Turkey attractions

Tlos in Fethiye, Turkey, was once an important city in the Lycian League, a confederation of city-states founded in the fifth century BC. The city's ruins, which date back to the second century BC, feature wide terraces equipped with cisterns, as well as a magnificent agora and an enchanting theater that once hosted concerts.

Located 12 miles (20 kilometers) south of Marmaris, Turunç is a charming fishing village on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast that offers respite from the lively resorts the region is renowned for. Its Blue Flag beach and calm, sheltered waters are backed beautifully by tree-shrouded mountains, whose secluded trails beg to be explored on horseback or by ATV.

Sweeping across southern Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye) in a majestic arc, the Taurus Mountains (Toros Dağları span hundreds of miles and rear as high as 12,322 feet (3,756 meters. Home to ski resorts, historic villages, rugged canyons, ancient cities, and Turkey’s own Mt. Olympos, their jagged peaks frame Turkish Riviera resorts including Antalya and Alanya.

Scaling the 12,500-foot-high (2,365-meter-high) peak of Tahtali Mountain—ancient Mount Olympus—the Olympos Cable Car (Olympos Teleferik) is the most popular attraction in Beydaglari Coastal National Park. At the summit, a panoramic observation deck affords spectacular views over the forested Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean coast.

One of the last Istanbul stops on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, Anadolu Kavagi is a former Black Sea fishing village that retains its quiet charm. It’s known for the ruins of Yoros Castle, a medieval fortress that towers over the neighborhood. Dotted with fish restaurants, Anadolu Kavagi makes for a calm escape from the central city bustle.

Carved into the cliff sides above the town and looking out over the ocean, the Fethiye Lycian Rock Tombs offer a fascinating glimpse into the city’s ancient past, dating back to 350 BC. The cluster of tombs is crowned with the grand Tomb of Amyntas, thought to be a Lycian ruler or nobleman.

Despite its name, Istanbul’s New Mosque (Yeni Cami) is an Ottoman-era building dating to 1663. With its prominent location on the water—in Eminonu Square, at the end of the Galata Bridge and near the Egyptian Spice Bazaar— as well as its swooping domes and large courtyard, the New Mosque is a prime example of Ottoman architectural splendor.

With colorful fishing boats and home to a dazzling fleet of luxury yachts, Marmaris Marina is the vibrant focal point of the city’s waterfront. Marmaris Castle reigns over the harbor, which serves as the gateway to natural wonders such as Dalyan Mud Bath, Iztuzu Bach, and the Gulf of Gokova.

Standing on the edges of Antalya Old Town (Kaleiçi), the Antalya Clock Tower (Antalya Saat Kulesi) testifies to the region’s storied past. Built on the remnants of the city’s Roman walls and converted into a crenelated clock tower by the Ottomans in the early 20th Century, this stone fixture is an instantly recognizable Antalya landmark.

Dominating Izmir’s busy Konak Square, the Izmir Clock Tower (İzmir Saat Kulesi has been a city landmark since 1901. Standing 82 feet (25 meters tall, with a fountain on each corner, its lacy tower and Arabesque arches have a distinctively Ottoman feel. The German Emperor Wilhelm II gave the 4-faced clock to the sultan as a gift.

Founded in the Hellenistic era, the ancient city of Olympos rose to prominence in 78 BC as a Roman harbor town. Overlooked by the mighty peak of Mount Olympos, it sits in a deep valley southwest of Antalya, and is now a small but popular beach town, peppered with ruins and famous for its treehouse accommodations, picturesque beach, and hippie vibe.

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.

Escape the crowds of Istanbul and enjoy fresh air and nature at Belgrad Forest. Located north of the city, the over 13,000-acre (5,300-hectare) green space is a popular picnic and recreational area for Istanbul residents, particularly on the weekends.

One of Antalya’s two main city beaches, Konyaalti Beach (Konyaaltı Plajı) is a popular spot for both locals and travelers. Stretching for 4.3 miles (7 kilometers) west of the city, Konyaalti has a mix of pebble and sand beaches, where sun worshipers can swim and enjoy water sports against the dramatic backdrop of the Beydağlari Mountains.

Born out of an attempt to prevent the country’s archaeological treasures from being plundered after World War I, the Antalya Museum (Antalya Müzesi) first opened in 1922. Exhibiting over 12,000 artifacts relating to the history of Anatolia’s Mediterranean and Pamphylia regions, it’s one of the largest and most important museums in Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye), and is sometimes called the Antalya Archaeological Museum.

