Türkiye · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Türkiye
These are the places worth your time in Türkiye, from the mosques, bazaars and ferries of Istanbul to the valleys of Cappadocia, the ruins and beaches around Antalya and Izmir, and the islands and lagoons of Fethiye. Classics sit beside quiet corners many travellers miss, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Istanbul
Arts and Culture
- Hagia Sophia (Sultanahmet)
The sixth century domed wonder that has been a cathedral, a mosque, a museum and a mosque again. - Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet)
Six minarets and thousands of blue Iznik tiles, still a working mosque. - Topkapı Palace (Sultanahmet)
The courtyards, treasury and harem of the Ottoman sultans above the Bosphorus. - Basilica Cistern (Sultanahmet)
A dim underground forest of Roman columns, including the two Medusa heads. - Istanbul Archaeology Museums (Gülhane)
Superb sarcophagi, ancient tiles and treaties in a quieter corner of the old city. - Chora Church (Kariye Mosque) (Edirnekapı)
Some of the finest Byzantine mosaics anywhere, near the old land walls. - Süleymaniye Mosque (Fatih)
Sinan's masterpiece, with a terrace view over the Golden Horn. - Rüstem Pasha Mosque (Eminönü)
A small mosque above the market streets, covered inside with exquisite tiles. - Istanbul Modern (Karaköy)
Türkiye's leading modern art museum in a striking building on the waterfront. - Museum of Innocence (Çukurcuma)
Orhan Pamuk's museum of everyday objects from his novel of the same name.
Shopping and Markets
- Grand Bazaar (Beyazıt)
One of the world's oldest covered markets, with thousands of shops under painted vaults. - Spice Bazaar (Eminönü)
Turkish delight, spices, dried fruit and tea in a seventeenth century market hall. - Kadıköy Market (Kadıköy)
The Asian side's food streets of fishmongers, pickle shops, delis and cafés.
Things to Do
- Bosphorus public ferry (Eminönü)
The cheapest and best way to see palaces and wooden mansions from the water. - Galata Tower (Galata)
A medieval stone tower with a panoramic balcony over the old city and the Bosphorus. - Çamlıca Hill (Üsküdar)
A hilltop on the Asian side for sunset views over the whole city. - Princes' Islands (Büyükada)
Car free islands of wooden villas, pine woods and bike rides, a ferry ride from the city. - Cağaloğlu Hamamı (Sultanahmet)
A historic eighteenth century Turkish bath with marble halls.
Nature and Outdoors
- Balat and Fener (Fatih)
Colourful old streets, churches and synagogues on the Golden Horn. - Emirgan Park (Sarıyer)
A Bosphorus park famous for its spring tulip displays and old pavilions.
Restaurants
- Çiya Sofrası (Kadıköy)
Regional Anatolian home cooking with dishes you rarely see elsewhere. - Karaköy Lokantası (Karaköy)
A tiled classic serving Turkish home style dishes at lunch and meze at night. - Mikla (Beyoğlu)
Modern Anatolian cooking on a rooftop with sweeping views. - Hamdi Restaurant (Eminönü)
Southeastern kebabs and a terrace overlooking the Golden Horn.
Cafés
- Karaköy Güllüoğlu (Karaköy)
The city's best known baklava shop, busy from morning to night. - Pierre Loti Café (Eyüp)
A hilltop tea garden above the Golden Horn reached by cable car.
Bars and Nightlife
- Nevizade Street meyhanes (Beyoğlu)
A lane of taverns where meze and rakı flow late into the night.
Events
- Istanbul Tulip Festival (Citywide)
Millions of tulips fill the city's parks every April. - Istanbul Music Festival (Citywide)
A summer season of classical music in historic venues across the city.
Stays
- Pera Palace Hotel (Tepebaşı)
A grand historic hotel from 1892 where Agatha Christie once stayed.
Places to Visit in Cappadocia
Arts and Culture
- Göreme Open Air Museum (Göreme)
Rock cut monasteries and churches with remarkable Byzantine frescoes. - Zelve Open Air Museum (Zelve)
A former cave town of churches and homes in three quiet valleys. - Derinkuyu Underground City (Derinkuyu)
An underground city dug many levels deep to shelter thousands of people. - Kaymaklı Underground City (Kaymaklı)
Narrow passages, stables and storerooms in a vast underground refuge.
Things to Do
- Hot air balloon flight (Göreme)
Drift over fairy chimneys and valleys at sunrise with a licensed operator. - Uçhisar Castle (Uçhisar)
A hollowed rock fortress at the highest point of the area, with sweeping views. - Mustafapaşa (Mustafapaşa)
A quiet village of carved Greek stone houses and old churches. - Ortahisar Castle (Ortahisar)
A rock citadel above a village with far fewer crowds than Göreme.
