biggest tourist cities in turkey

15 Best Cities in Turkey

Written by Jess Lee Updated May 11, 2023

Author Jess Lee has been writing about traveling in Turkey's cities for guidebooks and magazines for a decade and lives in Turkey .

Turkey's cities are where you experience Turkish life at its most vibrant. Many of Turkey's cities, even those known today as modern centers of business and industry, have ancient roots, and hold on to old town districts replete with the fine architecture from older eras, whether Ottoman, Byzantine, or Classical.

If you want to explore the grand building works of empires past, seek out some of the country's best dining, or simply get lost within the bazaar bustle, make sure to add some city time into your travels.

Plan where to find the big-city scene with our list of the best cities in Turkey

1. Istanbul

4. şanlıurfa, 8. gaziantep, 10. eskişehir, 12. trabzon, map of cities in turkey.

Highlights: One of the world's great metropolises, mixing grand Byzantine and Ottoman heritage with vivacious, contemporary dining; entertainment; and street life

Istanbul manages to merge its vast ancient past and hectic modern mega-city buzz with an aplomb not managed by many other cities. This is Turkey's major metropolis. Straddling opposing shores of Europe and Asia, it is home to a population of about 15 million.

Unsurprisingly, Istanbul is one of the world's favorite city-break destinations. There are few other cities on Earth where you can visit this mind-boggling multitude of historic monuments from different eras.

Just in its central old town core, it holds more world-class tourist attractions than some entire countries can count.

You could spend weeks here and still find new things to see and interesting places to shop , but for first-time visitors, the historic center is where to concentrate your time. Here, you'll find the city's most famous grand Imperial building projects from both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.

The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) , Topkapı Palace, and the Grand Bazaar are the big four.

Beyond these, though, there are Byzantine cisterns, more multi-domed and lavishly tiled mosques, Baroque palace architecture, and frescoed churches to discover. And history is only part of Istanbul's charm.

Don't be lulled into thinking this city is just the sum of its grand past. Street life here has a buzzing, youthful vibe, while some of the best ways to soak up Istanbul's atmosphere — taking to the Bosphorus Strait for skyline vistas or experiencing a traditional Turkish bath in an ancient, domed hamam — are some of the most easygoing sightseeing options you can get.

The café and dining scene includes everything from reworked Ottoman palace dishes and regional specialties to modern Mediterranean and fusion flavors. And with big players such as the Istanbul Modern (scheduled to reopen inside the new Galata Port development) and ARTER, the contemporary art scene is thriving.

• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Istanbul
• Best Beaches near Istanbul
• Best Day Trips from Istanbul

Highlights: Beach life with big-city facilities, dining, and entertainment on tap, plus a quaint old town district at its core

Turkey's premier Mediterranean resort is also an important center of commerce with a population of 1.2 million, so there is plenty of cosmopolitan buzz to add to its beach life.

Antalya is one of the best places to visit in Turkey if you want to combine sun and sand with city amenities on hand.

Laid-back beach life is found at both Konyaaltı beach and Lara beach, but the city's vibrant and varied café and restaurant scene is still easily on tap.

With the Kaleiçi district at Antalya's core, you have one of Turkey's best-preserved old towns within easy reach for days when it's time to do more than top up your tan.

This neighborhood of Ottoman-period mansions leading down to a Roman-era harbor, with views that swoop across the jagged, mountainous coastline, provides enough tourist attractions in itself even if you're not interested in having the beach on hand.

If the sights within the city aren't enough, Antalya also sits on the doorstep of a whole swag of Turkey's major archaeological sites.

With the famed Classical-era ruins of Aspendos , Perge, Side , and Termessos just day trip hops from town, you'd be hard-pressed to find a beach town with more to offer.

Read More: From Istanbul to Antalya: Best Way to Get There

Highlights: Hub of Ottoman culture, silk road heritage, and winter ski destination

The original capital of the Ottoman Empire, Bursa today is a vast, rambling, modern city, home to two million.

Most visitors will want to concentrate their sightseeing in the city's central districts. The 20-domed Grand Mosque, exuberantly tiled interiors of both the Yeşil Mosque and tomb, and the colorfully decorated mausoleums of the first Ottoman Sultans within the Muradiye Complex are the most famous monuments from Bursa's imperial reign.

At the city's core is the massive Covered Market, where multiple hans (caravanserais) and bedestens (warehouses) showcase Bursa's heritage as a Silk Route trading point. Don't miss the Koza Han with its numerous silk shops still continuing the tradition.

For some travelers though, all this heritage on display is secondary.

Foodies are here to dine on Iskender kebab in the city where it was invented. Nearly every restaurant in town offers this up as their headline dish but for the real deal, beeline to Kebapçi Iskender where it was first created.

During winter, Bursa is the base city for the popular ski resort on Uludağ (Grand Mountain) and the Bursa Teleferik, which is one of the longest cable cars in the world and the most scenic way to head to the slopes.

Read More: Top Attractions & Things to Do in Bursa

Highlights: Ancient holy pilgrimage city with some of the world's most important Neolithic sites on its doorstep

Due to the ongoing aid response in the aftermath of Turkey's February 2023 earthquake, you should check the latest governmental travel advice before traveling to the Şanlıurfa region.

Claimed birthplace of the Prophet Abraham and once the Byzantine city of Edessa, Şanlıurfa has always been one of the most interesting stops in Turkey's southeast.

In the last few years, as the archaeological site of Göbeklitepe has been opened up to tourism, a new wave of visitors have also flocked here. These Neolithic monoliths, sitting just on the city outskirts, were anointed with UNESCO World Heritage status in 2019.

In the city center itself, a massive and thoroughly contemporary new Archaeological Museum provides one of Turkey's most fascinating museum experiences, thoroughly complementing the site by devoting a large swath of its space to exhibits from both Göbeklitepe and the Şanlıurfa region's importance in early human history.

Even without these two recent major tourist attractions though, Şanlıurfa has plenty for visitors to unpack.

The old town district's bazaar is a busy muddle, where traditional craft workshops and market produce stalls huddle amid skinny alleys and where the courtyards of old caravanserais are now put to use as atmospheric open-air cafés.

Leading out from the old town district, at the city's very heart, is leafy Gölbaşı park. This major pilgrimage area plays center stage in the city's local lore, with historic mosques built on sites important to the story of Abraham, and fish ponds filled with sacred carp.

Highlight: Vibrant, modern city-slicker life and jumping-off point for some of the Aegean's most famous ruins

This provincial capital, and Turkey's third biggest center, with a population of 2.9 million, is a big-city base for the nearby sites of Ephesus and Pergamum , which are both day-tripping distance.

Spreading along the Aegean waterfront, Izmir today is feted as one of Turkey's most lively metropolitan centers. Its youthful, commercial buzz and modern façade hides a vast history.

Izmir was once Smyrna, the most important port town along this coastline from the Roman period up to the end of the Ottoman era.

Along with Alexandria in Egypt, it was feted for centuries as a Mediterranean cosmopolitan hub, where Turks, Greeks, Jews, and Armenians all thrived.

A catastrophic fire at the end of the Turkish War for Independence in 1922 wiped out much of Izmir's historic neighborhoods, but a glimpse of its storied past can still be found in the vast Kemeraltı Market district snug in the city core. Here, Ottoman warehouses now house craft workshops, caravanserais are converted to coffee houses, and alleyway stalls are piled high with produce and household goods.

Read More: From Istanbul to Izmir: Best Ways to Get There

Highlights: Historic spiritual center, Seljuk era heritage, and Mevlevi pilgrimage site

The ornately tiled Mevlana Museum , home to the tomb of 13th-century Sufi poet and preacher Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, has made this old Seljuk capital a major stop for any traveler heading east from the Mediterranean coast.

Most visitors time their trip to watch a performance by the whirling dervishes (twice weekly in summer; once a week the rest of year) in the birthplace of this Mevlevi Sufi sect.

Konya's Sufi connection has made its tourism name but there are plenty of attractions beyond the dervishes.

The central city is crammed with the surviving mosques and monuments from Konya's grand era as Seljuk capital in the 13th century. Some, such as the Karatay Medresesi, have been painstakingly restored and turned into interesting museums that highlight the artistic accomplishments of the Seljuk era.

Outside the city itself, the stark surrounding plains are home to a host of attractions that will convince history-minded travelers to linger another night in town.

Top of the list is the settlement mound of Çatalhöyük , where archaeologists unearthed one of the world's largest Neolithic villages.

Highlights: Mediterranean harbor town and major jumping-off point for yachting trips

With its spectacular harborfront setting, this small city of 100,000 is one of Turkey's most popular places to visit along the Mediterranean coast.

Fethiye is a major yachting destination. There are bundles of sailing activities on offer, from daily group boat tours to multi-day private yacht hire.

The harbor here is also the departure point for Turkey's most famous sailing itinerary: the three-night Blue Cruise, which takes in some of the best coastal panoramas along this stretch of coast.

Although Fethiye is primarily all about the water, its location is also perfect for launching out to explore the vast amount of ruins hidden in the surrounding lush forested hills.

The Classical-era Lycian ruins of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Xanthos and Letoön are just two of the major archaeological sites within day-tripping distance.

If, though, you are simply focused on sun and sea, this is the nearest city base for the famed beaches of Ölüdeniz, with its paragliding and boat trips, and Butterfly Valley.

• Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Fethiye

Highlights: Foodie hub, craft center, and old town heritage, plus one of the world's most renowned mosaic collections

Due to the ongoing aid response in the aftermath of Turkey's February 2023 earthquake, you should check the latest governmental travel advice before traveling to the Gaziantep region.

Turkey's baklava center needs no introduction to foodie travelers. Gaziantep's sweet treats are famed throughout the country. There's plenty to discover beyond the sugar-hit though.

One of the prime tourist attractions is the Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum.

Highly contemporary and beautifully conceived, the museum holds one of the world's most important collections of Roman period mosaic floor art, all rescued from the nearby Belkis-Zeugma archaeological site before it was submerged under the waters of the Birecik Dam.

One of the real pleasures of Gaziantep is wandering the old town area. Its multitude of baklava shops and compact bazaar alleys, stuffed full of traditional craftwork stores and historic coffee houses, could consume a full day of your time.

Highlight: Turkey's most important museum and the modern heart of the country

Turkey's capital, and the second biggest city in the country, with a population of five million, is slap in the center of the country.

Ankara is a sprawling center of business and industry often dismissed as a modern city, but there are three big reasons to add it into your Turkey tour.

Beeline here to visit the excellent Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which holds an unparalleled collection of artifacts from archaeological sites across the country. Exhibits range from the Neolithic through to the Iron Age. If you want to understand the vast breadth of Turkey's ancient history, this is the best place in the country.

Although the city only rose to prominence during the modern era, Ankara has ancient roots. Its hilltop citadel district, sitting within the shattered remnants of Byzantine walls, is the best place to experience some of that heritage.

Ankara's other major attraction , and a modern pilgrimage site, is the Anıtkabir . This hilltop complex holds the mausoleum of Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. Come here to understand how this modern nation was forged in the years after World War I.

Ankara is also the nearest base to the ruins of the Hittite capital of Hattuşa, the Bronze Age Empire, which once ruled over much of Anatolia, and the Iron Age site of Gordion , where Alexander the Great cut the Gordion knot.

Highlight: Contemporary art hub, youthful buzz, and a lively cafe scene

This major university center is all about café culture, gardens, and art.

Full of youthful energy and buzz, Eskişehir is a big hit with local families who day trip here on summer weekends for gondola rides on the river, picnicking in the parks, and strolling the small old town district of Odunpazarı.

Odunpazarı is also where you'll find Eskişehir's newest attraction. The OMM (Odunpazarı Modern Museum) art gallery holds a permanent collection of modern art, comprising sculpture and installations as well as paintings, and hosts temporary exhibitions of big names in the contemporary art scene. It's the most important private art gallery outside of Istanbul.

Eskişehir used to be bypassed by many travelers, but the new high-speed train lines connecting Istanbul with Ankara and Konya have made Eskişehir (a station on both lines) a popular stop-off for travelers heading inland.

Highlights: Lake Van, Armenian artistry and heritage, and ancient Urartian treasures

Way out in Turkey's southeast, the city of Van sits beside Lake Van's shore and is a major transit point for travelers before or after crossing into Iran.

Due to a series of earthquakes that struck in 2011, and leveled much of the central city, Van's architecture is thoroughly modern. This disguises the ancient, cosmopolitan history of this area, which during the Ottoman era had a large mixed population of Armenians, Turks, Kurds, Syriac Christians, and Yezidis.

Head to the city's edge, near Lake Van's shore, to explore the fragments of Eski Van (Old Van). This was destroyed when Van became first a front line for fighting between Ottoman and Russian forces during World War I, and then again in the Turkish War for Independence after Allied forces handed Van to Armenia.

Afterward, hike up to ancient Van Castle for panoramic views across town and the surrounding countryside, and then delve into this region's deep past at Van Museum with its globally important collection of Urartian artifacts.

The big highlight of a visit here, though, is a trip to Akdamar Island on Lake Van to visit Akdamar Kilisesi (the Armenian Church of the Holy Cross) with its facade of carved Biblical scenes. This is one of Turkey's most important historical religious sites and one of the greatest artistic treasures of the medieval Armenian kingdoms.

It's not all about history and architecture, though. Van is also a major foodie haunt, renowned for its distinctive food culture and famous for its Turkish breakfast spreads.

Highlights: Lively Black Sea port city with a historic core, plus the prime base for trips to Sumela Monastery

This is the Black Sea coast's most tourist-oriented city.

Most visitors usually spend just one night before launching themselves out on trips into Turkey's lush tea-growing hills or to visit Sumela Monastery, one of the Black Sea's most famous sights . Though the monastery has been closed for restoration for the past several years, just viewing its location, built high up in jagged cliffs, still makes it a major attraction.

Trabzon is worth more time than most travelers give it, though. In the city itself, the major tourist sight is the Aya Sofya, a church-turned-mosque that holds important 13th-century frescoes.

After visiting the Aya Sofya, dive into the central bazaar district and the fortified Ortahisar (middle castle) neighborhood. Both have held on to plenty of Ottoman architecture, with several caravanserais now used as cafés and shop space.

Trabzon is also one of the Black Sea's best destinations for sampling Black Sea cuisine. Plenty of restaurants in the city center specialize in the distinct dishes of this region, showcasing the fusion of Georgian, Greek, and Turkish flavors that hark back to the Black Sea's multicultural past.

Highlights: Sinan's greatest mosque and Ottoman heritage within Turkey's tiny slice of Europe

Nudging up against the borders with both Bulgaria and Greece, Edirne is the major city of Thrace (the tiny corner of northwest Turkey that sits within Europe).

Once the Roman city of Adrianople and later capital of the Ottoman Empire (Mehmet II launched his conquest of Constantinople from here), Edirne has a long and grand history that can be glimpsed in the preserved imperial architecture that still dots its central city.

The major tourist attraction in town is Edirne's Selimiye Mosque, regarded as the finest example of mosque architecture built by the famed Ottoman architect Sinan.

Any visitor interested in history, though, will find plenty of other things to do in Edirne , with a glut of other mosques and Ottoman-era monuments to explore.

Edirne's location makes it a convenient stop on the overland route between Istanbul and Bulgaria or northern Greece.

Highlight: Riverside strolls below Pontic remnants in one of Turkey's prettiest small cities

Amasya sits squeezed between high cliffs, with the Yeşilirmak River winding through its center.

Although a laid-back, small city today, Amasya was once capital of the Kingdom of Pontus and later, during the city's Roman era, it was the birthplace of Strabo, the famed Roman geographer.

There may be few big tourist attractions or major things to do within town, but Amasya makes up for that fact by providing plenty of ambience and opportunities to soak up the views.

Stroll the riverfront where a clutch of preserved Ottoman wooden mansions line the northern bank, with the tombs of Pontic kings cut into the looming cliff above, and then head up to the scant remains of the castle, perched on the cliff summit for vistas across the valley.

In the central city itself, don't miss visiting the 15th-century Sultan Beyazıt II Mosque with an interior that rivals Istanbul's imperial mosques for grandeur.

Highlight: A handful of heritage buildings in the city core and a base for day trips to Ani

The major city of Turkey's far northeast, Kars is the nearest base to the ruins of the Armenian Kingdom capital of Ani, one of Turkey's UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Nearly every traveler heading to the archaeological site will spend at least one night here.

Kars itself has a very individual style compared to other Turkish cities, mostly due to the town's era under Russian occupation from 1878 to 1920, which gave Kars its distinctive stone-cut mansion architecture and grid-like road layout.

The city's northern corner is home to a handful of historic buildings. Head first to the Kümbet Mosque, which was originally the 10th-century Armenian Church of the Apostles, and then hike up to Kars Castle for the views across the town and surrounding stark countryside.

More on Turkey

10 of the best places to visit in Türkiye

Dec 14, 2023 • 6 min read

Plan your visit to Türkiye with these top places to see © rudi_suardi / Getty Images

The eclectic city of Istanbul, the fantastical rock forms of Cappadocia, the ancient ruins of Ephesus, and the glimmering Mediterranean and Aegean coastlines are Türkiye ’s biggest draws, but each region of the country has something distinct to offer.

The diversity of landscapes, heritage and culinary culture will surprise those who have never ventured beyond holiday resorts and the beach. Even though it’s easy to get around Türkiye , the country has too much to see and do to tackle it all on one trip. Because most domestic flights route through Istanbul, spend at least a few days in this dynamic global metropolis before heading out to one of our other top places to visit in Türkiye.

1. Istanbul

Best for ancient sites and modern neighborhoods

One of the world’s greatest cities, Istanbul should be on every traveler’s must-visit list. Highlight sights like the grand Byzantine basilica Aya Sofya , often called Hagia Sophia in English, and the Ottoman sultans’ lavish Topkapı Palace attest to the city’s centuries-long history as the capital of powerful empires.

But set aside some time to experience Istanbul as it is today, too. Go cafe- or bar-hopping in the hip Kadıköy neighborhood, wander the backstreets of more conservative Fatih or peruse contemporary art in Beyoğlu . Don’t forget the simple pleasure of drinking çay (tea) on the ferry while taking in spectacular views of the city.

Planning tip:  You could easily spend your entire vacation in Istanbul, but if you have the time, it's worth venturing further afield in search of other Turkish delights.

2. Cappadocia

Best for its unique landscape

Cappadocia is a geological wonderland in the center of Türkiye. The history of early Christians in Anatolia comes alive at the Göreme Open-Air Museum and the other cave churches and underground cities scattered around the valley. Romance blossoms in the area’s cozy cave hotels and restaurants, not to mention sunrise balloon rides complete with a champagne toast. Adventure awaits amid the green valleys and undulating rocks for hikers, mountain bikers and trail runners .

3. Turquoise Coast

Best for history lovers and beaches

Yes, Türkiye's  Mediterranean coastline between Fethiye and Antalya is full of beautiful places for sun, sea and sand vacations , but it’s also dappled with evidence of the ancient civilizations that once populated the area. The seaside ruins of Patara (which boasts one of Türkiye's best beaches too) and Phaselis are particularly picturesque, and the rock tombs of Myra are especially impressive. The Antalya Museum offers good insights into the region’s history. Explore by sea on a gület cruise, on foot along the Lycian Way hiking path or by driving the scenic (but winding!) coastal roads.

4. Eastern Black Sea and Kaçkar Mountains

Best for rural traditions

The rough, cold waters of the Black Sea aren’t particularly inviting, but turn your gaze inland, where lush green valleys spill down to the coast from high peaks, to see the region’s appeal. The lower elevations are home to most of Türkiye's tea and hazelnut production, while the high plateaus ( yaylalar ) like Pokut , that were once used as summer pastures for livestock, are becoming popular with tourists seeking out scenic views and a taste of traditional Black Sea culture and cuisine. Further above, the Kaçkar Mountains offer spectacular trekking in summer for experienced hikers.

Planning tip:  Trabzon, home to the cliff-side Sumela Monastery , is the area’s main hub for air travel.

5. Southeastern Anatolia

Best for culture and food

The often-overlooked southeastern Anatolia region is one of Türkiye's cultural – and culinary – stars. The cities of Gaziantep and Antakya (Hatay) are famed for their food, and both also boast museums with incredible collections of Roman mosaics. Mardin ’s picturesque, well-preserved old town also makes a great base for exploring the monasteries and Roman ruins in the surrounding area. The world’s oldest religious site, Göbeklitepe , lies just outside of Şanlıurfa, which has its own fine archaeology museum and bazaar .

6. Datça and Bozburun peninsulas

Best for relaxation

Chilling out and getting back to nature is the order of the day on the remote  Datça and Bozburun peninsulas in the south Aegean. In place of the boisterous nightlife of nearby Bodrum and Marmaris, you’ll find miles of dramatic rocky coastline, scenic rural villages, and small, quiet beach resorts and seaside towns.

Planning tip:  The Carian Trail long-distance hiking path encircles both peninsulas. Check before setting out as some sections of the route were inaccessible following wildfire damage in the summer of 2021.

7. Türkiye's far east

Best for rugged beauty

The vast landscapes of Türkiye's far east have a remote ruggedness unmatched elsewhere in the country. Perhaps best known to travelers as the terminus of the Doğu Ekpresi (Eastern Express) , a popular and scenic overnight train trip from Ankara , the border city of Kars retains striking architecture from its years as a Russian outpost in the 1800s. Nearby are the extensive and evocative UNESCO-listed ruins of Ani , an ancient Armenian capital.

A three-hour drive south will take you to the remote İshak Paşa Palace , passing by the fabled Mt Ararat (Ağrı Dağı) en route. Continue on to Van , where you can fuel up on one of the city’s famously elaborate breakfast spreads before visiting the fine museum in town and taking a day excursion to Akdamar Kilisesi , a masterfully decorated Armenian church and monastery complex on a small island in Lake Van.

8. Gallipoli and the North Aegean

Best for WWI history and ancient Troy

Cemeteries devoted to the tens of thousands of soldiers who died in bloody battles on the Gallipoli Peninsula during WWI are scattered around bucolic rolling hills, all the more poignant amidst such serenely beautiful landscapes.

The area is also the gateway to Türkiye's North Aegean coast, a more relaxed alternative to the Mediterranean where you can take a leisurely tour of pleasant seaside towns like Ayvalık and Foça, the island wineries of Bozcaada, the ancient city of Troy (with its standout museum ) and the spectacularly sited hilltop acropolis of Bergama .

9. Safranbolu

Best for Ottoman atmosphere

Named for the saffron that was grown and traded here for centuries, Safranbolu is today popular with visitors who come to soak in its old Ottoman atmosphere. Many of the town’s historic wood-framed mansions have been restored and converted into picture-perfect boutique hotels, cafes and restaurants.

Planning tip:  If it all starts to seem a little too cutesy, the canyons, waterfalls and woods of the nearby Yenice Forest are a natural tonic.

10. Pamukkale

Best for its ancient spa

The bright-white terraces of Pamukkale are surely one of the most photographed sites in Türkiye, incongruously gleaming above the rural town like freshly fallen snow. The warm mineral water that flows through them was the basis for the ancient spa city of Hierapolis , whose extensive remains sprawl out along the hilltop next to the famous travertines.

Planning tip:  Pamukkale also makes a good base for visiting other nearby ancient sites like Laodicea , Tripolis and – most notably – the gorgeous ruins of Afrodisias with its impressive collection of Roman marble sculptures.

This article was first published September 2021 and updated December 2023

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Stay connected, the top 15 best cities to visit in turkey.

Turkey travel guide

Turkey is a country straddling Eastern Europe and Western Asia, with cultural influences from the Balkans, Mediterranean, Caucasus and Middle East. This bridge between continents has so much to offer travelers. From the eclectic bazaars and mosques of Istanbul to the turquoise coastline of Antalya, Turkey packs a big punch for history buffs, foodies, beach bums and adventurers.

Deciding where to visit in this vast and varied country can be overwhelming. That’s why I’ve put together this list of the 15 best cities to visit in Turkey for your next trip. Read on for my top recommendations on must-see destinations, along with travel tips and highlights for each place.

1. Istanbul

Istanbul is Turkey’s crown jewel. As the country’s largest and most famous city, it tops nearly every traveler’s list. Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus strait, giving it a unique Euro-Asian vibe. Its skyline is dotted with historic minarets and modern skyscrapers.

Top Highlights

• Admire breathtaking Byzantine and Ottoman architecture at the  Hagia Sophia  and  Blue Mosque
• Wander through the sprawling  Grand Bazaar  with over 3,000 shops
• Take a Bosphorus ferry ride for stunning views of the Istanbul skyline
• See top sights like  Topkapi Palace  and  Basilica Cistern
• Walk across the  Galata Bridge  and sample street foods in the cafes and restaurants

Istanbul mixes old and new in a vibrant fashion. Spend at least 3 days here to see the top sights. Spring and Fall offer the best weather.

2. Cappadocia

Cappadocia’s otherworldly landscapes look like something from a fairy tale. This region in Central Anatolia is characterized by rock formations and cave dwellings carved out by ancient civilizations.

• Hot air balloon over the  fairy chimneys  at sunrise for magical views
• Explore underground cities like  Derinkuyu  and  Kaymakli
• Visit cave hotels and dine in cave restaurants
• Hike through the  Ihlara Valley  and see ancient monasteries
• Tour  Göreme Open Air Museum  to see painted cave churches

You’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time in Cappadocia. 3 days is sufficient, and it’s best visited in the cooler Spring and Fall months.

Antalya sits on the Turquoise Coast, known for its beautiful blue waters. With a sunny Mediterranean climate, Antalya is a popular beach resort. But it also has a fascinating old town with Ottoman and Roman ruins.

• Relax on  Konyaalti Beach  with views of the Beydağları Mountains
• Explore the Roman-era harbor at  Antalya Old Town
• See ancient artifacts at the  Antalya Museum
• Take a day trip to  Termessos  – an ancient ruined city in the mountains
• Walk beneath waterfalls at  Düden Falls  park

Antalya is a great city for soaking up sun, sea and history. Plan to spend 3-5 days here. Spring, Summer and Fall are ideal times to visit.

Bodrum is a stylish seaside town on the Aegean coast. It has a lively waterfront promenade, excellent seafood restaurants, and proximity to beautiful beaches. Nearby, you’ll find ancient ruins and a 15th century castle.

• Boat tour to  Karaada  for swimming and relaxing in tranquil bays
• Visit the  Mausoleum of Mausolus , one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
• Tour  Bodrum Castle  built by the Knights of St. John
• Indulge in seafood meze at the Old Marina
• Hit the clubs and bars of  Barlar Sokagi

Bodrum is the favorite Aegean destination for the rich, famous and stylish. Plan to spend at least 3 days enjoying the beaches, nightlife and sights. It’s popular in Summer.

5. Pamukkale

Pamukkale’s iconic white terraces are made from mineral hot springs. The cascading pools look like snow or giant cotton terraces. It’s one of Turkey’s most visually stunning sites.

• Bathe in the ancient Roman Baths of  Hierapolis
• Walk barefoot on the white calcium pools of Pamukkale
• See ancient ruins like the amphitheater at Hierapolis
• Visit the Travertines and limestone pools
• Take a tour to explore underground caves

Pamukkale is a wonder of nature. 1-2 days is enough to see the white terraces and soak in the thermal waters. Spring and Fall are the best seasons.

Ephesus was once the Roman capital of Asia Minor. Today it’s famous for its magnificent ancient ruins, including a massive amphitheater and the iconic Library of Celsus.

• Explore the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders
• Walk down the marble-paved Curetes Street with ancient monuments
• See amazing artifacts at the Ephesus Museum
• Visit the House of the Virgin Mary outside town
• Climb up to the Terrace Houses for mosaics and frescoes

You can see Ephesus’ top sites in 1 day, but stay longer to soak in the atmosphere. Avoid Summer crowds if possible.

Fethiye is a relaxed resort town nestled against the sparkling Turquoise Coast. It offers a lively harbor lined with bars, restaurants and yachts, as well as easy access to beaches, coves and ancient ruins.

• Island hop and swim at  Butterfly Valley, Blue Lagoon  and more
• Soak up views on the  Fethiye-Ölüdeniz-Kabak  scenic drive
• Hike and explore the ancient city of  Tlos
• Visit the scenic ruins of the  Kayaköy ghost town
• Barter at the colorful  Fethiye Market  for fresh produce and souvenirs

Fethiye is an ideal base for exploring the region’s beaches and historic sites. You’ll want 3-5 days to relax and do day trips. Visit in shoulder season for smaller crowds.

Konya is best known as the home of the 13th-century poet Rumi and his Whirling Dervishes. Today, it’s a conservative city with some beautiful historic architecture.

• Visit the Mevlâna Museum, once Rumi’s lodge, with his tomb
• Watch a mesmerizing Sema ceremony of the Whirling Dervishes
• See Seljuk-era stone carvings at  Ince Minaret Medrese
• Gaze at the Byzantine mosaics inside the  Alaaddin Mosque
• Wander the labyrinth bazaar of  Bedestan

You can see Konya’s top sites in a day or two. Try to visit for a Sema ceremony in December when Rumi’s death is honored.

Side was once a major port city in ancient Pamphylia. Today, the seaside resort town boasts Roman and Hellenistic ruins alongside inviting beaches.

• Explore the vast Roman amphitheater that could hold 20,000
• See the Temples of Apollo and Athena on the old harbour
• Walk the marble-paved main street of the Agora
• Relax on the white sand  Side Beach  with nearby bars
• Visit the Side Museum’s ancient statues and sarcophagi

You can see Side’s top ruins and enjoy the beaches in 1-2 days. It gets busy in Summer but is quieter in Spring and Fall.

10. Safranbolu

Safranbolu is known for its preservation of Ottoman houses and architecture. It’s like an open-air museum showcasing Turkish history. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Stay overnight in a historic Ottoman mansion house
• Shop for Lokum (Turkish delight) and handicrafts in the Arasta Bazaar
• Tour the 19th-century  Izzet Mehmet Pasha Mosque
• Visit the wax museum inside the  Kaymakamlar House Museum
• Drink Turkish coffee on the old cafes of  Kıranköy  square

Two days gives you time to wander Safranbolu’s charming old town. May and September are ideal with fewer crowds.

11. Gaziantep

Gaziantep is a modern economic hub with an old quarter famous for its cuisine. You’ll find the best regional Turkish food here. It’s also near sites like Roman mosaics and a Stone Age settlement.

• Try local dishes like kebabs, baklava, and Antep pistachios
• Tour the food stalls and shops at  Bakırcılar Çarşısı  bazaar
• See Roman mosaics at the  Zeugma Mosaic Museum
• Visit the ancient site of  Belkıs-Zeugma  on the Euphrates
• View Hittite artifacts at the  Gaziantep Museum

Gaziantep’s foodie delights and historic sites deserve 2-3 days. Visit in Spring or Fall when the weather is pleasant.

12. Marmaris

Marmaris is a bustling resort town situated on a beautiful horseshoe bay. It offers a scenic seaside promenade lined with restaurants, bars and palm trees. Nearby you’ll find secluded coves and beaches.

• Charter a Blue Cruise yacht to sail to small bays and islands
• Party at Bar Street’s open-air nightclubs and bars
• Hike in the Bozburun Peninsula mountains and forests
• Take a jeep safari to off-the-beaten-path villages
• Relax on lively  İçmeler Beach  with water sports

Marmaris offers non-stop seaside fun and nightlife. Stay for 3-5 days for cruising, hiking and beach time. It gets crowded in high summer.

Kaş is a laidback beach town on the Lycian Coast, near excellent diving spots. It’s popular with travelers looking to enjoy the sea, small town vibes and access to ancient sites.

• Dive and snorkel at sunken ruins and reefs
• Hike the Lycian Way trail along stunning coast views
• Sea kayak to explore coves and islands
• Visit the mountain-top acropolis of  Xanthos
• Relax on  Küçük Çakıl Beach  which allows free camping

Kaş offers activities for adventure travelers who like intimate towns. Stay for 3-5 days of outdoor fun and sights. Shoulder season means smaller crowds.

