Best cities to visit in Turkey

Thinking about the best cities to visit in Turkey paints a picture of relaxed people lying on beautiful beaches, having a mouth full of delicious cuisine, or even running in its fantastic malls to buy as many clothes and sweets as their suitcases can bear. But many will be overlooked with that attitude.

Turkey is a combination of lovely landmarks, breath-taking scenery, vibrant nightlife, concomitated with cultural legacy and rich ancient heritage. So, whatever your expectations of a marvelous destination are, Turkey will provide you with even more!

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Are you ready to write at least the top 3 cities to visit in Turkey in your itinerary? Below you can find your options!

Istanbul

Gathering 15 million inhabitants doubtlessly, Istanbul is a metropolitan city. Many foreigners confuse it with the capital of Turkey as it is the place that brings west and east together. Istanbul is the only city in the world on two continents! The difference between Asia and Europe is gone bypassing the Bosphorus strait.

You can see the footsteps of many ancient empires such as the Greek, the Ottoman, and even Romans in many historical sights like mosques, churches, monuments, bazaars, and so on.

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Some of them that you must not miss while staying in Istanbul are:

The blue mosque

An Ottoman heritage built in the 17^th century, and its name comes from the blue-colored tiles of its walls. A fun fact is that the Muslims in Istanbul still go there to say their prayers daily.

The Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya)

Built in the 6^th century BC as a Byzantine church, and then due to the religious converts in Turkey, this magnificent piece of architecture was turned into a mosque. So, it’s not a surprise to find both Islamic and Christian elements there.

Topkapi Palace

Now a must-visit museum, you can watch lovely displays of Ottoman-era collections.

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The Grand Bazaar

Like its name, it is grand! It is one of the largest traditional markets in the world where the ceiling is covered. You can find many treasures there, but a tip to remember is that bargaining works here, so don’t be shy.

Other places you might enjoy visiting are:

• Basilica Byzantine cistern
• The Galata Tower
• Dolmabahce Palace

Also, remember that Istanbul’s cuisine and nightlife are magnificent, so don’t miss the bars, clubs, restaurants, and beachside chills.

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Antalya

Among the list of must-see cities in Turkey, don’t forget to include Antalya. Antalya is located on the Mediterranean coastline and was once under Alexander the great rule. Also, the Italian people had a good influence on it as they occupied the city for over three years after the world war.

Nowadays, this city is home to two and a half million residents and is a world-known summer destination. Antalya is most famous for its beach resorts, nightlife, and marvelous nature, so if you are planning a trip to enjoy the warm sands beneath while taking a sun bath, look no further.

Below are some of the places that nature lovers should not miss in Antalya:

• Lara beach
• Konyaalti beach
• Mount Tahtali
• Duden Waterfalls
• Kursunlu Waterfall

Antalya is not only about the sea and sand. This magnificent city mirrors its long-lasting culture into many exciting festivals, which are listed below in case you are a fan:

• The Antalya Sand Festival
• The Golden Orange Film Festival
• The Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival

The reasons why Antalya is one of the best cities to visit in Turkey come to an end by mentioning its valuable historical heritage. You can find a harbor that goes back to the Roman period, mansions and sites belonging to the Ottoman eras, such as the Antalya Castle and the Hadrian Castle, and even an Archeology Museum.

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Bursa

Historically, as this beautiful city was located on the Silk Road and had a strategic location, it was chosen as the capital by the Ottoman rulers. So, there are lots of ancient Ottoman places to explore, such as:

• The Grand 20-domed mosque
• The Yesil tomb and mosque
• The Muradiye Kulliyesi

Another remarkable fact about Bursa is that a UNESCO World Heritage village called Cumalikizik is only 20 minutes away from the city. So, if you are willing to walk through the history, Bursa is the place.

On the other hand, Bursa has a lot to say regarding food. This green city with the lovely landscape is where the famous Iskender Kebab was born and if you want to have an original taste of it, visiting Bursa is a must.

You can visit Bursa any time of the year due to its refreshing weather, but if you are a skiing fan, you should pick winter as Bursa has wonderful ski resorts such as Uludag.

