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Türkiye is a dazzling country with vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and vast history. Straddling Asia and Europe, this fabulous travel destination offers ancient monuments, glorious landscapes, and the sun-soaked Mediterranean. There are plenty of places to visit in Türkiye and we give you 15+ ideas of the best ones. Read our list and be inspired!
Places To Visit In Türkiye – Top 15+
Hagia Sophia Mosque
Hagia Sophia Mosque is a prominent monument in Istanbul and a landmark attraction. It is one of the marvels of the past and its breathtaking architecture adds to the sparkling beauty of Türkiye. The mosque is amongst the best places to visit in Türkiye and was formerly known as the Church of Hagia Sophia, a Christian Orthodox church. Emperor Justinian was the one responsible for the construction of this beautiful place of worship as a basilica in the 6th century. It is considered an architectural marvel of Byzantine architecture style and is a unique experience on your Türkiye tours.
Location: Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya Meydanı No:1, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Cappadocia
The panoramic views from the cliff ridges to the hill crests in the magnificent rock valleys are a delight. You must visit Cappadocia, as it is one of the best places to go in Türkiye. It was formed through years of wind and water erosion in the region. This top Türkiye place offers unique landscapes with frescoed rock-cut churches and architecture. Cappadocia is every photographer’s dream and is among the top-rated tour attractions in Türkiye.
Location: Avcilar Mahallesi, Dutlu Sokak No:9, 50180 Göreme Belediyesi/Nevşehir, Türkiye
Hippodrome of Constantinople
This fabulous place to go in Türkiye is a Roman-era public arena that was the centre of sporting activities in the capital of the Byzantine Empire. The word ‘Hippodrome’ comes from the Greek words ‘hippos’ for ‘horse’ and ‘dromos’ for ‘way’. This top tour place in Türkiye was an arena for chariot races during the Roman era. The Meydani has four main monuments; the German Fountain of Wilhelm II, the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column or Spiral Column, and the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque) built by the Ottoman architect Sedefkar Mehmed Agha.
Location: Binbirdirek, Sultan Ahmet Parkı No:2, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Grand Bazaar
Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. The market is among the best market places to go in Türkiye, where you can wander the covered streets of the attractive shopping centre. There are nearly 4000 shops that sell antiques, jewellery, gold, carpets, leatherwear, and souvenirs. Explore the amazing collection of over 100+ million high-quality products at this one-stop shopping destination and soak in its oriental ambience adorned with beautiful courtyards (Hans), marble fountains, and decorated kiosks. Choose from an array of ceramics, carpets, antiques, spices, handicrafts, jewellery, homeware, books, gold, copperware, and much more at the Grand Bazaar.
Location: Beyazıt, Kalpakçılar Cd. No:22, 34126 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Blue Mosque
Blue Mosque is the most famous mosque in Istanbul and is among the top places to see in Türkiye. The beauty of the mosque is a result of 200 glass windows, around 20000 ceramic tile designs, and intricate interiors that use colourful blue Iznik tiles. The design and materials used reflect the architecture of the Ottoman Empire. These tiles date back to the peak of Iznik tile production in the early 17th Century. The mosque stands tall by the order of Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I and took 7 years to finish. The construction began in 1606 AD and its completion took place in 1609 AD. Enjoy the striking view of the cascading domes and semi-domes.
Location: Sultan Ahmet, Atmeydanı Cd. No:7, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace, which was once a residence of a sultan from the Ottoman Empire is now a beautiful museum that should be a part of your must-visit tour places in Türkiye. The opulent palace of the 15th century houses various Ottoman treasures. Witness the extravagant treasury including the “Spoonmaker’s Diamond”, the 7th largest diamond in the world. A huge 5 km wall surrounds the giant palace and has 27 towers that date back between 1465 AD and 1478 AD. The chamber of the Holy Mantle houses the sacred relics of the Prophet Mohammad.
Location: Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Ephesus
One of the famous Türkiye places to visit is the city of Ephesus. The city has a history that dates back to the 10th century BC. It offers a spectacular view of colossal monuments and marble-column roads which is among the best places to visit in Türkiye to experience the golden age of the Roman Empire. The Library of Celsus, the Great Theater, the frescoed terraced houses, etc are some of the must-visit spots to include in your guided tours of Türkiye. While you cover the major highlights here, we advise you not to rush through your Türkiye tour. Instead, soak in the majestic opulence of the city of Ephesus.
Location: Selcuk, Izmir Province, Türkiye
Mount Nemrut
Mount Nemrut is among the best places to go in Türkiye. The famous archaeological site houses a giant stone head of long-forgotten gods. You can see the colossal site spanning across the summit over the barren mountaintop. It is the works of the ruler Antiochus I who dedicated this grand funerary mound to himself. The 50-m high artificial peak and the statues of himself and various gods cast a lonely atmosphere that is worth a visit on your Türkiye tours.
