Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Turkey
Best Places to Visit in Turkey : Turkey, a country where history and natural beauty intertwine, has long served as a bridge between Europe and Asia. Its strategic position as a crossroads for trade and culture has fostered an impressive diversity. As the meeting point of East and West, Turkey’s rich cultural tapestry is evident not only in its vibrant culinary scene but also in its countless religious landmarks and archaeological treasures.
While Istanbul, once the heart of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, often tops travel itineraries, the country offers much more. You can stay in charming cave hotels and drift in hot air balloons over the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, explore the ancient ruins of Ephesus that evoke the grandeur of the Greco-Roman era, or bask in the luxury beach resorts along the Aegean coast. Discover some of the best places to visit in Turkey below:
10. Ankara
Ankara, Turkey’s capital, is a vast and contemporary city that serves as the center for government, commerce, education, and foreign diplomacy. Situated in the heart of both the country and the Anatolia region, Ankara is a key transportation hub, connecting locals and visitors to Turkey’s other major cities. Beyond its role as the nation’s administrative core, Ankara also has a blend of historical attractions and a vibrant arts scene.
With a rich history shaped by civilizations like the Hittites, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans, Ankara is dotted with ancient landmarks and ruins. Noteworthy sites include the Temple of Augustus, the Citadel, and a Roman Theatre, alongside numerous historic mosques. A significant 20th-century monument is Anitkabir, the mausoleum that honors Turkey’s founding president, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Ankara’s cultural life thrives with its many theaters and museums, including the renowned Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, home to a collection of over 200,000 artifacts. The city’s shopping options are diverse, ranging from bustling traditional markets to modern malls, where visitors can find everything from fresh produce and spices to carpets and electronics.
9. Mardin
Situated on a prominent hilltop overlooking the plains of Mesopotamia in southeastern Turkey, Mardin serves as the capital of Mardin Province. As one of the region’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, it is celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and the Old City, characterized by a stunning array of sandstone buildings cascading down the hillside.
Exploring Mardin’s Old City is best done on foot, allowing visitors to wander through its narrow, winding streets lined with terraced homes and historic landmarks. Key attractions include the ancient Deyrü’z-Zafaran Monastery, among the world’s oldest, and the Sultan Isa Medrese, a medieval structure that once functioned as an observatory. Another highlight is the Zinciriye Medrese, a 14th-century Islamic school featuring exquisite courtyards and intricate artwork.
The Great Mosque, with its distinctive minaret, stands out as a focal point in the cityscape. Though the citadel is not open to the public, it still offers stunning views and photography opportunities. The Old City is also dotted with shops selling pottery, silver crafts, leather goods, and traditional headwear.
8. Konya
Konya, one of the world’s oldest cities, is renowned for its stunning Seljuk architecture and as the home of the Whirling Dervishes. Located in Turkey’s Central Anatolia Region, Konya flourished as the capital of the Seljuk Dynasty during the 12th and 13th centuries. Today, the city still showcases impressive structures from that era, such as the Alaeddin Mosque, which contains the tombs of several Seljuk sultans, and the Ince Minare Medrese, now a museum featuring artifacts from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods.
Though largely in ruins, the Seljuk Palace remains a site of interest. For a taste of modern architecture, visitors can explore the Seljuk Tower, one of Turkey’s tallest skyscrapers, which offers a revolving restaurant with panoramic views on its top floors.
In the 13th century, Konya was home to the Persian theologian and Sufi mystic, Rumi. His tomb, located in the Mausoleum of Rumi, along with the neighboring Mevlana Museum, is a key attraction. Rumi’s teachings led to the founding of the Mevlevi Order, also known as the Whirling Dervishes, famous for their spiritual ceremonies where they spin gracefully in white robes. These ceremonies, called Sama, are performed weekly at the Mevlana Cultural Centre.
Konya also features tranquil green spaces like Alaeddin Hill in the city center and the Japanese Park, known for its charming pagodas, waterfalls, and ponds.
As one of Turkey’s more conservative cities, Konya has fewer bars and nightclubs, but some hotels and cafes do serve alcoholic beverages.
7. Antalya
Set along the stunning Turkish Riviera on the Mediterranean coast, Antalya is a bustling city that draws in visitors with its wide array of resorts, hotels, bars, and restaurants. The city is surrounded by breathtaking scenery, featuring pristine beaches and lush green mountains adorned with ancient ruins. Whether you’re interested in swimming, sailing, mountain hiking, or simply enjoying the sights, Antalya offers activities for all types of travelers.
