Marmara
Istanbul
The only city spanning two continents. Home to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, and Bosphorus cruises. A mesmeri...
Explore Türkiye
Welcome to Explore Türkiye — your interactive guide to one of the world's most fascinating countries. Spanning two continents and seven distinct regions, Türkiye offers an extraordinary tapestry of ancient civilizations, dramatic landscapes, and warm hospitality. From the bustling bazaars of Istanbul to the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, from the turquoise Mediterranean coast to the wild mountains of the Black Sea — discover over 65 handpicked destinations, build your own travel route, and start planning your Turkish adventure.
Regions
Route Builder (0)
Places to Visit
×
Marmara
Hagia Sophia
Built in 537 AD as a cathedral, later a mosque, then museum, and mosque again. Its massive dome was an architectural won...
Marmara
Grand Bazaar
One of the world's oldest and largest covered markets with over 4,000 shops. Spices, carpets, ceramics, jewelry — a sens...
Marmara
Topkapi Palace
Primary residence of Ottoman sultans for 400 years. Houses sacred relics, the imperial harem, and stunning Bosphorus vie...
Marmara
Bosphorus
The strait separating Europe and Asia. Cruise past Ottoman waterfront mansions (yalıs), Rumeli Fortress, and two contine...
Marmara
Princes' Islands
Car-free islands in the Sea of Marmara. Victorian-era wooden mansions, pine forests, and horse-drawn carriages (now elec...
Marmara
Bursa
First Ottoman capital at the foot of Mount Uludağ. Famous for İskender kebab, thermal baths, Green Mosque, and the Uluda...
Marmara
Gallipoli
WWI battlefields on the Dardanelles peninsula. Memorial parks honor the fallen from the devastating 1915 campaign.
Marmara
Troy
Legendary ancient city of Homer's Iliad near Çanakkale. Archaeological layers span 4,000 years. The famous wooden horse ...
Marmara
Edirne
Former Ottoman capital near the Greek and Bulgarian borders. The Selimiye Mosque, Mimar Sinan's masterpiece, is a UNESCO...
Aegean
Ephesus
One of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world. Walk the marble streets past the Library of Celsus, Great Theatre...
Aegean
Pamukkale
Stunning white travertine terraces filled with thermal water. The ancient city of Hierapolis sits atop. Swim in Cleopatr...
Aegean
Izmir
Turkey's third-largest city on the Aegean coast. Liberal, modern atmosphere. Visit the ancient Agora, Konak Square clock...
Aegean
Bodrum
Ancient Halicarnassus, home to one of the Seven Wonders. Today a glamorous resort town with the Castle of St. Peter, vib...
Aegean
Pergamon
Ancient Greek city with a dramatic acropolis, the steepest theatre of antiquity, and the famous Altar of Zeus. A UNESCO ...
Aegean
Kuşadası
Popular cruise port near Ephesus. Beautiful beaches, lively waterfront, and the tiny Pigeon Island fortress connected by...
Aegean
Alaçatı
Charming stone village near Çeşme known as the windsurfing capital of Turkey. Narrow streets with bougainvillea, boutiqu...
Aegean
Aphrodisias
Ancient city dedicated to Aphrodite with a remarkably preserved stadium seating 30,000. The sculpture school here was fa...
Aegean
Priene
Beautifully situated ancient Ionian city on a dramatic terrace overlooking the Meander valley. The Temple of Athena was ...
Aegean
Çeşme
Peninsula resort town with crystal-clear waters, thermal springs, and a Genoese castle. Gateway to the Greek island of C...
Mediterranean
Antalya
Gateway to the Turkish Riviera. The old town (Kaleiçi) has Ottoman houses, Roman-era Hadrian's Gate, and stunning views ...
Mediterranean
Cappadocia Hot Air Balloons
While Cappadocia is in Central Anatolia, the Mediterranean route connects to it. Hundreds of balloons rising over fairy ...
Mediterranean
Ölüdeniz
The 'Dead Sea' — a sheltered lagoon with the most photographed beach in Turkey. Paraglide from Babadağ mountain for brea...
Mediterranean
Kaş
Bohemian seaside town on the Lycian coast. Scuba diving, sea kayaking to sunken cities, and day trips to the Greek islan...
Mediterranean
Demre (Myra)
Ancient Myra with spectacular rock-cut Lycian tombs. The Church of St. Nicholas — the real Santa Claus was bishop here i...
Mediterranean
Lycian Way
One of the world's top 10 long-distance hiking trails. 540 km along the coast from Fethiye to Antalya past ancient ruins...
Mediterranean
Side
Ancient port city with a stunning Roman theatre and Temple of Apollo right on the waterfront. Resort town built among an...
Mediterranean
Alanya
Resort city dominated by a massive Seljuk fortress on a rocky peninsula. The Red Tower (Kızıl Kule), Cleopatra Beach, an...
Mediterranean
Kekova
Sunken city visible through crystal-clear water from a boat. Ancient Lycian settlement partially submerged by earthquake...
Mediterranean
Olympos & Chimera
Ancient Lycian city in a forested valley meeting the beach. Nearby Chimera (Yanartaş) has eternal flames from natural ga...
Mediterranean
Fethiye
Beautiful harbor town with Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliff above town. Base for boat trips to the 12 Islands and...
Mediterranean
Patara
Turkey's longest uninterrupted sand beach (18 km) backed by ancient Lycian ruins including the world's oldest known ligh...