Location: Nemrut Dağı Yolu, 02000 Kayadibi/Kâhta/Adıyaman, Türkiye
Devrent Valley
Devrent Valley (Imaginary Valley) is the best place to visit in Türkiye where you can see different types of fairy chimneys. This beautiful natural wonder is a result of erosion taking place over a span of 30 million years ago. Here, one can enjoy a Pottery Workshop, learn about art skills dating back to the Hittite period, or stop by a local pottery shop and uncover the local artistry. The valley offers a unique perspective of people’s occupation during the ancient times and ways of their unique lifestyle.
Location: devrent mevkii no:1, 50500 Aktepe/Avanos/Nevşehir, Türkiye
Goreme National Park
Goreme National Park is among the best places to travel in Türkiye by foot. Known for its landscapes and limestone formations, the unique character of this Türkiye place are the volcanic deposits that have made this park a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surrounded by the Hasan and Erciyes mountains, the park is home to alluvial streams and a rock-hewn sanctuary. Go back in time to the iconoclastic period of the 4th century in the park on a guided tour in Türkiye.
Location: Nevşehir Province, Central Türkiye
Cemberlitas Hamami
This age-old bath house is the brainchild of Mimar Sinan in 1584 and is a signature tour attraction in Türkiye. Take a Turkish bath in this historic attraction for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is best to visit the place early in the morning, book your bath and indulge in a relaxing bath-time ritual. The Türkiye place is a unique cultural spot where you can break all your inhibitions. Get a traditional body scrub, done with a handwoven washcloth (also known as a kese) or a foam wash, and end with a rejuvenating massage. The 45 minutes bathing ritual amid glorious bath house interiors will leave you wanting for more.
Location: Mollafenari, Vezirhan Cd. No:8, 34440 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Ankara Castle
Among the top places to visit in Türkiye is this medieval-era Ankara Castle from the 7th century. The castle was renovated under the Roman, Crusaders, Ottoman, Byzantine and Seljuk empires. This Türkiye place is a paradise for history lovers with towers that encloses an area of about 350m by 150m. Check out the grounds of the castle with houses from the golden era and an outer line of walls with towers some 40m apart. The architectural style depicts the beauty of different periods which makes it a popular attraction. This is the last standing fortification from the 7th century and a must-see tour place in Türkiye.
Location: Kale, 06240 Altındağ/Ankara, Türkiye
Aqua Vega Aquarium
The largest marine exhibit in Europe, the Aqua Vega Aquarium is a top place to go in Türkiye, especially with kids. It is home to the third-largest tunnel aquarium and presents a wide range of aquamarine life and exotic sea creatures. You can also explore the Sea Shell Museum, Jungle Corner, Adrenaline World, and other attractions here. Keep an eye out for sharks, clownfish, koi fish, napoleon fish, and many more aquamarine life. The aquarium will definitely entertain you and your family on your guided Türkiye tour.
Location: Akşemsettin, Doğukent Bulvarı Nata Vega Outlet, 06480 Mamak/Ankara, Türkiye
Erimtan Museum
This historic landmark dates back to 2009 and is the best place to visit in Türkiye. The art museum has a heritage collection of artefacts that were findings by Yuksel Erimtan, a civil engineer. The museum features ancient jewellery, ceramics, glassware, seal stones, and many other artefacts dug out in the Anatolia region of Türkiye. You can indulge in Türkiye’s rich history at this comparatively new tourist attraction of the country.
Location: Kale, Gözcü Sk. No:10, 06240 Altındağ/Ankara, Türkiye
Lycian Rock Tombs
Explore the chapters of religious history with a side of spooky tales at Lycian Rock Tombs, which is one of the top places to visit in Türkiye. The tombs are housed in the mountain’s wall and store the bodies of the dead, high in the sky. The belief is that the higher the body, the easier it is for the magical creatures with wings to carry them to their afterlife. These tombs date back to the era of Lycians and feature gates similar to the entrance of temples. This is a famous tourist attraction in Türkiye and is a sight to behold in the Teke Peninsula of Southern Anatolia.
Location: Alakent, 07570 Demre/Antalya, Türkiye
Galata Bridge
Relish a fish sandwich and pickle juice to complete your vacation in Türkiye. Head to the Galata Bridge, located on the Bosphorus River, for the best local cuisine. This is one of the famous places to visit in Türkiye perfect for exploring local eateries and savour seafood delights. Don’t forget to add this location to your Türkiye tour with a visit to a bridge that is a short walk from Sultan Ahmet in the Eminonou district. Check out the best tea stalls, sea-serving restaurants, and nargile joints beneath the bridge in one of the most happening places to visit in Turkiye. The bridge also offers wonderful views of the city’s mosques and beautiful backdrops of the city.
Location: Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa, Galata Köprüsü, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
