Top 30 Attractions in Turkey

Many people can't even imagine Turkey without beaches, all inclusive and huge portions in hotels. And very in vain! After all, how much beauty this ancient country can discover, the history of which was created by more than one powerful civilization. Turkey is a country that definitely has a soul and will be able to enchant even the most fastidious tourist.

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey is Istanbul. It is full of attractions. In the old districts there is the Grand Bazaar - a place of accumulation of Turkish flavor, Dolmabahce Palace and Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. While visiting these places, you understand that there is something much more valuable in Turkey than five-star hotels and resorts.

Everyone knows about the places described in the Iliad, but not everyone realizes that many of them are located in Turkey. You can touch the ancient and magical history in the ancient cities of the country, as well as in the Cappadocia region.

And, of course, the beaches. In Turkey, they are for every taste. From sandy to covered with pebbles and stones, surrounded by ancient bays and fortress walls. Beach holidays in Turkey are synonymous with comfort and lounging, because tourism in the country is very well developed. But do not forget about the architectural and historical sights. They are worth it.

What to see in Turkey?

The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a brief description.

City of Istanbul

Istanbul is located on two coasts, on different continents and in different centuries. More than three thousand architectural and cultural monuments reflect the history of four empires, whose capital was Istanbul. The Bosphorus divides it into two parts - Europe and Asia. Istanbul absorbed the best from each of them. This is a city of fairy tales and grandeur, the silhouette of which is outlined not only by mosques and palaces, but also by skyscrapers, banks and shopping centers.

Look → The main sights of Istanbul

Bosphorus

This is a 30 km long strait separating Europe and Asia Minor. Its maximum width is 3700 m, the minimum is 700 m. The strait was formed about 7.5 thousand years ago after the melting of a large amount of ice and snow. The Bosphorus is the heart of Istanbul, which gave life to the city and became its symbol. Having made a walk along the strait, you can admire the beautiful landscapes of the capital of Turkey to your heart's content.

Cappadocia

In the heart of Turkey is a unique area rich in history and sights. The first thing that surprises Cappadocia is landscapes. Here you can see rocks in the form of mushrooms and low mountains. There is also a real underground kingdom. The first Christians dug cave recesses here, creating cities underground. Their depth reached 85 meters, and up to 10 thousand people lived in them.

Pamukkale

This is a world famous thermal spa. It was created by nature itself. In addition to the fact that the waters of Pamukkale are healing, the springs look like they were copied from the pages of a fairy tale. Due to the deposition of salts, they are like snow-white terraces. Vacationers bask in such salt pools. Near Pamukkale is another interesting place - the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis.

Dolmabahce Palace

The Dolmabahce Palace owes its appearance to the desire of Abdulmejid I to be closer to European riches. This is the most "non-Turkish" residence of the Sultan in Istanbul. The palace was built from 1842 to 1853 in the Baroque style, spending 14 tons of gold alone. Dolmabahce consists of three parts, in which there are 285 rooms and 44 halls. Also on the territory of the complex there are lovely park pavilions and a summer palace.

Mount Ararat

Mount Ararat is located in the east of Turkey. According to biblical legends, Noah's ark once moored to it. Ararat consists of cones of two volcanoes that have merged at their bases: Greater Ararat and Lesser Ararat. The height of the first is 5165 meters. This is the highest point in Turkey. On the slopes of the mountain there are many glacial caves, a national park, flowering valleys and picturesque glades, as well as ancient monasteries.

Hagia Sophia in Istanbul

This cathedral is a symbol of the "golden age" of Byzantium, the best example of Byzantine architecture. The history of the cathedral begins in the 4th century. For more than a thousand years, the cathedral was the largest Christian temple. Its height is 55.6 m, and the diameter of the dome is 31 m. An amount equal to two annual Byzantine budgets was spent on the construction of a luxurious cathedral.

Blue Mosque in Istanbul

The mosque stands on the shore of the Sea of ​​Marmara. This is a symbol of the city, which has no analogues in the world. The first thing that distinguishes the Blue Mosque from others is six, not four minarets. According to legend, the reason for this is the mistake of the architect, who misheard the instructions of the Sultan. The mosque was built from 1609 to 1616 using marble, stone and ceramics. The construction turned out to be majestic, causing delight and awe.

