Explore Türkiye

Fascinating Destinations in Türkiye

From the mosques of Istanbul to the moon-like landscapes of Cappadocia. Discover what to see and do in each of the 29 destinations we cover across Türkiye with an English-speaking private guide.

Türkiye: A Land of Contrasts

Türkiye offers remarkable variety: ancient cities, turquoise coastlines, volcanic landscapes, legendary food and warm hospitality. Each destination has its own personality and deserves to be discovered at an unhurried pace. Here you'll find what to see, how to get there and the best time to visit each place.

From Istanbul, the great city that spans Europe and Asia, to the moon-like landscapes of Cappadocia, by way of the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, the Greco-Roman ruins of Ephesus and the crystal-clear coves of Fethiye, each destination offers a completely different experience. In the south-east, Gaziantep is the country's food capital, and in the east, Mount Ararat crowns a landscape of high plateaus and lakes that few visitors ever see.

Every destination page covers what to see, how many days to spend, the best time to visit and how to get there. You'll also find the private tours that include each destination, so you can plan your trip with all the information you need.

Istanbul

Where East meets West: mosques, bazaars and vibrant neighbourhoods.

3 days April to June, September to November
Hagia Sophia Blue Mosque Grand Bazaar +3 more

Cappadocia

Lunar landscapes, hot-air balloons and cave hotels like nowhere else on earth.

3 days April to June, September to October
Hot-air balloon flight Göreme Open-Air Museum Underground cities +2 more

Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary

One of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean.

1 day March to May, September to November
Library of Celsus Great Theatre House of the Virgin Mary +2 more

Pamukkale and Hierapolis

White travertine terraces and the ruins of an ancient Roman spa town.

1 day April to June, September to November
Travertine terraces Cleopatra's Pool Theatre of Hierapolis +1 more

Troy

The legendary city of the Iliad beside the Dardanelles.

1 day March to June, September to November
Ruins of Troy Trojan Horse Dardanelles strait +1 more

Gallipoli

First World War battlefields, memorials and stories of courage.

1 day April to June, September to November
ANZAC memorials Cape Helles Gallipoli Museum +1 more

Fethiye

Turquoise bays, a blue lagoon and Lycian tombs carved into the rock.

2 days May to October
Ölüdeniz Butterfly Valley Lycian tombs +2 more

Konya

The legacy of Rumi and the whirling dervishes, and Seljuk architecture.

1 day April to June, September to November
Mevlana Museum Whirling dervishes Alaeddin Mosque +1 more

Mount Nemrut

Giant statues at sunrise above the clouds.

2 days June to September
Colossal heads Sunrise on the summit Cendere Bridge +1 more

Kaş

A laid-back seaside town with boat trips to Kekova.

2 days May to October
Kekova sunken city Antiphellos Theatre Diving +2 more

Antalya Coast

Golden beaches, waterfalls and the old gate of Kaleiçi.

2 days April to November
Kaleiçi Düden Waterfalls Aspendos Theatre +2 more

Mardin

A city of golden stone overlooking the plains of Mesopotamia.

2 days March to May, September to November
Deyrulzafaran Monastery Medieval madrasas Traditional bazaars +1 more

Hatay

A cradle of civilisations, ancient mosaics and legendary food.

2 days March to May, September to November
Mosaic Museum Church of St Peter Local food +2 more

Bodrum

A vibrant Aegean coast with a medieval castle, nightlife and crystal-clear coves.

2 days May to October
Castle of St Peter Ancient Theatre Mausoleum at Halicarnassus +2 more

Trabzon

Sumela's cliffside monastery and the lush green valleys of the Black Sea.

2 days May to September
Sumela Monastery Lake Uzungöl Hagia Sophia of Trabzon +2 more

Kars

The ruins of Ani, Russian architecture and the snowy landscapes of eastern Türkiye.

2 days May to September (summer), January to February (winter)
Ruins of Ani Kars Castle Lake Çıldır +2 more

Gaziantep

Türkiye's food capital, the mosaics of Zeugma and age-old bazaars.

2 days March to May, September to November
Zeugma Mosaic Museum Historic bazaars UNESCO gastronomy +2 more

Şanlıurfa

The city of the Prophet Abraham, Göbekli Tepe and the cradle of civilisation.

2 days March to May, October to November
Göbekli Tepe Pool of Abraham (Balıklıgöl) Eastern bazaars +2 more

Bursa

The first Ottoman capital: silk, hot springs and Mount Uludağ.

2 days April to June, September to November
Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii) Ottoman mausoleums Silk Bazaar (Koza Han) +3 more

Izmir and the Aegean Coast

The pearl of the Aegean: a seafront promenade, ancient Smyrna and coastal villages.

3 days May to June, September to October
Kordon promenade Kemeraltı Bazaar Alaçatı and Çeşme +3 more

Edirne

The second Ottoman capital and Sinan's masterpiece: the Selimiye Mosque.

1 day April to June, September to November
Selimiye Mosque (UNESCO) Complex of Bayezid II Old bazaar quarter +2 more

Ankara

Türkiye's capital: Anıtkabir, the world's finest Hittite museum and the Ottoman citadel.

1 day April to June, September to October
Anıtkabir, Atatürk's Mausoleum Museum of Anatolian Civilisations Ankara Citadel (Kalesi) +3 more

Arsuz

A fishing village on the eastern Mediterranean: boats, citrus groves and tables by the sea.

1 day April to June, September to November
Fishing harbour Dinner with a local family Beaches of the Gulf of İskenderun +1 more

Adana

The kebab capital: a Roman bridge over the Seyhan, a monumental mosque and legendary grills.

1 day March to June, September to November
Adana kebab with designation of origin Taşköprü (Roman bridge) Sabancı Central Mosque +1 more

Mersin

A great Mediterranean port with Tarsus next door: St Paul, tantuni and a seafront promenade.

1 day March to June, September to November
Tarsus: St Paul's Well Fish market Tantuni and cezerye +1 more

Van

Türkiye's largest lake, Akdamar Island and the most famous breakfast in the country.

2 days May to October
Akdamar Island and church Van Fortress Van breakfast +1 more

Doğubayazıt and Mount Ararat

The 5,137 m mountain of Noah's Ark and the Ottoman-Kurdish palace of İshak Paşa.

2 days July to September (ascent); May to October (visit)
Ascent of Ararat (5,137 m) İshak Paşa Palace Camps at 3,200 and 4,200 m +1 more

Şırnak

The least-visited south-east: Cizre and the Tigris, red madrasas and frontier hospitality.

1 day April to June, September to October
Cizre and the Tigris Red Madrasa Mosque and tomb of Nuh (Noah) +1 more

Hakkari

The Alps of Türkiye: the Zap valley, 4,000 m peaks and mountain hospitality.

1 day May to September
Zap valley and canyon Cilo mountains (4,135 m) High pastures +1 more
Private tours of Türkiye Multi-day tours with an English-speaking guide
Day tours Istanbul and beyond, with an English-speaking guide
Türkiye travel blog Guides, tips and travel articles

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