Turkey attractions

Dating back to the 15th century, Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar (Kapali Çarsi) is the oldest covered market in the world. Home to more than 4,500 vendors, it’s a sensory banquet where you’ll find everything from carpets, beaded bracelets, and silver jewelry to multicolored lanterns, leather goods, ceramics, and belly-dancing outfits. With goods available at all price points, it’s a prime place to shop for souvenirs.

Situated at the northern end of the famous hippodrome known as Sultanahmet Square, the German Fountain (also known as the Kaiser William Fountain) was built in 1898 to commemorate the German Emperor’s visit to Istanbul. Designed in a Neo-Byzantine style by a team of German and Italian architects, the fountain survives today as a testament to Germany and Turkey’s longstanding friendship.

The Duden Waterfalls sit at the end of the river of the same name, which winds its way through the Taurus Mountains before tumbling from a cliff into a valley next to the Mediterranean. The falls consist of two cascades, and the upper part is nearly 50 feet (15 meters) tall and 65 feet (20 meters) wide.

Running for 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) between dramatic rock stacks and sheer cliffs—reaching up 1,312 feet (400 meters) high in places—Köprülü Canyon is one of Turkey’s (officially the Republic of Türkiye) most spectacular natural wonders. Carved out of the limestone cliffs by the Koprucay River, the canyon is the centrepiece of Köprülü Canyon National park.

Istiklal Street (İstiklal Caddesi) is the main pedestrian thoroughfare in Istanbul’s European Beyoglu district and an essential cultural center. Stretching from Taksim Square to Tunel Square, the bustling street is lined with late–Ottoman-era buildings built in a variety of architectural styles, ranging from neoclassical to art deco.

A historically Jewish neighborhood in Istanbul, Balat shows off its roots in two major synagogues, which are still standing. Visitors also head to the Byzantine-era Chora Museum, formerly the Chora Church, to see its mosaics and frescoes. The colorful cafes and shops on the lower streets of Balat attract a big afternoon crowd.

Discover the historic Zelve Open-Air Museum, built on the site of a Byzantine monastery carved into the rock face centuries ago. Once a monastic retreat from the 9th to the 13th century, Zelve was inhabited until 1952. Explore the open-air exhibition that showcases preserved ruins and highlights the fascinating history of the site. Don't miss the chance to experience this unique destination.

The World War I battle on the turquoise coastline of Turkey’s (officially the Republic of Türkiye) Gallipoli Peninsula (Gelibolu Yarimadasi) was symbolic for Turks, Australians, and New Zealanders, many of whom trace their national identity to its tragic outcome. Every year on Anzac Day, Australians and New Zealanders flock to the Dardanelles to pay respects to their thousands of fallen countrymen.

Antalya’s Old Town (Kaleiçi) remains the heart of this modern Turkish city. Home to a number of historic monuments, it’s also the city’s most atmospheric district—a maze of narrow winding streets dotted with traditional wooden houses, bars, restaurants, and Ottoman-style boutique hotels.

The best way to see the sprawling city of Istanbul is from above, and Camlica Hill (Camlica Tepesi) is one of the prime places to take in that view. Located near the Uskudar neighborhood on the city’s Asian side, the hill—which comprises two peaks, Big Camlica and Little Camlica—is home to tea gardens and green lawns that attract local picnickers.

The Manavgat River runs down from the Taurus Mountains all the way to the Mediterranean Sea, and it’s most scenic spot is the Manavgat Waterfall (Manavgat Şelalesi). Just outside of Side, the low, wide falls make a stunning backdrop for photos and serve as a popular recreation area, with visitors coming to swim, picnic, or cruise along the river.

A grand two-story facade adorned with statues of the four Virtues makes the Library of Celsus the most photographed and best-known monument in the Ephesus UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in AD 110 to honor Gaius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, it once held 12,000 scrolls, making it one of the largest libraries in the ancient world.

The magnificent hilltop city of Pergamon dates back to the 5th century BC and was once a hotbed for learning, culture, and invention, flourishing until the 14th century. Remnants of the city’s most important structures remain, such as the Acropolis, the Red Basilica, aqueducts, a major medical center, audaciously steep amphitheatre and a historically important library.

Located right off the bustling pedestrian thoroughfare of Istiklal in the downtown Beyoglu area, Cicek Pasaji is a covered arcade dating back to the 1870s. Built in a luxurious Parisian style, the passage became popular with Russian flower sellers fleeing Bolshevik Russia—hence the blossom-inspired nickname. Today, you’ll find a lively mix of souvenir shops, bars, and upscale restaurants.

Built in the 14th century, the Isa Bey Mosque is an architectural wonder located near the ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye). The mosque boasts a unique asymmetrical design and striking details like intricate carvings and calligraphy inscriptions on the western facade, green and turquoise tiles adorning the interior, a preserved brick minaret on the north side, and two impressive domes at the center. The mosque showcases the Selcuk style of architecture rather than the more common Ottoman style that emerged in subsequent years, and is a must-visit for anyone interested in design or history.