Once a glorious temple of gleaming marble and finely carved columns, the elaborate tomb of King Mausolus—the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus—was so remarkable that it became the mausoleum after which all others were named. Built between 355 and 351 BC, it was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, featuring the work of some of the era’s most renowned sculptors and towering up to 164 feet (50 meters) tall.

Opened in 2004 as Turkey’s (officially the Republic of Türkiye) first museum of modern and contemporary art, the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art (Istanbul Modern Sanat Müzesi) relocated in 2018 to a temporary space in the Asmalimescit neighborhood while a new building is constructed. The city’s preeminent modern-art museum features contemporary works by Turkish artists and rotating temporary exhibitions.

Find the Tombs of Osman and Orhan (Osman Gazi Türbesi) founders of the Ottoman Empire, in Tophane Park in Bursa. Built in an Ottoman baroque style by Sultan Abdulaziz in 1863, after the original tombs were destroyed by an earthquake in 1855, the lavishly decorated tombs pay homage to the first sultan of the Ottoman Empire, his son, and their family.

Part of the Ephesus Archaeological Complex, the Ephesian public latrine offers a glimpse into the daily life of the city's inhabitants. This well-preserved ruin served as a communal toilet during the Roman period, providing a unique perspective on the city's history. While landmarks such as the Library of Celsus showcase Ephesus' grandeur, this intact facility humanizes the ancient city.

A historically Greek area located on the Golden Horn, the Fener District offers a peek into Istanbul of old. The neighborhood is home to Byzantine and Ottoman-era homes, churches, and other buildings, along with the Greek Patriarchate. Walk the side streets where you can't help but pass historic buildings and trendy cafes, stores, and galleries.

Housed in an ornate 19th-century building, the Pera Museum (Pera Müzesi) opened in Istanbul’s Beyoglu district in 2005. Its contemporary gallery spaces showcase an impressive permanent collection of Orientalist paintings—including Osman Hamdi Bey’s most famous artwork, The Tortoise Trainer—Anatolian weights and measures, and Kutahya tiles and ceramics.

One of Bodrum’s most surprising sights, the Bodrum Windmills are a set of seven stone windmills crowning the rocky promontory between Bodrum and Gumbet. Now in various states of disrepair, the windmills are nonetheless an intriguing relic, dating back to the 18th century. Most memorable, however, are the panoramic views from the hilltop, which span Bodrum city and bay, as well as the Bodrum Peninsula.

Manavgat Market is a large covered shopping center in Manavgat, north of Side. Every Monday and Thursday, it expands into the neighboring side streets, with a chaotic sprawl of stalls selling fake designer clothes, perfumes, purses, sunglasses, Turkish crafts and souvenirs, and fresh produce and cheeses. A farmers market component also offers fresh produce and cheeses.

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.

Cave hotels, cave churches, and a wall of crumbling cave homes make Cavusin (Çavuşin—say “cha-vu-shin”) a very atmospheric Cappadocian village. It’s divided into two parts: the old town, which was abandoned in the 1960s for fear of rockfalls, and the new village that replaced it. Hotels and cafés are springing up in the old town, encouraging travelers to stay awhile.

Not to be confused with the famous Greek mountain, Mt. Olympos in Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye) stands along the Turquoise Coast, south of Antalya. Named after the ancient Lycian city of Olympos—the ruins of which lie nearby along the coast—the mighty 7,762-foot (2,365-meter) peak is surrounded by a dramatic panorama of mountains, forest, and ocean.

Built in 1421 to serve as a mausoleum for Sultan Mehmed I Celebi, the Green Tomb (Yesil Türbe) sits above the larger Green Mosque complex in Bursa, Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye). The striking exterior of the tomb is decorated with blue-green tiles, most of which replaced the original tiles after an earthquake damaged the tomb in 1855.

Framed by forested hills, lively seaside resorts, and miles of glittering blue waters—the Gulf of Fethiye (Fethiye Körfezi is among the most scenic stretches of Turkey’s (officially the Republic of Türkiye) Turquoise Coast. A popular destination for boat cruises; it’s home to a dozen islands, dotted with Byzantine ruins and beautiful beaches.

The charming island of Gemiler, off the Turkish coast, offers a serene setting to escape bustling city life. The island's rich history is evident from the ancient ruins of Byzantine churches, courts, and cisterns. In addition to the historical sites, visitors can also enjoy beaches with crystal-clear waters.

Built in the sixth century by Emperor Justinian I as the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus (Kücük Ayasofya Camii), it later took its name Little Hagia Sophia from its resemblance to the larger Hagia Sophia, which was built nearby a few years earlier. After the Ottomans conquered Constantinople, the church was converted into a mosque.