14. Trabzon

Trabzon is an underrated Black Sea city with an old town full of Ottoman sites. It’s also the gateway to hiking in the green Sumela Valley with its iconic monastery.

• Admire Byzantine frescoes at  Sumela Monastery
• Hike through the Altındere National Park’s forests and rivers
• Learn about Ottoman history at the  Atatürk Museum House
• Shop at the  Kunduracılar Market  for shoes, clothes and jewelry
• Enjoy Black Sea cuisine like Akçaabat meatballs and hamsi fish

Trabzon’s outdoor beauty and distinctive culture deserve 2-3 days. Visit in Spring before the rainy season starts.

15. Çanakkale

Çanakkale overlooks the Dardanelles strait and is steeped in World War I history. This city near Troy makes a great base to explore Gallipoli battlefields and islands like Bozcaada.

• Take a somber walk at Anzac Cove and other Gallipoli battle sites
• Tour Troy and see a replica Trojan horse
• Hike Mount Ida for gorgeous views of the region
• Swim and taste wine on Bozcaada, the third biggest Aegean island
• Try delicious fish like sardines and sea bass

Çanakkale’s powerful history and lively vibe deserves 2-3 days. Early Spring and late Fall mean less crowds.

Travel Tips for Visiting Turkey’s Best Cities

Getting around.

• Air Travel: It’s easy to fly within Turkey on domestic carriers like Turkish Airlines, Pegasus or SunExpress.
• Train: Affordable and comfortable but limited routes. Best for Istanbul-Edirne, Ankara-Konya.
• Bus: Extensive network reaches every region. Good discount companies like FlixBus.
• Car Rental: Convenient for exploring regions like Cappadocia or the Aegean. Drive on the right.
• Ferries & Boats: Link coastal towns and islands. Great for the Aegean or Mediterranean.

Where to Stay

• Hotels: Range from budget to luxury. Book well in advance for peak season.
• Pensions: Family-run with charm and local hospitality. Great budget option.
• Homestays: Live like a local. Platforms like Couchsurfing or Airbnb.
• Hostels: Best for solo travelers on a budget. Limited private rooms.
• Caves: In Cappadocia, you can even stay in carved out cave hotels!

When to Visit

• March to May: Spring temperatures, fewer crowds, wildflowers bloom
• June to August: Peak season with perfect beach weather but crowded
• September to November: Cooler Fall weather, ideal for city & cultural trips
• December to February: Colder months with some rain/snow. Low season

What to Eat

• Kebabs: From meatballs to kofta, kebabs are everywhere. Try döner and şiş.
• Meze: Small plates like stuffed grape leaves, cacık, baklava, lokum
• Breakfast: Simit (breads), menemen (scrambled eggs), cheese, olives
• Street foods: Snacks like roasted chestnuts, simit with cheese, or fish sandwiches
• Turkish coffee: Thick, strong coffee. Order it şekersiz for without sugar.
• Rakı: Distilled anise drink, usually with meze or fish. Add water to dilute.
• Ayran: Refreshing cold yoghurt drink enjoyed with meals.
• Turkish tea: Black tea served in tulip-shaped glasses, often with dessert.
• Accommodation: Hostel dorm from $15, budget hotel from $50, luxury hotel from $200
• Food: Street snacks for a few lira, restaurant meals from $5-15
• Attractions: Free to $30 for sites like Hagia Sophia, Ephesus, Troy
• Transportation: Buses from $5, domestic flights from $50
• Daily total: $50-100 per day

Discover Authentic and Vibrant Turkey

From majestic minarets and blue lagoons to ancient ruins and whirling dervishes, Turkey offers travelers endless diversity. Wander the bazaars of Istanbul, relax on Mediterranean beaches, explore Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys or visit sites like Ephesus and Troy. Whether you’re trekking, discovering history and culture, or just soaking up the sun and cuisine, Turkey will leave you saying “çok güzel!” (very beautiful).

More Beautiful Destinations in Turkey

Beyond the top 15 cities, Turkey has even more incredible destinations waiting to be explored. Here are some bonus cities and regions worth adding to your Turkey itinerary:

16. Şanlıurfa

Şanlıurfa, also known simply as Urfa, is an underrated city in Southeastern Anatolia. It’s known as the birthplace of the prophet Abraham and has a fascinating blend of Turkish, Kurdish, Arabic and Armenian influences.

Top highlights include:

• Exploring the historic Old City with the stone Balıklıgöl complex
• Visiting Abraham’s Cave and the sacred pilgrimage sites
• Seeing remains at the Neolithic settlement of Göbekli Tepe
• Trying the local cuisine with isot pepper and驴anlıurfa kebabs
• Cooling off at the Karakoyun and Atatürk Dams and their lakes

Şanlıurfa may be off the main tourist trail, but 2-3 days here will show you genuine Turkish culture beyond Istanbul. Come in Spring or Fall.

Mardin is a city in Southeastern Anatolia with a wealth of architecture and history. The charming city center has many ornately carved stone houses, mosques, churches and bazaars.

Top things to do include:

• Taking in panoramic views from the hilltop old town
• Exploring the 12th century Mardin Citadel and grand Zinciriye Medresesi
• Learning about ancient Mesopotamia at the Mardin Museum
• Seeing Syriac monasteries like Deyrülzafaran and Mor Hananyo
• Sipping traditional Turkish coffee on Cumhuriyet Caddesi

Mardin offers a glimpse into Turkey’s diversity. Spend 2-3 days enjoying its mix of Arab, Kurdish and Turkish cultures. Spring and Fall have ideal weather.

Bursa was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, and retains its imperial mosques and markets. Nestled at the base of Uludağ Mountain, it’s a green city with hot springs.

Top attractions include:

• Exploring mosques like the Grand Mosque and Green Mosque
• Taking the cable car up Mount Uludağ for winter sports
• Browsing silk scarves and towels in the sprawling Grand Bazaar
• Relaxing in the thermal baths at Çekirge Hot Springs
• Sampling İskender kebab, a local specialty, and creamy pide cheese bread

Bursa deserves 2-3 days to take in the Ottoman history, skiing and local specialties. Visit in Spring to beat the heat.

As Turkey’s third largest city, Izmir has an urban yet laidback coastal vibe. Known for its diversity, it has Greek, Armenian and Jewish influences.

• Strolling the lively Konak Pier shopping area
• Seeing ancient relics at the Izmir Archeology Museum
• Taking a ferry to Çeşme Peninsula towns and beaches
• Exploring the ruins of the ancient Agora of Smyrna
• Eating seafood like grilled calamari and midye dolma stuffed mussels

Izmir has big city amenities with seaside appeal. Give yourself 2-3 days to take it all in. Spring and Fall have pleasant weather.

Edirne sits on the Greek and Bulgarian borders, surrounded by rivers. It was the Ottoman Empire’s capital before Istanbul, and retains graceful mosques and markets.

• Marveling at the architectural beauty of Selimiye Mosque
• Shopping for spices, fruits and nuts at the Ali Paşa Bazaar
• Exploring the 15th century Edirne Palace
• Seeing Ottoman weaponry at the Edirne City Museum
• Tasting fried liver and famous meatballs at Ciğerim Ciğerim Restaurant

You can see Edirne’s top mosques, palaces and cuisine in 1-2 days. Avoid the summer peak season crowds if possible.

Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path

Beyond Turkey’s famous cities and main tourist sites, there are many hidden gems waiting to be uncovered if you venture off the beaten path. Here are some of the best underrated spots in Turkey:

On the Aegean coast, Ayvalık has a charming old town with Greek Orthodox churches and a laidback vibe. It’s surrounded by olive groves and has great beaches nearby like Sarimsakli.

Akçakoca is a small Black Sea town with pristine beaches and rural countryside. Watch fishermen haul in the catch of mackerel and bonito fish.

Amasra is a quaint Black Sea fishing village with whitewashed Ottoman houses, two bays for swimming, hillside hikes and local seafood eateries.

Patara Beach

Patara Beach in Lycia has over 12 miles of sandy coastline dotted with ancient Lycian ruins. It’s nestled between mountains and only disrupted by nesting sea turtles.

In the Bolkar Mountains, Yedigöller or “Seven Lakes” offers an incredible hike among seven highland lakes with crystal blue waters.

Salt Lake (Tuz Gölü)

In central Anatolia, this stunning salt lake has a lunar-like landscape of white salt formations, best seen at sunset.

The ancient city of Afrodisias has incredible marble statues and carvings still being uncovered today, without the crowds of Ephesus.

Sultan Marshes

Adventure to this vast wetland ecosystem in Central Anatolia to see colorful birdlife, water buffalo, and a traditional rural way of life.

In Cappadocia, Güzelyurt has cave houses and underground cities without the main tourist crowds. Nearby is Ihlara Valley.

Uzungöl in northeastern Turkey looks like it belongs in the Swiss Alps with its lakeside village surrounded by lush green mountains.

Experiencing Turkish Culture

Beyond the sites and scenery, don’t miss the chance to experience authentic Turkish culture. Here are some top activities:

Baths & Spas

After sightseeing, relax sore muscles in a traditional hamam (Turkish bath) like the beautiful 16th century Çemberlitaş Hamamı in Istanbul.

Regional Festivals

Each spring, Şanlıurfa puts on the mesmerizing communal Sıra Gecesı ritual with music, prayer and whirling.

###Cooking Class

Learn to make Turkish classics like kebabs, baklava, dolma, or how to brew Turkish coffee during a cooking class. Istanbul and Cappadocia offer many options.

Whirling Dervishes

Seeing the mystical Mevlevi Sema ceremony of the whirling dervishes in Konya is a memorable experience.

Turkish Tea

Stop at a local tea garden to sip black tea from tulip-shaped glasses, served strong with sugar cubes.

Turkish Coffee

Sample traditional dark roasted coffee boiled in a cezve. Let the grounds settle before enjoying.

Water pipe (Nargile)

Try puffing on fruity shisha waterpipe tobacco. Cafes across Turkey offer nargile, especially in Istanbul and Antalya.

Turkish Bath Products

Shop for soaps, oils and towels made from locally grown olive oil, laurel, honey and other natural ingredients.

Street Snacks

Try snacks like simit (sesame rings), roasted chestnuts or corn, kokoreç (grilled lamb intestines) or midye dolma (stuffed mussels).

Call to Prayer

Loud, haunting calls ring out five times daily from mosques announcing prayer times. Time sightseeing around avoiding them if sensitive to noise.

Planning Your Perfect Turkey Trip

With endless destinations to choose from, planning the perfect Turkey trip can be daunting. Here are some sample itineraries to inspire you:

First Timers (10-14 Days)

Istanbul (3-4 days) → Cappadocia (2-3 days) → Ephesus (1 day) → Pamukkale (1 day) → Antalya or Bodrum (2-3 days)

This route hits Turkey’s highlights for first-time visitors: Istanbul’s history, Cappadocia’s landscapes, Ephesus’ ruins, Pamukkale’s cotton terraces, and the Turquoise Coast’s beaches.

###Culture Vultures (10-14 Days)

Istanbul (3-4 days) → Şanlıurfa & Mardin (3 days) → Cappadocia (3 days) → Konya (1 day) → Safranbolu (2 days)

For those focused on culture, history and architecture, this itinerary includes time in the diverse southeast, Cappadocia’s cave towns, Rumi’s Konya, and preserved Ottoman Safranbolu.

###Outdoor Adventurers (10-14 Days)

Istanbul (2 days) → Fethiye (3 days) → Kalkan (2 days) → Kaş (2 days) → Konya (1 day) → Cappadocia (3 days)

Active travelers will love time on the Turquoise Coast’s beaches and coves in Fethiye and Kaş, combined with trails in Cappadocia and historical sites.

###Foodies (10-14 Days)

Istanbul (3 days) → Gaziantep (2 days) → Şanlıurfa (2 days) → Antalya (2 days) → Alpine villages (3 days) → Bursa (2 days)

Turkish cuisine shines in this trip to foodie havens Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa, coastal Antalya, rural villages, and Ottoman Bursa.

###Relaxing Beach Getaway (7-10 Days)

Dalaman → Fethiye (2 days) → Ölüdeniz (2 days) → Kalkan (2 days) → Patara (1 day)

With long stretches of beautiful coastline, spend a week or more soaking up the sun and swimming along the Turquoise Coast, especially laidback spots like Fethiye, Ölüdeniz and Kalkan.

Traveling in Turkey on Any Budget

One of the best parts of Turkey is that you can have an amazing trip no matter your budget.

If backpacking on a budget, you can find dorm beds for as low as $5-10 a night, travel between cities by overnight bus, stick to street food like simit and döner for just a few lira, and haggle at bazaars.

For mid-range travelers, boutique hotels run $50-100 per night, you can take faster trains or domestic flights between regions, sit down for kebab and meze restaurant meals, and join some group tours.

On a high-end trip, stay at luxury five-star beach resorts starting at $200+ per night, get around via rental car and private transfers, eat at upscale restaurants, and enjoy activities like hot air ballooning in Cappadocia.

Turkey offers great value across the spectrum. Save money by avoiding the peak summer season, having flexible dates, and booking things directly rather than through a package.

No matter your budget, you can find ways to immerse yourself in incredible history, nature and hospitality.

Start Planning Your Turkish Adventure

Whether you’re looking for ancient sites or modern cities, beach relaxation or outdoor adventures, Turkey has something for every type of traveler.

I hope this guide has helped showcase the diversity of experiences across Turkey’s magical landscapes. From acclaimed cities like Istanbul to hidden spots like Mardin, there are so many places to uncover.

Use this as a starting point to craft your own Turkish itinerary. You can then deep dive into each destination with guidebooks and blogs.

The turquoise coast and cappucino valleys await! As the locals say, haydi or “let’s go” – it’s time to start your Turkish adventure. But first, one more cup of çay.

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Touropia Travel Experts

Discover the World

10 Best Places to Visit in Turkey

Steeped in history with a landscape that encompasses beaches and soaring mountains, Turkey has acted as the gateway between Europe and Asia for thousands of years. Being a place of trade and of exchanging cultures has made Turkey a richly diverse country. The point where East meets West, the wealth of culture and breadth of influences has left its mark and is revealed in the country’s mouthwatering culinary landscape, as well as in the innumerable religious monuments and archaeological sites.

Istanbul, once the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, features prominently in most travel plans but there are many more great destinations. You could enjoy your time here staying in boutique hotels inside caves and floating in hot air balloons above the otherworldly landscape of Cappadocia, wandering in the midst of the Greco-Roman world in Ephesus, or simply soaking up the sun in the luxury beach resorts along the Aegean Sea. Here’s a look at the best places to visit in Turkey:

10. Ankara [SEE MAP]

Turkey’s capital city, Ankara, is a sprawling, modern city home to government buildings, commercial businesses, universities and foreign embassies. Located right in the center of the country and the Anatolia region, Ankara is an important transportation hub, linking nationals and tourists alike to other major destinations in Turkey. However, Ankara is not all business. This bustling city also offers a few historic sites and some arts and culture.

An old city once inhabited by various cultures including Hittite, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman, Ankara is riddled with ancient structures and ruins reflecting its history. Some of the most notable of these are the Temple of Augustus, the Citadel, and a Roman Theatre. Numerous historic mosques can also be found throughout the city. An important 20th century landmark, Anitkabir, is a mausoleum housing the tomb of Turkey’s first President, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Ankara boasts a lively arts and culture scene with a large concentration of theaters and museums, including the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which houses more than 200,000 objects. Traditional markets and modern malls provide fantastic shopping choices where items such as fresh produce, spices, carpets and electronics can all be purchased.

9. Mardin [SEE MAP]

Perched on a strategic hilltop overlooking the plains of Mesopotamia in southeastern Turkey, Mardin is the capital of the Mardin Province. One of the oldest settlements in the region, Mardin is best known for its cultural diversity and Old City of sandstone buildings that cascade down the hill.

Mardin’s Old City is easily toured by walking. The maze of meandering streets leads visitors along terraced houses and popular sites like Deyrü’z-Zafaran Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in the world, and the Sultan Isa Medresesi, a medieval monument that once served as an astronomical observatory. Zinciriye Medresesi, a 14th century Islamic school, features beautiful courtyards and art works.

The Great Mosque, with its soaring minaret, is hard to miss. Although closed to the public, the citadel presents fantastic photo opportunities. Throughout the Old City is a myriad of shops selling the likes of pottery, silverware, leather and traditional headdresses.

8. Konya [SEE MAP]

One of the oldest cities in the world and best known for its remarkable Seljuk architecture and Whirling Dervishes, Konya is a large city in Turkey’s Central Anatolia Region. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Konya prospered as a capital city under the rule of the Seljuk Dynasty. Today, attractive buildings from that era can still be admired such as the Alaeddin Mosque, which houses the tombs of several sultans. Another popular example is the Ince Minare Medrese, now a museum displaying artifacts from the Seljuk and Ottoman eras.

Although in ruins, the Seljuk Palace is also worth a visit. A modern day architectural attraction is the Seljuk Tower, one of the tallest skyscrapers in Turkey, featuring a revolving restaurant at the top two floors.

In the 13th century, Konya was the home of the Persian theologian and Sufi mystic, Rumi. His tomb, the Mausoleum of Rumi, with its neighboring Melvana Museum, is a must-see site in Konya. Rumi’s followers founded the Mevlevi Order, which are also known as the Whirling Dervishes due to their famous religious ceremonies in which they spin around and around on the left foot while wearing white, billowing gowns. These ceremonies, also known as Sama, can be observed weekly at the Mevlana Cultural Centre.

Konya also offers beautiful green spaces and parks such as Alaeddin Hill, in the city center, and the Japanese Park with its lovely pagodas, waterfalls and ponds.

Because Konya is one of Turkey’s more conservative cities, bars and nightclubs are not as plentiful. However, some hotels and cafes do offer alcoholic drinks.

7. Antalya [SEE MAP]

Nestled along the beautiful Turkish Riviera on the Mediterranean coastline, Antalya is a large, vibrant city welcoming tourists with numerous resorts, hotels, bars and restaurants. Spectacular scenery frames the city with gorgeous beaches and lush green mountains dotted with ancient ruins. From swimming and sailing to mountain climbing, sightseeing and family fun, Antalya offers something for everyone.

A walk around Kaleiçi, the Old Quarter, offers a step back into the city’s ancient past with views of the old city walls, Roman gates, maze-like streets and historic structures that include the Clock Tower and beautiful, old churches, mosques and temples. At the heart of the Old Quarter is the Cumhuriyet Square, surrounded by shops, cafes, Turkish baths and street performers.

Antalya’s main beaches, Konyaalti and Lara, offer white sands, water sports, resorts, bars and restaurants. Nearby the beaches are water parks, amusement parks and a zoo. Several museums exhibit artifacts and relics from the area, including the award-winning Antalya Museum.

6. Marmaris [SEE MAP]

One of Turkey’s most popular seaside resorts, Marmaris is a picture-perfect setting of pine-clad mountains, sandy white beaches, turquoise waters and historic architecture. Located along the Turkish Riviera in southwest Turkey, this stunning cruise port is a tourist paradise with exceptional sightseeing opportunities, water sports, fantastic dining and buzzing nightlife.

Marmaris presents so much to see and do that visitors will be spoiled for choice. A walk along the cobblestone streets of the old quarter offers attractive architecture and a visit to the 16th century Castle of Suleyman the Magnificent. Various boating tours take visitors exploring around the picturesque bays and neighboring villages.

Horse safaris canter through lush pine forests, orange groves, traditional villages and around untouched bays and stunning waterfalls, while jeep safaris present off-the-beaten-track adventures.

Marmaris also features water parks for the whole family and Turkish baths for total pampering and relaxation. If that is not enough, there are a number of day trips from Marmaris to outstanding destinations like Dalyan, Ephesus, Pamukkale and Cleopatra Island.

The nightlife scene in Marmaris is one of Turkey’s most exciting. There are hundreds of restaurants featuring cuisines from all over the world from fast food to fine dining. Bars and clubs are found throughout the city and along the beaches. Not to be missed are the Turkish Night Show venues, which feature traditional Turkish food, mezes and belly dancing.

5. Side [SEE MAP]

A major port in ancient Pamphylia and occupied by Alexander the Great in 4th century BC, Side today is a picturesque town of classic ruins and modern day resorts overlooking sandy white beaches. Located on Turkey’s Mediterranean Coast in the Antalya Province on a small peninsula, Side offers fantastic sightseeing, nightlife and outdoor adventure.

Side’s star attraction is an excavated site of ancient Hellenistic and Roman ruins that include the remnants of a colossal amphitheater, an agora, a Byzantine basilica, public baths, marble columns and various temples. The Roman baths are now restored to house a museum, which displays a number of Roman statues and artifacts. Overlooking the beach, the Temple of Apollo is a spectacular sight, especially at sunset.

Featuring narrow streets and attractive gardens, the charming town of Side offers many restaurants ranging from delis and pizza shops to upscale dining in a variety of cuisines. Just outside of town, the Manavgat River offers boat tours, white water rafting and impressive waterfalls.

4. Bodrum [SEE MAP]

Located in the Mugla Povince in the southern Aegean region of Turkey, Bodrum is the site of the ancient fortified city, Halicarnassus, which was once home to marble buildings, temples, statutes, paved streets and the Mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

After falling into ruins, the city remained a quiet fishing village until the 20th century when Turkish intellectuals brought popularity to it through their writings. Today, Bodrum’s intriguing ruins, stunning beaches and cliff-top resorts attract people from all over the world.

On Bodrum’s eastern side, tourists will find a beautiful beach overlooking brilliant blue water. Near the beach are plenty of cafes, bars and nightclubs. On the western side of town is the marina, shopping centers and restaurants.

No visit to Bodrum would be complete without seeing the Castle of St. Peter, also known as Bodrum Castle. Built from 1402 by the Knights Hospitaller it now operates as a museum. Other sights include the last remains of the Mausoleum, and ancient amphitheater and the Myndos Gate, which was once the scene of a bloody battle during a siege by Alexander the Great.

Besides sightseeing, other things to see and do in Bodrum include the award-winning Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology which is housed inside Bodrum Castle, historic windmills, Turkish saunas and mud baths, windsurfing, scuba diving and boat tours that feature nightclubs and glass-bottomed dance floors.

3. Ephesus [SEE MAP]

Europe’s most complete classical metropolis, Ephesus is an ancient site located in Aegean Turkey. By the 1st century BC, Ephesus was one of the largest cities in all of the Roman Empire, boasting one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis. The ruins of Ephesus are well preserved and contained within a large archaeological site, making it one of Turkey’s most popular tourist attractions.

Ephesus was declared a Roman settlement in 133 BC, although it did not reach its peak until some 200 years later. At one point, when the city was the capital of Roman Asia Minor, Ephesus housed more than 250,000 permanent residents. St.Paul lived in Ephesus, fostering Christianity among many other religions. With the decline of the harbor of Ephesus, and the sacking of the city by Germanic Goths in the third century, Ephesus began its decline.

For roughly 1,500 years, Ephesus was all but forgotten. The remnants of this incredible classical city were hidden from the world until the 1860s, when an international team of archeologists began unearthing the ruins. Today, less than 20 percent of Ephesus has been excavated, but it is still one of the largest accessible archeological sites in the world.

Without question, the most famous structure in Ephesus is the Temple of Artemis. The temple was once the largest on the planet, showcasing just how important the city of Ephesus was. Unfortunately, the temple itself was largely destroyed around the fifth century, but it is still possible to tour the ruins.

Some of the most recently excavated attractions in Ephesus, and certainly some of the most popular, are the Terraced Houses. These were the homes of the richest residents of Ephesus in approximately the first century, and they were built in a modern Roman style.

Remarkably, some of the homes had hot and cold baths, marble floors and even heating systems. On the walls, you can spot unusual artwork, mosaics and even love poems scrawled by hand.

No trip to Ephesus would be complete without seeing the famed Library of Celsus. Built in 123 AD, the library was once of the largest libraries in the ancient world, coming in third after the libraries of Alexandria and Pergamum. The library has been restored, making it easier to see its two-story design, its columns and its capitals.

Be sure to admire the four statues that represent the four virtues. While these are now replica statues, and not the originals, you can still see Sophia, representing wisdom, Episteme, representing knowledge, Ennoia, representing thought, and Arete, representing goodness.

Just two miles from Ephesus is the town of Selçuk, where many visitors choose to spend time before or after exploring the ruins of Ephesus. In the center of Selçuk, you might want to stop and admire the Roman aqueduct that once supplied water to the city, or you could learn a little more about the archeology of the region by exploring the collections at the Museum of Ephesus. You can also browse at the market or pick up double knot carpets, the most popular souvenir from the area.

2. Cappadocia [SEE MAP]

Situated in Central Anatolia of Turkey, Cappadocia is best known for its fairytale landscape of unusual formations resembling chimneys, cones, mushrooms and pinnacles. Natural processes such as ancient volcanic eruptions and erosion have all sculpted these odd formations over the ages, with some of them rising as much as 130 feet (40 meters) high. However, thousands of years ago, mankind added remarkable touches to the landscape by carving out houses, churches and underground cities from the soft rock.

Inhabited as early as 1800 BC, Hittites and other residents chiseled out underground tunnel complexes, seeking safety from invading Persians and Greeks. Much later in the 4th century AD, Christians, fleeing out of religious persecution from Rome, sought refuge in Cappadocia’s tunnels and caves. Today, the region’s natural wonders and historic sites all make it a popular destination.

While much of Cappadocia is located in the province of Nevsehir, some of the main towns in the region are Ürgüp, Göreme, Avanos, Ortahisar and Mustafapasa. Many of these towns offer hotels, restaurants, nightlife options and attractions such as museums, rock castles, fairy chimneys, underground tunnels, old Greek villages, monasteries and handicraft markets. Some of the caves in the region are actually hotels and cater to tourists.

1. Istanbul [SEE MAP]

Once serving as the capital of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, Istanbul today is the largest city in Turkey and one of the largest in the world. Istanbul stretches across both sides of the Bosphorus, a narrow strait that connects Asia and Europe, making it the only city in the world spanning two continents. Impressive architecture, historic sites, dining, shopping, nightlife and exotic atmosphere all make Istanbul one of the world’s top tourist destinations.

See also: Where to Stay in Istanbul

The Old City is where most of the city’s impressive historic sites are found, which include the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. Another important district is New City, known for its modern day attractions, skyscrapers and shopping malls. Beyoglu and Galata are popular zones for nightlife and entertainment, while the Bosphorus area is home to beautiful palaces, waterfront mansions and urban parks.

There is no shortage of exciting things to see and do in Istanbul . A shopping affair not to be missed is the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets. Visiting a Turkish bath is also a great way to experience the local culture. The nightlife scene in Istanbul abounds in numerous restaurants, pubs and nightclubs to suit every budget and preference.

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26 Top Tourist Attractions in Turkey

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Reader interactions.

June 29, 2018 at 12:49 pm

You must go to Rize too.

December 18, 2017 at 3:41 pm

Izmir is one of the best Turkey there is,lots of historic places and many great places to see

November 13, 2017 at 8:45 am

You should have added Bursa and Cumalikizik to your list. Bursa and its vicinities offer a lot for the visitors, who would like to taste great food, experience thermal baths, Turkish baths, visit bazaars, mosques, madrasas and enjoy beautiful nature…

June 29, 2017 at 1:56 pm

Turkey has a lot to offer for those who wants to see mixture of cultures, tradition and history. I have been to half of the places mentioned above and each place has its unique history and taste to it. Actually i am planning to move to live in Izmir with my family in less than a month time. We are so excited about this venture, and look forward to get more of Turkey in next few years.

June 21, 2017 at 10:33 pm

I can’t believe you skipped Kastamonu

May 30, 2017 at 2:29 am

I’m suprised you skipped Gaziantep. Gaziantep has the most beatiful Turkish cuisine. You have to taste beyran, kebab, baklava, kadayıf.. In addition, I strongly recommend you to see the ancient city of Zeugma . There are many wonderful muesums and castlle in Gaziantep. I must say that Gaziantep has the biggest zoo.

February 23, 2017 at 12:49 am

Black Sea would be the hidden Gem!! From amazing mountains to the Black Sea it has so much for all to see.

November 15, 2015 at 12:53 pm

I like Ankara, Istanbul, and Antalya. But I really love Ephesus because I really like Greek mythology and historical cities.

June 7, 2015 at 8:52 am

Antalya is definitely one of the best places. When I was a kid, I went there with my family for three days, the beach was sooo awesome!

May 16, 2015 at 12:43 pm

Turkey rocks. Its an amazing destination with a lot of beautiful n mesmerizing sights. Pammukale, Izmir, Uzungöl n safran bolu, Amasra, çanakale should b added to this list if u have time. Moreover u can skip Ankara.

February 26, 2015 at 1:16 am

in addition to: For the ones who are interested in history, Edirne is wonderful to see.

February 26, 2015 at 1:11 am

Don’t make a mistake and never go to Ankara. One of the worst cities in Turkey. I know because I live in Turkey and I lived in Ankara.

Bodrum, Istanbul, Ephesus, Kapadokya, Mardin (security is important), Side, Fethiye (dead sea), Datca and Cunda. These are the best i think

January 8, 2015 at 2:56 am

I cannot believe that you mentioned Ankara in the list. There should be Bursa which has 7 sites (5 Ottoman sultan complexes, Ottoman bazaar and Cumalıkızık Ottoman Village) in Unesco World Heritage list. The city is only 90 minutes by ferry from Istanbul. I highly recommend.

November 3, 2014 at 1:33 am

i’m planning to visit Turky soon ,because it is amazing

October 25, 2014 at 6:49 am

I think,Istanbul is the best to travel,however,Ankara is also awesome place.

October 11, 2014 at 7:42 am

I can’t believe you missed out Pamukkale! That place looks incredible! Other than that, great list! I can’t wait to explore more of Turkey.

September 8, 2014 at 6:26 am

I like Uzungol, Sultan Murat & Sekarsu nice climate, nature at Iis best …

September 2, 2014 at 7:30 pm

Nice list, Side is definitely amazing. Visiting ancient sites in Kas is something travellers shouldnt miss. Two cities are very different one is more touristy and both have great Roman ruins.

August 22, 2014 at 7:50 pm

Izmir is SOOOOOO much better than Istanbul , its crazy that its not even on this list

June 15, 2014 at 7:38 am

If you have 5 days in Istanbul , thats just nice to see it alone . Stay near the Grand Bazaar entrance, which is very near to the tram station of Beyjezit. you can walk to the Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi palace . and Citedel Basalica. Take a tram to Eminonu , where the Spice market and famous Fish restaurants, and then take the Bosphorus Cruise from there. On the third day take a City bus ride to see the outskirts of Istanbul. On 4th day you can go back to see more of what you havent covered the first three days.

April 12, 2014 at 1:01 pm

March 10, 2014 at 12:13 am

Very surprised that the Black sea region is not on your list

January 25, 2014 at 11:44 am

Can somebody advise where to go in turkey for 5 days.?

January 16, 2014 at 9:22 am

I visited Turkey last year and i must say i was impressed greatly! If you want a bit of everything on a trip then dont miss this place.

October 7, 2013 at 12:49 am

Wey!! I have done all of them apart from Ankara and looking to do that this winter

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Most Touristic Cities in Turkiye

Turkiye has many beautiful cities with stunning views and landscapes. You should definitely go there if you want to see something different!

Top 20 Turkiye’s Most Touristic Cities

• 1. Istanbul

Istanbul is the capital of civilizations. I mean the city of Istanbul. It has been shown to be an important tourist destination both in Turkey and other countries. Many historical buildings exist there. Visitors from around the world come to see them.

Istanbul is a city in Turkey and is the country’s largest city. It is also the country’s economic, cultural, and historic center. Istanbul has many historical attractions, including Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace.

What is the cheapest time to visit Istanbul?

The cheapest time to visit Istanbul is during the shoulder months of November through March.

