Places to Visit in Turkey :
A plethora of attractions allures tourists to the charming places to visit in Turkey. Besides its crystal clear seas kissing the sandy beaches, several historical Ottoman mosques and monuments built by ancient civilizations form the main Turkey attractions.
Here is a list of the most popular places to visit in Turkey:
Pamukkale :
The word Pamukkale means ‘cotton castle’ in Turkish. Pamukkale is an exotic landscape located in western Turkey. This landscape is globally famous for its white terraces built of travertine (a kind of sedimentary limestone). The kings of Pergamon constructed the ancient city named Hierapolis on top of the hot springs. Just below the ancient Greek city (which is now in ruins), the striking rock formations appear like a white cascading fountain. This natural wonder has become a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mount Nemrut :
Nemrut called Nemrut Dagı in Turkish is a 2,134 meter (7,001 ft) high mountain. It is believed that King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene constructed a tomb sanctuary featuring huge statues of himself, two eagles, two lions, and several Greek, and Persian gods in 62 BC. Now the site is in ruins with the toppled heads of the statues scattered everywhere on the Mount.
Patara Beach :
Patara is one of the longest Mediterranean sandy beaches located on the coast of the Turkish Riviera. Covering a stretch of 14 kilometers (9 miles), it is set in the background of ancient Lycian and Roman ruins. You won’t be able to see any buildings at the beach. There is just a small café. The beach also acts as a breeding place for the endangered Loggerhead turtle.
Bodrum Castle :
The Crusaders built Bodrum Castle as the Castle of St. Peter in the 15th century. The castle today stands as one of the world’s best-preserved monuments tracing its origin in medieval times. Operating as a museum, the castle receives a lot of visitors every year. The Museum of Underwater Archaeology is the main attraction.
Ephesus :
Ephesus is one of the most popular ancient cities of Turkey that houses some of the best preserved Greek and Roman ruins in the world. It is located on the coast of Ionia. The three major attractions of Ephesus include the Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus, and the ancient theatre.
Göreme Fairy Chimneys :
Cappadocia is popular for its weird yet unique natural rock formations. The town of Göreme is one such place where one can see these strange formations known as fairy chimneys. These large number of tuff cones have been formed as the result of the two agents of gradation, i.e. wind and water. The erosion of two different volcanic layers led to the formation of these chimneys. As the tuff in these chimneys can easily be carved out, many of the chimneys have been cored out for the creation of houses, churches, and storage facilities.
Topkapı Palac :
The Topkapı Palace in Istanbul was the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years. Built during the fifteenth century, the Palace served as a center of Istanbul’s social and political life. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This ornate building is a fine example of Ottoman architecture. It houses popular Muslim and Christian relics.
Basilica Cistern :
Built in the 6th century BC, the Basilica Cistern is an ancient water storage chamber with a water storage capacity of 80,000 cubic meters (2,800,000 cu ft). Around 336 marble columns support the cistern. Two of the columns have the inverted head of Medusa as their base. One of the best Byzantine sites, Basilica Cistern features vaulted ceilings and decorated carvings of the ancient gods.
Hagia Sophia :
Hagia Sophia was originally a Greek Orthodox basilica (church), but later it was turned into an imperial mosque. Today it is a museum in Istanbul. From 537 until 1453, it was an Eastern Orthodox Cathedral. Sultan Mehmed II ordered it to be converted into a mosque and from 29 May 1453 until 1931, Hagia Sophia served as a mosque. It is a must-visit place. The mosque became an inspiration for many other Ottoman mosques that were constructed during that era such as the Blue Mosque.
Sapadere Canyon :
After you visit all the attractions in Turkey and feel tired, head on to Sapadere Canyon located 44 km. away from Alanya. Sapadere Canyon with its breathtaking scenery rejuvenates the tired tourists. The turquoise-colored water cascading down from the waterfalls has a therapeutic and refreshing effect.
These are some of the best places to visit in Turkey. The list of attractions in Turkey doesn’t end here. If you are an enthusiastic globetrotter, you would be able to see other attractions in Turkey as well. Most of the places to visit in Turkey are located just a few kilometers away from each other.