Exploring Kaleiçi, the city’s Old Quarter, feels like a journey through history. Here, you can stroll through narrow, winding streets lined with remnants of ancient city walls, Roman gates, and notable landmarks like the Clock Tower, alongside beautifully preserved churches, mosques, and temples. Cumhuriyet Square, at the heart of Kaleiçi, is a lively spot surrounded by shops, cafes, traditional Turkish baths, and street performers.
Antalya’s main beaches, Konyaalti and Lara, provide soft white sands, water sports, and a variety of resorts, bars, and restaurants. Close to these beaches are attractions like water parks, amusement parks, and a zoo. The city is also home to several museums that display artifacts from the region’s rich history, including the renowned Antalya Museum, known for its impressive collection.
6. Marmaris
Marmaris, one of Turkey’s top seaside destinations, is a charming resort town nestled between pine-covered mountains, pristine white beaches, and sparkling turquoise waters. Located along the southwest coast on the Turkish Riviera, this scenic cruise port is a haven for tourists, offering a blend of historical charm, thrilling water sports, delicious dining options, and vibrant nightlife.
Visitors to Marmaris have a wide range of activities to choose from. Strolling through the old quarter reveals charming cobblestone streets, beautiful architecture, and the 16th-century Castle of Suleyman the Magnificent. For those interested in exploring the coastline, various boat tours take travelers on scenic trips around picturesque bays and nearby villages.
For adventure seekers, horse safaris wind through lush pine forests, orange groves, traditional villages, and secluded bays with stunning waterfalls, while jeep safaris offer exciting off-road experiences.
Marmaris is also home to family-friendly water parks and traditional Turkish baths for a relaxing retreat. For those looking to explore further, day trips from Marmaris lead to remarkable sites like Dalyan, Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Cleopatra Island, each offering unique experiences and rich history.
Marmaris boasts one of Turkey’s most vibrant nightlife scenes. The city offers a diverse array of restaurants serving everything from quick bites to gourmet meals, with cuisines spanning the globe. Bars and clubs are scattered across the city and line the beaches, ensuring there’s always somewhere to enjoy the evening. For a uniquely local experience, don’t miss the Turkish Night Shows, where guests can indulge in traditional Turkish dishes, sample mezes, and enjoy captivating performances of belly dancing.
5. Side
Once a prominent port in ancient Pamphylia and later captured by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC, Side is now a charming town where ancient ruins meet modern resorts along beautiful white-sand beaches. Situated on a small peninsula on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast in Antalya Province, Side is a destination that combines fascinating historical sites, lively nightlife, and outdoor adventures.
The town’s highlight is its archaeological site, featuring impressive Hellenistic and Roman ruins, including a grand amphitheater, an agora, a Byzantine basilica, public baths, marble columns, and various temples. The Roman baths have been restored and now house a museum displaying an array of Roman statues and artifacts. The Temple of Apollo, overlooking the beach, is especially captivating at sunset.
Side’s quaint town center, with its narrow streets and lovely gardens, is home to a variety of dining options, from casual eateries and pizza shops to upscale restaurants serving diverse cuisines. Just beyond the town, the Manavgat River offers boat tours, thrilling white-water rafting, and scenic waterfalls, providing even more to explore.
4. Bodrum
Located in Turkey’s southern Aegean region within Mugla Province, Bodrum stands on the site of the ancient fortified city of Halicarnassus, once famous for its marble buildings, grand temples, statues, and paved streets. It was also home to the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
After falling into decline, the city became a quiet fishing village until the 20th century, when Turkish intellectuals rediscovered it and made it famous through their writings. Today, Bodrum attracts visitors from around the globe with its fascinating ruins, beautiful beaches, and luxury resorts perched on cliffs. On the town’s eastern side, you’ll find a stunning beach with crystal-clear waters, bordered by lively cafes, bars, and nightclubs. The western side is home to a bustling marina, shopping centers, and a variety of restaurants.
A must-see landmark in Bodrum is the Castle of St. Peter, or Bodrum Castle, built by the Knights Hospitaller in 1402 and now housing a museum. Other key attractions include the remnants of the ancient Mausoleum, an amphitheater, and the Myndos Gate, where a fierce battle took place during Alexander the Great’s siege.
In addition to historical sites, Bodrum offers a range of activities such as visiting the award-winning Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology inside the castle, exploring historic windmills, and indulging in Turkish saunas and mud baths. Water sports like windsurfing, scuba diving, and boat tours—some featuring floating nightclubs with glass-bottomed dance floors—add to the city’s appeal.
