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.
1. Dive down to a Dakota DC-3 aeroplane on the Mediterranean seabed
Submerged in the azure waters of the Mediterranean and just a 10-minute boat ride from Kaş, one of Turkey’s premier diving destinations is the intact, 65ft, fixed-wing Dakota DC-3 aircraft — complete with twin engines, propellers, landing gear, and cockpit instruments.
Manufactured during WWII, and deliberately sunk here in 2009, the 12.25-ton aircraft with its 95ft wingspan was once used by the Turkish Air Force to transport paratroopers. Now, some 70 feet undersea, the wreck is host to a variety of marine life including stingrays, loggerhead turtles, and octopuses, as well as scuba divers seeking subaquatic adventures. Divers can enter the cargo hold of the plane, eerily perched skyward as if ready for another takeoff.
2. Get a bird’s-eye view of Ephesus
The ancient Roman city of Ephesus was once a hugely popular stop on the Silk Road and it is now one of the most popular things to do in Izmir, welcoming almost 2 million visitors a year.
In ancient times, people from all over the world sailed to the port to stock up on exotic spices and fruits, visit the talented Turkish cloth-makers, or just soak up the flavour of the multicultural city.
The restored Celsus library, constructed with a double-wall technique to preserve the 12,000 scrolls that were housed there, is a great reminder of the value we humans have always placed on knowledge and learning.
The best way to appreciate the size and breadth of the city’s historical footprint is from one of the airborne adventures offered from nearby Selçuk. Microlight, ultralight, and skydiving flights will have adventurers soaring above the Roman ruins, the remains of the Temple of Artemis — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — and more. Keep an eye skyward too for the new International Turkey Balloon Fiesta, which may in the future provide another aerial view of Ephesus.
3. Sea kayak over a sunken Lycian city
Sea kayak is used by eskimo to hunt seals, walrus and fishies. Now kayaks are used as a vehicle going freedomly to somewhere in sea. In our seakayaking tour we use kayaks to explore kekova sunken city and amazing bays. Sea kayaking is the best way to get up close to the 3000 year old ruins of the sunken city. You will pass over the sunken ruins and touch the Lycian history.
4. Take on the Çoruh River Class 5 rapids
The Coruh River in north-east Turkey is recognized as one of the top ten white water rivers in the world, with its high volume rapids (up to grade 5 in May and June) fed by the snow-melt from the eastern Black Sea mountains in the north-east of Turkey.
It flows through spectacular canyons and narrow fertile valleys or orchards and tiny paddy fields, past ancient ruined castles all set against a backdrop of magnificent rugged mountains and traditional village life virtually untouched by tourism.
Coruh River is frequented by local and foreign sportsmen, who travel each year to this area for canoeing, rafting and trekking in the Kackar Mountains.
The best way to reach the summit at Kackar Mountains is via the villages of Yaylalar and Olgunlar. Dilberdüzü makes an excellent campsite. From there proceed to Deniz Lake and the summit at 3,9377 m. Local guides and mules to carry personal belongings may be hired. An alternative route is to the summit is to pass horizontally by Trans-Kackar on one of several trails.
5. See a different side (and season) of Turkey at Kartalkaya
Kartalkaya is accepted as today's increasing hot spot for winter travel due to its proximity to Turkey's commercial capital, Istanbul. Once a quiet, developing winter holiday destination, Kartalkaya is now where young skiers and many tourists visit for a weekend getaway. Kartalkaya is a favorite for snowboarders with its experts-only off-track slopes. The discipline of this skiing resort resembles those in the Alps and it is very convenient for tour skiing. Kartalkaya sits at more than 2,200-meters high in the Köroğlu Mountains and the surrounding area is covered with pine forests. The suitable season for skiing here is between December and March, and the snow depth can reach 3 meters. There are six hotels operating in this popular skiing destination, they are generally completely full over the weekend and reach 85 percent capacity with weekday reservations in the winter as well. That is why you must make reservations ahead of time before visiting the mountain. When you think of skiing and weekend holidays, I assure you that Kartalkaya is the first place that comes into the mind. In Kartalkaya, there is no vivid nightlife for travelers; the nights that you will spend there are mostly for relaxation and resting. So, if you are a professional skier or what you are looking for is not a skiing adventure but a tranquil weekend getaway near Istanbul, Kartalkaya should be at the top of your list.
Kartalkaya is a perfect spot for good skiers or for those who are looking for a serene place to enjoy the winter.
6. Hike the gastro-trekking trails of the Kızılırmak River Basin
Most experienced trekkers have heard of Turkey’s long-distance Lycian Way that traces the Mediterranean Coast, but just one look at the Cultural Routes Society website and you’ll see there’s plenty more trekking to choose from throughout the country. To mix hiking with adventures of the gastronomic kind, look no further than Çorum Province’s self-guided Gastronomy Route, northeast of Ankara.
This route is the first of its kind in Turkey and follows the ancient trading and migration routes largely centered around the Kızılırmak River Basin. Best explored between April and November, the route consists of 25 walking trails, seven cycling trails, and a 702km vehicle route for travelers on four wheels. The assortment of itineraries leads through the highlands and river basin past the waterfalls, forests, castles, bridges, and lakes of northern Central Anatolia while giving access to the unique culture, crafts, and farm-to-table delicacies of the villages en route.
7. Take a wild family adventure in Dalyan
Turkey is great as a holiday destination, as it’s very accessible, but there are still parts of the country that are off the beaten tourist path. The area around Dalyan, not far from Dalaman on the Turquoise Coast, is one of those parts. Plan a Turkish family holiday and you’ll have a wonderfully relaxing and unforgettably fun time. Here are five things to do on a holiday in Dalyan:
- Get Muddy
- Go white-water Rafting
- See Baby Turtles
- Visit 12 Islands in a Day
- Explore Some Ancient History
8. Make “yakamoz angels” on a blue cruise during a new moon
“Yakamoz,” voted the world’s most beautiful word in 2007, is “phosphorescence” in Turkish. It mainly means “moonlight on water,” but also refers to another marine experience when floating phytoplankton illuminate the sea, leaving a trail of twinkling light in their wake when disturbed. Mother Nature’s psychedelic show is best seen on a Mediterranean blue cruise during a new moon, when the lunar light is low. Passengers can plunge into the waters to wade on their backs and make “yakamoz angels.”
9. Ride the winds and surf of the Çeşme Peninsula
In summer, the meltem wind starts like clockwork at 10-11 am, strengthening during the afternoon to 4-5 Beaufort, before dying out at sunset. But it is not uncommon for the wind to get up to 5-7 Beaufort, and continue blowing day and night for a week or more. Small kite days and huge jumps...
Off-season the wind is more variable but the weather is still warm in April/May and October/November. Even in December, the kiteboarding conditions can be excellent. There are some great kiteboarding spots on the Cesme peninsula for freestyle and wave riding. You will have the place to yourself too.
Best time for kiteboarding in Alacati is May and October when the wind is good for kiteboarding and the weather is great.