The Temple of Hadrian is one of the most remarkable highlights of Ephesus, an archaeological site in Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye). Built in the 2nd century, this monument serves as a tribute to Hadrian, Artemis, and the people of Ephesus, and it’s considered to be one of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the country. Though small in size, it boasts a stunning exterior arch, a porch, and a cozy main hall, all supported by pillars and Corinthian columns—a true masterpiece of ancient Roman engineering. What makes the Temple of Hadrian truly special are the hidden gems scattered throughout the grounds. Taking the time to stroll through the surrounding park can offer incredible views of the temple and its surroundings.

Founded around 1000 BC, the ancient Greco-Roman city of Aspendos is best-known for its impressive Roman theater, one of the most remarkably preserved in the world. Designed by Greek architect Zeno and built in the second century AD, the theater seats up to 7,000 people and is still used as a venue today.

Just northeast of Antalya lies the region’s most significant Roman ruins. Dating to the Bronze Age, the city of Perge was originally settled by the Hittites, but under Roman occupation grew to become one of the most beautiful and scholarly cities of the ancient world, attracting important thinkers such as physician Asklepiades, philosopher Varius, and Apollonius, a pupil of Archimedes.

The Serpent Column, also known as the Delphi Tripod (Yilani Sütun), is a 2,500-year-old bronze work located at the center of Sultanahmet Square, where the Hippodrome of Constantinople once stood. The column was originally part of a sacrificial tripod until the Romans moved to its current location to adorn the horse racing stadium.

Located in the heart of Konya, the Mevlana Museum is a captivating window into the world of Sufism and the life of the renowned 13th-century philosopher and poet Rumi. Once a dervish lodge and now a mausoleum, this spiritual haven now offers you a unique opportunity to delve into Turkey's rich cultural and religious heritage.

Smaller than Cappadocia’s other subterranean cities like Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, Ozkonak Underground City (Özkonak Yeraltı Şehri) makes for a less crowded, more intimate travel experience. Built around the time of the Byzantine Empire (and at one point home to some 60,000 residents), this hidden gem was rediscovered in the 1970s by a local farmer—and it has served as a fascinating tourist attraction ever since.

Rocky coves and pine-clad cliffs make a scenic backdrop for a boat cruise, but the biggest attraction of Kekova Island (Kekova Adasi) is underwater. The uninhabited island harbors the sprawling ruins of an ancient Lycian city, submerged after an earthquake in the second century and now lying at the bottom of the Mediterranean.

The 6th-century Hagia Irene (Aya Irini) was the first church built in Constantinople—and the only one that was not turned into a mosque upon the arrival of the Ottomans. As a result, the original Byzantine architecture still awes. Under its dome and peaked ceilings, the building currently serves as a museum.

Şirince, a small village of just 600 inhabitants, has a long history dating back to the fall of Ephesus. Today, the mountainous town is mainly known for its well-preserved stucco homes, olive groves, and wineries with verdant backdrops. St. John the Baptist Church is another popular attraction, adorned with stunning Byzantine frescoes.

If you’re seeking a modern shopping experience in Istanbul, the Mall of Istanbul is calling you. Turkey’s largest shopping, lifestyle, and entertainment complex—the shopping mall alone covers an area equivalent to more than 21 American football fields!—includes a Cinetech multiplex cinema, the MOI Park themed indoor amusement park, luxury residences, and a Hilton hotel.

The seat of the Patriarchate of Constantinople and part of the headquarters of the Eastern Orthodox church, the Patriarchal Church of St. George is known for its lavish gold interior and Byzantine religious icons. Look beyond the unassuming neo-classical facade—constructed in 1836 after fire damage—and you’ll find millennium-old mosaics and the Patriarch’s walnut and mother-of-pearl throne.

Surrounded by the New Mosque, Egyptian Spice Bazaar, and Bosphorus Strait, Eminӧnü Square (Eminönü Meydani) is one of central Istanbul’s main transit hubs. The tangled side streets that radiate out from the square lead to tucked-away mosques, clothing boutiques, and bazaars. The plaza’s central location means most visitors will spend at least some time here.

Standing proud on a rocky outcrop in the heart of the city, medieval Alanya Castle (Alanya Kalesi) is Alanya’s defining landmark. Encircled by 4 miles (6 kilometers) of walls, the Inner Fortress (Iç Kale) houses the remains of an 11th-century church, while the Ehmedek Castle area hosts ruins dating back to ancient Greek times.

Containing more than 1,500 sea and land creatures, the Istanbul Aquarium (Istanbul Akvaryum) has a rich and diverse collection of aquatic life from 16 geographical zones. With interactive exhibitions in English and Turkish, overhead shark tanks, multiple cafés, and a 5D movie theater, there is enough in the aquarium to entertain the family for hours.

Best known for housing the world’s largest underwater tunnel exhibit, Antalya Aquarium is a family destination on Turkey’s (officially the Republic of Türkiye) Mediterranean coast. In addition to its 430-foot (131-meter) by 10-foot (3-meter) tunnel and 40 themed tanks, the attraction center houses a tropical reptile house, 3D cinema, and a snow-themed museum.