Must-Visit Attractions in Turkey

Hasankeyf is an ancient town that runs alongside the Tigris River, and you should witness the stunning remains from the Artuqid period before a dam project floods it.

The narrow streets, historic stone houses and hidden churches of Mardin are absolutely mesmerising.

Dating back to 2000 BCE, Simena was a sea-trading city belonging to the Lycian Empire that sank into the sea after many violent earthquakes. Nowadays, visitors arrive on boat tours to see the ruins, including a shipyard, buildings, houses, and tombs, through the clear waters.

The Alahan Monastery dates back to the fifth century and is one of the best examples of Isaurian stonemasonry, hidden away at an altitude of 1,200m (4,000ft).

This once magnificent Medieval Armenian city may lie in ruins, but the remains continue to stun visitors, especially because of their location in the idyllic Kars province landscape.

This boat-shaped rock formation, just a few miles north of the border between Turkey and Iran, has become quite legendary. Visited regularly by pilgrims, some people believe that this was the site of Noah’s Ark.

Located near the Taurus Mountains, this abandoned village was originally built in the 1700s and populated by Greek Orthodox residents in the 20th century. Due to the population exchange between Greeks and Turks in 1923, the village became a ghost town where stunning architecture is waiting to be discovered.

A Unesco World Heritage site, the city of Safranbolu is home to very well-preserved Ottoman-era houses and architecture.

Built into a steep cliff in the Trabzon province, the Greek Orthodox Sumela Monastery is not only beloved for the architecture but also the frescoes. Visit the monastery on this tour!

Once a powerful fortress on the Euphrates river, Rumkale continues to amaze because of its location across a glistening blue peninsula.

In a remote location near Turkey’s border with Armenia, the stunning Cathedral of Mren has managed to survive for over a thousand years. The church, built sometime in the 600s, is composed of red and black masonry bricks with religious paintings still present in its interior.

Şanlıurfa is a stunning city where historic structures (dating as far back as 304BCE) stand alongside modern constructions, and the excellent cuisine reflects the deep history.

Çıralı is not only known for its gorgeous beach but also the remains of the ancient Lycian city of Olympos, which is believed to have been constructed around the fourth century BCE. Visit Olympos on this tour!

This beautiful castle was built in 1226 under the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum and continues to overlook the city from a rocky peninsula. Do a boat tour of Alanya, and enjoy its luxury!

The fairy chimneys and underground cities of Cappadocia are truly stunning – as is the famous hot-air balloon tour. You can visit the underground city of Kaymakli on a guided tour as part of Culture Trip’s immersive 12-day Turkey adventure. Or you can get in a hot air balloon and see the view from the very top!

This ancient Greek city is among the most visited historical sites in the world due to the excellent state of the magnificent structures there. Take a private tour and see all the sights!

Located on a small island off the coast of the Mersin Province, the Kızkalesi Fortress is the stuff of legends. The story goes that an Ottoman sultan built the castle in order to protect his daughter, but it also served as protection for Armenian kings from the pirates of the Mediterranean.

This ancient Greco-Roman city in the Antalya province continues to wow with an incredibly well-preserved theatre. See all the sites nearby on this tour!

Once a powerful ancient Greek city, the ruins of Pergamon, a Unesco World Heritage site, continue to amaze visitors. See the world heritage site on this tour!

The mausoleum of the famous Sufi mystic and poet Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi is a hugely important attraction in Konya.

At the summit of this 2,134m-high (7,001ft) mountain is a collection of ancient sculptures believed to be a royal tomb.

The mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is a true feat of architecture.

A visit to Istanbul would not be complete without exploring this stunning Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal basilica that now serves as a museum.

A truly striking site in the middle of the hilly Turkish landscape, the Ishak Pasha Palace was built by members of the Pasha family between 1685 and 1784. After being abandoned after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the beautiful palace managed to survive in its remote location.

The hot spring and pure white travertines of Pamukkale have become an iconic image associated with Turkey. See it on this tour!

These tombs cut right into the rock date back to the 4th century BCE and belong to the Lycian Empire. Once colored in bold shades of red, blue, purple, and yellow, they may have faded over time, but their striking aesthetic continues to attract visitors.

This vertical collection of small caves that are carved directly into the cliffs dates back to the Byzantine Empire and is a true architectural wonder. Even though people no longer inhabit these little rock cut apartments, locals from Taşkale have gotten much use out of the site as a storage facility.

An ancient city that Alexander the Great didn’t think to conquer, Termessos is located near Antalya on a remote mountaintop, which helped to make it quite autonomous. After a bit of a steep hike, you’ll come across a large array of impressive stone ruins and exposed tombs. Also, make sure to visit the Museum of Antalya to see original reliefs from the site.

Built in the early 900s, the Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross is especially striking up close because of the beautiful bas-relief carvings all around its façade that depict stories from the Bible. The church, restored in 2005, now serves as a museum.