15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Turkey
Written by
Jess Lee
Mar 27, 2019
Packed to the brim with ancient monuments left over from a parade of conquerors, and endowed with showcase scenery that never fails to impress, Turkey is a dazzling destination that straddles Asia and Europe. Its vibrant culture, famous food, and vast history wow all who venture here, while its glorious landscapes-from the sun-soaked Mediterranean to the mighty mountains and arid steppe-are highlights in themselves.
Whether you want to lap up the Byzantine and Ottoman glories of
Istanbul on a city break, laze on the beach, delve into history wandering through ruins such as
Ephesus, or see some of the world's most surreal panoramas in
Pamukkale and
Cappadocia, this country has attractions galore. For more ideas on things to see and do, read our list of the top tourist attractions in Turkey.
1. Aya Sofya
Aya Sofya
Renowned as
one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, the spellbinding Byzantine glory of the Aya Sofya Museum (Hagia Sophia) is not only one of the top things to do in Istanbul, but also in Turkey.
The staggering bulk of its exterior is rimmed by the delicate minarets added after the Ottoman conquest, while the sumptuous and cavernous frescoed interior is a grand reminder of old Constantinople's might and power. This famed monument is a must-do for every tourist visiting the country.
Accommodation:
Top-Rated Places to Stay in Istanbul
2. Ephesus
Ephesus
Not to be missed, the mighty ruin of Ephesus is a city of colossal monuments and marble-columned roads.
One of the most complete, still-standing Roman cities in the Mediterranean region, this is the place to experience what life must have been like during the golden age of the Roman Empire.
A sightseeing trip here will take at least half a day to cover the major highlights and longer, if you really want to explore, so make sure you plan your visit so you don't feel rushed.
Accommodation:
Where to Stay near Ephesus
3. Editor's Choice Cappadocia
Cappadocia
The surreal, swooping rock valleys of Cappadocia are every photographer's dream. Cliff ridges and hill crests are home to rippling panoramas of wave-like rock or wacky-shaped pinnacles that have been formed by millennia of wind and water action.
And if you don't feel like hiking for the views, this is one of the world's top destinations to
take a hot air balloon ride. If the lunar-scape isn't enough to tempt you, nestled in these valleys are the frescoed rock-cut churches of the Byzantine Era, when this area was an important early Christian site.
Accommodation:
Where to Stay in Cappadocia
4. Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace
Sumptuous beyond belief, the Topkapi Palace takes you into the fantastical, opulent world of the sultans. It was from here that the sultans of the Ottoman Era carved out an empire that would extend up into Europe and down through the Middle East and into Africa.
The interiors, with their decadently exuberant tiling and lavish jeweled decor, are an unforgettable peek into the Ottoman's power base. The surrounding public gardens were once the sole domain of the Royal Court but are now open to the public and provide a tranquil, green respite from the city streets.
Accommodation:
Top-Rated Places to Stay in Istanbul
5. Pamukkale
Pamukkale
One of Turkey's most famous natural wonders, the pure white travertine terraces of Pamukkale ("Cotton Castle" in English) cascade down the slope looking like an out-of-place snowfield amid the green landscape. Although the travertines are themselves a highlight of a Turkey trip, the vast and rambling ruins of Roman
Hierapolis, an ancient spa town, lie on the top of this calcite hill, providing another reason to visit.
For the best photographs, come at dusk when the travertines glow as the sun sinks below the horizon.
Accommodation:
Where to Stay near Pamukkale
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