How many days in Istanbul are enough?

A lot of tourists come to Istanbul because it is an important city in Turkey. There are many famous places such as Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Dolmabahce Sarayi, etc. You can also enjoy shopping, eating delicious foods and visiting museums. However, some of these places may be crowded during peak hours. So, I suggest you spend more than 3 days in Istanbul.

Does Istanbul have a beach?

Beaches are nice places to relax and enjoy the sun. You can go swimming or drink cocktails there. There are many beaches around Istanbul.

Is taxi expensive in Istanbul?

Taxis are cheap. They are all meted out. You pay according to your distance travelled. For example, you pay around 70 TL from Ataturk Airport to Taksim . From Taksim to Sultanahmet costs around 60-65 TL.

Izmir is located in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. Known for being a tourist destination, Izmir welcomes many tourists each year.

How many days do you need in Izmir?

Izmir is a beautiful city with many things to see and do. Two days isn’t enough time to explore everything the city has to offer, but you’ll get a taste of what there is to see.

Is Izmir worth visiting in winter?

Winter in Izmir gets quite cold, and there is a high chance of rain and snow. Tourists prefer to avoid winter in Izmir.

Is İzmir Turkey in Europe or Asia?

Izmir is located on the west coast of the country, and is part of the larger region of Southeast Europe. It is also a major port city in the Mediterranean.

Antalya is located in the Mediterranean region. It is also the first place tourists think about before visiting. Many historic buildings are found in this city. Antalya, known for its beautiful beaches, takes the first place on the list of tourist destinations.

What is the best month to visit Antalya?

Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Antalya because of its Mediterranean climate. Hot weather makes summer too uncomfortable for tourists. Winter is also cold, but it’s better than summer.

How many days should I spend in Antalya?

Antalya is a city located along the Mediterranean Sea. It’s known as the gateway to Turkey’s southern coast. It’s also a great place to explore the ancient ruins of Pamphylia. Three days is enough time to see everything.

Can you swim in Antalya in May?

Swimming in May is pleasant in Antalyabut swimming isn’t allowed in the sea due to high temperatures. You can swim for a long time but you need to be careful because the water is too hot.

Which part of Antalya is best?

Kaleici is the best place to stay in Antalya. You’ll have plenty of history, and pretty sights to take a look at.

Bursa is a beautiful city located in the Marmarra region of Turkey. It is an industrial city, a commercial city, and a tourist city. Many local and foreign visitors come to see the historic buildings.

How many days do you need in Bursa?

We stayed two nights in Bursa, and we saw the real city. We passed by many historical spots, but the most interesting place was the Blue Mosque. It was built during the Ottoman empire, and it still looks beautiful today. You could also see another famous building called the Selimiyeh Caddesi, which is a street full of shops and restaurants.

Is there an airport in Bursa Turkey?

Yenişehir Airport is located in the city of Yınışehir in the province of Bursa in Turkey.

Why is the Bursa Turkey important?

Bursa was the first capital city of the Ottoman Empire. This complex contains the graves of sultans and other important people.

It is located in the Aegean region of Turkey. Pamukkale comes to mind first when Denizli is mentioned. Many local and foreign visitors come here. Many local and foreign tourists come throughout the year to see Pamukkale, which has one of the most beautiful views in the world.

What is Denizli known for?

Denizli is a city in the Aegean Region in Turkey. It is famous for its textiles industry. Tourists come here because of its many beautiful sights.

How do you get to Denizli Turkey?

Kamil Koc runs a bus service from Antalya to İzmir three times per day. He charges more than double the price of the metro, but the journey time is half as long. Meanwhile, Metro Turizm runs buses twice daily from Antalya to Izmir. These buses take longer than the metro, but charge less money and are cheaper. Finally, TCDD runs trains from Çardak (near Antalya) to Denizli once per day. Trains run slower than buses or the metro, but are much cheaper.

What is Denizli Pamukkale?

Pamukkale means “cotton castle” because of the white cotton-like rock formations found there. Thermal springs make the area very attractive to tourists.

How far is Denizli from Istanbul?

the driving distance between Istanbula to Denizli is about 562 km. It will take you about 6 hours and 23 minutes to drive from Istanbul to Denizli.

• 6. Nevsehir

Nevsehir is a charming province located in the Central Anatolia region. Cappadocia region is very famous. Fairy chimneys and balloon tours here attract many local and foreign tourists.

When is the best time to go to Nevşehir?

During the summer months, there is less rain, but the temperature stays warm enough to be comfortable. There are fewer tourists during this time, so accommodation costs are lower.

Where is Nevşehir?

A city named after a famous Turkish poet. The city was once called Neapolis and then renamed to Nevşehir. The city is located near the center of central Anatolia. This region is known as the land of fairy chimneys.

• 7. Gaziantep

Gaziantep, located in our Southeastern Anatolia Region, attracts many tourists throughout the year due to its many historical structures. This city, which is especially famous for its baklava, entered our list from the 9th place.

• 8. Canakkale

Canakkale is a wonderful city located in the Marmara region of Turkey. Tourists who come here experience emotional moments. Known for its historical and natural beauties, the city is among the must-see cities of Turkey.

Aydin is a wonderful city in Turkey’s Aegean Region, with a population of 1,068,260. There are 17 districts connected to the city center. The city has a texture that fascinates everyone with its historical structures and natural beauties. There are many places to visit and see in Aydin. It is a city you should definitely visit when you go on a Aegean Tour.

While Mugla is located in the Aegean region of Turkey, it also has some of its lands in the Mediterranean Region. Mugla has come to the fore with mostly sea tourism. Many local and foreign tourists flock to Marmaris and Bodrum districts throughout the year. Known as the center of sea, sand and sun, the city entered the list at the 8th place.

• 11. Şanlıurfa

Claimed birthplace of the Prophet Abraham and once the Byzantine city of Edessa, Şanlıurfa has always been one of the most interesting stops in Turkey’s southeast.

In the last few years, as the archaeological site of Göbeklitepe has been opened up to tourism, a new wave of visitors have also flocked here. These Neolithic monoliths, sitting just on the city outskirts, were anointed with UNESCO World Heritage status in 2019.

In the city center itself, a massive and thoroughly contemporary new Archaeological Museum provides one of Turkey’s most fascinating museum experiences, thoroughly complementing the site by devoting a large swath of its space to exhibits from both Göbeklitepe and the Şanlıurfa region’s importance in early human history.

Even without these two recent major tourist attractions though, Şanlıurfa has plenty for visitors to unpack.

The old town district’s bazaar is a busy muddle, where traditional craft workshops and market produce stalls huddle amid skinny alleys and where the courtyards of old caravanserais are now put to use as atmospheric open-air cafés.

Leading out from the old town district, at the city’s very heart, is leafy Gölbaşı park. This major pilgrimage area plays center stage in the city’s local lore, with historic mosques built on sites important to the story of Abraham, and fish ponds filled with sacred carp.

The ornately tiled Mevlana Museum, home to the tomb of 13th-century Sufi poet and preacher Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, has made this old Seljuk capital a major stop for any traveler heading east from the Mediterranean coast.

Most visitors time their trip to watch a performance by the whirling dervishes (twice weekly in summer; once a week the rest of year) in the birthplace of this Mevlevi Sufi sect.

Konya’s Sufi connection has made its tourism name but there are plenty of things to do beyond the dervishes.

The central city is crammed with the surviving mosques and monuments from Konya’s grand era as Seljuk capital in the 13th century. Some, such as the Karatay Medresesi, have been painstakingly restored and turned into interesting museums that highlight the artistic accomplishments of the Seljuk era.

Outside the city itself, the stark surrounding plains are home to a host of attractions that will convince history-minded travelers to linger another night in town.

Top of the list is the settlement mound of Çatalhöyük, where archaeologists unearthed one of the world’s largest Neolithic villages.

• 13. Fethiye

With its spectacular harbor front setting, this small city of 100,000 is one of Turkey’s most popular places to visit along the Mediterranean coast.

Fethiye is a major yachting destination. There are bundles of sailing activities on offer, from daily group boat tours to multi-day private yacht hire.

The harbor here is also the departure point for Turkey’s most famous sailing itinerary: the three-night Blue Cruise, which takes in some of the best coastal panoramas along this stretch of coast.

Although Fethiye is primarily all about the water, its location is also perfect for launching out to explore the vast amount of ruins hidden in the surrounding lush forested hills.

The Classical-era Lycian ruins of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Xanthos and Letoön are just two of the major archaeological sites within day-tripping distance.

If, though, you are simply focused on sun and sea, this is the nearest city base for the famed beaches of Ölüdeniz, with its paragliding and boat trips, and Butterfly Valley.

• 14. Eskişehir

This major university center is all about café culture, gardens, and art.

Full of youthful energy and buzz, Eskişehir is a big hit with local families who day trip here on summer weekends for gondola rides on the river, picnicking in the parks, and strolling the small old town district of Odunpazarı .

Odunpazarı is also where you’ll find Eskişehir’s newest attraction. The OMM (Odunpazarı Modern Museum) art gallery holds a permanent collection of modern art, comprising sculpture and installations as well as paintings, and hosts temporary exhibitions of big names in the contemporary art scene. It’s the most important private art gallery outside of Istanbul.

Eskişehir used to be bypassed by many travelers, but the new high-speed train lines connecting Istanbul with Ankara and Konya have made Eskişehir (a station on both lines) a popular stop off for travelers heading inland.

• 15. Antakya

Antakya (often called Hatay locally) is ancient Antioch, the early center of Christianity where both St. Paul and St. Peter preached to the first converts.

The labyrinthine old town area, with its cobblestone alleys, old Ottoman houses, markets, and a handful of churches, is perfect for aimless strolling. Antakya’s other major attractions are just on the outskirts of the center.

The Roman and Byzantine mosaic art collection at Hatay Archaeology Museum is only rivaled by Gaziantep in its world-class status. Beyond the mosaics, the museum also exhibits fascinating Bronze Age artifacts.

On the road to the museum, you pass both the Church of St. Peter (one of the oldest churches in the world) and the new Museum Hotel (opened in 2019), which was built over and around the world’s largest intact mosaic floor ever found.

Nudging up against the borders with both Bulgaria and Greece, Edirne is the major city of Thrace (the tiny corner of northwest Turkey that sits within Europe).

Once the Roman city of Adrianople and later capital of the Ottoman Empire (Mehmet II launched his conquest of Constantinople from here), Edirne has a long and grand history that can be glimpsed in the preserved imperial architecture that still dots its central city.

The major tourist attraction in town is Edirne’s Selimiye Mosque, regarded as the finest example of mosque architecture built by the famed Ottoman architect Sinan.

Any visitor interested in history, though, will find plenty of other things to do in Edirne, with a glut of other mosques and Ottoman-era monuments to explore.

Edirne’s location makes it a convenient stop on the overland route between Istanbul and Bulgaria or northern Greece.

Amasya sits squeezed between high cliffs, with the Yeşilirmak River winding through its center.

Although a laid-back, small city today, Amasya was once capital of the Kingdom of Pontus and later, during the city’s Roman era, it was the birthplace of Strabo, the famed Roman geographer.

There may be few big tourist attractions or major things to do within town, but Amasya makes up for that fact by providing plenty of ambience and opportunities to soak up the views.

Stroll the riverfront where a clutch of preserved Ottoman wooden mansions line the northern bank, with the tombs of Pontic kings cut into the looming cliff above, and then head up to the scant remains of the castle, perched on the cliff summit for vistas across the valley.

In the central city itself, don’t miss visiting the 15th-century Sultan Beyazıt II Mosque with an interior that rivals Istanbul’s imperial mosques for grandeur.

Kars is the closest base to the ruins of Ani, one the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Most travelers heading to the archaeological site stay overnight in Kars. Kars’ unique style is due to the city being occupied by Russia during the 19th century. The city was built using stone cut into the shape of buildings. The roads were laid out in a grid pattern.

The city’s northern corner is home to a handful of historic buildings. Head first to the Kümbet Mosque, which was originally the 10th-century Armenian Church of the Apostles and then hike up to Kars Castle for the views across the town and surrounding stark countryside.

Çeşme is an ancient city located in Turkey. It is known as a tourist destination because of its castle and beaches. There are many archaeological finds around the city.

Çeşme is a Turkish resort town west of Izmir, on the Aegean Sea. Overlooking the harbor is Çeşme Castle, a restored military fortress. It now houses the Çeşme Archaeology Museum, with displays of marble busts, metal coins and artifacts from nearby excavations. On the east side of the Çeşme peninsula is sandy Ilica Beach, with warm thermal sulfur springs. Around Çeşme are clear waters and accessible dive sites.

Once a cozy fishing village of only a few thousand people, Bodrum has experienced a renaissance in the last half century that has transformed this once-sleepy community into one of Turkey’s most popular vacation hotspots. Writers, intellectuals, artists and musicians have long called this Aegean town home, or second-home, attracting a vibrant cultural scene paralleled only by the town’s nightlife. Windswept beaches and glittering waters provide the backdrop to the perfect beach getaway.

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Home > 53 Top Destinations In Turkey: Best Places To Visit In Turkey For All

53 Top Destinations In Turkey: Best Places To Visit In Turkey For All

Written by our local expert Nicky

Nicky, originally from the UK, is now a local in Turkey. She moved to Marmaris, Türkiye for love 12 years ago and is now your Turkey travel planner.

Here is your complete guide to all the best places to visit in Turkey, which I have discovered as a local.

This guide has beautiful places in Turkey, from ancient sites, palaces, rock formations, beautiful beaches, hot air ballooning, scenic views, underground cities, amusement parks, and all the most famous places with countless historical landmarks and a seaside town (or 10) for every kind of traveler.

Best Places In Turkey To Visit For Every Kind Of Traveler

• Beach Resorts

Top Places To Visit In Turkey If You Want To Shop

Places to visit in turkey if you want to party, places to visit in turkey if you want to eat, places to visit in turkey if you want nature.

• Saklikent National Park Antalya
• Koprulu National Park
• Butterfly Valley
• İztuzu Beach
• Mount Ararat

Places To Visit In Turkey If You Want History And Archeological Sites

• City Of Safranbolu
• Mount Nemrut
• Göbekli Tepe

Places To Visit In Turkey If You Want Authentic Culture

• Any village

Places To Visit In Turkey If You Want To Go Off The Beaten Track

• Northern And Central Turkey
• Black Sea Coast
• Gelemis 
• The Lycian Way

Places To Visit In Turkey If You Like The Cold

• Uludağ Ski Resort

Places To Visit In Turkey If You Want To Sunbathe

• South Coast
• The Blue Lagoon

Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!

Find The Best Places To Visit On The Map

There are so many things to do in Turkey, from the lush greenery stretching from Fethiye to the Anatolia region to the ancient churches and underground cities waiting to be discovered.

Where Are The Best Places To See

You’re wrong if you think that Turkey is all beaches and Istanbul! Turkey is a vast country packed with major cities, towns, villages, beach resorts, and the list goes on.

That means there is something for everyone – and I’ll show you my favorites. My guide offers all the best places in Turkey to visit for history, food, nature, partying, and more.

Sure, not every destination will suit you, but I aim to provide a list so you know what you want to do and experience; then, you can find the ideal place that will suit you best.

If you want to know the best cities to visit in Turkey, jump ahead here .

For instance, if you want to enjoy the nightlife, it’s not a good idea to head somewhere like Adana, Aydin, Trabzon, or Rize. However, my husband and I always find fantastic opportunities to party the night away in Istanbul, Izmir, the province of Antalya, and any beach resort south on the Mediterranean coast .

If you want to enjoy history, you’re probably not going to find what you’re looking for that much in Marmaris (well, we have never). Still, in Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, you’ll have more history than you can possibly absorb into your brain! With Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Bosphorus Strait, and dozens of Turkish baths , to name a few.

It comes down to what you want and then figuring out where you want to go.

Let me give you some ideas on where to go in Turkey…

We’ve got the low down on the best places to visit in Turkey to shop!

1. Istanbul And Izmir

You can find everything in Istanbul —in fact. Taksim is the ideal spot for high-street stores, but there are also huge malls across the city, such as Cevahir and the Mall of Istanbul .

Izmir is also a great shopping spot , with several other malls and plenty of your international names. If you want traditional souvenirs , you’ll find these in most places, but you can’t beat Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar for choice and experience!

• Guide To Istanbul
• Guide To Izmir

We’ve compiled a list of the best places in Turkey to party.

2. Istanbul – Izmir – Antalya – Beach Resorts

Most people are surprised when they see the amount of nightlife in Turkey . Sure, it’s not everywhere you look, and some of the smaller cities and towns still tend to be more traditional in terms of beer houses, mainly for men, etc., but you’ll find many International and modern bars, too.

Taksim and Besiktas in Istanbul are ideal for party fans , but Izmir and the Antalya Province will tick your boxes, too. Taksim is home to some seriously loud nightclubs if that’s what you’re after!

Alternatively, the beach resorts on the Mediterranean Sea , such as Marmaris , Gumbet, Bodrum, and Alanya, also have plenty of bars and nightclubs.

• Istanbul Nightlife
• Where To Stay In Izmir
• Best Beach Towns On The Turkish Coast

If you like to eat, here are the best places to visit in Turkey .

Adana is a beautiful city of contrasts, where ancient traditions meet modernity. Enjoy a relaxing boat ride along the Seyhan River and visit the Grand Mosque’s striking architecture. Don’t forget to savor Adana kebabs , renowned for their delicious blend of flavors.

• Guide To A Turkish Breakfast
• What To Eat In Turkey
• How To Tip In Turkey

4. Istanbul

There is nothing you won’t find here, including traditional Turkish food. Turkish food all over the country is delightful , and if you can head to a small village, be sure to try the homemade fare there.

You need to chow down in Istanbul and not miss trying the street food , as it’s not only cheap but also super filling.

• Lesser Known Istanbul Street Food
• Best Rooftop Restaurants & Bars In Istanbul
• Where To Eat In Istanbul

Nature lovers, take note; here are the places in Turkey to head to to get your dose of lush greenery.

5. Saklikent National Park Antalya Or Cappadocia

One of the most iconic travel photos worldwide is one of a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia , which is a true must-visit. The unique landscape around here is something to behold, and the so-called ‘fairy chimneys’ formed by years of rock erosion are genuinely magnificent. You can even stay in a traditional cave hotel!

Alternatively, or possibly also, head to Antalya’s Saklikent National Park. You can go canyoning, rock climbing, or sailing down the river, but whatever you choose to do, it’s genuinely breathtaking.

• Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Guide
• The Best Cappadocia Tours
• Where To Stay In Cappadocia
• Nearest Airport To Cappadocia

6. Koprulu National Park

Nature enthusiasts will find paradise in Koprulu National Park. Raft down the Köprüçay River through stunning canyons or go hiking amidst pine forests. The park’s natural beauty and outdoor activities make it an excellent destination for adventure seekers.

7. Pamukkale

Its name means “cotton castle” in Turkish; Pamukkale is one of Turkey’s best tourist attractions that everyone will love, from kids to the most well-traveled people.

Whether you’re into nature or not, you’ll undoubtedly be impressed by the extraordinary features of this vast thermal spring. This natural UNESCO World Heritage Site is in inland southeastern Turkey but is a great day trip for major coastal cities.

Millennia of endless water flow and mineral deposits have created a stunning collection of travertine terraces, pure water, and snow-white limestone shimmering in the Turkish sun. Since antiquity, people have visited these hot springs and pools when it was the location of the Roman city of Hierapolis (Holy City).

Pamukkale is easily one of the best places to go in Turkey for a day trip from the coastal resorts. Although the terraces and pools are off-limits to visitors nowadays, you can still see them up close on footpaths. The on-site Roman ruins and museums are worth visiting , too.

• Guide To Pamukkale
• Best Thermal Hotels In Pamukkale
• How To Get From Pamukkale To Cappadocia

Nestled on Turkey’s southwestern coast, Akyaka is a hidden gem that beckons travelers with its serene charm. This picturesque town is a paradise for nature enthusiasts and water sports lovers.

The crystalline waters of the Azmak River wind their way through Akyaka, offering opportunities for kayaking and paddleboarding. Stroll along the charming boardwalk and indulge in fresh seafood at waterfront restaurants. Akyaka’s unique architecture, with its traditional Mugla houses , adds to the town’s allure.

For a perfect day in Akyaka, explore the surrounding pine forests and soak in the natural beauty of this coastal paradise.

• Why You Need To Visit Akyaka

Brands We Use And Trust

Places to visit in turkey if you want history.

So, where are the best places to visit in Turkey to learn about history?

9. Istanbul

Turkey is packed with history; if you want to study natural history, you should head to the southeastern region. While traveling there isn’t forbidden by any means and is relatively safe provided you’re careful , certain restrictions and places are not ideal.

Many governments warn their citizens not to go to the border area with Syria, for example. This is quite a shame because Mardin, which isn’t too far from the Syrian border, is one of Turkey’s oldest and most historic sites .

Despite that, Istanbul is the best place to go in Turkey for history, hands down, if not the entire world. There are more historical places to see in Turkey than you will ever have time to visit on one vacation!

• The Istanbul Museum Pass – Save Time & Money
• Whirling Dervishes In Istanbul
• 17 Amazing Mosques In Istanbul Not To Miss
• Best Museums In Istanbul

10. Çannakale

Çannakale, located on the shores of the Dardanelles, offers a gateway to ancient Troy and the historic Gallipoli Peninsula. History buffs will be enthralled by the remnants of the ancient city of Troy, where the famous Trojan War unfolded. The Gallipoli Battlefields, a poignant reminder of World War I, is a solemn but essential stop for those interested in history.

Çannakale’s waterfront promenade provides breathtaking views of the strait, and the city’s warm hospitality ensures a memorable stay. Experience the intersection of history and natural beauty in Çannakale.

11. Ancient City Of Ephesus

Located near the present-day town of Selçuk on Turkey’s southeast coast , Ephesus is one of the world’s most magnificent ancient ruins and is one of the top places to go in Turkey for ruins.

This ancient Greek city dates back to the 10th century BC, after which it grew to become one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League in Classical Greece . The Roman Empire conquered this stunning city in the 2 nd century BC.

Now, the ruins of this ancient city are a UNESCO World Heritage Site ; Ephesus is easily one of the best sites in Turkey to visit ancient architecture and history. It was home to the fabled Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Simultaneously, other iconic buildings include the imposing Library of Celsus, the Gate of Augustus, and the Tomb of John of the Apostle. If you only have time to visit one historic site in Turkey, this should be it.

• What To See & Do In Ephesus
• Tours From Istanbul To Ephesus
• Getting From Izmir To Ephesus

12. Aspendos

Another spectacular Turkish site dating from antiquity is Aspendos. This ancient Greco-Roman city is near Antalya on the southern coast of Turkey. There’s plenty of history to discover and learn about here, making it one of the best places in Turkey for history buffs to visit. The absolute star main attraction, however, is the massive Aspendos Theater.

One of the best-preserved theaters from antiquity, the Aspendos Theater, dating from the 2 nd century AD, once seated no fewer than 12,000 spectators. It is exceptional for its superb acoustics and impressive architectural design. The Theater of Aspendos is even more remarkable because it’s still in use today—it hosts the annual Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival.

13. City Of Safranbolu

Another one of the many beautiful places in Turkey , the old City of Safranbolu, was an essential stop on the main east-west trade route between Europe and Asia in the 13th century. UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site for its significance to historic trade and its well-preserved buildings.

The Çarşı District is home to beautiful Ottoman Empire architecture, including hundreds of red-roofed traditional houses that line cobblestone streets. Other top attractions in Safranbolu include the 17th-century caravansary of Cinci Han and the restored Tarihi Cinci Hamam bathhouse.

• Day Trips Ideas From Istanbul

14. Mount Nemrut

By now, you’ve probably noticed that several of the best places to visit in Turkey are historical or cultural sites. And here we have yet another historic UNESCO World Heritage Site in Turkey. Mount Nemrut is no different.

Also known as Nemrut Dağ, Mount Nemrut is situated in southeastern Turkey and is one of the tallest mountains east of the Taurus mountain range.

This striking mountain is topped with several ruins, buildings, and famous statues. It is assumed to be the mausoleum of Antiochus, the former late-Hellenistic king of Commagene, which originated after Alexander’s empire fell. Seeing the temple tomb’s colossal statues and sculpted slabs is an experience that makes the trip out there more than worth it.

• Top Landmarks In Turkey
• Should You Visit Southeastern Turkey

So, where are the best places to visit in Turkey to experience culture?

15. Trabzon

If you’re looking for a breathtaking Turkish city to add to your travel list, look no further than Trabzon. This Black Sea gem in northeast Turkey is known for its stunning natural scenery , rich history, and delicious cuisine.

One of the must-see sights in Trabzon is the Sumela Monastery. Nature lovers will also enjoy exploring the Uzungol Plateau , hiking through the Altindere Valley National Park, and relaxing at one of the many scenic beaches.

No visit to Trabzon would be complete without sampling some of the local dishes like hamsi (anchovies), karadeniz pidesi (black sea bread), and kuyu kebabi (lamb cooked underground).

So, if you’re looking for a city with everything – from beautiful landscapes to tasty food – make sure to put Trabzon, Turkey, on your radar !

• Guide To Trabzon

16. Sanliurfa

Sanliurfa, often called the “City of Prophets,” is a unique place of historical and spiritual significance. According to local legend, it is the birthplace of the biblical prophet Abraham. Visit the vibrant bazaars of Sanliurfa, where you can shop for colorful textiles, spices, and handicrafts.

The city’s stunning Balikligol (Pool of Sacred Fish) is a serene oasis surrounded by gardens and historical sites. Witness the mesmerizing dance of the sacred fish, which is said to bring good luck. As you explore Sanliurfa, you’ll be immersed in a city where legends from ancient times and modern life coexist harmoniously.

17. Diyarbakir

Diyarbakir, located in southeastern Turkey, is a city of ancient walls and rich traditions. The city’s iconic black basalt walls, dating back to Roman times, encircle the old town and stand as a symbol of its resilience through centuries.

Explore the bustling, narrow streets of Diyarbakir, where you can savor traditional Kurdish cuisine. Don’t miss the chance to taste the delectable mutton dishes and baklava. The city’s Grand Mosque and the Hevsel Gardens along the Tigris River are must-visit attractions. Diyarbakir’s cultural heritage and warm hospitality make it a popular place for those seeking authenticity.

Konya is a city in Turkey that is full of history and culture. There are many fun things to see and do in Konya, making it a great place to visit. Some top sights include the Mevlana Museum, the Alaeddin Mosque, and the Selimiye Mosque.

There are also plenty of outstanding restaurants and shops to explore. If you’re looking for a city full of character and culture, Konya is definitely worth a visit .

• How To Get From Istanbul To Konya

Mardin, perched on a hilltop in southeastern Turkey , is a captivating blend of history and culture. The city’s ancient stone buildings, adorned with intricate carvings, transport you back in time.

Explore the narrow alleyways of the old town, where the scent of spices fills the air from bustling bazaars. The iconic Mardin Houses , made of local beige stone, offer a glimpse into the region’s architectural heritage. Don’t miss the chance to savor traditional Mardin cuisine, which combines flavors from Arabic and Turkish influences. As you wander through Mardin, you’ll discover a city where history and tradition harmoniously coexist.

20. Any Village

Many tour operators will take you to local villages and show you the local way of life . If you visit cities and towns , you’ll surely see some of them, but they’re usually touched by modern life and have changed a little. You must visit a local village to see how people live off the land, focus all their time and energy on family, and value communities. The food is also excellent!

Turkish people, by nature, are very welcoming, and hospitality is high on their list. If you meet a local family and they invite you to their home, you’re more than blessed in terms of the culinary delights that will come your way, too!

The good news is that many villages are close to the main tourist resorts on the south coast of the Turkish Riviera, so you can visit them if you hire a car.

Get off the beaten track and visit one of these options, which are among Turkey’s best places to visit.

21. Northern And Central Turkey

Turkey is a safe country, and provided you listen to advice, e.g., the advice we gave before about not going close to the Syrian border; you’re more than fine. This is a huge country, and it’s exceptionally welcoming. Thanks to a very high-quality long-distance bus network, traveling around Turkey is straightforward, meaning you can go from place to place relatively cheaply.

If you want to leave the main tourist resorts and cities, head to the Black Sea Coast , with destinations in Turkey such as Rize and Trabzon. Do be aware that during the winter , however, this part of Turkey sees heavy snowfall, but it’s beautiful to see! Central Turkey is also a delight, and this is where the capital city of Ankara is situated.

• Guide To The Black Sea Coast
• Surfing The Black Sea

22. Gaziantep

Gaziantep, often called the “City of Gastronomy,” is a culinary haven in southeastern Turkey. Renowned for its delectable dishes and rich culinary heritage, Gaziantep offers a feast for the senses. Sample the world-famous Baklava, prepared with layers of thin pastry, pistachios, and honey, at local bakeries.

Explore the Gaziantep Castle and the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, which houses remarkable ancient mosaics. The bustling markets of Gaziantep are perfect for indulging in traditional sweets and savory delights. With its culinary delights and historical sites, Gaziantep promises a delightful journey for foodies.

Edirne, a city steeped in history, is a treasure trove of architectural marvels and cultural richness. Known for its stunning Selimiye Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Edirne’s skyline is dominated by its magnificent dome and minarets.

The city’s annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival is a testament to its cultural heritage, attracting participants and spectators from all over the world. Edirne’s Ottoman-style bridges, including the Meric River Bridge, offer captivating views and a glimpse into the past. Sample Edirne’s famous liver and meatball dishes at local eateries and immerse yourself in the grandeur of this historic city.

We’ve got the tourist spots in Turkey that are still fun while cold.

Do you think the best places to visit in Turkey are reserved only for the summer months?

Wintertime in Turkey can be magical, a great opportunity to relax, recharge your batteries, and see the traditional way of life. Of course, you can still embrace plenty of hectic action in the large cities, especially Istanbul .

• Christmas In Turkey
• Best Things To Do In Istanbul In Winter
• Istanbul In January
• Why You Should Visit Turkey In Winter

24. Cappadocia

Did you know that Cappadocia Is open all year round?

This beautiful fairy chimney landscape in Central Turkey is iconic for the hot air balloons flying high at sunrise every day. You might not know that Cappadocia isn’t close, so you can still head there and enjoy the beautiful scenery even when the weather is freezing and the snow is falling.

While hot air balloons are subject to cancellation at any time of year, depending upon weather conditions, it’s more likely to happen during the winter months. Don’t let that stop you, however, as there are many days when flights take off exactly as scheduled!

Even if you can’t get on the balloon, there are many things you can do around Cappadocia, with walking trails, cuisine, museums, archaeological sites , and, of course, the chance to stay in a cave museum!

Winter in Turkey is undoubtedly something you should do. While you might not be able to jump into the sea and get a suntan, you’ll experience something far more valuable – authenticity!

• How To Enjoy Cappadocia In Winter

Places To Visit In Turkey For All

Turkey’s capital city, Ankara , is a modern metropolis with a rich history. Explore the awe-inspiring Atatürk Mausoleum and the ancient Roman Temple of Augustus. The city’s museums, vibrant nightlife, and diverse culinary scene offer a glimpse into contemporary Turkish life.

• Epic Things To Do In Ankara
• Istanbul To Ankara Train Guide
• Istanbul Vs. Ankara – Which To Visit

Top Destinations If You Want To Sunbathe

If you want to know where to go in Turkey for the sun, we’ve got you covered (in 50+).

26. South Coast

Finally, if you want to kick back and relax, get a tan, and enjoy the summer temperatures (although, be warned, they’re hot), you should definitely head south and visit one of the many tourist resorts on the south coast.

• Things To Do In Kas On Turkey’s Southern Coast

27. Side Antik Kenti

Side Antik Kenti is a seaside archaeological wonder that transports you to the ancient world. Stroll through the well-preserved ruins of temples, theaters, and baths overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a perfect blend of history, sun, and sea.

