11 Best Things to Do in Istanbul, Turkey – The Ultimate Backpacking Travel Guide

Istanbul Things To Do Itinerary Map

11 Best Things to Do in Istanbul, Turkey

Hagia Sophia is probably one of the most highly anticipated places for me in Istanbul. I have always wanted to see the interior of the beautiful architectural wonder that is the Hagia Sophia mosque with my own eyes, and when I saw it, it did not disappoint.

Hagia Sophia is the crown jewel of the city. It was first built around 532-537 AD by the Byzantine Empire as a principal church for its capital city before it was taken over by the Ottoman Empire and converted into a mosque in 1453.

Once the Ottoman Empire collapsed, the Turkish government decided to convert the mosque into a museum and began restoration work for the most part until 2020, when it was finally converted into a mosque again with much fanfare.

As of 2024, the entrace fee to Hagia Sophia is 25 EUR. It used to be free for quite some time back when it was converted into a mosque. I was there when it was free and I went there day and night, just to chill in a building with so much history. Such a shame, but I guess I kinda knew this was coming.

Once you are inside, you will be surrounded by a breathtakingly gigantic domed hallway, all painted yellow, and with 8 Arabic calligraphic roundels. These roundels are huge circular wooden panels that bear the names of Allah, Mohammed, and his grandsons: Hasan & Hussein, and the four caliphates.

I’ve been to Hagia Sophia multiple times, and every time I see its interior, my mind is always blown by the fact that they were able to build such a massive structure before the industrial revolution. You can easily spend an hour here just looking around, exploring all the little intricate murals and details you can find.

Hagia Sophia opens from 9 AM to 6 PM every day of the week, but since it is now an active mosque, the place is closed during praying hours, which you can keep track of here for your visit. The entrance fee to Hagia Sofia is 25 EUR per person.

Back when it was free, you could even visit Hagia Sofia late into the night and enjoy a quiet time among the stunning architecture at your own leisure, as I often did every night. One downside of it being a mosque is that you no longer have access to the balcony on the second floor, and some images of saints are covered up for religious purposes. Other than that, Hagia Sofia is as beautiful as ever, and now that it is free, it is a whole lot more accessible than ever before.

2. Admire the Beauty of the Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque is another impressive piece of architectural wonder in Istanbul located not too far from Hagia Sophia. The mosque was constructed by the Ottoman Empire in the 17th century as an imperial mosque for the capital, and it is now one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city.

The Blue Mosque consists of a large main dome with 8 secondary domes, surrounded by 6 narrow and tall minarets. Within the mosque, you will find a large prayer hall and the tomb of the founder of the mosque, who was also the ruler of the Ottoman Empire at the time.

The interior of the mosque is a beautiful prayer hall adorned with gorgeous blue tiles, and at night, the entire mosque lights up as the light from the secondary domes and the 6 minarets bathes the structure in blue.

The interior might not be as impressive as the one you see in Hagia Sofia, but since it is close by, it is worth a visit just to see it. The Blue Mosque is open from 9 AM to 7 PM every day, except during the prayer hours which you can check here. Unfortunately, when I was there, many of the interiors were under renovation, so all I got to see was its stunning ceiling, and that was it.

3. Learn the History at Topkapi Palace 🏛️ Best Museum

Topkapi Palace is another great place to visit in Istanbul. The palace was the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans back in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Nowadays, the place is used as a museum as a way to preserve the history of the Ottoman Empire and its people, as well as allowing us travelers to learn more about their traditions and what it was like back then.

Within the Topkapi Palace Museum, you will find all sorts of beautiful historical architecture spread out in several courtyards and many artifact collections, as well as exhibition halls dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the Ottoman Empire.

This place is massive, with four huge courtyards full of attractions and museums for you to visit. Topkapi Palace is definitely a half-day activity, and it can take you more than three hours to see it all, so I highly recommend you spare some time for your visit.

Within Topkapi Palace, you will find all kinds of exhibitions, from a collection of antiques like old clocks and astronomy equipment to an entirely well-preserved entertainment section of the palace known as the Harem Section.

