What to See in Turkey

last edited Dec 11, 2019

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UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Turkey has around fifteen sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list:

West Coast:

Aphrodisias (2017)
Not far from Denizli, these are the remains of one of the region’s best-preserved Roman cities. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Cumalikizik (2014)
This village near Bursa is a UNESCO World Heritage site (like several districts of Bursa) for its "architecture and urban planning" characteristic of the early 14th-century Ottoman Empire.

Ephesus (2015)
Right next to Selçuk, Ephesus is one of the main—and most beautiful—ancient sites in Turkey. However, it was only inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015.

Istanbul (1985)
Though not the capital, Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city and a must-visit on any trip to the country, thanks to its neighbourhoods, monuments, and vibrant atmosphere. Its entire historic area is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Selimiye Mosque in Edirne (2011)
Built in the 16th century, it is considered one of the masterpieces of Islamic architecture. This earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.

Pamukkale-Hierapolis (1988)
This is where the famous "petrifying travertine terraces"—a UNESCO World Heritage site—are located, along with the ancient ruins of Hierapolis right next to them.

Pergamon (2014)
These are the significant UNESCO-listed ruins of an ancient city on the outskirts of the present-day city of Bergama.

Troy (1998)
This is the archaeological site of the famous city of Troy. Located not far from the city of Çanakkale, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, even though little remains compared to other ancient sites in the country.

Central:

Divriği (1985)
On the edge of eastern Turkey, this small town is home to a grand mosque and a hospital dating from the 12th and 13th centuries. Both buildings are UNESCO-listed.

Göreme (1985)
This valley/village in Cappadocia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (and a national park) known for its stunning churches, troglodyte dwellings and villages, famous fairy chimneys, and landscapes in general. You can hike here, particularly in the Zelve valleys, which are part of the site.

Hattusa (1986)
The archaeological site of Hattusa, the ancient Hittite capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is located near the village of Boğazkale, north of Cappadocia.

Safranbolu (1994)
This town between Ankara and the Black Sea is renowned for its stunning Ottoman architecture, earning it UNESCO World Heritage status.

Xanthos-Letoon (1988)
Located north of Kas, these are two ancient Lycian sites (a sanctuary and a city) classified as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

East:

Ani (2016)
Just a stone's throw from Armenia, of which it was the capital around the year 1000, Ani is an abandoned medieval city where numerous structures still stand in a rather desolate setting. The site has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2016.

Diyarbakir (2015)
A major city in the southeast with an old centre and UNESCO-listed fortress walls. Unfortunately, it is also one of the region’s cities most affected by the intense and violent Turkish-Kurdish conflict.

Mount Nemrut (1987)
A UNESCO-listed site, this 2,206 m mountain in southeastern Turkey is famous for its landscapes and, above all, the ancient statues at its summit.

West Coast

Marmara Region

This is the northwest of the country, around Istanbul and on either side of the Bosphorus Strait.

Ayvalik
A charming small port city where many beautiful houses and religious buildings (churches, mosques, monastery) still stand. Several beaches and diving opportunities in the surrounding area.

Balikesir
It's a large inland city in the Marmara region. It has a few monuments, such as the tomb of the Karasi beys.

Bursa
Not far from Istanbul, the city is the country's fourth largest. It boasts numerous historical monuments and sites, as well as various museums. You can also enjoy beaches (Armutlu, Mudanya) and even a ski resort in the surrounding area (Mount Uludağ).

Cumalikizik
This village near Bursa is a UNESCO World Heritage site (like several districts of Bursa) for its "architecture and urban planning" characteristic of the early 14th-century Ottoman Empire.

Edirne
It's the major city of Thrace, on the border with Greece and Bulgaria. Relatively overlooked by visitors, it nevertheless boasts several monuments, historic neighbourhoods, and above all, a mosque recently classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Enez
Located at the Greek border, it's a small town with a citadel, beaches, and many birds nesting in the surrounding lakes.

Erdek
A medium-sized seaside resort on the Mediterranean coast, about a hundred kilometres west of Bursa. It primarily attracts local tourism.

Igneada
This town, on the Bulgarian border and facing the Black Sea, attracts mostly local tourism for its beaches as well as the small lakes and forests in its surroundings, where you can take walks.

Bozcaada Island
Just a few kilometres off the coast and at the exit of the Dardanelles Strait. The island features a castle, a town with narrow streets and traditional architecture, and beautiful beaches.

Imbros Island
At the entrance to the Dardanelles, the large mountainous island offers beautiful beaches with opportunities for diving and windsurfing. You can also see several more or less abandoned Greek villages.

