The Best Places to Visit in Turkey
Turkey is a large and varied country located at the meeting point of Europe and Asia, with the Bosphorus Strait physically dividing the two continents. It’s very large, bordering 8 countries and 3 seas at the same time. It’s one of the most popular destinations in both continents as it has so much to offer. Many love to visit Turkey for it’s beautiful beaches and seaside, while some love to see the more historic places and lively cities. Either way, it is a beautiful country with very friendly and hospitable locals, and the history of Turkey dates back thousands of years mainly from Ancient Greek and Roman settlements.
Capital: Ankara
Currency: Turkish Lira
Language: Turkish
When to visit: May to October
1) Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a historic region in central Turkey set high on the Anatolian plateau, best known for the dramatic rock formations and of course, the hot air balloons. It’s one of Turkey’s most iconic and popular spots, so it’s filled with tourists in the summer months but that doesn’t take away from the undeniable surreal feeling you get watching the hot air balloons rise over the dry landscape as the sun rises.
Things to do:
For most people, the town of Göreme is the base for people visiting this beautiful region. It’s small and compact, and you have the opportunity to stay in a Cave Hotel which has rooms carved into thick volcanic stone, a unique experience. The other main towns people choose are Urgup and Uchisar. There are two ways to experience the hot air balloons, either from the viewpoints across the valley, or actually riding in one. The best places to view the balloons are in and around Göreme and the Love Valley, which is where they fly around. Check google maps for the best viewpoints, and you may spot some great places if you plan to do any hiking in Cappadocia. If you want to actually ride on the hot air balloons, balloon flights take place at sunrise and are operated from launch sites spread across the valleys. Most companies include hotel pickup, usually between 4:00 and 5:00 am depending on the season. For hiking, try the Love Valley Hike or the Zemi Valley Hike. The hiking is pretty customable in terms of routes, especially from Göreme.
How to get there:
Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV) is about 40 minutes from Göreme, and has domestic flights within Turkey. You then need a transfer or a shuttle to the town.
Otherwise, you can take a long bus from many major Turkish cities to Göreme or other towns.
2) Istanbul
Istanbul is a city shaped by geography more than almost anywhere else. It sits on both sides of the Bosphorus Strait, with part of the city in Europe and part in Asia, making it the only major city in the world to span two continents. It is absolutely massive, with a population of around 16 million people. Since it’s spread out so much, it doesn’t always feel like that. It’s more like each neighborhood has it’s own different style and charm, and there’s a lot to see from all kinds of different eras.
Things to do:
With Istanbul, it’s easiest to split it up into areas, starting with the Sultanahmet area. In this area you’ll find the world famous Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and the Blue Mosque. They sit essentially directly opposite to each other, around Sultanahmet Square. A short walk away is Topkapi Palace, which was the administrative and residential center of the Ottoman Empire for centuries. Further west of all these sights is Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest covered markets in the world. It has some really good opportunities for shopping inside. Then make sure you walk down to the northern waterfront, and cross Galata Bridge to head to the Karaköy area, where Galata Tower stands proud. Explore the Beyoğlu district all around it, especially good for bars and cafes. Istiklal Street is probably the most prominent in the area for liveliness. Tourists also love to take a Bosphorus ferry ride, which is the best way to see the city from the water. You can take a ferry over to the Asian side and check out neighborhoods like Kadıköy and Üsküdar, which have a completely different feel to the European side. On your ferry ride you may be able to spot Kız Kulesi (Maiden’s Tower), standing free in the Bosphorus. Far out into the Asian side is one of Istanbul’s most impressive spots, Çamlıca Mosque. It’s a gigantic Ottoman style mosque sitting on Çamlıca Hill overlooking the whole city. You can spot it from so far away, and it looks amazing at night. Istanbul has so many pretty neighborhoods to wander, you can dedicate a lot of time to the city.
How to get there:
Istanbul has an airport on both sides, IST on the European side, and SAW on the Asian side. Fly into either from all around the world.
You can also take a bus from many major cities in Turkey, plus there is some options to travel overland from Greek cities near the border.
3) Fethiye
Fethiye is a coastal town in southwest Turkey, set where the mountains drop sharply into the Mediterranean. It is so appealing for travelers because it sits along a wide natural bay, and has the beautiful backdrop of the hills and the trees behind. Fethiye itself isn’t huge with a population of roughly 180,000 including surrounding areas, but it functions as a regional hub for nearby beaches, islands, and mountain villages. It’s one of the best places to experience the blue waters of Turkey’s west coast.
Things to do:
The main area is around Fethiye Harbor and Marina, which is an easy place to spend time in the evening and gives a good sense of how closely the town is tied to the sea. Here is also the Old Town (Paspatur), which is small but has some beautiful narrow streets complete with shops and cafes. Fethiye’s main coastline is very long, so the best beach across it in my opinion is Çalış Beach. However, the best spot is actually just south of Fethiye, called Ölüdeniz. It’s a beautiful spot with clear water, and it’s situated right next to the Blue Lagoon. You can get here by bus or taxi and it’s very worth it. Of course, if you just want to stay in Fethiye you’ll find plenty to do including markets and just relaxing by the waterfront.