You have to pay extra to get access to the Harem Section, but I think it was worth every single lira. Within the Harem Section, you will find all sorts of extremely well-preserved rooms covered in colorful patterns and intricately designed mosaics, from the private quarters of the Sultan’s mother to the royal baths.

Along the way, you will also be able to see some really stunning views of the Old Istanbul surrounding Galata Tower, as well as the New Istanbul on the other side of the Bosporus Strait. Istanbul is one stunning city, and it is best appreciated from a viewpoint like this.

Topkapi Palace opens from 9 AM to 6 PM in the summer and from 9 AM to 5 PM in the winter, every day except Tuesday. The entrance fee is 200 TRY per person, or 285 TRY for an all-in-one ticket that includes access to the Harem Section and Hagia Irene.

4. Go Down the Basilica Cistern

Not too far from the Blue Mosque, you will also find another stunning tourist attraction you shouldn’t miss. The Basilica Cistern is the largest ancient cistern, one of the many that lies beneath Istanbul, and it was constructed in the 6th Century to store rainwater for later use.

Nowadays, the cistern is kept with little water so that tourists can come down and explore the space freely. Inside the cistern, you will find a forest of over 360 massive marble columns supporting the city above. Some of these columns are more notable than others, such as the one pillar with an upside-down Medusa head as its base and another with a sideways Medusa head as its base.

It is said that the cistern can store more than 80,000 cubic meters of water, which is pretty impressive considering it was built in the 6th Century. It really shows just how advanced the Byzantine Empire was back in its heyday.

It should take you around 30 minutes to go down, walk around the cistern, and get back up. The entrance fee to the Basilica Cistern is 30 TRY per person, and it is open from 9 AM to 6:30 PM every day.

5. Visit the Grand Bazaar or the Spice Market

The Grand Bazaar is a great place to stroll around and get the feel of what it is like to be in a Middle Eastern spice market. It is one of the largest covered markets in the world, covering 61 streets and housing over 4000 shops.

It is a sprawling network of crisscrossing streets, full of people and shops selling all kinds of goods such as trinkets, jewelry, gifts, and souvenirs along both sides of the streets.

Once you are inside, all of your senses will be engaged from all directions with the sound of the people, the smell of spices, and the colorful visuals of all the people and shops along the streets.

It is something you have to experience when you are traveling to Turkey, and there is no better place to do so than the Grand Bazaar. The Grand Bazaar opens from 10 AM to 6 PM every day, and you are free to enter.

If you are looking for something closer to the Old Town, the Spice Market is also highly recommended. The Spice Market and its surrounding areas will give you a similar experience to the Grand Bazaar, but without you having to go very far from the Old Town area.

6. Check Out the View at Suleymaniye Mosque

Suleymaniye Mosque is another impressive mosque that you should definitely visit while you are in Istanbul. In fact, I even prefer this mosque more than the Blue Mosque itself. This one has a beautiful space, stunning views, and impressive interior design. What more can you ask for in a mosque?

Suleymaniye Mosque was constructed in the 16th Century by the Ottoman Empire atop the Third Hill, giving it one of the best vantage points over Istanbul’s Galata area. The interior of the mosque is massive, covering over 59 meters (194 feet) in length and 58 meters (190 feet) in width, forming a single vast space full of stunning decor and a spacious area for you to enjoy.

There is also a large courtyard right outside the prayer hall of the mosque, surrounded by keel arches, where you can go people-watching. Just outside the gate, you will also find a stunning viewpoint where you will be able to see Istanbul’s Galata area in its entirety, as well as the New Istanbul in the background.

The walk to Suleymaniye Mosque is a little long with many ups, but for the unmatched view and its stunning interior, I guarantee you, it will all be worthwhile. The mosque opens from 08:30 AM to 11:30 AM in the morning, 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM in the afternoon, and again from 3:30 PM to 4:45 PM, with prayer breaks in between. There is no entrance fee for the mosque.

7. Witness the local’s daily life at Galata Bridge

Since we have been exploring the old town for a while, it is time to cross the water and visit another part of Istanbul, home to the Galata Tower and Taksim Square. But first, we have to go through the Galata Bridge.