Belek is a coastal paradise known for its luxurious resorts and pristine beaches. It’s a golfer’s dream destination with world-class golf courses. Relax by the turquoise waters, take a dip in the Mediterranean, or explore the nearby ancient ruins.

Lapped by the Mediterranean and Aegean Coast, you can also choose between some of the most beautiful places in Turkey.

• Guide To The Turkish Riviera

29. Kusadasi

Nestled along the stunning Aegean Sea, Kusadasi is a traveler’s paradise . With its crystal-clear waters, Kusadasi offers some of the most breathtaking beaches in Turkey . Beyond the shore, you’ll discover the ancient ruins of Ephesus, where history comes to life. Stroll through the bustling bazaars, savor the local cuisine, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of this coastal gem.

Bodrum is a coastal town that effortlessly combines history, culture, and natural beauty. The Bodrum Castle, overlooking the marina, is a must-visit for history enthusiasts. Relax on the pristine beaches during the day, and as the sun sets, immerse yourself in Bodrum’s vibrant nightlife, filled with bars, clubs, and restaurants.

• Where To Stay In Bodrum
• Ferry Day Trip From Kos To Bodrum
• Best Beach Resorts In Bodrum
• Bodrum Beach Guide

If you’re seeking a lively beach destination, Gumbet is the place to be. Known for its energetic atmosphere, Gumbet offers many water sports, beach parties, and vibrant nightlife. During the day, you can explore nearby Bodrum or bask in the sun along the golden shores.

• Aegean Coast Of Turkey – Izmir, Bodrum & Beyond

32. Icmeler

Tucked away on the southwest Turkish coast, Icmeler is a hidden gem known for its tranquil charm. The beach here is a haven for relaxation, and the town’s friendly locals make you feel right at home. You can leisurely stroll along the palm-lined promenade, indulge in delicious Turkish cuisine, and unwind in this serene coastal retreat. It is always a place where you can really unwind. 

• Luxury Beach Resorts On The Turkish Riviera

33. Marmaris

Marmaris is a diverse coastal town that caters to all types of travelers. Whether you’re interested in water sports, a boat trip to a secluded cove, or exploring the picturesque old town, Marmaris has it all. Don’t forget to visit the famous Marmaris Castle and enjoy a taste of the local nightlife.

• Marmaris Or Bodrum – Which Is For You
• Marmaris Or Antalya – How To Choose
• Your Guide To Marmaris

With its dramatic cliffside castle and two stunning beaches, Alanya is a coastal paradise with a touch of history that never disappoints me. Explore the centuries-old Alanya Castle, offering panoramic views of the coastline, and then relax on Cleopatra Beach, said to be the favored bathing spot of the ancient queen herself. Alanya’s vibrant markets and dining scene add to the charm of this captivating destination.

Not to mention, these cities along the southern coast are perfect for day-tripping to Greece!

• Alanya Or Antalya – How To Choose
• Your Guide To Alanya

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Turkey Travel FAQs

Should i go to turkey.

Yes! Turkey is an incredible country that offers diverse sights and delicious food. It is a melting pot of culture, history, and modern-day life.

When is the best time to go to Turkey?

If you want beach time, the best time to visit is from May to the end of September. If you’re more interested in sightseeing and city life, Turkey is a year-round destination.

What are the popular places to visit in Turkey?

While Istanbul is an obvious choice, the southern beach resorts are also bustling during the hottest months.

Where is Turkey?

Turkey is located on the border between Eastern Europe and Asia. It is bordered by eight different countries: Armenia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Bulgaria, Greece, Iraq, and Syria.

What is the most beautiful part of Turkey?

All of Turkey is beautiful in different ways. The south coast is particularly home to some of the best towns to visit, and when the sun is shining, it’s blindingly beautiful.

What is Turkey the most famous for?

Turkey is famous for its food, fantastic beaches, centuries-old history, music, and warm welcome to all guests.

Is Turkey safe to visit?

Yes. Turkey is safe like any other country. It is advised to avoid the border areas with Syria and Iraq and to watch your belongings in crowded spaces. 

What are the must-see cities in Turkey?

The must-see cities in Turkey include Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, and Ankara.

Is Turkey cheap or expensive?

Compared to the rest of Europe, Turkey is considered a cheaper country, though prices have risen a lot in the last 12 months.

What are some of the best places to visit in Turkey?

Turkey offers a variety of incredible destinations to explore. Some of the best places to visit include sun-drenched beaches, lush mountains, vibrant cities, and ancient ruins.

What activities can I try while in Turkey?

In Turkey, you can engage in various activities depending on your interests. You can enjoy water sports at the beaches, go hiking in the mountains, explore bustling markets, indulge in delicious Turkish cuisine, and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the country.

Are there any recommended places to stay in Turkey?

If you’re looking for accommodation options in Turkey, there are numerous great places to stay. Depending on your preferences, you can choose from luxurious hotels, cozy guesthouses, seaside resorts, or even unique stays like cave hotels in Cappadocia.

How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Turkey?

Turkey boasts an impressive total of 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These sites showcase the country’s significant historical and cultural landmarks, providing visitors with awe-inspiring experiences.

Whether you are looking for panoramic views, water sports, natural wonders, or small-town feels, you can see that Turkey is the perfect place for everyone to go.

• What To Pack For Turkey
• Explore The 7 Geographical Regions Of Turkey
• Best Hookah Lounges In Istanbul
• 5 Reasons To Visit Gallipoli, Turkey
• Top Things To Do In Istanbul
• How To Get From Istanbul To Cappadocia
• What To Wear In Turkey: Area-by-Area Guide
• Things To Do In Cappadocia Other Than Ballooning

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The Best Cities In Turkey To Visit In 2024

Turkey (Türkiye) is a transcontinental country that has a wonderful mix of natural beauty, diverse culture and fascinating cities. The people of Turkey are welcoming and kind and the cuisine is delicious, all of which makes for a top travellers destination.

Many great kingdoms have battled and ruled over this strategically placed country, leaving in their wake a vast array of architectural influences. This intriguing history, culture and architecture is often best displayed in Turkey’s great cities. 

Turkey is a vast country with over 500 hundred cities to visit. From picturesque coastal cities along the Mediterranean to ancient Silk Road cities, from important port cities on the Black Sea Coast to cave cities found in other-worldly landscapes, this is the ultimate guide to the best cities to visit in Turkey.

Disclaimer:  Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through them I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. This helps cover the cost of running this blog. Thanks for your support!

The 18 Best Cities To Visit In Turkey

In this guide I’ve teamed up with some fellow travel bloggers to bring you the most beautiful cities in Turkey to add to your travel bucket list. There are many fabulous cities in this beautiful country but I’ve narrowed it down to the top 18.

Let’s get straight into it!

1. Istanbul

Istanbul is the most well-known Turkish city, and rightly so. One of the largest urban places on the globe, it’s full of amazing, complex history from ancient times (if you’re into Hittite history, get ready). All the major Empires of the world clamoured to conquer this city, from the Greek colonization in the 7th century, through the Roman Empire (when Constantine renamed the city to Constantinople), up until the Ottoman Empire and through the War of Independence to the modern-day city we know as Istanbul.

Because of its amazing history, Istanbul has many UNESCO World Heritage sites and was named the European Capital of Culture in 2010 by the EU. Istanbul is also the only city in the world to span two continents – Europe and Asia, going across the Bosphorus Strait.

From the most famous mosques in the world, to cisterns and giant spice markets, Istanbul is actually really easy to navigate and explore both on foot and with public transportation – plus, it’s perfect for budget travellers who want to experience a bit of luxury without the harsh price tag.

Major sites in Istanbul not to miss include the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Rumeli Fortress, Galata Tower, a performance by the Whirling Dervishes, and the archaeology museums. Go on a Bosphorus Boat ride to get a view from the water and to go to both continents, while stopping at some of the major sites as well.

There are many other Istanbul sites to snap a photo of , but make sure to try the local wine, enjoy the food and Turkish Delight, and check out the ice cream vendors!

Contributed by Sarah Simon of Mukikapup’s Travels.

Read Next : The ultimate Istanbul to Cappadocia road trip itinerary

Close to the border with Syria sits the ancient Silk Road city of Mardin. Picturesquely perched on a hillside above the plains of Mesopotamia, this small city offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the trading days of old.

The city is made up of cobblestone alleyways that criss-cross their way around the hill whilst the cityscape is dotted with minarets soaring above the numerous mosques and madrasas. Wander these old streets and get lost in the bazar where you can find everything from spices and breads to coppersmiths and handmade soaps.

Mardin is a multicultural city where communities from all religions and backgrounds live side by side. This can be witnessed through visiting one of Mardin’s churches such as the enchanting Forty Martyrs Church. There are also several informative museums to explore where you can learn about Mardin’s long and complex history.

Finally, after your sightseeing is complete, you can relax at the Emir Hamam, which is a bathhouse dating back to Roman times. Beyond the city there are more churches and monasteries to visit and the fabulous Roman ruins of Dara to explore.

For a complete guide to visiting Mardin, take a look at this post.

If you really want to get a feel for the country then you should add the religious pilgrimage site of Konya to your Turkey bucket list. Konya is a city in Turkey’s Central Anatolia region and is home to the Whirling Dervishes, a branch of Sufi Muslims.

A visit to this culturally rich city should include a trip to the Mevlana Cultural Centre where you can watch Turkish Dervishes spin in a trance-like state to the mystical sound of Islamic Hymns. The most important place in this religious city is the Mevlana Museum which holds the tomb of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, who founded the whirling dervish sect of Sufism.

Konya is also home to several beautiful mosques such as the Baroque style Aziziya Mosque and the oldest Seljuk-era mosque in Turkey, Alaeddin Mosque. If you’re a nature lover you’ll want to stroll through Alaeddin Hill Park, wander Kultur Park and visit the Tropical Butterfly Garden, whilst shoppers should head to the old bazaar.

With more time you can leave the city to learn about early human history at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Çatalhöyük.

Izmir is a beautiful city located on the Aegean Coast and often overlooked by tourists visiting Turkey. As Turkey’s third-largest city, there are lots of things to do and see here.

Head to Konak Square to see its beautiful Clock Tower which is illuminated at night. Izmir is known for its delicious food so why not go on a local food tour while you are in town? The Turkish cuisine is unique and versatile with many delicious treats to try.

Ignite your senses in the bazaar district and stroll around the craft and antique shops in Kızlarağası Hanı. Visit the Agora open-air museum to view the ancient city of Smyrna and explore the many mosques in Izmir city centre.

A great day trip from Izmir is to the famous Pamukkale Thermal Pools which are great for swimming and taking photos. Join a group tour which will also take you to other hotspots around such as the beautiful Hierapolis. Alternatively, you can rent a car and drive to Pamukkale yourself.

Contributed by Victoria of Guide Your Travel

The Cappadocia region is famous for its history, food, cave hotels, and hot air balloon rides . This popular tourist area of Turkey includes the small towns of Goreme, Uchisar, and Urgup, but most travellers base themselves in Goreme since it has the best hotel and restaurant choices.

It’s easy to reach the town of Goreme since there are daily domestic flights from Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen airport (SAW) to Kayseri, after which you can take a van transfer from there to the Goreme town centre. Once you arrive in Goreme, you can enjoy a huge variety of restaurants, tour shops, and cave hotels for all budgets, from backpacker to luxury hotels.

Best of all, there are lots of scenic and historical sights in Cappadocia that are within driving (or even walking) distance from Goreme!

Contributed by David & Intan of The World Travel Guy

The first capital city of the Ottoman Empire before Edirne and Istanbul, you should add Bursa to the list of cities to visit in Turkey if you’re into history. It is not only one of the most historical spots in the country, but also in the Muslim world. 

The founder of the Ottoman dynasty, Osman I or known as Osmangazi to the locals, was buried in Bursa along with his son, Orhangazi. Situated on a hill in Tophane park, you can visit the tomb and pay respect while enjoying the view of Bursa city from the top. 

Many prominent members of the early Ottoman Empire were buried in Bursa. You can also visit the mausoleum of Sultan Mehmet I in the Green Mosque area. On top of that, even if you’re not into Ottoman Empire history, there are still so many things to do in Bursa. 

If you like shopping, Bursa Grand Bazaar offers a less intense atmosphere despite its authenticity compared to the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. You can stroll around without worrying about shopkeepers demanding you to buy from them in Bursa. 

For nature lovers, take a teleferik (cable car) to the top of Uludag mountain. A good place to visit all year round, you can enjoy the greenery from the top in the summer, and it’s a popular place for skiing during winter. The thrill seekers can even enjoy a paragliding flight from the top!

Contributed by Marya of the Beautraveler.

Ankara is the nation’s capital and a popular city in Turkey to visit. Ankara has been the capital city of Turkey since 1923 but is often overlooked by tourists in favour of Istanbul. However, Ankara has its fair share of historical sites to visit and a whole lot of culture to soak up.

History buffs should head straight to the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations to learn all about the region from Palaeolithic times right through to the present day. And a visit to Ankara isn’t complete without paying your respects at Anitabkir, the mausoleum that holds the tomb of Ataturk, the founder of modern day Turkey.

Wander downtown to see the 2000 year old Roman baths ruins and be sure to make the journey up to Ankara Castle, a heavily fortified citadel which has origins in the Byzantine era. Enjoy amazing views over the city from up in the citadel and stock up on souvenirs from the numerous shops that line the streets.

For those wanting a little culture, visit one of Ankara’s art galleries or enjoy a concert at the Ankara State Opera House. To escape the hustle and bustle of city life take a stroll around Gençlık Park and admire the beauty of Kocatepe Mosque, where it’s easy to see the design influence of the Blue Mosque of Istanbul and the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne.

For something a little different, check out Rahmi M. Koc Museum Ankara for a fascinating display of the evolution of technology or head to the Upside Down House to get some pics that are sure to baffle your friends!

8. Gaziantep

Ancient Gaziantep, located in southeastern Turkey, is an exciting city to visit. Yet it seldom makes the list of most visitors – that should change.

Located on both the ancient Silk Route and the Spice Route, Gaziantep’s history goes back to the beginning of time. The first records of Gaziantep date to the fourth millennium BC, while it was later the site of biblical Antiochia. 

The historic centre of Gaziantep has many exciting markets and bazaars to explore without the hassle of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. You will meet many Syrians working in the markets, as the city is close to the border, with an estimated 400 000 Syrian refugees now living in Gaziantep. 

The one place you must not miss is the incredible Zeugma Mosaic Museum. The largest mosaic museum in the world is home to a fantastic collection of mosaics from the ancient city of Zeugma in the Euphrates region. The most famous mosaic,  The Gypsy Girl , has an intense stare and is sometimes called the  Turkish Mona Lisa .

Ancient art, bazaars and friendly locals aside, the highlight of a visit to Gaziantep will be the food. It is the food capital of Turkey, and Gaziantep food will blow your socks off. So come hungry and wear stretchy pants!

Dishes you must not miss are baklava (Gaziantep is the birthplace of baklava), Alinazik kebap and beyran soup. 

Contributed by De Wet & Jin of Museum of Wander.

For a complete list of things to do in Gaziantep, see this post.

When it comes to the best cities to visit in Turkey, there is no better place than Antalya. This Turkish city is situated on the Mediterranean coast, perfect for those seeking a tropical holiday. There are plenty of things to do in Antalya , but perhaps the best is just enjoying some of the beautiful beaches near Antalya . This coast is also known as the Turquoise Coast, thanks to the high number blue-flag beaches. Besides amazing beaches, visitors will find historical ruins and vibrant nightlife. There’s something for everyone in Antalya, from adventurers who want to explore the ancient ruins to sunbathers looking for a relaxing beach vacation. The city is also home to some of the best restaurants in Turkey, serving up delicious traditional cuisine. It is no surprise why Antalya is so popular among locals and international tourists!

Contributed by Sean of The Turkey Traveler

Whilst Kars is known for being the base from which to explore the ancient city of Ani, the city of Kars itself is well worth exploring. The city architecture tells of the recent Russian occupation here but there is also a mix of Kurdish, Turkmen, Azeri and Turkish influences throughout the city.

The stand out symbol of the city is the Kars Citadel which was built by the Ottomans. Other historical buildings include the Kumbet mosque which was originally an Armenian church, the Taşköprü (bridge) and an Ottoman bath house.

The Kars Museum provides a good explanation of the city’s history and food lovers should know that Kars is also famed for its cheese. Be sure to sample this local delicacy from one of the many cheese shops during your visit.

The ancient city of Ani was once one of the largest cities in the world and a bustling commercial centre along the ancient Silk Road. This ruined ghost city was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016 and is a must day-trip on your visit to Kars.

If you are looking for a small coastal city in Turkey that’s not yet overrun by western tourists, Akyaka is the place the go! The city is located at the golf of Gökova in southwestern Turkey, only half an hour away from the major tourist hub Marmaris and about two hours from Bodrum.

Even though not many Westerners have discovered this pearl, the Turks have. This is why all hotels, bars, restaurants, and shops are catered to Turkish visitors and that is exactly what makes it such a great place to visit. You will not struggle to find authentic Turkish souvenirs or food here.

Akyaka is famous for its beautiful location within the mountains as well as for its architectural center. The houses here are built to match the traditional Ula style, but with a modern twist.  

Besides eating your heart out on Turkish food , there are plenty of other things to do. Akyaka is one of the most popular places in Turkey for kite surfers. Other things to do include hiking in the mountains, kayaking on the Azmak River, boat tours to Cleopatra Island, or simply relaxing at one of the many beautiful beaches around Akyaka.

Contributed by Lara of The Best Travel Gifts.

12. Sanliurfa

Located in south-eastern Turkey, Urfa (formally called Şanlıurfa) is completely off most tourists’ radar. Despite that, Urfa is well worth visiting and it makes a fascinating addition to any Turkey itinerary. The city is around 12,000 years old and has beautiful architecture, ancient sites, and several excellent museums. Known as the City of the Prophets, Urfa is the legendary birthplace of Abraham (or Ibrahim in Islam tradition).

There are many sites dedicated to Abraham in the city, including the cave where he was born and the Pond of the Sacred Fish – both pilgrimage destinations for Christians and Muslims. Aside from its history, Urfa has great food (try the Urfa kebab) and there are many good day trip destinations within an hour or two of the city.

Contributed by Roxanne from Faraway Worlds .

For all the top things to do in Sanliurfa, see this guide.

13. Fethiye

Fethiye is one of the best cities in Turkey to visit.  It is located in the Turkish Riviera along the shoreline of the warm Mediterranean Sea. The warm climate, plentiful beaches running along the coastline with a backdrop of mountains, and even an abundance of archeological sites, make the “Turquoise Coast” a popular vacation destination when traveling through Turkey.

One of the most popular beaches to visit in Fethiye is Oludeniz Beach and the Blue Lagoon. Here, the crystal clear blue water, sheltered by a strip of land, lies still and silent in its beauty for all to enjoy.  There is no doubt why this is the most photographed beach in Turkey!

Paragliding from the Babadag Mountains which rise high above Oludeniz Beach is the best place to paraglide in Turkey.  This is one of the most popular activities to do in Fethiye . Taking part in this adventurous activity is a great way to get an amazing view of the Blue Lagoon. Dozens of paragliders soar through the sky near Oludeniz Beach every day to make a very colourful and photographic display.

Saklikent National Park with one of the largest canyons in Europe is a great addition to the sightseeing itinerary in Fethiye. The National Park features a gorge that is filled with icy water from the run-off from the nearby mountains. It is a great location for hiking, viewing nature, and admiring beautiful waterfalls.

Contribution by Michelle Moyer from Moyer Memoirs

Whilst the foodies out there will know Adana for being home to the Adana Kebab, this large city in Southern Turkey has a lot more to offer visitors. Situated along the Seyhan river is the old central district where you can explore most of the historic buildings and monuments of the city.

Visit the Roman Stone Bridge (Taşköprü) which is the oldest operational bridge in the world, wonder at the massive Sabancı Central Mosque whose six minarets soar to a whopping 99 meters high and relax in nearby Merkez Park. In the old town you can see Buyuk Saat which is the tallest clock tower in Turkey, the 16th century Great Mosque and Ramazanoglu Hall which is a 15th century Ramadanids mansion.

Venture out of the city to discover some Turkish Hidden hems . Scramble up Snake Castle (Yılankale), walk the colonnaded street of Kastabala or peer over the Varda Viaduct, which is famed for its appearance in the James Bond film Skyfall.

Van city sits on the eastern shore of Lake Van (Van Gölü), a saltwater lake that is Turkey’s largest body of water. Van has a long history that dates back to the first millennium BC. Historically an Armenian city, today this gem in Eastern Turkey is mostly populated by the ever-friendly Kurds.

Dominating the modern city is the formidable fortress of Van Castle, which dates back to the 7th-9th  centuries BC and the kingdom of Urartu. Whilst the castle is very much in ruin it is an important ancient site in Turkey and a short hike to the top of this ancient fortress provides fabulous views over lake Van and the city below. Situated at the foot of the fortress hill you can find the very modern Van Museum which explains the complicated history of this area.

The Island of Akhatamar is home to the Holy Cross Armenian Cathedral and a boat trip to this island is a must on a visit to Van. The external walls of the Cathedral are remarkably adorned by carvings from the Bible and if you visit in springtime, the island is covered in the delicious pink tones of cherry/almond blossom trees. (During my visit I was just a few weeks too early!)

On the Balkan Peninsula, close to the borders of Bulgaria and Greece is one of Turkey’s loveliest cities. Edirne was the capital of the Ottoman Empire for over eighty years before the Ottomans conquered Constantinople. That makes for an excellent destination for history and architecture lovers.

The highlight of Edirne is a visit to the Selimiye Mosque , built by the revered architect Mimar Sinan in the 16th century. It’s considered his crowning achievement and an iconic mosque. This is reflected in its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Due to Edirne’s location at the crossroads of different languages and cultures, the city feels different from the ones in Anatolia and Turkey’s southeast. Check the calendar to see if your visit coincides with one of the many events, from Romani celebrations to oil wrestling competitions and a coffee and chocolate festival.

As for the sights that aren’t mosques, you’ll find a Bulgarian church, Sephardi synagogue, Roman tower, madrasas, caravanserais, bazaars, and many ancient bridges. Another amazing place is the Complex of Sultan Bayezid II—an ancient hospital that healed people for nearly 400 years.

After a long day of exploring, sit down for a cold local beer at Trokya Craft Beer Taproom to hang out with the university crowd.

Contributed by Iris Veldwijk from Mind of a Hitchhiker

17. Trabzon

It’s perhaps not the obvious choice, but the first place I visited in Turkey was Trabzon. It was here that I first discovered the kindness and generosity of Turkish people and for this reason, this Black Sea city holds a special place in my heart.

My fondness aside, Trabzon has been an important port city throughout history and as a result, there are many churches, monasteries and fortresses to explore. In the city you can visit Trabzon Castle whose foundations date back to Byzantine era and the Ayasofya Museum which is a former church that again dates back to the Byzantine era.

The Ataturk Kosku Museum (Pavillion) is an Italian designed mansion which now serves as a museum of archaeology and ethnography, whilst the main Trabzon Museum is an Ottoman designed mansion. Visit the city market to get your shopping fix and keep an eye out for the old city walls near Atapark.

Outside of the city be sure to visit Sumela Monastery, a Greek Orthodox monastery that is impressively sculpted into the side of a steep cliff and one of the prettiest places to visit in Turkey . Alternatively, join the locals enjoying nature at Uzungol, which is a village set in a lush-green valley.

18. Erzurum

At 1950m above sea level, Erzurum has a history that extends back as far as 4000 BC. Like many large cities in this eastern part of Turkey, Erzurum has been ruled by many different civilisations including the Persians, Romans, Mongols and Seljuks. Important historical rulers such as Alexander the Great and Tamerlane reigned this city before Ataturk created modern day Turkey here in 1923.

Today Erzurum feels like a modern, bustling city thanks in part to the large university population. However, there is no shortage of architecture to demonstrate the city’s long history, most of which is centrally located. The Grand Mosque and Cifte Minareli Madrasa are two impressive historical sites located in the centre of town, just opposite the citadel with its unlikely Bell Tower turned minaret.

Other important sites of interest include the Yakutikye Medrese with its richly tiled minaret, the Three Tombs, the Aziziye monument which commemorates the Turkish – Russian War and the Rustem Pasa Caravanserai. The modern Erzurum museum will help you get your head around the complex history of the city.

If you’re a winter sports fan like me, then I highly recommend a visit to Erzurum during winter so you can spend a day enjoying the slopes of nearby Palandöken ski resort, which is my favourite ski resort in Turkey.

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A Summary Of The Top Cities In Turkey To Visit

Turkey is a huge country with over 500 cities. But with so many cities on offer, it’s hard to choose which should make it to the top of your list. In this guide, I teamed up with some fellow travel bloggers to bring you the best cities to visit in Turkey. These include the largest city in Turkey, pretty coastal cities along the Mediterranean and Black Sea, historic Silk Road cities and the nation’s capital city.

Which ones will you add to your bucket list?

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Louise is a Mountain Leader and Snowboard Instructor from South Wales. As a former Adventure Tour Leader she has spent the last 15 years travelling Asia, Africa and the Americas. Louise is a published photographer and is currently based in the UK.

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• Biggest Cities In Turkey

Brief History Of Turkey

Present-day Turkey has a long history of immigration and of various cultures co-existing within its borders. Evidence of civilizations dates as far back as the Stone, Iron, and Bronze Ages. During the 5th century BC, Persian rulers developed the area and built a road that allowed for transportation of goods and people. As trade increased, so too did the size and importance of port cities. Over the rule of the Ottoman Empire, which conquered the area in the 1300’s, various cities became the capital at one time or another. Their importance led to increased growth and immigration. Hundreds of thousands of individuals from Spain , Portugal , Central Europe, and Russia went to Turkey during this time. In the 1920’s, Turkey entered the Republican Period which brought with it Muslim refugees from Asian, Arabian, North African, and European countries as Christianity flooded their native homes.

Current Demographics

Today, the country is home to over 73 million people. The population is multi-ethnic and continues to grow at around 1.2% annually. Roughly 72.5% of the population are ethnic Turks. The remaining 27.5% are other ethnic minorities including Greeks, Jews, Albanians, Kurds, Armenians, and Georgians. The most common religious identification is Sunni Muslim.

By far, the largest city in Turkey is Istanbul with approximately 13.82 million inhabitants, nearly 20% of the entire Turkish population. This city, located between the Black and Mediterranean Seas, is considered the economic, historical, and cultural center of the country. The population size grows at 3.45%, a rate faster than the national average, due to a large influx of immigrants. These individuals come from the more rural eastern part of the country in search of economic opportunity and improved quality of life. In fact, only about one-third of the city’s population is originally from Istanbul. The city has a developed industrial sector that produces goods such as tobacco, olive oil, and vehicles. This industry also provides the majority of jobs in the area.

The second largest city is Ankara where 4.47 million people reside. Half of the population is under 30 years old and hold the highest levels of education in the country. Ankara’s urban area has grown in much the same way as Istanbul, with rural inhabitants coming in search of jobs. The defense and aerospace industries are big and growing here although the public sector provides the majority of employment opportunities.

Izmir, with a population of 2.83 million, is the third most populated city in Turkey. During the 1960’s and 1970’s, lack of government investment in rural areas surrounding the city resulted in a large migration to Izmir. Today, the city continues to grow. Approximately 2,500 Jewish individuals call this city home, the second largest population in the country. There is also a significant percentage of people of Italian, French, and Venetian descent.

For a look at other heavily populated cities in Turkey, a list is published below.

The Influx Of Refugees

The demographics of Turkey are quickly changing due to a recent increase in asylum seeking refugees. Syria is the major source of these individuals because of the current conflict taking place in the country. Turkey has opened its doors to provide shelter to those fleeing their country and now houses over 1.7 million Syrians. Iraqis number in the hundreds of thousands. With no signs of peace on the near horizon, the probability that these refugees return home continues to diminish. This will have a drastic effect on the demographic landscape of the nation as well as the public services. As refugees are being granted work visas, the hope is that they will begin earning a living and be able to assimilate into the Turkish culture.

The Biggest Cities In Turkey

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30 Most Beautiful Cities in Turkey You Need To Visit!

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If you are looking for the most beautiful cities in Turkey, then you have come to the right place. Spanning across Europe and Asia, Turkey is a unique country with influences from all around the world.

Its diversity means that no two cities are the same, and has created not only some of the most fascinating cultures, traditions and religions, but it has also left remarkable architecture and stunning landmarks that leave visitors in awe.

From ornate mosques to labyrinth-filled bazaars and white-sand beaches to lush green mountains, Turkey’s beauty is both in its cultural heritage and landscape.

You might already know some of the most famous cities in Turkey, such as Istanbul, Cappadocia (or more specifically, Goreme), and Antalya , but there are so many more beautiful places in Turkey.

We are blessed with the opportunity to explore some of these gorgeous destinations on our own, and we are here to share with you 30 of the most beautiful Turkey’s cities!

What Are The Most Beautiful Cities In Turkey? 

1. istanbul.

No list of the best cities in Turkey would be complete without the jewel in Turkey’s crown – Istanbul, the largest and most populated city in Turkey with over 15 million residents. Straddling both Asia and Europe across the Bosphorus Strait, it is a unique city that sits on two different continents.

This bustling metropolis is regarded as the most beautiful city in Turkey thanks to its historic mosques featuring intricate calligraphy, cobblestone streets, and incredible views of the Bosphorus Strait, especially from Camlica Hill and Bosphorus Bridge.

Istanbul is a historically rich yet modern city, and it was inhabited as early as 3000 B.C. As you wander the streets here, you will see evidence of its Greek, Byzantine, and Ottoman past.

As for things to do in Istanbul, the must-see sights in this beautiful Turkish city include the beautiful Topkapi Palace, Galata Tower, dramatic Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque with its colorful Iznik tile work, and the sprawling and colorful Grand Bazaar, where you can shop ‘til you drop! 

📚 Read More: Most Beautiful Places In Istanbul, Turkey

If you are into breathtaking natural landscapes, then Goreme is going to be one of the most gorgeous cities in Turkey for you.

Situated in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey, Goreme is the historic center of the touristy region of Cappadocia, where you’ll find unique rock formations known as “fairy chimneys”, cave dwellings, and historic cave churches.

This small town in Cappadocia of only 2000 residents was awarded the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. As you stroll around town, you’ll find many local restaurants serving authentic regional food, as well as many stunning places to stay, some of which are cave rooms built from natural geological formations.

One of the best things to do in Goreme is to visit the Goreme Open Air Museum , which isn’t your typical museum but a complex of cave churches that are decorated with ornate frescoes.

And if you really want to take in the panoramic views of Cappadocia , then hopping in one of the sunrise hot air balloon rides is a must! Don’t forget to stay in one of the hotels in Cappadocia with views of hot air balloons as well!

📚 Read More: Best Hotels In Cappadocia With Stunning Views of Hot Air Balloons!

Built along the Aegean coast and steeped in history, Izmir is one of the most beautiful cities in Turkey. Its history dates back to ancient times and involves the Greeks, Romans and even Alexander the Great.

The city’s stunning coastline along the Aegean Sea offers picturesque beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant sunsets. While in the city, you’ll find vibrant neighborhoods featuring charming streets, colorful architecture, and bustling markets.

Nowadays, the nation’s third largest city is most known for its archaeological sites, including the Roman Agora of Smyrna, the Velvet Castle, which provides the city’s best view, and the hilltop castle of Kadifekale .

The city is also a great place to explore other beautiful historical attractions such as Ephesus , Pamukkale , and more.

No list of the most beautiful cities in Turkey is complete without Antalya, a beautiful seaside city located on Turkey’s famous Turquoise Coast in the southern Mediterranean. Here, you’ll find some of the best beaches in Turkey, many of which are blue flag beaches, and a stunning mountainous backdrop to complement the views.

