Out of all the cities to visit in Turkey, some are more popular than others and for good reasons. They offer everything including an intense shopping scene, vibrant nightlife, priced hotels and many attractions or places of interest.
Their diversity drives foreign and domestic tourism as every type of traveller from young to old, solo to groups flock to enjoy many highlights. From the east to the west, whether you want a 2-day quick break or a week-long holiday, our suggestions of Turkey’s greatest metropolis should appear on every bucket list.
Turkey is not just about beaches. Sure, the south coast is dotted with countless stunning clear-sea beaches, but if you assume that’s all Turkey is about, you’re missing out in a big, big way!
The authentic Turkish way of life is something every visitor should experience, and the single best way to do that is to head away from the beach resorts and visit a couple of cities in Turkey. In the ancient Turkish cities, you’ll get to experience culture, traditions and enjoy the very best cuisine around. You’ll also see history in abundance.
Of course, Turkey is a big country, which means many urban places to visit in Turkey. To help you figure out the best cities in Turkey to head to, let’s check out where to go in Turkey for urban vibes, historical landmarks, and delicious cuisine.
Turkey winter essentials
- Apply for a tourist visa to visit Turkey: Use iVisa to check your requirements and apply for an expedited visa online.
- Where to stay in Turkey: Find a cosy guesthouse or winter cabin on turkeytoursplanners.com.
- Top winter experience: Take a hot air balloon flight over snowy Cappadocia.
- Rent a car in Turkey: Use Local Rent to find a budget-friendly rental from a local agent.
1. Lake Çıldır Sleighing
A favorite winter destination for Turkish tourists, who flock here during February, Lake Çıldır is still well off most foreign visitor's radars. This high-altitude lake, in Turkey's mountainous northeastern corner, is a winter wonderland and well worth the long journey out here.
The lake is Turkey's second biggest, measuring 123 square kilometers.
During the winter months, Lake Çıldır freezes solid and is surrounded by a landscape of snowy mountains. Locals run horse-sleigh trips and ice-fishing trips out onto the lake throughout the depths of winter. It's a highly popular way to experience this fantastical snow-blanketed landscape, which seems to have dropped straight out of a storybook.
Sleighing tours often include a visit to one of the ice-fishing sites on the lake, where local villagers demonstrate their traditional winter fishing skills.
2. Kaş, Antalya
Standing out with its diving tourism due to its immaculate sea, Kaş is located in the west of Antalya. This is a holiday centre that is chirping in the summer with its ancient cities, historical buildings, colourful bazaar and pleasant accommodation options. Kaputaş Beach, one of the most famous beaches in our country, is also located here. You can also choose Kaş for a calm yet colourful holiday.
3. The Comfort of Cappadocia and Skiing on Mount Erciyes
In the central Anatolian region of Turkey, Cappadocia is a unique landscape of fairy chimneys and cave churches. During summer, fields turn green and spring sees an abundance of flowers and trees blooming but equally as stunning during winter, is the appearance of the lunar-like and moon landscape under snow.
The region is considerably quieter than summer, but all activities including the top recommended early hot air balloon ride still operate. Also open is the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Goreme Open Air Museum hosting cave churches with 13th and 14th-century original biblical frescoes. Be sure to book a hotel with built-in fireplace or air conditioning since the temperatures drop because of the high altitude. To take advantage of the winter season, travel a short distance to nearby Mount Erciyes that is one of the major skiing destinations in Turkey.
4. Bodrum the Best Holiday Destination
Bodrum is at the top of holiday destinations in Turkey. Perhaps the most well-known and the most talked about holiday destination is Bodrum. If you want to spend a magnificent holiday with the sea, sand and sun in Turkey, the first place you should go is Bodrum.
It is feasible to find various accommodation opportunities in the town, which is flowed by local and foreign tourists every summer. High-star facilities of international hotel brands serving around the world, holiday resorts, boutique hotels, family-run smaller hotels, hotels, or hostels make a Bodrum holiday possible for you that appeals to all tastes and budgets.
Yalikavak, Turgutreis, Torba, Gumusluk, Bitez, Akyarlar, Gumbet, Gundogan are some of the best-known holiday destination in Turkey, Bodrum to spend your summer vacation.
5. Uludag Ski Central
Home to one of Turkey’s most famous ski resorts, the Uludag Mountains boast 28 kilometres of slopes for beginner and experienced skiers. The majority of visitors ascend the mountain via the Uludag cable car, which takes approximately 25 minutes and spans 9 kilometres, making it the longest in Turkey.
Ski season is obviously the most popular time to visit Uludag, with skiing and snowboarding attracting many locals and international tourists alike. Even if you’re not a skier, there are lots of things to do beyond the slopes. A snow safari is a great way to soak up this winter-wonderful landscape without donning skis.
Don’t miss a day trip to Cumalikizik, located at the foot of the mountain near Bursa. This village is beloved for its 270 rubble stone and wood houses, many perfectly preserved or lovingly restored. Kids and adults alike will love wandering through this living ethnography museum.
6. Çeşme, İzmir
Çeşme, which has become the most popular place in İzmir for the summer holidays, also has the most beautiful beaches in Turkey. With its fine white sand, warm sea and thermal springs, this beautiful place is ideal for a grand holiday. This is why it attracts interest throughout the season. You can also choose this favourite location for a pleasant holiday.
7. Istanbul: The Biggest and Best
Without a doubt, Istanbul is Turkey’s most famous city. It’s also the busiest and largest city in Turkey. Of course, it’s not the capital city anymore, but that doesn’t stop millions of visitors from heading there every single year to experience that bustling Istanbul city life.
Istanbul is a city like no other. Firstly, it’s the only major city in the world to straddle two continents; half of Istanbul is in Europe, and the other half is in Asia! You cross the Bosphorus, and you’re literally in another continent entirely. Cool, right?
The other reason people head to Istanbul is that it’s packed with history. The buildings in Istanbul will make your jaw drop, but there is plenty of the modern-day there too. History, gastronomy, shopping, nightlife, you name it, you’ll find it. There’s far too much to mention here, so let’s summarize it a little.
