Turkiye
In modern Turkey, the legacy of centuries of history coexists with progressive and contemporary culture. Its exciting capital, Istanbul, spans Europe and Asia: here, upscale eateries and swanky nightclubs are squeezed between Byzantine and Ottoman structures, with calls-to-prayer from city mosques sounding above the city. The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts mix ancient Roman ruins with stunning beaches and resorts. Still, the real cultural lessons come from the Turkish people, always welcoming and eager to share their homeland’s fascinating past and present.
Istanbul
Public transportation is your best bet for getting around the city.
With an official population of over 15 million people, traffic can be a nightmare in Istanbul, so forget using taxis and avoid buses where you can. The city has extensive services including ferries, trams, metros, and a train system called the Marmaray. Whether you’re staying on the European or the Asian side, all you need is an Istanbul City Card, available at select transport hubs throughout the city. (Note, if taxi is the only option, download the Bitaksi App to check out routes and pricing, before you get in.)
The hype about the old city in Sultanahmet is true.
First time visitors should prioritize a visit to the Sultanahmet neighborhood. This small area contains the apogee of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture and lifestyles. Topkapı Palace, Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque and Hagia Sophia, with the galleries where you can see frescoes up close now reopened, the Istanbul Archaeology Museum and Yerebatan Basilica Cistern are all a stone’s throw from one another. Don’t waste time waiting to buy a ticket. Get a museum pass or a skip-the-line guided tour in advance. That way you can soak up the atmosphere and appreciate each site individually.
Experience old world Constantinople or uber trendy Istanbul.
Istanbul extends way beyond Sultanahmet and some areas have a very “village in the city” vibe, despite being in a metropolis. Step back in time in the Golden Horn district or go hipster in Kadikoy on the Asian side of the city. The most enjoyable way to reach both is by ferry. Sit with the locals and sip on a glass of tea while enjoying the sea air and the music of the waves. If you’re lucky, a pod of dolphins or porpoises will swim by.
The Turkish culinary scene caters for all tastes and budgets.
There’s a lot more to Turkish food than kebabs and baklava, tasty as they are. Small establishments often prepare the one type of food really well, or family run affairs cook delicious dishes traditional to their part of country. When the menu is only in Turkish, check out what other diners are having. A word about pricing: if you don’t see prices listed on a menu, don’t be afraid to ask. Istanbul has cheap and tasty easts and splurge-worthy dining options too at Michelin-listed restaurants. Dozens of innovative chefs have received conventional stars and green ones too, for outstandingly sustainable, eco-friendly cuisine and practices.
The Central and Southern Aegean Coast
The Aegean is one of Turkey’s most visited and most developed regions, for good reason: the area is home to some of Turkey’s most captivating treasures, from gorgeous white-sand beaches to the ancient ruins of Ephesus.
The Roman city of Ephesus is the big draw for sightseers, and rightfully so. Bodrum and its surrounding beach towns attract sunseekers from around the world and spoil them with sophisticated hotels, a buzzing nightlife scene, and remarkably unspoiled historic sites. Even İzmir, Turkey’s third-largest city and no stranger to concrete sprawl, will surprise travelers with a nice collection of museums, bustling bazaars, and lively seaside promenades. Then there are the many places in between these major stops: charming hill towns like sirince; the otherworldly white cliffs and thermal springs at Pamukkale; the seaside charms of sleepy Gümüslük village, near snazzy Bodrum; the ancient cities of Priene, Miletus, and Laodicea; and long, sandy beaches at Altinkum and elsewhere along the coast.
Cappadocia and Central Turkey
Some of the world’s oldest known human habitations were established in the hills and valleys of Central Anatolia, but today the main attraction here is the magical panorama of Cappadocia, where wind and rain have shaped the area’s soft volcanic rock into a kind of fairy-tale landscape.
In Cappadocia you’ll discover incredible rock formations, spectacular valleys, ancient cave churches, and underground cities that reach many stories beneath the surface. The small towns of Ürgüp, Göreme, Uçhisar, and Ortahisar are good bases for exploring the region’s otherworldly landscape. Whether hiking through the amazing terrain on foot, exploring underground passageways, or floating over the incredible landscape in a hot-air balloon, you’ll find Cappadocia to be unlike any place you’ve ever been before.
Southwest of Cappadocia is Konya, home to the tomb of Rumi—the 13th-century founder of the whirling dervishes—and to a fascinating museum dedicated to him. Known as Turkey’s most religiously conservative city, Konya is not a place for those looking for nightlife (alcohol can be difficult to find) or a sophisticated dining scene. But centuries-old mosques and religious seminaries lend historic character to Turkey’s seventh-largest city.
The region’s other major city is Ankara, Turkey’s capital and second-largest metropolis. Though lacking the mystique of Cappadocia or Konya, this modern urban center has one of the best archaeological museums in the country and a handful of interesting historical sites, including a citadel that surrounds a picturesque neighborhood. Also in Ankara, the imposing mausoleum of Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic, provides visitors a great deal of insight into the modern Turkish psyche.
As you travel through the Turkish heartland, you’ll see mostly agricultural regions—the province of Konya, with its vast plains where grains and other crops are grown, is known as the country’s breadbasket—and encounter a slice of provincial life.
The Turquoise Coast is just as stunning as its name suggests. Luminous blue waves in that signature shade (the word “turquoise” actually comes from the French for “Turkish”) lap at isolated coves and some of the country’s most iconic beaches—including Ölüdeniz, Patara, and ?ztuzu. Inhabited for millennia, spectacular archaeological ruins of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine origin are never far away. Termessos is said to have defied Alexander the Great because he was daunted by its height, and the antique theater in Apsendos rivals the Colosseum in Rome.
To the northwest is the Datça Peninsula, a Mediterranean landscape of rolling hills, with almond and olive trees looking out on a sea dotted with Greek islands. East of Marmaris, a more-touristy town, you’ll find the Lycian coast with its rich mix of ruins and camera-ready beaches. Each Lycian coast destination has a distinct feel: crowded Ölüdeniz with its lovely lagoon; laid-back, alternative Kabak; low-key Patara; upscale, ex-pat haven Kalkan; lively Ka?; and the green and relaxed Olympos area. Antalya, the biggest city on this stretch, has long beaches lined with resorts and an often tourist-free historic center, Kaleiçi, filled with historic mansions (many now converted into boutique hotels). Antalya also has the coast’s best museum and archaeological sites, Aspendos among them. East of the resort towns of Side and Alanya, the region becomes rugged, tourists rare, and prices much lower. Ruins, castles, and beaches remain plentiful, however, and the taste of “real Turkey” becomes more pronounced.
