When visiting the landscapes of Turkey, expect everything quirky and unique. From otherworldly landscapes to cave hotels, thermal springs, and blue water, the incredible landscapes are a perfect introduction to this massively misunderstood country. With a fascinating history and sandy beaches, many great leaders, and empires, like Alexander the Great, wanted to rule these lands.
Life is much more peaceful these days, and every year, millions of tourists and foreign house hunters descend on these shores. They discover everything great about this country, from loggerhead turtles to extinct volcanoes, coastal plains and much more. Whether you sail the turquoise coast or explore city centres, these beautiful landscapes will keep you returning for more.
Gorgeous Landscapes of Turkey That Everyone Should Visit
1: Historic Areas of İstanbul
The historic area of Istanbul, Sultanahmet, is home to Turkey’s most visited landmarks. One iconic landmark, the Hagia Sophia, was initially built as a cathedral but later became a mosque. Sitting across from it, the Blue Mosque features six minarets. Around the corner, Topkapi Palace was the residence of Ottoman sultans for almost 400 years.
The Hippodrome of Constantinople, now Sultanahmet Square, was once the Byzantine social and sporting centre. While, the Basilica Cistern and underground reservoir stored water during Byzantine times. Its columns and arches create mystical atmospheres, and it is often called the "Sunken Palace."
2: Göreme National Park in Cappadocia
Earning fame for geological formations, this area is famous for unique landscapes formed by volcanic eruptions and erosion over thousands of years. The result is a stunning array of rock formations, known as "fairy chimneys," which look like something out of a fairytale.
Cave churches carved into rocks from the 4th century date from the early Christian period and sit in Göreme Open Air Museum. Another highlight of Cappadocia is the underground cities. Early Christians built these cities to escape persecution. The most well-known, Derinkuyu, goes down several levels and houses thousands of people.
Floating above the fairy chimneys and valleys at sunrise in a hot air balloon is an unforgettable experience. Whether exploring cave churches, wandering through valleys, or taking hot air balloon rides, there is something magical about this place.
3: Mount Nemrut
Mount Nemrut, a famous mountain in southeastern Turkey features giant stone statues and the ancient tomb of King Antiochus I. At Mount Nemrut's top are giant statues of gods and animals. King Antiochus, I built these statues in the 1st century BC. He wanted to create a grand monument for himself. The statues are around 8 to 9 metres tall and include figures like Zeus, Apollo, and Hercules.
Giant stone heads falling from the statues give it a mysterious and majestic feel. The site also has a large tumulus, an artificial mound of loose rock covering the king's tomb. Visitors often visit Mount Nemrut at sunrise or sunset, when the light makes the statues look even more dramatic.
4: Hierapolis-Pamukkale
Hierapolis-Pamukkale in southwestern Turkey is famous for its hot springs and ancient ruins. Pamukkale, which means "Cotton Castle" in Turkish, features white travertine terraces. These terraces are formed by mineral-rich hot springs flowing down the mountainside. Flowing water leaves behind calcium deposits, creating stunning white formations that look like frozen waterfalls. At the top of Pamukkale is ancient Hierapolis, founded in the 2nd century BC and famed for healing hot springs.
People came from all over to bathe in the waters, which they believed had health benefits. The sizeable Roman theatre seated up to 12,000 people. Another highlight is the Necropolis, or "City of the Dead," which is filled with ancient tombs and sarcophagi and shows how important Hierapolis was for healing and burial. Another popular spot is the Sacred Pool, also called Cleopatra’s Thermal Pool. It is filled with ancient columns that fell during an earthquake.
5: Bursa and Cumalikizik – From Ottoman Times
Bursa in northwestern Turkey was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire from 1326 to 1453. The Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami) is one of Bursa’s most important landmarks. Built in 1399, it has 20 domes and impressive calligraphy inside. It is a prime example of early Ottoman architecture. The Green Mosque and Tomb (Yeşil Camii and Yeşil Türbe), built in the early 15th century, are renowned for their exquisite tile work. The green tiles give the mosque and tomb their name. Also, visit the 15th-century Koza Han and Hisar Citadel.
Cumalikizik, a small village near Bursa, is a well-preserved example of early Ottoman rural life. The village dates to the early 14th century and has maintained its traditional Ottoman architecture and layout. These timber-framed houses are several centuries old and give visitors a sense of returning in time. People also flock at the weekends for traditional Turkish breakfasts.
6: Archaeological Ani
Archaeological Ani, often called the "City of 1001 Churches," is near the border with Armenia in eastern Turkey. Once a thriving capital of the medieval Armenian kingdom, Ani existed over 1,600 years ago and peaked during the 10th and 11th centuries under the Bagratid Armenian Kingdom.
It became a bustling metropolis, housing 100,000 people, and was strategically located on key trade routes, making it a significant commercial and cultural centre. The famous architect Trdat designed Ani Cathedral. In the 13th century, the Church of St. Gregory of Tigran Honents featured remarkable frescoes depicting scenes from Christ's life and various saints.
Over centuries, the Armenians, Byzantines, Seljuks, Georgians, and Ottomans ruled the city, but invasions, earthquakes, and shifts in trade routes led to its abandonment in the 14th century. In 2016, Ani became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
7: Diyarbakir City Walls and Hevsel Gardens
Diyarbakir walls and Hevsel Gardens in southeastern Turkey are among the world's most extended and best-preserved fortifications. These impressive walls date back to antiquity, with early sections constructed by the Romans around the 3rd century AD. Subsequent rulers, including the Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans, expanded and reinforced them over time.