3. Ephesus
Ephesus, located in Aegean Turkey, is one of Europe’s most well-preserved ancient cities and a treasure trove of classical history. By the 1st century BC, Ephesus had risen to become one of the Roman Empire’s largest cities, famous for housing the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The city’s remarkably preserved ruins are part of a vast archaeological site, making Ephesus one of Turkey’s top tourist destinations. Although Ephesus was declared a Roman settlement in 133 BC, its golden age arrived around 200 years later when it became the capital of Roman Asia Minor and home to more than 250,000 residents. St. Paul spent time in Ephesus, promoting Christianity among other religious practices. The city’s decline began with the silting of its harbor and the sacking by Gothic invaders in the 3rd century AD. For nearly 1,500 years, Ephesus lay forgotten until archaeologists started uncovering its remains in the 1860s. Today, although less than 20 percent of the city has been excavated, it is still among the largest accessible archaeological sites worldwide.
The most iconic landmark in Ephesus is the Temple of Artemis. Once the largest temple on earth, it symbolized the significance of Ephesus in the ancient world. Although mostly destroyed in the 5th century, visitors can still explore the remnants of this monumental structure.
Among the most intriguing recent discoveries in Ephesus are the Terraced Houses, which were opulent residences of the city’s wealthy elite around the 1st century AD. These homes featured advanced amenities like hot and cold baths, marble floors, and heating systems. Visitors can also admire the intricate wall mosaics, unique artwork, and even handwritten love poems preserved for centuries.
No visit to Ephesus is complete without seeing the renowned Library of Celsus. Built in 123 AD, it was one of the largest libraries of the ancient world, ranking third after those of Alexandria and Pergamum. The restored library reveals its two-story design, complete with columns and detailed capitals. Four statues symbolizing virtues—Sophia (wisdom), Episteme (knowledge), Ennoia (thought), and Arete (goodness)—are prominently displayed, though these are replicas of the originals.
Just two miles from Ephesus lies the town of Selçuk, where many travelers begin or end their exploration. Selçuk offers attractions like the Roman aqueduct, which once supplied water to Ephesus, and the Museum of Ephesus, which houses important artifacts from the region. The town’s market is a great spot to shop for local goods, including the famous double-knot carpets, a popular souvenir from the area.
2. Cappadocia
Located in Central Anatolia, Turkey, Cappadocia is renowned for its enchanting landscape, characterized by its unique formations resembling chimneys, cones, mushrooms, and spires. These surreal shapes have been formed over millennia through volcanic activity and erosion, with some towering up to 130 feet (40 meters). Thousands of years ago, early inhabitants further transformed this landscape by carving out homes, churches, and entire underground cities from the region’s soft rock. The area has been inhabited since at least 1800 BC, with Hittites and other groups creating intricate tunnel complexes for protection against invading forces. By the 4th century AD, early Christians escaping religious persecution from Rome also took refuge in Cappadocia’s caves and tunnels. Today, Cappadocia’s combination of natural wonders and historical significance makes it a sought-after travel destination.
Although much of Cappadocia is within Nevsehir Province, the region includes several notable towns such as Ürgüp, Göreme, Avanos, Ortahisar, and Mustafapasa. These towns offer a range of amenities including hotels, restaurants, nightlife, and various attractions. Visitors can explore museums, rock castles, fairy chimneys, underground tunnels, ancient Greek villages, monasteries, and local craft markets. Some of the caves in Cappadocia have been converted into unique hotels, providing a distinctive experience for tourists.
1. Istanbul
Formerly the capital of both the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, Istanbul is now Turkey’s largest city and ranks among the largest cities globally. Spanning both sides of the Bosphorus Strait, which bridges Asia and Europe, Istanbul is uniquely situated on two continents. The city’s remarkable architecture, rich history, diverse dining options, vibrant shopping scenes, lively nightlife, and distinctive ambiance make it one of the world’s premier tourist destinations.
The Old City of Istanbul is home to many of the city’s most remarkable historical landmarks, including the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Topkapi Palace. In contrast, the New City district features contemporary attractions, skyscrapers, and shopping malls. Beyoglu and Galata are vibrant areas known for their nightlife and entertainment options, while the Bosphorus region boasts stunning palaces, waterfront mansions, and scenic urban parks.
Best Places to Visit in Turkey : Istanbul offers an abundance of activities and attractions. Don’t miss the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, for an unforgettable shopping experience. Visiting a traditional Turkish bath is another excellent way to immerse yourself in local culture. For nightlife, Istanbul has a diverse range of restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs catering to various tastes and budgets.