Discover
Turkey
Where East meets West — breathtaking mosques, vibrant bazaars, and the balloons of Cappadocia.
Top Destinations
Explore our curated selection of landmarks and cities you must visit.
Hagia Sophia
A monumental masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, Hagia Sophia has stood as a symbol of Istanbul's rich history for nearly 1,500 years. Originally built as a Christian cathedral by Emperor Justinian I, it later served as an imperial mosque and is now an active mosque with immense cultural significance. The massive dome, stunning mosaics, and grand marble pillars create an atmosphere of divine majesty and architectural brilliance.
Best Time
April to May or September to October (Early morning or late afternoon)
Insider Tip
Hire an expert private guide...
Cappadocia
Renowned for its otherworldly landscape, Cappadocia features whimsical fairy chimneys, vast honeycombed hills, and ancient underground cities carved into soft volcanic rock. The region is a geological marvel where centuries of human history intertwine with bizarre natural formations. It is most famous for the breathtaking spectacle of hundreds of hot air balloons ascending simultaneously at sunrise, painting the sky with vibrant colors.
Best Time
Late April to June, and September to October (for optimal ballooning weather)
Insider Tip
Book your balloon flight months...
Topkapi Palace
Serving as the opulent residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman Sultans for nearly 400 years, Topkapi Palace is a sprawling complex of magnificent courtyards, lavish pavilions, and lush gardens. The palace houses extraordinary collections of imperial treasures, including the famous Topkapi Dagger and the Spoonmaker's Diamond. Its intricate tile work, grand gates, and the fascinating Harem section provide a vivid look into the luxurious lives of the Ottoman royalty.
Best Time
Spring (April-May) when the palace gardens are in full bloom
Insider Tip
Purchase a separate ticket for...
Pamukkale Thermal Pools
Translating to 'Cotton Castle' in Turkish, Pamukkale is a stunning natural wonder famous for its gleaming white travertine terraces formed by mineral-rich thermal waters cascading down the hillside. These terraced pools have been used as a therapeutic spa since antiquity, offering warm, calcium-laden waters against a backdrop of striking natural beauty. Sitting atop this geological marvel is the ancient Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis, adding a profound historical dimension to the site.
Best Time
May or September (Late afternoon to catch the sunset reflecting on the pools)
Insider Tip
Enter through the South Gate...
Blue Mosque
An iconic symbol of Istanbul's skyline, the Blue Mosque is celebrated for its six slender minarets and elegant cascade of domes. Completed in 1616 under the rule of Sultan Ahmed I, its interior is adorned with over 20,000 handmade Iznik ceramic tiles featuring intricate tulip, rose, and carnation motifs, which give the mosque its popular name. The vast prayer hall is bathed in ethereal light filtering through more than 200 stained glass windows.
Best Time
Mid-morning, avoiding the five daily prayer times when the mosque is closed to tourists.
Insider Tip
Visit just before dusk to...
Ephesus Ancient City
Ephesus was once the most important Greek city and the most vital trading center in the Mediterranean region, later becoming a major Roman powerhouse. Today, it is one of the most completely excavated and beautifully preserved classical ancient cities in Europe, boasting majestic monuments like the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. Walking down its marble-paved streets, past the remains of temples, bathhouses, and intricate terraced homes, feels like traveling back to antiquity.
Best Time
April, May, or October (Early morning to avoid the intense midday sun and cruise ship crowds)
Insider Tip
Do not skip the Terrace...
Grand Bazaar
As one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, the Grand Bazaar is a dizzying, colorful labyrinth encompassing over 60 streets and 4,000 shops. Established in the 15th century, this bustling historic marketplace is the beating heart of Istanbul's commercial life, filled with the aroma of spices, the gleam of gold jewelry, and the vibrant patterns of Turkish carpets. Its domed roofs and painted ceilings watch over thousands of daily visitors engaging in the age-old tradition of haggling.
Best Time
Late morning on weekdays to experience the energy without the overwhelming weekend crowds.
Insider Tip
Take a break at Sark...
Mount Nemrut
Standing at over 2,100 meters, Mount Nemrut is crowned by a colossal tomb-sanctuary built by King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene in the 1st century BC. The site is famous for the gigantic stone heads of gods, eagles, and lions that have toppled from their bodies and now rest scattered across the desolate mountain terrace. This hauntingly beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site is a testament to an ancient king's ambition to blend Greek and Persian pantheons.
Best Time
May to September (The mountain is often inaccessible due to snow in the winter)
Insider Tip
Stay in the nearby town...
Galata Tower & Bosphorus
The Galata Tower is a striking medieval stone tower that has dominated Istanbul's skyline since 1348, originally built by the Genoese. From its lofty balcony, it offers breathtaking, 360-degree panoramic views of the entire city, spanning the Golden Horn, the historic peninsula, and the sparkling Bosphorus Strait. The Bosphorus itself is the vital waterway separating Europe and Asia, lined with grand Ottoman palaces, majestic fortresses, and elegant waterfront mansions (yalis).
Best Time
Late afternoon for tower views, followed by a twilight Bosphorus cruise.
Insider Tip
Skip the large, crowded public...
Troy (Ancient City)
Immortalized in Homer's epic poem 'The Iliad,' Troy is a legendary city where myth and archaeology converge in fascinating ways. Excavations have revealed multiple layers of settlements dating back over 4,000 years, showcasing the complex history of a city rebuilt on its own ruins numerous times. The site features ancient walls, a replica of the famous Trojan Horse, and the cutting-edge Museum of Troy, which beautifully displays the region's rich archaeological finds.
Best Time
May or September for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
Insider Tip
The ruins can be difficult...
