35 Essential things to see and visit in Türkiye

Türkiye It is one of the main tourist destinations in the world.

Beyond modern vitality and great Istanbul monuments, there is an immense country where it is possible to travel in search of idyllic beaches or the monumental memories of a history that spans thousands of years.

With a sightseeing trip through Türkiye is enjoyed Touristic centres and with a lively nightlife or small towns where you experience local life, whether visiting a Turkish bath or discovering a excellent gastronomy.

Shopping They are another important attraction for many travelers.

La monumental wealth of Türkiye It is very notable and a good part of its heritage is on the list of the World Heritage for the Unesco: the footprints of the hittite civilizations, Greek, Romanian, Byzantine, Seljuk y ottoman, to name just a few, turn this country into a true open-air museum.

The best things to see and visit for tourism in Türkiye

It is impossible to know Türkiye in a single trip, and in this article we have selected some of its main tourist attractions.

In addition to Istanbul, we propose three great routes: aegean coast, Turkish Riviera and interior of Anatolia.

There are countless others interesting places in turkeybecause we do not include, especially the eastern half.

For first trip to Türkiye, the easiest is travel to istanbul and to some other places that are in the western half of the country.

What to see and visit in Istanbul

Located between two continents, Istanbul is one of great travel destinations in the world and it is not surprising to know what it is one of the most visited cities.

Its magnificent location on two continents, the enormous quantity and quality of its historical monuments, its modern vitality, its gastronomy as well as its good hotel offering, all make Istanbul a classic on travel wish lists.

Here we detail what the main attractions what you should know in your Istanbul visit.

Hagia Sophia in Istanbul

Hagia Sophia is great monument of istanbul, your visit is the great cultural experience of any trip to this city, and its interior is one of the most splendid on the planet with its spectacular mosaics.

For more than nine centuries it was the largest church in the Christendom and then, for almost five centuries, the most splendid mosque in the world Islam.

Since 1934 it functioned as a museum, but since the summer of 2020 it has regained the status of a mosque.

Right next to it is Yerebatan Sarayi, known as the Underground Cistern or the Basilica Cistern. It is one of the most curious remains of the Byzantine period in Istanbul.

Blue Mosque in Istanbul

La Sultan Ahmet Mosque, known to all as the Blue Mosque, is one of the monuments most appreciated by visitors.

Its interior is very attractive, and upon entering the light that enters through its 260 windows is dazzling and makes the 20.000 tiles that cover the interior shine.

About 500 meters away is the former church of Saint Sergius and Saint Bacchus, which is known as the “little Hagia Sophia".

Topkapi Palace in Istanbul

El Topkapi palace is the great sultans palace in constantinople, is the largest and most important monument of Ottoman civil architecture.

It was the residence of the Ottoman sultans and seat of political power of the empire from the mid-15th century to the mid-19th century.

Istanbul Hippodrome

El Racetrack It was the true social heart of the ancient Constantinople, where everyone came to have fun and talk about politics.

It is thought that it could accommodate 100.000 spectators in its stands with 40 rows of seats.

Istanbul Grand Bazaar

El Grand Bazaar It has been, for more than five centuries, one of the most important social institutions of the city and embodies the commercial character of istanbul.

The best way to explore it is to walk without a specific objective, letting yourself be carried away by the environment.

Suleiman Mosque in Istanbul

La Suleiman Mosque is most important ottoman building in istanbul.

It is located at the top of a hill, so it is visible from many points in the city.

Its silhouette stands out above all when viewed from the galata bridge, in the area of Golden horn.

Egyptian Bazaar in Istanbul

El Egyptian Bazaar, is also known as Spice Market.

It is made up of two corridors flanked by an infinite number of shops, among which there are many shops selling spices, but also sweets, nuts, soaps, fabrics, perfumes and teas.

You should not miss the lively atmosphere that forms in the surrounding streets.

Rustem Pasha Mosque in Istanbul

La Rüstem Pasha Mosque It is a little gem built by Sinan, the creator of Suleiman Great Mosque.

Despite its small size, it is one of the most beautiful in Istanbul.

The mosque is especially famous for its extraordinary tile decoration that covers almost all the walls.

Galata Bridge in Istanbul

El galata bridge cross the Golden horn, the arm of the sea that separates the historic center and a more modern area known historically as Pear o Galata.

At some point you will have to cross it on foot to enjoy the views and the atmosphere. There is a lower deck of the bridge where numerous bars and restaurants are located.

Beyoglu neighborhood in Istanbul

At Beyoglu neighborhood foreign communities, embassies and churches were established, and where in the 20th century the great hotels, the most luxurious shops and the most sumptuous private buildings were built.

The axis of the neighborhood is Istiklal Caddesia, which extends between the taksim square y Tunnel.

La Galata Tower It is the oldest and most spectacular monument in this area.

From the top the views over the city, the Golden horn and Bosphorus They are magnificent.

Bosphorus in Istanbul

El Bosphorus, the strait that separates Asia from Europe, is one of the biggest attractions on any visit to Istanbul.

There are different ways to go through it, whether public ferry that comes out of the Eminönü terminal or a private cruise.

Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul

El Dolmabahce Palace It is the most spectacular of those built by the Ottoman sultans when they abandoned Topkapi.

He looks out Bosphorus from its western shore, the European one. Its main façade is the one that overlooks the strait and stands out especially when you make a ferry excursion.

What to see and visit on the Aegean Coast in Türkiye

Un trip along the Turkish Aegean coast, between Çanakkale and Bodrum, is one of the most exciting cultural itineraries that can be done in the entire Mediterranean region.

In reality, very few routes in the world can compare with this area for the number and importance of places with high historical and artistic value.

In addition to important centers of Greek and Roman history, in this coastal region We can visit large modern cities, natural wonders and charming towns.

