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| the most beautiful places in Turkey |
From the most beautiful historical places such as mosques and temples to natural wonders like pools and fishing villages
Located at the intersection of Europe and Asia, Turkey is known for its unique blend of cultures, flavors, religions, and histories. This fusion of East and West creates a transcontinental culture clash that adds to the country's allure. Turkey is a land of sensory delight, from bustling bazaars and ornate mosques to mouthwatering cuisine and captivating art. Its charm extends beyond its cosmopolitan cities to enchanting destinations like Cappadocia with its fairy-tale landscapes. The country's beauty is diverse, with both stunning natural wonders and ancient treasures waiting to be discovered in its inland regions. Turkey's historical significance as the former playground of renowned figures like Cleopatra, Mark Antony, Caesar, and Alexander the Great contrasts with its current lesser-known status compared to analogous destinations in Italy and Greece. During summer, Turkey's exquisite Turquoise Coast attracts gulets embarking on Blue Voyages spanning from the Aegean to the eastern Mediterranean, with stops for swimming in pristine bays and leisurely lunches in traditional fishing villages. These idyllic settings, featuring blue-painted tables under pink bougainvillea canopies, offer a glimpse into a timeless existence. Here, we present a curated list of Turkey's most enchanting places to explore.
1. The Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia
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The Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia |
Cappadocia's wondrous landscapes resemble a fantasy world high on the Anatolian plateau. The honey-colored rocks eroded into sculptural forms resembling minarets, magic mushrooms, and what are known as Fairy Chimneys. Underground, settlers have carved cave houses, churches, monasteries from the soft volcanic rock since the Bronze Age - even entire subterranean cities! At sunrise or sunset, take a hot-air balloon ride; it's the thing to do. Behold nature's grandeur from horseback or cycle. Witness the spectacle from a cave hotel terrace in Göreme town. Admire Sultan Cave Suites' rooftop, Museum Hotel, or Kayakapis outdoor pools. Relish Cappadocia Cave Suites' rustic charm or Yunak Evleri's film-set-like ambiance. Hundreds of balloons drift overhead as apricot light bathes this extraordinary land at sundown. Truly, it is one of Earth's most romantic spots.
2. The pools of Pamukkale
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pools of Pamukkale |
The mineral springs have been flowing down the hillside for a very long time. They have formed an amazing sight known as Pamukkale, which means 'cotton castle' in Turkish. This place is located in Turkey's Büyük Menderes Valley. There are many natural pools filled with pale green water. These pools have shallow basins with organic shapes made of shiny white travertine stone. The pools are arranged in a terraced pattern on the hillside. The mineral-rich spring water overflows from one pool to the next. It looks like the flowing water has frozen in time, forming petrified waterfalls and limestone stalactites that resemble dripping wedding cake icing down the hill. Many tourists visit this spectacular sight, but the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, a Greco-Roman spa town built around the healing springs at the top of the site, are often overlooked. You can soak in Cleopatra's actual bath, a gift from Mark Antony. Once part of Apollo's temple, doric pillars lie underwater. Flowers surround the pool's edges.
3. Blue Lagoon, Olüdeniz
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| Blue Lagoon, Olüdeniz |
Here is the view on the Turquoise Coast. A sandy bay curves around a bright blue sea. The beach's white strip shapes gentle waves on shallow waters. The sand meets the clear sea with swirling patterns of light and dark blue. Nearby hills stand as resting dragons covered in trees. The sky above has many paragliders floating. Pilots get a bird's eye view of this slice of paradise.
4. Gümüşlük, Bodrum
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Gümüşlük, Bodrum |
Through the 19th century, fishing villages dotted the Bodrum Peninsula. Only reachable via water, today boats provide the ideal transport. Amongst these villages, Gümüşlük charms the most. Lining the water's edge are ramshackle restaurants and simple driftwood shacks. Some set within shallow waters, let you dine on meze and freshly-grilled fish, feet submerged (Mimoza is prime). Jewel-toned, hand-painted gourd lanterns hang from trees and canopies. Sculptural in sunlight, enchanting when lit at night. It's Bodrum's sunset-viewing haven.