Sanliurfa

Urfa or Sanliurfa is the best place for those seeking amazing stories in the southeast of Turkey. It is also called the “City of the Prophet” because it is believed that Prophet Abraham was born there. One of the places you don’t want to miss is the Balikligol, or the pool of Abraham, which is claimed to be the place Nimrod cast the prophet into the fire. So, if you want to replenish your soul, this is the place.

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Also, the world’s most ancient temple, Gobekli Tepe, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is nearby. Also, the Halilurrahman cami is a mosque built in the 13^th century that you must visit if you are a history fan.

Izmir

Among the best cities to visit in Turkey lies Izmir. A long time ago in the Roman period, Izmir was called Smyrna, meaning a port city, referring to its location on the Aegean west coast. Although a horrible fire burned down many of its ancient places in 1922, you can still find many historical heritages to amuse you.

Also, if you are willing to visit Ephesus and Pergamon Archaeological places, Izmir is the best place to stay.

History is not the only thing that Izmir has to offer. Many beach resorts, vibrant nightlife, and shopping centers make it count as a modern, lively city where you can enjoy bars, cafes, and promenades as well. It also holds international film festivals and fairs, an indicator of its culture.

Keep in mind to visit the below list while you are in Izmir:

• The Kemaralti Market
• Izmir Clock Tower
• Yali Mosque
• Izmir Agora

Konya

Konya’s history goes back to the third century. It was located on the Silk Route, and you can find many ancient places there reflecting its rich heritage. In the 13^th century, it was the Seljuk empire’s capital, and you can still see many art, crafts, and architecture that goes back to the Sultanate of Rum. But that is not the main reason people love to visit Konya.

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Although Mevlana (Rumi), the famous poet, was born in Balkh, he chose Konya as home and later founded a Sufi order called the Whirling Dervishes. Whirling is a kind of Sama dance that is a meditation focused on God.

The Whirling Dervishes still perform in Konya, which is held in Mevlana Cultural Center every Saturday and is free of charge. If you are a spiritual person, Konya is one of the top three cities to visit in Turkey for you.

Also, there are many other mind-blowing places you shouldn’t miss while visiting:

• The Mausoleum of Rumi
• Mevlana Museum
• Alaeddin Mosque
• Tile Museum
• The Aziziye Mosque

As many things are about Mevlana in here, don’t forget to taste Mevlana Sekeri or candy, Mevlana Borek, and last but not least, the Eli Pide.

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Fethiye

A place the turquoise sea and ancient authenticity meet. Located on the coast of Aegean, this place is mostly about nature and the sea. On its beaches, Oludeniz offers many marine recreational activities, including boat rides, paragliding, yacht sailing, and relaxation.

But as mentioned earlier, these are just a few that Fethiye offers a visitor. There are many historical heritages nearby as well as natural wonders, some of which are mentioned below:

• The Amyntas Tomb
• The Butterfly Valley
• The Blue Lagoon (Oludeniz Lagoon)
• The Roman Theater
• The Fethiye Mosque

Remember that two of the UNESCO World Heritage sites are near Fethiye. First, the Lycian ruins of Xanthos and Letoon. Then, the Blue Lagoon was mentioned before. So, if Fethiye is that hot for UNESCO, I’m sure it would also be good for you. Just kidding!

Gaziantep

The question is not whether you like to visit the adventurous, beautiful Antep or not, but it is if you are ready to elevate your sugar levels as you are introduced to where delicious Baklava comes from. Gaziantep is in the southeast of Turkey and is the main city to farm pistachios in Turkey.

That explains the Baklava flavor indeed. It is generally heaven for food lovers as it also has great meat kebabs, meatballs known as kofte, etc.

Besides delicious cuisine, Gaziantep has many lovely places such as:

• Gaziantep Castle
• Archaeology Museum
• Mosaic Museum
• Gaziantep zoo

Ankara

You can’t talk about must-see cities in Turkey and leave its capital behind. This is where the government rules and it has a good reason. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the first president of the Turkish republic, chose Ankara as the capital because he wanted an unconquerable place and Ankara is geographically in central Anatolia.

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Ankara is vibrant, alive, and a good place to experience Turkish cuisine while surrounded by embassies!

