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Turkey, [a] officially the Republic of Türkiye, [b] is a country mainly in Anatolia in West Asia, with a smaller part called East Thrace in Southeast Europe.
- Istanbul
- Cappadocia
- Turquoise Coast
- Eastern Black Sea and Kaçkar Mountains
- Southeastern Anatolia
- Datça and Bozburun Peninsulas
- Türkiye's Far East
- Gallipoli and The North Aegean
- Safranbolu
- Pamukkale
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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 Palaceattest to the city’s centuries-long history as the capital of po...
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 ba...
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 a...
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 w...
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 exp...
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 Bodrumand Marmaris, you’ll find miles of dramatic rocky coastline, scenic rural villages, and small, quiet beach resorts and seaside towns. Planning tip: ...
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 ...
Best for WWI history and ancient Troy Cemeteries devoted to the tens of thousands of soldiers who died in bloody battles on the Gallipoli Peninsuladuring 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 altern...
Best for Ottoman atmosphere Named for the saffron that was grown and traded here for centuries, Safranboluis 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 al...
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...
Discover the diversity of landscapes, heritage and culture in Türkiye, from the ancient sites and modern neighborhoods of Istanbul to the unique landscape of Cappadocia. Explore the Turquoise Coast, the Eastern Black Sea, the far east and more with Lonely Planet's travel tips and recommendations.
2 days ago · Turkey, country that occupies a unique geographic position, lying partly in Asia and partly in Europe and serving as both a bridge and a barrier between them. The modern Turkish republic was founded in 1923 after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, and its capital is Istanbul (formerly Constantinople).
Find things to do, attractions, events, and hotels in Turkey with Visit Turkey, your official country guide. Plan your trip to Turkey with useful traveller information and discover the best spots for cheese, culture, and adventure.
- Tour the ancient city of Ephesus. The well-preserved streets of Ephesus are lined with evidence of what daily life was like for the ancient Greeks and Romans who inhabited the city for hundreds of years: the remains of their shops and schools, temples and public toilets.
- Luxuriate in a Turkish bath. In the days when most homes lacked indoor plumbing, hamams (commonly referred to as Turkish baths in English) played a crucial role both as a place to get clean and to socialize.
- See Cappadocia from above and below. First thing in the morning, the skies above Cappadocia fill with hot-air balloons that take visitors floating above the area’s canyons, fairy chimneys and other fantastical rock formations.
- Feast on meze and fish. The “rakı-balık” night is a quintessential Turkish dining experience, particularly in Istanbul and along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.
Turkey, [a] officially the Republic of Türkiye, [b] is a transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with a small portion on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe.
Aug 22, 2023 · REPUBLIC OF TURKIYE/TURKEY: FACTS. Capital: Ankara. Area: 783,356 sq km. Population: 84.7 million. Languages: Turkish, also Kurdish, Arabic, Zaza, Circassian, Laz. Life expectancy: 74 years...
