The Antalya Museum is renowned as one of the country’s best, with an astonishing collection of Hellenistic and Roman marble statuary, and there are bags of attractions outside of town for travelers who want to use Antalya as a base. A sightseeing trip here will take at least half a day to cover the major highlights and longer, if you really want to explore, so make sure you plan your visit so you don’t feel rushed. The city’s history dates back to the 10th century BCE, but the major monuments you see today all date from its Roman era when it was a thriving commercial center.

Plan Your Trip

At a slightly higher price point, this all-suite hotel was completely renovated in 2015. [newline]This is a great option with updated facilities and a range of rooms to fit different budgets. Offering a swimming pool, sun terrace and daily breakfast, you’ll have a hard time finding a better option for your budget in Pamukkale. The white mineral deposits (travertines) make it look as if you’re stepping on a cotton-covered hill, but the tepid water will tell you otherwise. Keep reading for more detailed information on each of these cities and more ideas for cool places to visit and things to do in Turkey. With 4,000 years of history, the world famous archaeological site of Tory was immortalised by Homer in the Iliad as the site of the Trojan War.

The reason why I picked this tour was because it includes places that I knew I couldn’t reach myself by walking. One of the best things I did in Göreme was the green tour because it covered the things I wanted to do at a nice pace and also a traditional Turkish dinner in a lovely garden restaurant. Cappadocia has a reputation as a fairytale destination, whimsical in nature and magnificent in beauty.

More Beautiful Places To Visit In Turkey: Natural Wonders & Scenic Escapes

One of Turkey’s most well-known ancient ruins, this site is thought by many to be the Troy of Homer’s Iliad. This famous mosque (officially called the Sultanahmet Mosque), facing the Hagia Sophia Mosque across Sultanahmet Park in Istanbul, is one of Turkey’s most visited monuments. Below, the Asklepion area is home to the ruins of the city’s renowned medical center. Trailing for 18 kilometers along the shoreline, the beach offers plenty of space, so even in the height of summer, you can still find a quiet spot far away from the crowds. With such a long Mediterranean coastline, there’s a beach for every type of sun worshipper in Turkey, but Patara is among its most famous swathes of sand. Considered the finest surviving example of a classical age theater still standing in the world, the highly restored, 15,000-seat theater is one of antiquity’s star attractions.

The public transport in Izmir is great, but for one day in the city it’s beneficial to stay more centrally. However, you can expect a lot of noise overnight, from the early morning calls to prayer to the bin collectors and people drinking in the nearby bars. Once in Izmir, visit the centre of the city, Konak Square, with its iconic clock tower, before heading into Kemeralti, Izmir’s historic bazaar to browse the local products and enjoy a great kebab.

Your Best Türkiye Tour Starts Here

You’ll want to exercise a lot of caution while on the road, but you’ll more than likely be fine. The buses in Turkey will take you pretty much anywhere you need them to, are reasonably comfortable, and exceptional value for money. They’re the cheapest option for travelling both short and long distances across the country, and usually offer air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and a snack on board.

So for your trip to Turkey, I’ll try to encompass as much of the landscape as possible, while taking you through its most renowned historic sites and cities and sampling its excellent array of local cuisine. The Ali Serafettin Mosque is 700+ years old and truly stunning to see in person with other, less-aged mosques just steps away. See a performance at the Ankara Opera and Ballet or the Presidential Symphony Orchestra. Check out Cermodern art gallery before heading off for a late dinner at a nearby restaurant or kebab stand operating on the street. Turkey’s famous Mount Ararat is often talked about as the possible location of Noah’s ark from Biblical times, as the peaks rose high enough for the ark to settle on as the flood waters receded.

These red hills with rock formations made the sunset landscape look even redder than normal. Seriously, I had to remove the warm tones a bit from my photos to prevent them from looking too red, and I usually do the opposite. It is worth mentioning that on the way to Zemi Valley from Goreme Open Air Museum is a beautiful open-air pottery store that looks out of this world. It has trees decorated with evil eye stones, an alien and a bunch of other amazing things. You don’t have to do the entire Zemi Valley hike, it is long and time-consuming but you can do a part of it.

I went in the end of November to early December, and it was great because there were very little tourists so most major attractions aren’t crowded at all. Buses are a good budget-friendly backup if driving isn’t your thing, but you’ll have less flexibility since you’ll have to follow bus schedules. I rented my car through Cizgi Rent a Car since they were the most affordable on my Vacanze Turquia research. They were very smooth to deal and I had no issues in pick-up at Antalya Airport and drop-off at Izmir Airport. Out east, Mardin and Şanlıurfa are two of the most popular bases to explore the rugged landscapes, multi-ethnic heritage, and lonely ruins of eastern Turkey. May is one of the best months of the year to travel in eastern Turkey, with moderate temperatures.

The high-speed train service, known as the “YHT” (Yüksek Hızlı Tren), connects major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Eskişehir. Unfortunately you could spend months in this beautiful country and not see everything there is to see. There is a daily bus that goes between Ankara to Tuz Gölü operated by Tuz Gölü Seyahat.

If you’re on a tighter budget, I’d suggest only opting for the Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and Bosphorus cruise, which would bring your total Istanbul expenses down to €67. If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll likely save money by cooking rather than eating out, so if you’re willing to sacrifice some of your meals, this is an excellent way to stay on track with your budget. Hostels usually offer a shared kitchen, and if you’re opting for an Airbnb, the owners often give you access to the kitchen. If that’s the case, you can head to a local market (a great cultural experience) and stock up on ingredients. I definitely recommend picking up an Istanbulkart when you arrive in the city.