The Galata Bridge is one of the best places to go for people-watching in Istanbul. It is a modern 2-level bridge that connects the Karakoy district with Sultanahmet, the old town district.

At the upper level of the bridge, you will find many locals fishing from the bridge on the sidewalks. You can even befriend some of the locals here and try your hand at fishing as well.

If you want to spend some time and relax by the Bosphorus, you can also do so at the lower level of the bridge where you will find a line of restaurants and cafes with a pretty stunning view of the Bosphorus strait.

Or you can do it for free at the steps near Karakoy pier and enjoy an unbeatable view of the old town with a pretzel in hand, bought from the street vendors nearby, and a good book in the other. I spent many evenings here, watching as the city winds down for the night.

8. Go Up the Galata Tower at Sunset

One of the best sunset spots in the city is up at the top of Galata Tower, a medieval stone tower that has dominated the city since the 14th Century. It offers an unbeatable panoramic vista of Istanbul’s historic peninsula.

The tower is nine stories tall, and you can see all the major tourist attractions like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque from here. Once inside, you can take one of the two operating elevators to reach the top level. There, you will find a restaurant and a cafe if you wish to rest, or you can simply walk out onto the balcony and be blown away by the view of Istanbul’s cityscape.

The cityscape is especially beautiful during the sunset and the blue hour, right when the city lights up and before the sky turns completely dark. Depending on the season, you are going to have to time it carefully to catch the sunset and spare some time to line up and go through the crowds to get to the top.

The entrance fee for the Galata Tower is 100 TRY per person. The tower opens from 8:30 AM to midnight in the summer and from 10 AM to 8 PM in winter every day of the week.

9. Visit Taksim Square

For a livelier part of Istanbul, Taksim Square and the shopping street leading up to it are one of the best places to stroll around and spend a day shopping for souvenirs or trying out all kinds of street food.

The shopping street gets really crowded in the evening, and the restaurants, cafes, and bars will be filled with people winding down for the day. It is a fun and lively area that contrasts with those you saw before in the old town area.

You can also take photos or even hop on the iconic red Taksim heritage tram that connects the Asian and European sides of the city from here. The tram operates between 6 AM and 12 AM every day, and it might be difficult for you to locate it once you are on the Taksim shopping streets.

10. Eat Your Way Through the Asian Side of Istanbul 🥘 Best Place to Eat

Now that we’ve spent more than a day exploring the European side, it would be a crime not to take a ferry across the Bosphorus and explore what the Asian side of Istanbul has to offer.

To get from the European side to the Asian side of Istanbul, you can take the 3 TRY ferry from Eminönü ferry terminal, which will take you to Üsküdar ferry terminal on the Asian side of the city. The ferry costs 3 TRY and takes about 15 minutes.

From there, you can walk along the coast down south toward the Maiden’s Tower (the things to do on the list) and try out all kinds of street food you find along the way. You will be surprised at how cheap the food is here compared to the European side.

Thanks to my Turkish friend for taking me to try all the street food. Here are some of the street food she recommended for all of you to try in Istanbul. I’m already drooling just thinking about it.

Peynirli Gözleme: Turkish flatbread with cheese, onion, and spinach stuffing.

Açma Ve Su Böreği: A delicious, salty baklava-like pastry stuffed with cheese or beef stuffing.

Midye Dolma: Aromatic rice-stuffed mussels.

Kokoreç: Grilled lamb or goat intestines wrapped around sweetbreads. It may sound disgusting, but it’s really good, and I highly recommend you give it a go when you are here.

11. Check out the Maiden’s Tower

Last but not least, as you walk down south along the coast from Üsküdar ferry terminal, you will see that the Maiden’s Tower is an ancient lighthouse built on a small islet on the Bosphorus strait.

The lighthouse was built in the 18th Century, which isn’t very long ago, but that didn’t stop a legend about its location and its name from developing among the locals.

One legend has it that the lighthouse was built by an emperor who had a daughter that went to see an oracle, and she prophesied that the daughter would be killed by a snake at the age of 18. To protect his daughter from this demise, the emperor built a tower in the middle of the Bosphorus to keep her safe.