Gallipoli in Türkiye

The journey along the Aegean coast begins in Gallipoli, Along the Dardanelles Strait.

It's a national historical park where one of the bloodiest campaigns of the World War I, and the ideal complement to a visit to the nearby city of Troy.

Troy in Türkiye

It is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world for being the backdrop of the Iliad, the first work of Western literature.

En Troy The remains of different cities that developed over several millennia are superimposed, reflecting the contact between Mediterranean and Anatolian cultures.

Pergamon in Türkiye

Pergamon It was one of the cultural centers of antiquity.

Here was the famous Altar of Zeus which you can currently see in the Pergamon museum in Berlin.

La Acropolis and asclepion They are the fundamental places of the visit.

Izmir in Türkiye

Despite its thousands of years of history, Izmir, the third most populated city in Turkey, is a modern and vibrant city that mixes Ottoman and European elements.

Ephesus in Türkiye

Ephesus It is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the entire world. Mediterranean coast.

Monuments like the Celsus Library They remember the time of splendor in the times of the Roman empire.

Pamukkale in Türkiye

The spectacular natural formations of Pamukkale and the Hellenistic and Roman remains of Hierapolis They form a set of landscape and historical monuments unique in the world.

Aphrodisias in Türkiye

La ancient Roman city of Aphrodisias It was one of the most splendid in the entire province of Asia Minor and, today, its museum shows one of the best collections of Roman sculpture and reliefs from around the world.

Kusadasi in Türkiye

Kusadasi It is one of the liveliest tourist centers on the entire Aegean coast and its main cruise port.

It can be a good base for exploring the nearby archaeological centers.

Priene, Miletus and Didyma in Türkiye

The three places, very close, are visited in a single excursion.

Located in a magnificent location, Priene It shows one of the best preserved urban layouts of the ancient world.

En Mileto The theater stands out, which could accommodate 15 spectators.

El temple of Apollo at Didyma, built in the 7th century BC, was one of the largest in the world at its time.

Bodrum in Türkiye

Bodrum It is one of the main tourist centers on the coast.

Among those that are preserved, the most interesting monument is the castle of san pedro, from the 15th century, which also houses an interesting underwater archeology museum.

What to see and visit in the Turkish Mediterranean Riviera

Caunus in Türkiye

El Caunus archaeological site It combines the beauty of the solitary location with the interest of its ancient remains, a mixture of the ancient Carian and Lycian civilizations.

It is easily visited from the small town of kiddle and the boat trip is part of the attraction.

Fethiye in Türkiye

The main population of the Turkish Riviera It also gives its name to the area that surrounds it.

Fethiye It is one of the best places to visit the curious tombs of the Lycian culture excavated in the precipices of the area.

Very close is the Kayaköy ghost town and the tourist center of Oludeniz, which is a good base to explore one of the most beautiful stretches of the Mediterranean coast.

Xanthos and Letoon in Türkiye

Xanthos was capital of ancient Lycia y letoon its main sanctuary.

Its remains scattered throughout an area far from modern towns are included in the list of World Heritage for the Unesco.

The nearby Patara, which rises next to one of the best beaches in Türkiye, is another important city of that ancient civilization.

Kalkan and Kas in Türkiye

Kalkan and Kas They are two of the most attractive tourist centers in the Turkish Riviera.

Originally they were ports with a Greek population, so the traditional houses that are preserved in their historic center are different from those of the populations of Turkish origin.

From them come numerous boat trips to visit the surroundings and land in bays that are difficult to access by land.

Kekova in Türkiye

The area known as Kekova It is one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in the entire world. Mediterranean coast.

Being protected, it cannot be built and the landscape must be very similar to that of a good part of the entire Mediterranean coast until a few years ago.

The area is visited on boat excursions from the Üçagiz village, at the bottom of a bay. The Kekova Island appears right in front.

Church of St. Nicholas in Demre

La Church of San Nicolás en Demre, ancient Myra, is the most important monument of Christian origin in the entire Turkish Riviera.

The building, which is now a museum, has great historical value.

It is well known that the stories and legends associated with St nicolas They are at the base of the character Papai Noel o Santa Claus.

Myra in Türkiye

On the outskirts of Demre is the set of tombs dug into cliffs most spectacular of the entire Lycian coast.

This necropolis It occupies a good part of a hillside, and right next to it you can see a great roman theater quite well preserved.

What to see and visit in the interior of Anatolia in Türkiye

Safranbolu in Turkey

Located just over 400 kilometers east of Istanbul, the city of Safranbolu is best set of ottoman architecture in Türkiye.

It can be the first stop on the way to Ankara and Cappadocia.

Ankara in Turkey

Ankara combines the atmosphere of a modern capital with millions of inhabitants and the calm atmosphere of the inland cities of Anatolia.

El Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is best museum in Türkiye and more than enough reason to include Ankara on a tour of the interior.

Cappadocia in Türkiye

The combination between a unique landscape in the world and excavated rock churchesIt's been centuries since they still conserve their frescoes, it's been Cappadocia a first-rate tourist destination.

Most of the most visited places are concentrated in the triangle formed by Nevsehir, Avanos y Ürgüp and its immediate surroundings.

Archaeological remains of the Hittite civilization in Türkiye

El hittite empire dominated much of the interior of Anatolia 3500 years ago

Hatusa, the capital, and the nearby Yazilikaya Shrine, are the fundamental destination for the traveler, who should not miss coming to Alacahöyük to continue discovering its monumental remains.

Amasya in Türkiye

Amasya It is one of the most attractive cities in the interior of Türkiye.

Combines the monumental remains of the ancient kingdom of Pontus, from more than 2000 years ago, with a fairly well preserved Ottoman urban complex.