Marmara Islands
These are several mountainous islands (Avşa, Marmara) located in the sea of the same name near Istanbul. You can see various remnants of their Greek period before 1920 (houses, monasteries) and, above all, enjoy the beaches and other water activities.

Istanbul
Though not the capital, Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city and a must-visit on any trip to the country, thanks to its neighbourhoods, monuments, and vibrant atmosphere. Its entire historic area is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Iznik
A large town on the shores of the lake of the same name, with an old center and city walls.

Kilyos
A few kilometres north of Istanbul, on the Black Sea, the town has become the seaside resort for residents of the Istanbul metropolitan area.

Kırklareli
A city near Bulgaria with an old centre that has preserved its traditional architecture.

Kiyiköy
On the Black Sea coast, with beaches and surrounding forests, this large village has preserved its beautiful architecture and ramparts.

Mudanya
A seaside town not far from Bursa with beaches and old houses.

Osmaneli
A small town near Bursa with beautiful traditional Ottoman houses and the remains of a late 19th-century Orthodox church.

Gallipoli Peninsula
This long Thracian peninsula was the site of a major battle during the First World War. Several memorials and the Dardanelles battlefields can be seen here.

Polonezköy
Just a few kilometres from Istanbul, this village founded in the mid-19th century by Poles has preserved its architecture along with various traditions from its inhabitants' country of origin.

Şarköy
The small town at the entrance to the Gallipoli Peninsula has the longest beach in Turkey as well as vineyards.

Şile
Built on the edge of the Black Sea, this is a seaside resort popular with residents of Istanbul.

Termal
Its hot springs and waterfalls have made this small town near Yalova famous.

Vize
The former capital of the Kingdom of Thrace, Vize boasts a beautiful mosque, a citadel, and a Roman amphitheatre.

Hersekzade Ahmet Pasa Mosque, Yalova, Turquie

Yalova
On the Sea of Marmara, facing Istanbul, which you can reach by ferry, Yalova offers just a few monuments, including one of Atatürk’s houses. More tourist-oriented, the nearby small town of Termal is known for its hot springs and waterfalls.

Zeytinbağı
This small coastal village near Mudanya and Bursa boasts many beautiful buildings and houses dating from the Ottoman and Byzantine periods.

Aegean Region

This is the west coast proper, bordering the Aegean Sea, with Izmir as the main city.

Akyaka
This small town, located in a picturesque region north of Marmaris, boasts beautiful traditional architecture.

Alaçati
This village near Cesme is known for its charming traditional Greek architecture and old windmills. Its beach is also popular with windsurfing enthusiasts.

Altınoluk
A small seaside resort in the northern Aegean region, far less known and crowded than many others along this coast.

Bodrum
A rather upscale and renowned seaside resort on the southwest coast, Bodrum also boasts a beautiful castle and an ancient theater. You can also go diving or take trips on traditional boats here.

Çeşme
West of Izmir, the town with its castle and old centre has become a seaside resort and a gateway to Turkey thanks to its ferry routes to and from Greece and Italy.

Dalaman
This mid-sized city is known in tourism circles only for hosting a major international airport serving much of the Turkish Riviera.

Denizli
Large inland city primarily serving as a transport hub or base for exploring nearby Pamukkale.

Dikili
In a beautiful region, this small fishing port and seaside resort still has an old center with typical coastal architecture and a remarkable wooden mosque.

Fethiye
A popular resort on the southwest coast (and neighbor to Ölüdeniz, known for its stunning beach). The city also features a Crusader fortress and several ancient rock-cut tombs. It’s also the starting point for the "Lycian Way," a nearly 500 km hiking trail that extends to Antalya.

Foça
Northwest of Izmir on the coast, the town has preserved an old centre with traditional Greek architecture. Several beaches nearby.

Göcek
Beaches and a major marina near Dalaman. It’s also the starting point for boat trips to the small coves and islands in the area.

Izmir
It’s the country’s third-largest city. While it has a few monuments and a large bazaar, it’s more of a gateway or stopover for exploring the surrounding area (beaches, seaside resorts, ancient sites).

Kuşadası
A popular seaside resort south of Izmir that also welcomes many cruise ships and all-inclusive resorts. Several ancient sites (Ephesus, Miletus) are located in the surrounding area.

Marmaris
One of the main seaside resorts on the Turkish coast and among the most popular in season.

Mugla
A medium-sized town north of Marmaris with an old city center.

Pamukkale
This is where the famous "petrifying travertine terraces"—a UNESCO World Heritage site—are located, along with the ancient ruins of Hierapolis right next to them.

Datça Peninsula
West of Marmaris, the long and pretty peninsula has become a highly touristic area with several beaches and small villages around the main town of Datça.

