Today we will check the 10 best places to visit in Turkey. Turkey is a country that combines the cultures of East and West, almost every city is filled with historical and natural treasures. Having safely survived the coup, having coped with years of instability due to proximity to Syria and Iraq, the state again guarantees tourists a high level of security.
Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Pergamum, Afrodisias – in recent years, these destinations have attracted more and more tourists. Below are the 10 best places to visit in Turkey:
There are many things you can see and do in Istanbul. It is known as the city of a thousand and one nights or the city on seven hills. Although even the most sonorous names are not enough to describe this fantastic metropolis, located on the border of Europe and Asia, ideally combining the traditions and culture of the East with the dynamism of the modern West.
The best ways to feel the spirit of real Istanbul are to get lost in its crowded neighborhoods, bargain successfully at the Grand Bazaar, visit the most impressive religious buildings in the country, such as the Blue Mosque or Hagia Sophia. Do not forget to go up to the observation deck of the Galata Tower or next to the Pierre Loti cafe, walk to the church of San Salvador de Chora, take a walk around the Topkapi Palace, cruise along the Bosphorus or try delicious Turkish cuisine.
Istanbul is undoubtedly one of the most important places to explore Turkey. If you wish, you can find out many interesting facts about the city with a three-thousand-year history and see even more miracles if you turn to a professional guide.
#2. Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a semi-desert region located in the center of the country. It is declared a World Heritage Site and, without a doubt, is one of the most impressive places in the world. This vast territory, at the sight of which even experienced tourists are deprived of speechlessness with delight. A valley resembling a lunar landscape is dotted with rock formations that arose tens of thousands of years ago as a result of erosion. In another way they are also called “magic chimneys.”
Here you can see churches and houses carved into the rocks. The caves were hollowed out by troglodytes, and in the era of early Christianity began to be used as a refuge. Murals of 10-12 centuries on the walls of churches will impress all lovers of antiquity. Do not forget to lay a trekking route through the Valley of the pigeons. You will see not only magical chimneys, but also stones in the form of animals in the Devrent Valley, castles of Uchisar and Ortahisar. But one of the strongest impressions you will get while flying in a balloon is by looking at the rocks illuminated by the first rays of the sun. You need to book a flight in advance. The duration of the event is from 40 to 90 minutes, and the cost of the flight is 100-150 euros.
You can get to Cappadocia from Istanbul by plane. You will land in Nevsehir or Kayseri, and from there you will be transported by bus to the place you need. The second option is to go by night bus. The journey will take approximately 12 hours, but you will save on the hotel. Another option is to take the night bus from the Istanbul bus station in Esenler, which takes more than 12 hours. In Cappadocia itself, it is better to ride a rental car or a tourist bus, which stops at all the main attractions.
#3. Pamukkale
Pamukkale is translated from Turkish as “cotton castle”. This is one of the most famous and impressive places in Turkey. The area is known for its white pools located on a hillside 160 meters high. Thermal waters are rich in minerals, which is why layers of limestone and travertine are deposited along the edges of the pools. Smoothly going down the hill, the minerals form terraces that from a distance look like a huge frozen waterfall.
Some time ago, due to the proliferation of hotels and insufficient control over the flow of tourists, many pools were dry and Pamukkale was in danger. In recent years, thanks to the actions of UNESCO and the government, Pamukkale is being restored. Please note that in Pamukkale is located Hierapolis, an ancient Hellenic city in which the ruins of great buildings such as the Temple of Apollo, the Theater and the Necropolis are preserved. You can get to Pamukkale from Istanbul in an hour by plane, or by bus in 9 hours.
#4. Mount Nemrut
Mount Nemrut (2150 meters high) is famous for its gigantic heads crowning the mound that King Antiochus I built in 62 A.D. at the very top. These heads belonged to huge statues of various gods sitting on thrones. In the following centuries, the statues were destroyed. The peculiarity of Mount Nemrut is that there are no crowded tourist routes, and therefore you can enjoy deserts.
