Turkey offers fascinating places of destination to all travelers. From the breathtaking skyline of Istanbul to historical Roman ruins, you will never find yourself bored during your most-awaited Turkey trip. These top 10 Turkey tourist attractions will surely enrich your trip, so you will have plenty of stories to tell and pictures to show your friends when you go back home.
1- Patara
With a total length of 9 miles, Patara is indeed one of the longest sandy beaches in the Mediterranean. However, this is not your ordinary beach because it is backed by rich history that makes it even more special than it already is. Here, you will find impressive Roman and Lycian ruins that date centuries ago, as well as the amazing swooping dunes that are nearly empty, with the exemption of a cozy cafe. The Patara beach is also a great place to visit for nature enthusiasts, as it serves as the breeding ground of the Loggerhead turtle, which is an endangered turtle specie.
2- Pamukkale
In Turkish, Pamukkale means “cotton castle”, and this place got its name because of its brilliant white-colored terraces. The material used in these terraces was travertine, which is a type of sedimentary rock that is deposited by water. For centuries, locals have bathed in the relaxing pools of the Pamukkale. In addition, the Hierapolis, an ancient Greek city, was built at the peak of the hot springs. In fact, you can find the ruins of the temples, baths, and several other Greek statues at the site.
3- Aspendos
What is truly unique about Aspendos is its well-preserved architecture that tells about its impressive history. In 155 A.D, the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius ordered the construction of the theater of Aspendos. This huge theater could accommodate up to 20,000 people. Eventually, the stage portion of the building was used as a roadside inn, specifically during the Seljuk times. Thus, it underwent constant repairs and maintenance that helped preserve its splendor and natural beauty. To this very day, the theater remains quite impressive, and you can still find its astounding original qualities as when it was first built.
4- Antalya
Antalya is a thriving city in Turkey, which is popular among locals and foreigners because of its superb mix of beaches and attractions. Travelers of all ages will fall in love with this city because of well-known sites such as the Aqua Land, Beach Park, and the Dolphin Land. If you are looking for some historical places to explore in Antalya, then you may want to visit Hadrian’s Gate at the old town center.
5- Bodrum
Centuries ago, Bodrum was merely a small fishing village with only a thousand or so residents. However, this enchanting city became more well-known in the latter half century when it was transformed into one of the country’s hottest destinations. It was more popular among artists, musicians and intellectuals who long for a quiet spot to discover their artistic spirit. Moreover, Bodrum entices more travelers because of its lively cultural appeal that is matched perfectly with the town’s vibrant nightlife. Indeed, Bodrum is the perfect getaway for travelers because of its pristine waters and idyllic beaches that exude serenity and natural beauty.
6- Marmaris
The seaside resort of the famed Marmaris is located at the southwest portion of Turkey. What makes this place quite enigmatic is its picturesque backdrop that features pine-clad peaks that loom behind the resort. At present, Marmaris is a favorite yacht and cruise ship port among British vacationers who look for reasonably-priced destinations to spend their holidays. At the city, you will find numerous fast food restaurants, cobblestone old quarters and the bewitching castle of Suleyman the Magnificent. As you explore outside this busy town, you can find lovely coves and bays that make this place an outstanding day trip destination to explore by boat.
7- Cappadocia
There is something odd about the natural rock formations at Cappadocia, which makes it an interesting historical heritage site. If you want to see bizarre rock formations, then the best place to go is Goreme, a town that is found among termed fairy chimney and tuff cones. These fairy chimneys were said to have been formed because of strong wind, as well as water erosion of different types of volcanic layers. Since it is very easy to carve into the tuff, most of these fairy chimneys have been hollowed out, and now you can find churches, houses and storage areas in these.
8- Mount Nemrut
Mount Nemrut stands at 2,134 meters above sea level, and it is located in the southeastern part of Turkey. According to historians, King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene ordered to have a tomb-sanctuary build on top of the mountain. The tomb was intended to feature statues of himself, as well as two eagles, two lions, and well-known Persian and Greek gods. Since the construction of the tomb, the heads of these statues lay scattered throughout the place, thus giving the eastern portion of the mountain a mysterious vibe because of these bodiless heads surrounding certain areas.
9- Library of Celsus
On the west coast of Turkey, travelers are drawn to visit the city of Ephesus that was once famous for the Temple of Artemis, which is among the seven wonders of the ancient world. However, it was destroyed by a mob in 401 AD. However, you can still see some of its ancient structures such as the Library of Celsus and the Great Theater. The library was constructed at about 125 AD, and it was intended to store 12,000 scrolls, as well as a monumental burial place for Celsus, who was then the governor of Asia. In the 1970s, the library’s facade was reconstructed to preserve its remarkable state.
10- Hagia Sophia
The Hagia Sophia is an impressive architecture found in Istanbul, and it was constructed in the 6th century. The structure was originally a basilica, which was built for the Roman Emperor Justinian I. The majestic dome covers the largest area in the world that remains to be an enclosed space for more than a thousand years. In 1204, the fourth Crusaders looted this church, and it eventually became a mosque during the 15th century when the city was conquered by the Ottoman. In 1935, the Hagia Sophia was turned into a museum, and it is one of Turkey’s famous attractions.
Discover the splendor and mystery of some of Turkey’s popular destinations, as presented in this list of top 10 attractions in the country. Make sure you visit these remarkable places in Turkey that will enrich your knowledge and understanding of this culture-rich nation.