Turkish Riviera
This is the stretch of coastline running from near Izmir to beyond Antalya. It is highly touristic, with numerous seaside resorts and ancient sites. A hiking trail partly follows the southern coast.

Selçuk
A pleasant small town north of Kusadasi, typically used as a base for exploring the magnificent Ephesus site on its outskirts, as well as the charming village of Sirince.

Şirince
A small Greek village (until 1920) about ten kilometres from Selçuk, known for its wine and beautiful houses.

Ancient Sites

Aphrodisias
Not far from Denizli, these are the remains of one of the region’s best-preserved Roman cities. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Assos
In a small village overlooking the sea, facing the Greek island of Lesbos, lie the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Assos. Key sights include the Temple of Athena, the theatre, and the old city walls.

Dalyan
A pleasant small town near the sea. Just a short distance from its beautiful beaches, boat trips reveal dozens of Lycian tombs carved into cliffs overlooking the small Dalyan River. Nearby lie the ruins of the ancient city of Kaunos.

Didyma
Alongside its neighbours Miletus and Priene, Didyma is a major ancient Greek site on the Aegean coast.

Ephesus
Right next to Selçuk, Ephesus is one of the main—and most beautiful—ancient sites in Turkey. However, it was only inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015.

Miletus
Alongside its neighbours Didyma and Priene, this ancient Greek port city is a major archaeological site on the Aegean coast.

Pergamon
These are the significant UNESCO-listed ruins of an ancient city on the outskirts of the present-day city of Bergama.

Priene
Along with its neighbours Didyma and Miletus, Priene is a major ancient Greek site on the Aegean coast.

Sardis
These are the ruins of the ancient capital of Lydia, east of Izmir.

Troy
This is the archaeological site of the famous city of Troy. Located not far from the city of Çanakkale, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, even though little remains compared to other ancient sites in the country.

Natural Heritage

Saklikent Gorge
Between Fethiye and Antalya. One of Europe's largest canyons where you can hike. Nearby, you can also ski at the Saklikent resort.

Dupnisa Caves
Located in Thrace, caves in the middle of a forest open to visitors.

Lake Kus
This lake south of Bandirma is renowned for hosting numerous migratory bird species during the season. It is also known as Lake Manyas.

Mount Uludağ
Right next to Bursa, this massif, a national park, is the highest in the western part of the country (2,543 m). You can ski here in winter and hike the rest of the year.

Kaz Dağı National Park
A lovely mountainous area peaking at nearly 1,800 m, perfect for enjoying the scenery and hiking.

Parc national de la péninsule de Dilek, Turquie

Dilek Peninsula National Park
A forested peninsula south of Kusadasi, perfect for hiking and enjoying quiet beaches.

Central

Central Anatolia

This is the vast region at the heart of the country, encompassing the capital, Ankara, and Cappadocia.

Musée des Civilisations, Ankara, Turquie

Ankara
Often overlooked by tourists, the Turkish capital still boasts several interesting museums, including the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.

Avanos
This small town near Nevşehir and Göreme is renowned for its pottery.

Beypazarı
This small town near Ankara is known for its old quarters with beautiful traditional architecture.

Cappadocia
In the heart of the country, Cappadocia is a major tourist destination. Visitors come for its landscapes (including its famous "fairy chimneys"), its small villages, underground cities, churches and other historical remains, as well as its many hiking opportunities and hot-air balloon rides.

Derinkuyu
One of the main underground cities near Nevşehir and one of the most representative. Nearby, Kaymakli is also a great example.

Divriği
On the edge of eastern Turkey, this small town is home to a grand mosque and a hospital dating from the 12th and 13th centuries. Both buildings are UNESCO-listed.

Göreme
This valley/village in Cappadocia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (and a national park) known for its stunning churches, troglodyte dwellings and villages, famous fairy chimneys, and landscapes in general. You can hike here, particularly in the Zelve valleys, which are part of the site.

Kayseri
A major city in Cappadocia. Besides its various monuments, the city is also popular for the Erciyes Mountain ski resort (3,916 m), at the foot of which it was built.

Konya
Considered a holy city, Konya is known for its whirling dervishes and its religious buildings.

Nevşehir
It's the capital of Cappadocia and a great base for exploring the surrounding area, where nature (fairy chimneys, hiking) and history (churches, underground cities) blend together.

Ozkonak
One of the main underground cities in the area around Nevşehir.

Uçhisar
A small town between Nevşehir and Göreme with an interesting hilltop fortress.

Urgup
Another small town in Cappadocia that can serve as a base for exploring the region. It has many cave dwellings (and hotels).