We rate it as one of the most gorgeous cities in Turkey because the ocean here is the most glorious shade of blue, and the beaches look like something from a travel magazine.

So, as you can guess, most of the best things to do in Antalya involve the sea, from exploring Antalya’s white sand beaches like Konyaaltı Beach, Moonlight Beach, and Mermerli Beach to wandering the Old Harbor filled with yachts. It is here where you can take an iconic boat trip from Antalya as well.

If you’re into history, Antalya has an Old Town called Kaleici, where you’ll find historical buildings and narrow cobblestone streets lined with charming shops, cafés, and restaurants. Don’t miss out on some of the archaeological sites here, such as Hadrian’s Gate, Hidirlik Tower, and more. There are also plenty of great museums in Antalya worth visiting!

Situated on the Çeşme Peninsula, Alacati is a beautiful port town in Turkey. Once just a small village in Western Turkey, today it’s a popular tourist destination, and, interestingly, the area got its name from the ‘Alacaat tribe’ who once called this place home. 

Lying along the deep blue Aegean Sea, this city is one of the most beautiful places in Turkey because of its rugged, white sand beaches, vineyards, and unique stone architecture. Watersport lovers can enjoy adrenalin-pumping fun at the Port Alaçatı Marina, where jetskiing and inflatable boating are available.

However, Alacati’s most beautiful feature must be the charming stone houses, adorned with colorful shutters and doors, and narrow cobblestone streets lined with vibrant bougainvillea flowers. These picturesque streets are home to chic boutiques, inviting cafés, and delightful restaurants serving authentic Turkish cuisine.

Just a short drive from Alacati is Cesme, a beautiful resort town known for its gorgeous sandy beaches such as Ilica Beach and Altinkum Beach, where visitors can relax and enjoy white powdery sand and crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea. Cesme’s thermal springs offer therapeutic benefits and are perfect for rejuvenation.

Cesme is also home to the postcard-worthy Cesme Harbor, where travelers will find a lively area filled with upscale shops, restaurants, and bars, ideal for daytime and nighttime entertainment.

Lastly, Cesme Bay is famous as the location of the Battle of Chesma, a naval battle between the Ottoman and Russian fleets during the Russo-Turkish War. Those who want to learn more about the city’s fascinating history can visit the Çeşme Museum and Cesme Castle .

7. Kusadasi

Kusadasi is one of the most popular beach resort towns in Turkey, thanks to its glorious beaches backed by an azure blue sea, fascinating historic ruins (the ancient city of Ephesus is within throwing distance), and the Dilek Peninsula National Park !

The city is also a popular cruise ship destination, and as such, it can get very busy here, especially during the summer months. The wonderful waterside promenade is the busiest street in the city, and it’s lined with excellent colorful shops, restaurants, bars, and luxury hotels.

Our top tip for Kusadasi is to spend half a day wandering Kusadasi Castle on Pigeon Island , a unique island in Turkey that’s connected to the mainland via a causeway. Of course, beach-hopping is a popular pastime in Kusadasi, too, and the best beaches here are Ladies Beach and Silver Sands Beach.

Bodrum is one of the most popular port cities in Turkey. Located in Southwestern Turkey, its aptly named Bar Street is widely recognized as one of Turkey’s best places to party.

And while the night is reserved for partying, you should spend your days here relaxing on one of the many clear water beaches that pepper the coastline  – we love Yahsi Beach and Gümbet Beach .

The city formerly known as Halicarnassus thrived in the 5th Century under the rule of King Mausolus and his wife. When Mausolus died, his widow ordered the construction of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, regarded as one of the best sights in Bodrum. 

The Castle of St Peter is a must-visit attraction in Bodrum, and from the battlements of this 15th Century Castle, you’ll be treated to an epic view of the harbor. 

In short, Bodrum is one of the most beautiful and most-visited cities in Turkey thanks to its pristine beaches with crystal clear waters and luxurious resorts.

Fethiye is part of the Turkish Riviera – it’s considered one of Turkey’s most gorgeous tourist destinations thanks to its beautiful natural harbor, Mediterranean beaches, proximity to the stunning Butterfly Valley , and vibrant nightlife. There are many reasons to visit Fethiye , but its natural beauty is top of the list.

The city is built on the ancient ruins of Telmessos (aka the “Land of Lights”) – one of the most important Turkish cities during the Lycian era.

The best activities in Fethiye include a scenic cruise to the tiny islands in the harbor, paragliding over Ölüdeniz Lagoon (only for the brave, in my opinion!), or exploring the ruined city of Karmylassos just 8 km from the historic center. All of these activities are perfect for exploring the famed beauty of Fethiye!

📚 Read more: Things to do in Oludeniz and Fethiye

10. Marmaris

On the same stretch of coast as Fethiye lies Marmaris; with its charming old town, golden-sand beaches, and pine-covered hills, it’s no wonder it often tops lists of the most gorgeous places in Turkey.

It became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1425, and in 1521 Marmaris Castle was built to be used in an attack on the Greek Island of Rhodes, which today can be reached via a short ferry ride from Marmaris.

Visitors to Marmaris should check out the Marmaris Grand Bazaar , aka the Carsi Market, for unique Turkish souvenirs or have some water-based fun at the Atlantis Waterpark. Of course, the city’s beaches can’t be missed, and Marmaris Beach is the biggest and one of the best here!

The Turkish Riviera town of Alanya is a true contender for the most beautiful city in Turkey thanks to its clear blue sea, epic sunsets, and authentic Turkish village vibe. It’s also home to the famed Cleopatra Beach, named so because the Egyptian Queen is said to have swum here!

Alanya has changed hands many times throughout history – from the Romans to the Greeks to the Ottomans. And that mish-mash of cultures is reflected in the city’s architecture and unique atmosphere.

Besides famous beaches, there are plenty of things to do in Alanya , from checking out the numerous restaurants, bars and shops at the harbor and exploring the town’s famous Alanya Castle .

Built on a rocky outcrop, visitors can have spectacular views of the seaside town and the Mediterranean Sea at the Alanya Castle while they learn about the history of the town and the region.

The tiny fishing village of Amasra hugs the Black Sea in Turkey’s Bartın Province and is best described as a hidden gem. 

History tells us that Amasra was part of ancient Paphlagonia and was called Amastria. It was even mentioned in the Iliad by Homer!

This Black Sea port town is renowned for being one of the country’s most breathtaking places. It is where the crystal-clear sea meets lush green mountains, and the historic center is a mix of Byzantine and Ottoman influence. Visitors will find narrow cobblestone streets lined with traditional Ottoman houses, creating a nostalgic ambiance.

With a population of just 6,000 people, Amasra retains its small town charm that visitors love. There are plenty of memorable things to do in Amasra, from admiring the view of the bay and Rabbit Island from Kemere Bridge to hopping on a boat tour around Rabbit Island to enjoying a drink or some food with a view at the waterside restaurants. 

📚 Read More: Can You Swim In The Black Sea In Turkey?

With a nickname like ‘Green Bursa’ it should come as no surprise why this large metropolis, home to many stunning city parks and nestled at the foot of the giant Mount Uludağ made our list of Turkey’s most beautiful cities.

Located in the country’s Northwest, Bursa played an important role in Turkey’s ancient past, and in 1326 it became the Ottoman Empire’s first capital city.  

Like Istanbul, the conservative city of Bursa is known for its mosques, especially the 14th Century Great Mosque, which boasts 20 stunning domes. The fourth largest city in Turkey is home to one of the longest cable cars in the world. It’s 8.2 km long and travels up the side of Mount Uludağ.

Uludag National Park is one of the reasons why Bursa is named “Green Bursa”. It is one of Turkey’s most lush national parks, and visitors can hike in the summer and go skiing in the winter. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most beautiful cities near Istanbul !

Kemer is situated on Turkey’s Southern Mediterranean coast and its beauty is well-known due to its pebbled crescent-shaped beaches and the Olympos Cable Car, which climbs to the top of the lush Tahtali Mountains.

Formerly known as the Greek City of Idyros, it was believed to be founded in 690 BC and was once a very important sea trading port.

While if you’re keen to have a beach day in Kemer, you can’t go wrong with Kemer Beach ; conveniently, it’s the closest beach to the city center. FYI, watersport fans will want to check out Moon Light Beach, close to Yoruk Park. Kemer also has a vibrant nightlife, perfect for those looking to party!

15. Eğirdir

If you are looking for beautiful lakeside towns in Turkey, then you must check our Eğirdir. Located in the Isparata Province of Turkey, the town of about 16,000 residents is situated on the pristine Lake Eğirdir .

This small town is surprisingly one of the most ancient cities in Turkey. It is believed to have been founded around 1200 BC by the Hittites, and since then, have seen influences from Phrygians, Lydians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Seljuks, and Ottomans.

Though there are few historic buildings and attractions left in the town (because it is not very touristy), then is the Eğirdir Castle worth checking out.

Visitors typically come to Eğirdir to enjoy the refreshing waters of Eğirdir Lake and the sweeping views of the lake. There are soaring mountains nearby where visitors can hike up and enjoy panoramic views of the region!

16. Trabzon

Built on the Black Sea coast in the Northeast of the country, Trabzon is nicknamed the Black Sea Pearl because of its beautiful ocean views!

Trabzon is famous for having its own Hagia Sophia, now a museum adorned with beautiful ceiling frescoes. But one of Trabzon’s most beautiful and awe-inspiring buildings is Sumela Monastery, a short drive away. The Monastery is built into the side of a cliff and is an impressive engineering feat.

The city has sweeping views of the black sea, but the surrounding areas are even more gorgeous. Just a short drive from Trabzon is Uzungöl, one of the most beautiful lakes in Turkey. It is surrounded by lush green mountains, making it a popular destination for nature lovers that enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and picnicking.

17. Sirince

The quaint mountain village of Sirince is just a 15-minute drive from the ancient Greek City of Ephesus, one of Turkey’s most popular tourist destinations. This sleepy village’s beauty is remarkable with its traditional whitewashed houses with terracotta roofs and cobblestoned narrow streets.

This village also produces great fruity wine, so one of the best things to do here is go wine tasting. While the town is quite beautiful and charming, it is quite small. We don’t recommend you spend more than a weekend in Sirince or you might get bored!

Located in the eastern parts of Turkey, Van is one of the most beautiful Turkish cities thanks to its location on the shores of the vividly blue Lake Van. It’s a historically important city as it was once the capital of the Urartu and Armenian Kingdoms. 

There are heaps to keep you busy on vacation in this sophisticated modern city, from visiting Akdamar Island, the second biggest island on Lake Van. It’s home to the iconic Armenian Holy Cross Cathedral. 

The Castle of Van is another must-visit in this wonderful city. This huge stone fortress is located at the summit of a 100-meter-tall cliff and boasts phenomenal views of Lake Van. 

19. Erzurum

The picturesque city of Erzurum is located in Eastern Anatolia, off the beaten path. What makes it one of the most beautiful cities in Turkey is that it’s situated 1,900 meters above sea level and is surrounded by soaring mountains and ski resorts, perfect for those that enjoy natural beauty.

This small city was founded in 4,000 B.C., and one can learn all about the many civilizations that settled here at the Erzurum Museum. Another must-see attraction in Erzurum is the Çifte Minareli Medrese, a beautiful medieval building that once served as an Islamic Seminary.

Erzurum’s Central Park is a great place for a nature walk, and while you’re there, be sure to snap some photos of Yakutiye Medresesi, which features stunning mosaic tile work. 

Erzurum’s unique blend of natural splendor and historical significance makes it one of the best cities in Turkey to visit for tourists.

In the South of Turkey and along the Mediterranean Coast lies the city of Mersin, a popular and beautiful tourist destination because of its sandy beaches, fascinating archaeological sites, green open spaces, and easygoing vibe!

The surrounding Taurus Mountains provide breathtaking views and opportunities for hiking and exploring the natural beauty of the region.

When you are not sunbathing on the beaches or going for a refreshing swim, the Mersin Museum is a great spot to spend a few hours examining the various sculptures and archaeological artifacts discovered nearby.

Also close by is Gilindire Cave, also known as Aynalıgöl Cave, a beautiful cave system that can be accessed via a boat tour from the town of Aydincik or a 15-minute walk from the Antalya-Mersin highway.

If you have the extra time, make sure you check out the Maiden’s Castle in Kızkalesi, a small town just an hour away from Mersin. It is home to one of the most iconic Turkish landmarks , the Maidens Castle (which is also what Kızkalesi translates to in Turkish), an island castle that is both historic and beautiful!

The best city to visit in Turkey if you’re looking to mix history with beaches is Side on the Mediterranean Coast. A stunning tourist resort town, it’s a sought-after destination thanks to its plethora of excellent beaches within easy reach of downtown – from Side Beach to Full Moon, and interesting Greco-Roman ruins.

So, history lovers will surely love checking out the city’s ancient landmarks like the Temple of Athena on the harbor or the huge Roman Theater, which has an awesome view of the Taurus mountains from its top tier of seating.

Edirne, in the Northwest of Turkey, is another historically important city as it once served as the capital of the Ottoman Empire . Interestingly, it was from Edirne that Mehmet the Conqueror initiated a successful military operation to capture Constantinople (now known as Istanbul!)

It enjoys a unique location straddling the Greek, Bulgarian, and Turkish borders, and that’s only one of the most beautiful things about this city – Edirne’s elegant mosques are a big attraction here.

The 16th Century Selimiye Mosque is considered to be one of the best examples of classic Ottoman architecture in Turkey and a present-day UNESCO World Heritage site. The mosque also houses the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum. The Üç Şerefeli mosque is also well worth checking out. 

23. Eskişehir

Meaning “old city,” Eskişehir is a large, lively city in the country’s Northwest and is 233 km from Ankara. It has a very European feel, thanks to the settlers from Crimea and the Balkans who came to the city in the 19th Century.  

This modern city made our list because not only is it home to lovely parks and natural hot sulfur springs but it’s recently been rated by Lonely Planet as the happiest and most liveable city in Turkey.

One of the top attractions in Eskişehir is the DisneyLand-esque Sazova Science, Arts, and Culture Park, one of the biggest amusement parks in the region. It features a large swimming pool, a zoo, a science museum, playgrounds, and a steam train that transports visitors around the park. 

Art lovers will feel at home at the Odunpazari Modern Museum here, which exhibits over 1,000 pieces of modern and contemporary art.

24. Oludeniz

Undoubtedly one of the most famous and breathtaking beach resorts in the Mugla Province, Ölüdeniz literally translates to “dead sea,” a nod to the city’s top attraction, Ölüdeniz Lagoon (aka Blue Lagoon ).

The calm, turquoise waters here are ideal for swimming, and if you do just one thing in this Turkish coastal city , make it a trip to this bucket-list-worthy nature reserve. 

But there are more things to do in Ölüdeniz than just the blue lagoon; the crescent-shaped Ölüdeniz Beach is widely referred to as one of the world’s best sandy beaches by travel writers!

25. Çanakkale

And last but certainly not least is Çanakkale in the Marmara region. It attracts thousands of visitors every year who flock here to explore Troy – one of the most famous cities of the ancient world and the site of the Trojan War.

The city is also the gateway to the Gallipoli battlefields, where you can learn all about the Battle of Gallipoli (which happened during World War I) and pay your condolences to the fallen soldiers.

But this coastal city offers prospective visitors more than its famed ancient sites. Beautiful sandy beaches, wineries, and excellent restaurants are also waiting to be enjoyed!

Konya is a small city near Cappadocia which isn’t your usual tourist hot spot, but it’s worth getting off the beaten path for this place.

The vibes here are laid-back and the city just puts you at ease, and the locals are super friendly and always up for a chat – particularly as they don’t see many tourists in their quiet city.

Not to mention Konya is known for its mouthwatering kebabs and delicious sweets like baklava.

The city is also a pilgrimage destination for Sufis, who come to the city to pay their respects at the Mausoleum of Rumi, the resting place of the founder of the Mevlana order, Jelaleddin Rumi.

The tomb is located in the Mevlana Museum, where you can learn more about the Whirling Dervishes. You can also watch Sema whirling dervish ceremonies at the Mevlana Cultural Center.

Konya is considered the birthplace of the Whirling Dervishes, so you can bet most of the attractions are focused around this spiritual practice.

You may have heard of Adana which is famously associated with its namesake dish, the Adana Kebab.

Like Konya, it’s a small city that’s often skipped by tourists, but it still has a lot to offer. The city has a long history, and many of its historic landmarks are still intact, including the Stone Bridge, which dates back to Roman times.

It also has a scenic riverside landscape, surrounded by urban parks, beautiful mosques, and authentic bazaars. It’s a quaint and relaxing city in Turkey that still remains a hidden gem.

Ankara is the capital of Turkey, though is often skipped by tourists who are unaware there is anything to do here.

The city is actually packed with history and has plenty of attractions to explore. One of the most popular landmarks in the city is the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which has a massive collection of ancient artifacts.

The most notable attraction though is Anıtkabir, which is the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk the founding father of the Republic of Turkey.

If you’re into exploring old neighborhoods, the Citadel area is perfect for wandering around and seeing authentic Turkish life.

29. Sanliurfa (Urfa)

Sanliurfa, or Urfa as it’s known to the locals, is a city dripping with history. In fact, it’s believed to be the birthplace of our human ancestors!

Most people visit Sanliurfa to visit the Göbekli Tepe, is a mind-blowing open-air archaeological museum site that dates back to the Neolithic age (9500-8000 BCE). It’s known for its large circular structures which contain the world’s oldest known megaliths.

Aside from Gobekli Tepe, Sanliurfa is known for its peaceful and beautiful old city, which is home to Urfa Castle, and Balıklıgöl, a tranquil pool in the middle of the city.

If you’re seeking a hidden gem city in Turkey to visit, Mardin is a worthy choice. It’s often overlooked since it’s located near to the Syria border, but those who venture there will find a treasure trove of history and culture.

It’s best known for its old city, which has is perched on a hill overlooking the plains and Syria in the distance, and is filled with unique Artuqid architecture.

Some notable attractions to check out are The Zinciriye Medresesi, a historic building built in the 14th century. It has stunning views overlooking the city.

To learn more about Mardin’s past, visit the Sakip Sabanci Mardin Museum, a stunning museum located in the former city barracks.

Map Of The Most Beautiful Cities In Turkey

Below is a map containing all of the beautiful Turkish cities we have discussed above. Using this map, you’ll be able to plan a Turkey itinerary that includes as many as you wish (if that’s what you want). It definitely helped us to see what the distance is between some of these places and see whether visiting them is worth it or not.

How Many Cities Are In Turkey?

There are approximately 145 cities in Turkey, per the definition that a city must have more than 50,000 residents. This number can change and fluctuate, depending on the change in population. The biggest and more populous city in Turkey is Istanbul, with over 15 million residents.

Some classify a city as having more than 10,000 residents. In that case, there are around 510 cities in Turkey.

It is also worth noting that some cities are still considered cities even though the population has dipped below the threshold.

Most Beautiful Cities In Turkey FAQs

What are the most beautiful small cities in turkey.

The most beautiful small cities in Turkey are Goreme, Eğirdir, Amasra, Side, and Alacati. All of these cities have less than 20,000 residents, retaining their small-town charm that is perfect for escaping some of the hustle and bustle of big cities.

What Are The Main Cities In Turkey?

The main cities in Turkey are Istanbul with over 15 million population, Ankara (the capital of Turkey) with over 5 million population, and Izmir with over 4 million in population.

What Are The Best Cities To Visit in Turkey?

The best cities to visit in Turkey are Istanbul, Izmir, Goreme (Cappadocia), and Antalya. Altogether, these cities are home to some of the most historic places in Turkey, beautiful natural landscapes, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and breathtaking beaches.

How To Get Between Cities In Turkey?

There are many ways to get between cities in Turkey. The most affordable and convenient is usually the long-distance bus. However, depending on which cities you are going to, you might also be able to take a train or a ferry. Of course, you can always rent a car and drive or arrange a tourist shuttle.

Final Thoughts

Because of Turkey’s rich history and unique geographic location, there are an abundance of gorgeous cities in Turkey. Whether you are looking for a city with white-sand beaches, one that is nestled in green rolling hills, or one filled with historic landmarks, there is a place for you.

We hope our list of 30 of the most beautiful cities in Turkey has inspired you to book a flight to this amazing country!

Co-Founder of The Turkey Traveler

Sean Lau is a professional travel blogger and writer with adoration for Turkey. Originally from the USA, Sean frequently travels to Turkey to explore every nook and cranny. From bustling bazaars of Istanbul to the tranquil beaches of Antalya, Sean has seen it all. He hopes to share his first-hand knowledge, insider insights, and personal anecdotes to inspire fellow travelers to visit Turkey, especially to his favorite destinations – Istanbul and Cappadocia.

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The 13 best places to visit in Turkey

Where should I travel to in Turkey? Where are the best places to visit in Turkey? We have compiled a list of the best places to visit in Turkey to help ensure that you have the most incredible trip.

We have also included some extra information regarding the best activities to try whilst in Turkey, as well as listing some of the best places to stay in Turkey to help you plan your time in this unique country a little bit easier, see it as your very own Turkey travel guide and let us help you create the trip of a lifetime!

From sun-drenched beaches to lush, forest-covered mountains, vibrant and bustling cities to ancient ruins, Turkey is a country with an incredible amount to offer.

The country boasts a startling 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites with so many more historical places and sites set to blow your socks off in absolute awe and wonder. A country dripping in history and culture, Turkey has a complete array of stunningly beautiful places awaiting you.

We spent nine months in Turkey so we had plenty of time to visit various locations.

Some of them were mentioned in tourist guides, others were recommended by locals or we discovered them during one of our hitchhiking trips . They all marked us in a very special way and we would love to share those places with you.

Reading Tip: How much does it cost to travel to Turkey?

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I’ll receive a small commission, at no extra costs for you. This way you’re helping me run this website and writing more informative and awesome guides like this. I only recommend products and services that I like and trust. Thank you!

Turkey Travel Essentials & Resources

• Turkey Travel Guide: 10 useful things to know before you go
• Where to go: 13 Beautiful Places to visit in Turkey
• Travel Costs : Turkey Budget Guide
• Tours & Experiences: City tours, guided day trips, multiple-day tours
• Visa: Visa-free or e-visa for most passports – Check the required Turkey travel documents!
• Getting there: Search for flights to Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya and Izmir in Turkey
• Where to stay : Find a room in hotels, hostels or guesthouses
• Travel Insurance: Choose the best travel insurance for Turkey
• Getting around : Rent a car in Turkey or travel by bus, train or taxi

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Where should I travel to in Turkey – The 13 best places to visit in Turkey

1. Istanbul

It’s most likely that you’ll begin your trip in the city of Istanbul , a city that straddles east and west, divided by the Bosphorus Strait that splits the city into two separate parts.

The only city in the world that can lay claim to residence on two different continents (Asia and Europe), Istanbul really is one of the most unique cities in the world. With over 2500 years of traditions, history and incredible landmarks, this city is a complete cultural melting pot.

Istanbul has been the capital of four empires and the remains of each of these empires can still be seen today. Many buildings and landmarks from Istanbul’s opulent past remain intact today and the cultural heritage of the city is highly impressive.

Go and marvel at the beautiful Hagia Sophia , a Byzantine structure that was originally built as a Christian church in the 6th century CE (532–537) under the direction of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. In later centuries it then became a mosque, a museum, and then a mosque once more.

This building reflects the religious changes that have happened over the centuries, boasting both inscriptions of Islam as well as lavish mosaics of Christianity.

The Blue Mosque is another of the city’s world-renowned landmarks, named famously after the blue tiles that surround its walls. Built between 1609 and 1616, this building still holds high importance to the history of the Ottoman Empire.

Daily prayer services still occur in the mosque so why not go and spend some time there, say a prayer and embrace the architectural beauty.

Other top tourist attractions are the Grand Bazaar , the largest covered market in the world, the Topkapi Palace and museum where you can view the imperial collections of the Ottoman Empire and then head up the Galata Tower to take in the view of the cityscape.

Whether it’s the only destination on your list, Istanbul really is one of the best cities to visit in Turkey.

Reading Tip: Top 17 Things to do in Istanbul – Complete Istanbul City Guide

How to get to Istanbul

The easiest way to get to Istanbul is by plane. Turkish Airlines along with other major airlines have regular daily flights to this remarkable city.

Places to stay in Istanbul

There are hundreds of lovely, well-priced places to stay when visiting Istanbul. We have included a few hotels and guesthouses for less than €50/night below:

• Atlantis Royal Hotel ( check price and availability here )
• Sirkeci Ersu Hotel & SPA ( check price and availability here )
• Ahmet Efendi Konağı ( check price and availability here )

Things to do in Istanbul

We would highly recommend going on a walking tour and you can take one for FREE through Old Istanbul.

You’ll learn all about the incredible history of Istanbul and also be guided to a number of the city’s beautiful landmarks, including the ones we have mentioned above.

Read: T o p 1 7 Things to do in Istanbul

2. Bursa / Cumalikizik

Cumalikizik is a UNESCO World Heritage town, 20 minutes from Bursa.

Perched in the hills on the foot of the Uludag Mountain, the cobblestoned and narrow streets of this 700-year-old village remain largely untouched and have been well preserved.

This little village is another one of the many well-visited tourist places in Turkey, with streets lined with traditional houses, the higher you walk up, the less crowded it becomes.

The friendly reputation of the local villagers, some of who have turned their homes into family-run eateries, precedes them and draws you into this charming Ottoman hamlet, offering you a peek into the traditional Turkish way of life.

Bursa, known as ‘Yeşil Bursa’ (Green Bursa) due to the high number of parks and mountains surrounding it, was also once the capital of the Ottoman state.

How to get to Bursa

From Istanbul- A bus will take you 3 1/2-hours and cost you 15TL, just over €1.(Nilüfer Turizm/bus company) (tel. 0224/444-0099)

Things to do around Bursa

On the west side of Bursa, in the village of Çekirge are natural thermal spring baths whose fame has spread throughout the East and the source of all of them is from Mt. Olympus.

Reading Tip: 10 Useful Things to Know before Visiting Turkey

History lovers gather round, you do not want to miss out on visiting the ruins of Ephesus and the surrounding area, which was once an ancient Greek city. It’s not only the biggest area of excavation in the world but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Located just outside of Selçuk, it was once considered to be the most important Greek city and trading center in the Mediterranean region.

Few ancient landmarks stand quite as impressive as the ruins of this ancient city. Immerse yourself in the ancient history of this place, although thousands of years have gone by, it is nearly impossible not to be impressed by the history and remains of this once bustling city.

It’s also worth visiting the Temple of Artemis, Temple of Hadrian, and the Basilica of St John whilst in the area.

Ephesus is open to visitors every day of the week, and visiting hours may vary depending on the summer and winter seasons. The cost to enter the ruins is 60 TL (Turkish Lira) or about $10.

How to get to Ephesus

You can get to Ephesus from Selçuk by dolmuş (minibus) or taxi. They run every half hour between Selçuk bus station and the lower entrance of Ephesus archaeological site and the journey will take about 5-10 mins.

4. Pamukkale

The mineral white forests of petrified water, series of terraced warm pools of water and the numerous waterfalls that connect all these pools together make for a pretty dream-like landscape in Southwestern Turkey.

The terraces have been created from layers of travertine, white sediment that has been deposited by the hot springs that over time have solidified and become solid.

Platforms, cliffs, and terraces have been formed, entirely made up of this sediment, and you can understand why this place is called ‘cotton castle’ in Turkish, as they appear together as some kind of giant, white castle.

The temperature of the water that flows from the springs is roughly between 35 °C (95° F) to 100 °C (212° F) and you can bathe in mostly all of the 17 springs. They have been drawing visitors since the second century BC and it’s been said that Cleopatra herself bathed in these very pools.

Another one of Turkey’s impressive World Heritage Sites, this open-air spa makes for a completely unique and ancient UNESCO experience.

Reading Tip: Things to do in Pamukkale – The Complete Traveler’s Guide to Pamukkale

How to get to Pamukkale

From Istanbul: There are direct flights from Istanbul to Denizli Çardak, the nearest airport to Pamukkale. The cheapest option is then to go by shuttle bus from the airport to Denizli city’s bus station and catch a dolmuş that departs every 15-20 minutes to Pamukkale.

From Selçuk: Take a train to Denizli Çardak and then from there, take a dolmuş the same as mentioned above.

From Cappadocia: Take an overnight bus. They usually depart around 8PM and arrive the next day at 6AM.

Where to stay in Pamukkale

Read The Complete Guide to Pamukkale for our selection of best places to stay whilst visiting Pamukkale.

5. Gelemis /Patara

Gelemis is a small village completely off the beaten path and untouched by mass tourism. It’s set right at the edge of the coastline in the foothills of the gorgeous Taurus mountains and it’s the perfect place for expat artists in need of some inspiration.

Life here is organized around agriculture and apiculture (beekeeping). People grow all kinds of fruits and vegetables and the landscape is filled with small clusters of beehives.

Next to the village of Gelemis lies an 18km long stretch of beach that can be described not only as one of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches in all of the Mediterranean but is also the second most important nesting site in Turkey for the endangered loggerhead sea turtles.

Known as Patara, this beach and the surrounding area provide you with an ideal swimming and camping destination, founded by the Lycians during the Roman Empire, it also used to be one of the most important cities and seaports on the Turkish Riviera.

Patara happens to also be the birthplace of Saint Nicholas who was also known as Nikolaos of Myra, a 4th-century Christian saint who would later give rise to the traditional model of Santa Claus. You read that right, the infamous Mr Claus.

There are no tour companies that operate in Patara and everything is local or independent from the pensions where you can stay to the eateries that are run by local families, the only cafe on the beach is run by the local authority with the profits being put back in to support the local area.

The beach remains largely untouched by commercial development due to the city’s few surviving buildings, temples, bathhouses, colonnaded streets and theatre which are incredibly interesting to explore.

Patara is also the stage for a unique cultural event that we would recommend to everyone to attend; the annual Nomadic Walk.

Every year, the people of Patara organize a 10 km walk from Delikemer to Patara where the hikers follow the old Roman aqueducts which were used to bring water from Islamlar, a small town in the mountains, to Patara.

This walk also forms part of a 509 km footpath known as the Lycian Way. If you would like to know more about this event and maybe participate, have a look at our article In the Footsteps of the Nomadic Tribes .

How to get to Patara

Patara is 230 km South-West of Antalya, the easiest way to get there is to follow the coastal highway (highway D4000) through Kaş and Kalkan.

If you’re not in the mood to see the coast and rather see gorgeous mountain landscapes, there is an alternate route that follows highway 3500.

If you’re coming from Fethiye, follow the highway D4000 south for 73 km.

Where to stay in Patara

Hotels and pensions for less than €50/night:

• St. Nicholas Pension ( check price and availability here )
• Flower Hotel Patara ( check price and availability here )

6. Myra (Demre)

Myra was an ancient Lycian town that is now known as Demre.  Most of this ancient city has disappeared and all that remains today are its incredible ruins – an enormous Roman theatre, ancient Roman baths, and two huge necropolises that are carved in the vertical rock cliffs.

If you want to experience one of the most unique places to visit in Turkey, Myra ticks that box. 

The tomb of Saint Nicholas is also housed in the center of Demren at St. Nicholas Church, an ancient East Roman basilica church, built in 520 AD. I

t is noted for its remarkable wall frescos, architectural and religious significance and after a nearby river changed its course, the church was filled with silt and was buried but the frescoes remained intact which is why it remains to be one of many great places in Turkey to visit today.

If you like to see more of this area, check out our video Santa’s Tomb .

How to get to Myra

Demre is located almost halfway between Patara and Antalya. To visit this city just follow the coastal highway (D4000) east of Patara for 87 km.

The bohemian dream of Olympos is nestled amongst lush, pine forests and is the backdrop of Antalya province’s Mediterranean coast.

This is a truly spectacular place, where overgrown Lycian ruins sit within the surrounding forests, this is the place to come if you’re seeking some peaceful tranquility.

