8 Top Attractions In Turkey
Turkey combines the richest history, exquisite modern and ancient architecture, bustling nightlife and delicious food. Turkey’s tourist attractions are unlike any other country – ancient cities showcase the rich history of the Roman Empire, intricate architecture, and are home to some of the world’s most popular tourist attractions.
From the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hagia Sophia to the beautiful Butterfly Valley in the sea of Fethiye, Turkey has a variety of attractions worth visiting in Turkey. Let’s take a look at some of the top tourist destinations in Turkey.
8 Most Popular Tourist Attractions in Turkey
blue mosque
The historic Blue Mosque, located in Sultanahmet Park opposite the Hagia Sophia, is one of Turkey’s most popular tourist attractions. The mosque was built by Sultan Ahmed I and planned to be similar to Hagia Sophia by architect Sedefkar Mehmet Aa, a student of Sinan, the most famous architect of the Ottoman era.
The Blue Mosque is majestic, with its minaret and a large courtyard, but it is best known for its prayer hall interior, covered in thousands of blue Iznik tiles and illuminated by shards of light from 260 windows. We highly recommend visiting the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mosque during your next visit to Turkey.
Istanbul Archaeological Museum
The Istanbul Archaeological Museum is actually a collection of museums divided into three parts: the Archaeological Museum, the Ancient Oriental Museum and the Tile Pavilion Museum. The origins of the museum can be traced back to the adjoining Church of St. Irene. After the siege of Istanbul, the church’s proximity to the Praetorian Guard barracks turned it into a de facto “internal armory” for storing their weapons.
These three different main sections are located in the same courtyard and house the royal collections created in the late 19th century by the museum curator, master painter “Turtle Tamer” or the Pera Museum and archaeologist Osman Hamdibe. This group of museums offers insight into how life in the ancient city of Istanbul works.
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace in Istanbul transports you to the fantasy kingdom of the Sultan. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Ottoman sultans built an empire that stretched up into Europe and down through the Middle East and Africa. As one of the top tourist attractions representing the royal life of the ancient city, it is no wonder that the palace is so revered.
The interior of the palace, which was later converted into a museum, offers a glimpse into the magnificence of the Ottoman Empire with its lavish tiles and ornate jewels. The Topkapi Palace Museum is not only notable for its architecture and artifacts, but also for the history and culture of the Ottoman Empire that it commemorates.
Cappadocia
Cappadocia’s swooping rocky valleys are truly a sight to behold. The rippling panorama of wavy rocks or oddly shaped pinnacles built on cliff ridges and summits by wind and water activity over thousands of years is the beauty of Cappadocia. A must do activity here is to take a beautiful hot air balloon ride at dawn and watch the beautiful sunrise on the horizon.
Goreme, a small town nestled in the middle of Cappadocia’s beautiful fairy chimneys, is one of the best places to observe these unique rock formations formed by volcanic activity in the region. Several rich historical buildings here offer a lot to learn about this ancient city, and we highly recommend staying at one of the cave hotels in Cappadocia.
Butterfly Valley
The famous but little-known Butterfly Valley in Fethiye District, Mugla Province, Turkey is the perfect destination to immerse yourself in sanctuary nature and forget about the rest of the world. This remote area of Turkey’s Turquoise Coast is a jewel of Turkey’s coastline and one of Turkey’s most peaceful tourist attractions.
If you go to the right viewpoint at the right time, you can easily avoid the tourist crowds and have a very peaceful experience, which is an absolutely stunning sight. Butterfly Valley gets its name from the large number of butterflies that once lived there, but unfortunately, butterflies have become less common since the valley was discovered by tourists.
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia Mosque is considered one of the most magnificent structures in the world and is one of the most culturally significant tourist attractions not only in Istanbul, but also in the whole of Turkey.This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a Christian church built in the sixth century AD under the supervision of the Eastern Roman Emperor Byzantine Emperor Justinian I
It was later conquered and converted into a mosque, then a museum, and was finally considered a mosque again over the years. The structure symbolizes the religious shifts that have taken place in the region over the ages.
Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahce Palace is a luxury residence in Istanbul on the scenic European coast of the Bosphorus. Considered the most expensive residence in the world, this magnificent imperial residence is a true expression of the grandeur of Ottoman architecture. The sultan and his family had previously lived in Topkapi Palace, but Abdul Mesed chose to build it as the medieval Topkapi Palace lacked the current elegance, luxury and comfort compared to the palaces of European monarchs A new modern palace.
One of Turkey’s top tourist destinations, the crowds who head here to explore the ceremonial area of Seramke, and this royal harem with its neoclassical exterior and top-notch interiors, definitely won’t be greeted with such contempt. Both are accessible via a self-guided audio tour.
Grand Bazaar
In the heart of Istanbul you will find the oldest and largest covered market in the world, one of the must-see tourist attractions in Turkey! Hundreds of tourists and shoppers from all over the world visit the famous and historic Grand Bazaar every day. The Grand Bazaar lives up to its name, with a market area of 30,700 square meters that reminds visitors of the way things were done in the old city of Istanbul.
It has more than 4,000 stores lined along 62 covered alleys, selling everything from clothing and home decor to food and merchandise specific to Turkish culture and cuisine. It is also considered to be one of the first shopping malls in the world and was once a thriving global trade and business center.
FAQ
Which is the most visited place in Turkey?
Turkey’s most popular tourist attraction is the Blue Mosque, known for its stunning blue tiles and ornate architecture. Another popular location is Turkey’s Pamukkale Hot Springs, also known as Pamukkale, on the southwest coast. Speaking of eastern Turkey, we recommend visiting Mount Ararat or even the beautiful Taurus Mountains in southern Turkey.
What is Turkey best known for?
Turkey is known for its rich Ottoman and Roman Empire history, which contributes to its diversity in terms of European and Eastern elements. Turkey is the meeting point of East and West. It is famous for its beautiful sights such as Cappadocia, delicious Turkish tea and delicious food.
What are the most famous attractions in Turkey?
The most famous attractions in Turkey are the ancient city of Istanbul, especially the Hagia Sophia Museum, Dolmabahce Castle, Blue Mosque and other monuments, as well as various ancient ruins found in Turkey, especially Roman ruins.
What is the most beautiful place in Turkey?
While Antalya Province and Bodrum have beautiful beaches, Istanbul in central Turkey is a place rich in history. The springs of Pamukkale are breathtaking, as is Cappadocia.
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