Topkapi Palace

The palace was built in 1479 at the direction of Sultan Mehmed. Its area is 700 thousand m², it is surrounded by a wall 1400 meters long. Topkapi Palace witnessed the life and reign of 25 sultans. It was within its walls that the love story of the concubine Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska, who became the wife of the Sultan, and Suleiman the Magnificent developed. In the TV series "The Magnificent Century" events take place in the luxurious Topkapi Palace.

Galata Tower

This is one of the oldest attractions in Istanbul. As far back as the 5th century, there was a tower in this area. The building that has survived to this day was built by the Genoese in 1348-1349 on a hill. The height of the building is 61 meters, and due to its location on a hill, it is visible from almost anywhere in the city. At the top of the tower there is an observation deck with amazing views.

Maiden's Tower

The Maiden's Tower is located on a small rocky island in the Bosphorus. Its history begins centuries before our era, it is shrouded in legends and romantic stories. Today it is very popular with tourists, it has a restaurant, a museum, a souvenir shop, an observation deck, a cafe and a bar. The tower was depicted in the painting “View of the Leander Tower in Constantinople” by Aivazovsky.

Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

One of the largest covered bazaars in the world is located in the historical center of Istanbul. The Grand Bazaar was built back in 1461 and became the soul of the city. The bazaar occupies several blocks, 61 streets are intertwined inside it, there are 4400 shops, more than 2000 ateliers, 18 fountains, mosques and even a school. Here you can buy everything, including handmade carpets, gold, silver, amulets and spices.

Basilica Cistern

This is an underground reservoir built by the Greeks in the 4th century. At first glance, it resembles a palace, because it consists of 336 nine-meter columns that differ in appearance. They were brought from ancient temples. The Basilica cistern contained 100,000 tons of water. The walls of the cistern were fireproof and covered with waterproofing mortar. For its intended purpose, the Basilica was used until the 16th century.

Ephesus ancient city

Ephesus is a huge open-air museum. The history of the city began in the 5th century BC, and in the 15th century it was destroyed. Archaeologists restored it and prepared it for tourists to see. The main attraction of Ephesus is the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world. You can explore the city by entering from the upper or lower entrance, but it is more convenient to walk along the road leading from top to bottom.

Ancient city of Side

This is the main archaeological area of ​​Turkey, as well as one of the most popular resorts. It is located on a peninsula 75 km from Antalya. On the territory of the ancient city, walls have been preserved, there are dilapidated columns, public baths, and a museum is located in them. Further on, you can see the ruins of the temple of Dionysus, Tyche and Fortune, a huge theater where gladiator fights were held.

Phaselis ancient city

At 60 km from Antalya, at the foot of Mount Tahtali described by Homer in the Iliad, there are the ruins of the ancient city of Phaselis. It was founded in the 7th century BC. colonists from Rhodes. Tourists can see in the city the ruins of an aqueduct that supplied water to the entire city, an ancient wall, a theater, temples and a necropolis. They say that this is where Alexander the Great was buried.

Ancient city of Troy

The city is located in the northwestern part of Anatolia. It is included in the UNESCO heritage list. But even without that, he is very popular. Everyone has heard of Troy, but not everyone knows what the legendary city from the pages of the Iliad is like. At the entrance to the city there is a copy of the Trojan horse, there is also a museum, a garden and the ruins of buildings, houses, temples.

Fortress in Alanya

The fortress was built in the 13th century in southern Turkey. It is located on a rocky peninsula 250 meters high. The total length of the massive walls surrounding the buildings is 8 km. The fortress had 160 towers, it has more than 400 underground reservoirs. On the territory of the fortress there was a mint, a bathhouse, a mosque, a winter palace, places for trade, a church, a platform for military exercises. Now there is a museum in the fortress.

