Turkey is an impressive country located between Eastern Europe and Western Asia. This strategic position has endowed Turkey with a rich history and culture thanks to the passage of different civilisations through its territory. Just as the passage of time has eroded the Turkish terrain and given rise to such unique landscapes as the valleys of Cappadocia, the Greeks, Persians, Romans, Ottomans… each with their own traditions and beliefs have all contributed their own unique contribution to the unique culture that can be seen in Turkey today.
Read on and discover with Passporter this wonderful country that offers everything from modern cities such as Ankara and absolute gems like Istanbul, to unrivalled natural enclaves such as the travertines of Pamukkale, the Green Canyon of Antalya and the rocky valleys of Cappadocia.
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The 5 Best Cities to See in Turkey
1. Istanbul, the must-see city in Turkey
Istanbul, though not the capital of Turkey, is its largest and most visited city. With one part of its territory on European and the other on Asian borders, Istanbul is a wonderful city that knows how to bring out the best of both Western and Eastern culture. Washed by the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus River, Istanbul is a city full of beautiful and magical nooks and crannies.
The Holy Sophia Mosque is the absolute star of Istanbul because of its beauty and interesting history. After being built in the 13th century as the Pope’s church, it has served as a mosque, a museum and now a mosque again. Although the mosaics are now covered with curtains, we recommend visiting the interior of this jewel that continues to dazzle with its impressive dome.
The Blue Mosque, as striking inside as it is outside, is a must-see on a trip to Istanbul, with a dome 23 metres in diameter and 43 metres high and its six minarets.
In the tourist district of Sultanahmet is located the Grand Bazaar which offers its visitors more than 3000 shops where you can find the most special souvenirs of your trip to Istanbul such as lamps, carpets, jewellery, dresses, as well as spices, food, drink…
Know more about Istanbul at Things to see and do on a trip to Istanbul
2. Izmir
Izmir is one of the most visited provinces in Turkey because of the famous ruins of Ephesus and Pergamon, as well as its beautiful capital, from which you can enjoy wonderful views of the Aegean Sea from its waterfront promenade.
One of the must-see sights of this Turkish city are the ruins of Kadifekale, the ancient castle, which overlooks the entire city on the hill on which it stands in the centre of Izmir. It is also the best-preserved archaeological site in Izmir, where you can see the ancient mosque, the square, the city wall and a Roman cistern.
Kemeralti is Izmir’s bazaar, established in 1650, filled with shops, bars, restaurants and cafés, as well as numerous spice and food stalls. It is a lively area to visit even if you don’t intend to buy anything. Next to the bazaar you can see the Clock Tower, one of the symbols of the city.
Discover more places in What to see and do on a trip to Izmir Turkey?
3. Ephesus, a bit of history to see in Turkey
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient city of Ephesus is one of the most beautiful places to see in Turkey. A former trading city of the Roman Empire and an important religious and cultural centre, Ephesus is one of the best places to observe the splendour of the Ancient Ages.
The Great Theatre of Ephesus is probably the star of the archaeological site. Built on Mount Pion in the 1st century, it used to hold up to 25,000 spectators on its stone steps. It is still fascinating to watch today.
The Library of Celsus is another must-see in Ephesus and Turkey, as it is one of the few Ancient Roman libraries that remain to this day. It is impressive to see the well-preserved reliefs on its façade.
The Temple of Artemis, just outside Ephesus, is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and, although only one of its 127 columns remains today, it was once one of the most important temples of the day, attracting tourists, merchants and celebrities.
More information at What to see and do on a trip to Ephesus Turkey
4. Ankara, what to see in Turkey’s capital city?
Surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery, Ankara is a destination that perfectly represents the essence of Turkey, combining elements of its important historical legacy with the modernity of the capital city and its political and administrative institutions.
Ankara Castle is the focus of thousands of visitors to the capital for its eclectic beauty and panoramic views over the city. The Ankara Citadel is another must-see in Turkey’s capital, this medieval fortress stands out beautifully against Ankara’s modern buildings. Also of note is the Atatürk Mausoleum, which houses the tombs of two of Turkey’s presidents among its striking square columns.
5 Antalya
Known as the Turquoise Coast because of the colour of its waters, Antalya is a province of Turkey, as well as the capital of the same province. Strolling through this beautiful coastal city is a real treat with its streets of low houses and flowers on the balconies. Places to see in Antalya include the old town centre, Kaleiçi, with its Hadrian’s Gate and ancient mosques from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Its port is one of the most pleasant places to spend the afternoon, dine at sunset and pick up a souvenir of the city. It’s also the departure point for boat trips to the Düdeny Kursunlu waterfalls, a natural wonder.
