Turkey attractions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A narrow spit of sand stretching out into the ocean, Iztuzu Beach (Turtle Beach) takes its name from the loggerhead sea turtles that nest on its shores. Forming a natural barrier between the Dalyan River and the Mediterranean Sea, the protected beach is one of the most important breeding grounds for the endangered creatures in Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Built in conjunction with Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, the Arasta Bazaar’s market stalls were originally created so their rent could fund the imperial mosque. Today, the long row of shops sell all kinds of Turkish goods—including carpets, kilims, ceramics, and textiles—plus prepared foods and tea in the heart of the Sultanahmet neighborhood.

Though Saklikent translates from Turkish as Hidden City, urban life is the last thing that comes to mind in Saklikent National Park (Saklikent Milli Parki). Encompassing a dramatic gorge that cuts through the mountains, the national park is a playground of river rapids, streams, waterfalls, and cliffs.

The Istanbul Archaeological Museums (Istanbul Arkeoloji Muzeleri) contain a wealth of material, with a massive collection of art and artifacts housed in three separate buildings. Founded in the 19th century by Sultan Abdülaziz, who wished to have a museum on par with Europe’s, the museums draw on superb pieces—from sarcophagi to pottery and tile—from former Ottoman lands.

Butterfly Valley (Kelebekler Vadisi) makes a dramatic first impression with its narrow gorge, steep cliffs, and white sand. Reachable only by boat, the secluded cove gets its name from the many species of butterflies and moths that breed in the valley.

Housed in a structure that served as a Turkish bath from the 15th century until 1988, the Hodjapasha Culture Center (Hocapasa Kültür Merkezi) is currently a venue that hosts a variety of dance and theatrical performances. The most traditional performance offered is the Mevlevi Sema Ceremony, featuring Whirling Dervishes who perform a mesmerizing Sufi ritual.

Built in the 15th century by architect Haci Ivaz Pasha, the Green Mosque (Yesil Cami) in Bursa takes its name from the green-and-blue tiles that decorate its interior. The mosque is notable for its ornate decorative stonework. The Green Tomb, near the prayer building, contains the tomb of Sultan Mehmed I, who commissioned the building.