Continents collide in Turkey, a country where you can jump start your morning with a Turkish coffee in Europe and by lunchtime snack on a kebab in Asia. Continue to the ‘fairy-tale’ landscape of Cappadocia where Bronze Age cave-dwellers carved ancient cities into the region’s tall, cone shaped rocks. These ‘underground cities’ now host homes and businesses and the hotel you’ll be staying in.

Flights & Departure Cities

Turkish capital Ankara is home to two of the country’s most important monuments. Konya is where the whirling dervishes began, foodie visitors head to Gaziantep simply to eat its world-renowned baklava and to Bursa to sample its Iskender kebap, and Safranbolu is a painstakingly preserved Ottoman-era old town. With less time up your sleeve at the end of this trip, head direct from Adana, north to Cappadocia, and follow the Cappadocia itinerary. Kızkalesi beach is framed by Corycus Castle, while just offshore is the island holding Kızkalesi Castle, which is the attraction everyone is here to see. But the countryside both west and east of town is littered with ruins.

Beyond its coastal charm, the city is surrounded by lush green mountains, where you can embark on hiking trails that lead to stunning viewpoints overlooking the Black Sea. Lush green mountains, cascading waterfalls, and picturesque valleys adorn the landscape. The ​​Uzungöl Lake is a particularly stunning vista, just 1.5 hours outside the capital city. Exploring the narrow streets of the capital city’s old town, visitors can soak up the authentic atmosphere. Marvel at traditional wooden houses and discover hidden gems, like the bustling bazaars where you can sample local delicacies and shop for textiles and souvenirs.

From hiking in the Kaçkar Mountains to hot air ballooning in Cappadocia, Turkey’s natural attractions are a playground for the adventurous. Learn about the best outdoor activities and how to experience them responsibly. Turkey’s geography is as varied as its history, with each region offering a distinct climate and terrain.

Magic Carpet Tour

In an early beauty contest, Paris of Troy had to choose between the three beauties Hera, Athena and Aphrodite. Paris chose Aphrodite who had promised Paris the love of Helen, the Queen of Sparta. Paris’ subsequent abduction of Helen to Tory provoked the Trojan war. Much Viaggi in Turchia of this route is also possible by bus although it will likely take a little longer to allow for public transport schedules. From modern cities filled with worldly citizens (Istanbul, Amman & Athens) to islands dotted with small villages (Mykonos & Santorini) …

It’s home to a fabulous new museum and prime base for exploring a bundle of far-from-the-crowds historic sites. Antalya, Side, and Alanya are all beach-vacation-focused towns, so if you’re after some sun and sea before heading further into this itinerary, these are the best places to add some beach days onto your trip. [newline]Spend Day Two first exploring the fairy chimneys of Paşabağı and then the three interconnecting valleys of Zelve Open-Air Museum, with its mammoth conical rocks and abandoned village remnants. Head to Avanos for lunch and then a stroll around the pottery workshops, then head to either Ortahisar or Uçhisar to climb up to the top of these villages’ rock-citadels and explore the cobblestone alleys. First thing in the morning, the skies above Cappadocia fill with hot-air balloons that take visitors soaring above the area’s canyons, fairy chimneys and other fantastical rock formations. Even if you don’t fancy a flight, it’s worth getting up early to see the colorful aerial display from the ground. Turkey is generally a safe destination for LGBTQIA+ travelers as long they exercise discretion.

Together Pamukkale and Hierapolis are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the mix of natural and ancient is still breathtaking today. The brilliant white travertine of Pammukale is on the cover of nearly every Turkey guidebook and, with over two million visitors annually, Pamukkale is Turkey’s single most visited attraction. The ancient Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis, a thermal spa city, is located on the hot springs of Pamukkale. We spent a night in a hotel in Pamukkale to give us the chance to explore at less crowded times. Renting a car in Turkey is very safe and it’s the best way to explore the country.

Türkiye Travel Guide

If you’re looking for a destination with fantasy-movie like strange beauty, rich history, amazing culture, insane bazaars, and good food then you really have to visit Turkey. After all, Turkish Airlines runs promos for cheap flights to Turkey from many places in the world. Our trips directly benefit local communities through a variety of educational, environmental, and cultural initiatives.

