Attractions of Turkey

To help inspire or plan your trip to Turkey, some of its major attractions for travellers are shown below, including some of the best natural, historical, cultural and adventure sites in the country. These include all of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for Turkey which represent the best of the world's cultural and natural heritage.
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Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Go to Region of Turkey-> Western Turkey - Eastern Turkey

Western Turkey - Cities of interest

Istanbul
Istanbul Turkey's most important city spans Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus and has been capital of three empires - Eastern Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman throughout its history (including its previous incarnations as Byzantium and Constantinople). This has left it with an incredibly rich historical heritage that makes it one of the great cities of the world. The Blue Mosque is perhaps the city's most famous sight, built by the Sultan Ahmet I in the 17th century, with a stunningly impressive scale and elegant design. Aya Sophia was built as a Byzantine Christian church in the 6th century, converted to a mosque after the Islamic takeover in the 15th century and now a museum. Its huge dome and walls include some superb mosaics. The 4th century Hippodrome of Constantine was the site of political demonstrations, chariot races and polo matches. Topaki Palace, built in Islamic style, was the home of the Ottoman sultans for four centuries. Other buildings of note include Suleymaniye Mosque, the Kariye Camii church and the ancient ramparts and aqueduct. One of Istanbul's most famous attractions is the vast Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of some 4000 covered shops, cafés and restaurants, where you can haggle for jewellery, clothes, sweets and spices. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Historic Areas of Istanbul

Istanbul

Istanbul

Turkey's most important city spans Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus and has been capital of three empires - Eastern Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman throughout its history (including its previous incarnations as Byzantium and Constantinople). This has left it with an incredibly rich historical heritage that makes it one of the great cities of the world. The Blue Mosque is perhaps the city's most famous sight, built by the Sultan Ahmet I in the 17th century, with a stunningly impressive scale and elegant design. Aya Sophia was built as a Byzantine Christian church in the 6th century, converted to a mosque after the Islamic takeover in the 15th century and now a museum. Its huge dome and walls include some superb mosaics. The 4th century Hippodrome of Constantine was the site of political demonstrations, chariot races and polo matches. Topaki Palace, built in Islamic style, was the home of the Ottoman sultans for four centuries. Other buildings of note include Suleymaniye Mosque, the Kariye Camii church and the ancient ramparts and aqueduct. One of Istanbul's most famous attractions is the vast Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of some 4000 covered shops, cafés and restaurants, where you can haggle for jewellery, clothes, sweets and spices.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Historic Areas of Istanbul

Safranbolu
Safranbolu Safranbolu, near Turkey's Black Sea coast, is an example of a typical Ottoman city, renowned for its beautifully restored traditional buildings. Safranbolu was an important caravan station on the main East–West trade route from the 13th century to the early 20th century. Its most prominent historical buildings include the Old Mosque, Old Bath and Süleyman Pasha Medrese from the 14th century, the Cinci Inn and Koprulu Mosque from the 17th century and the 18th century Let Pasha Mosque. UNESCO World Heritage Site: City of Safranbolu

Safranbolu

Safranbolu, near Turkey's Black Sea coast, is an example of a typical Ottoman city, renowned for its beautifully restored traditional buildings. Safranbolu was an important caravan station on the main East–West trade route from the 13th century to the early 20th century. Its most prominent historical buildings include the Old Mosque, Old Bath and Süleyman Pasha Medrese from the 14th century, the Cinci Inn and Koprulu Mosque from the 17th century and the 18th century Let Pasha Mosque.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: City of Safranbolu

Eastern Turkey - Cities of interest

Mardin
The beautiful ancient town of Mardin is renowned for its carved stone architecture, authentic bazaars and picturesque mosques and minarets, all overlooked by the remains of the citadel which offers superb views of the town. The nearby Deyrulzafaran Monastery (or Saffron Monastery) is a Syrian Orthodox monastery that dates back to the 5th century and still holds services in the biblical language of Aramaic.

Mardin

The beautiful ancient town of Mardin is renowned for its carved stone architecture, authentic bazaars and picturesque mosques and minarets, all overlooked by the remains of the citadel which offers superb views of the town. The nearby Deyrulzafaran Monastery (or Saffron Monastery) is a Syrian Orthodox monastery that dates back to the 5th century and still holds services in the biblical language of Aramaic.