From underground cities to popular holiday destinations and beautiful beaches, there are many reasons to visit Turkey and trust us; you will never be disappointed. Whether visiting grand Mount Nemrut, soaking up ancient cities, or enjoying hot air balloon trips over Cappadocia, Turkey is more than a lifetime experience.
It is a country to fall in love with. We guarantee it. Friendly Turkish people welcome everyone from around the globe to explore their delightful country. Every year, Middle Eastern Europeans, Americans, and Asian tourists descend on Turkey to enjoy the rich history, Turkish culture, stunning landscapes and, of course, that fantastic summer sun.
The proof of popularity is the visitor stats. Nearly 50 million people arrive yearly to see the tourist attractions and enjoy stunning beaches. As the 37th largest country, Turkey brims with things to do and places to go, so what can you expect?
12 Excellent Reasons to Visit Turkey
1: Beautiful Turkish Beaches
Turkey has 7000 kilometres of coastline, and the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts brim with sandy beaches that, every year, host people eager to capitalise on that sun, sea, and sand nature. Indeed, beach holidays are popular in Turkey, and places like Cleopatra, Konyaalti, Lara and Kaputas earn fame all over the globe.
Patara Beach, the longest in Turkey, is a great place to escape crowds, while Calis Beach also earns fame for stunning sunsets. There are many places for a beach holiday, so choose wisely, and the whole family will enjoy themselves. If you are in Fethiye, visit the Blue Lagoon, Turkey’s most photographed beach.
2: Scuba Diving Galore
Adventure lovers find plenty to occupy them in Turkey, including scuba diving. The best diving is in Kas, where beginners explore the shallow sea around Snake or Heybeli Islands and view rock pinnacles at Frank Wall. More seasoned divers swim amongst the barracuda and grouper at Snake Island's southern tip. Also explore sandy-bottomed caves, coral reefs, and the unforgettable Sakarya Reef, where the Duchess of York sank 90 years ago and is now very popular with divers.
3: Historical Sites from East to West
History enthusiasts love Turkey simply because many civilisations have left their mark. Whether this is the Ottomans in Istanbul and Bursa, the Seljuk Turks in Alanya, or the Lycians on the Mediterranean coast, historic ruins are everywhere. Any avid history buff would do well to start in Istanbul with the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.
The rich history of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires gives great insight into Turkish history, as does the long list of UNESCO World Heritage sites and ancient ruins. Watch the UNESCO list in years to come because Turkey has many archaeological sites they are working on. Otherwise, to see the oldest temple, visit Gobekli Tepe.
4: Turkish Bath and Shave – Cultural Indulgence
Regarding cultural heritage and relaxing experiences, try a Turkish bath. This must-try experience will leave you feeling calm, refreshed, and ready to grab a delicious brown tan. Everyone returns to a Turkish bath, a mix of cultures between the Romans and Ottomans. Enjoy a soap down and scrub, then an olive oil massage and a cup of tea to complete this popular activity.
5: Jeep Safaris in the Mountains
Explorer the Mountains in an open-top jeep. These day trips, sold in most tourist towns, are a great way to see authentic Turkish life in quaint Turkish villages serving traditional food for lunch. Also stop by popular swimming spots and see inside a local mosque to better understand this Muslim country. Some pass by beautiful towns known for their scenic landscapes, while others highlight this as a great outdoor activity.
6: Other Natural Landscapes and Popular Attractions
Turkey is home to 1500 thermal springs with healing properties. The most famous, Pamukkale is the formation of calcium pools collecting on the hillside, resembling a cotton castle. Roman soldiers often visited the pools to recoup from battle wounds. Otherwise, head to the outskirt regions of Trabzon to see Uzungol Lake and Ayder Plateau. Hiking and camping fans should visit the Kackar mountain range and lush forests with spectacular mountain scenery.
7: Turkish Cuisine and International Menus
The delicious cuisine of Turkey incorporates various flavours from around the world to present one palette that delights everyone. For a traditional experience, start with Turkish mezes (appetisers), then follow it up with some delicious fresh fish or seafood. A great dessert to sweeten your palette is baklava. Southeastern Gaziantep is famous for producing Turkey's best versions.
However, to stick with familiar cuisine. In that case, international restaurants around the Aegean and Mediterranean region serve pasta, steak, curries, chinese, and other global dishes. Indeed, no-one goes hungry in Turkey.
8: Ephesus Ancient City
The enormous archaeological site of Ephesus amazes everyone, and its Temple of Artemis was one of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Ephesus, an ancient city that predates Christ, was the second most important Roman city after Rome in 133 BC. Today, wander the streets, visit the famous Temple of Artemis, and see the nearby Basilica of St John, built in his honour. To continue the Christian theme, visit the seven churches of revelation.
9: Bustling City of Istanbul - The First Stop
For first-time experience seekers, the first stop is often Istanbul, which isn't the capital city, but Turkey’s largest. This travel destination is also the most popular. See the Sultanahmet area with the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern and more. Also, visit Dolmabahce palace, the last place of the Ottoman sultans and dynasty.
The new part of Istanbul, called Taksim Square or Beyoglu, is ideal for shopping, rooftop bars, and nightlife. Do wander down Istiklal Avenue, with numerous art nouveau buildings on either side. From there, many complete a Turkish travel tour that also takes them to Ephesus, an ancient city.
10: Beautiful Mosques
Visit the many famous mosques around Turkey to see unique places of worship. The Hagia Sophia was originally a cathedral and museum, but now, as a mosque, it attracts thousands of worshippers daily. Across the square, Ottoman sultans used the Blue mosque, named because of its stunning interior tiles.
Suleymaniye imperial mosque was the masterpiece of Mimar Sinan, while Ortakoy mosque on the Bosphorus earned fame for the neo-baroque style. Rustem Pasha mosque near the space bazaar also features amazing tilework, and if you head to Bursa, visit the green mosque.
11: Cappadocia - An Incredible Destination in Central Turkey
Get ready for a balloon flight of your life. Drifting over the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia just as the sun rises is memorising, and a big reason to travel to Turkey. Cappadocia is just one big, open-air, beautiful museum. After you disembark the hot balloon ride, there are numerous things to do, including the underground Derinkuyu City and the Goreme open-air museum.
For an authentic visit, stay in the original cave hotels of either Goreme, Uchisar, Avanos, or Urgup. This otherworldly landscape is the 2nd most visited place in this beautiful country, and many people catch an internal flight from Istanbul.
12: Blue Cruise - Relaxing Experience
Thanks to the 7000 kilometres of coastline, Turkey also has one big sailing playground, which is a compelling reason to visit. The Turkish Riviera runs from the North Aegean to the southwest, and within it are set blue cruise routes that visit coastal towns and villages. Hospitable people welcome cruises to explore the streets and shop for souvenirs. A popular route is the 3 night and four-day route from Fethiye to Antalya.
More about Turkey
So, that is our reasons for visiting the entire country on one extensive list. As you can see, this country offers many things. Visit ancient monuments and experience their cultural significance. Enjoy genuine friendliness and explore mountainous backdrops. The architectural scope is impressive, and lakeside towns are another pleasant side of Turkey. To find out more about the destinations and attractions, see our blog. Talking about the food, culture, traditions, and more, there are many more reasons to visit Turkey.
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