Top 10 Places to Visit in Turkey

To be able to become a citizen of Republic of Turkey, there are several options investors might benefit from. They can make an investment of at least 250,000 $ in real estate. They can also found/buy a company with at least 500,000 $ capital. Finally, they can prefer depositing 500,000 $ in State investment instruments or state banks operating in Turkey provided that they do not withdraw such amount for three years. Also, employing 50 personnel is determined as a criterion for applying for Turkish citizenship with the new regulation. The process of Turkish citizenship by investment usually takes around 3 to 6 months.

Turkey is a country that has it all. The country connects two continents: Europe and Asia. It boasts all sorts of natural scenery: mountains, seas, lakes, waterfalls, rivers, forests and even thermal hot springs. It has the perfect mix of historical and modern cities. It is possible to find vibrant nightlife and peaceful neighbourhoods located closely and harmoniously. Here are the ten places in Turkey that every traveller should visit.

1. Istanbul

Istanbul is the most popular city of Turkey. It’s this city that straddles two continents at once. The Bosphorus Strait acts like a continental border, splitting the city into two halves—European and Asian. Country’s art scene is mainly this city and also the city is the centre of the country’s film and television industry. The places that everyone should see in Istanbul are Ottoman Topkapi Palace, the beautiful Hagia Sophia with its intricate mosaics, and the underground Basilica Cistern. Grand Bazaar is another important attraction. Blue Mosque and Galata Tower are also popular among tourists. Istanbul is a city like no other in the world and one that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.

2. Ankara

Turkey’s capital city, Ankara, is a sprawling, modern city home to government buildings, commercial businesses, universities and foreign embassies. Located right in the center of the country and the Anatolia region, Ankara is an important transportation hub, linking travellers to other major destinations in Turkey. The city itself city offers a lively arts and culture scene with a large concentration of museums, including the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. Turkey’s capital may not be as high-energy as Istanbul, but the quieter bureaucratic city of Ankara has amazing architecture from the founding of the Republic and onward, the historic state opera and ballet, Atatürk mausoleum Anıtkabir and its historic quarter with its famous castle.

3. Bodrum

Located in the southern Aegean region of Turkey, Bodrum was once home to the Mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today, its intriguing ruins, stunning beaches and cliff-top resorts attract people from all over the world. No visit to Bodrum would be complete without seeing the Castle of St. Peter, also known as Bodrum Castle. Built in 1402, it now operates as a museum. On Bodrum’s eastern side, tourists will find a beautiful beach overlooking brilliant blue water. Near the beach are plenty of cafes, bars and nightclubs. On the western side of town is the marina, shopping centres and restaurants.

4. Cappadocia

Certainly one of Turkey’s most well-known destinations, the image of hot air balloons gliding over the magical landscape of Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys has become an icon. Underground cities, cave churches with beautiful frescoes and the earthenware potters of Avanos are all world-famous.

5. Ephesus

Europe’s most complete classical metropolis, Ephesus is an ancient site located in Aegean Turkey. By the 1st century BC, Ephesus was one of the largest cities in all of the Roman Empire, boasting one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis. The ruins of Ephesus are well preserved and contained within a large archaeological site, making it one of Turkey’s most popular tourist attractions. Its attractions include the massive Theatre, the Temple of Hadrian and the magnificent Celsus Library, a two-story structure that was built to house more than 12,000 scrolls.

6. Bursa

The former capital of the Ottoman Empire, Bursa has a long list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites that include its many mosques and bazaars, as well as the beautifully preserved village of Cumalıkızık from the early Ottoman period.

7. Antalya

The coast of Turkey has been a dream for many summer vacationers and Antalya’s beautiful landscape, where the mountains and glittering sea become one, is one of the most impressive. Exploring Antalya outside its main city is rewarded in the form of secluded bays and beaches.

8. Muğla

Speaking of secluded bays and beaches, the municipality of Muğla (which includes the major summer resort towns of Marmaris, Bodrum and Fethiye) has its fair share of exceptional spots to truly enjoy the confluence of sea and flora. From the secluded beaches of Mazı near Bodrum to the Kabak Bay and Butterfly Valley near Fethiye to Dalyan near Marmaris, there’s plenty to explore.

9. Mardin

One of the most visually spectacular cities in Turkey, Mardin impresses thoroughly with its old city composed of beautifully hand carved stone houses, mosques and churches belonging to the Artukid period.

10. Black Sea Coast

Most comparable to the Swiss terrain, the Black Sea region is a fantastic conglomeration of mountains and alpine pastures where villagers still live in nature’s simplicity. From the Kaçkar Mountains to Artvin to the Sumela Monastery, Turkey’s Black Sea region is exceptional.