Kyzyl Kule Tower (Red Tower)

This tower is the symbol of Alanya. It was built in 1226 by order of Aladdin Keykubat. The tower got its name because of the red color of the brick from which it is made. Although the building looks laconic on the outside, everything inside is very intricately built. Up to 2 thousand soldiers were placed on five floors of the tower, and the light that comes from the top of the tower reaches the first floor.

Mount Nemrut-Dag

The height of the mountain is 2150 meters, but the rise does not scare anyone. Here is a rather unusual attraction. In 62 BC. e., the king of Commagene Antiochus I Theos built a tomb for himself on the top of the mountain. Its center was a mound almost 50 meters high and 150 meters wide. Under it is the coffin of the king, around - statues, which tourists come to see.

Lycian tombs

Lycia is an ancient country on the territory of the modern provinces of Mugla and Antalya. The Lycians inhabited it in the 1st millennium BC. Of all the cultural heritage of this people, the tombs are the best preserved. On the territory of Lycia, more than 1000 of them were found, carved into the rocks or on the tops of the mountains. Some tombs had two rooms, were decorated with columns, and some were huge.

Arched gate in Side

The arched gate in Side is the main entrance to the once prosperous city, the most important port of Pamphylia. They were built in 71 BC. in honor of the emperor Vespasian and his son. The height of the gate exceeds 6 meters. And although the appearance has changed more than once, their walls have been preserved as they were. On the sides of the gate are statues of famous and respected people.

Green Canyon (Green Canyon)

It is the largest canyon reservoir in Turkey. It is located in the Taurus Mountains, at an altitude of 350 meters above sea level. The place owes its appearance to the construction of a hydroelectric power station. 27 natural springs continuously feed the reservoir with a depth of up to 100 meters. The canyon is cool and very beautiful. This is one of the best destinations for excursions in Antalya.

Monastery of Panagia Sumela

It is believed that the monastery was founded by the monk Barnabas at the end of the 4th century. It is located on the chalk cliff of Trabzon. After its foundation, until 1923, the icon of the Mother of God Panagia Sumela was kept in the monastery, which, according to legend, was painted by the Apostle Luke. This is a popular place of pilgrimage. Hundreds of thousands of tourists come to the monastery every year. In addition, it is located in an incredibly picturesque place.

Damlatas cave

In the center of Alanya is the beautiful Damlatas salt cave. It is very easy to get there on your own. The cave is famous for its healing properties; staying in it is very useful for people with asthma. Inside it, nature from multi-colored stalactites formed bizarre figures and landscapes. A special route is equipped for tourists in the cave.

Cleopatra's pool

The pool is located in Pamukkale, a place famous for its thermal waters. They say that it was in it that the queen took a bath in order to be beautiful and look young. The reservoir maintains a constant temperature of 35 ° C, the water is healing and not only mineral, but also carbonated! It's like bathing in champagne. Stay in the water is limited to 2 hours.

Dalyan - turtle island

Dalyan is a resort city with a comfortable and pleasant climate. Turtles are among its main attractions. Dalyan is the second place in the world where the Mediterranean turtles of the endangered species "Caretta" live. Here they lay their eggs, and tourists can lie on the beach, sunbathe and watch the birth of little turtles.

Princes' Islands

This is a group of nine islands. They are located near the coast of Istanbul in the Sea of ​​Marmara. They got their name because of the reference to them during the Byzantine Empire of princes and people close to emperors. Popular with tourists are one-day tours to the islands, which depart daily from Istanbul.

Waterfall Manavgat

This is a waterfall on the Manavgat River in the province of Antalya. On its banks in the VI century BC. settlements were formed. Although the waterfall itself is not high, it is very picturesque. On it you can take a break from the heat, sit in a shady restaurant, swim in cool and refreshing water. On Mondays, there is a bazaar on Manavgat where you can buy delicious fruits and spices.

Duden waterfall

The cascade of waterfalls formed by the Duden River is located in Antalya and consists of two parts. The seething, powerful stream of cool water of the upper waterfall falls from a mountain 20 meters high and creates an incredible picture. The water is divided into several streams, making it even more beautiful. A beautiful coniferous forest grows around it. The height of the lower Duden waterfall is 40 meters. Its waters fall into the sea.