Antalya Coast (Lycian Way)
The Antalya Coast, often referred to as the Turquoise Coast, is a stunning stretch of the Mediterranean characterized by crystal-clear waters, secluded coves, and pine-clad mountains dropping into the sea. Running along this coast is the Lycian Way, a 500-kilometer long-distance trail that connects ancient Lycian ruins, remote villages, and spectacular cliffside vistas. The region perfectly blends high-end resort luxury with rugged, untamed natural beauty and ancient history.
Best Time
May, June, September, and October (Ideal for both swimming and hiking)
Insider Tip
Charter a traditional wooden 'gulet'...
Göreme Open Air Museum
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Göreme Open Air Museum is a vast, monastic complex composed of scores of refectories and rock-cut churches adorned with spectacular frescoes. Dating back to the 10th, 11th, and 12th centuries, these cave churches were carved by early Christians seeking refuge in the dramatic landscapes of Cappadocia. The artwork inside, particularly in the Dark Church (Karanlık Kilise), retains its vivid colors and offers a stunning glimpse into Byzantine religious art.
Best Time
Early morning upon opening (usually 8:00 AM) to beat the massive tour groups.
Insider Tip
Pay the extra fee to...
Basilica Cistern
Hidden beneath the bustling streets of Sultanahmet, the Basilica Cistern is a magnificent subterranean water reservoir built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in 532 AD. Supported by 336 massive marble columns, many salvaged from ruined temples, the space resembles a grand, flooded underground palace. The atmospheric lighting, the sound of dripping water, and the mysterious Medusa head pillar bases create an eerie, enchanting, and utterly unique environment.
Best Time
Mid-afternoon when the summer heat is at its peak, as the subterranean cavern is always cool.
Insider Tip
Purchase skip-the-line tickets in advance,...
Bodrum Castle
Dominating the harbor of the glamorous coastal town of Bodrum, this formidable medieval fortress was built in the 15th century by the Knights Hospitaller using stones from the nearby Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. The castle's imposing towers and fortified walls offer spectacular views of the Aegean Sea and the luxury yachts moored below. Today, it beautifully houses the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, displaying fascinating artifacts recovered from ancient shipwrecks.
Best Time
May, June, or September (Avoid the peak heat and crowds of July and August)
Insider Tip
Visit in the late afternoon...
Sumela Monastery
Clinging impossibly to a sheer cliff face high above the evergreen forests of the Altındere Valley, Sumela Monastery is one of Turkey's most dramatic and breathtaking historical sites. Founded in the 4th century by two Athenian priests, this Greek Orthodox monastery is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is accessed via a steep, winding forest path. The complex features an aqueduct, student rooms, and a spectacular Rock Church adorned with intricate, centuries-old frescoes.
Best Time
June to August (The Black Sea region is cooler and rainier than the rest of Turkey)
Insider Tip
The hike up can be...
Aspendos Theatre
The ancient city of Aspendos boasts what is widely considered the best-preserved Roman amphitheater in the world, built in the 2nd century AD during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Capable of holding up to 15,000 spectators, the theater's colossal stage building (scaenae frons) remains incredibly intact, towering over the seating area. The architectural brilliance of the structure results in near-perfect acoustics, a feature that is still utilized for performances today.
Best Time
April, May, or September (or evening if attending a summer festival performance)
Insider Tip
Check the schedule for the...
Fethiye (Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon)
Ölüdeniz, meaning 'Dead Sea' due to its calm waters even during storms, features the famous Blue Lagoon, a stunningly beautiful national nature reserve. The lagoon is renowned for its vivid, multi-shaded turquoise and aquamarine waters, contrasted by pristine white sand beaches and backed by the towering, pine-clad Mount Babadağ. It is a world-class destination for paragliding, offering premium travelers a mix of breathtaking natural beauty and exhilarating high-altitude adventure.
Best Time
Late May to early October (September is perfect for warm water and fewer crowds)
Insider Tip
Book a premium sunset paragliding...
Olympos and Chimaera
Nestled in a lush coastal pine forest, the ancient ruins of Olympos lead directly to a beautiful, pebble-strewn beach on the Mediterranean. Just a short distance away is Mount Chimaera (Yanartaş), a fascinating natural phenomenon where eternal flames have been burning directly out of the rocky mountainside for millennia, fueled by natural gas emissions. In antiquity, these unquenchable fires inspired the myth of the Chimaera, a terrifying fire-breathing monster.
Best Time
Spring and Autumn (The hike to Chimaera is brutal in the summer heat)
Insider Tip
Bring marshmallows or sausages to...
Myra Rock Tombs
The ancient Lycian city of Myra is famous for its astonishing necropolis, consisting of dozens of elaborate tombs carved directly into the sheer, vertical cliff faces. These intricate 'house-type' tombs date back to the 4th century BC and overlook a remarkably well-preserved Roman amphitheater. Just down the road lies the Church of St. Nicholas, the original burial place of the historic 4th-century bishop who inspired the legend of Santa Claus.
Best Time
April, May, or October (Summers in Demre are extremely hot and humid)
Insider Tip
Charter a private boat from...
Gobekli Tepe
Dating back over 11,000 years, Gobekli Tepe is officially recognized as the world's oldest known monumental temple, predating Stonehenge and the Egyptian Pyramids by millennia. This groundbreaking archaeological site consists of massive, T-shaped limestone pillars arranged in circles, intricately carved with reliefs of wild animals like lions, foxes, and scorpions. Its discovery completely revolutionized our understanding of human history, suggesting that the urge to worship sparked the dawn of civilization and agriculture.
Best Time
Spring (April-May) or Autumn (September-October) to avoid the extreme heat of southeastern Turkey.
Insider Tip
Pair your visit with the...
Travel Tips for Turkey
- 1.
Bargain in bazaars
- 2.
Try Turkish breakfast
- 3.
Book balloon rides early in Cappadocia