This ancient area is under protection which means no luxury hotel or resorts have permission to build, instead you have the opportunity to strip things back to nature and spend a night staying in one of the many Kadir Tree Houses and little wooden shacks.

Olympos is also one of the nesting sites for Caretta Caretta loggerhead sea turtles along Turkey’s Southern coast and it’s important to be respectful and follow the guidelines so as to not disturb their ancient nesting cycle during your stay. 

How to get to Olympos

Olympos is located 77 km north of Demre following the coastal highway (D4000).

As you will approach Olympos the highway will start going through a very high mountain pass. If you have time we would definitely recommend stopping to enjoy the view before continuing to the ruins, it’s totally worth it.

Where to stay in Olympos

The most famous way to spend your night here is in one of the many different tree houses scattered throughout the area. Below we have listed a few other accommodation options for you to choose from:

• Kadir’s Tree Houses (Kadir’in Yeri) are the most famous in Olympos and these were built by the founder of this place Kadir Kaya, 31 years ago. Check here for availability .
• Bayrams Tree Houses sit much closer to the beach in a quieter location. Nestled next to orange and pomegranate trees, there is also a lounge and bar area, the ideal place to sit around an open fire in the evening with a cold beer. Check here for availability .

Things to do in Olympos

If you’re up for a small mountain climb, Mount Chimaera is worth visiting whilst you are in Olympus.

It’s about a one-hour walk to see Yanartaş or alternatively, you can hop on a service bus or organize a car from your accommodation.

The climb will take you another half an hour approx to reach the top of this small mountain but it’s so worth it to make it to the top where you’ll witness a very unusual sight.

Yanartaş are flames that burn on their own and never go out made from a combination of natural gases that emerge like flames from the rock, burning day and night as they enter into contact with the air.

If you head to the top, just before sunset, you’ll see the flames at their most spectacular.

There are many areas around Olympos that are great for rock climbing. One of the most well-known areas for climbing is at Kadir’s Tree Houses where you will be able to find all the necessary supplies and gear for your level.

8. The Blue LAgoon / Ölüdeniz

The Blue Lagoon in Ölüdeniz is on the list of Turkey’s top UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The gorgeously vibrant, turquoise water within the lagoon boasts a tremendous array of different shades of blue great with a thin finger of beautiful white sand that curves around the water.

Add in a gorgeous mountainous backdrop and you’ll understand why this beach is considered to be one of the most beautiful places in Turkey and is one of the most photographed too.

For this reason, it’s important to note that it can be extremely busy with visitors.

If you’re after a more spacious way to view this site, why not consider taking to the skies and trying your hand at paragliding, soaking up the spectacular views from the air.

How to get to the Blue Lagoon

You can catch a bus from nearby Antalya, a resort town on the south coast that will take about 3.5 hours and cost you around €6.

9. The Lycian way / Fethiye to Antalya

Located on Turkey’s Tekke Peninsula, known historically as Lycia, the Lycian Way is a footpath that spans across 540 km of mountains, coastline, and valleys from Fethiye to Antalya.

A well-marked-out path takes you past many major archaeological sites, stretches of beautiful coastline and gorgeously lush pine forests and hiking the entire way would take you around a month to complete.

If you decide to walk this path, the route will take you past historical sites from the Greek culture and Roman Empires that date back to 8 BC, passing through traditional villages that seem untouched by tourism where you can find food and other supplies.

Your accommodation options whilst on this path are guest houses, village homes and basic B&Bs although, we might suggest camping as a fantastic option and depending on your location, it can be the easiest option whilst walking the Way.

It is possible to walk only parts of the way and depending on your hiking experience, you could choose the eastern part for the tougher hike especially close to Fethiye are particularly tricky.

The western part would be more suitable if you are not as experienced as this is the easier section of the way.

The best time to go would be either in the Spring March-May or in the Autumn months of September/October, that way you’re not walking in the sizzling summer heat and avoid the larger crowds of tourists.

Experiencing walking along the Lycian Way is a really special way to take in so many of the sights to see in Turkey.

Reading Tip: Cycling in Turkey – 3 Cycling Routes

How to get to the Lycian Way

The Lycian way starts in Olu Deniz, about 2 hours from the Dalaman airport and finishes in Antalya but you can find numerous access points to this path along the coast.

Since it connects the archaeological sites of Myra and Olympos, it is also very easy to access the path from these two locations.

Where to stay on the Lycian Way

We have included a link to a great website that lists a whole heap of places to stay whilst walking the Lycian Way. Find it here .

From incredible architecture, great food and some of the oldest mosques in Turkey, this is a brilliant city for you to load up on culture.

Konya is the Islamic capital of Turkey and home of the world-famous spiritual poet Rumi, known to the Turkish people as ‘Melvana’ – (the sainted one), and his tomb is kept within The Mevlana museum.

This mystic and Sufi saint loved all religions and followed his own religion which was love and his followers are known as the Whirling Dervishes.

The whirling is a form of Sama, a physically active meditation and is also called ‘Sufi spinning’. The Dervishes listen to music, whilst focusing on God and spin their body in repetitive circles, which is a symbolic imitation of the planets orbiting the sun.

This spinning dance represents a spiritual journey to enlightenment in which the Dervishes aim to reach the source of all ‘perfection’.

They seek through abandoning their egos and personal desires to find truth and cultivate inner peace so in turn, they can foster peace and world harmony.

Known as the heart and soul city, no trip would be complete without a visit to Konya, one of Turkey’s best cities.

How to get to Konya

From Istanbul or Ankara, it’s faster, more comfortable, and not much more expensive to take the high-speed train. Two trains leave daily between Istanbul and Konya, stopping at Eskişehir where you will have to change trains, taking in total about 4.5 hours.

If traveling by plane, Turkish Airlines has several flights each day between Istanbul and Konya.

Driving or hitchhiking – If you are coming from Antalya, follow the highway D4000 until you are in Kizilagac. From there take the D695 north and follow it until it becomes the highway D696. Continue following this road and you will arrive in Konya. The total distance from Antalya to Konya is 304 km.

Where to stay in Konya

Below, we’ve listed a few choices for accommodation whilst visiting Konya. Hotels and guesthouses for less than €50/night:

• Araf Hotel: see here for availability
• Rumi Hotel: check here for availability
• Bera Konya Hotel: see here for availability and prices

Things to do in Konya

If you want to truly experience the essence of Konya, take yourself to see an authentic Sema ceremony and watch the Whirling Dervishes perform.

The ceremony is a free event that takes place every Saturday night at 7 pm at the Mevlana Cultural Center and we would advise that you head there early to get yourself a seat with a great view.

Each show lasts about two hours and it’s a wonder to see.

11. Cappadocia

High on the Anatolian plateau, Cappadocia’s curious landscape resembles that of a fantasy world.

The rugged mountains, vast plains, and the formation of its valleys and landscape have been shaped by the frequent eruption of three volcanoes and created from layers of deposits of lava, volcanic ash and basalt.

Earthquakes and effects of erosion have contributed to the creation of Cappadocia’s famous ‘fairy chimneys, tall cone-shaped honey-colored rocks that have been slowly eroded into stunning sculptural forms that resemble minarets.

The history of Cappadocia is as rich and remarkable as its landscape. The first dwellers in this region were troglodytes or cave dwellers during the Bronze Age who carved out cave houses, churches and monasteries from this soft volcanic rock, creating settlements underground.

The cave houses were then used later on in history by Christians fleeing Roman persecution. Nowadays, locals in Cappadocia now inhabit many of these cave houses and treat them as their permanent homes.

Cappadocia is one of the best places in Turkey for families to meet in a unique tourist environment, a place for you to make some memories of a lifetime.

If you thought that the views were spectacular from the ground, imagine the mesmerizing view from 3200 feet above the ground in a hot air balloon?

Watch more about Konya and Cappadocia in the video Dancing Dervishes and Hot Air Balloons .

How to get to Cappadocia

Turkish Airlines has daily flights from Istanbul, Antalya, and Izmir to the Nevşehir airport. From there, there is a bus that leaves from the airport at the top of every hour called the Tüzköy minibus.

This bus will take you to Gülşehir and from there you can catch a local city bus into the main city center of Cappadocia.

Where to stay in Cappadocia

• BUDGET: Old Town Stone House ( see availability here )
• MID RANGE: Lunar Cappadocia Hotel ( check prices here )
• LUXURY: Sultan Cave Suites ( find more info here )

What to do in Cappadocia

Voted as one of the best destinations in the world for hot air ballooning, Cappadocia attracts people from all over the world who want to set sail up into the clouds and take in the wonder of its incredible landscape from the sky.

If you choose a sunrise trip, you will be taken up for one hour over the fairy chimneys, orchards, and vineyards.

It’s wise to reserve your ticket ahead of time during the high season and the cheapest tickets for a standard flight are sold for about €90.

12. Sumela Monastery, Trabzon

Nestled in a cliff, 1200 meters above sea level is where you’ll find the Sumela Monastery in Trabzon province on Turkey’s Black Sea coast, which is said to be more than a thousand years old.

This Greek Orthodox Ministry, built in the year 346 AD holds both cultural and historical significance and is a prominent tourist attraction.

Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, built to house an icon of her that was believed to possess miraculous properties. Built high into a cliff, access to the building is via a steep path through the forest and then via a narrow stairway.

The principal areas of the Monastery are the Rock Church, kitchens, students’ rooms, a library, several chapels as well as a holy water fountain.

Both the inside and outside walls of the church have been covered in intricate and detailed frescoes that depict biblical scenes from the lives of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ.

The murals of the chapel were painted in three different periods, on three different levels with most of those that are visible today dating back to the 18th century.

In 2000 the Monastery was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List and has been closed to the public since 2015 for safety reasons, however, the site was partially reopened in July 2020 after the completion of major restoration works.

This part of North-Eastern Turkey is quite unique with nearby Trabzon not only lying close to the Black Sea but also the epic Pontic Mountains passing through it, it’s an area of Turkey that has been sprinkled with bouts of silence and a lot of beauty.

How to get to the SUmela Monastery in Trabzon

From Trabzon, you should be able to get a dolmuş (pronounced dol-moosh) direct from the east-bound dolmus station located along the highway.

They leave twice a day at 11 AM and 2 PM in the summer.

Reading Tip: 10 Best Non-Touristy Cities to visit in Turkey

Artvin sits by the Black Sea, on the border of Georgia, and is yet another one of the beautiful places to visit in Turkey.

Surrounded by mountains, some reaching 4,000 metres, it’s dreamlike landscape carved by the Çoruh River (one of the longest-running in Turkey) is full of rock formations, steep valleys and forests of tall pine trees that will completely mesmerize all who visit.

This is a truly breathtaking place and among the wonders that everyone should see at least once.

This part of Turkey is also the area where you can find the Laz people. It’s a culture that has its very own language, called Laz that has been classified by UNESCO as an endangered language.

The Laz people have their own traditions, one of them involves the Tulum, a form of Turkish bagpipe that people dance the Horon to.

I visited this gorgeous place and met Evrim, the owner of a hostel there (see below) who is a descendant of the Laz people of Turkey.

I also had the honor of meeting Evrim’s father who told me all about the history and culture of the Laz people, recited some beautiful Laz poems and taught me some Laz words too.

How to get to Artvin

The fastest and easiest way to get there from Istanbul is to follow the highways E80 and E70 east. The road is long (1219 km) but you will see some of the most scenic landscapes that we have seen in Turkey.

You can fly from Istanbul to Erzurum (1hr 45 flight) and then from there you can take a bus (3h 36m bus) from Erzurum Otogar that leaves 5 times a day.

Where to stay in Artvin

Bageni Pansiyon is the perfect place to spend some time day gazing at the green valley below and the ocean in the distance.

Things to do in Artvin

The most popular reason for visiting and exploring this area is for its natural beauty and the various trekking and hiking opportunities on offer.

Mount Kaçkar is one of the highest mountains in Turkey and is the most popular trekking route.

The Trans-Kaçkar route that takes you through Yusufeli Yaylalar Village to Rize – Çamlıhemşin Ayder Highlands is another option for avid trekkers and mountaineering groups.

Visitors also travel here to try out some of the more adventurous activities to do in Turkey such as skiing, rafting and canoeing.

We really hope this article has helped you plan for your trip and that you’re no longer asking the question of, ‘where should I travel to in Turkey?’.

We have tried our very hardest to cover what we believe to be the best places to visit in Turkey and the top things to do whilst you are there. Wishing you the most magical of trips!

Don’t forget to check out the articles below, in which we tell you everything you need to know about this beautiful destination!

MORE TURKEY TRAVEL POSTS

• The 13 beautiful and unique places to visit in Turkey
• 10 best non-touristy cities to visit in Turkey
• 10 useful things to know to visit Turkey
• The complete guide to the miraculous pools of Pamukkale
• Top 17 things to do in Istanbul
• Backpacking in Turkey on a budget – How much does it cost to travel in Turkey
• Is Turkey dangerous? This is what we’ve learned so far!
• In the Footsteps of the Nomadic Tribes
• 25 photos that will trigger your wanderlust for Turkey
• What happens when you overstay your visa in Turkey
• One year of hitchhiking – the good, the bad, and the untold stories. Part 2: Turkey
• Cycling in Turkey: 3 great routes

Related posts

6 Top Things to do at The thermal Pools of Pamukkale – Complete Travel Guide to visit the Pamukkale Hot Springs

10 Useful Things to know to visit Turkey

10 Best Non-Touristy Cities to Visit in Turkey

Top 17 Things to Do in Istanbul

Backpacking in Turkey on a budget – How much does it cost to travel in Turkey?

One year of hitchhiking – the good, the bad and the untold stories. Part 2: Turkey

25 thoughts on “the 13 best places to visit in turkey”.

Thanks ! Was a great Post !

Thank you Kevin!

Hey! Loved the post and Im planning my trip. Whats the name and place of the hostel in Rize/Artvin?

Hi Hibbe, thank you so much! The name of this hostel is Bageni Pansiyon and it’s located in the mountains near the village of Findikli. You can find more info and the exact address of this hostel here: https://www.facebook.com/bagenipansiyon/

I came here as an aupair in 2017 and it is totally different than I thought. Turkey is a lovely country and thanks aupairinturkey, the agency in Turkey I had a chance to discover this country. You sohuld all visit here and people are so friendly

Thank you! We are visiting Turkey next week and want to avoid all of the conflict. We have based our trip on your itinerary and are looking forward to it (not hitting everything).

Hi Laura, very happy to hear you used this post as inspiration for your trip! Which places are you going to visit? Have a great trip and enjoy!!

Living in Turkey, this post put a big smile on my face. You’ve visited a diverse range of places and had some great experiences. We have a lot of dots to visit on our map of Turkey. The list keeps getting longer, regardless of how many places we visit. So when I read your post about overstaying on your visa, I could easily relate how that happened. Wishing you happy travels to come!

Hi Pascale! Your comment puts a smile on my face 🙂 Turkey has so many beautiful places and has so many varied experiences to offer! We still want to return to visit some places and regions that we had to skip last time. I can imagine that your list is only growing 😀 Where in Turkey are you based? Wishing you a great time exploring the country and ticking of your list 😀 Warm wishes!

Hi Cynthia, thank you for your kind wishes. We’re currently based in Faralya, which is near Fethiye. We do have plans to move around though!

thanks for the advice. what is effes?

Effes is a Turkish beer, I like it (and I’m from Belgium… 😉 )

Turkey has been on my radar after seeing so many beautiful pictures on Instagram. I would love to go on a hot air balloon in Cappadoci one day! And Pamukkale looks absolutely stunning!

You’ve discovered so many beautiful gems!! What’s your favorite??? I’m bookmarking this for when I take a trip to Turkey! I’d love to go to Pamukkale and Cappadocia most especially! And maybe ride on a hot air balloon! What a dream!

Woow! That’s one hell of an article. I loved every bit of it! I really like Turky, but i’ve been only to Istanbul so far. I really want to see each and every place you wrote about here and hopefully even more. Good luck on your trip! I admire u deeply! 🙂

Thank you Nastja 🙂 Turkey is a surprisingly varied ranging from fantastic beaches to stunning archaeological sites. Hope you go back there one day to explore more of this beautiful country!! 🙂

I was completely hooked to your post right from your first picture of Myra (and I ended up researching a lot about it later on). I have spent such little time in Turkey and I think it’s a shame. Bookmarking this post for planning my adventures there 🙂

Thanks!! Myra is definitely worth a visit! Where did you stay when you visited Turkey?

Turkey is a wonderland and all of these places that you have listed look breathtaking. Turkey has been in my bucket list since a long time and now I can’t wait to add these places in my bucket list. Amazing!

Pack your bags and go there NOW 🙂 We were very pleasant surprised when we discovered all these beautiful places that Turkey has to offer!!

All of these places look simply incredible, most of which I’d never heard of before! Patara and Myra remind me a lot of different archaeological sites in Jordan. I suppose given their geographical proximity they must share a little bit of history right? Also, I’ve never actually seen a photo of Cappadocia without balloons in it so haven’t ever fully appreciated the landscape. It definitely looks absolutely breathtaking!

Yes, Patara and Myra have definitely a similar look to the sites in Jordan. Cappadocia might be famous for its hot air balloon rides but we didn’t think that was the highlight of our visit there. That landscape is so outworldy and is beautiful to see with and without balloons 😉

Great post Nicholas, You posted covered almost all the must see sites Turkey. Love it. I must say that I had thought of visiting Turkey one day but the pictures from Myra, Pamukkale and Cappadocia are simply stunning. More interesting than the capital Istanbul, which everyone talks about.

Thanks man! We first had the idea to visit Istanbul but eventually never made it there. Instead we ventured through other parts of the country and we’re happy we did or we might have missed out on these beauties!

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7 of the best cities to visit in Turkey

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Few countries so close to home can tick off as many travel essentials as Turkey , with flights from the UK taking around four hours, or about four days if you take the train.

The country has warm weather in both summer and winter, while being home to beautiful coastal areas , renowned historic sights, buoyant party resorts and an eclectic range of cities.

It’s no secret that Turkey is an excellent holiday destination. But less well known is the variety on show within its cities, a surprising number of which will keep you busy over a weekend or even longer.

Istanbul is many visitors’ first taste of the country, with its high-octane way of life and excellent range of things to do providing a memorable introduction to Turkish culture, history, cuisine and nightlife.

In Turkey’s south west, the Turquoise Coast – also known as the Turkish Riviera – is home to cities such as Bodrum and Antalya . They combine distinct heritage with striking coastal beauty, the perfect spots to visit in the midst of a beach holiday in this laid-back part of the world.

In the capital, Ankara , meanwhile, a vibrant energy attracts Turkish and foreign visitors alike.

But in a country so large, and so blessed with captivating cities, it can be difficult to know where to begin. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up the best cities in Turkey to help you plan your next adventure , whether it’s history, nightlife or culture that gets you going.

Istanbul is the most visited Turkish city by foreign tourists

With a population of around 16 million people, Istanbul is a city that seemingly never sleeps. Bisected by the emerald waters of the Bosphorous Strait (which you can tour by boat for marvelous views), this is the place where two continents meet, and this fusion of distinct cultures has created a vibrant city whose energetic way of life often borders on chaotic.

A city steeped in the history of both Europe and Asia, Istanbul has been the home of three different empires over almost three millennia, and today still preserves some remnants of these vastly different cultures. Ottoman and Byzantine influences dominate, particularly in the Sultanahmet district, home to many of the city’s must-see sights.

Prime among these are the Blue Mosque, with its towering minarets, and the Hagia Sophia, a mosque that was originally constructed as a church, reflecting the changing influences that the city has been subject to. Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern are the district’s other main attractions, though it pays to explore further afield in areas like Balat, originally the city’s Greek Orthodox and Armenian neighbourhood, and Fener.

For a more contemporary taste of Istanbul, Arnavutköy is the heart of the city’s nightlife scene, while SALT Beyoğlu hosts art exhibitions and film screenings.

Read more on Turkey travel :

• Best Turkey holiday destinations
• All aboard the night train to Istanbul: the reality of one of the ‘world’s best’ rail journeys
• Turkey’s best winter sun spots to visit

Antalya is the fifth most populous city in the country

Most years, Antalya competes with Istanbul for the title of ‘most visited Turkish city’. Though just a fraction of the size, Antalya, the capital of the country’s Turquoise Coast, punches above its weight in the tourism stakes thanks to a characterful old town, a beautiful harbour and dozens of beautiful surrounding beaches.

Some of the best nearby beaches include Cirali, Konyaalti and Patara, and while many choose to stay in one of the various beachfront resorts that populate the surrounding coastline, exploring Antalya itself is certainly worth leaving your sun lounger for.

Its charming old town, known as Kaleiçi, consists of labyrinthine streets housing a series of mosques, ancient walls, russet-roofed stone buildings and parks that attest to the influence of Ottoman culture and architecture. These narrow alleys snake down to the equally idyllic harbour, where a slew of cafes and restaurants welcome revellers throughout the day and night.

Bodrum was once home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

Bodrum is best known as an ideal spot for a Turkish summer holiday. Set among rolling green hills, it has an enviable coastal location, pristine beaches like Yahsi and Aspat, a variety of tourist sites and lively nightlife for those who seek it.

A range of resorts, from the dazzling high-end to the more affordable and family-friendly, cater to all sorts of tourists, whether you’re looking for parties on the marina or want to delve into the region’s history. There’s plenty of Bodrum’s past to explore; once known as Halicarnassus, it still contains a mausoleum, ancient ruins, a Roman theatre and the 700-year-old Bodrum Castle.

Like any coastal tourist city, there’s plenty more to see and do in Bodrum away from ruins and sun loungers. Scuba diving is a popular activity in nearby Gokova Bay, while boat trips around the peninsula or the Dalyan River are a good way to spend an afternoon, as is wine tasting at Karnas Vineyards . The town’s proximity to Kos means that tourists and locals alike will often spend the day in Greece too.

Ankara was declared the capital of Turkey in 1923

Turkey’s capital city may be overshadowed by world-renowned Istanbul, but Ankara offers visitors an experience of Turkey’s ‘other’ side, away from chaotic cities and party-centric coastal resorts. This is a youthful, exciting city that fuses the old and the new. It is fuelled by its relatively new status as a major city, and vibrant modern areas such as studenty Kizilay and more upmarket Kavaklidere.

But Ankara has been careful not to forget its past. High above the city sits the Anit Kabir, the vast mausoleum of the father of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who led the War of Independence and bestowed the city’s status as capital. Down below in Hisar, Roman monuments like those at Ulus sit alongside Byzantine citadel walls that enclose Ottoman-era mini villages. The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the Museum of the War of Independence are two more historical highlights, while the parks of Kugulu and Genclik provide some much-needed green space.

Izmir is home to around 4.5 million people

Izmir is sometimes overlooked in favour of nearby Bodrum or Marmaris, but Turkey’s third largest city is home to plenty of arts, culture and a rich heritage, as well as the idyllic coastal resorts of Cesme, Alacati and Urla.

While the city’s past was characterised by activity around the Bay of Izmir, Konak Pier and the impressive city promenade (known as Kordon), the modern-day symbol of the city is its 20th-century Clock Tower.

It is located in the middle of Konak Square, in the district of the same name, which is also the gateway of the maze-like 17 th -century Kemeralti Market. This Turkish bazaar stretches across the city into the Roman agora, with the ancient Kadifekale fort being the other main historic site.

Edirne was capital of the Ottoman Empire before Constantinople

Located on the border with Greece and Bulgaria , Edirne is a city with a more European feel than other Turkish counterparts, but one whose architecture, mosques, bazaars and palace provide a constant reminder that you are in a former Ottoman capital.

Edirne sits along the banks of both the Maritza and Tunca rivers, surrounded by verdant plains and with much of the same white-washed, russet-roofed building styles as Antalya. The city’s main landmark is the 16th-century Selimiye Mosque, an impressive Unesco-listed structure that has become a symbol of Edirne. Other mosques, such as Muradiye, Old Mosque and the Sultan Beyezid II Complex, adorn the city skyline, while a series of bridges over the Tunca also hark back to Ottoman times, and provide a base for summer relaxation and mild swims.

Regular ferries operate between Marmaris and both Rhodes and Symi in Greece

Marmaris is a popular coastal town, welcoming thousands of tourists every summer despite its modest size. It benefits from a striking location on the Aegean Sea and surrounded by dense forest and towering hills, with a coastline that is home to golden sand lapped by azure waters along beaches like Urban or Long Beach.

Like Antalya, the town begins in its yacht-filled marina, with a maze of narrow streets slowly snaking back into the old town, itself a sea of red roofs and white-washed buildings. Marmaris Castle, the museum, the bazaar and Jinan Gardens are worth exploring to take in history, a spot of shopping and a pleasant stroll, before ending the day on aptly named Bar Street, the centre of the city’s often raucous nightlife.

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Turkey has not only magnificent beaches and bays where tourists love to relax. There are many historical sites and stunning mosques here. Also noteworthy are Turkish cities, a visit to which will live in memory for a long time. We will show you the best cities to visit in Turkey: after seeing these 15 places, you will definitely fall in love with this country.

Fethiye is located on the territory, which attracts tourists with its nearby mountains, airport and secluded bay, inside which islets are scattered. The resort is divided into two parts: the first is with luxury hotels, and the second is intended for mass tourism, and is located in a bay called Oludeniz. In summer not a single tourist will be bored here: restaurants, cafes always welcome, and discos are held at night.

Photo: nenadkostic1975 / pixabay (Pixabay License)

Photo: sulox32 / pixabay (Pixabay License)

The inimitable resort town of Çeşme is located 80 km from Izmir and is washed by the Aegean Sea. It is a center for diving and surfing. The age-old Çeşme fortress has been an invariable haven for crusaders and pirates throughout the centuries. In the suburbs there are many fountains, baths and thermal springs with mineral water. Rows of souvenir shops, lovely restaurants and bars stretch along the coast. The nightlife is in full swing – you can dance in the club until the morning.

Photo: MHachem/pixabay (CC0 Creative Commons)

Photo: Enderender, Wikipedia (CC BY 3.0)

One of the largest city in Turkey, located in the northwest of Anatolia, 240 km from Istanbul and 20 km from the Sea of Marmara. This place is worth visiting for its sights, unique architectural style and medieval flavor.

Photo: Oleksandr Pidvalnyi/pexels (Pexels License)

Photo: By Yahia.Mokhtar, from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Best cities to visit in Turkey: Ankara

Despite its capital status, Ankara is not as popular among tourists as Istanbul and the cities of the sea coast. Still, it it is interesting precisely as a non-tourist and more authentic part of Turkey. In the city there’re numerous ancient landmarks preserved from Roman times.

Photo: By Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Photo: QuartierLatin1968/flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Şanlıurfa (Urfa)

This city, also known as the “City of Prophets”, welcomes pilgrims from all over the world. There are many beautiful old buildings here. The stunning Derga Park and the mosque complex tell about the ancient past of the city. Be sure to visit the ancient temple of Göbekli Tepe.

Photo: sulox32/pixabay (CC0 Creative Commons)

Photo: By Teomancimit, from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Best cities to visit in Turkey: Bodrum

Bodrum is sometimes said to be “Little Greece”, and this comparison has a reason behind. The Greek islands are nearby, and this leaves its mark on the appearance of the resort with a special “Greek” atmosphere, which manifests itself in architecture, excursions and in nature itself. Today, its cobbled streets are home to traditional whitewashed houses and small cafes, and once a mausoleum at Halicarnassus, which is one of the wonders of the ancient world, was erected on its territory.

Photo: Ad Meskens, from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Photo: By Carole Raddato from FRANKFURT, Germany, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

One of the best-preserved capitals of the Ottoman Empire, as well an impressive and understandable introduction to the first acquaintance with Turkey. This lively, attractive city is located on a small hill above the confluence of the Tundzha, Arda and Merich rivers near the borders with Greece and Bulgaria.

Photo: James Byrum / flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Photo: Casal Partiu / flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Best cities to visit in Turkey: Kuşadası

A popular resort on the Aegean Sea with long beaches and a picturesque bay where gulets, yachts and luxury cruise ships anchor. Kuşadası is a perfect starting point for exploring the great cities of antiquity: Ephesus, Priene and Miletus. Its Old Town attracts with its labyrinthine streets, colorful bazaar and good fish restaurants.

Photo: Neil Thompson / flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Photo: By Elelicht, from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

One of 7 ancient cities claiming the right to be called the homeland of Homer. Like a huge horseshoe, Izmir covers a vast bay on the eastern coast of the Aegean Sea. It is the largest business center in the country and the venue for the prestigious Izmir International Fair.

Photo: By Ingo Mehling, from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Photo: SusaTom/flickr (Public domain)

Best cities to visit in Turkey: Alanya

Among all Turkish resorts, Alanya can rightfully be called the most extraordinary, charming, memorable and amazing. Here you will find pristine beaches, azure waters of the sea, gentle rays of the sun and, of course, breathtaking diving, marvelous beauty of underwater caves, archaeological and historical values in the form of ancient cities built by the Greeks, and a host of other entertainments.

Alanya on map

Best cities to visit in Turkey: Ürgüp

The town of Urgup is located in Cappadocia, and is one of the most ancient cities in this historical part of the country. Together with the nearby Göreme and Nevsehir, Urgup also combines modern features and historical surroundings. The urban architecture is closely intertwined with traditional dwelling houses and ancient tuff dwelling caves.

Ürgüp on map

Best cities to visit in Turkey: Antalya

Undoubtedly the most famous Mediterranean resort in Turkey. The city is located in the south of the country, at the edge of a spacious fertile plain, and is the administrative center of the province of the same name. In ancient times this area was called Pamphylia. Sprawling in a picturesque bay, surrounded by lush greenery of palm trees, oleanders and lemon trees reflecting in the azure-blue sea, Antalya is surrounded on three sides by the high ridges of the Taurus Mountains, whose snow-capped peaks seem to crown it with a regal crown.

Antalya on map

Best cities to visit in Turkey: İstanbul

No one dares to call the largest metropolis in Turkey ordinary. Among the cities of the world, only Istanbul is located on the territory of two continents at once. On the coast, cut by the Bosphorus, Europe and Asia peacefully coexist. Over the centuries, the city has been influenced by different cultures, so that traces of Greeks, Romans and Venetians can be found everywhere. From time immemorial, merchants came here, bringing their goods and wealth. Thanks to it beautiful buildings, stunning cathedrals and mosques, fantastic palaces were built.

İstanbul on map

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Top 5 Cities to Visit in Turkey

• April 18, 2017
• 20 Comments
• Places to Visit

Turkey, a country where two continents meet, despite the unfortunate events in the recent time, is still one of the favourite destinations among tourists from around the world. This is not difficult to understand, since it is one of those places with stunning scenery and rich historic legacy where you can feel the mixture of old and modern culture where the traveler is looking for breathtaking coastlines, remote beaches or heavenly food. If you’re planning a trip to Turkey anytime soon, we will tell you where exactly to go and why!

Turkish capital is the second largest city in the country, as well as the major university centre. It is a modern jungle city popular with tourists and, although it may seem differently at first glance, it is a symbol of independece and Western values . The most important figure of the city is well-known Atatürk, whose legacy is undeniable, which is best observable in Mausoleum of Atatürk , a huge tomb and memorial to the first president of the new Republic of Turkey who declared Ankara as the capital. Don’t forget to include the walking tour of the historical Old Quarters in your visit, because strolling through narrow, cobbled streets surrounded by old red-roofed Ottoman houses is something definitely worth experiencing.

This urban cultural melting pot is something you must visit at least once in your lifetime. Who hasn’t heard of the famous Hagia Sophia, the magnificent church turned into a mosque and a symbol of Constantinople or Blue Mosque built in the 17th century? Another reason to go there is Grand Baazar, one of the largest covered markets in the world where you can buy everything, from jewellery and spices to carpets and antiques (don’t forget to bargain there, otherwise you will be ripped off). Apart from so many things to see in this historically rich metropolis offers some of the best views in Turkey , from a boat on the Bosphorus during sunset or the Galata Tower.

