Turkey Travel Guide

The place where civilization was born, Mesopotamia, the place where civilization matured, Constantinople (Istanbul), where religions spread, Anatolia. We tried to compile ancient cities, underground cities, beaches, ski resorts, plateaus, open-air museums, nature parks, ruins, and many other must-see places for you. How would you like to discover these beauties with us? Anatolian lands, which have hosted many different civilizations throughout history and which are one of the most important transit routes in the world with their geographical location, have been carrying traces of mythological accumulation since the primitive period. Let's also mention that there are many places to visit in Turkey that we cannot fit into this article.

Mount Nemrut / Adıyaman

National Park Of Nemrut Mount: The height is 2150 meters. Mount Nemrut is a unique cultural heritage not only for Turkey but for the whole world. Mount Nemrut is on the UNESCO list of unregistered world cultural heritage. The statue of Nemrut, which is described as the eighth wonder of the world, is the most important reason for adding it to this list. There is an inscription and ancient tombs next to the statue.

Kingdom Of Commagene

What distinguishes this mountain from other mountains and makes it special are the tumuli and statues of the King of Commagene. The Kingdom of Commagene, which can also be called the community of genes, is a powerful kingdom with a strong tradition and culture formed by Persians and Greeks. Commagene lands have been the home of people since ancient times, and we understand this from the remains unearthed in caves and archaeological excavations.

Gobeklitepe Temple / Şanlıurfa

Gobeklitepe Temple: It is the first and largest temple known in history. Nearly 20 temples have been identified in this region and only 6 temples have been unearthed so far. The temple on Göbekli Tepe, which is 7500 years older than the oldest known artifact, is very important and valuable for humanity. Until Göbeklitepe was discovered, the oldest known holy building was a 5000-year-old temple in Malta. As a result of the research and investigations, this was the place where wheat was first grown.

With the discovery of Göbeklitepe, believed to be the world's first known temple and the first settlement of people in recent years, thousands of people from all over the world want to visit Şanlıurfa. It is said that Göbeklitepe was built 7500 years before the Egyptian Pyramids. It is estimated that there are remains in a much larger area than currently discovered and excavations continue. Göbeklitepe, which has led to very important discoveries about the history of humanity, deserves to be in the first place among the first places to visit in Turkey.

Yedigöller National Park / Bolu

Yedigoller National Park: Seven lakes, which has a calm nature, is an ideal place for those who want to escape the tiring and overwhelming effect of city life. It has many different views. There are different landforms, waterfalls, and walking paths for those who want to trek. 

The surroundings of the lakes; It is covered with broad-leaved trees such as beech, oak, hornbeam, alder, ash, elm, linden, and coniferous trees such as larch, yellow pine, and fir. It is one of the most beautiful forested areas in Turkey. Especially on autumn days, beech trees and other broad-leaved trees, which take on all kinds of colors from yellow to red tones, offer beautiful frames for photography enthusiasts.

Sapanca-Maşukiye / Kocaeli

Sapanca/Kocaeli: Sapanca Lake, Maşukiye Village, Kartepe Ski Center, Soğucak Plateau, Sapanca Aygır Stream, and Kırkpınar Botanical Park can be counted among the natural and historical beauties you can visit in Sapanca. Visiting most of these popular sightseeing spots during the busier and busier spring and summer seasons will add color to your trip.

Maşukiye / Kocaeli: Located between Sapanca Lake and Kartepe, Maşukiye is one of the best-known villages in Turkey. Maşukiye receives visitors in four seasons, especially in the spring and autumn months. Maşukiye is a hidden paradise with its waterfalls, forests, and streams. Sapanca, which is 1 hour away from Istanbul, will save you from the noise of the city, especially with its natural beauties.

Salda Lake – Yesilova / Burdur

Salda Lake: It is among the most beautiful lakes in Turkey, it is one of the places that best demonstrates Turkey's hidden geological perfection. We can say that the attraction of Salda, which has become much more famous recently, is increasing. The reason for this is the work done by the Burdur – Yeşilova Municipality, to which Salda is affiliated. Among these, not only promotional activities but also the satisfaction of the free services offered to those who come to visit Salda lake and the fact that everyone recommends Salda to others increase the popularity of the lake.

