Cities in Turkey can never disappoint a tourist, whether it's magnificent beaches and bays, old historic buildings and wonderful mosques, or amazing cuisine and welcoming locals.
It's no secret that many people associate Turkey with five-star hotels, turquoise seas, and warm weather. Tourists from all over the globe visit this magnificent nation for a beach holiday as well as to learn about the culture and history of the ancient civilizations. However, few visitors travel just to visit cities.
Okay, so, there are a few cities in Turkey that are highly popular and draw people all year. However, the bulk of them are relatively obscure and remain in the shadows despite being some of the most beautiful sites in Turkey to visit.
Prepare yourself if you enjoy visiting cities and want to see at least a couple of them during your vacation to Turkey. You can have difficulty picking where to go and what to skip. Turkey is a massive nation with a plethora of lovely cities.
IZMIR – THE MOST EUROPEAN-LIKE TURKISH CITY ON THE AEGEAN COAST
To begin with, Izmir is Turkey's most attractive and third most populated city. It was once known as the Greek city of Smyrna, and it was one of the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation.
Izmir, located on the Aegean coast, features various archaeological monuments from ancient civilizations inside and near the city. And they have been extremely well kept till our days.
Izmir has traditionally been a Turkish port city. It now features a nearly 35-kilometre-long embankment with cycling and walking pathways. Bike rental businesses are common in the area, so you can just rent a bicycle and tour the city on two wheels.
Aside from being a large port city, Izmir is alive and bursting with life and energy. With a beautiful waterfront full of outstanding restaurants and a multicultural background, it is quite simple to locate a variety of tasty foods in traditional eateries. The amazing oriental market is a wonderful spot to wander through. Then go to one of the numerous historic churches and mosques, as well as a fantastic history and art museum.
Izmir is a very appealing place for tourism and shopping. It will take more than one trip to explore the city's attractions and visit shopping centres, boutique stores, cafés, and restaurants. You should also observe the sunsets in Izmir, which are spectacular.
CESME – TOP CITY IN TURKEY FOR BEACH & WELLNESS HOLIDAY
Cesme is a small city in western Turkey on the same-named peninsula, off the coast of the Aegean Sea. It is located 80 kilometres west of Izmir, near the Greek island of Chios. Cesme, like many other Turkish cities situated near the shore, provides seaside resort holidays.
By Turkish standards, though, it is considered a tiny resort city. There aren't many hotels (around a dozen), but there are hundreds of guest homes, apart-hotels, apartments, and houses to rent. Many Turkish residents own an apartment or a modest home in Cesme, where they enjoy spending their summer vacations.
The variety of attractions is quite limited. There are two small water parks, a 500-year-old fortification, a local history museum, and excavations of the ancient city of Erythrai.
Nonetheless, Ceşme has become a renowned western vacation city due to its distinctive environment and high level of tourism infrastructure. Its aspect distinguishes it from other Turkish beach cities, particularly the architecture, which is heavily influenced by Greek influences.
Another thing I observed was Cesme's cleanliness and grooming. It is surrounded by flowers and vegetation, and it has many strolling pathways and clean walkways. Its houses are painted in bright colours, provide a unique ambience and just brighten the mood.
It is worth noting that Cesme boasts a variety of well-kept beaches. And the right climatic circumstances make this small area into a true vacationer's heaven. But here's the best part: Cesme allows you to combine beach and health vacations in Turkey because there are mineral water and therapeutic mud sources nearby.
BODRUM – A CITY OF FLOWERS AND FASHIONABLE PARTIES
This city offers a wide range of accommodations (from five-star hotels to flats and villas to low-cost guesthouses), as well as numerous fascinating cultural and historical sites, breath-taking vistas, sandy and pebble beaches with great infrastructure, and much more.
Bodrum is certainly one of Turkey's most beautiful cities, with everything you could expect in a vacation resort. Its Aegean character emerges in the old whitewashed cottages, wonderful small cafés, and cobblestone lanes found throughout.
While it is a historic destination with a gorgeous castle, ancient ruins, and an outstanding amphitheatre, Bodrum's exquisite bars, stylish restaurants, and active nightlife elevate it to a more modern level.
