Top 12 things to do when visiting Turkey

What should you not miss when you visit Türkiye?
If you are looking for an amazing destination with a rich history, diverse cultures, untouched nature, and a breathtaking view of the sea, then look no further than Turkey. From bustling cities and ancient civilizations to unique landscapes, find and enjoy more of what you came for with these top 12 things you shouldn’t miss while in Turkey.

Did you know 💡: Having shared the same word with a bird for a long time, Turkey has just changed its official name to ‘Türkiye’ for the rebranding and better representation of the country.

1. Hot air balloon over Cappadocia
Whimsical Cappadocia is not to be missed while traveling in Türkiye! The ancient volcanic eruption and the natural erosion of the rocks created what is now a unique lunar landscape.

There is no experience quite as magical as watching hundreds of hot air balloons dance in the sky as the rock of the valley turns gold at sunrise and sunset. Delight in the otherworldly beauty of Cappadocia by doing some hiking, exploring some underground caves, and even going up in a hot air balloon.

Bonus Travel Tip✔️: Weather conditions in Cappadocia can be unpredictable. Be sure to book an extra night if you want the best view of the hot air balloons.
Best places to Instagram in Cappadocia 📸
Take advantage of the most photogenic Cappadocia and explore more, from rooftop views and colorful Turkish carpet tents to panoramic sunrises and sunsets.

Rooftops: Sultan Cave Suites
Mithras Cave Hotel
Koza Cave Hotel
red valley
valley of love
pigeon valley
fairy chimneys
Goreme Sunset Point
Galeri Ikman Carpet Store
Sultan rugs
balloon launch site
hotel-museum
open-air museums

2. Walking through the splendid Istanbul
As the only city in the world that sits on two continents, Europe and Asia, and was the capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires with a history of more than 2,600 years, Istanbul is where East meets West and where Christianity and Islam coexist. A modern metropolis with a rich history, magnificent architecture, stunning sea views and delicious food, what else do you expect?

It’s a great showcase of how different cultures collide. Walking around Istanbul and exploring the glorious mosques, museums, churches, palaces and small streets that will leave you speechless, you will be amazed by the complex cultural layer of this great city.

Top 10 awesome places in Istanbul 🕌
blue mosque
Suleymaniye Mosque
Hagia Sophia Mosque
topkapi palace
Dolmabahce Palace
Beylerbeyi Palace
Chora Museum
Bosphorus Strait
basilica cistern
kiz kulesi

3. Shop at exciting bazaars
The bazaar culture is a unique treasure of Turkey and is a must for tourists. When you enter the ancient, colorful and architecturally beautiful bazaars, you will feel like you are in the story of “Arabian Nights”.

The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is the most famous in Turkey and one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. There are more than 4,000 stalls and vendors offering almost endless types of goods, including groceries, Turkish handicrafts, hand-woven carpets, delicacies, jewelry. Lose yourself in this whole new world, a stunning place you never know.

4. Delight your palate with Turkish cuisine
Aside from the magnificent architecture, another highlight of Türkiye is Turkish food. Open your mind to the vast and diverse Turkish cuisine, one of the most famous cuisines in the world. As Turkish culture is a mix of East and West, Turkish food contains myriad influences and flavors.

Pamper your day by starting with Kahvalti, a traditional Turkish breakfast serving hearty dishes including olives, cheese, butter, spreads, freshly baked bread and black tea. It’s more of a ceremony to start a day than a regular survival breakfast, as it’s usually a family-oriented affair. Get ready to please your taste buds and “afiyet olsun” (bon appetit)!

The most signature Turkish dishes 😋
Şiş kebap (the skewered kebap)
Şakşuka (aubergines and vegetable ragù)
Köfte (Turkish meatballs)
Pide (Turkish pizza)
Hamsili Pilav (fried hamsi)
Kumpir (baked potato with stuffing)
Meze (cold appetizers include around 20 items)
Baklava (Turkish dessert)
Lokum (Turkish delight)
Bulgur pilavı (bulgur pilaf)
Kuru Fasulye (white bean stew)
Su boregi (pastry)
Dolma (stuffed vine leaves)

5. Get more and more caffeine
When it comes to caffeine, Turks cannot be separated from coffee and tea. Considered one of the strongest in the world as it is rich and highly caffeinated, Turkish coffee dates back centuries within the Ottoman Empire and has been included on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Likewise, black tea is also a popular drink in Turkey and is widely consumed. Who can refuse the elegant teapot and special curved tea glasses filled with traditional Turkish tea?