Cumalıkızık Village / Ulu Mosque- Bursa

Cumalıkızık Village: It is the oldest Ottoman village known for its narrow streets, stone roads, air that smells of history, and timeless houses. This village is regarded as the legacy of the Ottoman Empire. The village, which has not lost anything from its historical texture despite its 700-year history, was included in the UNESCO world heritage list in 2014.

Bursa Ulu Mosque: Ulu Camii, the most magnificent mosque of Bursa, was built by Architect Ali Neccar by Architect Bayezid I to be used as a lodge during the Ottoman period. Its construction started in 1396 and its work lasted for 3 years. As a result, its construction was completed in 1399. Covering an area of ​​5000 square meters, Bursa Ulu Mosque is the largest mosque in Turkish history in terms of indoor prayer space.

Uludag / Bursa

Uludag is one of the most important centers of the Bursa. It is one of the only winter holiday destinations in the Marmara Region, which is mostly known as the winter tourism and ski center. It has magnificent nature views. There are four seasons, facilities, camping areas, and places to visit in Uludağ. Uludag welcomes many visitors with its clean and cool air in summer, as well as being interested in winter sports. You can reach the summit in a short time like 10 minutes by cable car from the Bursa center.

Prince Islands / Istanbul

The Prince Islands are actually the name given to all 9 islands under the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. There are settlements on Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, and Kınalıada, but there are no settlements on Sedef Island, Tavşan Island, Sivriada, Kaşıkadası, and Yassıada. Among the islands, the most touristic ones are Büyükada and Heybeliada. Since they are only a 45-minute ferry ride from Istanbul, they are preferred as the address of calm in the spring and summer months.

Hagia Sophia Museum / Istanbul

Hagia Sophia Museum, which is among the most visited tourist places in Turkey; is one of the world's most magnificent monuments in art and architecture. Hagia Sophia Museum is the eighth wonder of the world. The museum was described by Philton in the sixth century as the eighth wonder of the world. Hagia Sophia, which was a church for 916 years, was converted into a mosque by Fatih Sultan Mehmet in 1453 and was used as a mosque for 482 years. It opened its doors as a museum in 1935 by the order of Atatürk and was converted into a mosque again in 2020.

Topkapi Palace / Istanbul

Topkapi Palace Museum: Founded by Fatih Sultan Mehmed in 1478 and opened on 9 October 1924 by the order of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Topkapi Palace Museum is one of the most visited places by tourists today. ;

Until the construction of the Dolmabahçe Palace, it was used as the residence of the sultans in the administrative center of the State for about 380 years. After the construction of Dolmabahçe Palace, Topkapı Palace, where the sultans stayed, was evacuated. After this event, this palace, which was used by the personnel working in the Topkapı Palace for a while, started to be visited by the sultan and his families during the holidays.

Canakkale / Troy

Çanakkale/Troy: The Ancient City of Troy and the Museum of Troy; invites you to discover the story of Helen, Queen of Sparta, Paris, and Achilles. You can have two unique experiences in one day by visiting the Troy Museum, which is among the most modern museums in the world, and the Ancient City of Troy, which rises with all its majesty on Hisarlık Hill.

Gallipoli / Canakkale

There are monuments and tombs in the national park, which were built in memory of the soldiers who lost their lives in the land and air battles of the Dardanelles War, where the fate of Turkey was determined. If you use a guide, you can join the national park tours in Gallipoli, where you can find a lot of information about how the war was won.

The national park, which is the first point to be visited on the Gallipoli Peninsula, which was established on the lands where the Çanakkale War took place, is approximately 30 - 35 kilometers away from the district center.

Uzunkopru / Edirne

Uzunkopru: Between the years 1426-1443, the sultan of the period II. Architect Mehmet also worked with Müslihiddin in the construction of the bridge, which was built by the Chief Architect Muslihiddin by Murat. The purpose of the establishment of bridge; was built to cross the Ergene River, which the Ottomans encountered during their Balkan campaigns. The wooden bridges that were built before, could not withstand the waters of the river and collapsed,d and a stone bridge were built over it. Thus, the Ottomans continued their expeditions even in the winter season when the waters rose.

Selimiye Mosque / Edirne

Selimiye Mosque: When Edirne is mentioned, many people undoubtedly think of Selimiye Mosque. When you see the Selimiye Mosque, which Mimar Sinan called "My Masterpiece", you will be swept away by its splendor and splendor. The mosque, which is one of the most important works built in the Ottoman period, is among the places that must be seen today.