Nature and Outdoors
- Rose Valley (Çavuşin)
Pink rock walls, cave chapels and the region's classic sunset walk. - Love Valley (Göreme)
Tall rock pillars and easy trails just outside Göreme. - Pigeon Valley (Uçhisar)
A walking trail between Göreme and Uçhisar past old carved dovecotes. - Ihlara Valley (Aksaray)
A green river gorge with painted churches hidden in its cliffs. - Paşabağı (Avanos road)
Fairy chimneys with multiple caps, once home to hermit monks.
Shopping and Markets
- Avanos pottery workshops (Avanos)
A river town where potters still throw red clay on kick wheels.
Bars and Nightlife
- Turasan Winery (Ürgüp)
Tastings of wines made from grapes grown in Cappadocia's volcanic soil.
Cafés
- Göreme sunset viewpoint (Göreme)
Watch the balloons rise or the sun set over the valleys from the hill above the village.
Stays
- Museum Hotel (Uçhisar)
A cave hotel full of antiques with a pool overlooking the valleys.
Places to Visit in Antalya
Arts and Culture
- Kaleiçi (Old Town)
The walled old town of Ottoman houses, lanes and cafés above the harbour. - Hadrian's Gate (Kaleiçi)
A triple arched Roman gate built for the emperor's visit. - Antalya Museum (Konyaaltı)
One of Türkiye's best archaeological museums, with statues from Perge. - Aspendos Theatre (Serik)
One of the best preserved Roman theatres in the world. - Perge Ancient City (Aksu)
Colonnaded streets, baths and a stadium near the city. - Termessos (Güllük Dağı National Park)
A wild mountain city of tombs and a theatre with a view. - Side Ancient City (Side)
A Temple of Apollo by the sea in a lively resort town.
Nature and Outdoors
- Düden Waterfalls (Lara)
Water that plunges off cliffs straight into the sea. - Konyaaltı Beach (Konyaaltı)
A long pebble beach with mountain views and a seafront park. - Lara Beach (Lara)
Golden sand lined by big resort hotels east of the city. - Kurşunlu Waterfall (Aksu)
A shady nature park with a waterfall and pools away from the coast. - Chimaera flames at Olympos (Çıralı)
Eternal flames burning from the hillside, best seen after dark.
Things to Do
- Tünektepe cable car (Konyaaltı)
A ride up the mountain for views over the city and bay. - Kekova sunken city boat trip (Üçağız)
Glide over ruins half under the water off the Lycian coast. - Kaş (Kaş)
A charming small harbour town for diving, kayaking and quiet coves.
Shopping and Markets
- Antalya old bazaar (Kaleiçi)
Lanes of spice stalls, leather and souvenirs near the clock tower.
Cafés
- Kaleiçi harbour cafés (Old harbour)
Tea or coffee by the boats in the old Roman harbour.
Bars and Nightlife
- Kaleiçi old town bars (Kaleiçi)
Garden bars and live music in the old town lanes.
Events
- Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival (Serik)
Performances in the ancient theatre on summer nights.
Places to Visit in Izmir
Arts and Culture
- Ephesus Ancient City (Selçuk)
The Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre and marble streets of a Roman metropolis. - Terrace Houses of Ephesus (Selçuk)
Roman homes with mosaics and frescoes under a protective roof. - Ephesus Museum (Selçuk)
Statues of Artemis and finds from the ancient city. - Basilica of St John (Selçuk)
Ruins of a great church on the hill above Selçuk. - Pergamon Acropolis (Bergama)
A steep hillside theatre and temples reached by cable car. - Izmir Clock Tower (Konak)
The city's elegant symbol in Konak Square. - Agora of Smyrna (Namazgah)
Remains of the ancient Roman market in the city centre.
Shopping and Markets
- Kemeraltı Bazaar (Konak)
A huge historic market of lanes, mosques, inns and food stalls.
Cafés
- Kızlarağası Han (Kemeraltı)
An eighteenth century inn with coffee in its courtyard.
Things to Do
- Kordon promenade (Alsancak)
The seafront where the whole city walks and watches the sunset. - Asansör (Karataş)
A historic lift with views over the bay from the top. - Izmir bay ferry (Konak)
A cheap ride across the bay to Karşıyaka and back. - Kadifekale (Kadifekale)
The ancient hilltop citadel with a view over the city. - Alaçatı (Çeşme)
Stone houses, windmills and boutique restaurants in a stylish seaside town. - Şirince (Selçuk)
A hillside village of stone houses known for fruit wines. - Ayvalık (Ayvalık)
Old Greek houses, olive oil and the nearby island of Cunda.
