Best things to do and see in Turkey

Turkey is a monumental country with an epic history that stretches from the Ancient Greeks to Ottoman opulence. This impressive history is present in both the country’s wealth of world-famous museums and important archaeological sites. As if this weren’t enough, the country boasts some of the world’s most sumptuous and awe-inspiring landscapes – all rounded off with a good helping of mouth-watering cuisine. Get the low down on the best things to do in Turkey here.

Istanbul

No visit to Turkey is complete without first exploring Istanbul. Turkey’s glittering cultural capital is the magical melting pot of its East and West sides. Its opulent palaces, mosques and monuments include such treasures as Topkapı Palace, Aya Sofya, Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern. Each of these tells a story not just of the city but of the country itself. It’s not all dry history, though. Istanbul is a vibrant and modern city that blends old market traditions, like the Grand Bazaar, with cutting-edge art at Istanbul Modern. Istanbul is to be felt, explored and experienced, from its storied avenues to the historic Bosphorus Strait. There’s no best time to visit the city, as attractions remain open year round.

Ephesus

Ephesus is one of Turkey’s most thrilling archaeological sites and also one of the world’s best-preserved ancient cities. It was built in the 10th century BC and was once populated by ancient Greeks and Romans as an important regional capital. Today, Ephesus’ atmospheric ruins are a treat to explore, from the stoic façade of the Library of Celsus to the once wondrous foundations of the Temple of Artemis. There’s also a charming museum in nearby Selçuk containing archaeological finds that’s a must-visit after strolling among the ruins. Many use Selçuk or İzmir as a base to explore Ephesus – both of which boast their own unique attractions. Ephesus is open all year round from 8 AM.

Cappadocia

Cappadocia is located in Turkey’s vast Anatolian hinterland, a dusty desert landscape dotted with crags. It’s renowned for its geological fairy chimneys and lunar-like crevices, the result of ancient lava flows. Magical when seen by air, hundreds of hot-air balloons ascend in the morning for captivating sunrises that you won’t soon forget. But there’s more to Cappadocia than its postcard vistas – its history is deep and hidden in the rocks. Underground cities sheltered local Christians from Islamic marauders, and they left their mark with Byzantine frescoes, churches and other eerie underground carvings. Head to Göreme Open Air Museum after your airborne expedition to discover these 10th-century wonders up close.

Pamukkale

Pamukkale is a town in Western Turkey renowned for mineral-rich springs that have drawn visitors since Classical antiquity. As water flowed down the hillside, the warm springs formed calcified terraces, sculpting a cotton-coloured natural icy wonder. A fascinating inverse of this landscape can also be found underground in the stunning Kaklık Cave. It’s a spectacular landscape made all the more stunning by the ancient ruins of a Roman spa resort, Hierapolis, on the hillside. Hierapolis contains an imposing 12,000-seat Roman theatre, temple ruins, necropolis and agora. Round off your trip with a dip in Cleopatra Antique Pools, so named as a legendary gift from Marc Anthony to Cleopatra. You can visit all year round.

Meze Feasts

Turkey’s Istanbul and Mediterranean regions boast some of the greatest meze traditions in the country: feasts that can be enjoyed at any time of the year. As small, cold and warm dishes for sharing, mezes are the heart and soul of the Turkish dining experience. While typically enjoyed as a starter to a rakı-balık meal, you can feast on a meze as a meal in its own right while enjoying the company of friends or family. Expect fresh olives, muhammara dips, flatbreads, marinated fish, mussels, drizzled feta, cured meat and an assortment of fried and seasoned vegetables. Meze is made to reflect the best of regional produce, so it changes throughout the country. In Istanbul, patlıcan ezmesi (grilled eggplant with yoghurt) is a speciality, while Ankara is renowned for its sübyeli çorba (soup with ink fish).

Lycian Way

The Lycian Way is Turkey’s longest hiking trail, a coastal path spanning over 500 km (310 miles). Taking in huge swathes of Turkey’s glittering Aegean and Mediterranean Coasts, the trail is dotted with Lycian ruins, colourful fishing villages and soaring cliffs. It would take a whole month or so to walk this bejewelled path in total. Instead, pick a section for a day or more of hiking. The sections around Fethiye and Patara come highly recommended for their balancing of historic sites with jaw-dropping seaside scenery. If you have a few days to spare, it’s an exceptional experience interspersed with fine dining, views and well-kept campsites and pilgrim hotels.