Together with Istanbul, Antalya is the most popular tourist region in Turkey . The best way to discover the beauty of the region is to use a cable car to travel up Mount Tahtali , from where you can marvel at the stunning panoramic views of the coastline. After the climb, check out the ruins of Phaselis and gorgeous beaches nearby. It is an ancient Lycian city once ruled by Alexander the Great whose remains also include an amphitheatre and houses. For sun lovers, Lara Beach is the best destination, as can you enjoy not only the crystal blue sea, but if you happen to be there during high season in summer, the Antalya sand festival as well, where talented artists create life-size figures to impress the visitors.

The coastal Turkish city of Izmir is one of the fastest-growing cruise-ship ports of call on the Aegean Sea and an excellent place to stay if you’re planning a trip to nearby Ephesus and Pergamon. Spend your days browsing the streets and visiting some of the most extensive Roman ruins outside Pompeii. Don’t forget to include Pamukkale in your tour, an amazing geographical phenomenon, unique in the world. It is a mini plateaux with the hot spring water flowing down from the top of the mountain which, on its way down, add white limestone to the ancient plateaux. Visitors can bathe there which are reputed to be good for health. Also, the Izmir Clock Tower is a must-see, it is set in idyllic location for enjoying while gazing at the people passing by and sipping some cooling beverage.

As a town carved into the volcanic rock , Göreme is the way to the Göreme National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 10th- and 11th- century cave churches. Apart from being a popular place to go to among backpackers, the park is also a great zone to sample the traditional Turkish cuisine and wine . The city itself is situated in the historic region of Cappadocia, in which in a magnificent landscape, entirely sculpted by erosion, the Göreme valley and its surroundings contain rock-hewn sanctuaries that provide unique evidence of Byzantine art in the post-Iconoclastic period. It’s a paradise on Earth for all history and architecture lovers.

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Antalya, İzmir, Goreme and Ankara are really great, need to be seen but Istanbul is the most charming one, don’t miss it.

Why on earth is Ankara here? En kara, more like! Dull city. Erzerum, Sivas, Martin, even Diyarbakir more interesting

marmaris is the best

This southwestern Turkish destination is a vibrant haven you can easily fall in love with.

The destinations you have mentioned indeed, some of the best places to visit in Turkey. I am planning my next trip to Istanbul, can you share some things to in Istanbul to make my trip convenient and easy?

Dear Rekha,

check out our Istanbul guide for all necessary information about the city.

Best regards, GBB Team

You’re right

Which 3 cities are top of the list in Turkey?

Dear Noshaba,

it is difficult to say what would be the top 3 Turkish cities since it is a subjective matter. However, the list of cities is based on our personal opinion and we definitely recommend visiting them.

Best, GBB Team

can you please help me i am planing to visit with my family With 3 chd which city city shuld visit for 7 day please advice appreciated

it is really hard to answer such a question as it depends on too many things, especially your preferences. If you want a personalised itinerary, we suggest you contact one of the tourist agencies in Turkey, they will be glad to help you.

skip ankara …

Istanbul and Goreme are MUST DO

Izmir for Ephesus and beach proximity (Fethiye etc)

Antalya for its historical richness – do check it out the museum. If you are not able to visit Ephesus, check out the ruins near Antalya – there are enough and more.

thank you for your comment, we truly appreciate it!

I loved Antalya when I visited Turkey! Definitely a must-visit. Thanks for this amazing list.

thank you for your comment, we appreciate it!

I loved Istanbul when i visited turkey really i enjoyed

thanks for your comment, we appreciate it!

Best GBB Team

plse advise which are the best beaches, thks.

Please feel free to explore our post on the best beaches in Turkey . We hope you find it helpful in planning your travels and discovering a beach that suits your preferences. Happy exploring! 🙂

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Turkey local elections: Opposition claims big city wins in blow to Erdogan

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu hails victory in blow to Turkish president’s standing after two decades in power.

Turkey’s main opposition party has claimed victory in Istanbul and Ankara in local elections, inflicting the biggest defeat on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in more than two decades.

With more than 95 percent of ballot boxes opened in Istanbul on Sunday, Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) said he had defeated the governing AK Party candidate by more than one million votes.

Keep reading

What shapes turkey’s municipal elections, turkey votes in local elections in test of erdogan’s popularity, turkey’s opposition in electoral battle to keep hold of major cities.

“Those who do not understand the nation’s message will eventually lose,” Imamoglu, a former businessman, told thousands of supporters late on Sunday.

“Tonight, 16 million Istanbul citizens sent a message to both our rivals and the president.”

In the capital, Ankara, CHP’s Mayor Mansur Yavas claimed victory over his rival, hailing the result as a “clear message to those who rule this country”.

The CHP was also ahead in Izmir, Turkey’s third city.

In total, CHP prevailed in 36 of Turkey’s 81 provinces, state-run Anadolu Agency reported, making inroads into many AK Party strongholds.

Opposition supporters gathered in Istanbul to celebrate the results, with tens of thousands of people lighting torches and waving Turkish flags.

In a speech delivered from the balcony of the presidential palace, Erdogan, who has governed Turkey since 2002, acknowledged that his party had “lost altitude” across the country and said he would self-reflect and rectify any mistakes.

“We will correct our mistakes and redress our shortcomings,” he said.

In previous local elections in 2019, Imamoglu won Istanbul’s mayoral race, dealing Erdogan and the AK Party their biggest electoral blow until that point. That defeat also struck a personal note for Erdogan, who was born and raised in the city and served as its mayor in the 1990s.

Sunday’s local elections represent a new blow to the president who had set his sights on retaking control of those urban areas.

Some 61 million people were eligible to vote for mayors across Turkey’s 81 provinces as well as provincial council members and other local officials on Sunday.

The nationwide local elections were seen by analysts and civilians as a gauge of both Erdogan’s support and the opposition’s durability amid skyrocketing inflation and the crumbling of the Turkish currency against the dollar.

Sinan Ulgen, director of the Istanbul-based Edam think tank, told The Associated Press news agency that “the surprising outcome” was the result of voters wanting to punish the governing party over the state of the economy and described the elections as a “watershed for Imamoglu”.

“He will emerge as the natural candidate of the opposition for the next round of presidential elections,” Ulgen said.

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4 Michigan cities ranked among 2024 best places to live

Ann arbor cracks the top 10 in america.

Ken Haddad , Digital Managing Editor

Four Michigan cities made the 2024 list of the best places to live in the U.S.

Niche released their annual rankings of the best cities, towns and communities across the country, ranked using various factors, like schools, crime rate, housing, cost of living, amenities, surveys and more, which you can read about here.

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The No. 1 ranked best city to live for 2024 was Naperville, Illinois, followed by The Woodlands, Texas, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Arlington, Virginia.

Here’s where Michigan cities ranked on the 2024 list:

• No. 9: Ann Arbor
• No. 67: Grand Rapids
• No. 117: Lansing
• No. 168: Warren

Okemos was ranked No. 21 in rankings for best suburbs to raise a family in America.

Niche is an online company that collects profiles and reviews on community, schools, colleges and more.

---> Michigan home ranked among top US vacation rentals of 2024

Copyright 2024 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

About the Author

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.

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• Where to Go in 2024 Overview: Where to Go in 2024

The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2024

• An Insider's Guide to Paris — Luxury Hotels, Vintage Shops, and the City's Best Restaurants Included
• This Southern U.S. City Was Named One of the Best Places to Travel in 2024
• 5 Coastal Towns in Alaska That Are Adorable in Any Weather
• T+L's Review of Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Grandeur
• This Exclusive Helicopter Dining Experience Is the Best Way to See the 'Grand Canyon of Mallorca’
• Where to Go in 2024 The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2024 An Insider's Guide to Paris — Luxury Hotels, Vintage Shops, and the City's Best Restaurants Included This Southern U.S. City Was Named One of the Best Places to Travel in 2024 5 Coastal Towns in Alaska That Are Adorable in Any Weather T+L's Review of Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Grandeur This Exclusive Helicopter Dining Experience Is the Best Way to See the 'Grand Canyon of Mallorca’ CLOSE Part of Where to Go in 2024

Where to go in 2024, according to Travel + Leisure editors — for cultural immersion and major travel bragging rights.

Since 1971, Travel + Leisure editors have followed one mission: to inform, inspire, and guide travelers to have deeper, more meaningful experiences. T+L's editors have traveled to countries all over the world, having flown, sailed, road tripped, and taken the train countless miles. They've visited small towns and big cities, hidden gems and popular destinations, beaches and mountains, and everything in between. With a breadth of knowledge about destinations around the globe, air travel, cruises, hotels, food and drinks, outdoor adventure, and more, they are able to take their real-world experience and provide readers with tried-and-tested trip ideas, in-depth intel, and inspiration at every point of a journey.

Well, you knew it was coming. This year, more than 20 Travel + Leisure staffers weighed in to create this hand-picked list of the places that thoughtful, curious travelers should consider in 2024.

These are the destinations that have captured our imaginations, the spots where T+L editors want to spend their own time in the year ahead. Among the picks are Canada's Métis Crossing, which headlined our October 2023 issue ; Istanbul, for which our editor in chief makes a compelling case ; and Paris, because there's a little thing called Les Jeux Olympiques coming up.

Other, lesser-known places are on the rise. Consider the small towns of Sonoma County, where new businesses are doing big things ; a remote corner of Australia, where expedition ships are the way in; a Himalayan hideaway where visitors are left breathless and not just because of the altitude.

We hope this list inspires you to see the world in a new way in the coming year. We'll see you out there.

— Edited by Paul Brady and Maya Kachroo-Levine  

Travel + Leisure

Destination by Category

For cultural immersion, ålborg, denmark.

Alexander Farnsworth/Getty Images

It rates as Denmark’s fourth-largest city, with around 120,000 residents, but out-of-the-way Ålborg might seem an unlikely international-travel hub. That's not stopping Scandinavian Airlines, which is betting on the compact, alluring city with newly launched flights from Newark Liberty International, which will run three times a week from April through October. The cobbled streets of Ålborg’s old town are lined with half-timbered houses and pastel exteriors; the attractively refurbished waterfront — where you’ll find the newly renovated Pier 5 Hotel — is another walkable district. The city’s rich cultural scene includes a modern art museum , an architecture center, and, a short drive away, Regan Vest , a Cold War museum that opened in a former bunker in February 2023. Indeed, Ålborg is a gateway to the wider region of North Jutland, with its dramatic coastline around the town of Skagen, long a draw to Danish artists; windswept dunes of Thy National Park ; and 2,000-year-old Viking ring fortresses which have, at long last, been collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site . — Peter Terzian

Cartagena, Colombia

Sofia Jaramillo

A perennially hot destination, Colombia is coming into its own as a luxury escape these days, thanks to a ton of excitement in and around Cartagena, on the country’s Caribbean coast. In 2023, the city welcomed Casa Pestagua , a 16-room boutique hotel within a restored 17th-century building, in the historic center. Now, the same owners are working to open bungalows on Isla Barú, a popular day-trip spot, before the end of 2023. Sustainability minded travelers can find their fit at Blue Apple Beach , an eco-hotel on Tierra Bomba Island, just off the coast, that’s B Corp certified and generates half its power from solar, as T+L recently reported . In 2024, Disney's “Encanto”-themed tour of Colombia will debut, shining more light on Cartagena, one of the many stops on the itinerary. And there’s even more growth in the pipeline: Delta Air Lines is adding new nonstop flights to Cartagena from Atlanta in December 2023, a Four Seasons hotel is on the horizon, and the nation is investing in an airport expansion that will serve an ever-increasing number of visitors. — Susmita Baral

Eastern & Oriental Express, a Belmond Train

Courtesy of Belmond

After a four-year pause, this luxury train that crisscrosses Southeast Asia will ride again in February. Several new itineraries will be available on the revamped Express, which has 15 cherry wood–clad cabins and vibrant Malay-inspired decor. The Essence of Malaysia journey, for example, takes travelers from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, with side trips to Langkawi, for snorkeling in Pulau Payar Marine Park, and Penang, among the greatest food cities on the planet. Alternatively, a Wild Malaysia option includes a stop at Taman Negara National Park, where visitors might spot a Sumatran rhino or tiger. “These ‘slow travel’ journeys give our guests the opportunity to rest their mind, rekindle, and reconnect,” said Dan Ruff, the CEO of Belmond. Much like a storied ocean liner, the majestic Eastern & Oriental Express is a destination unto itself, with a sultry piano bar car; an open-air lounge with wicker furniture where passengers can watch the Malaysian jungle rush by; and two restaurant carriages serving Peranakan food. You may not have had "eating laksa on a luxury train" on your 2024 bingo card, but you really should. — Maya Kachroo-Levine

Christian Kain

For one month between June and July, soccer — or should we say fußball — will take over Germany, as the nation hosts the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship. Held every four years, the tournament for men’s national teams will take place in 10 cities across Germany, including Berlin, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich. “This will be an incredible, not-to-be-missed moment,” said Sofia Markovich , a travel advisor on T+L's A-List who specializes in Austria and Germany. “I expect interest to go through the roof as this is a major sports event — second only to the World Cup.” Even casual fans should find the atmosphere thrilling, Markovich said, particularly those who happen to pass through game-day destinations while cruising the country’s rivers . One host city deserves a particular spotlight thanks to the new Rosewood Munich , which opened in October. Set across two buildings (one, formerly the headquarters of the State Bank of Bavaria, the other, a Baroque residence), the 132-key property is steps from the charms of Old Town, including the leafy Maximiliansplatz, and walkable to one of Europe’s most surprising surf spots: the rapids of the Isar River . — Liz Cantrell

Métis Crossing, Alberta

Amber Bracken

“This is not a place where you look at old things behind glass,” said Juanita Marois, the CEO of Métis Crossing, one of Canada’s most compelling Indigenous tourism projects. “This is an immersive destination where you experience the culture and the warmth of the Métis people through our land, water, skies, buildings, food, and programs.” The 688-acre retreat, which writer Carleigh Baker detailed in T+L’s October 2023 issue , is today home to a 40-room lodge, a cultural center, and campgrounds. Depending on the season, visitors can learn about traditional crafts, enjoy festivals held on-site, or head out for bird-watching, canoeing, or snowshoeing. A new addition to Métis Crossing is a collection of eight Sky Watching Domes , luxe stand-alone suites with panoramic skylight windows. From the Domes, Marois explained, “guests can listen to Indigenous stories of the night skies, see the stars, and view the aurora borealis." — Jalyn Robinson

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Georgia

Getty Images

It’s not every day the U.S. gets a new national park, but 2024 could see this central Georgia destination enter the fold. Presently managed as a national historical park, Ocmulgee is home to large earthen mounds, including temple complexes, created by numerous Native American peoples over thousands of years. Should Congress approve the new designation in 2024, Ocmulgee will become the first national park in the state and the first in the U.S. to be co-managed by a nation whose ancestors were removed from the area: the Muscogee (Creek) were forcibly relocated from central Georgia as a result of the Indian Removal Act of 1830. “We now have an opportunity to come back and not feel like we are visiting, but to feel like we are coming home,” said Tracie Revis, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the director of advocacy for the Ocmulgee National Park & Preserve Initiative, a community group. The gateway to the park is the city of Macon, where the Muscogee (Creek) Nation flag flies alongside the Stars and Stripes, and the street signs are being replaced with ones written in both Muscogee and English. A particularly opportune time to visit will be in September, for the town’s annual Indigenous film festival . — Liz Cantrell  

Rajasthan, India

Aparna Jayakumar

India’s northwestern state of Rajasthan, with its wealth of iconic hotels and cultural attractions, is one of the best-known among U.S. travelers. It also promises new delights in the coming year, with several new addresses in Jaipur worth planning a trip around. There's Villa Palladio , a delightful nine-room hotel on the outskirts of town created by the Swiss-Dutch team behind Bar Palladio , an Instagram favorite in the city center. The Johri is a beautifully designed five-room property with a chic cocktail bar and organic vegetarian restaurant on the ground level, tucked away in a heritage townhouse in Jaipur's Old Town. Meanwhile, the Anantara hospitality group is set to launch its first-ever property in India next year. The 150-room, new-build Anantara Jaipur Hotel is designed with India's ballooning market for destination weddings in mind: it will have event facilities that can accommodate as many as 2,500 guests. In the meantime, the city and wider region are becoming more accessible than ever, thanks to a new six-lane expressway that connects Jaipur to New Delhi, a major hub for international flights. — Flora Stubbs

Shinta Mani Mustang, Nepal

Courtesy of Shinta Mani Mustang

A once-forbidden kingdom is now home to some truly palatial digs. Nepal’s Mustang district, which opened to outsiders in 1992 , is a place to watch in 2024 thanks to this stunning, 29-suite hotel, which welcomed its first guests in August. Shinta Mani Mustang, the latest property from the Bensley Collection, delivers the luxurious wellness experiences and thoughtful design that devotees of the brand have come to expect. Guests can spend their days trekking the surrounding Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges, searching for rare wildlife like the Pallas’s cat and Tibetan wolf, horseback riding, and visiting local villages. “What caught my attention was that the outstanding aesthetics and architecture are in sync with sustainable and responsible tourism,” said Carole Cambata, an advisor on T+L's A-List and expert in Himalayan travel. “They sourced local building materials and used Indigenous construction methods.” The noteworthy opening comes at a time of positive change: in April, the Nepal Mountaineering Academy and the Nepal Tourism Board partnered on a program to educate the country’s first-ever class of LGBTQ+ trekking guides, CNN reported , in an effort to make Nepal’s hiking and climbing industries more inclusive. “Nepal is one of Asia’s most progressive countries for LGBTQ+ people due to laws that forbid gender identity discrimination,” said John Clifford , another A-List advisor. “Visitors to the country can even select ‘other’ as an option for gender identification on their visas.” — Samantha Falewée

Tallinn, Estonia

Nina Ruggiero/Travel + Leisure

This country’s literacy and secondary education rates consistently rank near the top in Europe, especially among women, so it should come as no surprise that Tartu, the university city to the southeast of Tallinn, has been designated Europe’s Capital of Culture for 2024 . Still, for first-timers to the Baltics, there’s no better place to get schooled than the country’s capital city, Tallinn: its walled Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved examples of Medieval architecture in the world. PoCo Art Museum , which opened in May with pop art by Andy Warhol, Banksy, David Hockney, and Jeff Koons, is now one of nearly 50 art institutions in the city, joining Fotografiska (world-renowned photography), Kumu Art Museum (contemporary Estonian art), and Kadriorg Art Museum (early European and Russian art). After soaking in the culture, head for the Noblessner district , an industrial shipyard area turned seafront hot spot that’s now bursting with stylish cafes, shops, and Estonia’s first restaurant with two Michelin stars, 180° by Matthias Diethe . (You might also try a “ smoke sauna ” at Scandi-chic Iglupark .) As for where to stay, the new Nunne Boutique Hotel has views over Old Town’s Towers Square . —  Nina Ruggiero

Warsaw, Poland

Christopher Larson/Travel + Leisure

The thriving contemporary art scene in Warsaw, which is home to art-circuit stalwarts like the Foksal Gallery Foundation and Raster Gallery , will get a big boost in 2024, when the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw finally moves into its own headquarters. Founded in 2005, the museum has burnished the city’s art reputation for two decades, with its holdings of both foreign and Polish work, despite operating out of temporary spaces. The new HQ will be part of a 22-acre arts district centered on the existing Palace of Culture and Science, a Stalinist skyscraper that towers over the city. The museum, along with a new 800-seat TR Warszaw Theater nearby, was designed by Thomas Phifer and Partners , the architecture firm behind other notable institutions, including the Glenstone Museum in Maryland and portions of New York’s Corning Museum of Glass . — Denny Lee

For the Food and Drinks

The austrian countryside.

Journey south of Vienna and you’ll find two of the regions that give the countryside of Austria its fairy-tale quality. Styria has rolling hills and hiking trails, with the medieval city of Graz at its heart. Mellow, rural Burgenland is home to Lake Neusiedl, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Both regions have a long, rich history of winemaking, and in recent years, have become the site of a burgeoning natural wine scene. Cult producers such as Winery Maria and Sepp Muster and Alice & Roland Tauss should be at the top of any visitor’s list, as should Burgenland’s beloved vintners Gut Oggau and Meinklang . Then, round out a visit to the country with a stay at Rosewood Schloss Fuschl , a meticulously restored 15th-century castle opening on the shores of a small lake near Salzburg in spring 2024. — Peter Terzian

Mérida, Mexico

Itzel Garrido/Travel + Leisure

The capital of Yucatán, this city has long been popular with Mexican travelers drawn to its Maya ruins, cerulean-blue cenotes, restored haciendas, and incredible food . But it has a growing acclaim among international visitors — especially LGBTQ+ travelers, who often describe Yucatán as very gay friendly . Mérida’s historic beauty and laid-back cantina culture might explain why LGBTQ+ retirees have embraced the city in recent years, buying homes and bringing their friends along. Those not ready to make a full-on move will find lots of designer hotels carved out of stately mansions, not to mention wonderful shopping and plenty of food tours, both in the city and in the surrounding countryside, which is punctuated by haciendas, many of which host pop-up events or even overnight guests. Plans for a sprawling new “ Yucatán Central Park ,” with a food market and amphitheater, remain hazy, as does an exact timeline for the arrival of the ballyhooed Maya Train , which is nearing completion and should make it easier to hop between Mérida and popular seaside spots such as Cancún and Tulum. — Denny Lee

Sonoma County, California

Gentl & Hyers

More than double the size of Napa, Sonoma might offer twice as much to do. It’s not just about the wine — though with the addition of a new American Viticultural Area (AVA) called West Sonoma Coast last year, Sonoma County now has 19 AVAs slinging chardonnay, pinot noir, and zinfandel at established wineries, such as Flowers and Scribe , and new ones, including Vérité Wines . There’s also a long coastline to explore, from Bodega Bay up to Sea Ranch, where the dreamy, cliff-top Sea Ranch Lodge is newly renovated . Inland, the opening of Dawn Ranch shines a spotlight on Guerneville , a crunchy town along the Russian River known for its LGBTQ+ scene and proximity to the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. Tear yourself from the 22-acre haven, with tree house–like cabins, creekside glamping tents, and alfresco redwood tubs at the idyllic spa, to bike into town where the reimagined Piknik Market serves one of Oprah’s favorite biscuits . The changes coming to Sonoma County in 2024 are largely shaped by the area’s most famous chefs: in Healdsburg, California, Noma alum Stu Stalker debuted the plant-based restaurant Second Story, above Little Saint and down the street from Michelin three-starred SingleThread and chef Dustin Valette’s The Matheson . Restaurant powerhouse Charlie Palmer plans to launch his hotel brand, Appellation , in Healdsburg by the end of next year. — Maya Kachroo-Levine

For Big-city Thrills

Tessa Desjardins/Travel + Leisure

“It’s a classic Asian megacity: frenetic, neon-lit, and overwhelming to the senses,” said Jack Tydeman , a Southeast Asia specialist at Audley Travel and member of T+L's A-List. But change is coming to Bangkok, in the form of many megaprojects, including Dusit Central Park, which is slated to open in 2024, with the 259-room Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel and a multi-terraced roof park. Also coming soon will be King Rama IX Memorial Park, a park that honors the sustainability initiatives of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Meanwhile, Lumpini Park , Bangkok’s original public green space, is getting a massive refresh next year that will add a new food hall, a vegetable farm, and a sports club ahead of its centennial. Even while sprinting to finish these new developments, Bangkok is finding time to slow down and prioritize wellness. Luxury travel network Virtuoso recently named Thailand as just one of five “emerging self-care destinations” worldwide, noting that “travelers are seeking a more spiritual journey, turning to Thailand for more than the traditional Thai massage.” The forthcoming Aman Nai Lert Bangkok , slated for 2024, is sure to deliver, with 52 spacious suites overlooking Nai Lert Park and a multifloor wellness sanctuary. — Susmita Baral

Courtesy of Cleveland Museum of Natural History

The year ahead has the Land set to shine, thanks to national and international events, world-class cultural expansions, and the rebirth of historic hotels. It all starts in April, when the NCAA Women’s Final Four comes to the state-of-the-art Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and a total solar eclipse sweeps over the city on April 8, 2024. Cleveland will see even more action when the Pan-American Masters Games crisscross the city July 12-21. And in November, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which was held in Brooklyn in 2023, will return home. Meanwhile, many institutions are in the midst of revitalization. The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is nearing completion of its multiyear $150-million expansion, with updated exhibits and new public spaces in University Circle. Karamu House , the nation’s oldest Black producing theater, will debut a new restaurant, outdoor stage, and an additional venue in the Fairfax neighborhood. The city’s oldest hotel will reopen in 2024 after extensive renovations as a Marriott Autograph Collection called Hotel Cleveland. Also coming is the Fidelity Hotel, a new boutique property with a speakeasy that's slated to launch in a landmark building downtown. There’s development along the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie, too, where paved hiking and biking trails are livening up a waterfront that has, for many decades, been underutilized. — Jennifer Salerno Yong

Fort Worth, Texas

Mariah Tyler

Offering classic Western experiences like bull riding, cattle drives, and stock shows, Fort Worth, Texas, is booming, bringing in $3 billion in tourism revenue last year alone. With all of the renewed interest in the city, luxury hotels are flocking to Cowtown’s Cultural District. The Crescent Hotel, Fort Worth opened in November, home to the first-ever wellness club by Canyon Ranch and a Mediterranean restaurant by Food Network chef Preston Paine. Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection , is slated to open its doors December 2023, with a tree-lined pool terrace, chic spa, and upscale chophouse called Bricks and Horses. Walking distance from both hotels is The National Cowgirl Museum , which will run a 2024 exhibit honoring the Mexican female horseback riding tradition of escaramuza charra . Looking ahead, the National Juneteenth Museum is scheduled to open in the city’s Historic Southside neighborhood in 2025. — Mariah Tyler

Turkey’s style capital is seeing a resurgence of life along the Bosphorus, thanks in part to the Galataport, the world’s first underground cruise ship terminal with a pedestrian promenade and the Renzo Piano–designed Istanbul Museum of Modern Art just above. Another neighborhood anchor is the 177-room Peninsula Hotel , spread out over four buildings, three of which date to the early 1900s. Highlights include a glittering pool facing the Hagia Sophia; a sprawling, subterranean spa; and Gallada, a rooftop restaurant from whiz kid chef Fatih Tutak, whose eponymous restaurant is Turkey’s first to earn two Michelin stars. The hotel staff wears posh uniforms courtesy of Arzu Kaprol, a designer who has a boutique in the nearby Paket Postanesi, a historic post office turned chic shopping mall. Also on the waterfront, in Beşiktaş, the lavish Çırağan Palace Kempinski has been reimagined by local interior designer Serdar Gülgün, with rooms that lean into Ottoman-era grandeur (think tulip-pattern motifs and mother-of-pearl furniture). Finally, don’t miss The Basilica Cistern, open again after a five-year closure, and now hosting contemporary art exhibits amid the ancient columns. — Jacqui Gifford

Kansas City, Missouri

Jonathan Tasler/Courtesy of Visit KC

World famous for barbecue and jazz, KC is now staking a claim as a global leader in sports and entertainment — and not just because of Taylor and Travis . In March, the Kansas City Current, of the National Women's Soccer League, will open the first-ever purpose-built stadium for women’s pro sports. “It will be a destination for sports lovers and will inspire generations of girls to follow their dreams,” said Katie Mabry van Dieren, CEO and curator of The Strawberry Swing , a brand that organizes events and pop-ups in the city, as well as Shop Local KC , a string of boutiques. The stadium’s construction has spurred other developments around the city, including the forthcoming Origen Hotel KC , a 118-room boutique property; the massive Berkley Beer Garden; and an extension of the free KC Streetcar that will serve the Berkley Riverfront area. Also coming soon is the country’s first entertainment district of its kind, the Rock Island Bridge , a reclaimed rail crossing over the Kansas River. “Visitors will be able to enjoy two levels of entertainment with food from two restaurants and three bars, plus a covered event space with a dance floor and open veranda seating overlooking the river and city,” a source told T+L of the High Line–inspired project that will connect Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas City, Kansas. — Jalyn Robinson

Raf Willems/Getty Images

Just when you think Sin City can’t get any bigger, louder, or glitzier, Las Vegas turns it up another notch. On the heels of blockbuster residencies from Adele , Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga, U2 kicked off their inaugural stint at the long-anticipated Sphere this fall. Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky’s immersive sci-fi production “Postcard from Earth” will also show off the new arena’s 16K LED display, beginning this fall and continuing through 2024. Formula 1 and Netflix’s Formula 1: Drive to Survive captured a growing American audience for the international racing circuit, and the Las Vegas Grand Prix will hit The Strip Nov. 16-18, 2023, and again Nov. 21-23, 2024. It won’t be the only megaevent on the sports calendar: Las Vegas will host Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11, 2024, at Allegiant Stadium, marking the first time the game will take place in Nevada. Still not enough? The 67-story Fontainebleau Las Vegas will open in December with 3,700 rooms and a ton of buzzy restaurants, including a Casa Dragones Tasting Room and a Chinese noodle den from the restaurateur behind Wagamama and Hakkasan. — Elizabeth Rhodes

Louisville, Kentucky

Nick Simonite/Courtesy of Hotel Genevieve

The Kentucky Derby will celebrate its 150th anniversary on May 4, 2024, as well as the debut of the redesigned Churchill Downs Paddock, which is coming off a multiyear, $200-million renovation. Those that can’t make race day can brush up on the event’s history and culture year-round at the Kentucky Derby Museum , which has interactive exhibits on subjects like Black horsemen’s contributions to racing . Continue on theme at Derby City Hotel, a Canopy by Hilton property, which will open in downtown Louisville this summer with 168 rooms plus a rooftop pool and bar, or opt for another new property, such as The Myriad Hotel, Common Bond Hotel Collection , or the trendy Hotel Genevieve by Bunkhouse Group. Also coming in 2024 is “Ali,” a musical about the Louisville icon, which opens at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts in the fall. There’s news on the spirits scene, too, including the launch of Bourbon and Belonging – Kentucky’s Queer Bourbon Week, a statewide celebration running Oct. 3-6, 2024, that will have events in Louisville and beyond. — Elizabeth Rhodes

Alessandra Amodio/Travel + Leisure

As close as you can get to Europe without the transatlantic flight, this island city of nearly 2 million is newly relevant in the year ahead, thanks to forward-thinking infrastructure that’s made it one of the greenest and most visitor-friendly spots in North America. The Réseau Express Métropolitain, or REM, is a new automated light rail system that Canada’s Globe and Mail calls “ Montreal’s biggest public transit project in more than half a century ,” with a growing number of stations coming online in the years ahead. (All of them are or will be “ universally accessible .”) The Grand Quay, the city-center pier that many cruise ships use, has a new attraction in the form of the Port of Montreal Tower , a blocky observation spire that echoes the look of the famed Habitat 67 nearby. Meanwhile, the city’s bike-sharing program, Bixi, which launched back in 2009, is still going strong and now offers an all-you-can-bike monthly pass for just $14 that makes using the system a no brainer; the city’s 560 miles of bike lanes help, too. The recently renovated Vogue Hotel Montreal Downtown, Curio Collection by Hilton , and the new-in-2023 Honeyrose Hotel, Montreal, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel , join the four-year-old Four Seasons in adding a touch of luxury that had, perhaps, been missing in the heart of the city. That said, Montreal has more than 24,000 hotel rooms — and plenty of Airbnbs — across the metro area, which will make it an ideal last-minute destination for eclipse watchers who want to be in the path of totality on April 8. — Paul Brady

When Paris hosts 329 distinct sporting events next summer, the whole city will be on display: the first-ever Olympic Games breakdancing competition will be at Place de la Concorde; beach volleyball courts will skirt the Eiffel Tower; and the opening ceremony’s Parade of Nations will sail down the Seine River. The host city of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games (July 26-August 11) and Paralympic Games (August 28-September 8) will welcome visitors with a flurry of new hotels and restaurants. Chateau des Fleurs is an extravagant new stay in the eighth arrondissement with 19th-century style and an haute Korean restaurant. Celebrated hotel designer Martin Brudnizki just unveiled two projects : the 50-room Grand Mazarin , in the Marais, and La Fantaisie in the ninth. And the hoteliers behind the Hôtel Dame Des Arts , which appeared on T+L’s 2023 It List , unveiled their train-themed Hôtel des Grand Voyageurs in Saint-Germain-des-Prés in October. The legacy establishments have new life, too: Hotel Plaza Athénée , named the best hotel in Paris by T+L readers, has a French restaurant, Jean Imbert au Plaza Athénée, which recently scored two Michelin stars, to say nothing of the property’s brand-new Dior Spa. And the sumptuous La Tour d’Argent restaurant just got a sensational facelift. Meanwhile, “numerous museums and institutions will host sports-related exhibitions, films, performances, workshops, and kids’ programming throughout the summer,” writer Lindsey Tramuta reported in T+L’s November 2023 issue. For those in need of a sports break, La Galerie Dior and Fragonard Musée du Parfum are two new additions to the scene worth checking out. — Maya Kachroo-Levine

For Moments on the Water

Coastal alaska.

