40 Places to Visit in Türkiye

Ask anyone where to go in Türkiye and they will name a few places. Here is our list, so that one day, when you have the time and the budget, you won't regret the places you missed.

1. Mount Nemrut, Adıyaman

Mount Nemrut, in the Kahta district of Adıyaman, holds the remains of the Kingdom of Commagene, with statues of lions and eagles and colossal figures up to 7 metres tall. History lovers should put it on their list of places to see in Türkiye before they die. Many visitors also come simply to watch the sunrise from the summit.

2. Amasra, Bartın

With its scenery, its charm and its cultural riches, Amasra is a good choice for a calm, quiet trip. Don't miss the museum, the castle and the Genoese fortifications.

3. Cumalıkızık, Bursa

Just 2 km from Bursa, the village of Cumalıkızık is a treat for anyone curious about Ottoman buildings. Its Ottoman-era houses and the streams running through its narrow lanes make it a lovely mix of history and nature.

4. Olympos, Antalya

Olympos has Lycian, Roman and Byzantine remains and a superb beach. Nearby at Çıralı you can see the Chimaera, natural flames that have been burning out of the rock for some 3,000 years.

5. Uzungöl, Trabzon

Uzungöl looks like a painting. Expect deep green calm and clean highland air. After a good breakfast, set off on a walk around this natural wonder.

6. Princes' Islands, Istanbul

Perhaps the first thing on any Istanbul list, the Princes' Islands make a lovely outing with their beaches and their famous ice-cream shops. Büyükada, the largest island, is especially popular.

7. Safranbolu, Karabük

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Safranbolu takes you back in time with its Ottoman mosques, inns, baths, bridges and mansions. Before you leave, try the famous Safranbolu lokum (Turkish delight).

8. Ölüdeniz, Muğla

Clear water, beautiful surroundings and a unique beach: Ölüdeniz will win you over and give you plenty of reasons to come back. While you are there, visit Butterfly Valley and go paragliding from Babadağ.

9. Balıklıgöl, Şanlıurfa

Don't leave Şanlıurfa without seeing Balıklıgöl, the pool where, according to tradition, the fire into which the Prophet Abraham was thrown miraculously turned into water and the logs into fish.

10. Boztepe, Ordu

From Boztepe you get a bird's-eye view of Ordu and a beautiful spot for a picnic. A cable car takes about 6 to 7 minutes to get there from the Ordu seafront.

11. Zeugma Mosaic Museum, Gaziantep

One of the largest mosaic museums in the world, it draws crowds with its statue of Mars, a 150-square-metre wall painting and the “Gypsy Girl” mosaic that made the museum famous. If you have seen many museums but not this one, put it at the top of your list.

12. Gökçeada, Çanakkale

On Türkiye's largest island, buy natural olive oil, taste efibadem (the island's almond biscuits), swim in its unspoilt coves and enjoy the simple life. Don't miss the 600-year-old tree in Tepeköy.

13. Gölcük, Bolu

Gölcük is a little heart of nature. Walk, take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage and capture the trip in photographs.

14. Gallipoli Peninsula, Çanakkale

With a history close to every heart in Türkiye and many remains of the 1915 campaign, the Gallipoli Peninsula draws crowds of visitors every year. We recommend visiting the war cemeteries and memorial sites.

15. Pamukkale, Denizli

One of Türkiye's most important destinations, Pamukkale greets you with its unique travertine terraces and their healing waters. Its name, “cotton castle”, comes from their cotton-white look. Besides the travertines there is an archaeology museum, an ancient theatre, the Antique Pool and several caravanserais.

16. Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

Hagia Sophia, a unique building that has become a symbol of the conquest of Istanbul, also holds the tombs of many statesmen. Its history, beauty and stories will carry you back through the centuries.

17. Selimiye Mosque, Edirne

One of the masterpieces of the architect Mimar Sinan, the Selimiye marks the high point of Ottoman and Turkish architecture. Its calligraphy, tiles, carvings and marble are each works of art made with great care.

18. Pergamon, İzmir

With a history going back 8,500 years, Pergamon is one of the oldest settlements in the region and the site of many “firsts” in history. If you are going to İzmir, it is a must.

19. Ballıkayalar, Kocaeli

An ideal spot for hiking and climbing, Ballıkayalar and its solid rock walls are considered the best climbing area in the Marmara region.

20. Yenice Forests, Karabük

With air that smells wonderful and a feeling of being far from city life, the Yenice forests are a treasure for campers and nature lovers alike.

21. Nemrut Caldera, Bitlis

The Nemrut caldera is one of the country's most special places. Little known and rarely promoted, it is nevertheless easy to reach, and it holds five lakes and six caves. You can tour the lake by boat.

