aegean region, is the site of the ancient fortified city of Halicarnassus, which once housed marble buildings, temples, statues, paved streets, and the Mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The city remained a quiet fishing village after it fell into ruins until the twentieth century when Turkish intellectuals popularised it through their writings. Bodrum's intriguing ruins, stunning beaches, and cliff-top resorts now draw visitors from all over the world.
A beautiful beach overlooking brilliant blue water can be found on Bodrum's eastern side. There are numerous cafes, bars, and nightclubs near the beach. The marina, shopping centers, and restaurants are located on the western side of town.
No trip to Bodrum would be complete without seeing St. Peter's Castle, also known as Bodrum Castle. The Knights Hospitaller built it in 1402 and it now serves as a museum. Other attractions include the last remnants of the Mausoleum, an ancient amphitheater, and the Myndos Gate, which was the site of a bloody battle during Alexander the Great's siege.
Number 3 - Ephesus
Ephesus, Europe's most complete classical metropolis, is an ancient site in Aegean Turkey. Ephesus was one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire by the 1st century BC, and it was home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis. Ephesus' ruins are well preserved and part of a large archaeological site, making it one of Turkey's most popular tourist destinations.
Ephesus was declared a Roman settlement in 133 BC, but it did not reach its peak for another 200 years. Ephesus once had more than 250,000 permanent residents when it was the capital of Roman Asia Minor. St. Paul lived in Ephesus and promoted Christianity as well as many other religions. Ephesus' decline began with the decline of its harbor and the sacking of the city by Germanic Goths in the third century.
Number 2 - Cappadocia
Cappadocia, located in Turkey's Central Anatolia, is best known for its fairytale landscape of unusual formations such as chimneys, cones, mushrooms, and pinnacles. Natural processes such as ancient volcanic eruptions and erosion have all sculpted these strange formations over time, with some reaching heights of 130 feet (40 meters). Humans, on the other hand, added remarkable touches to the landscape thousands of years ago by carving out houses, churches, and underground cities from the soft rock.
As early as 1800 BC, Hittites and other residents carved out underground tunnel complexes to protect themselves from invading Persians and Greeks. Christians fleeing religious persecution from Rome sought refuge in Cappadocia's tunnels and caves much later in the 4th century AD. Today, the region's natural wonders and historic sites all contribute to its popularity as a tourist destination.
While much of Cappadocia is in the province of Nevsehir, the region's main towns include Ürgüp, Göreme, Avanos, Ortahisar, and Mustafapasa. Many of these towns have hotels, restaurants, and nightlife options, as well as attractions like museums, rock castles, fairy chimneys, underground tunnels, old Greek villages, monasteries, and handicraft markets. Some of the caves in the area are hotels that cater to tourists.
Number 1 - Istanbul
Istanbul, once the capital of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, is now Turkey's largest city and one of the world's largest. Istanbul is the only city in the world that stretches across both sides of the Bosphorus, a narrow strait connecting Asia and Europe. Istanbul is one of the world's top tourist destinations due to its impressive architecture, historic sites, dining, shopping, nightlife, and exotic atmosphere.
The Old City is home to the majority of the city's historic sites, including the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. New City is another important district, known for its modern attractions, skyscrapers, and shopping malls. The nightlife and entertainment districts of Beyoglu and Galata are popular, while the Bosphorus area is home to beautiful palaces, waterfront mansions, and urban parks.
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