Imagine your perfect getaway whether it includes sunning yourself on a Mediterranean shore, hiking through rugged highlands, discovering ancient ruins, or immersing yourself in a rich culture that extends over five millennia, Türkiye (Turkey) has attractions to fascinate every traveler.
From sandy inlets to the snow-covered peak of 5137m (16,854ft) Mt Ararat, Türkiye offers a wealth of natural sceneries, alongside intriguing ancient locations, vibrant cities, tempting cuisine, and endless opportunities for exploration.
Yet, it’s impossible to experience all that there is to explore and do within a single journey. To assist you in narrowing down the possibilities, here’s our selection of top activities to enjoy in Türkiye as you commence your journey.
1. Discover the ancient city of Ephesus
The ancient streets of Ephesus, excellently maintained, provide a captivating glimpse into the daily existence of ancient Greeks and Romans who resided in this metropolis for centuries. Alongside grand civic constructions, you can explore the vestiges of common shops, schools, places of worship, and even communal lavatories.
Key highlights of the location comprise the ornately sculpted facade of the Library of Celsus – once the third-largest collection of books globally, after those at Alexandria and Pergamum – in addition to a vast open-air auditorium, a Roman bathhouse, and myriad monumental fountains and archways.
Preparation Suggestion: Spending the extra admission fee to tour the Terraced Houses is worthwhile – a series of opulent dwellings previously inhabited by the Roman nobility. The interiors feature mosaics, frescoes, and marble deserving of a segment on “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.”
2. Indulge in a Turkish bath
Back in the days when households did not have indoor plumbing, hamams (bathhouses) served an essential function in Turkish communities, providing a place to cleanse and socialize. Nowadays, although they’re generally a special occasion indulgence, frequented more by travelers than locals, a trip to a hamam remains an indulgence worth savoring.
During a visit, you typically enjoy a scrub and a massage by an attendant of the same gender, but it’s also possible to opt for a gentle, refreshing steam bath. These traditional spas are usually clad in marble and illuminated by skylights placed in the domed ceiling.
The most magnificent hamams – for instance, the Hürrem Sultan Hamamı, the Cağaloğlu Hamamı, and the Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı in Istanbul – offer a delight for both vision and body. In Bursa, the ancient Ottoman capital, destinations like Eski Kaplıca and Yeni Kaplıca present pools fueled by the region’s organic thermal springs.
3. Experience Cappadocia from above and beneath
In the early hours, hot-air balloons fill the sky above Cappadocia, elevating visitors above the canyons, fairy chimneys, and other surreal rock formations of the region. Even if you don’t wish to fly, it’s rewarding to rise early and witness the vibrant aerial scene from the ground.
For a more (ahem) grounded adventure, navigate maze-like tunnels stretching multiple floors beneath the surface at ancient subterranean cities like Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı, where countless Byzantine-era inhabitants sought refuge from attackers for extended timeframes. Within these realms, dwellings are found along with living quarters, and these
inhabited underground areas featured spaces to shelter livestock, prepare meals, conduct religious ceremonies, and even produce wine.
Planning Insight: Balloon flights generally commence at dawn to attain optimal lighting conditions, so prepare for an early awakening. Reserve in advance and be aware that flights may be called off due to strong gales or intense precipitation.
4. Indulge in a fish meze
A rakı-balık feast is an iconic Turkish tradition, especially prominent in Istanbul and along the shores of the Aegean and the Mediterranean. The term encapsulates this well-loved culinary affair – rakı signifies a potent anise-flavored spirit customarily combined with water and ice, whereas balık refers to fish. These opulent arrays generally commence with a medley of meze selections, which frequently emerge as the real highlights of the meal.
Aimed at communal enjoyment, meze selections encompass innovative assortments of vegetables, aromatic plants, and seafood, often garnished atop yogurt or simmered in regionally extracted olive oil. Should room remain for the main dish, favored fish selections embrace grilled levrek (sea bass) and çipura (sea bream), alongside delicately fried istavrit (mackerel), barbun (red mullet), and hamsi (anchovies).
