Turkey attractions

Founded in the 15th century as an imperial palace school, Galatasaray High School (Galatasaray Lisesi) continues to be Turkey’s (officially the Republic of Türkiye) most prestigious school. The curriculum is drawn from the French lycée model, and classes are taught in both Turkish and French. The ornate gate at the center of Istiklal Street is a popular meeting spot.

Set on a north Bodrum hillside, Bodrum Amphitheater (Antik Tiyatro is a relic of the ancient Greek city of Halicarnassus. Built in the 4th century BC and later developed by the Romans, the restored 13,000-seat theater offers a fantastic glimpse into the ancient world alongside stellar city views, and is a stage for concerts and events.

Learn about Avanos’ rich pottery-making history in the underground Guray Museum. The innovatively designed museum—hidden away in the caves and tunnels beneath the Guray Ceramic showroom—is full of ceramic art and artifacts, from ancient Chalcolithic finds to modern masterpieces.

A waterfront park with its own private beach, Atlantis Waterpark Marmaris is one of Marmaris’ most popular water parks. Nine high-adrenaline slides include freefall, whirlpool, and rafting options; little ones love the Kids’ Land pool, slides, and soft play area; sun loungers, restaurants, and a bar keep adults entertained.

Side is an ancient trading port on the eastern Mediterranean that was once home to hundreds of Greek merchants. This historic coastal town thrived under Roman rule, and many ruins from the second century bear both Greek and Roman influences. Today, visitors can relax on the sandy beaches and explore the impressive Roman Theater and Apollo Temple. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Side Museum—located in a 2nd-century Roman marketplace, this former baths complex has been beautifully converted.

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the fall of Constantinople at the Panorama 1453 History Museum in Istanbul. Using 360-degree panorama paintings, 3D objects, and sound effects, the museum simulates significant historical events that occurred during the Ottoman empire. There’s even a helicopter simulation that transports you through ancient Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye).

The hypnotizing rituals of whirling dervishes are best seen in a Mevlevi lodge (tekke). The presence of these Sufi initiates at Istanbul’s Galata Mevlevi Museum (Galata Mevlevihanesi Müzesi) dates to the 15th century, though the building is an 18th-century restoration. It’s still the oldest Mevlevi monastery in Istanbul and today serves as a museum and performance space.

Marking the end of Istanbul’s long Walls of Constantinople, Yedikule Fortress (Yedikule Hisari Müzesi) was built in the fifth century and was expanded during the Ottoman conquest of what today is Istanbul. The fortified structure, also known as the Fortress of Seven Towers, historically contained an infamous dungeon as well as a treasury and an armory.

Fringed with green forest and lined with turquoise pools, its sheer walls worn to smooth curves by the flow of water, Goynuk Canyon (Göynük Kanyonu is a popular hiking and picnic spot. But there are plenty of other adventures to be had, with an over-water zipline course and waterfalls that seem designed for canyoneering.

Jutting out into the Aegean Sea, you’ll find the ancient Greek city of Knidos (Cnidus), which dates back around 2,600 years. Excavations in the 19th century revealed that the abandoned city was an important cultural and political center. Today, it is most famous for its commission of the Aphrodite of Knidos statue, considered the first life-size sculpture of a nude female. While the original statue no longer exists, copies can be found in museums around the world, including the Museo Pio-Clementino in Vatican City.

Conjure an image of a classic Turkish bath and you probably think of something like Istanbul’s Cemberlitas Hamami. Built in 1584, the bathhouse is still pampering patrons today, and its structure sets it apart; lying on a heated marble slab looking up at the pinholes of light filtering from the dome above must be one of Istanbul’s top experiences.

Out in Istanbul’s Eyup neighborhood is Isfanbul (formerly named Vialand), a massive theme park complex replete with roller coasters, adventure rides, interactive activities, and more. Vialand also contains a luxury hotel, shopping malls with more than 250 stores, myriad restaurants, a cinema, a games center, and an open-air performance venue.

Istinye Park shopping center is one of Istanbul's premier destinations for luxury shopping, with nearly 300 stores in 2,906,260 square feet (270,000 square meters). Visitors can enjoy an array of dining options, from quick bites to high-end restaurants, as well as a range of entertainment activities.

One of the most popular resort towns along Turkey’s (officially the Republic of Türkiye) Aegean Coast and the gateway to the UNESCO-listed wonders of Ephesus, the Kusadasi Cruise Port welcomes some 200,000 cruise passengers each year. It’s also a jumping-off point for regular ferry service to the surrounding Greek Islands.

Constructed in 25 BC after the Romans conquered what is now Anatolia—the central region of today’s Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye)—the marble Temple of Augustus and Rome stands in central Ankara. With only two walls and a doorway still intact, the site is mostly in ruins but prized for its Roman-era inscriptions, which chart the deeds of the Roman emperor Augustus.