Pamukkale Travertines / Denizli

Pamukkale Travertines: Which is at the top of the world's known tourism destinations is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Every year, thousands of local and foreign tourists come to the region, which is registered as a historical heritage by UNESCO. It's a wonderful place. You might think you are in a wonderland. Walking in a natural and organic formation after crowded and concrete cities leaves neither stress nor sadness, worry, and anxiety!

Hierapolis Ancient City

The Medusa figure engraved on the entrance gate of the Ancient City of Hierapolis, which is on the UNESCO List, was made to protect the ancient city. It is understood that the belief in mythological gods was very strong at that time. The Ancient City of Hierapolis was added to the borders of the Anatolian Seljuks in 1210. The ancient city, which attracts many tourists, has been used for treatment purposes in history with its underground waters (Pamukkale Travertines).

Zeugma Ancient City / Gaziantep

Zeugma Ancient City: It is an ancient city located 10 km from the Nizip district of Gaziantep, where excavations are still continuing today. Its distance from Gaziantep city center is approximately 50 kilometers. If you came to Gaziantep just to see the ancient city of Zeugma, 1 day will be enough for you. However, when you come to Antep, we recommend that you do not go without seeing other historical places and Antep cuisine.

Kizkalesi (Maiden's Castle) / Mersin

Maiden's Castle: Every step in Kızkalesi has a historical texture. Today, there are castles, churches, cisterns, aqueducts, rock tombs, sarcophagi, and stone-paved roads in the ruins of Kızkalesi. The castle, which was built on a small islet 500 meters from the castle on the beach, is called Kızkalesi. The castle, which has been restored in recent years, is protected by eight towers. The outer circumference of the castle is 192 meters.

There are 4-5 churches here from ancient times. In addition to water wells and cisterns, aqueducts and waters brought from Lemas Stream meet the water needs of Kızkalesi. On the stone-paved Sacred Road leading to the great church, the large and small sarcophagi lined up along the road astonish those who see them.

Observation Terraces / Kastamonu

Çatak Canyon Observation Terrace: The Çatak Canyon observation deck, the construction of which started on July 21, 2017, was first opened to visitors on September 4, 2017. The terrace, which has a weight of approximately 25 tons of metal and 10 tons of glass, will stand in a void with a weight of 60 tons. To support this weight, 900 tons of steel and concrete were built in the rear.

Valla Canyon Observation Deck: Valla Canyon is located in the Muratbaşı Village of the Pınarbaşı District of Kastamonu. The recently exposed canyon has a very different story of discovery. It was discovered in 1994, when four students from Istanbul Technical University who came here to visit Cide, another charming district of Kastamonu, disappeared fourteen days later.

Çatalhöyük Neolithic City, Çumra Konya

Çatalhöyük Neolithic City, located in the Çumra district of Konya, is known as one of the oldest settlements of the Neolithic Age. The finds unearthed as a result of the studies carried out in Çatalhöyük, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2012, date back to BC. It dates back to 7400 years and sheds light on human history in many ways. The most important finds in Çatalhöyük, where the first house architecture and landscape paintings were discovered, are the high relief mother goddess motifs. These finds are important in terms of revealing that religious belief was shaped by a strong goddess figure in the Neolithic Age. Hittite Civilization Hattusa

Hattusha Antique City, Bogazkale Corum

Hattusha, the capital of the Hittite Civilization, which was the first great civilization established in Anatolian lands, later became the settlement area of ​​many different civilizations. The ancient city of Hattusa, which was included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1986, has a very important place not only for the history of our country but also for the history of the world. Since the cuneiform tablets found in the ancient city are home to information that sheds light on world history, these tablets have also taken their place on UNESCO's Memory of the World List. When you go to Hattusha, you should see the places that have been preserved until today, such as the Lion Gate, the King's Gate, Yerkapi, the Büyükkale Palace Complex, the Great Temple, and the Hieroglyphic Room. I recommend you to see the Nişantepe Inscription, which contains the longest hieroglyphic writing from the Hittites.

