With cities steeped in history, amazing beaches,
and a beautiful countryside, a visit to Turkey
promises an enchanted vacation.
Diverse offerings such as the ancient ruins
of Ephesus to the luxury beach resorts along
the Aegean Sea will enthrall and captivate
even the most jaded traveler.
Istanbul, once the capital of the Byzantine
and Ottoman Empires, features prominently
in most travel plans but there are many more
great destinations.
Here’s a look at the best places to visit
in Turkey.
Number 10.
Pamukkale.
Pamukkale, meaning “cotton castle” in
Turkish, is an unreal landscape in western
Turkey, famous for its white terraces.
The terraces are made of travertine, a sedimentary
rock deposited by water with a very high mineral
content from the hot springs.
People have bathed in its pools for thousands
of years.
The ancient Greek city of Hierapolis was built
on top of the hot springs by the kings of
Pergamon.
The ruins of the baths and other Greek monuments
can still be seen at the site.
Number 9.
Mardin.
Perched on a strategic hilltop overlooking
the plains of Mesopotamia in southeastern
Turkey, Mardin is one of the oldest settlements
in the region.
Mardin is best known for its Old City of sandstone
buildings that cascade down the hill.
The maze of meandering streets in the Old
City leads visitors along terraced houses,
mosques, churches and mansions.
Many boutique hotels, fashioned from the charming
old buildings, have opened in recent years,
along with a few upmarket hotels.
Number 8.
Konya.
One of the oldest cities in the world, Konya
prospered as a capital city under the rule
of the Seljuk Dynasty in the 12th and 13th
centuries.
Today, buildings from that era can still be
admired such as the Aladdin Mosque and the
ruins of the Seljuk Palace.
Konya was also the home of the Persian theologian
and Sufi mystic, Rumi.
His mausoleum is a must-see site in Konya.
Rumi’s followers founded an Order known
as the Whirling Dervishes due to their religious
ceremonies in which they spin around and around
on the left foot while wearing white, billowing
gowns.
Number 7.
Antalya.
Nestled along the beautiful Turkish Riviera
on the Mediterranean coastline, Antalya is
a vibrant city welcoming tourists with numerous
resorts, bars and restaurants.
Spectacular scenery frames the city with gorgeous
beaches and lush green mountains dotted with
ancient ruins.
From swimming and sailing to mountain climbing
and sightseeing, Antalya offers something
for everyone.
A walk around the Old Quarter, offers a step
back into the city’s ancient past with views
of the old city walls, Roman gates and maze-like
streets.
Number 6.
Edirne.
Once the capital of the Ottoman Empire, Edirne’s
grand past is visible everywhere, as fantastic
old imperial buildings, palaces and mosques
are scattered around.
The Selimiye Mosque, for instance, is a must-see
in this delightful city, and the Old Quarter
is lovely to wander around.
Due to its strategic location and its proximity
to Greece and Bulgaria, Edirne has a European
feel about it and there is lots of delicious
cuisine on offer.
A great time to visit is in summer, when the
traditional oil-wrestling festival takes place.
Number 5.
Side.
A major port in ancient Greece and occupied
by Alexander the Great in the 4th century
BC, Side today is a picturesque town of classic
ruins and modern day resorts overlooking sandy
white beaches.
Located on a small peninsula, Side offers
fantastic dining and nightlife.
Its star attraction is an excavated site of
ancient Hellenistic and Roman ruins that include
the remnants of a colossal amphitheater and
various temples.
Featuring narrow streets and attractive gardens,
the charming town of Side offers many restaurants
ranging from delis and pizza shops to upscale
dining in a variety of cuisines.
Number 4.
Bodrum.
Located in the southern Aegean region of Turkey,
Bodrum was once home to the Mausoleum, one
of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Today, its intriguing ruins, stunning beaches
and cliff-top resorts attract people from
all over the world.
No visit to Bodrum would be complete without
seeing Bodrum Castle.
Built from 1402 by the Knights of St John
it now operates as a museum.
On Bodrum’s eastern side, tourists will
find a beautiful beach overlooking brilliant
blue water.
On the western side of town is the marina,
shops and restaurants.
Number 3.
Ephesus.
Europe’s most complete classical metropolis,
Ephesus is an ancient site located in Aegean
Turkey.
By the 1st century BC, Ephesus was one of
the largest cities in all of the Roman Empire,
boasting one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient
World, the Temple of Artemis.
The ruins of Ephesus are well preserved, making
it one of Turkey’s most popular tourist
attractions.
Its attractions include the massive Theater,
the Temple of Hadrian and the magnificent
Library, a two-story structure that was built
to house more than 12,000 scrolls.
Number 2.
Cappadocia.
Situated in Central Anatolia, Cappadocia is
best known for its fairytale landscape of
unusual formations resembling chimneys, cones
and pinnacles.
Natural processes such as ancient volcanic
eruptions and erosion have all sculpted these
odd formations over the ages.
Thousands of years ago, mankind added remarkable
touches to the landscape by carving out houses,
churches and underground cities from the soft
rock.
Today, some of the caves in the region are
actually hotels and cater to tourists.
Number 1.
Istanbul.
Once serving as the capital of the Ottoman
and Byzantine Empires, Istanbul today is the
largest city in Turkey and one of the largest
in the world.
Istanbul stretches across a narrow strait
that connects Asia and Europe, making it the
only city in the world spanning two continents.
Top attractions include the Hagia Sophia that’s
been a Greek Orthodox Christian basilica,
then an imperial mosque and now a museum,
and the 15th century Topkapi Palace, also
a museum today.
Get in a little shopping at the Grand Bazaar
that’s been in operation since 1461.
