Turkey is a country rich enough not to fit into a single lifetime with its coasts, mountains, ancient cities, and thousand-and-one varieties of cuisine. Therefore, deciding where to go during a limited holiday period can sometimes be difficult. Below, we have compiled the must-see places in Turkey by region, appealing to various interests. Since seasons, transportation, and visiting conditions may change, please check the up-to-date information when making your plan.
Cappadocia: fairy chimneys and a sky full of balloons
Cappadocia, around Nevşehir, offers a unique landscape in the world with its fairy chimneys and valleys shaped by volcanic tuffs over centuries. Rock-hewn churches in the Göreme Open Air Museum, Uçhisar Castle, Zelve, and Ihlara Valley are among the places to see. When weather conditions are favorable, balloons filling the sky at sunrise are the symbol of the region. Underground cities (Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı) also reveal how early settlements lived.
Aegean and Mediterranean: ancient cities and deep blue bays
Ephesus and Pamukkale
The Ancient City of Ephesus, near İzmir, is one of the best-preserved ancient cities in Anatolia with its Celsus Library and grand theater. Pamukkale in Denizli is on the UNESCO World Heritage List with its white travertines and the ancient city of Hierapolis. It is possible to plan both together.
Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye, and Antalya
For those seeking sea and sun, the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts harbor countless bays and beaches. Ölüdeniz and Butterfly Valley in Fethiye, Kaleiçi and Düden Waterfall in Antalya, and the castle and marinas in Bodrum stand out. For hiking lovers, the Lycia Way is one of the world's best-known long-distance trails.
Çanakkale and Troy
The Ancient City of Troy and the historical sites on the Gelibolu Peninsula bear the traces of both ancient times and recent history. A guided tour is mostly preferred for touring the region.
Southeast and East: Mardin, Göbeklitepe, Nemrut
Mardin is a fascinating city with its stone houses and view of the Mesopotamian Plain, as well as its multicultural past. Göbeklitepe near Şanlıurfa changed views on human history as one of the oldest known monumental building complexes. Watching the sunrise or sunset on Mount Nemrut in Adıyaman is unforgettable. In the east, the Ani Ruins near Kars and the surroundings of Lake Van are suitable for those looking for a route away from the crowds.
Black Sea: every shade of green
Stops such as Sumela Monastery around Trabzon, Uzungöl, Ayder, and Fırtına Valley reflect the nature and cultural diversity of the Black Sea. With plateaus, tea gardens, and local cuisine (anchovy, mıhlama, kuymak), the trip turns into a full nature holiday. Since precipitation is frequent in the region, it is a good idea to have a raincoat and comfortable shoes.
Marmara and Central Anatolia: cities and local textures
Istanbul is of course at the top of the list; for details, you can check our Places to Visit in Istanbul article. Bursa's Grand Mosque and Ottoman heritage, Edirne's Selimiye Mosque, Safranbolu's traditional mansions, and Anıtkabir and museums in Ankara are the prominent stops of the inland regions. Mevlana Museum and the culture of the City of Mesnevi in Konya also attract intense interest.
What to pay attention to when planning a route?
- Season: Late spring and autumn for the coasts, and spring and autumn for inland regions are generally more comfortable; temperatures rise in summer.
- Distances: Turkey is a large country; trying to fit too many stops at once can be tiring. Make a region-based plan.
- Transportation: Domestic flights save time on long distances; renting a car locally or joining guided tours provides flexibility.
- Local tastes: Trying the cuisine of the region you visit completes the trip.
Discovering with tours
If you want the program, accommodation, and transportation in a single package, you can examine our domestic tours. You can access all our routes from the tours page.