Göbeklitepe

Fans of pre-history, archaeology and mystery may well have heard of Göbeklitepe, Turkey’s most important modern discovery. Located near Urfa and ideal for day trips from this important city, Göbeklitepe is a neolithic archaeological site that turned accepted theories of human settlement on their head. Recognised as the earliest known site of worship, only 5% of the site has been excavated. Göbeklitepe is at least 12,000 years old and contains mind-blowing carvings of elaborate images from some 6,000 years before writing was invented. It can be a trek to get to, especially if you’re not visiting Urfa, but it’s a captivating site that’s the oldest of its kind in the world (for now). For those in Urfa, a trip to the Sanliurfa Museum is recommended before Göbeklitepe. Göbeklitepe is open all year round from 8 AM, with early closing during the darker winter season.

Kaçkar Mountains

The Kaçkar Mountains and its surrounding national park take up some 52,970 hectares of Turkey’s eastern Black Sea region. They are the country’s most breathtaking mountains and an exceptional location for summer trekking. If hiking is on your Turkey itinerary, you’ll want to make a beeline straight for this rugged mountain region. Bases in coastal Rize and inland Artvin provide equipment for expeditions into the mountains. Highlights include Pokut Yaylası, a plateau boasting jaw-dropping panoramic vistas; Palovit Şelalesi, a wondrous waterfall; and the park’s crowning peak, Mount Kaçkar. A guide and mountaineering experience is recommended.

Gület Sailing

Sailing Turkey’s Aegean Sea with a gület is a true bucket-list activity and one of the best ways to see, explore and experience the coast. Gülets are traditional wooden Turkish yachts that offer multi-day cruises throughout the summer and shoulder seasons. You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to coastal ports, but Bodrum remains one of the most iconic. From here, you set sail across turquoise waters, following old fishing routes that sustained ancient villages dotted along the coast. Head to the Datca Peninsula and the dreamy coves or islets near the Dodecanese before anchoring for the sunset. With a gület, you can catch and grill fresh fish onboard, toast your loved one and relish in Turkey’s magical Aegean views.

Antalya

Antalya is the biggest Turkish city on the Mediterranean coast outside the Aegean region. This capital of Antalya Province, framed by the Taurus Mountains, boasts a blend of traditional and modern. Those who like beach life will enjoy relaxing here in summer (May to September) when not exploring the old town area’s cobblestone alleyways. The Antalya Museum offers an impressive collection of statues from Hellenistic and Roman times, and Aspendos, south of the city, is one of the best-preserved Roman theatres. Antalya Festival takes place for 18 days in September, and there are various other festivals throughout the year, such as the Mediterranean International Music Festival in October.

Troy

The ancient city of Troy (or Illion) is in Hisarlik, about 6.5 kilometres from the Aegean Sea and is the site of legendary remains dating back to the Bronze Age. The archaeological site contains various settlements layered on top of each other. This UNESCO World Heritage site is worth a visit, along with the museum, which contains some of the treasures found at the site. Families enjoy dressing up in Roman costumes and exploring the replica of a Trojan horse at the entrance. The site can be visited from Çanakkale in a day trip or easily reached from the Dardanelles.

Mount Nemrut

Mt Nemrut is a captivating 2,134 m (7,001 ft) peak close to the Taurus Mountains in south-eastern Turkey. Surrounded by its very own Nemrut Dağı National Park, the region has an ancient history revered by the Commagene. More than just a mountain peak, the summit contains burial mounds and the remnants of ancient Greek and Iranian hybrid god statues. As a testament to their own authority, a Hellenistic king had these statues built and placed on the peak. Centuries of earthquakes and pillaging have left the statues scattered and open to the elements. It’s a deeply peaceful, surreal and evocative experience as you ascend the mountain and travel back in time. The mountain is best tackled at sunrise or sunset for one of the greatest views in all of Turkey.