If there’s one place on earth that speaks to all travelers, it’s Turkey. Bordering the Black and Mediterranean Seas, Turkey is one of the most enchanting destinations in the world. Turkey is geographically blessed and shares influence from the Middle East and parts of Europe, making its culture uniquely impressive. Of course, if you’re heading to Turkey, it’s only fair you visit the best. So, we’re sharing the best places to visit in Turkey:
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1. Cappadocia
From a distance, you might take the rocky outcrops of Cappadocia. But once you get closer and those conical formations take shape, you realize you’ve traveled to a place in the past where fascination, wonder, and imagination lived beyond time itself. Indeed, Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys make it an attractive destination for everyone, especially those obsessed with history, so they can explore the Bronze Age homes carved into the valley, one of the many reasons Cappadocia is among the best places to visit in Turkey. But if you think that’s all there is to Cappadocia, think again; it might be a bit too plain, Jane, but a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia is all it takes to make you believe in fairytales again.
2. Bodrum
Lying on the Bodrum Peninsula with a bright shore stretching endless miles, Bodrum is a delightful little town with fascinating destinations and a vibrant culture. Bodrum’s most popular destination is its namesake castle, which spans the sea and allows people to soak in panoramic views of the coastline. If you’re up for a fascinating marine and history lesson, visit the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology. Of course, you’re welcome to simply spread a blanket over one of Bodrum’s beaches and tan until the sunsets. Bodrum’s vibrant charm is all it takes to understand why this Turkish town is among the best places to visit in Turkey.
3. Fethiye
Here’s a destination that will truly blow your mind– Fethiye is impossibly beautiful, with bright blue and cerulean waves making up a small port city, offering the best of Turkey. Not only is Fethiye one of the best places to visit in Turkey, but it’s also one of the most picturesque destinations in the Middle East; its promising sceneries include dramatic rocky outcrops of green mountains, rock tombs dating back to the 4th century BC and countless beaches that invite sea lovers to their galore. When you’re done exploring Fethiye’s beauty, stop at its Butterfly Valley nature reserve or go beach hopping nearby.
4. Safranbolu
It’s impossible to talk about the best places to visit in Turkey and not mention Safranbolu because this is where you’ll glimpse the raw Ottoman legacy. The Çarşı district boasts countless Ottoman red-roofed houses lined along cobblestone streets, making for impressive and romantic strolls. Safranbolu also boasts a 17th-century caravansary, the Cinci Han, which surprisingly offers a modernistic rooftop view. The town market is incredibly regal, so don’t forget to visit.
5. Trabzon
Imagine a massive, deep blue cove, but one that’s surrounded by luxurious hills and serene houses. That’s just part of Trabzon’s charm, yet you’ll find people drawn to this gem-like moths to a flame. Trabzon is often counted among the best places to visit in Turkey for its beauty; people can’t resist the Black Sea’s coastal charm and the breathtaking backdrop of the surrounding mountains. If you’re up for a short trip, go to Cai Cave, where you’ll feel like you’ve discovered serenity. The Trabzon Castle is yet another reason to visit this Turkish delight.
6. Kaş
Kaş is a humble and quaint seaside town designed to make every visitor feel like they’ve entered heaven. Kaş lies on the Mediterranean coast, so every building is decorated with bright colors and even more vibrant flowers, making every street feel like something out of a Christmas storybook. Kaş’ charm doesn’t end here; it has countless diving spots and boasts some of the most picturesque beaches, like Hidayet Bay Beach. The Kaş Harbor even organizes late-night parties, so you’ll understand why it’s one of the best places to visit in Turkey.
7. Datça Peninsula
Serene, luxurious, and idyllic, the Datça Peninsula looks like angels carved it. Datça Peninsula isn’t just one of the best places to visit in Turkey; you’ll find it filled with excellent opportunities, making it one of the most delightful destinations for people who seek more than just a pretty place. If you spend at least a week in Datça Peninsula, you can explore the ancient Greek ruins at Knidos and visit the nearby amphitheater. Eski Datça’s stone roads, dreamy streets, and walls marked with bougainvillea plantations make the old town one of the dreamiest destinations in the country.