The weather is what makes it unique. Among all Turkish shore cities to visit in July and August, Bodrum is the finest. In the summer, the weather in Bodrum is hot, dry, and windy, which makes it easier to bear the heat. June through September are the best months to visit.
Read More about Bodrum
MARMARIS – ONE OF THE SUNNIEST COASTAL CITIES IN TURKEY
Marmaris is a must-see city on any list of Turkey's most beautiful cities. It is another little Turkish city on the Aegean Sea's coastline that is so gorgeous and brilliant that it is impossible not to wish to come.
Marmaris is adjacent to Izmir and roughly 300 kilometres west of Antalya. Many visitors stop there on their Turkey road trip, while others use it as a base for a sea holiday.
Because the amount of activities on the peninsula is vast, it is an ideal little city to establish a base for a few months. Furthermore, the Greek island of Rhodes is only a short boat ride away and is easily accessible from Marmaris.
The city itself boasts a contemporary tourism infrastructure, many resort districts, several fascinating attractions, over a hundred five-star hotels, and over a thousand villas.
In some aspects, Marmaris is comparable to Bodrum. However, the city provides travellers with a stunning long beach as well as several restaurants, shops, and water parks nearby. Many nearby hotels offer all-inclusive packages, and yachts occupy nearly the whole shoreline near Marmaris.
FETHIYE – ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL TURKISH CITY AT THE JUNCTION OF TWO SEAS
Fethiye is one of the smallest cities included on this Turkey city list. Nonetheless, the number of resorts, historical and natural attractions is so extensive that it is difficult to tell.
Officially, it is the easternmost city on the Aegean coast, yet it is believed to be on the Mediterranean Sea's coastlines. Fethiye, which is located in a lovely natural harbour, is gorgeous with its turquoise seas and wooded hills.
With pristine beaches, water sports, restaurants, and cafés, the city and its surroundings provide a comfortable and diverse holiday. Beaches are great for unwinding, and a boat sailing around the harbour or to one of the local islands is easily accessible.
Although the city of Fethiye was nearly devastated by an earthquake in 1958, it has been beautifully restored, with many of its old landmarks remaining intact. The beautiful tombs of Amyntas Rock, as well as the surrounding ancient city of Cadyanda, are well worth a visit.
KUSADASI – TURKISH NICE
Thanks to several tourism agencies, Kusadasi has become another renowned beach city in Turkey. It is well-known for the abundance of hotels, and restaurants along the shore where visitors may enjoy loud parties.
In comparison to other Turkish vacation cities, the number of hotels is low. However, many of them are of five-star quality.
Kusadasi also boasts a great entertainment program, including water parks and other attractions, and its sandy beaches with turquoise water, smooth golden sand, and a gradual approach to the sea are ideal for all sorts of guests.
During the peak summer season, up to 500,000 visitors visit Kusadasi, the majority of which are from the United Kingdom and Ireland. As a result, the local workforce speaks English fluently.
Aside from the gorgeous sea views and beautiful beaches, Kusadasi's closeness to notable historical and natural attractions is another reason why more and more people visit each year.
The magnificence of Ephesus' ancient site is fascinating. While the Dilek Peninsula National Park is a wonderful area to get lost in nature. Also nearby is the Greek island of Samos.
ANTALYA – RESORT & PORT CITY IN THE SOUTH OF TURKEY
Many people underestimate Antalya, one of Turkey's most important cities. It has much more to offer than all-inclusive hotels on the Mediterranean coast.
Antalya is a fantastic city to visit in Turkey and one of the greatest places to live. Everyone can find something to their pleasure and have a good time there. The beach season lasts six months out of the year, but there is much to do even in the winter. And two weeks of vacation will be insufficient to see everything.
Antalya is rich in history, and the ancient city of Kaleici is especially charming, with exquisite Ottoman mansions, small alleyways, and alleys. Nearby is the Roman-era harbour, which is a perfect spot to pause and breathe in the sea, as well as various stunning beaches excellent for resting.