The 5.5-kilometre walls, made of black basalt stone, sit alongside eighty-two watchtowers and four main gates, and the Hevsel Gardens lie between them and the Tigris River. These gardens have been cultivated for over 8,000 years and serve as a vital agricultural resource for inhabitants.
8: Ephesus Ancient City, Virgin Mary’s House, and Saint John’s Basilica
Ephesus was an ancient Greek city in Asia Minor on modern-day Turkey's western coast near Selçuk. The 2nd-century AD Celsus library here was built to honour Roman Senator Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus. At the same time, the grand theatre seated 25,000 spectators and showed gladiatorial contests, drama performances, and public assemblies.
The Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis, and well-preserved residential houses provide insight into the daily lives of Ephesus's wealthy inhabitants. Ephesus was a major centre for early Christianity. The Apostle Paul lived and preached in Ephesus, and the city is mentioned in the New Testament.
The Virgin Mary’s House on Mount Koressos, near Ephesus, is where she spent her last years and ascended. This belief is based on visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich, a 19th-century Catholic nun and mystic. The pilgrimage destination for Christians and Muslims is where the Apostle John brought Mary to Ephesus after Jesus's death, fulfilling his duty to care for her.
Byzantine Emperor Justinian I built the Basilica of St. John in Selçuk, near Ephesus, in the 6th century AD over the believed burial site of St. John the Apostle. Although now in ruins, the remaining columns and arches give an idea of its former grandeur. According to tradition, St. John spent his last years in Ephesus and wrote his Gospel here.
9: Sumela Monastery in the North East Black Sea Region
Sumela Monastery, in Maçka National Park, near Trabzon in northeastern Turkey, dates from the late 4th century AD. Believed to have been founded by two Athenian monks, Barnabas and Sophronius, the monastery underwent renovations over centuries, during the Byzantine Empire and later under the Trebizond Empire. It became an important centre for Greek Orthodox Christianity and a pilgrimage site.
Sumela Monastery is about 1,200 metres above sea level, nestled into the cliffside of Mount Mela. The monastery also symbolises the region's Greek Orthodox heritage and is accessible by a winding road that leads up the mountain, followed by a hiking trail through lush forests.
10: Lake Van
Eastern Lake Van is Turkey’s largest lake and the second largest in the Middle East, covering 3,755 square kilometres. It is slightly alkaline and higher in salinity than freshwater lakes, allowing unique types of flora and fauna to thrive in and around it.
Lake Van has been inhabited since ancient times, with evidence of settlements around the lake dating back to the Urartian Kingdom (9th-6th centuries BC). The Urartian fortress of Cavustepe on the lake's southern shore reveals a snippet of history.
Akdamar Island is the largest island in Lake Van and is home to the 10th-century Holy Cross Church, which features intricate stone carvings and frescoes depicting biblical scenes. It was initially a critical religious centre for the Armenian Kingdom of Vaspurakan.
Despite its saline nature, Lake Van supports a variety of wildlife. Birdwatchers can observe migratory birds, such as seagulls, ducks, and pelicans, which visit the lake during different seasons.
11: Kaputas Beach and Crystal-clear waters
Kaputaş Beach on the southwestern coast near Kaş is famed for clear waters and dramatic surroundings. Sitting roughly 7 kilometres from Kaş, a charming town known for excellent diving spots, the beach, nestled between two rocky cliffs, features fine golden sand and clear, turquoise waters and is around 150 metres long and 20 metres wide.
Flanked by steep, rocky cliffs, surrounding landscapes are rugged, mountainous terrain covered in Mediterranean vegetation. Clear waters are perfect for snorkelling, with opportunities to explore underwater marine life. Nearby, Kaş is renowned for excellent diving, including underwater ruins and rich marine biodiversity.
Seven Geographical Regions of Turkey
To understand Turkey’s landscapes better, diverse landscapes and climates are divided into seven regions. Each region's physical characteristics contribute to Turkey's rich cultural and natural heritage. In addition to seven physical areas, Turkey is bordered by the Marmara, Mediterranean, Aegean, and Black Seas. Istanbul also sits on both the Asian and European continents.
Marmara Region: Located in northwestern Turkey and bridging Europe and Asia, this region includes the bustling metropolis of Istanbul and historical Edirne. The climate is Mediterranean and oceanic, with mild, wet winters and warm, humid summers. Prominent places include Istanbul, Bursa, and the Thrace region.
Aegean Region: This region, which sits along the Aegean Sea in western Turkey, features a beautiful coastline, olive groves, and fertile valleys. Famous places include Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Izmir, Turkey’s third-largest city.
Mediterranean: The Mediterranean coast in southern Turkey features varied landscapes, including mountains, forests, and beautiful beaches. Places that stand out include Antalya, Alanya, and the Taurus mountains.
Central Anatolia Region: Central Anatolia in the heart of Turkey features a plateau landscape, steppe vegetation, and volcanic peaks. People often visit Ankara, the capital city of Cappadocia, and conservative Konya.
Black Sea: The Black Sea Region stretches along Turkey's northern coast, featuring lush green mountains and dense forests. The humid subtropical climate sees high rainfall throughout the year and mild temperatures. Famous cities include Trabzon, Rize, and Amasya.
Eastern Anatolia: Eastern Anatolia is Turkey's largest and most mountainous region. Its rugged terrain, high plateaus, and volcanic mountains are complemented by a harsh continental climate with frigid winters and warm summers. Tourism destinations include Mount Ararat, Van Lake, and Ani.
Southeastern Anatolia: Last on our list of landscapes of Turkey, Southeastern Anatolia is characterised by dry plains and rolling hills. Highlighted places here include Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, and Gobeklitepe.
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