5. Venture into Türkiye’s colorful marketplaces
Even with the rise of contemporary shopping centers and grocery stores, the authentic bazaar tradition endures robustly in Türkiye. Most historic urban centers will feature no less than one çarşı – a labyrinthine customary marketplace where merchants offer everything from economical trinkets to artisan leather and metallic creations. Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar (renowned as the Kapalı Çarşı, or “covered marketplace” in Turkish) stands as one of the globe’s most iconic markets, yet the bazaars in Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa are often considered more atmospheric and genuine.
Equally crucial to regional life is the pazar, an open-air venue for fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, consumable goods, apparel, and household items. In accordance with the town or city area, these neighborhood marketplaces may be organized in the streets beneath makeshift tents, in a cleared parking area or garage, or within a designated market structure.
Happening in various neighborhoods on scheduled days each week, these community markets are economical and energetic places to procure essentials and in-season fruits and vegetables, and to learn which components locals are incorporating into their home cuisine.
Scheduling Suggestion: Arrive with an appetite – more extensive pazars, such as Fethiye’s weekly marketplace, include stands offering gözleme (stuffed flatbreads) and other delectable regional dishes to satisfy peckish visitors.
6. Navigate the turquoise waters on a gület
There are few moments more tranquil than a multi-day voyage aboard a gület (classic wooden yacht), navigating the brilliant azure waters of Türkiye’s southwestern shore stretching from Bodrum to Antalya. Spend long, sun-drenched days swimming in hidden bays, immersing yourself in a book or enjoying a game of tavla (backgammon) on deck, savoring freshly caught seafood, sipping rakı as twilight descends, and resting out beneath the celestial canopy.
Should you fancy a break from the peaceful idleness, opportunity to come ashore exists at various points along the journey. Notable stops to consider include the ancient site of Knidos, the impressive Crusader Fortress in Kaleköy, and Kaş, where trendy cafe-restaurants abound.
Planning Tip: It’s straightforward to organize gület getaways through international travel agencies, though it’s also feasible to secure daytime excursions and extended voyages locally from resorts such as Bodrum, Antalya, and Dalaman.
7. Appreciate architectural magnificence in Istanbul
Governors of the city once known as Byzantium and Constantinople have left a rich legacy in Istanbul. The majestic dome of the Hagia Sophia continues to astonish visitors a millennium and a half post-creation, while the elevated Aqueduct of Valens and the immense subterranean Basilica Cistern stand as testaments to the advanced Roman engineering employed to supply the ancient city with potable water.
Strategically perched overlooking where the Bosphorus, Golden Horn, and Sea of Marmara converge, the celebrated Topkapi Palace embodies the Ottoman Empire’s zenith, boasting ornately decorated regal quarters, a treasury abundant with jewels, and a kitchen capable of accommodating 4000 diners.
The minaret-dotted skyline of Istanbul is an Ottoman bequest as well. While the architecturally exquisite Blue Mosque draws significant attention, visitors should not overlook the quaint, tile-adorned Rüstem Paşa Mosque and the elegant Süleymaniye Mosque, situated on one of the historic city’s seven hills. Enthusiasts of history can delve into Istanbul’s diverse cultural epochs by exploring its plethora of museums.
8. Trek the Lycian Way
For those seeking a more vigorous way to discover the Turquoise Coast, trekking a segment of the Lycian Way might appeal—a long-distance hiking trail that extends 540km (335 mi) from Fethiye to Antalya. Optimal times for walking are spring or autumn, with the at times strenuous trail winding along astounding coastal escarpments, through pastoral villages and beach towns, past ancient relics, and ascending into the hinterland mountains.
Numerous sections of the path feature lodgings in small guesthouses and places to pitch a tent. Noteworthy points along the trail include the remote Kabak valley, the expansive sandy stretch of Patara beach, the large rock tombs of Myra, the ancient remains of Olympos, and the Chimaera, or “eternal flame,” at Çıralı.
