12 Best Tourist Attractions Destination in Turkey - Turkey Travel Guide
Turkey's vast rectangle, like a peninsula from the
western border of Asia, but with its foothold on Europe's mainland, serves as a
major bridge between different cultures and economic regions. Thrace and the
region around the Marmara Sea in particular have played a vital and unique role
as a mediator between Europe and Asia, with an impact on the history of the
world, which has lasted from ancient times to the present. The seaway through
the straits connects the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean with the Black Sea
waters, and since the times of colonization by the ancient Greeks, ideas and
influence have flowed to the north-east, not least through the spread of
Christianity from Byzantium into Eastern Europe.
Although Turkey is one of the mountainous countries
of the Near East in most of its geography, its position as a bridgehead has
since time immemorial brought it in close contact with the West, so that the
culture of Turkey today draws heavily on Europe. This is also reflected in its
associated status with the European Community and NATO, the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization.
The vast expanse of the Republic of Turkey extends
from west to east in a long rectangle, from Thrace in the south- eastern corner
of Europe, via the Marmara Sea and the Asia Minor peninsula to the far reaches
of Anatolia in the Near East.
Packed to the brim with ancient monuments left over
from a conquerors ' parade and endowed with scenery that never fails to
impress, Turkey is a dazzling destination in Asia and Europe. Its vibrant
culture, famous food and vast history wow all who venture here, while its
glorious landscapes range from the sun-drenched Mediterranean to the mighty
mountains and arid steppes. Whether you want to lap up the Byzantine and
Ottoman glories of Istanbul on a city break, laze on the beach, delve into
history wandering through ruins such as Ephesus, or see some of the world's
most surreal panoramas in Pamukkale and Cappadocia, this country has
attractions galore.
01. Aya Sofya
Renowned as one of the world's most beautiful
buildings, the spellbinding Byzantine glory of the Aya Sofya Museum (Hagia
Sophia) is not only one of the best in Istanbul, but also in Turkey. The
stunning majority of its exterior is bordered by the delicate minarets added
after the Ottoman conquest, while the magnificent and cavernous frescoed
interior is a great reminder of the power and power of old Constantinople. This
famous monument is a must for all visitors to the country.
02. Ephesus
The mighty ruin of Ephesus is a town of colossal
monuments and marble-columned roads, not to be missed. One of the most
complete, still standing Roman cities in the Mediterranean region is the place
where you can experience what life during the golden age of the Roman Empire
must have been like. A sightseeing tour here takes at least half a day to cover
the main highlights and longer if you really want to explore, so make sure you
plan your visit so that you don't feel precipitated.
03. Cappadocia
The surreal rocky valleys of Cappadocia are the
dream of each photographer. Cliffs and mountain ridges are home to rippling
panoramas of wave-like rock or wacky-shaped pinnacles formed by thousands of
years of wind and water. And if you don't want to walk for the views, this is
one of the top destinations in the world for a hot air balloon ride. If the
lunar scenery is not enough to tempt you, the frescoed rock-cut churches of the
Byzantine era are nestled in these valleys, when this area was an important
early Christian site.
04. Topkapฤฑ Palace
Beyond belief, the Topkapi Palace takes you into the
fantastic, opulent sultan world. From here, the sultans of the Ottoman era
created an empire that extended to Europe and the Middle East and to Africa.
The interiors, with their decadently exuberant carving and sumptuous jewelry
decoration, offer an unforgettable view of the power base of the Ottomans. The
surrounding public gardens were once the sole property of the Royal Court, but
are now open to the public and offer a peaceful, green break from the streets
of the city.
05. Pamukkale
One of the most famous natural wonders of Turkey,
the pure white Pamukkale travertine terraces (" Cotton Castle "in
English) cascade down the slope, looking like a snowfield in the green
countryside. Although the travertines themselves are a highlight of a tour of
Turkey, the vast and rambling ruins of Roman Hierapolis, an ancient spa town,
are situated on the top of this calcite hill. For the best pictures, come in
the evening when the travertines glow under the horizon as the sun sinks.
06. Sumela
Monastery
The Sumela Monastery (Monastery of the Virgin Mary)
is the star attraction for visitors along the Black Sea coast with its amazing,
solitary setting built into a cliff face. Walking around this abandoned
religious complex, with its church interiors full of dazzling and vibrant
frescoes, is a must for anyone on a long journey to the northeastern region of
Turkey. The monastery began in the Byzantine era and was closed only in 1923.
Today it is easy to imagine the isolated lives of the monks who once lived
here, wandering through their empty cells.
07. Mount Nemrut
The top sightseeing drawcard for eastern Turkey, the
funerary mountain of Mount Nemrut, is scattered with the broken remnants of
once mammoth statues that kept it. This strange and solitary place must be one
of the most strange archeological sites in Turkey. From the summit, the giant
stone heads of long-forgotten gods cast an eerie atmosphere over the barren
mountain top. The time to come is at sunrise, so that you can see the statues
emerging from the darkness.
08. Ani
The abandoned buildings of the powerful city of Ani
on the Silk Road are abandoned on the plains near the modern border of Turkey
with Armenia. Once the capital of Armenia, the golden age of Ani came to an end
in the 14th century, after Mongolian raids, earthquake destruction and trade
route raids all played a role in the decline of the city. The beautiful red
brick buildings that still crumble in the middle of the steppe have a
fascinating effect on everyone who visits. Don't miss the Redeemer Church or
the St Church. Gregory still visible with his elaborate stone masonry and
frescoes.
09. Aspendos
Just south of Antalya, Marcus Aurelius ' rule is
celebrated in the jaw-dropping mammoth bulk of the Roman Theater in Aspendos.
Considered the finest surviving example of a classical theater that still
exists in the world, it is one of the star attractions of antiquity. Although
the theater is the main reason for a visit here - and for most visitors on a
half-day trip from nearby Antalya or Side theater, there are more ruins to
explore, if you have time, over a vast hilly area.
10. Cruising the
Mediterranean
The Mediterranean coast of Turkey has ruins and bags
of things to do, but for many people it's all about sunbathing while enjoying
the beautiful views of the coast. For good reason, cruising on a yacht is the
number one activity for visitors to Bodrum and Fethiye. The steep wooded
slopes, hidden coves with tiny white sandy beaches and hundreds of islands are
the perfect place to explore by sea. Even diehard property owners are
impressed. One of the most famous trips is the "Blue Cruise "and it
travels from Fethiye to the south of the coast until it reaches Olympus, home
to the famous Chimaera natural phenomenon.
11. Pergamum
Turkey has an abundance of Greco-Roman ruins, but
none of them can be placed in modern Bergama as romantically as ancient
Pergamum. Once home to one of the most important libraries in the ancient
world, the remaining temple remains of Pergamum now preside dramatically on a
hilltop. It is an incredibly atmospheric place to explore, with an Acropolis
area and a theater on the hillside overlooking its top floors. This is an
excellent place to visit if you want a real sense of life in the Roman era.
12. รlรผdeniz
Turquoise-blue water, possibly. Check. Check. Lush
green forest falls to a white sandy beach. Check. Check. The sheltered inlet of
รlรผdeniz, a short journey from Fethiye, is the most famous beach in Turkey, and
with scenery that could well have fallen off a perfect postcard, it is easy to
see why its popularity has not diminished. If the beach gets too crowded, it's
time to go to the skies and enjoy the amazing aerial views of a tandem
paragliding dive off the top of the mighty Babada alpine mountain, which rises
behind the sea. Oh, did we say that รlรผdeniz is one of the top paragliding destinations
in the world? Check.
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