8 Best Places to Visit in Turkey

1. 5. Cappadocia

1.1. Cappadocia is best known for its fairytale landscape

1.1.1. of unusual formations resembling

1.1.1.1. chimneys

1.1.1.2. cones

1.1.1.3. and pinnacles

1.2. Natural processes such as ancient volcanic eruptions and erosion

1.2.1. have all sculpted these odd formations over the ages

1.3. Thousands of years ago

1.3.1. mankind added remarkable touches to the landscape

1.3.1.1. by carving out houses, churches and underground cities from the soft rock

1.4. The Hittites were the first to chisel out underground tunnel complexes

1.4.1. seeking safety from invading Persians and Greeks

1.5. Much later Christians sought refuge in Cappadocia’s tunnels and caves

1.5.1. Today, some of the caves in the region

1.5.1.1. are actually hotels and cater to tourists.

2. 6. Side

2.1. Located on a small peninsula, Side offers

2.1.1. fantastic sightseeing

2.1.2. dining

2.1.3. and nightlife

2.2. Its star attraction is an excavated site of ancient Hellenistic and Roman ruins

2.2.1. that include the remnants of a colossal amphitheater and various temples

2.3. Featuring narrow streets and attractive gardens

2.3.1. the charming town of Side offers many restaurants

2.3.1.1. ranging from delis and pizza shops to upscale dining in a variety of cuisines.

3. 7. Ephesus

3.1. Ephesus is an ancient site located in Aegean Turkey

3.2. By the 1st century BC, Ephesus was one of the largest cities in all of the Roman Empire

3.2.1. boasting one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

3.2.1.1. the Temple of Artemis

3.3. Its attractions include

3.3.1. the massive Theater

3.3.2. the Temple of Hadrian

3.3.3. and the magnificent Celsus Library

3.3.3.1. a two-story structure that was built to house more than 12,000 scrolls.

4. 8. Bodrum

4.1. Located in the southern Aegean region of Turkey

4.1.1. Bodrum was once home to the Mausoleum

4.1.1.1. one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

4.2. Today, its intriguing ruins, stunning beaches and cliff-top resorts

4.2.1. attract people from all over the world

4.3. No visit to Bodrum would be complete

4.3.1. without seeing the Castle of St. Peter

4.3.1.1. also known as Bodrum Castle

4.3.1.2. Built from 1402 by the Knights Hospitaller it now operates as a museum

4.4. On Bodrum’s eastern side

4.4.1. tourists will find a beautiful beach overlooking brilliant blue water

4.5. On the western side of town is the

4.5.1. marina

4.5.2. shopping centers

4.5.3. and restaurants.

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6. 1. Ankara

6.1. Ankara is the capital city of Turkey

6.1.1. This modern city is home to

6.1.1.1. government buildings

6.1.1.2. commercial businesses

6.1.1.3. universities

6.1.1.4. and foreign embassies

6.2. Located right in the center of the country and the Anatolia region

6.2.1. Ankara is an important transportation hub

6.2.1.1. linking travelers to other major destinations in Turkey

6.3. The city itself offers a lively arts and culture scene

6.3.1. with a large concentration of museums

6.3.1.1. including the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.

7. 2. Konya

7.1. Konya is a large city in Turkey’s Central Anatolia Region

7.2. In the 12th and 13th centuries

7.2.1. Konya prospered as a capital city

7.2.1.1. under the rule of the Seljuk Dynasty

7.3. Today, buildings from that era can still be admired such as

7.3.1. the Alaeddin Mosque

7.3.2. and the ruins of the Seljuk Palace

7.4. Konya was also the home of the Persian theologian and Sufi mystic, Rumi

7.5. Rumi’s followers founded the Mevlevi Order

7.5.1. better known as the Whirling Dervishes due to their religious ceremonies

7.5.1.1. in which they spin around and around on the left foot while wearing white, billowing gowns.

8. 3. Istanbul

8.1. Istanbul today is the largest city in Turkey

8.2. Istanbul stretches across a narrow strait that connects Asia and Europe

8.2.1. making it the only city in the world spanning two continents

8.3. Impressive architecture, historic sites, dining, shopping, nightlife and exotic atmosphere

8.3.1. all make Istanbul one of the best places to Visit in Turkey

8.4. The Old City is where most of the city’s impressive historic sites are found, which include

8.4.1. the Hagia Sophia

8.4.2. Blue Mosque

8.4.3. and Topkapi Palace

9. 4. Mardin

9.1. Perched on a strategic hilltop overlooking

9.1.1. the plains of Mesopotamia in southeastern Turkey

9.1.1.1. Mardin is the capital of the Mardin Province

9.2. Mardin is best known for its cultural diversity

9.2.1. and Old City of sandstone buildings

9.2.1.1. that cascade down the hill

9.3. The maze of meandering streets leads visitors

9.3.1. along terraced houses and popular sites

9.4. Top attractions include

9.4.1. Deyrü’z-Zafaran Monastery

9.4.1.1. one of the oldest monasteries in the world

9.4.2. and Sultan Isa Medresesi

9.4.2.1. a medieval monument that once served as an astronomical observatory