Find out more at Things to see and do on a trip to Antalya
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
The 4 Best Things to Do in Turkey
1. Bathing in the Pamukkale hot springs
Pamukkale is a beautiful town and natural area in the Denizli province of southwestern Turkey, and a jewel in the country’s tourism crown. Listed as a World Heritage Site, Pamukkale is a fascinating place thanks to its geological formations resulting from the sedimentation of travertine rock by water from thermal springs. This unique landscape has been given the popular name of Cotton Castle, but in addition to its breathtaking beauty, it is also worth noting that it is possible to bathe in the thermal pools formed in the rock.
In Pamukkale, you can also find another unique thermal pool, Cleopatra’s Pool, with crystal-clear water and a floor filled with ancient ruins and pieces of authentic Roman columns.
2. Tour Cappadocia
Cappadocia is probably the most famous region in Turkey, and certainly the most visited after Istanbul, and no one wants to miss the famous sight of rocky valleys overflown by hundreds of colourful hot air balloons.
Pasabag, or the Valley of the Monks, is a valley of unusual rock formations in which houses and churches were built, the most famous being the Chapel of St. Simeon. Another impressive valley is the famous Love Valley, one of the most characteristic sights to see in Turkey. The valley is characterised by rocky pinnacles scattered along the route, which can be seen on hiking trails that end at viewpoints from where the scenery looks a thousand times better. Also on your tour of Cappadocia, don’t forget to visit the abandoned underground cities of Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, built between the 5th and 10th centuries to survive enemy attacks.
Know more about Cappadocia in Things to see and do on a trip to Cappadocia
3. Flying in a balloon
Ballooning is one of the most popular activities in Turkey, especially in Cappadocia, where the skies are coloured by the huge number of hot air balloons that fill the sky at sunset. The price is usually around €100 per person for a 1-hour trip, although this depends on factors such as the time of year and the time of day.
But Cappadocia isn’t the only place where this experience is available, so don’t worry if you don’t plan to travel to this part of Turkey. Pamukkale is also a popular ballooning destination, and for a slightly cheaper price, with tours starting at €130 for two hours.
4. Green Canyon Boat Tour
The Green Canyon is one of the main attractions of Antalya province for its breathtaking beauty. With its emerald waters and the breathtaking cliffs of the Taurus Mountains, the Oymapina Dam, popularly known as the Green Canyon, is one of the most fascinating places in Turkey to observe nature at its purest. It is so beautiful that boat tours of the reservoir have become popular and the experience is unique. Price from 30€
What should I consider before travelling to Turkey?
- The official currency of Turkey is the Turkish Lira.
- Take a swimming costume, towel, sunscreen and comfortable shoes for touring Turkey.
- Always carry some cash, not all shops accept credit cards.
- Avoid changing money at the airport, as the exchange rate is often high.
- In Turkey, tap water is generally not safe to drink, so always drink bottled water and avoid ice.
- From Europe you don’t need a visa if you’re travelling for less than 90 days, but you must have a valid passport (valid for at least 6 months) and be able to prove with hotel bookings that you’re travelling as a tourist.
- Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
- The country is generally safe, but you should always be careful with your belongings in crowded, touristy areas.
- Download Passporter and create your own itinerary of places to see in Turkey.
How to prepare what to see on your trip to Turkey?
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map. You can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post.
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Turkey.
If you have any doubts about how to do this, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about travelling to Turkey
Turkey’s climate can vary greatly from one area to another. Generally, the coastal areas have a mild climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. However, Turkey’s inland climate is arid and more extreme, with very dry and hot summers (30°C on average) and harsh winters (-30°C minimum) and permanent snowfall.
In our opinion, the best times to travel to Turkey are April-June and September-October, as there are fewer tourists and the temperatures are milder and more pleasant, and you can usually get better prices.
There are several options for getting around Turkey depending on your time and budget. Turkey has a good network of buses and trains that connect the whole country for very cheaply, but the journeys are very long – for example, the bus from Istanbul to Cappadocia costs around €25 and takes 12 hours 30 minutes by bus. A quicker option is to fly with a low-cost airline, the same route mentioned above takes 1h 15′ and costs from €29.
Of course, a good option is always to hire a car and get around at your own pace from €11 a day.
Of course, a good and very economical option wherever you go is to eat at one of the many street food stalls you’ll find, but if you prefer restaurants, you’ll find the following options:
Istanbul: Gulhane Sark Sofras, Bitlisl
Izmir: Altinkapi Iskender Et Lokantasi, Deniz Restaurant
Cappadocia: Orient Restaurant, Old Greek House
Istanbul: Akbiyik Suite Boutique Hotel, Alilass Hotel
Izmir: Lotus Garden Hostel Izmir, Piano Hotel
Cappadocia: Terra Vista Hostel, AJWA Cappadocia
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