Turkey attractions

Said to have been one of Cleopatra’s treasured retreats, the UNESCO-listed Hierapolis hot springs are a spectacular sight: The pools are bright white terraces filled with turquoise water that were formed by calcium that hardened over millennia and are surrounded by the ruins of the ancient city.

Located along the southern end of the Galata Bridge, Eminonu Pier (Eminönü Iskelesi) is a central transportation point for Istanbul’s intercontinental ferries and public Bosphorus cruises. From here, boats head to Kadikoy, Uskudar, and the Princes Islands. To add to the energy, hawkers sell grilled fish sandwiches, roasted chestnuts, and steamed corn by the waterfront

Tucked away on a terrace above the bustle of the Spice Bazaar, Rustem Pasha Mosque (Rüstem Paşa Camii) is an Istanbul hidden gem. The small space, designed by renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, is covered in colorful red and blue Iznik tiles in floral and geometric designs. Some consider it a miniature Blue Mosque without the crowds.

Crowning a hill above Ankara, the Atatürk Mausoleum (Anıtkabir) is a modern mausoleum and complex holding the tomb of Turkey's (officially the Republic of Türkiye) founder—Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who died in 1938. Built between 1944 and 1953, the complex draws thousands of Turkish nationals and other visitors who come to honor the much-revered leader.

Fringed by mountains and woodland, the waters of Sapanca Lake (Sapanca Gölü pool in northwest Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye), just a 1.5-hour drive from Istanbul. With watersports from sailing to kayaking, windsurfing, and wakeboarding, plus bicycle trails, all-terrain vehicle tracks, and even skiing in winter, the area is a favorite active travel destination.

Antalya Marina (Kaleiçi Yat Limanı) is the heart of the city. It stretches along the waterfront beneath the steep cobbled streets of Antalya’s Old Town, known as Kaleiçi. With cruise ships, ferries, yachts, and fishing boats constantly arriving and departing, this historic harbor is buzzing with activity at all hours and is a popular hub for both locals and visitors.

Istanbul’s Venezia Mega Outlet is a shopper’s paradise. This retail destination offers an extensive range of fashion brands, home decor, and electronics, all at discounted prices—so it’s a guaranteed hit with fashion enthusiasts and bargain hunters. A cinema and dozens of restaurants complete the shopping experience.

Just east of Izmir in Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye), Sardis—or Sardes—was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia before falling to the Persians, Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. Its ruins span everything from a Roman gymnasium to the relics of a nearby Greek temple to the remains of the fifth church of the Bible’s Seven Churches of the Revelation.

Anzac Cove (Anzak Koyu), a small area on Turkey’s (officially the Republic of Türkiye) Gallipoli Peninsula, holds a huge amount of importance, particularly for Australians and New Zealanders. During the 8-month Gallipoli Campaign in World War I, Anzac Cove was the primary landing spot for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC)—and many soldiers lost their lives in battles here.

Jutting out of Istanbul’s Hippodrome, the Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius originated at the Temple of Karnak in the 15th century BC and arrived in Constantinople in AD 390, courtesy of Emperor Theodosius I. The obelisk decorated the ancient Hippodrome’s horse-racing track, which has long since been converted to a public square—but the obelisk remains.

Istanbul’s Eyup Sultan Mosque (Eyup Sultan Camii) was built in 1458, only five years after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, and rebuilt in the 18th and 19th centuries. Located on the Golden Horn outside the historical Walls of Constantinople, it was the site of coronations for Ottoman princes throughout the empire’s early era.

Originally built in AD 343, St. Nicholas Church in Demre is one of Turkey’s (officially the Republic of Türkiye) most important Christian pilgrimage sites. Rebuilt by Constantine IX, the church is known for its stunning Byzantine frescoes and mosaics and houses the sarcophagus of St. Nicholas, the original Santa Claus.

Located north of the Golden Horn and across the Galata Bridge from Istanbul’s vibrant Old City, the European Beyoglu district is the city’s modern center of shopping, entertainment, and nightlife. The area contains various museums, Taksim Square, and Istiklal Street (İstiklal Caddesi), one of the city’s main pedestrian thoroughfares.

The Rose Valley (Güllüdere Vadisi) in Cappadocia is filled with enormous, cone-shaped rocks and offers some of the region’s best hiking. Home to the Cross Church (Haçli Kilise), the Columned Church (Kolonlu Kilise), and other sighes, the valley is particularly striking late in the day when the sinking sun brings out the stones’ rosy glow.