The emperor is the only person who can visit her daughter, and on her 18th birthday, to celebrate their success in avoiding the tragedy, the father brought her a fruit basket. Upon reaching the basket, a hidden snake sprung out from the basket, bit the daughter, and she died in his arms, hence the name Maiden Tower.

Nowadays, the lighthouse has been converted into a small museum and a restaurant where you can take a local boat from the nearby coast and visit Maiden’s Tower. The boat operates from 9:15 to 18:30 every day, running every 15 minutes.

Where to Eat & Drink in Istanbul?

Kızılkayalar is my go-to street food restaurant in Taksim Square whenever I want a quick bite. They serve delicious doners and kebabs at a very affordable price (for Istanbul). Every time I have a layover in Istanbul, I always try to make it here and grab their doner. It’s that delicious.

A meat doner roll costs about 17 TRY (2 USD) at Kızılkayalar. The restaurant opens from 8 AM to 5 AM, making it a great place for a quick bite at night as well. If you are around Taksim Square, I highly recommend you to give their doner a go.

Have Coffee at EspressoLab

EspressoLab is a cafe in Taksim Square that I often frequent whenever I want to spend some time relaxing, enjoying my coffee, and writing some articles. The coffee is great, the space is cozy with multiple floors and a terrace overlooking the Taksim shopping street, and it has plenty of power outlets to charge my laptop. What more could you ask for in a cafe, am I right?

If you are in Taksim and looking for a place to relax with a nice cup of coffee, be sure to drop by EspressoLab. The cafe opens from 7 AM to 2 AM every day.

When to Visit Istanbul, Turkey?

While June – August is considered to be the peak season, I do not think it is the best time to visit Istanbul. Although it is a popular time to visit, you will also be dealing with a large tourist crowd, as well as the jacked-up prices at hotels, which is not ideal.

Plus, it is probably one of the hottest months to visit, making it less enjoyable to explore the outdoors.

What I would recommend instead is to visit during the shoulder seasons, either in May or September, when the tourist crowds are starting to wind down and the prices of hotels are starting to fall back to their normal level. You might get some rain here and there, but I think it’s worth the sacrifice for a much better experience in this beautiful place.

Also, keep in mind that from May to June is Ramadan. And even though you won’t have a problem finding food places like Istanbul, it is going to be much more difficult if you plan to explore other places outside Istanbul during Ramadan.

How to Get to Istanbul, Turkey?

Istanbul is one of the largest hubs in the region; you should have no trouble finding a flight from your home country to one of the 2 main airports in the city, Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW).

From the US, there are several direct flights you can take to Turkey from major cities in the US, such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, etc. All these flights are operated by Turkish Airlines, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a flight from the US to Turkey.

From Europe, you can fly from the most popular European hubs such as London, Paris, or Frankfurt via Turkish Airlines or local carriers like British Airways, Air France, or Lufthansa, which also offer direct flights to Istanbul or Ankara.

From Asia, you can fly directly with Turkish Airlines from several hub cities like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Jakarta, and Bangkok. You can also go with other Middle Eastern airlines like Qatar, Emirates, and Etihad if you are willing to transit to get a cheaper deal.

To find a cheap flight to Turkey, I would recommend that you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule, so you can compare and pick the best one.

Getting From Istanbul Airports to the City

By Bus: One of the fastest and cheapest ways to get from Istanbul airports to Taksim Square in the city center is to take the Havabus/Havaist airport bus, which connects Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) with Taksim Square.

The buses run every 15 minutes during the day and 30 minutes at night, and you can get on one from the bus stop in front of Sabiha Gokcen Airport or Havaist Bus Stop on the lower ground floor of Istanbul Airport (IST).

The journey should take around 1 hour and cost 18 TRY 36 – 41 TRY per person, and you should be dropped off at Havabus terminal in Taksim Square. Afterward, you can easily walk or catch a taxi to your accommodation.

By Metro: You can also take the metro from the airport to almost anywhere in the city. Istanbul has a very extensive metro system with several lines connecting all the way from one side of the city to the other, including both airports.