Not far from Antalya, there are other prominent resorts such as Belek, Side, Kemer, Tekerova, and others, all of which have a variety of hotels with excellent service. The city's shoreline is very lovely, and the high hills provide spectacular mountain vistas.
Kemer – The Greenest City on the Mediterranean Sea
Kemer, located on the Mediterranean coast in the province of Antalya, is one of Turkey's most attractive cities. It consists of the resort settlements of Beldibi, Goynuk, Kiris, Camyuva, and Tekirova.
The majority of the land surrounding Kemer is covered with mountains and coniferous woods. As a result, it boasts the most gorgeous scenery and the cleanest air. The beaches here are pebbly, and as a result, the sea is clean and translucent.
All of the nearby beaches in Kemer have all-inclusive hotels, which are also the cheapest five-star hotels in Turkey.
Unlike in Belek, where hotels cover the whole shore, the hotel sector in Kemer is not fenced. Even if you are staying somewhere, you are invited to come to Kemer for a day or two and enjoy the beach. Visit its gorgeous parks, take a walk along the beach, and simply enjoy the scenery.
Belek – The Most Expensive Coastal City in Turkey
This seaside city is one of the most expensive in Turkey, but it is also one of the most visited. Belek, located on the Mediterranean Sea's coast in the province of Antalya, is noted for its sandy beaches that stretch for more than 20 kilometres.
The majority of Belek's coastline is bordered by five-star all-inclusive themed hotels and many golf courses. Belek's beaches are extremely breath-taking. They feature Blue Flag beaches, smooth sand, a moderate slope into the sea, clear, pure water, and fantastic contemporary infrastructure. A fantastic location for a family holiday.
If you do not want to remain in Belek, do not come for an excursion or a walk. There is little to do in the city by yourself but spend time in hotels that resemble true works of art.
Only if you wish to spend your holidays in Turkey in a hotel on a sandy beach should you choose Belek.
Because of the abundance of mineral springs in the area, Belek may also be considered a huge SPA city.
Mersin – Lesser-Visited Port City in Turkey
Mersin is one of the most interesting places to visit in Turkey for a variety of reasons. To begin with, it is a city with half of its people under the age of 24 due to the several institutions in the area.
Second, it boasts a massive harbour with a cool embankment lined with dozens of cafés and stores, making it a great spot for a stroll and observing the lovely Mediterranean scenery. Third, it is one of the hottest cities in Turkey to visit in the winter.
Tourists have just lately begun to emerge in Mersin. As a result, there aren't as many expensive hotels as there are in other Turkish seaside cities. Because of its critical economic relevance, all emphasis was focused on the growth of the industrial and commercial sectors. And this was entirely justified given that the port's piers and docks have a capacity of 3800 ships every year.
The existence of clean, certified beaches and mild water, as well as palm and myrtle lanes and parks, clearly demonstrates the city's enormous tourism potential. Even though Mersin is mostly populated by young people, it gets relatively quiet at night after 10 p.m. Only the port retains its vibrancy.
There are a few high-quality hotels in the city's area that offer an all-inclusive system and entertainment programs. You'll feel like a pirate hero thanks to the abundance of secluded bays, coves, and rugged beaches.
Alanya – the Sunniest City in Turkey
Alanya's key attractions include its rocky capes on the coast, sandy coves, clean sandy and small-pebble beaches, shallow water, and inexpensive hotel pricing. Aside from these, this city features a plethora of other attractions. The land is just studded with fortifications, temples, and well-kept streets. Most significantly, it has a unique ambience that cannot be found anyplace else.
Alanya has been generously rewarded by nature, and because it is shielded by the Taurus mountain range, there are virtually no breezes inside the city, making it a warmer area in winter.
Visitors on vacation will discover a variety of cafés, restaurants, and lounges where they can relax and enjoy distinctive national cuisine with beverages.
Alanya is known as a German and Russian resort since the majority of international visitors are from Germany or Russia. Hotel prices range from the most affordable to the most expensive. Overall, Alanya is considered Turkey's most affordable holiday destination. Outside of the beaches, Alanya is a lovely Turkish city to visit.
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