10 Best Places to Visit in Turkey

Here are the top 10 most beautiful places to visit in Turkey that you should not be missed:

Alacati 

Alacati is one of the best places to visit for family

Alacati is a village in Central Aegean. If you walk through the streets in this village, you will see the beautiful Greek architecture and very nice people. Now, this village has become the popular destinations in Turkey as well. Also, not only sightseeing tour, but you can do windsurfing as well.

How to get in: You can take a bus from Izmir’s Otogar. The bus takes around with one and a half hour intervals between 6.30 AM and 7.30 PM during the off-season, and it will be more frequent during summer.

Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon is one of the best tourist destinations in Turkey

Blue Lagoon is located in Ölüdeniz. It is the most popular beach destination in Turkey because it is very beautiful scenery, a calm atmosphere, and very crystal clear water. Also, you can do variety of water sports. For the most famous water sport is Paragliding (should not be missed). There are also very safe place to swim for children as well.

How to get in: Ölüdeniz is connected to Fethiye with a wide road that is well-paved and is in a very good condition. There is also a very frequent minibus (dolmu?) service between Fethiye and Ölüdeniz. Access to the beach is shut by the evening around 6 PM.

The library of Celsus

Explore  the library of Celsus to learn the history of Turkey

The Library of Celsus is an ancient Roman building in Ephesus, Aegean Turkey. It is most popular site in this city. The library is 2 stories building, at the front of the library has 4 statues, which is Sophia (wisdom), Arete (virtue), Ennoia (thought), and Episteme (knowledge).  The front of the library faces eastern that you can get the morning light for reading. Then I would recommend that this is the best time to visit this site.

How to get in: The cheaper way is to go by minibusses (shared taxis) or called Dolmu? in Turkish, which are available every 10-15 minutes from Selcuk central bus station or from Kusadasi Dolmu? stop. The minibus will leave you at around 1km from the gate situated downhill.

Sultanahmet Mosque

Sultanahmet Mosque is one of the best things to see in Turkey

Sultanahmet Mosque is the most popular tourist site in Istanbul. Many people have known the place as Blue Mosque. The mosque is so impressive for many tourists around the world.  It is still a working mosque, if you need to visit you have not to wear shorts and no bare shoulders. It opens 9.00 AM – 9.00 PM in May-October and 9.00 AM – 7.00 AM in November – April. The entrance is free.

How to get in: By tram is the best way. You can get out at Sultanahmet station.

Pamukkale

Explore Pamukkale on holiday for family is the best thing to do 

Pamukkale (means cotton castle) is located inland in southeastern Aegean Turkey. These are a set of bizarre calcium cliffs and bathing pools that are so beautiful. When you access there, you have to remove your shoes due to pollution control. In summer is quite hot, so don’t forget to bring your hat and sunglasses as well.

How to get in: You can find the bus to Pamukkale/Denizli from almost all the cities of Turkey. The bus services include water, hot drinks, and a snack as well. But the bus will drop you in Denizli, do not worry, you can get the free minibus to Pamukkale (about 20 km away).

More: Pamukkale, Cotton Castle in Turkish – Photo Gallery

Hagia Sophia

Sight-seeing Hagia Sophia to learn the beauty of architecture in Turkey

Hagia Sophia or Aya Sofya has been used for mosques, but now it already changed to be museum since 1935. For the highlights, you should not miss the excellent mosaics and gallery. For entrance fee is 20 TL (credit card accepted). It opens Tuesday – Sunday 9.00 AM – 6 PM.

How to get in: It is located in Sultanahmet Square; you can go there by tram and get out at Sultanahmet station.

Bodrum Castle/Castle of St Peter

Walking around Bodrum Castle to enjoy the fresh atmosphere

Bodrum Castle or Castle of St Peter is located in Bodrum, on the southern Aegean coast of Turkey. The castle is quite pretty and the views are spectacular. It also is the most famous landmark in the city as well. Currently, the castle is operated as a museum. This museum is focused on Underwater Archaeology.

How to get in: There are many intercity bus companies that operate bus services to Bodrum from major cities of Turkey such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya, Adana, Bursa, Konya, etc

Dolmabahce Palace

Dolmabahce Palace is a beautiful place to visit for travelers

Dolmabahce Palace [link] is located in Bosphorus, Istanbul. The palace is covers areas around 110,000 square meters, it has 285 rooms and 43 halls. The guide tours are available for 45 minutes. For entrance fee is 40 TL, but if you need to access to Harem it requires an extra fee.

How to get in: It opens Tuesday – Wednesday/Friday – Sunday 9.00 AM – 3.00 PM. Buses to this district depart from Kabata. tram station, Taksim Square among others.

Mount Nemrut (Nemrut dagi)

Mount Nemrut is also one of the best tourist attractions in Turkey for traveler

The Nemrut is one of the most popular tourist sites in Turkey. The mount is the tomb sanctuary for king Antiochus Theos of Kommagene. The highlight is a tomb hill about 50 meters high.

However, you have to be prepared to get up early (at about 2.30) if you want to see the sunrise. It’s quite a distance from the mountain and it's best if you have your own transport or arrange a guided tour.

Note: if going up Nemrut to see the sunrise, do not forget to bring warm clothing with because it can get cold up there (even in summer).

Sümela Monastery

Discover Soumela Monastery for tourists who like adventure 

Sümela Monastery is a spectacular rock-hewn monastery perched dramatically on the narrow ledge of a steep cliff in the forests south of Trabzon.

How to get in: The easiest ways to get in is by tour see the detail as below:

Tours of Sumela are offered by Eyce Tours. A round trip to Sumela in the low season costs 15 TL, and does not include a guide or the 8 TL admission fee. In the high season, tours cost 12 TL and include an English speaking guide. Eyce also offers tours to other nearby areas. Find them near Atatürk Alani, at Taksim ??han? sk. 11. Tel (462) 3267174.