Turkey is a stunning location that straddles Asia and Europe, brimming with historic ruins leftover from a parade of emperors and gifted with breath-taking scenery that never fails to impress.
Its colourful culture, famed food, and ancient history captivate those who visit, while its magnificent landscapes, ranging from the sun-drenched Mediterranean to the massive mountains and barren steppe, are tourist attractions in and of themselves.
Whether you want to soak up the Byzantine and Ottoman splendour of Istanbul on a city holiday, relax on the beach, delve into history by visiting monuments such as Ephesus, or explore some of the world's most peculiar landscapes in Pamukkale and Cappadocia, this country has something for everyone.
Here is the list of the 15 top-rated tourist attractions in Turkey.
Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) Mosque
The Hagia Sophia Mosque (Aya Sofya), renowned as one of the most magnificent buildings in the world, is not only one of the top things to do in Istanbul but also in Turkey.
Built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 537 CE, it is regarded as the greatest architectural achievement of the Byzantine Empire and has remained the world's largest church for 1,000 years.
The massive facade is framed by elegant minarets erected after the Ottoman conquest, and the opulent and vast frescoed interior is a great reminder of old Constantinople's majesty and power.
This well-known landmark is a must-see for any tourist visiting the country.
Ephesus
The enormous ruin of Ephesus is a city of colossal monuments and marble-columned avenues that should not be missed.
This is one of the most intact, still-standing ancient antiquity cities in the Mediterranean region, and it is the site to experience what life must have been like during the Roman Empire's golden age.
The city's history extends back to the 10th century BCE, but the important monuments you see now are all from its Roman heyday when it was a bustling trade centre.
The Library of Celsus, the complex of frescoed terraced villas, and the Great Theater, in particular, attest to Ephesus' riches and influence during the Roman Empire.
A sightseeing tour here will take at least half a day to cover the key features, and more if you want to explore, so plan your vacation accordingly.
Cappadocia
Cappadocia's strange, curving rock valleys are every photographer's dream.
Rippling panoramas of wave-like rock or wacky-shaped pinnacles built by millennia of wind and water activity can be found on cliff ridges and hill crests.
If you don't want to hike for the sights, this is one of the best places in the world to take a hot-air balloon ride.
The frescoed rock-cut churches and cave-cut architecture of the Byzantine era, when this area was home to monastic Christian communities, are nestled in this unusual lunar-like landscape.
Some of the outstanding examples of surviving mid-Byzantine-era religious art in the world may be found in the various cave churches of Göreme Open-Air Museum and Ihlara Valley.
Cappadocia's villages are an attraction in and of themselves, with boutique hotels that let you sleep in a cave with full modern comforts.
Topkapı Palace
Topkapı Palace in Istanbul transports you to the fanciful, sumptuous world of the sultans.
During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Ottoman sultans carved out an empire that would extend up into Europe, down through the Middle East, and into Africa.
The interiors, with their decadently extravagant tiling and magnificent jewelled furnishings, provide an amazing glimpse into Ottoman authority.
Don't miss the Imperial Council building, where the Grand Vizier oversaw the empire's business; the Imperial Treasury's armaments collection; the world-class collection of miniature paintings; and the magnificent Harem chambers, constructed by the great Ottoman architect Sinan.
The neighbouring public gardens, which were previously the exclusive domain of the Royal Court, are now open to the public and offer a calm, green reprieve from the city streets.
Pamukkale
Pamukkale's flawless white travertine terraces ("Cotton Castle" in English) fall down the slope like an out-of-place snowfield amid the verdant countryside, making it one of Turkey's most famous natural wonders.
The massive and rambling ruins of Greco-Roman Hierapolis, an ancient spa town, sit scattered across the crest of this calcite hill and are a highlight of any journey to Turkey.
After exploring the historic theatre and the relics of the city's agora, gymnasium, necropolis, and magnificent gates, you can dip in the mineral-rich waters that made this ancient spa town famous in the antique pool.
Antalya
This vibrant Mediterranean metropolis has something for everyone.
In the summer, the two main beaches outside of town are sun-sloth heaven, attracting tourists from all over Europe. While the old town district, nestled right in the centre of town, with its cobblestone passageways ringed by creaky Ottoman-era palaces, is a fascinating site to explore.
The Antalya Museum is considered one of the best in the country, having an incredible collection of Hellenistic and Roman marble statuary, and there are several attractions outside of town for visitors who want to utilize Antalya as a base.
Antalya, in particular, is an excellent location for day journeys to some of Turkey's most famous Greco-Roman ruins, including Aspendos and Perge, which are close outside the city, and Side, which has a variety of ruins.
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Cruising the Mediterranean
There are several ruins and activities along Turkey's Mediterranean coast, but for many visitors, it's all about soaking up the sun and admiring the stunning coastal views.
For good reason, sailing on a yacht is the most popular activity for visitors to Bodrum and Fethiye. The steep forest-clad slopes, secret coves with small white-sand beaches, and hundreds of scattered islands are ideal for maritime exploration. Even the most ardent landlubbers will be impressed.
