Turkey has a lot to offer, from its ancient roots to modern industries. Famous for various destinations, this country is well known for its carpets, bazaars, Hamman(Turkish baths), baklava, and much more. Here we have listed the top 5 cities to visit in Turkey for you to experience the grandness of this country.
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Istanbul
The major metropolis in Turkey is Istanbul. Here you will find a city with a population of 15 million nestled in between the shores of Europe and Asia. Renowned for many tourist attractions, this city is full of history and rich culture.
The street life of Istanbul will bring out your younger side. Full of life and energy, you will find this city bustling. Neighborhoods, depending on where you are located, may look modern and stylish, while others are run down. The people of Istanbul are super friendly, inviting you into their homes, bistros, and cafes. You will find entertainment wherever you look, from concerts to films and festivals to exhibits and more.
With a thriving art scene, be sure to check out ARTER, a contemporary art museum with much more to do. Two performance halls, a library, a bookstore, a studio, and a bistro all encompass this work of art.
Other dining spots will provide you with a melting pot of delish foods. Dishes of various types can be found, from Menemen( Turkish omelet), Manti (ravioli), and Kunefe (cheese pastry).
Antalya
If beach life is your scene, Antalya is the perfect spot for you. With a population of 1.2 million, this resort-style town is a laid-back way to enjoy a great city with the perfect beach.
Take a stroll through the old town of Antalya on a cobblestone street packed with red roofs and whitewashed Ottoman mansions in all of their glory. Glorious views of the jagged mountainous coastline are enough to draw in many tourists each year.
Hadrian’s Gate is considered the main gateway going into the old town’s eastern portion. Here you will find substantial spans of the Hellenistic and Roman city walls on the eastern edge of the old town section maintained partially, with Hadrian’s Gate being the most notable of these pieces.
Many of Turkey’s major archaeological sites can be found in Antalya. These include the ruins of Side, Perge, Termesso, and Aspendos. Other excellent tourist locations to visit include Antalya Museum where you will find many great exhibits from the Roman and Hellenistic eras.
Bursa
Home to one million individuals, Bursa is a modern city full of site seeing. Here you will find the 20-domed Grand Mosque, expansively tiled interiors of both the Yeşil Mosque and tomb, as well as the brilliantly adorned mausoleums of the first Ottoman Sultans within the Muradiye Complex. All are considered the most renowned landmarks from Bursa’s imperial reign.
The Central Bazaar is an enormous maze of covered market streets, hostels where traders once slumbered, and depots where wares were kept. Many of the warehouse structures, known as bedestans, and caravanserais, referred to as hans are now shops, with their peaceful green main courtyards utilized as outside cafés.
Şanlıurfa
Sanliurfa is one of Turkey’s most well-known tourist spots due to its being an interesting city. Major tourist attractions include
Sanliurfa is also home to sacred carp, which swim in the center of the town. These sacred fish are surrounded by the glorious Rızvaniye Vakfı Mosque and Medrese complex on the northern side, and the Halilur Rahman Mosque on the western side. There are hundreds of sacred carp in these ponds, which are known best for playing a key part in the story of the Prophet Abraham.
The ancient cities region marketplace is a bustling jumble with customary craft shops and shop produce booths clustered between thin alleys. Here the patios of old hostels are now used as open-air cafés.
Bodrum
Bodrum is a lively beach town nestled in Southern Turkey. Formerly known as the ancient city of Halicarnassus, this city is a vintage vacation spot with an eccentric culture.
History buffs should plan on visiting The Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology where one will find various underwater findings from shipwrecks around the Turkish Aegean, along with two fully reconstructed shipwrecks from the Bronze Age and the Medieval period.
If you are interested in beach life, there are plenty to pick from. Blue Flag Bitez Beach is touted as one of the best for families with little children. Ortakent Beach and Yahşi Beach have formed as a single beach, each with a different character: Yahşi is directed towards tourism with various restaurants and shops and a jetty for boat excursions. Ortakent Beach. located over the Uludere river inlet is more tranquil. Tourists can find many hotels and holiday rentals here.