Beloved by sun-worshippers the world over, Cleopatra Beach (Kleopatra Plajı is a 1.5-mile (2.5-kilometer expanse of golden sand framed by the blue Mediterranean. With dramatic views of hilltop Alanya Castle, indulgent beach clubs, plus a range of water sports, most travelers consider it Alanya’s best beach.

The ancient metropolis of Miletus dates back to 1,400 BC, and was once a thriving port city known for its wealth and strategic position. A shifting river eventually led to the city's abandonment, but not before it was destroyed in 499 BC and rebuilt on a grid plan that inspired Roman cities.

Perched below the rugged flank of Mt. Mykale, Priene is one of Turkey’s most attractive Greco-Roman archaeological sites, with an enormous Hellenistic theater, the spectacular ruins of a temple of Athena, a synagogue, Roman baths, and more. Trees and wildflowers (in season) make the ancient setting particularly atmospheric.

A Greco-Roman amphitheater and rock tombs carved into the cliffside make the ruins at Myra a popular stop along Turkey's (officially the Republic of Türkiye) Mediterranean coast. Dating back as early as the 1st century BC, the ancient Lycian capital of Myra lies just outside the modern town of Demre.

Tumbling over a wall of moss-covered rock into a clear natural pond, Kursunlu Waterfalls are set inside a forested natural park. Compared to the more visited Duden Waterfalls, which are more expansive and by the Mediterranean Sea, these gentle cascades feel secluded and remote.

Marking the boundaries of Istanbul’s historical center, the Istanbul City Walls (Walls of Constantinople) still stand on the Old City peninsula. Built in the fourth and fifth centuries, the defensive walls were breached in 1453 when the Ottomans conquered Constantinople. Today many sections have been restored and cut through bustling historical neighborhoods.

One of the most renowned museums in Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye), Ankara’s Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is a must-see for visitors to the country’s capital. Housed in what was once a 15th-century bazaar building, the museum charts the civilizations of Turkey’s central Anatolia region, all the way from the Paleolithic to the Lydian period of the 6th century BC.

With a 5-star hotel, a gigantic water park, a luxurious shopping avenue, and plenty of amusement park rides, the Land of Legends is a one-stop-shop for family entertainment. Open to both day visitors and Land of Legends hotel guests, the theme park is one of the largest of its kind in Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye).

Once a glorious temple of gleaming marble and finely carved columns; the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus stood 164 feet (50 meters tall and was capped with a marble sculpture of a four-horse chariot. Built in 351 BC to house the tomb of King Mausolus, it was the grandest mausoleum of its time and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

In Roman times, the Bergama Asklepion (Pergamon Asclepeion) was one of the world’s most important medical centers, built in honor of the Asklepios, the Greek god of healing. Situated in the ancient city of Pergamon, it dates back to the 4th century BC and is one of the most visited ruins of the Pergamon archeological site.

Originally a sprawling rose garden on the Topkapi Palace grounds, Gülhane Park (Gülhane Parki) is now a lush public green space favored by locals. The park, located in the Sultanahmet district, is an ideal space for relaxing in nature as you explore Istanbul’s cultural heritage. The northern part of the park has sweeping views of the Bosphorus.

Initially used as a hunting lodge for Ottoman sultans in the 19th century, Istanbul’s Yildiz Palace Museum (Yildiz Sarayi Müzesi)—aka the Star Palace—became a secure option when Sultan Abdulhamid II feared an attack on the seaside Dolmabahce Palace. Located in Istanbul’s Besiktas district, the current Yildiz Palace is the result of an expansion and serves as a museum.

Marking the eastern entrance to Kaleiçi—Antalya’s historic Old Town—Hadrian’s Gate is the last of the city’s ancient gates, dating back to AD 130. Named in honor of Roman emperor Hadrian after his visit to the city, the triple-arched gateway is decorated with marble columns and is one of Antalya’s most distinctive landmarks.

Adorned with 15,000 years worth of stalactites, the small-yet-perfectly-formed Damlatas Cave is one of Alanya’s signature sights. Discovered in 1948 while the new harbor was being built, the humidity and constant temperature of the cave are said to have therapeutic properties.

Built in the 14th century, the impressive Bursa Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami) is the largest mosque in the city. It’s located in the center of the Old City and is a prime example of early Ottoman architecture with elements of Seljuk architecture, including two minarets, 20 domes, fine wood carvings, and nearly 200 calligraphic inscriptions.

Surrounded by lush greenery, turquoise waters, and impressive historical relics, the small town of Dalyan really packs a punch when it comes to its top attractions. The town also works as a base for exploring nearby attractions. Though it’s set up for visitors—with a wide range of shops, restaurants, and accommodation options—the town still retains its authentic Turkish charm.