We’ll show you our favorite places to visit in Turkey below to make your upcoming trip truly memorable. The Disk-Basin-Is union said that at least eight reporters and photojournalists had been detained in what it said was an “attack on press freedoms and the people’s right to learn the truth”. Turkey’s largest cities have been rocked by protests for nearly a week as hundreds of thousands of protesters turned out in support of Mr Imamoglu. The mayor retained his seat following local elections last year, during which the CHP made significant gains against the AKP. Mr Imamoglu was elected mayor of Turkey’s largest city in March 2019, in a major blow to Mr Erdogan and the president’s governing Justice and Development Party (AKP), which had controlled Istanbul for a quarter of a century.

See one of the oldest structures in the city, Kızlarağası Inn, built in 1744, where there are now guest rooms and shops you can browse. Walk through the Kemeralti Market and out to Kordonboyu’s pier to gain a full appreciation of how this port city is still thriving today. The museum was once the Mevlevi dervish (“whirling dervish”) lodge and features the Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi mausoleum. If you’re interested in the dervish rites and rituals, you can see whirling dervish ceremonies at the Mevlana Cultural Center close to the museum. Start your visit with some sightseeing at the Bodrum Castle, a medieval fortress built for St. Peter by the Knights of Saint John. You can look over the city’s two bays and look for the hilltop, white-washed Bodrum Windmills below.

Remember respectful attire if you want to visit some of Turkey’s many religious sites. Many nationalities, including US, UK, and EU citizens, don’t need a visa to enter Turkey. Check the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for the latest visa requirements, which are listed for each country. Hear from one of our Travel Experts and take the first steps to finding your perfect tour.

With over 270 trips around the world and plenty of departure dates to work into your schedule, you’ll never be short of options on where to go for your next great adventure. With its stunning, lonely setting, built into a cliff face, Sumela Monastery (Monastery of the Virgin Mary) is the star attraction for visitors along the Black Sea Coast. Nearly all the Hellenistic and Roman-era floor mosaics displayed here are originally from the Greco-Roman ruins of the town of Zeugma, which is now half-submerged due to the construction of the Bericik Dam. The mosaics, cleverly curated and displayed so that they can be viewed from their best angles, provide visitors with a sense of the artistry of the Greco-Roman era. If you’re road-tripping inland from Istanbul, this is a fantastic place to stop-off for the night and experience the historic ambience. The ruins of the powerful Silk Road city of Ani sit abandoned on the plains rubbing up against Turkey’s modern border with Armenia.

If you do want to hike, the middle of summer may not be the best time to visit this area due to the intense heat. Mardin, with its rich history of Syriac, Arab, Turkish, Mongol, and Ottoman influences, is renowned for its stunning architecture. Intricately carved limestone buildings climb the mountainside, with narrow cobblestone streets and staircases weaving through the city. Grand mosques, numerous churches, monasteries, and museums dot Mardin, offering endless exploration opportunities. This city on the Turkish Riviera offers beautiful beaches, nature retreats, ancient wonders, and a fascinating history.

Traffic in Turkey can be chaotic, and even when traffic lights and pedestrian crossings exist drivers do not always obey them. Squat toilets remain the norm in many parts of Turkey, which can pose problems for travelers with certain disabilities. For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or ILGA before you travel. Fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water or carry water purification tablets with you. Long layers must also be worn in mosques, as well as a head covering for women.

If you’re on a tighter budget, I’d suggest only opting for the Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and Bosphorus cruise, which would bring your total Istanbul expenses down to €67. If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll likely save money by cooking rather than eating out, so if you’re willing to sacrifice some of your meals, this is an excellent way to stay on track with your budget. Hostels usually offer a shared kitchen, and if you’re opting for an Airbnb, the owners often give you access to the kitchen. If that’s the case, you can head to a local market (a great cultural experience) and stock up on ingredients. I definitely recommend picking up an Istanbulkart when you arrive in the city.