Turkey Vacation: Where to Go and What to See

A Country of Many Worlds

A Turkey vacation can be almost anything you want it to be, because the country bridges Europe and Asia and packs an extraordinary range of landscapes and cultures into one trip. Most journeys begin in Istanbul, the largest city, where Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern crowd the historic Sultanahmet district and the Grand Bazaar tempts you with more than four thousand shops in one of the world's oldest covered markets.

Beyond the city, Cappadocia offers its famous fairy chimneys, sunrise balloon flights and the multi-level underground cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymakli, once used as refuges. Further south, Pamukkale, whose name means cotton castle, spills down a hillside in dazzling white travertine terraces beside the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, and visitors can still bathe in its warm mineral pools.

Coast, Ruins and Riviera

The classical world comes alive at Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities on earth, where the Library of Celsus and a theatre for twenty-five thousand spectators rise from marble streets that blend Greek and Roman design. Those seeking sun and sea head for Antalya on the Turkish Riviera, with its Ottoman old town of Kaleici, Hadrian's Gate and the Duden Waterfalls just outside the centre.

For a livelier coastal break, Bodrum mixes history and nightlife, anchored by the medieval castle of the Knights of St John, which now houses a museum of underwater archaeology, alongside a busy scene of bars, clubs and seafront restaurants. Together these destinations show how easily a single vacation can move from spiritual monuments to ancient ruins to beach resorts.

Practical Tips for Travellers

Spring from April to June and autumn from September to November are ideal for sightseeing, summer is best for the beaches, and winter brings skiing in the mountains. Getting around is easy thanks to domestic flights, affordable intercity buses, trains, taxis, ride-hailing apps and car hire for remoter areas. Save room for kebabs, baklava, meze and pide, washed down with Turkish tea and coffee. Dress modestly and remove your shoes at religious sites, tip in restaurants as is customary, and check whether your nationality needs an e-Visa, which many travellers can arrange online before arrival.