8. Amasya
Amasya is best known for the tombs of the Pontus kings carved into the cliffs, but you’ll also find this destination historically enriching and uniquely adorned by nature. Sporting countless wooden houses dating back to the Ottoman period, Amasya is a quaint city in northern Turkey. This Turkish destination is incredibly regal, boasting several mansions and forts that speak volumes about the Ottoman Empire. The archeology museum, Amasya Kalesi fortress, and countless historical landmarks make Amasya one of the best places to visit in Turkey.
9. Mardin
Next on our list is Mardin, a lesser-known city that usually escapes people’ eyes. Mardin is mainly decorated by ancient houses carved into the hill by the Tigris River, making it a monotonous but uniquely attractive destination. The old city boasts relics of Artuqid architecture, giving visitors a glimpse into true Turkish ingenuity. While this might not be your traditional itinerary destination, Mardin’s rich history and even more decadent culture make it one of the best places to visit in Turkey.
10. Pamukkale
Lastly, we have Pamukkale, meaning Cotton Castle, a town that looks impossibly beautiful. Sporting a bright cascade of mineral-rich water that pools into several travertine terraces, Pamukkale is every naturalist’s dream. Pamukkale’s charm isn’t just limited to the mineral pools; the town borders Hierapolis, an ancient Roman spa city that’s open to anyone who wants a glimpse into a royal past. If you’re visiting Pamukkale, you’ll genuinely want to extend your trip.
Video Guide: 10 Best Places to Visit in Turkey (Coming Soon)
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Travel Resources for Planning a Trip to Turkey
To make planning your trip to the best places in Turkey easier, we included some of our recommended travel resources below. You can search and find the best flights, transportation options, hotels to stay in, tours/activities, and things you can do at each destination during your trip.
Flights:
Agoda: Search thousands of destinations around the world & quickly compare prices to find amazing deals on the best flights.
CheapOAir: You can find airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages all on one site!
Kiwi.com: What we like about Kiwi is the fact that they are able to create combinations of flight, train, and bus tickets and offer them in a single itinerary. Also, Kiwi has what they called “Nomad” which helps you find the best way of visiting multiple destinations, saving you time and money.
JetRadar: You can search and compare airfares from 726 airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems.
Hotels:
Agoda: Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.
Hotellook: They have more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
Transportations:
Airport Transfers: KiwiTaxi, Viator
Train: EuroRail, Trainline or RailEurope
Bus: Flixbus: Very affordable (as low as $6) and convenient way to transfer between cities in Europe.
Car Rentals: AutoEurope, EconomyBookings, or GetTransfer (transfers & car rentals with a personal driver)
Bike Rental: BikesBooking (Bikes & scooter rentals)
Transportation Comparison: Omio (search, compare, and book tickets for buses, trains, and flights all in one site)
Tours & Activities:
TakeWalks (WalkofItaly): This is our favorite site for walking tours & day trips.
Tiqets: Great site for entrance tickets. It offers directly bookable, instantly available, and completely mobile tickets for museums, shows, and attractions all over the world.
Musement: They have good activities and tours in Italy and Spain, also many great day trips you can choose from.
GetYourGuide: A large number of tours, excursions, and other travel activities
Viator: The largest one. It has everything from tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides in over 2,700 destinations worldwide. It also has many transportations and transfers options and some unique experiences we didn’t find anywhere else.
Need help planning a trip to Turkey?
Planning and looking for the best places in Turkey to visit? If you find this type of trip planning to be too complicated to plan on your own, we’re here to help!
At MultiCityTrips, multi-destination travel and complicated itineraries such as a special trip to the best places in Turkey are our specialties. Contact us today to learn more about how one of our experienced travel experts/destination specialists can personalize your multi-city vacations at the best price.
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