Cruising is back in a big way, and Alaska's Inside Passage is leading the charge. In 2023, the state saw ships including Regent’s Seven Seas Explorer and Carnival’s Luminosa for the first time, while Royal Caribbean recently sent Brilliance of the Seas north for the first time in years. The new Klawock port, on Prince of Wales Island, is poised to welcome large ships in the 2024 season with food and retail outposts, exhibits detailing Indigenous culture and history, and nature trails. Skagway, a well-known port that’s home to Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and the scenic White Pass and Yukon Route Railway, is getting a 550-foot floating pier, which will allow the port to host two megaships simultaneously beginning in the 2024 season. Lately, that season has been getting longer: most companies run trips May to September, but Norwegian Cruise Line had October sailings in 2023, which gave passengers a look at Alaskan life during a quieter season. Considering Alaska is projected to notch 1.65 million cruise travelers on around 700 voyages this year, opting for a shoulder season trip in 2024 might not be a bad idea. —  Nina Ruggiero

Coastal Norway

Sebastian Lamberg Torjusen/Courtesy of Salmon Eye

Long known for its cutting-edge design and architectural marvels like the Oslo Opera House, Norway has lately doubled down on building big. “Over the last few years, we’ve seen a surge in new attractions,” confirmed Katrine Mosfjeld, the chief marketing officer for Visit Norway. In seaside Oslo, the new luxury hotel Sommero is a study in adaptive reuse, inside a landmark building from 1930 originally designed by famed Norwegian architects Andreas Bjercke and Georg Eliassen. Four hours southwest, in Kristiansand, the Kunstsilo , or Art Silo, is another repurposed wonder: the one-time industrial complex will reemerge in 2024 as a museum devoted to Nordic modernist art. Up the coast, in Bergen, Iris Expedition Dining is a new tasting-menu destination located in Hardangerfjord, inside a floating sculpture known as the Salmon Eye. North of the Arctic Circle, the long-awaited Six Senses Svart promises to be one of the hottest openings anywhere when it finally debuts. The ring-shaped resort, at the base of the Svartisen glacier, aims to be off-grid, carbon-neutral, and emissions-free, with a zero-waste dining program and a “design lab,” as the hotel calls it, meant to foster further innovation. — Taylor McIntyre

Douro River, Portugal

Courtesy of Tauck

As recently as a decade ago, almost nobody was talking about wine tourism in Portugal. These days, “you have to see the Douro River,” said Sheree M. Mitchell , a T+L A-List advisor based in the country and the president of Immersa Global. “It’s non-negotiable.” Mitchell’s preferred way to do it is on a yacht charter, which gives guests the chance to spend a few hours or days hitting quintas , or wine estates, and dining at Michelin Guide–approved restaurants like Castas e Pratos . Cruises are a more affordable option, and lines are expanding their presence on the river, which cuts across Spain and Northern Portugal before reaching the Atlantic in the city of Porto. Tauck , a favorite among T+L readers, unveiled the Andorinha in 2021, which will sail 33 wine-country itineraries in 2024. Another T+L reader favorite, Viking, will have four ships on the Douro in the year ahead, visiting towns such as Peso da Régua and Pinhão, in the heart of port country. And AmaWaterways recently announced a special November 2024 departure that will “explore the history of the Black and African diaspora in Lisbon and along Portugal's stunning Douro River,” according to the brand. — Maya Kachroo-Levine

Faroe Islands

This remote, starkly beautiful archipelago in the North Atlantic just got way more accessible. Summer 2023 saw Atlantic Airways launch nonstop flights from New York Stewart International, 70 miles north of New York City, to Vágar Airport, in the islands. “This direct flight is not only about easier transport to our great ocean nation, but a means of creating a bridge between two worlds,” Jóhanna á Bergi, CEO of Atlantic Airways, told T+L. The news seems to have been warmly received by U.S. travelers. Melissa Lee , a Northern Europe specialist on T+L’s A-List said she has seen an uptick in interest in the Faroes. "Previously, you could only get there from Copenhagen, or Reykjavik, Iceland.” Once there, a world of adventure awaits, with activities including cold-water surfing , traditional knitting , and hiking to places such as Sørvágsvatn, the so-called lake above the ocean . Then there’s the top-flight dining: the restaurant Roks in Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands’ capital, is an offshoot of Koks, the Michelin two-starred restaurant in Greenland which is presently on hiatus. — Liz Cantrell

Kimberley, Australia

Bruno Cazarini/Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

This destination in northwest Australia, also called The Kimberleys, is home to ancient wonders: dinosaur tracks; striated geological formations, some 350 million years old, known as Bungle Bungles; waterfalls and reefs that seem unmoored from time; and Aboriginal history from what some call the world’s oldest continuous culture . Lately, though, some of the world’s top cruise lines have caught on to all the upside and are racing to offer thrilling expedition-style itineraries that combine all this history with modern-day adventures, such as sightseeing flights by helicopter, paddling, Zodiac tours, scuba diving, and cultural excursions. Silversea will have its Silver Cloud in the region from May through September, doing 10- to 17-day trips, with a maximum of 200 passengers. Seabourn is also bullish on the destination, and its newest expedition ship, the 132-suite Seabourn Pursuit , will spend June, July, and August cruising the region. (Both lines are perennial favorites among T+L readers .) Also operating on this remarkable stretch of coast are several Australian companies , including Coral Expeditions and True North Adventure Cruises , as well as private yacht charters like those organized by Yotspace . — Paul Brady

The Mississippi River

Courtesy of Viking

New ships are bringing fresh interest to one of America’s most storied waterways, meaning now’s the time to consider river cruising closer to home. “The Mississippi River is such an important part of American history,” said Adam Peakes, president of Hornblower Group, the parent company of American Queen Voyages. The line will have two ships on the Mississippi in 2024, both of which are already booking up for summer. “Many of our cabin categories are nearly at capacity almost a year in advance,” Peakes added. Other brands are also betting on the river: the Viking Mississippi launched in 2022, with 193 Scandi-chic suites, all with private verandas; American Cruise Lines has launched three new ships on the Mississippi in the past three years. There are new draws on land, too. In Memphis, the newly completed riverfront Tom Lee Park has an installation by artist Theaster Gates and a pavilion named for Tyre Nichols; the expansive riverfront attraction — a collaborative effort from Studio Gang, Scape Studio, and numerous other architectural and design firms — sits just south of Beale Street and is connected to the city via the River Line, a walking and cycling path. Meanwhile Natchez, Mississippi, is these days “filled with surprises, thanks in large part to a cohort of young natives who wandered away and then returned home with new ideas,” according to Southern Living ; come December, the town hosts holiday markets akin to those in Central Europe, as T+L recently reported . In St. Louis, the newest 21c Museum Hotel recently opened in a renovated, century-old YMCA building, with numerous permanent art installations as well as rotating shows and a beautiful, all-day cafe. And, of course, there’s always New Orleans . — Paul Brady

Courtesy of Cunard

Few voyages are as iconic as a transatlantic crossing aboard a Cunard ocean liner. So when the new Queen Anne departs Southampton, England, in May 2024, expectations will be sky-high for the first new Cunard ship to launch since the Queen Elizabeth in 2010. The 1,498-cabin vessel is slated to sail to Lisbon and will then spend its first summer in the Mediterranean. It will also represent an evolution for the 183-year-old brand: Queen Anne will have four new restaurants, including an omakase venue and an Indian dining room, alongside more familiar options such as the Princess Grill and Queens Grill, all overseen in partnership with U.K. chef Michel Roux, Jr. A top-deck wellness studio, with yoga and other fitness classes, will be another noteworthy addition to the ship. A third distinction: Queen Anne will be captained by Inger Klein Thorhauge, the first woman to hold that rank for Cunard. For all the new, some familiar traditions will remain, including proper high tea service and, naturally, an outpost of the Golden Lion pub pouring Cunard’s own microbrews. — Paul Brady

Seven Seas Grandeur

Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Slated to launch in November 2023, Seven Seas Grandeur will be the sixth ship from Regent Seven Seas Cruises, a luxury line that T+L readers consistently say is one of their absolute favorites thanks to no-nonsense, all-inclusive pricing and fabulous suites. The newcomer will feature fresh takes on the elevated dining, shore excursions, and entertainment already found on ships such as Seven Seas Splendor and Seven Seas Explorer , said Andrea DeMarco, the brand’s president. “ Grandeur is inspired by our rich heritage, but we’re reimagining signature restaurants and offering 15 exceptional suite categories to only 746 guests,” she explained. Among the no-expense-spared features of the new ship will be a multimillion-dollar, 1,600-piece art collection that counts among its trophies a handful of Picassos and a custom Fabergé Egg. (Fittingly, the ship’s godmother is Sarah Fabergé, the director of special projects for the jewelry house.) Grandeur ’s inaugural season will be in the Caribbean, but it will head for the Mediterranean in April before returning to the U.S. in August. — Elizabeth Rhodes

For Nature Lovers

Amboseli national park, kenya.

Courtesy of Angama

This 151-square-mile expanse, close to the border with Tanzania, is famed among safari insiders for its big-time wildlife: Amboseli has a well-earned reputation for elephant spotting, with massive herds roaming the dusty plains, along with all sorts of other charismatic creatures including cheetah, giraffe, and zebra. Camps and lodges surrounding the park tend to be basic, which is one reason the fall 2023 opening of the richly appointed Angama Amboseli is so exciting. The second? The 10-suite lodge is the first spinoff of the Angama Mara , a destination hotel that's among the best safari lodges in the world, according to T+L readers . The new property, located about 45 minutes driving from Amboseli National Park, on a private wildlife conservancy, will offer game drives as well as cultural experiences organized in partnership with local communities. Another draw: Angama Amboseli will have unparalleled views of the peak of nearby Mount Kilimanjaro, including from private patios attached to every suite. — Paul Brady

Aspen Mountain, Colorado

Jesse Hoffman/Courtesy of Aspen Snowmass

The legendary ski destination is getting its biggest makeover in four decades this season, with the opening of a new lift, a high-speed quad known as Hero’s that will make accessible a fresh 153 acres of fluffy powder. The project will increase the mountain’s skiable terrain by some 20 percent, adding more than a dozen new chutes, glades, and trails for intermediate and expert skiers. “The quad is a game-changer for Aspen,” said Maureen Poschman, a spokesperson for the Aspen Chamber Resort Association. “The new terrain is a big area, it’s high-altitude skiing, and it’s a bit of a hedge against climate change,” she noted. Not that you have to be a pro skier to find something to love in ever-evolving Aspen, which experienced an influx of residents the past few years . The cultural calendar is as packed as ever; Balenciaga and Hermès now have shops in the heart of town; and scene-y restaurants, including a Sant Ambroeus coffee bar, keep popping up. Where to stay? Mollie Aspen is the newest luxury hotel in town, slated to open in December with 68 rooms designed by Post Company, plus a rooftop plunge pool and terrace, right in the middle of it all. — Denny Lee

Big Sky, Montana

Mark Hartman

Just an hour from Yellowstone National Park, this wild, wide-open area offers heart-pumping activities such as fly fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and skiing at every turn. So, thankfully, a new retreat from hospitality brand One&Only is slated to bring some rest and relaxation to Big Sky in 2024. Situated between Lone Mountain and the Spanish Peaks, the 73-room Moonlight Basin will provide convenient access to 5,850 skiable acres, with a dedicated gondola connecting guests to Big Sky’s terrain, plus a private ski lodge and a Chenot spa. (The resort will also have 19 villas and 62 private residences.) The first U.S. outpost of One&Only, Moonlight Basin arrives a few years after another five-star resort, Montage Big Sky , which opened in 2021, with 139 rooms, six dining venues, a bowling alley, a huge spa, and, naturally, ski-in, ski-out access. — Alisha Prakash

Hokkaido, Japan

Courtesy of Club Med

Travelers are flocking back to Japan , but in the year ahead, they should look beyond Tokyo and Kyoto. Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s main islands, has a sterling reputation for food — its biggest city, Sapporo, is famous for miso ramen — and its Shiretoko National Park is a natural wonder with excellent hiking and photogenic waterfalls. Hokkaido is also, insiders know, one of the world’s premier ski destinations thanks to simply phenomenal snow . The center of the action is the village of Niseko, which has plenty of hotels, homestays, and resorts — but has gotten a touch easier to visit thanks to the 2022 opening of Club Med Kiroro. The something-for-everyone property has two distinctive concepts, Club Med Kiroro Peak , for guests age 12 and older, and the new-in-2023 Club Med Kiroro Grand , a family-friendly alternative. These all-inclusives are helping to eliminate the intimidation factor when booking a Japanese ski week, by rolling up everything from accommodations and equipment rentals to off-the-mountain entertainment and kids' clubs. Another perk? Club Med Kiroro Grand will also have the brand’s first-ever Japanese onsen alongside other wellness facilities including soaking tubs and saunas. — Danielle Pointdujour

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Sven Musica/Courtesy of Madwaleni River Lodge - Babanango Game Reserve

This out-of-the-way South African province, sometimes shortened to KZN and located on the country’s eastern coast, is moving into the spotlight. “KwaZulu-Natal has two World Heritage Sites — the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the majestic uKhahlamba Drakensberg National Park — and is popular for its beaches, safari parks, green hills, and temperate weather,” said Julian Harrison , a safari expert and longtime member of T+L’s A-List. It’s also home to an ambitious rewilding project backed by the Emcakwini Community Trust , which began reintroducing once-endemic species including black rhino, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, and lion in 2018; today, it’s known as Babanango Game Reserve . Harrison also points to other conservation efforts, such as those underway at andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve , which is monitoring critically endangered Temminck’s ground pangolins. The newly opened Madwaleni River Lodge is the place to stay, said Raza Visram , another A-List expert. “The intimate lodge has 12 beautifully designed tents that overlook the White Umfolozi River,” he explained. There’s also Sala Beach House , an oceanfront escape on Thompson’s Bay that writer Heather Richardson detailed in T+L’s September 2023 issue . Coming soon in KZN will be The Homestead , a 12-suite eco-lodge in the province’s western Nambiti Game Reserve. — Samantha Falewée

Mababe, Botswana

Dana Allen/Courtesy of Wilderness

Long considered one of Africa’s most exclusive safari destinations, Botswana has a huge array of five-star lodges, operated by the likes of African Bush Camps, andBeyond, and Great Plains Conservation. But the most compelling new place to stay isn’t one with high thread count sheets or over-the-top amenities: Mokete, a new safari lodge from Wilderness , is worth the trip because it will only exist until 2026, when the operator pulls down the tents and carries away any sign the nine-suite escape was ever there. The temporary enclave will be situated east of the famed Okavango Delta, in the heart of a 124,000-acre tract known as the Mababe Concession, which has considerable populations of lion, elephant, and buffalo, plus a huge variety of birds. Wildlife watching is the thing here, with all-day game drives and guided nature walks. Mokete is all about an elemental connection with the outdoors, down to the design of the guest quarters: each tent will have a retractable roof so guests can stargaze from bed — and hear the calls of hyenas from the surrounding bush. — Paul Brady

New Zealand

It’s time to take it off your once-in-a-lifetime list and just go : earlier this year, Delta launched service from Los Angeles to Auckland, and United Airlines plans to start a San Francisco to Christchurch route in December. That’s on top of an existing Air New Zealand nonstop between Auckland and New York City that launched in 2022 . “Any time of year is a great time to visit,” said Sarah Farag , a member of T+L’s A-List and the Auckland-based owner and director of Southern Crossings , a luxury travel firm. “Our summer months are always popular,” Farag said of the December to March period, “but those who come at other times are well-rewarded with captivating colors during autumn harvest season, snow-capped adventures and spectacular stargazing in the winter, and fabulous fishing and hiking in spring.” There’s a growing number of enticing stays, including the new exclusive-use villas at Flockhill Lodge , set on a working sheep station, and the Clifftops at Anderson Cove , a tented camp above the Northland coast. Christchurch has recently seen the opening of two new boutique properties, the sleek, modern Mayfair and the artsy Observatory Hotel ; meanwhile the beloved Huka Lodge in Taupo is getting a makeover. If the outdoors are a priority, turn an eye to the North Island’s Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve , the country’s second, which was certified earlier this year, or the new Tom Doak–designed golf course which just opened at Te Arai Links . — Peter Terzian

For Beach Vibes

Anna maria island, florida.

Flavio Vallenari/Getty Images

Compared to some brand-name Florida destinations, this island south of Tampa Bay is way under the radar. But it's cultivated a loyal following, thanks to its no-high-rises shoreline, incredible sunsets, and small-town feel. Case in point: Anna Maria Island is a place where most people tool around by golf cart or beach cruiser, and almost all the sherbet-hued clapboard homes are vacation rentals. In an effort to keep things copacetic, the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, which works on the island, inked a partnership with Leave No Trace this summer, making Anna Maria the first destination in Florida to work with the nonprofit. Meanwhile, new developments fit right in with the vibe: Mello on the Beach , a hotel that opened in July, offers vibrant retro-style apartments on the Gulf of Mexico, while the villas of Joie Inn , which opened in 2021, still feel super-fresh. On the dining scene, the cocktail bar Doctor’s Office recently added a “dining room” to its string-lit outdoor garden, and coming soon to the island is Bohemian, a restaurant from repeat James Beard semifinalist Jeannie Pierola. Getting there has gotten easier thanks to growth at Sarasota-Bradenton International, which added nonstops to four new domestic destinations in 2023. A planned terminal expansion looks to be right-sized, too: the airport aims to add five gates next year. — Jennifer Salerno Yong

Coastal Campania, Italy

Courtesy of Hotel La Palma

It’s no wonder Campania — the southern Italian region that’s home to Amalfi, Capri, Positano, and Sorrento — is having a bit of a hotel boom: visitors have been flocking to this splashy coastal destination over the past few years. The renaissance kicked off with Il Capri Hotel , which opened on the island last spring, offering travelers a boutique option inside a neo-Gothic villa reminiscent of a Venetian palazzo. Next, Oetker Collection, the luxury hotel brand behind the celeb-loved Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, France, debuted its first Italian hotel in June: the glamorous, 50-room Hotel La Palma is a fresh take on a property that originally opened in 1822. Then there’s the new Convento di Amalfi , a 52-room Anantara with a cliffside pool, set in a 13th-century Capuchin convent. Airlines have also taken note of the increased demand: American Airlines and Delta are both launching new routes to Naples next year, the former from Philadelphia, the latter from New York City. Lindblad Expeditions, meanwhile, will have its new Sea Cloud II in southern Italy this coming May, for an 11-day itinerary that will take guests to the ancient ruins of Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast’s most beautiful seaside villages, with a focus on Italian food and wine. —  Nina Ruggiero

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

The land of pura vida just keeps getting better, which is why Costa Rica was just named T+L’s 2024 Destination of the Year . Surfers can find their bliss at the new, boho-chic Sendero hotel, which opened in February in oceanside Nosara, on the Nicoya Peninsula. A few hours north, the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo has added the new Virador Beach Club, updated its golf course (while cutting water usage), and opened Wellness Shala, a spa that offers healing treatments with local ingredients like cacao, coconut, and volcanic mud. Nearby, the community of Las Catalinas has announced a new mixed-use space, La Rambla, which will promote spending time outside and car-free living. Forward-thinking tour operator Intrepid Travel has launched new trips that shine a light on the Terraba community, one of Costa Rica’s eight Indigenous groups. Meanwhile local outfitters such as UrriTrek are now offering guided hiking trips on the 174-mile Camino de Costa Rica , a trail connecting the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. — Samantha Falewée

The self-declared Nature Island, Dominica has been voted the best island in the Caribbean for the past two years in T+L’s World’s Best Awards , thanks in part to its serene tropical rain forests, enticing hot springs, and gushing waterfalls. There’s also an ever-growing number of resorts and hotels, such as the InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa , which opened this year, and the forthcoming Anichi Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection , and Tranquility Beach Resort — Curio — a Collection by Hilton . Also of note is the new 32-nautical-mile Waitukubuli Sea Trail, which takes sea-kayakers along the island's western coast from Scott’s Head to Capuchin; Soufrière Outdoor Centre can supply equipment, an itinerary, and a guide. And there’s another element to Dominica’s story that’s capturing the attention of travelers who care about sustainability. The volcanically active country plans to commission its first geothermal power plant in 2024, and in the meantime gets about a quarter of its overall power from hydroelectric sources. It’s also home to what T+L has called one of the world’s most eco-friendly resorts, Coulibri Ridge . — Annie Archer

Hawai’i Island

Courtesy of Rosewood Resorts

“We welcome mindful visitors to Hawai‘i Island,” said Ilihia Gionson, the public affairs officer of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, in an interview with T+L. Commonly known as the Big Island, the destination is planning for a meaningful 2024, with the help of returning visitors. “Travelers have the opportunity to help mālama , or care for, our natural resources and support our community to ensure a regenerative model of tourism that is sustained for generations,” Gionson said. The theme of mālama is more significant than ever this year following the devastating fires that impacted both Hawai’i Island and Maui in 2023. Those looking to support relief efforts have many choices, including the Hawaii Red Cross, the Lāhainā Restoration Foundation, and more . Travelers ready to return might consider Kona Village, an iconic hotel that reopened in 2023 as a Rosewood Resort following its closure in 2011. “Each villa feels like your own little beach house,” Nicole Hollis, the interior designer of Kona Village, told T+L . Various events are on the island’s cultural calendar in the year ahead, including the Kona Brewers Festival in March and the Big Island Chocolate Festival in April. — Christine Burroni

Los Cabos, Mexico

Mariah Tyler/Travel + Leisure

With its rugged desert-meets-ocean landscape, 350 days a year of sun, and stunning five-star resorts, Los Cabos isn’t exactly an unexpected choice for a dreamy vacation. But 2024 promises to be a big year for the Baja California destination, thanks to all the new resorts coming to Cabo del Sol, the 1,800-acre community just east of Cabo San Lucas with two miles of beach and two 18-hole golf courses. Four Seasons Resort Cabo San Lucas at Cabo Del Sol and Soho House Beach Club are expected to open in the first part of 2024; Park Hyatt Los Cabos at Cabo Del Sol will join them by the end of the year. On the southern shore of the peninsula — and not far from the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal , a T+L reader fave — there’s even more happening: the resort community of Quivira Los Cabos will welcome the 120-room St. Regis Los Cabos at Quivira by late 2024, with access to 2.5 miles of beach and its own Jack Nicklaus golf course. — Danielle Pointdujour

Mallorca, Spain

Lara D'Agostino/Travel + Leisure

The sparkling waters, delicious food, and laid-back atmosphere are all still here — and Americans are loving United’s summertime nonstop service from Newark Liberty International. In the year ahead, though, they’ll be visiting for the booming luxury hotel scene, which is poised to help this island steal the spotlight from its western neighbor, Ibiza. One must-see is Son Bunyola , a Virgin Limited Edition retreat on Mallorca’s northwest coast, with three miles of beautiful coastline backed by olive groves. Sir Richard Branson first purchased the property in 1994, as T+L recently reported , but it only opened to guests this summer, with 26 rooms and suites, plus three villas. Nearby is The Lodge Mallorca , a Small Luxury Hotels of the World retreat that opened in May, which has wood-fired dining and extensive wellness programming. Then there’s the first hotel from 22-time Grand Slam champion and Majorcan Rafael Nadal, whose new Zel lifestyle brand has opened — what else? — Zel Mallorca , an approachable, beachy hotel in partnership with Meliá, the Spanish operator. Coming soon, said Clare Watkins, an expert in the Balearic Islands at Red Savannah , are more exciting properties: Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor will be a top-to-bottom refresh of a century-old hotel, while Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra, Mallorca, will have 131 rooms, plus 44 suites and nine bungalows, overlooking the sea just outside Palma. — Danielle Pointdujour

For Adventurous Travelers 

Alula, saudi arabia.

Didier Marti/Getty Images

Of all the ambitious tourism developments in Saudi Arabia, AlUla may be the most enchanting, which may explain why Qatar Airways recently launched new flights to the destination from its Doha hub. This huge sweep of red rocks and desert in the country’s northwest is home to Hegra, a 2,000-year-old archeological site filled with soaring tombs carved by the Nabataean civilization, the same one that built Petra, in modern-day Jordan. After touring ancient history, visitors can retreat to decadent contemporary hotels, including a forthcoming 36-room luxury resort at Hegra that will sensitively incorporate parts of an old railway station and fort. A short drive away, in AlUla’s Old Town, the contrast of old and new continues; the new 30-room eco-hotel Dar Tantora , for example, eschews electricity in favor of candlelight. In the year ahead, more fresh thinking will touch down in AlUla, courtesy of Wadi AlFann, or Valley of the Arts, a permanent showcase of works from big-name international artists. The best way to see it might be from on high, duringca April’s “AlUla Skies” festival, when helicopters and hot air balloons will soar above Instagram-worthy monuments. —  Jacqui Gifford

Bahia, Brazil

Marta Tucci

This coastal state, situated between the Amazon and Rio de Janeiro, is the sort of place most Americans never quite get to — and that’s a shame. Its coastline offers some of the most mythical surf-and-sand spots in the world, including Itacaré, which is home to the community-minded Barracuda Hotel & Villas , and the boho-chic enclave of Trancoso, a place that “first captured the imagination of the international creative set back in the 1980s,” as T+L reported in the September 2023 issue . “The beaches are some of the most picturesque in Brazil,” said Paul Irvine , an expert in the country and member of T+L’s A-List. But, he added, there’s more to Bahia than the coast. “We’ve started sending our more adventurous clients to the Chapada Diamantina National Park ,” he said, “which has its own vibrant, off-grid hippy culture.” While high-end hotels in the area are in short supply, more villa accommodations are popping up all the time. One thing to keep in mind for 2024: Brazil stopped requiring a visa for U.S. citizens back in 2019, but the country’s tourism officials have said that the mandate will return on Jan. 10, though further details on how to apply and any fees have yet to be announced. — Paul Brady

Northern Pakistan

Courtesy of Intrepid Travel

The northern reaches of this South Asian nation have a growing profile in the adventure-travel world, thanks to striking topography, high-elevation lakes, and precipitous peaks. Consider that, in 2023, Intrepid Travel launched a 12-day women-only expedition to the region, a first for the tour operator, which has similar trips in places such as Jordan, India, and Morocco. Intrepid will return in 2024 — with departures in May, September, and October — taking women to ancient villages, alpine lakes, and historic forts; travelers will have ample opportunity to meet with locals in areas that would be off-limits if men were part of the group, according to Intrepid. Other outfitters are heading to Northern Pakistan as well. Wild Frontiers will debut a brand-new, 14-day walking adventure that will no doubt challenge the bodies and minds of those who are up for it, with several full-day hikes, some above 4,000 meters (13,123 feet). The payoff comes in the form of staggeringly beautiful landscapes — not to mention the chance to make connections with people you meet along the way and see historic gems in Islamabad, the trip’s jumping off point. — Alisha Prakash

Peru's Trekking Routes

In a country where all roads seemingly lead to spectacular scenery and historic finds, there’s much more to explore beyond majestic Machu Picchu. These days, travelers have more options for getting off familiar routes thanks to the efforts of companies such as Alpaca Expeditions , an Indigenous-owned outfitter that will lead its first-ever, all-women hiking trip on the Salkantay Trail in 2024. Operated by women — including guides, porters, drivers, chefs, and other staff — for women, the seven-day adventure will include stays high in the Andes and cultural experiences such as cooking classes and farm visits that aren’t typical on more popular Inca Trail trips. Meanwhile the tour operator Intrepid Travel debuted in 2023 a 12-day expedition on the Great Inca Road in northern Peru. Starting in Huaraz and culminating at the Inca site of Huanuco Pampa, the trek will immerse hikers in this less-visited region’s nature and culture, including plentiful archeological sites. — Alisha Prakash

South Australia

ROBERT LANG/Courtesy of South Australia Tourism Commission

Visitors to this low-key state may feel like they’re in on a big-time secret with all that’s happening lately. The biggest news may be Australia’s new national park, Nilpe­na Ediacara , which opened in April and gives travelers a look at the oldest known fossils on the planet. “They’re about 550 million years old,” Mary L. Droser, an American paleontologist, explained in a recent interview with T+L . Across South Australia’s wine country, meanwhile, hotels such as Le Mas Barossa , Sequoia Lodge , and The Vineyard McLaren Vale are gateways to the hundreds of vineyards and cellar doors just outside of Adelaide, the state capital. “South Australia is known as the wine state for a reason,” said Tim Duval, the winemaker at John Duval Wines . Travelers can learn about small-batch wineries (including Duval’s) at Artisans of Barossa ; sample eco-conscious shiraz at Bird in Hand ; and enjoy a tasting in The Cube, a five-story structure fashioned after an unfinished Rubik’s Cube, at d’Arenberg . Another notable stay can be found on Kangaroo Island, where the famed Southern Ocean Lodge is slated to reopen in December after the disastrous bushfires of 2020. — Samantha Lauriello

Tatiana Kashko/Getty Images

This small South Asian island nation has big things on offer. “You can cover a lot of ground in two weeks, with loads of variety in the landscapes, from gorgeous beaches to lush jungles to high mountains to historic cities,” said Catherine Heald, co-founder and CEO of Remote Lands, a luxury travel firm. This year, the tea company Dilmah opened two boutique stays under its Reverie brand, Kayaam House and Ahu Bay ; Sri Lankan–owned hotel group Uga is debuting Uga Riva in Negombo this November; and for foodies, Red Savannah recently rolled out a culinary tour of Sri Lanka. Political unrest in 2022 took the destination off the table for many travelers, acknowledged Rachel Cooper , a South Asia travel expert at Red Savannah. But, she added, "the new government has introduced measures to protect and encourage a positive traveler experience throughout the country.” — Susmita Baral

Where to Go in 2024

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The Accidental Tax Cutter in Chief

President biden says he wants to rake in more money from corporations and high earners. but so far, he has cut more taxes than he’s raised..

Hosted by Michael Barbaro

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In his campaign for re-election, President Biden has said that raising taxes on the wealthy and on big corporations is at the heart of his agenda. But under his watch, overall net taxes have decreased.

Jim Tankersley, who covers economic policy for The Times, explains.

On today’s episode

Jim Tankersley , who covers economic policy at the White House for The New York Times.

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An analysis prepared for The New York Times estimates that the tax changes President Biden has ushered into law will amount to a net cut of about $600 billion over four years.

“Does anybody here think the tax code’s fair?” For Mr. Biden, tax policy has been at the center of his efforts to make the economy more equitable.

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Jim Tankersley writes about economic policy at the White House and how it affects the country and the world. He has covered the topic for more than a dozen years in Washington, with a focus on the middle class. More about Jim Tankersley

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