How to get there:
The most common way is to just take a bus from other Turkish cities, such as Ankara, Izmir or even Istanbul.
4) Pamukkale
Pamukkale is a small inland town in western Turkey, best known for the bright white terraces that cascade down a hillside just outside the settlement. The name literally means “cotton castle,” and from a distance the formations look almost unreal. It’s one of Turkey’s biggest wonders and best places to visit for sure.
Things to do:
Obviously, the reason everyone is here is for the Travertines of Pamukkale, the white terraces where warm, mineral-rich water flows over the calcium formations. The terraces are easiest to explore by entering from the upper gate and walking downhill, which also gives better views. However, directly above the terraces lies Hierapolis, an extensive Roman-era city built around the thermal springs. The ruins are spread out across a large plateau, so expect a fair amount of walking. The Ancient Temple Of Apollon and the Hierapolis Ancient Theater are the two highlights. Cleopatra’s Pool is also there, which is a thermal pool anyone can swim in with a ticket.
How to get there:
The closest city is Denizli, so you can fly into Denizli Çardak Airport (DNZ) domestically, then shuttle to Pamukkale.
Otherwise you can bus from other Turkish cities in the area to Denizli then minibus to Pamukkale.
5) Antalya
Antalya is Turkey’s holiday, resort style city on the south coast by the Mediteranean Sea. It’s one of Turkey’s most visited regions, and a place you can do swimming, nightlife and sight-seeing all in one place. While it is extremely busy in the summer months, there’s a lot of different areas to the city, plus quite a few historic sites to see.
Things to do:
Starting in the Old Town (Kaleiçi), you’ll find a compact maze of cobbled streets, Ottoman-era houses, small mosques, and hidden courtyards. It’s very walkable, and you’ll probably be staying somewhat close by anyway. Hadrian’s Gate is the historic entrance to the old city, and it basically seperates the modern streets and the old town. Antalya Port is right below the old town and it’s a lovely place where all the boats line up and are surrounded by the old city walls in the back. Konyaaltı Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Turkey, and it is found here in Antalya. It goes on for over 8km, and while it’s mainly pebbles there is sandy areas too. The water is stunning, and the Taurus Mountains rise behind it adding to the beauty. Enjoy your time in the sun in Antalya, the vibes are always great and if you run out of things to do then take a day trip to either Aspendos Theatre or Perge Ancient City.
How to get there:
Antalya Airport (AYT) is the city’s airport, with lots of direct flights around Europe, mainly in summer.
You can otherwise take a bus from other cities in Turkey.
6) Bodrum
Bodrum sits on Turkey’s southwest coast, meeting with the Aegean Sea and in pretty close proximity to a bunch of Greek islands. And even historically, Bodrum was known as an ancient Greek city, later absorbed into the Persian, Roman, and Byzantine worlds. It’s similar to Antalya in the fact that it can feel mainly like a seaside resort town, but it also has very important historic sites right in the middle of the city.
Things to do:
When it comes to ancient locations, right in the heart of Bodrum is the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. While it isn’t a breathtaking site today, it is very signifcant still and the ruins are interesting. Also walk around Bodrum Old Town, where the Bodrum Castle dominates the harbor, and is the city’s most recognisable landmark. Inside, it houses the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, with shipwrecks and artefacts recovered from the Aegean. Most of the best swimming spots are outside central Bodrum, with the top spots being Bitez Beach, Gümbet Beach, and Ortakent Beach. It’s a nice city and it really comes alive in the sun.
How to get there:
Milas–Bodrum Airport (BJV) has good direct flight connection, the bulk of which operating in the summer.
It’s also common to bus from Izmir or Fethiye to Bodrum.
7) Selçuk / Ephesus
Selçuk is a small, lived-in town in western Turkey that acts as the gateway to one of the most important ancient cities in the Mediterranean world: Ephesus. Ephesus lies just outside Selçuk and is the reason most people come to the town. Once one of the largest and most important cities in the Roman world, Ephesus was a major port, trading centre, and cultural hub. At its height, it may have housed over 200,000 people, making it enormous by ancient standards.
Things to do:
Selçuk itself is pretty compact, but it has so many ruins around the town, even excluding Ephesus. You can see the ruined Basilica of Saint John, the remnants of The Temple of Artemis, and the remains of the Ancient Christian Church of Virgin Mary, which is a little further from the city center. After you see everything though, head to the main attraction which is Ephesus Archaeological Site. You walk downhill through the site along marble-paved streets, passing temples, fountains, bath complexes, and public buildings. To name some of the more iconic structures, you’ll see the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, and House of the Virgin Mary up on the hills behind you, which is said to be where Mary spent her final years. It can get pretty hot and crowded as you visit Ephesus, so just be wary.
How to get there:
You can take a train from Denizli or Izmir, or bus from another city in Turkey.
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