Black Sea

The entire coastline along the Black Sea, from the outskirts of Istanbul (in the west) to the Georgian border (in the east).

Akçakoca
A Black Sea resort town with a castle and an old town.

Amasra
A charming seaside resort that attracts many visitors in season, especially from Ankara and Istanbul.

Amasya
A major city between Cappadocia and the Black Sea that has preserved many of its Ottoman-style houses and several ancient ruins.

Zilkale Castle
This is an ancient Byzantine fortress set in a picturesque wooded area a few kilometres from the Black Sea coast, not far from the Georgian border. Other citadels and churches from the era of the Kingdom of Georgia can be found nearby.

Giresun
A coastal city with a beautiful castle, old Ottoman houses, and a small island to explore.

Kastamonu
A city near the Black Sea with an old town.

Sumela Monastery
A few kilometres south of Trabzon, this stunning monastery is nestled in a cliffside. Built at an altitude of over 1,200 m, it offers a beautiful panorama of the surrounding area.

Rize
A major port on the eastern Black Sea, at the heart of a tea-producing region, Rize is primarily a base for exploring the surrounding area.

Safranbolu
This town between Ankara and the Black Sea is renowned for its stunning Ottoman architecture, earning it UNESCO World Heritage status.

Samsun
Turkey’s largest Black Sea city and a major port.

Sinop
On the peninsula of the same name, a port with ramparts and some historical remains.

Tokat
This city near Samsun is home to a beautiful Ottoman citadel as well as various buildings and houses from that era.

Trabzon
A large port city on the northeast coast with old quarters. The city is typically used as a base to visit the stunning Sumela Monastery just a few kilometres away.

Yusufeli Valley
You can see several medieval fortresses and Georgian churches in this valley, which is home to the small town of the same name.

Mediterranean Region

This is the southern coast, renowned for tourism, with Antalya as the main city.

Adana
It is the fourth-largest city in Turkey. It has a few museums and old quarters. Nearby, you can also visit the ruins of Mallus, Castabala, Anazarbe, and several other sites.

Alanya
On the coast, east of Antalya, this seaside resort is known for its citadel and especially the water activities it offers (diving, boat trips).

Anamur
The town, facing the island of Cyprus, is home to an imposing medieval fortress by the sea as well as the remains of an ancient city. There are also several beaches nearby.

Antakya
Better known as Antioch, the city is close to the Syrian border. It features several religious buildings, a citadel, and some Roman ruins.

Antalya
This is the major city on the southern coast and a possible air gateway into the country. Beyond the beaches and nearby seaside resorts, Antalya offers old quarters and numerous historic buildings and sites.

Demre
This small town on the southern coast is where the legend of Santa Claus was born. The city is also home to the ruins of ancient Myra, including its necropolis and various remnants from the Roman era.

Eğirdir
On the shores of the lake of the same name, Eğirdir has remnants of its past (castle, mausoleums, religious buildings). It’s also a great base for exploring the Lake District.

Iskenderun
Near Syria, the former Alexandretta and one of the country's main ports, as well as the largest city on the eastern Mediterranean coast.

Isparta
The main city of the Lakes Region, known for its rose oil.

Kalkan
A small seaside resort with beautiful architecture where you can go diving and enjoy water sports.

Kaş
This fishing port is also a seaside resort that, like many others, has preserved its traditional architecture along with some remnants of its ancient past. Hiking and diving are also popular in the surrounding area.

Kayaköy
A few kilometres south of Fethiye. It's a ghost village abandoned by its Greek population in the 1920s. You can take short hikes in the surrounding area.

Kemer
A fairly busy seaside resort below Antalya.

Manavgat
It's a seaside resort between Antalya and Alanya. You can see several waterfalls as well as the ancient site of Side in the surrounding area.

Mersin
A major port city between Antalya and Syria.

Lakes Region
North of Antalya, this is a region with several large lakes (Egirdir, Beysehir). It’s a destination for landscapes, discovering small villages, and hiking.

Silifke
This town between Alanya and Mersin boasts several historical sites, including a fortress, ramparts, and a necropolis. There are also beaches and caves to explore in the surrounding area.

Tarsus
Near Mersin, the city boasts numerous ruins from both the ancient and Ottoman eras.

Tasucu
This port city with beautiful architecture, located near Silifke, is the departure point for ferries to Northern Cyprus.

Ancient Sites

Arycanda
This is the site of an ancient Lycian city near Antalya.

Aspendos
About fifty kilometres from Antalya, these are the remains of a Greco-Roman city, featuring a remarkably well-preserved ancient theatre.