The Blue Cruise, which sails from Fethiye south down the coast till disembarking near Olympus, home to the remarkable natural phenomenon of the Chimaera, is one of the most famous journeys.
Mount Nemrut
The tallest burial mound on Mount Nemrut, one of Turkey's top tourist attractions, is littered with the broken remains of the giant statues that once protected it. This strange and lonely place must be one of Turkey's most unique archaeological sites. The giant stone heads of the long-forgotten gods look down from the top, casting an eerie atmosphere on the barren peaks.
The construction of the summit is the work of Antiochus I, the ruler of the Kingdom of Commagene, in the buffer zone between the Roman and Parthian Empires. Antiochus I dedicated this great burial mound as a testament to his importance, building a 50-meter man-made mountain on top of Mount Nemrut and decorating it with himself and various images of God. The most popular time to visit is sunrise, where you can see statues rising from the darkness.
Ölüdeniz
A luscious green forest cascades down a cliff to a white-sand beach. The secluded cove of Lüdeniz, just a short drive from Fethiye, is Turkey's most famous beach, and with the beauty that might have come straight from a picture, it's easy to see why its appeal hasn't waned.
If the beach becomes too crowded, it's time to go to the sky and enjoy the breath-taking aerial views from the summit of towering Babadağ (Mount Baba), which rises behind the shore.
Did we mention that Ölüdenizis one of the top paragliding destinations in the world?
Aspendos
The jaw-dropping colossal bulk of the Roman Theater of Aspendos, just south of the resort city of Antalya, reflects the pomp and ceremony of Marcus Aurelius' empire.
The highly renovated, 15,000-seat theatre is one of antiquity's main attractions. It is considered the finest surviving model of a classical age theatre still standing in the world.
Although the theatre is the main reason for a visit here (and for most people on a half-day journey from nearby Antalya or Side, the theatre is all they see), the Aspendos complex has several more ruins to examine.
There are ruins of an aqueduct, agora, stadium, and a Byzantine-era basilica dispersed over the large hillside region that surrounds the theatre.
Patara
With such a lengthy Mediterranean coastline, Turkey has a beach for every style of a sun worshiper, but Patara is one of the country's most well-known stretches of sand.
The beach is 18 kilometres long and gives plenty of space, so even in the height of summer, you can find a calm area far away from the people.
The huge ruins of Ancient Patara, which feature a collonaded street, rebuilt bouleuterion (the city's parliament), and a theatre that sat 5,000 people, add to the experience.
After you've gotten your fill of sun, sand, and swimming, explore the crumbling relics of this once affluent Lycian city beneath the sandy dunes.
Pergamum
There are several Greco-Roman ruins in Turkey, but none are as beautifully situated as ancient Pergamum in modern-day Bergama.
Pergamum's historic temple ruins now preside powerfully across a hilltop, once home to one of the ancient world's most famous libraries (which rivalled Alexandria's library insignificance) and the famed medical school established by Galen.
It's a fantastically atmospheric location to explore. The Acropolis area, with its theatre built into the slope, contains the most ruins and provides sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
The remnants of the city's renowned medical centre can be found in the Asklepion neighbourhood below.
This is a fantastic spot to visit if you want to get a real sense of living during the Classical period.
Ani
The ruins of Ani, a prominent Silk Road city, lie abandoned on the plains near Turkey's contemporary border with Armenia.
Ani's golden period came to an end in the 14th century after Mongol incursions, earthquake destruction, and trade route tussling all played a role in the city's demise.
The lovely red-brick structures that are still crumbling among the steppe grass enchant those who visit.
Don't miss the Church of the Redeemer and the Church of Saint Gregory, both of which have elaborate stone masonry and fresco remnants visible; the bulky Ani Cathedral building; and the Manuçehr Mosque, which was built by the Seljuk Turks when they captured the city in the 11th century and is thought to be the first mosque built in what would become Turkey.
Safranbolu
Turkey's best-preserved Ottoman town is a fantastically beautiful area of tiny winding lanes crowded with finely restored wooden buildings that were once the homes of wealthy merchants and are now boutique hotels and restaurants.
In town, there isn't much to do. Instead, this is a spot to stroll the streets and take in the old-world ambience.
It's also famous for its traditional sweets and crafts, and there are many cute stores where you can pick up a one-of-a-kind memento.
If you're driving inland from Istanbul, this is an excellent site to spend the night and soak up the medieval atmosphere.
Sumela Monastery
Sumela Monastery (Monastery of the Virgin Mary) is the main attraction for travellers along the Black Sea Coast, with its gorgeous, lonely setting constructed into a cliff face.
Wandering about this abandoned holy complex, with its church interiors stuffed with vivid and vibrant frescoes, is a must for anyone making the long journey to Turkey's northeast.
The monastery was founded during the Byzantine era and only closed as a functioning religious concentrate in 1923 when the monks were compelled to depart as part of the Greek-Turkish Population Exchange.
It's easy to imagine the solitary lives of the monks who formerly resided here as you roam through its empty cells today.
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