From history to natural beauty, Turkey offers the best of everything to tourists from all around the world. It is a country that sits across two continents: Asia and Europe. The nation is best known for its vibrant culture and colorful culinary traditions. Turkey is dotted with some of the best tourist destinations in the world. So, if you’re planning a trip to this incredibly beautiful country, then you have landed on the right article. Here we are going to round up the 10 best tourist attractions in Turkey that you should definitely visit upon your trip to this transcontinental country.
Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya)
Probably the most prominent tourist landmark in the entire country, Hagia Sophia is a magnificent reflection of the region’s glorious past. It was built almost 1500 years ago in 537 AD as the second-largest cathedral in the world.
For almost a century, it served as a church until it was finally converted into a mosque by an ottoman conqueror. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, one of the greatest revolutionaries in the history of Turkey, converted it into a museum. It then served as a museum until recently when the government of Tayyip Erdoğan reverted the status of Hagia Sophia as a mosque after 86 years.
Topkapi Palace
One of the greatest remnants of the Ottoman Empire in Istanbul is Topkapi Palace. It is now a large Museum in the Fateh district of Istanbul. During the 15th and 16th centuries, it served as the main administrative capital of Turkey.
Topkapi palace remained the main residence of Ottoman Sultans for many years. The palace comprises multiple main courtyards. Originally, this historical Landmark was known as the “New Palace”. The walls of the palace have been adorned with intricately designed artwork. A large number of tourists visit this palace whenever they are in Istanbul. The Museum exhibits an extensive collection of Imperial artifacts and books from the era of the Ottoman Empire.
Galata Tower
A gorgeous looking Tower crafted from medieval stones that looks at the entire Highway landscape of Istanbul, Galata Tower is 9 storey tall rising 61 CM (200 feet) above sea level. Galata Tower has two Elevators that carry visitors from top to bottom and vice versa. This centuries-old structure has also remained a part of the list of World Heritage sites UNESCO. From the top of the tower, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Bosphorus river and the gorgeous cityscape of Istanbul. Galata Tower was actually built in 528 AD. It is one of the most prominent remnants of the Byzantine Empire.
Antalya
Home to many breathtaking natural places and tourist attractions, Antalya is one of the most populous cities in Turkey. Its history also dates back to hundreds of thousands of years. The very first urban settlements in this region can be traced back to 200 BC.
If you are looking for some indoor fun don’t forget to visit the Antalya Museum and Antalya Aquarium. For adventure seekers and those who love seaside activities, we can visit places like Lara beach and Konyaaltı Plajları. The city of Antalya also has many different types of historical monuments and statues, some of them are thousands of years old. When exploring tourist attractions in Turkey don’t forget to visit Antalya.
Mount Nemrut
A more than 2100-meter-high mountain, rising 7000 feet above sea level, holds great historical significance. Mount Nemrut is an ancient site that has a number of large sculptures and statues, assumed to be built around the Royal tomb of a well-known warrior from the past.
This place has also been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. People from all over the world visit this place to take an up-close look at the intriguing history of this region. Due to its challenging elevation, the place is also very famous for hiking and trekking among adventure seekers. There are many different types of travel apps that you can use to explore other fascinating tourist destinations around the world like Mount Nemrut.
Bursa
The city of Bursa is quite popular among tourists. It is a large city positioned in the northwestern part of the country. It is located by the sea of Marmara. You can explore plenty of ancient mosques and other types of landmarks built during the Ottoman Empire.
Barsaat history can also be linked to ancient Greek civilizations that came up with the very first urban settlements in the region in 5200 BC. It remained the second most prominent city after Istanbul during the Ottoman reign. Some of the most prominent tourist attractions in Bursa include the Grand Mosque of Bursa, Bursa Zoo, and Bursa City Museum among others.
Princes’ Islands
Based on a series of nine Islands, Princes’ Island is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Turkey. This tourism spot can be reached by a ferry ride from Istanbul. These islands are located in the Sea of Marmara. The journey to Princes’ Island by the sea would take an hour or so.
Upon reaching the island you will see many small cafes and roadside eateries to facilitate tourists. You will also come across souvenir shops at almost every other corner of the island. To make this place completely environmentally friendly, only electric vehicles such as bicycles, trams, and motorbikes are allowed on these islands.
Pamukkale
It is a coastal town in western Turkey that is quite famous for its mineral-rich thermal water among tourists. Antalya is one of the closest major cities to Pamukkale in Turkey. You can also use the bus service to get there which is very punctual and comfortable.
It is originally the oldest Roman Spa City, the foundation of which was laid in 190 BC. Some of the most prominent places to visit in Pamukkale are Cleopatra Antique Pools and Pamukkale Thermal Pools. The name of this small coastal town means cotton castle in Turkish. The place is so fascinating that it has been featured in many different types of international documentaries on its natural landscape.
The Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque is also known as Sultan Ahmed mosque. It is also one of the largest and most gorgeously designed mosques in Turkey. The beauty of this structure is amplified by hand-painted blue tiles that are among the most prominent features of its architecture.
The Blue Mosque was also included in the list of world heritage sites by UNESCO in 1985. It was added under the group of ancient sites known as the Historical Areas of Istanbul. As the name suggests this Mosque was built by Sultan Ahmed in the 17th century. The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia share the same neighborhood.
Mediterranean Cruise Trips
Want to enjoy the views of beautiful coastlines by the Mediterranean Sea? Well, Turkey offers even more than that. Bodrum and Fethiye are two of the most naturally attractive places to visit in Turkey’s Mediterranean region. They offer you seaside activities, allowing you to soak up in the sun.
You can also take a cruise trip to explore the vast expanse of crystal-clear seawater. Blue Cruise is one of the most famous activities in this regard. Cruising on a yacht from Fethiye in this Mediterranean region of Turkey is really fun, which is a highly popular activity among travelers and adventure seekers. Booking activities beforehand is one of the best tips to save money on traveling.
There you have it — a detailed round-up of the 10 best tourist attractions in Turkey. Don’t forget to add the aforementioned destinations and tourism activities to your travel bucket list to make the most of your trip to a magical land where the East meets the West.