Planning Tip: To further experience Türkiye’s awe-inspiring scenery by foot while evading the throngs of tourists, consider lengthening your trip to explore the country’s remarkable assortment of national parks.
9. Admirez les mosaïques anciennes incroyables
De petites cubes colorées en verre, céramique ou pierre étaient employées durant les époques grecque, romaine et byzantine pour réaliser des tableaux délicatement détaillés illustrant des récits mythologiques, des batailles héroïques, de somptueux festins et d’autres scènes. Les mosaïques byzantines ultérieures ont créé des visions éblouissantes des saints sur les dômes des églises chrétiennes médiévales.
Des exemples merveilleusement préservés peuvent être vus in situ sur les sols de majestueux palais et villas à des sites anciens, mais certains des plus impressionnants sont exposés dans des musées tels que le musée de mosaïque Zeugma à Gaziantep, le musée archéologique de Hatay et le musée de mosaïque de Haleplibahçe à Şanlıurfa.
Conseil de planification : Ne négligez pas les mosaïques à l’intérieur des basiliques de l’époque byzantine de Türkiye – celles se trouvant dans la basilique Sainte-Sophie et la mosquée Kariye à Istanbul sont particulièrement spectaculaires.
10. Savourez un petit-déjeuner turc décontracté
Il est difficile de penser à une meilleure manière de se préparer pour une grande journée de visites qu’avec un petit-déjeuner turc (serpme kahvaltı) – une fusion féerique de sucré et salé. Commencez avec des en-cas – olives, fromages, tranches de tomates et concombres, et peut-être une tranche de sucuk (saucisse de bœuf) et un peu de pâte de poivron épicé avec vos œufs.
Ensuite, satisfaites votre dent sucrée avec une multitude de pâtisseries, de confitures faites maison et un tourbillon décadent de miel et de crème épaisse (kaymak). Les différentes régions du pays ont leurs propres ajouts. Dégustez des herbes fraîches le long de la côte égéenne, du maïs cuit avec du beurre fondu et du fromage (appelé mıhlama ou kuymak) dans la région de la mer Noire, et du fromage fermenté et des poivrons pimentés à Hatay. Des verres de thé noir sucré sont servis sans fin.
11. Admirez le lever de soleil depuis le sommet du mont Nemrut
Le spectacle surréaliste attendant au sommet du Nemrut Dağı est un témoignage à la fois de l’étendue du pouvoir qui pouvait être exercé par un dirigeant et de son inévitable déclin. Au 1er siècle avant J.-C., le roi hellénistique Antiochos I de Commagène avait fait ériger de grandes statues de divinités, bêtes mythiques et autres figures sur un sommet rocailleux en tant que monument à sa propre grandeur. Les siècles de tremblements de terre ont renversé les têtes de ces statues de leurs corps et elles reposent maintenant éparpillées autour d’un paysage austère et isolé – rappelant comment même les puissants chutent.
Conseil de planification : Les groupes de touristes amènent généralement les visiteurs aux ruines au lever ou coucher du soleil, mais si vous passez la nuit dans l’un des hébergements simples en dessous du sommet, vous pouvez vivre les deux.
12. Imaginez les débuts de la civilisation humaine
La Türkiye abrite certains des sites néolithiques les plus importants au monde, qui continuent de révéler de nouvelles perspectives – et de poser de nouvelles questions – sur la manière dont les humains vivaient il y a plus de 10 000 ans. Au centre du pays, près de Konya, les excavations de Çatalhöyük ont fourni des indices sur la vie « urbaine » précoce, lorsque les gens ont commencé à passer d’un mode de vie nomade à celui de communautés agricoles sédentaires.
Dans le sud-est, en dehors de Şanlıurfa, les découvertes au complexe rituel de Göbeklitepe – considéré comme le premier lieu de culte au monde – ont transformé notre compréhension de la période où les humains ont commencé à développer des croyances et pratiques religieuses.