5. The domes of Istanbul
The domes of Istanbul
Over the Golden Horn stands one of Istanbul's lovely mosques - Ortaköy. White marble and stone give it beauty, with pretty pink mosaics inside. Beside the Bosphorus bridge, by the water's edge, it dazzles at sunset in golden light. Mornings too are breathtaking when the call rings across the water. Some of Istanbul's mosques are splendid sights. The architectural gem, Hagia Sofia, began 1,500 years ago as a Byzantine cathedral. Ottomans converted it to a mosque later. In the 1930s, it became a museum until summer 2020. The building has a long history of being both a church and a mosque. Now, people go there to pray or think about its wonderful golden dome and sunlight through stained glass. Next is the Blue Mosque, built in Ottoman times, with blue tiles inside and outside. Even the Pope visited in 2006 and thanked God for its beauty. Suleyman the Great built Suleymaniye Mosque in the 1500s on Istanbul's Third Hill. It is grand, with marble columns, gardens, and great city views.
6. Patara
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Patara |
Patara Beach stretches seven miles and more. It is Turkey's most beautiful beach - and empty too! Crashing waves hit the pale sand. Trees, marshes, and lagoons are along the other side. It's now a natural park, home to many birds. You feel surrounded by nature and water. Loggerhead turtles live here, an endangered species. The turtles help keep the beach unspoiled and protected. Ruins of ancient Patara city also lie here. Apollo's son built the city, they say.
1. The ruins provide access to the shore, featuring an amphitheater, a parliament building (unearthed in the 1990s), and the column-lined remnants of the main street. It is speculated that Apollo's temple remains hidden below, waiting to be uncovered.
7. Kaş
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Kaş The Most Beautiful Place in Turkey |
Kaş, an old fishing village, is located far from the bustling seaside hubs, making it a unique destination for hippie travelers and boho-chic Turks. The village features charming crazy-paved streets flanked by traditional white-washed houses adorned with wooden balconies draped in bougainvillea, set against a picturesque mountain backdrop. Its stunning turquoise sea, rustic swimming terraces, and daybeds perched over the water, adorned with colorful cushions and textiles, offer a tranquil escape. Kaputaş beach, with its dazzling white sands and vibrant blue waters, is a sight to behold, surrounded by dramatic cliffs. Nearby, off the coast of Kekova, lies an underwater city waiting to be explored with snorkels, visible through the crystal-clear waters.
8. Ephesus
Ephesus
Turkey boasts a plethora of ancient sites, many of which are significantly less frequented compared to similar sites in Italy and Greece. Among these, Ephesus, now under the protection of UNESCO, stands out as one of the most magnificent. The Temple of Artemis, once part of the ancient city of Ephesus, was one of the original Seven Wonders of the World. Although little of it remains today, the remnants of Ephesus continue to captivate visitors. Situated away from the Aegean coast, this settlement traces its origins back 9,000 years. Within its boundaries, one can find a blend of Roman, Christian, Ottoman, Hellenistic, and Greek monuments, including colonnaded streets, temples, a vast amphitheater, and the well-preserved façade of Celso’s library, which still stands against the backdrop of the azure Mediterranean sky.
9. Butterfly Valley, Fethiye
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Butterfly Valley, Fethiye |
The Lycian Way offers walkers a truly magnificent reward in the form of the breathtaking view they encounter while passing above Butterfly Valley. This remarkable sight consists of a stunning cove that has been carved out of the land, with towering cliffs on either side of the narrow blue bay. As you approach the shore, the water transitions from a deep blue to a vibrant turquoise. At the base of this picturesque scene lies a small beach made up of sand and pebbles, which can only be reached by boat. Here, visitors will find a campsite complete with a beach bar that serves refreshing beers and delicious grilled fish. Additionally, yoga classes are held beneath the shade of the surrounding trees. If you venture further into the valley, which has historically served as a trade route, you will be greeted by lush greenery and enchanting waterfalls. During the spring season, the valley becomes a haven for over 100 different species of butterflies.
10. Balat, Istanbul
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| Balat, Istanbul |
Istanbul’s artsy neighborhood of Balata, the old Jewish quarter, has color-popping pockets amid its more down-at-heel residential streets – bright-painted stairs (like those up to Incir Ağacı Kahvesi café), street art, parasol-shaded streets and terraced wooden houses in sugary pastels and rainbow shades (try Kiremit Caddesi). Wind around the steep cobbled lanes to dig out surprises in the rootsy cafés and vintage shops live music venues and edgy art galleries.
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