It is best to visit the mountain in spring or summer, when rainfall becomes much less and air temperature rises. You can get to Mount Nemrut by plane. For accommodation, we recommend Kyakhta, a small town most convenient for trips to Nemrut. There is another way – to catch a bus in Cappadocia. After seven hours you will arrive in Kyakhta.
#5. Hilt
This is not only one of the best-preserved ancient cities in Asia Minor, but also the most beautiful place in Turkey in terms of architecture. Founded by the Greeks, it reached its peak during the Roman occupation, after which monumental buildings and monuments were preserved.
Most of the ruins are along Avenida de los Curet, connecting the Hercules Gate with the impressive library of Celsus. Other attractions include the Bolshoi Theater and the Odeon, the Trajan Fountain, the Temple of Domitian, the gates of Masei and Mithridates, the shopping area and the temple of Trajan. We recommend making a cultural trip to all these places as early as possible in order to avoid numerous organized groups and passengers from cruise ships. You can fly from Istanbul to Ephesus in less than an hour. The journey by bus will be 10 hours.
#6. Lycian Tombs of the Worlds
One of the main surprises of traveling around Turkey is a visit to the incredible Lycian tombs of Mira, built in the 4th century BC. They were hollowed out in the rock, because at that time people believed that otherwise a winged creature could pull the dead back into the living world. Many rock tombs are divided into two necropolises. The most famous of them is located in the vertical walls of the Dalyan rock near the Demre Cay River.
Several years ago, all the graves were destroyed and plundered, and many altars and reliefs were transferred to the British Museum, although you can still see porticoes and reliefs of the most beautiful tombs belonging to the rulers. Also in the area there is a well-preserved amphitheater and a beautiful church of St. Nicholas, built in the Byzantine style. Getting to the tombs is convenient from Antalya. They are included in the standard tourist route.
#7. Aspendos
In this oldest city in southern Turkey, there is a well-preserved Roman theater with a capacity of 15,000 spectators. It was built during the time of Emperor Marcus Aurelius between 161 and 180 A.D. designed by the Greek architect Zeno. Unlike other Roman theaters, the outer walls are fully preserved, decorated with niches and columns with sculptures of emperors or gods.
The scene remained untouched. The building has excellent acoustics, and then concerts and performances are still held in it. Aspendos is located 40 kilometers from Antalya and is also included in the tourist route.
#8. Antalya
The coastal city of Antalya, located in southwest Turkey, is a good place from where it is convenient to get to all archaeological sites in this area of the country. The blue crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean are washed by beautiful sandy beaches such as Mermerli or Konyaalti. Admire the waterfalls of Duden, which brings its waters directly to the sea, get lost in the narrow streets of the old city with wooden houses of the 18th and 19th centuries, surrounded by a Roman wall.
Antalya has recently adapted to a large number of tourists who choose it for a vacation at a good price, so there is a wide selection of hotels, restaurants and events. Antalya can be reached by sky, sea and land. The most convenient option is to fly from Istanbul by direct flight. The trip by car will take about 9 hours, and by bus.
#9. Pergamum
The ancient Greek city of Pergamum, along with Alexandria, was the main cultural center of antiquity due to its libraries and has become one of the most interesting places to visit in modern Turkey.
The library, from which only some structures were preserved, had more than 200 thousand scrolls made in Pergamo. Hence the name of the writing material – parchment. In addition to the library, in the acropolis located in the upper part of the city, there are the remains of a theater with a capacity of 10 thousand people and the remains of the impressive Altar of Zeus, the original of which is in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. In addition, in the immediate vicinity of the Acropolis of Pergamo are the ruins of Asklepion, one of the most important healing temples of antiquity. From Istanbul to Pergamum about 6 hours by car and almost 10 hours by bus.
#10. Aphrodisia
Aphrodisia is one of the best-preserved Greek-style archaeological sites in the world. This ancient city was named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, whose statue was inside the Temple of Aphrodite, the most important place in this village. Here you will find other interesting buildings, such as the Tetrapilon Gate, the theater of 27 BC, a stadium, Adriana’s baths, an odeon and a museum with objects and statues found on this site. If you do not have a car, it is best to get to Aphrodisia by bus from Pamukkale, which is an hour away.
