TOP 16 attractions in Turkey, which are worth seeing. What is a must see in Turkey? Where to go on excursions?
TOP 16 attractions in Turkey
Turkey is a country that keeps many historical secrets. The cultures of Europe and Asia merged here, and each era left its mark on architecture. We present you the 7 most significant sights worth seeing in Turkey.
Blue Mosque
The dome of the Blue Mosque is visible from afar, they say it can be seen from all the outskirts of Istanbul. The majestic building has been attracting the attention of tourists from all over the world for several hundred years. In the process of finishing the mosque, the craftsmen used a specially brought mosaic of blue and white stones, which gave the mosque its name. Inside, tourists can see luxurious ancient tiles with original ornaments, high stained-glass windows, expensive hand-woven carpets, marble mihab and much more.
Pamukkale
At a distance of 250 km from Antalya is the resort of Pamukkale. It is known for its healing thermal springs, but the main thing that attracts tourists here is the unearthly landscape. Nature itself created it, lowering white clouds to the ground. Due to the deposition of salts, the snow-white terraces are filled with blue thermal water, in which tourists bask. Near Pamukkale is another interesting place – the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis.
Ephesus ancient city
For those who want to combine a beach holiday and a visit to archaeological sites, Ephesus will be an unforgettable trip. This is an open-air museum city on the Aegean coast. Here is the temple of the goddess Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world. You can walk along the paths, inspecting all the buildings and take incredibly beautiful selfies.
Grand Bazaar
At the sight of the Istanbul Grand Bazaar, the blood begins to play, anticipating the sweetness of the famous Turkish shopping. The beginning of the construction of the Grand Bazaar dates back to 1461. You can get inside through several gates. The most beautiful are the Nurosmane Gates, made in the Moorish style. The success of shopping in this place is the ability to bargain. Considering that the initial price can be overestimated by 2 or more times, the desired item can be obtained for a much smaller amount.
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a historical region in Turkey that has no clear boundaries. Walking through a major tourist center begins to evoke the thought that you have landed on another planet. What is Cappadocia known for? First of all, daily sightseeing flights in balloons, which tourists come to see. If you are going to visit this incredibly beautiful place, our overview of Cappadocia will be useful and interesting for you.
Lycian tombs
It is difficult to find a person who would not see this photo – houses carved into the rocks. These are the remains of the ancient country of Lycia, whose inhabitants inhabited the territory of modern Turkey in the 1st millennium BC. The majestic tombs, which can only be seen from a boat, have remained a cultural heritage. Scientists have discovered more than 1000 tombs. According to legend, Christians hid in the tombs, and the Apostle Paul also preached. The Lycians believed that the soul becomes a winged creature, and if it flies from a cliff, it will go to heaven faster. You can admire the beauty of the rock city in Marmaris.
mausoleum in Halicarnassus
The mausoleum is included in the list of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. The majestic building was named in honor of the ruler of the city, King Mausolus, since then the word “mausoleum” has become a household word all over the world. The lower part was built for the tomb, and the upper part as a temple for worship. The mausoleum was included in the list of Wonders of the World for the beauty and majesty of the building: it had a height of 46 meters, supported by 36 columns up to 7 meters high. Sculptural compositions showed scenes from Greek mythology. Today, ruins remain of the famous artifact: this is a small courtyard in the center of the Bodrum resort, where an exposition of its former beauty has been recreated.
hagia sophia
One of the oldest temples in Istanbul is a place of pilgrimage for tourists. The grand building in the style of a classical basilica houses a unique artifact – Byzantine mosaics. On this site stood the Church of Hagia Sophia, which was damaged in a fire in 532. Emperor Justinian I ordered the construction of a new cathedral, where Christian shrines were kept. Since 2020, the cathedral has received the status of a mosque.
Nemrut-dag
An amazing sight is located on a mountain located in a national park and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The ancient tomb of Antioch, built in the form of a mound, attracts tourists. The statues of the ancient Greek gods guard the mountain, and a valley with incredibly beautiful landscapes surrounds the mountain – an ideal place for cool photos.
Topkapi Palace
The residence of the rulers of the Ottoman Empire is surrounded by the waters of the Bosphorus and is located in the historical part of Istanbul. The luxurious park ensemble was built in the 15th century, and 100 years ago a museum was made in its building. Now the palace is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. On a vast territory – four courtyards and a harem, the beauty of the interior decoration is simply mesmerizing.
Oludeniz
The village near the resort of Fethiye is familiar to many: this is one of the most popular images for postcards and magnets. Luxurious Blue Lagoon surrounded by relic pine forests is a protected resort area, the healing air of which is recommended for people with diseases of the upper respiratory tract. There are many great hotels here, and paragliding is the best way to get to know the area.
Dolmabahce
The Dolmabahce Palace in the center of old Istanbul was created in the middle of the 19th century and hides amazing legends behind its walls. Built in the Baroque style, it has become a real decoration of the Bosphorus and is part of the luxurious palace of the same name. The residence of the Sultan impresses with luxurious decoration, and the priceless collection of works by Aivazovsky is kept in the gallery of the palace.
Troy
The legendary Ilion is familiar to all of us from school history lessons. It is located in the Dardanelles on the sea route connecting the Aegean Sea with the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. During the excavations, many interesting artifacts were found, and the object itself is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The statue of the legendary horse that changed the course of the Trojan War has become a symbol of Ilion.
Phaselis
The ancient city is located near Kemer and has become a popular attraction of the resort. Previously, a lively trade was conducted here, and Alexander the Great himself described the beauty of these places. Today, the city is a picturesque well-preserved ruins, it is especially interesting to look at the aqueduct and the remains of the mosaic on the floor of the baths. The spear of Achilles was kept in the ruins of the temple of Athena, and the ancient amphitheater fascinates with its scale.
Dalyan
The Dalyan Reserve is a habitat for Caretta turtles listed in the Red Book, which come here to lay their eggs. Laying takes place from May to September at Iztuzu Beach, where the Turtle Hospital for Reptile Rehabilitation is open. Tourists can watch the turtles, feed them and take pictures with them. You should definitely go for a walk along the Dalyan River, see the Lycian tombs carved into the rock, swim in the fresh waters of the Dalyan River and in the salty sea water. And then visit the mud baths Dalyan Mud bath with coffee after the procedures.
Old Side
Ancient Side is the ruins of an ancient Roman city built in the 7th century BC. Now it is the area of the Side resort near the port. This is a real open-air museum, and absolutely free. The city was captured by pirates, from which the inhabitants were freed by the commander Pompey. There are many cool photo locations here: the ancient amphitheater, the temple of Dionysus, the Arc de Triomphe and many other interesting historical artifacts.