A hinge between Asia and Europe, illuminated by the reverberations of a millennial history, Turkey is one of the most fascinating and multifaceted countries in the world.
Its vibrant culture, epic landscapes of beaches, deserts, green valleys and snow-capped mountains make a journey through its borders unforgettable and full of adventures and things to experience.
Turkey boasts a great territorial vastness and diversity of landscapes, enchanting places, countless religious monuments and archaeological sites that are the offspring of different cultures and influences that have left indelible marks in its traditions, cuisine, art and architecture.
The many incredible sights of Istanbul, the views of Cappadocia, the historical ruins of Ephesus, the shores of the Aegean Sea and the sunsets over the Bosphorus are just some of the endless destinations and experiences to include in a Turkish travel plan.
That's why we have put together a list of 15 places to see and things to do when exploring this magnificent and evocative land.
Turkey, what to see and when to go
Ankara
Grand Bazaar in Istanbul
Lycian rock tombs
Ephesus
Ballooning over Cappadocia
Underground city of Derinkuyu
Pamukkale Thermal Baths
Aegean Sea Cruise
Troy
Rotary Dervishes
Mount Nemrut
Bosphorus
Antalya
St Sophia Mosque
Turkish Bath
Beaches of Turkey
Ankara
The capital of Turkey is a modern, sprawling city located in the centre of the country and the Anatolian region.
Ankara holds together modern and historical elements from different quarters in a special atmosphere with historical sites, traditional markets, the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, mosques, the Ankara Castle (Kalesi), the large Gençlik Park with its many attractions scattered in the greenery, the Temple of Augustus, the Citadel, a Roman theatre and the mausoleum of Anitkabir.
Grand Bazaar of Istanbul
The Grand Bazaar or Kapali Carsisi is one of the symbols of Istanbul and an experience not to be missed when visiting Turkey.
It is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world with thousands of shops and stalls where you can buy all kinds of items such as stained glass lanterns, hand-woven carpets, scented spices, leather goods, antiques, handicrafts, jewellery and much more for a unique Turkish experience immersed in local customs.
Photo: © Danilo Strino/Shutterstock
Lycian rock tombs
Thanks to Turkey's boundless ancient history, a large number of important ruins and vestiges of the past can be visited. Among them are the Lycian tombs carved into the walls of a mountain for the purpose of preserving the bodies of the dead high in the sky so that it would be easier for magical winged creatures to carry them to the afterlife.
The whole area is dotted with over a thousand tombs that blend together Greek, Persian and Lycian styles of architecture amidst rocks and wooden panels for a spectacular sight.
Ruins of Ephesus
One of the most historically charged places in all of Turkey is undoubtedly the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ephesus. Its ruins, dating back to the 10th century BC, still bear witness to ancient Greco-Roman civilisations with iconic monuments such as the Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus and the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, as well as theatres, houses and statues adorning the streets of one of the country's most visited historical sites.
Cappadocia in a hot-air balloon
One of the most memorable and sensational experiences to be had in Turkey is flying over the beautiful Cappadocia region in a romantic hot-air balloon.
The rocky landscapes that open up to view from above are among the most spectacular in the country and offer a breathtaking panorama from a different perspective, especially at first light.
Located in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey, Cappadocia is rich in hills, rocky sites and the beautiful natural surroundings of the Gerome National Park, a famous UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can take long walks through the Pigeon Valley or along the picturesque fairy chimneys.
Underground city of Derinkuyu
In the Derinkuyu district of Cappadocia, there is an ancient underground city capable of housing some 20,000 people on several levels. It is one of the first Christian settlements excavated to survive underground and escape persecution by the Roman Empire.
Visiting this underground city means walking through the narrow tunnels and cramped passages in a labyrinthine system of caves that include places for livestock, churches and cellars that provide a direct and immersive experience of life underground.
Thermal waters of Pamukkale
The Pamukkale Thermal Pools are a rare natural spectacle to visit in western Turkey. It is an incredible series of terraces filled with turquoise thermal waters that pour from one pool to the next in a surreal setting.
The white limestone landscape formed by the hot springs is characterised by a striking colour contrast and the formation of potholes, stalactites created by calcium deposits.
The therapeutic water of these natural pools has curative qualities for various health problems and provides a soothing, relaxing and very scenic experience that has made Pamukkale one of the most visited tourist destinations in Turkey. From here one can also easily reach and visit the ancient ruins of Hierapolis.