6. Take a time machine in Ephesus

Allow a day for this amazing world heritage site and the best preserved Roman ruins in the world, Ephesus, located about 80 km south of Izmir in Turkey. Ephesus was an ancient port city that was considered the most important Greek city and commercial center in the Mediterranean region.

It continued its importance as a commercial and cultural center during Roman times. Discover the fascinating history by walking through the ancient streets, shopping areas and bathing areas, visiting the impressive Library of Celsus, the Great Theater and the Temple of Hadrian. You will feel the real life of the city in the ancient world.

7. Swim in Pamukkale
Pamukkale, often translated as “cotton castle”, offers dreamy landscapes like its dreamy name.

It is famous for the spectacular snow-white travertine terraces and the calcium-rich water that flows from the hot springs and is deposited on the hills below, forming these incredible terraces. Visitors can swim in the public travertine pools and Cleopatra’s pool, which is included in your admission ticket.

8. Discover the attractive Antalya
If you are wondering about visiting a place in Turkey where you can relax, laze around or enjoy swimming, surfing and canoeing, it must be Antalya! Antalya is located in southern Turkey, between the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, and has been a major port on the Mediterranean since Eastern Roman times. Make the most of your trip by spending a day exploring the old town and lazing on the bustling beaches with stunning views.

The best beaches in Antalya 🏖️
Konyaalti Beach
Mermerly Beach
Inciralti Beach
Kemer moonlight beach
Kaputas Beach
lara beach
BLM Beach
Cleopatra Beach
Damlatas Beach
Incekum Beach

9. Go sailing on a schooner
If you’re looking for fun, don’t forget to spend a day on a gulet cruise. Schooner is a traditional looking wooden boat originating from Turkey. It is the most beautiful way to get close to Turkey’s stunning turquoise coastline, which offers untouched nature and azure sea.

Enjoy an unforgettable and relaxing day at sea cruising around Bodrum, Marmaris, Gocek, Dodecanese, Fethiye or Hisaronu area. You can choose the area according to your preferences. Typically, lunch or dinner will be served on the boat. Enjoy the cool and cozy weather to the fullest by sailing with the breeze!

10. Hike the epic Lycian Way
Türkiye is a fantastic place to activate your nature mode! Go hiking and see more and more from the top, it’s always good to get into real nature to experience how sublime it is. Lycian Way, Turkey’s most famous long-distance hiking trail, features a 540 km trail around the Lycian coast in southern Turkey, from Fethiye to Antalya.

Don’t be overwhelmed by this incredible number! You can start and finish in different places where you prefer, and there is good public transport between these places of passage. The Lycian Way passes 25 historical sites, including Xanhos and Letoön, UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Step on the ancient Roman roads, located between the mountains and the Mediterranean coast and admire the most magnificent view from above.

11. Watch a whirling dervish ceremony
This revolving meditation ceremony dates back to the 13th century in Konya. The ritual consists of dancers in white robes, a singer, a flutist, a drummer, and a cymbal.

There are several places for visitors to experience the authentic whirling dervish ceremony.

Konya: Konya is the best place to learn about the traditional culture of the dervishes.
It is famous for the Mevlana Whirling Dervishes Festival, which takes place annually between November and December (according to the Islamic religious calendar), and is also where the master of the art of dance, Mevlana Rumi Jelaleddin, was buried. During the celebration, various events, including music, dance, and spiritual events, are held in Konta to commemorate him.

Istanbul – If you spend any time in Istanbul, don’t miss a visit to the Galata Mevlevi House Museum, which holds a weekly sema ceremony on Sundays.

Bursa: In Bursa, you can also enjoy short daily sema evening ceremonies at the Mevlana Cultural Center.

12. Relax with a Hammam
Traveling is exciting, but also exhausting. After visiting and experiencing so many things in Turkey, enjoy the physical and mental relaxation of a Turkish bath, which is a steam bath that can date back to the 14th century with cleansing and pampering associated with Islamic culture.

There are many services you can choose from. The traditional Turkish bath package normally includes a 45 minute scrub, body scrub, foam wash and massage. The wizards inside will guide you through the entire process. Let your stresses and jet lag melt away for your Ottoman style relaxation getaway.