Stephanie is a cherished member of the Sampling America writing team, dedicated to crafting captivating narratives that transport readers to thrilling adventures across the country and beyond.
Turkey is a magical place to visit. With an extensive history spanning plenty of kingdoms and empires, the country has stunning ancient ruins and historic natural landscapes.
Turkey is situated in the Middle East; it sits on the Black Sea to the north and the Aegean Sea to the south, which is a part of the Mediterranean.
For anyone looking to experience a mixture of sunny white sand beaches with a rich Middle Eastern culture and history, Turkey is the place for you. Find the best places to visit in Turkey to experience the best that the country offers.
Ankara
Turkey’s capital city, Ankara, is a metropolitan hub for culture, politics, and business. It also features ancient castles and ruins once home to the Ottoman, Greek, and Byzantine Empires.
For anyone looking to experience history and culture, stop by the Museum of Anatolian Civilization, which hosts more than 200,000 items. Aside from culture, excellent restaurants and street vendors thrive in this hub for modern Middle Eastern cuisine.
Mardin
One home to the ancient civilization of Mesopotamia in southeastern Turkey, Mardin is the capital city of the province of the same name. Built into the side of a rocky mountain, the area is best known for its Old City, made of sandstone buildings carved into the sides of mountains.
For tourists, the city is best experienced by walking tours of ancient castles, ruins, and mosques. Plenty of markets and bazaars in the city are ready to be experienced.
Konya
The ancient city of Konya is known as one of the oldest places in the world. Stunning ancient buildings made by the Seljuk empire are on full display throughout the city.
Several sultans call this city their final resting place. The Alaeddin Mosque is where many powerful sultans were buried. The Ince Minare Medrese Museum also holds many artifacts from the Seljuk and Ottoman eras.
Antalya
Situated on the Mediterranean coast, Antalya is one of the most stunning cities in the country. Many people don’t know about the Turkish Riviera, but it should be known that the area has a warm climate, white sand beaches, and some of the best cuisine and hotels in the world.
The city is set against stunning views of the Anatolian mountains. The city is also full of ancient ruins and architecture, old city walls, Roman gates, and historic mosques and temples.
Marmaris
Marmaris is a trendy seaside resort town sitting on picture-perfect turquoise waters, towering mountains, and quaint houses with clay-red roofs.
This city is a popular cruise port, and it’s easy to see why. The stunning attractions here are the perfect destination for anyone hoping to see the best of the Turkish Riviera.
The city is also famous for its nightclub and restaurant scene. It’s a popular destination with partygoers in the rest of Europe, so it is a loud and lively city at night instead of a tranquil destination.
Side
Once home to Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC, Side is a major port city full of Greek ruins, most notably the massive amphitheater that tunnels down into the earth. There are also ancient remnants left behind by the Romans and Byzantines.
Side is also a city set on the Mediterranean Coast, overlooking dramatic blue waters with white beaches. At sunset, the Temple of Apollo is a site known around the world.
Bodrum
Sitting on the Aegean Sea, Bodrum is a city in the Mugla Province that was once the site of an ancient fortified city. Today, the central castle still sits over the ocean as a reminder of the once massive empire.
The stunning beaches, ancient ruins, and excellent resorts set this city apart as a world-class city among travelers.
Ephesus
Ephesus is one of Europe’s most complete ancient cities that still stands today. It offers a clear view into how people lived in this ancient civilization. Ephesus was once the biggest city in the Roman Empire, and it’s clear to see in the footprint it left behind.
Today, tourists are welcome to walk around the ancient cobblestone streets to view the ancient ruins. Many of the colosseums and ruins are still underground, so more is yet to be discovered.
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a beautiful city that looks like it’s out of a fairy tale. The unusual chimneys, cones, and mushrooms are a natural process that created these odd formations over the centuries.
The city is also known for its hot air balloon activity and stunning ancient architecture that results in a wild city that needs to be seen to be believed.
Istanbul
Once the capital of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empire, Istanbul is a city filled with culture, history, and excellent architecture. The largest city in Turkey and one of the biggest in the world, Istanbul stretches from Asia to Europe to connect the two continents.
The old city includes hundreds of renowned archeological and architectural sights. In addition to the history, the city is known as a cuisine and cultural capital of the world.
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