Gordion
Located southwest of Ankara, these are the remains of the ancient capital of the Phrygian kingdom.

Hattusa
The archaeological site of Hattusa, the ancient Hittite capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is located near the village of Boğazkale, north of Cappadocia.

Kekova
Near Kas, the small island of Kekova is home to the ruins of a sunken city, now a "classic" excursion from Kas.

Limyra
The ruins of what was once one of the most important Lycian cities.

Olympos
These are the remains of an ancient city built by the sea about sixty kilometres south of Antalya.

Patara
These are the remains of a Lycian city, plus a long beach where turtles come to nest.

Perge
The site of an ancient city built by the river in the Antalya region. Another ancient site, Phaselis, is nearby.

Phaselis
The site of an ancient Lycian city in the Antalya region, by the sea. Another, Perge, is not far away.

Side
A beautiful ancient site overlooking the sea on the outskirts of the seaside resort of Manavgat.

Termessos
North of Antalya, at high altitude and in a beautiful setting, this is one of the best-preserved ancient sites in Turkey.

Xanthos-Letoon
Located north of Kas, these are two ancient Lycian sites (a sanctuary and a city) classified as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Natural Heritage

Karapinar Desert
A desert area with dunes near Konya.

Lake Tuz
It is the second-largest lake in Turkey and a haven for many birds, particularly flamingos. Its "hypersalinity" gives it a touch of a South American salar.

Mount Chimaera
Not far from Antalya, this site is famous for its "flaming rocks" caused by underground combustible gas emissions.

Kaçkar Mountains
These are fairly high mountains near the Black Sea in the northeast of the country. People come here for the beautiful landscapes, rafting, and especially the numerous treks available.

Ilgaz National Park
Between Ankara and the Black Sea, this mountainous park is popular for its landscapes, hiking, and winter skiing.

Köprülü Canyon National Park
This park in Antalya Province was established around the canyon of the same name. You can hike and go rafting here.

Ihlara Valley
A very beautiful valley in southwestern Cappadocia where you can hike and discover various historical remains, including countless cave churches.

East

Southeastern Anatolia

This is the border area with Syria and Iraq, currently strongly advised against for security reasons by the French MFA for the zones closest to these two countries.

Diyarbakir
A major city in the southeast with an old centre and UNESCO-listed fortress walls. Unfortunately, it is also one of the region’s cities most affected by the intense and violent Turkish-Kurdish conflict.

Gaziantep
A large city near the Syrian border with a fortress, a museum, and an extensive bazaar.

Harran
Just a few kilometres from Syria, this archaeological site in the eponymous town features long walls and various medieval remains.

Hasankeyf
In the southeast of the country, this town on the banks of the Tigris has many old buildings (citadel, mosques, palaces, bridge) that make it a place traditionally quite visited at the local level.

Mardin
It’s a beautiful ancient city built on a hillside, renowned for its architecture.

Şanlıurfa
The city, near the Syrian border, boasts many ancient structures and a beautiful architecture overall.

Eastern Anatolia

This is the far east of the country, bordering Iran among others.

Ani
Just a stone's throw from Armenia, of which it was the capital around the year 1000, Ani is an abandoned medieval city where numerous structures still stand in a rather desolate setting. The site has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2016.

Battalgazi
It's a small town with various ancient remains (mosques, caravanserai, Roman walls...).

Ishak Pasha Palace, Dogubeyazit, Turquie

Doğubayazıt
This high-altitude city near the Iranian border serves primarily as a base for exploring Mount Ararat and the nearby Ishak Pasha Palace.

Erzurum
At nearly 2,000 metres above sea level, it is the main city in Eastern Anatolia, with a few (rare) ancient landmarks like its citadel. Nearby, you can ski on Mount Palandöken.

Kars
This mid-sized city near Armenia features beautiful 19th-century Russian architecture and a hilltop citadel.

Malatya
One of the main cities in eastern Turkey. A few parks and museums to visit.

Van
A large Kurdish city on the shores of the lake of the same name. You can see a citadel, Armenian religious buildings, and above all use it as a base to explore Lake Van.

Natural Heritage

Lake Van
It is the largest lake in Turkey. You can swim here and explore a few small villages, as well as the medieval ruins of the city of Tushpa or the Armenian cathedral on Akdamar Island.

Mount Ararat
On the border with Iran, this 5,165 m mountain—where Noah's Ark is said to have landed—can be climbed fairly easily (with a permit). Mount Ararat is also Turkey's highest peak.

Mount Nemrut
A UNESCO-listed site, this 2,206 m mountain in southeastern Turkey is famous for its landscapes and, above all, the ancient statues at its summit.