Places that you have to visit in Ankara are:

• Anatolian Civilizations Museum
• The Anitkabir mausoleum of Ataturk
• The Gordion ancient site
• The Ankara Castle
• The Kocatepe mosque

Antakya

This city that is sometimes overlooked by tourists is the primary Christian center in Turkey. Two Christian priests called Saint Peter and Saint Paul, preached people of Hatay (Antakya) to convert religiously. So, it is only logical to find numerous churches in the area one of which is Saint Peter’s church.

Also, you can visit Hatay Archaeological Museum which has art crafts and mosaic displays from the Byzantine and Bronze eras.

Aside from the religious tales and historic sights, almost every Kebab (except Adana of course) originated here and is also home to delicious Kunefe and hummus. So, if you are a fan of Turkish cuisine, Antakya will not disappoint you.

Trabzon

In the Northeast of Turkey, on the Black Sea coast, lies a diamond called Trabzon. There are many beaches to enjoy, such as Paradise beach, and the natural beauties do not end here. Sera Lake and Uzungol lake are nearby, and the village will mesmerize any tourist with their pure beauty.

Aside from that, you can taste cuisine dedicated to this coastal area, such as Hamsi (A kind of Anchovy) and the cheesy bread of Trabzon.

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Also, there are many historical places to wander around, such as Trabzon Haghia Sophia, a church belonging to the 13^th century, which turned into a mosque, or Sumela Monastery, a UNESCO Worlds Heritage since 2000, and its frescoes show scenes of Jesus and the Virgin Mary.

Trabzon is also known for its festivals which try to hold the traditional culture up high and include folklore dances such as Horon and songs about romantic tales.

Cappadocia

The city of hot balloons, wine, and fairy chimneys. Cappadocia farms almost 60 percent of grapes in Turkey, which later turn into tasteful wine. That’s why it is a good destination for wine lovers.

The other magnificent point about Cappadocia is that many tall rocks on the broad plain area got their cone-like structure thanks to erosion and earthquakes over the years and are called “Fairy Chimneys.” Of course, they are not as much wonder as you imagine when looking at them from the earth. And the solution is a hot air balloon ride.

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Cappadocia air balloons are globally famous and allow you to watch fairy chimneys resembling minarets.

In addition, Gorme national park, a UNESCO World Heritage site with churches going back to the 10^th century, is a popular spot near the city.

Bodrum

City of the white houses that attracts many celebrities and people from all over the world to visit The International Bodrum Ballet festival and the Bodrum Baroque Music festival, and so much more.

If you are a fan of fantastic beaches, lovely nightlife, picturesque views, and excellent bars, Bodrum is the place for you. Also, like any other city in Turkey, Bodrum holds in itself many tourist attractions such as:

• The Bodrum Castle
• The Halicarnassus Theater
• Bodrum Windmills
• The Mausoleum

Also, for an authentic beach experience, you must visit:

• The Kadikalesi beach
• The Karaincir beach
• The Yahsi beach

Kusadasi

Another vibrant and youthful beach resort in Turkey with lovely beaches and nightlife where you can party hard. You can taste some fantastic food such as Spinach Gozleme and its fig dessert in its delicate lovely restaurants.

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Also, only 20 minutes from Kusadasi lies a UNESCO World Heritage site called Ephesus, an ancient Greek town. Valuable historical places and ruins such as the Artemis Temple, the Hadrian Temple, and even a Stadium ruin can be found near this city if you are looking for a journey in history alongside your beach resort stay.

Denizli

Denizli city, located in the southwest of Turkey, is not a place many visitors pick, but maybe it is because not many are aware of Pamukkale, which is 15 minutes from the city. Pamukkale is a phenomenon from a geographical angle and an open-air grand spa.

The travertine in the mineral hot waters is deposited over a long time, making pools look like white terraces to which thermal mineral waterfalls flow.

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This place is called “the Cotton Castle” and offers 17 springs. The rumor is that Cleopatra once bathed in one of these pools, so why shouldn’t you?

The journey must end at last

Speaking of the best cities to visit in Turkey is so hard as you have to leave many magnificent cities behind because there are numerous places worth visiting, but the travelers’ time is limited. To be honest, Turkey is not a country you can cover in only one trip and you have to return later for more.

But for now, I hope you pick at least the top three cities to visit in Turkey from our list based on your preference, and I hope you enjoy your trip as much as we enjoy helping you find a lovely destination.

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