Nature and Outdoors
- Pamukkale travertines (Pamukkale)
White terraces of warm mineral pools beside Roman Hierapolis. - Ilıca Beach (Çeşme)
Shallow, calm water popular with families on the Çeşme peninsula.
Restaurants
- Boyoz and egg breakfast in Kemeraltı (Kemeraltı)
Izmir's signature flaky pastry eaten with hard boiled eggs.
Bars and Nightlife
- Alsancak bar streets (Alsancak)
Lanes of bars and live music around Kıbrıs Şehitleri Street.
Places to Visit in Fethiye
Nature and Outdoors
- Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon (Ölüdeniz)
A sheltered turquoise lagoon in a nature park. - Butterfly Valley (Faralya)
A canyon beach with a small waterfall reached by boat. - Saklıkent Gorge (Saklıkent)
Wade through cold water between high canyon walls. - Kabak Bay (Kabak)
A remote cove with tree houses and yoga camps. - Patara Beach (Patara)
A huge sandy beach beside an ancient city and turtle nesting site. - Çalış Beach (Çalış)
A long beach known for its sunsets.
Things to Do
- Babadağ paragliding (Ölüdeniz)
Tandem flights from the mountain down to the beach. - Twelve Islands boat trip (Fethiye harbour)
A day of swim stops in coves around the Gulf of Fethiye. - Lycian Way (Ovacık)
The start of the long distance coastal trail above Ölüdeniz. - Göcek gulet cruise (Göcek)
Wooden boat cruises around the bays of the Göcek gulf.
Arts and Culture
- Kayaköy (Kayaköy)
A hillside ghost village abandoned after the 1923 population exchange. - Amyntas Rock Tombs (Fethiye)
Lycian tombs carved into the cliff above town. - Tlos Ancient City (Seydikemer)
A Lycian hilltop city with tombs and views of the mountains. - Xanthos and Letoon (Kınık)
The UNESCO listed capital and sanctuary of ancient Lycia. - Fethiye Museum (Fethiye)
Lycian finds and the trilingual Letoon inscription.
Shopping and Markets
- Fethiye Tuesday Market (Fethiye)
A big weekly market of produce, textiles and spices. - Paspatur Old Bazaar (Fethiye)
Lanes of small shops and cafés in the old quarter.
Restaurants
- Fethiye Fish Market (Fethiye)
Choose your fish at the stalls and have it cooked next door.
Cafés
- Gözleme stalls in Ölüdeniz (Ölüdeniz)
Thin filled flatbreads cooked on a griddle by village women.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Mandabatmaz (Beyoğlu, Istanbul)
A tiny café near İstiklal famous for thick Turkish coffee. - Seten Restaurant (Göreme, Cappadocia)
Refined Anatolian dishes on a terrace overlooking Göreme. - Testi kebabı in Göreme (Göreme, Cappadocia)
The local clay pot stew, cracked open at the table, served across the village. - Ziggy Cafe (Ürgüp, Cappadocia)
Creative meze and Turkish dishes on a terrace in Ürgüp. - Argos in Cappadocia (Uçhisar, Cappadocia)
Restored cave rooms and a monastery cellar on the edge of Uçhisar. - Cappadox Festival (Ürgüp, Cappadocia)
A festival of music, art and nature walks held in the valleys. - Sobesos ancient city (Şahinefendi, Cappadocia)
Rare Roman mosaics in a little visited excavation south of Ürgüp. - Seraser Fine Dining (Kaleiçi, Antalya)
Mediterranean cooking in a restored Ottoman house in the old town. - Piyazcı Ahmet (Muratpaşa, Antalya)
Local favourite for Antalya's bean salad and grilled meatballs. - 7 Mehmet (Konyaaltı, Antalya)
A long established restaurant with Turkish dishes and views over the bay. - Tuvana Hotel (Kaleiçi, Antalya)
A group of restored Ottoman houses with a courtyard pool in the old town. - Deniz Restaurant (Alsancak, Izmir)
A long standing seafood restaurant on the Kordon. - Kumru in Alsancak (Alsancak, Izmir)
Izmir's toasted sandwich of sausage, cheese and tomato. - Izmir International Fair (Kültürpark, Izmir)
A long running late summer fair with concerts in the city's central park. - Kayaköy village restaurants (Kayaköy, Fethiye)
Garden restaurants serving gözleme and meze beside the ruins. - Hisarönü bar street (Hisarönü, Fethiye)
Lively bars and clubs for a night out. - Faralya village guesthouses (Faralya, Fethiye)
Simple cliffside stays above Butterfly Valley. - Ölüdeniz Air Games (Ölüdeniz, Fethiye)
An autumn paragliding festival with displays over the lagoon.