Turkey’s Top 20 Tourist Destinations

For more than ten years, writer Jess Lee has been penning travelogues from her home in Turkey. She is the author of multiple travel guides for the nation. Turkey is a stunning location that bridges Asia and Europe. It is teeming with historic sites left over from a succession of dynasties and boasts breathtaking scenery.

Here are the best places to visit read our list of the top tourist attractions in Turkey.

Visitors are enthralled by its dynamic culture, delectable cuisine, and extensive history, and its breathtaking scenery, which ranges from the sun-drenched Mediterranean to the majestic mountains and barren steppe, is a draw in and of itself. This country offers visitors a wide range of activities, whether they want to explore the Byzantine and Ottoman glories of Istanbul on a city break, relax on the beach, learn about history by exploring ruins like Ephesus, or take in some of the most surreal landscapes in the world at Pamukkale and Cappadocia.

1. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) Mosque

The breathtaking Byzantine splendour of the Hagia Sophia Mosque (Aya Sofya), often regarded as one of the most magnificent structures on Earth, is not only one of the best things to do in Istanbul but all of Turkey.
Constructed in 537 CE by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, this world-famous building is considered the pinnacle of Byzantine architecture and has stood as the largest church in the world for a millennium.

The elaborate and vast frescoed interior serves as a magnificent reminder of the majesty and power of ancient Constantinople, while the delicate minarets constructed after the Ottoman conquest accent the overwhelming size of its façade.

2. Ephesus

The magnificent ruins of Ephesus, a city of enormous monuments and marble-columned streets, are not to be missed. Experience what it must have been like to live during the height of the Roman Empire’s prosperity at one of the most complete and intact ancient towns in the Mediterranean.

Although the city’s history goes back to the 10th century BCE, the majority of the monuments that are visible now are from the Roman era, when the city was a bustling trade hub. Ephesus was wealthy and significant during the Roman era, as evidenced by the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, and the complex of terraced buildings covered in frescoes. Plan your visit so you don’t feel rushed because a sightseeing tour here will take at least 30 minutes to cover the main attractions and more if you really want to explore.

3. Cappadocia

Photographers adore Cappadocia’s grotesque, swooping rock slopes.
Millennia of wind and water action have sculpted bizarre pinnacles or rippling panoramas of wave-like rock along cliff ridges and hill crests. In addition, this is one of the best places in the world for a hot-air balloon flight, so you don’t have to hike to enjoy the sights.

The frescoed rock-cut churches and cave-cut architecture of the Byzantine Era, when this region was home to monastic Christian communities, are nestled inside this unusual lunar-like terrain. In particular, some of the world’s best examples of surviving mid-Byzantine-era religious art may be found in the several cave-churches of Göreme Open-Air Museum and Ihlara Valley.

4. Topkapı Palace

Istanbul’s Topkapı Palace transports you to the extravagant and wondrous realm of the Sultans, with its lavishness beyond description. From this location, throughout the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the Ottoman sultans carved up an empire that stretched into Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The interiors offer an incredible glimpse into the Ottoman power base with its opulent jewelled decor and decadently extravagant tiling.

Not to be missed are the world-class collection of miniature paintings, the dazzling Harem rooms designed by the renowned Ottoman architect Sinan, the arms collection on display in the Imperial Treasury and the Imperial Council building, where the Grand Vizier conducted business for the empire.

5. Antalya

There is something for everyone in this vibrant Mediterranean hub.
Throughout the summer, vacationers from all over Europe flock to the two main beaches outside of town, which are a sun worshipper’s paradise. On the other hand, the old town district, nestled right in the heart of the town, is a great site to explore, with its cobblestone streets surrounded by creaky mansions from the Ottoman era.

Considered one of the best in the nation, the Antalya Museum boasts an incredible collection of Hellenistic and Roman marble statues. For those who like to establish themselves outside of Antalya, there are plenty of attractions nearby. Specifically, Antalya serves as a convenient starting point for day visits to some of the most well-known Greco-Roman remains in Turkey, such as the numerous ruins in the town of Side and the nearby Aspendos and Perge.

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