Central Anatolia
Cappadocia (Göreme)
Surreal landscape of fairy chimneys, cave churches with Byzantine frescoes, and underground cities carved into volcanic ...
Central Anatolia
Ankara
Turkey's capital and second-largest city. Anıtkabir (Atatürk's mausoleum), Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, and the an...
Central Anatolia
Derinkuyu Underground City
Massive ancient underground city descending 8 levels deep, sheltering up to 20,000 people. Complete with churches, stabl...
Central Anatolia
Konya
Spiritual home of the Whirling Dervishes and Rumi's mausoleum. One of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities w...
Central Anatolia
Hattusa
Capital of the ancient Hittite Empire (1600-1178 BC). Massive stone gates with sphinx and lion reliefs. UNESCO World Her...
Central Anatolia
Salt Lake (Tuz Gölü)
Turkey's second-largest lake and one of the world's largest salt flats. In summer the shallow water creates a stunning m...
Central Anatolia
Ihlara Valley
Deep canyon carved by the Melendiz River with over 100 rock-cut churches decorated with frescoes dating to the 7th-14th ...
Central Anatolia
Uçhisar Castle
The highest point in Cappadocia — a natural rock fortress riddled with tunnels and rooms. Panoramic views of the entire ...
Central Anatolia
Safranbolu
Ottoman-era town with perfectly preserved timber-frame houses, cobblestone streets, and traditional bazaars. UNESCO Worl...
Black Sea
Trabzon
Historic port city on the Black Sea coast. Gateway to Sumela Monastery and the lush Pontic Alps. Rich Byzantine heritage...
Black Sea
Sumela Monastery
Jaw-dropping Greek Orthodox monastery clinging to a sheer cliff at 1,200m in the Pontic Mountains. Founded in 386 AD wit...
Black Sea
Uzungöl
Picturesque lake village in a deep valley surrounded by dense forest and misty mountains. Feels like the Swiss Alps meet...
Black Sea
Ayder Plateau
Alpine plateau at 1,350m with hot springs, wooden chalets, and stunning mountain scenery. Gateway for trekking in the Ka...
Black Sea
Rize
Turkey's tea capital. Terraced tea gardens cascade down misty green hillsides. Visit a tea factory and sample fresh çay ...
Black Sea
Sinop
Turkey's northernmost point on a narrow peninsula. Ancient port with a well-preserved fortress. Known as the happiest ci...
Black Sea
Amasya
Stunning Ottoman houses line the river beneath Pontic rock tombs carved into cliffs. Birthplace of the geographer Strabo...
Black Sea
Kaçkar Mountains
Rugged mountain range reaching 3,937m. Glacial lakes, alpine meadows, and pristine trekking routes. The Pontic Alps at t...
Eastern Anatolia
Mount Ararat
Turkey's highest peak at 5,137m. The legendary resting place of Noah's Ark. Snow-capped year-round and visible from Arme...
Eastern Anatolia
Lake Van
Turkey's largest lake — a soda lake at 1,640m altitude with strikingly blue water. Akdamar Island holds a 10th-century A...
Eastern Anatolia
Ani
Ghost city on the Armenian border — once a Silk Road metropolis of 100,000 people. Haunting ruins of churches and mosque...
Eastern Anatolia
Doğubayazıt (Ishak Pasha Palace)
Fairy-tale Ottoman palace perched at 2,200m with Ararat as backdrop. A blend of Seljuk, Ottoman, and Persian architectur...
Eastern Anatolia
Kars
Frontier city near Ani with Russian-era stone buildings. Kars Castle overlooks the city. Try the famous local Kars gravy...
Eastern Anatolia
Nemrut Crater Lake
Not to be confused with Mount Nemrut statues — this volcanic crater near Lake Van holds both a hot and cold lake. Wild c...
Eastern Anatolia
Muradiye Waterfall
Powerful waterfall near Lake Van surrounded by basalt columns. The old Ottoman bridge beside it completes the picturesqu...
Southeastern Anatolia
Göbekli Tepe
The world's oldest known temple complex (9600 BC) — rewriting the history of civilization. Predates Stonehenge by 6,000 ...
Southeastern Anatolia
Mount Nemrut
2,134m summit with giant stone heads of gods from the Commagene Kingdom (1st century BC). Sunrise here with the colossal...
Southeastern Anatolia
Şanlıurfa
The 'City of Prophets' — believed birthplace of Abraham. The sacred Balıklıgöl (Pool of Sacred Fish) and lively bazaars ...
Southeastern Anatolia
Mardin
Honey-colored stone city cascading down a hilltop overlooking the Mesopotamian plains. Arab, Kurdish, and Syriac Christi...
Southeastern Anatolia
Hasankeyf
12,000-year-old settlement on the Tigris River — one of the oldest continuously inhabited places on Earth. Partially sub...
Southeastern Anatolia
Gaziantep
Turkey's culinary capital, especially for baklava and kebabs. The Zeugma Mosaic Museum houses stunning Roman mosaics inc...
Southeastern Anatolia
Diyarbakır
Ancient city with the longest basalt city walls after the Great Wall of China (5.8 km). The old city within is a maze of...
Southeastern Anatolia
Halfeti
Partially sunken town on the Euphrates. Famous for rare black roses that only grow here. Boat trips reveal submerged min...
Southeastern Anatolia
Zeugma
Ancient Roman border city on the Euphrates with extraordinary mosaics. Many are now in Gaziantep's museum, but the river...