Amasra, Bartin

Amasra, one of the most beautiful destinations of the Western Black Sea Region, has a history of approximately 3000 years. The town, which has been the capital of many civilizations, is a place that Fatih Sultan Mehmet described as "Çeşm-i Cihan", that is, "the apple of the world's eye". Amasra Castle, Kemere Bridge, Çekiciler Bazaar, Amasra Museum, and Crying Tree are among the must-see places in Amasra, where you can discover all the tranquility of a seaside town with its warm atmosphere. However, Amasra's taste is best when you eat fresh fish in restaurants with a sea view. If you go in the season, I'm sure you'll have the best anchovies, turbot, haddock, and mulberry you can eat here. together with fi

Safranbolu Houses, Safranbolu Karabuk

Safranbolu, one of the most touristic places in our country, is home to Safranbolu houses, where Ottoman architecture has been preserved in the best way until today. Safranbolu, which looks like an open-air museum with its houses adorning every corner, hosts hundreds of local and foreign tourists every year with these houses. In Safranbolu, 800 of more than 2000 houses are under protection. Some of the houses have been restored and host guests as Safranbolu hotels. For this reason, when you go to Safranbolu, you should definitely stay for 1 night because the details inside these houses are also very impressive. You will be surprised to see the woodwork and the different types of cabinets. The best examples of this architecture are the District Governorates, Kilerciler, Mümtazlar, Karaüzümler, Kavsalar, and Sipahioğlu mansions. After seeing the mansions, you can go to Hıdırlık Hill and watch the Safranbolu view from above.

King Rock Tombs / Amasya

King Rock Tombs: Amasya, the city where every street smells of history, has hosted many civilizations both before and during the Ottoman Empire. The King Rock Tombs, which are very important in history, were carved into vertical rocks like a flat wall on the skirts of Amasya Castle.

You can reach the ancient rock tombs by passing through the narrow streets of the Hatuniye District. There are paths and stairs carved into the rock between the tombs. Although it is known that there are 21 tombs of various sizes along the Yeşilırmak Valley, very few of them have survived.

Cappadocia

Cappadocia is at the top of the list of places to visit in Turkey; Nevşehir is the general and inclusive name of the old settlements bordering the provinces of Kayseri, Niğde, and Aksaray. It is possible to see the traces of many different cultures, as it is located in a region where the Silk Road passes. Since Cappadocia is the name of a large region, we recommend that you spend at least 2 days sightseeing. You can start with Göreme, the most touristic place in Cappadocia. If you are going to do a balloon tour, Göreme is the right address because you can watch the fairy chimneys from here. Ürgüp, where you can see Güvercinlik Valley and Uçhisar Castle, and Üç Güzeller and Asmalı Konak are among the places you should definitely see. Do not leave without visiting the Ihlara Valley, one of the most tiring places in the Cappadocia region. If you get on the balloon, the view you can see from above gets more beautiful as you walk. I recommend you to see Eğritaş Church, Sümbüllü Church, Yılanlı Church, and Derinkuyu Underground City in the valley.

Fairy Chimneys / Nevşehir

Cappadocia Fairy Chimneys: Located 7 km from Nevşehir, Cappadocia is an interesting place for both local and foreign tourists with its extraordinary beauty. Even in the list of places to visit in Turkey prepared by foreigners, fairy chimneys take the first place on most lists. While visiting this place, you feel as if you are walking in another era or even on another planet. It is a unique place for photographers and is mentioned in many tourist short films. Fairy chimneys, which were visited with interest at every point, had become places where mostly foreign tourists kept their cameras.

Derinkuyu Underground City / Nevşehir

Derinkuyu Underground City: Although its history is not known exactly, the district is a very old settlement that dates back to BC. It is thought to date back 3000 years. It is said that the old name of Derinkuyu was Malakopi, Melegobi, or Melegobia. The first inhabitants of the district date back to the Assyrian period.

The arrival of the Turks in the region dates back to 1071 after the Battle of Manzikert. The Turks who settled in the region mostly settled around the Çekme, Kızılören, Şemşili, and Belören plateaus in the east and made their living from animal husbandry.

Ihlara Valley / Aksaray

Ihlara Valley: One of the natural beauties that should be visited in Turkey is Ihlara Valley. Speaking of Nevşehir and its surrounding places, it is not possible to talk about Ihlara Valley. The lavas resulting from the volcanic movements that took place in Hasan Mountain in the past years form a volcanic layer in this region. Over time, this layer begins to erode due to environmental reasons. In addition, the Melendiz Stream passing through the region deeply carves the floor of the canyon valley, causing a road to form in the region. These depths reach up to 120 meters in certain parts of the valley.