22. Sümela Monastery, Trabzon

Set on a frighteningly steep cliff with a magnificent view, Sümela Monastery draws crowds of visitors every year. Its founding date is not known for certain. According to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to two Athenian monks of the 4th century AD, Barnabas and Sophronios, and told them to find her icon painted by Saint Luke by following the path she would show them to Mount Mela. The monks are said to have found the icon in a cave here and built the monastery.

23. Phrygian Valley, Eskişehir/Kütahya/Afyon

The Phrygian Valley covers a wide area between Eskişehir, Kütahya and Afyon. If you like exploring settlements hidden in forests, seeing rock formations like the fairy chimneys of Nevşehir and taking photographs, it will stay with you as a lovely memory.

24. Cappadocia, Nevşehir

Cappadocia, famous for its unusual landscape, underground cities, caves and fairy chimneys, is a wonderful place to spend time. Take an early-morning balloon flight to see all its beauty from the air.

25. Ayder Plateau, Rize

Perhaps the best-known highland pasture (yayla) in Türkiye, Ayder lets you enjoy nature to the full. You can eat at one of the trout restaurants nearby, surrounded by green.

26. Şirince, İzmir

A former Greek village, Şirince lives up to its name, which means “charming”. It has kept its beauty and architecture, and every street deserves a stroll. In its restaurants we recommend Thessaloniki-style güveç (an earthenware casserole), elderflower syrup and dibek coffee, ground in a stone mortar.

27. Anıtkabir, Ankara

Visiting the mausoleum of the great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, with his personal belongings, the Road of Lions, the towers and the museums, and bringing the next generations here, matters for keeping our history alive.

28. Uludağ, Bursa

Uludağ is Türkiye's favourite ski resort, and its natural beauty, national park, the Softaboğan and Saitabat waterfalls and Kirazlıyayla also draw many visitors.

29. Düden Waterfalls, Antalya

With their wonderful view, fresh air and picnic areas, the Düden waterfalls feel like a paradise hidden in one corner of the city.

30. Yedigöller, Bolu

Yedigöller (“Seven Lakes”) in Bolu seems made for photographers. A chain of seven lakes, it is a place of peace and quiet. The trekking paths take you past oak, Scots pine, black pine, hornbeam, alder, fir and ash. It is also known as one of Türkiye's most beautiful forests.

31. Topkapı Palace, Istanbul

One of the finest examples of the Ottoman period, Topkapı Palace draws crowds in Ramadan because it keeps the Mantle of the Prophet and other holy relics, and its harem attracts great interest. Don't leave without seeing the Imperial Council Hall, the Treasury, the İftariye pavilion overlooking the Golden Horn, the Baghdad Pavilion and the Library of Ahmed III.

32. Altınkum, Didim

With some of the best sand and sea in Türkiye, Altınkum is a place visitors never want to leave.

33. Aspendos Theatre, Antalya

This is the best-preserved ancient theatre in Türkiye. It seats 17,000 and has remarkable acoustics thanks to its design. Today it hosts concerts and festivals and draws a lot of interest.

34. Saklıkent, Fethiye/Antalya

Saklıkent, a long gorge between Fethiye and Antalya, is a unique place to walk alongside the rock walls and enjoy the scenery.

35. Harput, Elazığ

With its museum, Buzluk Cave, castle, mosques and the Church of the Virgin Mary, Harput has become a destination for visitors from Türkiye and abroad.

36. Alaçatı, İzmir

With its unique architecture, good conditions for windsurfing and its natural food and produce, Alaçatı welcomes you with all its charms.

37. Mevlana Mausoleum, Konya

Anyone who wants to feel the spirit of Mevlana (Rumi), who lived in Konya and said “Come, come again, whoever you are”, should add it to their list.

38. İshak Pasha Palace, Ağrı

Built on a rocky outcrop, İshak Pasha Palace blends Seljuk and Ottoman architecture. Its history, splendour and view show how deep and strong the region's history runs.

39. Kaz Mountains, Çanakkale/Balıkesir

With its charming villages, fresh air and nature, the Kaz Mountains (Mount Ida) will win you over. While you are there, buy the famous olive oil and thyme. The area is also good for paragliding, hunting and driving tours, and don't leave without visiting its hot springs.

40. Maiden's Tower, Istanbul

One of Istanbul's symbols, the Maiden's Tower lets you see the Sultanahmet Mosque, the Galata Bridge, Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace and the Bosphorus all at once. It can be reached only by boats leaving from Salacak on the Asian side. You can eat at its restaurant or have tea or coffee with the view. We couldn't leave it off a list of places to visit in Türkiye.