10 Best Places to Visit in Turkey

Here are the top 10 most beautiful places to visit in Turkey that you should not be missed:

Alacati (Alaçatı)

Alaçati, Flickr: Debraj Ghosh

Alacati (Alaçatı) is a village in Central Aegean. If you walk through the streets in this village, you will see the beautiful Greek architecture and very nice people. Now, this village is become to be the popular destinations in Turkey as well. Also, not only sightseeing tour, but you can do windsurfing as well.

How to get in: You can take a bus from Izmir’s otogar. The bus takes around with one and a half hour intervals between 6.30 AM and 7.30 PM during off-season, and it will more frequent during summer.

Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon, Flickr: HINK Global School

Blue Lagoon is located in Ölüdeniz. It is the most popular beach destinations in Turkey because it is very beautiful scenery, calm atmosphere and very crystal clear water. Also, you can do variety of water sports. For the most famous water sports is Paragliding (should not be missed). There are also very safe place to swim for children as well.

How to get in: Ölüdeniz is connected to Fethiye with a wide road that is well-paved and is in a very good condition. There is also a very frequent minibus (dolmuş) service between Fethiye and Ölüdeniz. Access to the beach is shut by the evening around 6PM.

The library of Celsus

library of Celsus, Flickr: Pieter Edelman

The library of Celsus is an ancient roman building in Ephesus, Aegean Turkey. It is most popular site in this city. The library is 2 stories building, at the front of library has 4 statues, which is Sophia (wisdom), Arete (virtue), Ennoia (thought) and Episteme (knowledge).  The front of library facing eastern that you can get the morning light for reading. Then I would recommend you that this is the best time for visit this site.

How to get in: The cheaper way is to go by minibuses (shared taxi) or called as Dolmuş in Turkish, which are available every 10-15 minutes from Selcuk central bus station or from Kusadasi Dolmuş stop. The minibus will leave you at around 1km from the gate situated downhill.

Sultanahmet Mosque

Sultanahmet Mosque, Flickr: THINK Global School

Sultanahmet Mosque is most popular tourist sites in Istanbul. Many people are known the place as Blue Mosque. The mosque is so impresses for many tourists around the world.  It is still working mosque, if you need to visit you have not to wear shorts and no bare shoulders. It opens 9.00 AM – 9.00 PM in May-October and 9.00 AM – 7.00 AM in November – April. For the entrance is free.

How to get in: By tram is the best ways. You can get out at Sultanahmet station.

Pamukkale

Pamukkale, Flickr: THINK Global School

Pamukkale (means cotton castle) is located inland southeastern Aegean Turkey. These are a set of bizarre calcium cliff and bathing pools that is so beautiful. When you access there, you have to remove your shoes due to pollution control. In summer is quite hot, then don’t forget to bring your hat and sunglasses as well.

How to get in: You can be found the bus to Pamukkale/Denizli from almost all the cities of Turkey. The bus services include water, hot drinks and a snack as well. But the bus will drop you in Denizli, do not worry, you can get the free minibus to Pamukkale (about 20 km away).

More: Pamukkale, Cotton castle in Turkish – Photo Gallery

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia, Flickr: Daimon Eklund

Hagia Sophia> or Aya Sofya, is had been used for mosque, but now it already change to be museum since 1935. For the highlights, you should not be missed the excellent mosaics and gallery. For entrance fee is 20 TL (credit card accepted). It opens Tuesday – Sunday 9.00 AM – 6 PM.

How to get in: It located in Sultanahmet Square; you can go there by tram and get out at Sultanahmet station.

Bodrum Castle/Castle of St Peter

Bodrum Castle, Flickr: calflier001

Bodrum Castle [link] or Castle of St Peter is located in Bodrum, southern Aegean coast of Turkey. The castle is quite pretty and the views are spectacular. It also is the most of famous landmark in the city as well. Currently, the castle is operates as a museum. This museum is focus on Underwater Archaeology.

How to get in: There are many intercity bus companies which operate bus services to Bodrum from major cities of Turkey such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya, Adana, Bursa, Konya, etc

Dolmabahce Palace

Dolmabahce Palace, Flickr: Where Is Your Toothbrush?

Dolmabahce Palace [link] is located in Bosphorus, Istanbul. The palace is covers areas around 110,000 square meter, it has 285 rooms and 43 halls. The guide tours are available for 45 minutes. For entrance fee is 40 TL, but if you need to access to Harem is require extra fee.

How to get in: It opens Tuesday – Wendesday/Friday – Sunday 9.00 AM – 3.00 PM. Buses to this district depart from Kabataş tram station, Taksim Square, and Beşiktaş among others.

Mount Nemrut (Nemrut dagi)

Mount Nemrut, Flickr: Avi Dolgin

The Nemrut is one of most popular tourist site in Turkey. The mount is the tomb sanctuary for king Antiochus Theos of Kommagene. For the highlights is a tomb hill about 50 meters high.

However, you have to be prepared to get up early (at about 2.30) if you want to see the sunrise. It’s quite a distance from the mountain and its best if you have your own transport or arrange a guided tour.

Note: if going up Nemrut to see the sunrise, do not forget to bring the warm clothing with because it can get cold up there (even in summer).

How to get in:: There are frequent dolmuş services from Adıyaman, which depart every 15 minutes until around 22:00 (3 TL).

Sümela Monastery

Soumela Monastery, Flickr: James Gordon

Sümela Monastery is a spectacular rock-hewn monastery perched dramatically on the narrow ledge of a steep cliff in the forests south of Trabzon.

How to get in: For the easiest ways to get in is by tour see detail as below:

Tours of Sumela are offered by Eyce Tours. A round trip to Sumela in the low season costs 15 TL, and does not include a guide or the 8 TL admission fee. In the high season, tours cost 12 TL and include an English speaking guide. Eyce also offers tours to other nearby areas. Find them near Atatürk Alani, at Taksim İşhanı sk. 11. Tel (462) 3267174.