It is slower than the bus, though, and is pretty much the same price. So, I would recommend you go with the bus instead, especially if you have heavy backpacks or luggage.

By Private Transfer: If you are in a rush or have a lot of luggage and are looking for the easiest and most convenient way to get from the airport to the city center and vice versa, you can also book a private transfer here and arrange a pick-up time with the driver.

By Car: You can also rent a car right at the airport for around 50 USD per day, which is great if you are traveling in a big group and planning to explore Turkey further.

Here’s a complete guide on how to transit between SAW and IST Airports:How To Get From Sabiha Gokcen to Istanbul Airport and Vice Versa

How to Get Around Istanbul, Turkey?

By Walk: Istanbul is a very walkable city. Like most old cities, most of the attractions you want to see are often concentrated around the Old Town area, and you can easily walk from one place to another without too much trouble.

By Metro/Tram: Getting around the city via the metro system or trams is a great and cheap way to get around Istanbul. There are several metro lines all interconnected with one another, allowing you to go from one place to another as cheaply and efficiently as possible.

The metro train and tram system runs from 6 AM to 12 – 1 AM, depending on the line. The fare varies from line to line, but in general, it should cost around 5 TRY for a ride, with 1.85 TRY for a transfer to another vehicle. For more information, I highly recommend you check out Turkey Travel Planner.

By Car: If you are planning to travel further in Turkey and you are looking for a convenient way to go around the city at your own leisure, you can rent a car directly from the major airports in Istanbul.

Renting a car in Istanbul should cost around 50 USD per day. Keep in mind that the traffic in Istanbul is not the best, especially during prime times like 8 AM and 6 PM, so be patient. Click the link below to find the cheapest car rental place in Istanbul.

Rent a car in Istanbul

How Many Days To Spend in Istanbul, Turkey?

I recommend you stay at least 3 days in Istanbul to truly see all that the city has to offer. Here is a rough 3-day itinerary for Istanbul, Turkey:

Day 1: Spend the first day visiting all the major attractions on the European side, such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace Museum, the Grand Bazaar, and the Basilica Cistern, before spending the rest of the evening chilling out by the Bosphorus at Galata Bridge.

Day 2: Spend the next day exploring the Karakoy district on the other side of the Galata Bridge. Walk around the crisscrossing streets near Galata Tower, shop at Taksim Square, and watch the sunset from the top of the Galata Tower before ending the day.

Day 3: Take the ferry to the Asian side of Istanbul and check out the Maiden’s Tower, and eat your way through all the Turkish Delights and cheap street food there.

How Much Money Do I Need For Istanbul, Turkey?

With the rough itinerary above, we can calculate approximately how much you will be spending in Istanbul as follows:

Accommodation: For 4 nights in Istanbul, it should cost around 48 USD (414 TRY) for accommodation.

Food: Food costs about 20 TRY on average per meal, so you can expect to pay around 180 TRY per person for 3 days in Istanbul.

Transportation: You should be able to walk to most places in this travel guide, except when you are planning to visit the Asian side of Istanbul. So, expect to pay around 3 TRY for a round trip on the ferry.

Activities: Since Hagia Sophia has turned into a mosque, you are no longer required to pay to enter. All you have to pay for this itinerary are the entrance fees to Topkapi Palace (150 TRY), Basilica Cistern (30 TRY), and Galata Tower (100 TRY), so in total, 280 TRY for activities in Istanbul.

Total budget for one day in Istanbul: 877 TRY (101.6 USD)

Is it Safe in Istanbul, Turkey?

Istanbul is mostly safe for tourists, as it is a major tourist hub and there are always people going about their days at most times of the day. So, you should feel pretty safe here.

That said, like all big cities, I always recommend that you take precautions and be aware of your belongings and surroundings at all times in Istanbul. Petty thefts, such as bag snatching and pickpocketing, still occur in Istanbul, especially in crowded areas. So, don’t forget to keep your belongings near you when you are out and about in Istanbul.

Which tourist SIM card is best for Turkey?

Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Istanbul, Turkey without having to switch out your physical SIM card.

Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you’ll be good to go. If your phone doesn’t support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Istanbul, Turkey:

There are three major carriers in Turkey: Turkcell, Vodafone, and Turk Telekom. All of them offer a pretty similar range of traveler’s packages as well as coverages.

I personally use Turkcell’s Tourist Welcome Package, which costs around 149 TRY for 30 days. It comes with 20 GB of data, unlimited messaging, and 200 local minutes, which is more than enough for my trip to Turkey.

You can also go cheaper with an 8 GB 30-day plan for 60 TRY, and the price goes down from there depending on the GB you want for your data SIM card. Keep in mind that a foreign phone with a local SIM card has a grace period of 120 days. So, if you are planning to stay longer than 120 days, you are going to have to register your phone with the authority, which is unlikely to happen for tourists like us.

For more information about Turkey’s local SIM card: Turkey’s Prepaid Data SIM Card.

Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It’s FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

What to Pack for Istanbul, Turkey?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Istanbul, Turkey:

Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.

Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.

Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi’s jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.

Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It’s lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.

Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker’s towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.

Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Istanbul, Turkey in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.

Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.

Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.

Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It’s a total game-changer.

Universal Adapter: You’ll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.

Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.

Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It’s large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it’s stylish as hell!

Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can’t go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Further Reading for Turkey

Turkey is a country that stands in the middle of Europe and Asia. Empires rose and fell on this land, and in order to see Turkey as a whole, you will have to go further than just Istanbul.

Here are a selection of articles and travel guides that you might need to further plan your trip to Turkey:

First time visiting Turkey? Here are the 15 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Turkey.
Looking for a complete itinerary and travel guide for Turkey? Check out the One Month Itinerary for Turkey.
Have a transit flight between IST and SAW airports in Istanbul? Here is a complete guide on How To Get From Sabiha Gokcen To Istanbul Airport And Vice Versa.
A lot of Roman influence can be seen throughout Turkey. One of the best places to see this is at the Ephesus ruins in Selcuk. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Selcuk and Ephesus.
Pamukkale is home to the ancient travertines of Pamukkale, and it is a place you should definitely visit in Turkey. Here is A Complete Travel Guide to Pamukkale, Turkey.
The southwestern coast of Turkey boasts some of the most stunning beaches, cliffs, and hiking trails in the country, and one of the best places you shouldn’t miss is the Butterfly Valley. Here is A Complete Travel Guide to the Butterfly Valley, Turkey.
Looking for a nice, quiet place by the beach to relax and do yoga for a few days in Turkey? There is no better place to be than Kabak. Here is A Complete Travel Guide to Kabak, Turkey.
You can’t deny it, Cappadocia is one hell of a stunning place to travel to, and there are a ton of things you can do there. From riding a hot air balloon to hiking, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Cappadocia, Turkey.
Mt. Nemrut and its massive stone statues of gods are one of the most unique places I have ever seen, but it is not the easiest place to visit. To save you the trouble, here is A Complete Travel Guide to Mt. Nemrut and all the information you need to make the journey as I did.
If you are planning to travel to East Turkey, Van is one of the cities you must stop by. Known for its awesome breakfast and its location by the largest lake in Turkey, here is A Complete Travel Guide to Van, Turkey.
Visiting Sumela Monastery is one of the highlights of traveling to Eastern Turkey, but due to its remote location, getting there can be tricky. Here is How to Travel to Sumela Monastery, Turkey, and all the information you need to make the trip happen.
Ani, the ancient Armenian City in Kars, is the highlight of Eastern Turkey, but it can be quite tricky to visit unless you know how to do it properly. Here is How to Travel to Ani, Turkey and all the information you need to make the trip happen.
Not convinced by my words? Maybe these photos of Turkey will help! 45 Photos that will inspire you to travel to Turkey.
Since you are already all the way east, why not cross the border from Turkey to Georgia and make your way to Tbilisi, a vibrant capital city of Georgia? Check out my Georgia Travel Guide to plan your next trip to Georgia.
For all articles about Turkey, visit the Turkey Travel Guide page.
Looking for more travel guides for the Middle East? You can find more on my Middle East Travel Guide page.
For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.