Experience the bustle and energy of Istanbul market life in the Kadikoy Market (Kallavi Kadikoy). Stretched down a long pedestrian street in the eponymous Asian-side neighborhood and encompassing shops selling fresh fish, olives, cheese, meze, and more, Kadikoy Market attracts locals and visitors who want the freshest, high-quality food.

Make a detour to the Sakip Sabanci Museum, a little off the main tourist trail in Istanbul’s affluent Emirgan neighborhood. Housed in a grand 1920s mansion and run by Sabanci University, the fine arts museum boasts a collection of calligraphy and paintings that once belonged to the Sabanci family.

Istanbul’s state-of-the-art cruise terminal, Galataport, opened in 2021 to much fanfare. Stretching for almost a mile (1.2 kilometers) along the Bosphorus Strait, the modern port sits where Europe and Asia meet, and it features the world’s first underground cruise ship terminal, a shopping and cultural complex, and room for mega-ships.

Located along the Sea of Marmara coast in Tuzla, a district on the Asian side of Istanbul, this massive complex contains mooring space for boats and yachts, an outdoor shopping mall with over 200 restaurants and chain stores, and waterfront event spaces. Viaport Marina is also home to ViaSea Aquarium and ViaLand Theme Park, which boasts roller coasters and other thrill-seeker rides.

The 2-story residence where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk—the first President of Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye)—stayed during official visits between 1930 and 1935 is now a museum dedicated to the legendary revolutionary. Filled with personal effects and historic items, the Alanya Ataturk House Museum (Alanya Atatürk Evi Müzesi) is a fascinating tribute to Atatürk’s visits to Antalya.

Located in the Bozburun Peninsula in southwestern Turkey, Bayir is a historic village that dates back to 200 BC. The town was built on the ruins of an ancient city, Syrna, with the mosque sitting on top of the temple of Asklepios, the Greek god of health. History buffs can admire the acropolis, pieces of the old city walls, some gravestones, and the remains of several other structures.

One of Kusadasi’s best water parks, Adaland Aquapark boasts slides for every age and pace, from leisurely 6-person family jaunts through to freefall and boomerang rides. A wave pool, lazy river, jacuzzi, little kids’ zone, rafting course, and lively poolside disco make it a great space to while away the day.

Designed by renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan in the 16th century, Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque (Sokollu Mehmet Paşa Camii)—close to the historical Sultanahmet neighborhood—was constructed on a steep slope and features a unique two-story courtyard. The interior is notable for its vibrant and extensive use of colorful Iznik tiles and marble details.

Aqua Dream Waterpark is the largest water park in Marmaris and one the biggest in Turkey. With over 24 slides, pools, and water attractions, Aqua Dream promises a fun-filled day for visitors of all ages. Experience the thrill of the Kamikaze slide, relax on the lazy river, or let the kids enjoy the pirate ship and children’s pool.

Curving around the mountain-backed bay of Icmeler just west of Marmaris, Icmeler Beach offers some of the best scenery and waters on Turkey’s (officially the Republic of Türkiye) Turquoise Coast. The dark-sand-and-shingle stretch is lined by Icmeler’s shops, restaurants, and watersports—making it ideal for whiling the day away in the sun.

Less than an hour from the beaches of Antalya, Dinopark is a dinosaur-themed family attraction, where the prehistoric creatures have been brought “back to life” through a series of animatronic models. With swimming pools, play areas, and a number of different activities, the park is a fun day trip for those with younger children.

Having begun as one of the world’s largest sand sculpture festivals, Antalya’s Sandland is now a year-round sand sculpture museum. Artists use tons of sand to create gigantic sculptures along the shores of Lara Beach, with up to 100 artworks centered on a different theme each year.

A long, tawny, primarily sandy strand, Lara Beach is one of the best beaches in Antalya, with lounge chairs (sunbeds) for hire at warmer times of the year, plus plenty of food and drink options. The Antalya Sand Sculpture Museum, or Sandland, is set back from its western end, and it’s a popular spot for horseback riding adventures and water sports.

Reigning supreme over Marmaris Marina, the 16th-century Marmaris Castle is one of the city’s oldest landmarks. As well as offering panoramic views of the coast from its turreted lookout towers, the castle is also home to Marmaris Archaeology Museum.

Once known as the Pantokrator Monastery, the Zeyrek Mosque is a must-see for any visitor with an eye for architecture. Built in the 12th century and renovated in the 21st, it remains one of the largest Byzantine structures in Istanbul, while its adjacent streets and cafés offer views right over the Golden Horn.