Aegean Sea Cruise
A great way to explore Turkey and have a unique experience discovering its beauty is to embark on a mini cruise on the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea.
Aboard a traditional wooden yacht called a gület, you will discover magnificent bays lapped by turquoise waters, white sandy beaches and coastal towns of the Turkish Riviera better known as 'The Turkish Coast'. The ideal starting point for a fun and adventurous trip could be the port of Bodrum on the Dodecanese
Ruins of Troy
The ancient city of Troy is one of those places so significant in history that it cannot fail to be included in a list of places to see in Turkey.
Demolished and built almost nine times over, the 5,000-year-old ruins of the city of Troy testify to the traces of the bloody 10-year war by preserving remains of temples, altars and fortifications on an epic land. The site also includes a wooden replica of the mythical Trojan horse for an unforgettable photo opportunity.
Rotary Dervishes show
An ancient tradition widespread in Istanbul and the rest of Turkey that is very interesting to participate in is the Sufi spiritual ceremony of the Spinning Dervishes, in which members of a Muslim religious order perform whirling dances while spinning rapidly around themselves in lively clothes to the rhythm of soothing, spiritual music.
This ritual, which aims to elevate the spirit, is an exciting and enthralling spectacle that will remain in the memory of this trip to Turkey.
Excursion to Mount Nemrut
One of Turkey's most popular tourist attractions in the south-east is Mount Nemrut. Its summit is dotted with huge statues made of light sand and the heads of ancient deities erected to adorn a royal tomb.
The sight of the mountain and the silhouettes of these statues makes for a fantastic and unique view of the landscape. In addition, Mount Nemrut can also be a terrain for nature excursions such as the one inside the Nemrut Dag National Park, a World Heritage Site, making a visit to Turkey even more special.
By ferry on the Bosphorus
A ferry trip on the Bosphorus takes you to the point where the waters of the Black Sea meet the Mediterranean Sea along a natural strait that is the narrowest point separating Asia and Europe in Turkey.
During the voyage, one can admire unique panoramas that vary from natural to urban landscapes, from Asian to European. Some of the sights to admire from a different perspective are Eminonu, Kabatas and Besiktas on one side and the tall Rumeli fortress with a view of the Galata Bridge in the distance on the other, taking full advantage of the Bosporus' incredible and striking geographical position, one of the most important in the world.
Antalya
Antalya is a large and lively city located at the beautiful Turkish Riviera on the Mediterranean coast and characterised by magnificent natural landscapes with breathtaking beaches, green mountains and important historical ruins.
Its white sandy beaches of Konyaalti and Lara are ideal for beach tourists and water sports enthusiasts, while the old town of Kaleiçi is best explored on foot with its cobbled alleys, old Ottoman-era palaces, Roman gates and historical structures such as the Clock Tower, churches, mosques and temples. The Antalya Museum with its extraordinary collection of Greek and Roman statues is also considered one of the best in the country.
Turkish bath
Turkish baths, or hammams, are popular places all over the world, so the experience of entering one of these baths when visiting Turkey should not be missed.
Throughout the country and particularly in the city of Istanbul, you can find numerous baths of all types from traditional to more modern ones where you can experience the beneficial and rejuvenating sensation of purifying body and mind with long sessions of oil massages, steam, soap scrubs and hot water baths.
St Sophia Mosque
The Hagia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul is one of the country's most iconic and important Byzantine structures, considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
First a church and then a mosque, Hagia Sophia is an iconic site that has witnessed many historical events in Turkey. The building is characterised by an imposing dome that is considered very important in the history of architecture, and inside you can see artistic marvels such as the mosaic of St John Chrysostom.
Most beautiful beaches in Turkey
Oludeniz Beach
Iztuzu
Patara Beach
Cleopatra Beach
Samsun
Alicati Beach
Pamukat Beach
Çıralı Beach
Kas
Çaka
When to go to Turkey
The best time to plan a trip to Turkey is in the months from spring to autumn. Depending on your preferred destination, many cities can also be visited in winter.
Before you leave, check all the necessary documents for your trip.
Map and map
Author: Giorgio Calabresi
Photo: © Nejdet Duzen/Shutterstock
Turkey