Best Places to Visit in Turkey: Turkey is a wonderful holiday destination that straddles Asia and Europe has the best places to visit. It is full of historical sites left over from the parade of families and is blessed with a landscape that never fails to electrify. All visitors are amazed by its colorful culture, delicious cuisine, and rich history. At the same time, its picturesque landscapes, from the solar waters of the Mediterranean Sea to its mighty mountains and arid plains, are a major tourist attraction.
The country offers travelers many activities, whether they want to see the Byzantine and Ottoman glories of Istanbul on a city tour, relax on the beach, visit historical monuments like Ephesus, or visit Pamukkale. Please check our list of the best places to visit in Turkey
List of the best places to visit in Turkey:
Istanbul
Istanbul is the ultimate winter vacation destination, Turkey’s largest city. Istanbul’s wealth of year-round attractions and unique experiences come into their own when the weather is cold and there aren’t many people around. Take advantage of the fact that this eternally beautiful town’s popular spots are often crowded in the summer and can be relatively deserted in the winter.
Istanbul offers a wide range of tourist attractions, including fascinating museums, peaceful gardens, and bustling markets. There are too many popular restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy Turkish cuisine to list them all. Turkish coffee, a culinary tradition recognized by UNESCO, is the way residents start their mornings.
Istanbul’s castles and cisterns serve as living archives for the city’s long history. Istanbul’s historic mosques, including Hagia Sophia, Ortakoy Mosque, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Taksim, Basilica Cistern, Galata Tower, Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, and of course the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, are must-sees.
After a day of sightseeing, take a trip to the famous Turkish baths to relax and warm yourself up.
Best places to visit in Turkey
Lake Cildir
Turkey’s most important winter destination is Lake Cildir, a simple day trip from Kars or a whistle ride on the Dogo Express route. The region resembles the Arctic, as does the nearby Javakheti Plateau, located just across the border in Georgia.
Lake Sildir, which remains frozen for eight months of the year, is a place where you can enjoy winter wonderland-like views in the fall and early spring. Here, troika horse-drawn sleigh rides and ice fishing are popular sports during the off-season. Because it is so thick, you can even rent a bike and ride in the snow!
Don’t overlook GunayCanliAlabalik, an eatery on the east side of Cildir that serves fresh lake fish.
best places to visit in turkey
Ishak Pasha Palace
Eastern Agri Province experiences a harsh climate with hot summers and dark, bloodless winters. But it’s worth braving the cold to visit Ishak Pasha Palace as this iconic site perfectly represents Turkey’s picturesque snowy landscape.
The Ottoman Palace stands atop its rock after being abandoned for decades. The grand palace’s classical arches and domes still pay tribute to the creativity of the Pasha family 400 years after its construction.
Take a tour of the palace to admire its elaborate exterior. If you have a 100 Turkish Lira bill, it may be recognizable. Işak Pasha Palace is undoubtedly a symbol of Turkish culture and is especially spectacular when covered in fresh snow.
best places to visit in turkey
Pamukkale
Often known as the Cotton Castle, is another must-see in Turkey. It is an area where you can experience nature at its best and is a popular holiday destination at some point throughout the year.
The pure hot water of Pamukkale, first used as a spa hotel by the Romans in the 2nd century BC, is the perfect remedy for cold feet. Rich in minerals and strongly spectacular shapes and styles, hot water flows down the layered travertine roofs.
Although Pamukkale is often cold and snowy, there are still many activities to take part in and places to see, including the Greco-Roman, the remains of Hierapolis, and Cleopatra’s Pool.
best places to visit in turkey
Ephesus
Ancient City Ephesus is one of Turkey’s most famous archaeological monuments and by far the most popular summer ancient destination. This is a result of the nearby Kusadasi cruise liner docks, which welcome hundreds of passengers every day.
Although Ephesus is still popular in the winter, the number of visitors there is significantly lower than in the summer. As a result, you’ll have more breathing room to enjoy the ancient remains and climb the surrounding hills.
Those who enjoy history should plan to spend the winter in Ephesus. The remains, including a magnificent ancient theater with a seating capacity of 25,000 people, the Library of Celsus, which once housed 22,000 manuscripts, and beautiful Byzantine mosaics, must be seen in person to be believed.
Best places to visit in Turkey
Kakar
With some of the world’s most beautiful hiking trails, is a sight to behold with its snow-capped peaks and dramatic cliffs, serving as a reminder that some of the most beautiful places in Turkey are found here. the natural world.
The steep, partially forested mountain slopes, close to the Rize and the Black Sea coast, are ideal for winter ski expeditions. The numerous steep hillsides provide spectacular downhill runs.
The cockerel variety can grow to a maximum altitude of about 4,000 meters above sea level. Although the environment is very lifeless in the snowy environment, bears and cubs are often seen while snowboarding as the area is always teeming with wildlife.
Best places to visit in Turkey
Uludag Mountains
The Uludag Mountains have 28 kilometers of slopes for both new and experienced skiers and are one of Turkey’s most popular ski resorts. The Uludag cable car, which covers nine kilometers and takes about 25 minutes to complete, is used by most travelers to climb the mountain.
Ski season is undoubtedly the most popular time to visit Uludag, with snowboarding and skiing attracting locals and tourists from around the world. There are plenty of activities available off the slopes, even if you’re no longer a skier. Without skis, a snow safari is a beautiful opportunity to take in the remarkable scenery of this winter season.
Don’t miss an afternoon trip to Kamalkizik, near Bursa at the base of the mountain. The community is famous for its 270 timber and rubble stone houses, many of which have been carefully preserved or gently renovated. Both children and adults will enjoy exploring this living ethnographic museum.
Best places to visit in Turkey
Bulu
Consider the province of Bulu, halfway between Istanbul and Ankara, the relatively small towns and regional Ottoman architecture that come to many people’s minds first. But the area also has breathtaking scenery that changes with the seasons.
Located just a short distance from the Turkish capital, Bulu becomes a popular weekend destination as summer ends. The city is covered in miles of snow and swims in a sea of amber and rust in autumn.
While you can enjoy the wonderful colors of nature around Lake Abant, a beautiful freshwater lake in Yedigoller National Park, nearby Kartalkaya has ski slopes that can satisfy even the most discriminating winter sports enthusiasts. There are many small cabins where you can rest and relax.
Best places to visit in Turkey