15 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Turkey – What To See, Where to Go, Things to Do for First-timers

1. Hagia Sofia, Istanbul

Hagia Sophia is probably one of the most highly anticipated places in Istanbul that you should not miss. The church/mosque is the crown jewel of the city and it has one of the most complex histories out of all the architectural tourist attractions you will see on this list.

It was first built around 532-537 AD by the Byzantine Empire as the principal church for its capital city before it was taken over by the Ottoman Empire and converted into a mosque in 1453. Then, the Ottoman Empire collapsed, and the Turkish government converted the mosque into a museum for restoration until 2020 when it was converted back into a mosque.

The best part about Hagia Sofia is the interior. Once you are inside, you will be surrounded by a breathtakingly gigantic domed hallway, all painted yellow, and 8 Arabic calligraphic roundels. These huge circular wooden panels bear the names of Allah, Mohammed, and his grandsons Hasan & Hussein, as well as the four caliphates.

It is quite a sight to behold and probably one of the most beautiful mosques in the world. If you are planning to visit Istanbul, make sure not to miss this historic architectural wonder of the world.

2. The Grand Bazaar, Istanbul

Another great place to visit in Istanbul is the Grand Bazaar. This 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 having over 4000 shops inside.

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

It is something you have to experience for yourself when you are traveling to Turkey, and I guarantee you that all your senses will be engaged and overloaded in the best way possible when you are walking around the Grand Bazaar.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Istanbul?11 Best Things to Do in Istanbul, Turkey

3. The Ancient City of Ephesus, Selcuk

Ephesus is an ancient Greek/Roman city, home to the well-preserved facade of the Great Library of Celsus. It is believed to be the third-largest library in the Roman world, behind only the ones in Alexandria and Pergamum.

You will also find the Ancient Theatre of Ephesus, another impressive architecture that shows just how adept the Romans were at constructing such a massive structure. It is said that the theatre can hold more than 20,000 spectators, which is mind-blowing considering it was built more than 2,000 years ago.

Selcuk, a small town nearest to Ephesus, is also not too far from Istanbul, making it a great place to travel to after you have visited Istanbul. So, if you are interested in learning more about the Greek and Roman history in Turkey, Ephesus is a great place to start.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Selcuk?8 Best Things to Do in Selcuk and Ephesus, Turkey

4. Pamukkale Travertines

Pamukkale is home to the famous white travertine thermal pools that have been a staple tourist attraction in this part of the country since the 2nd century BC. I have never seen anything quite like it.

For more than 2,000 years, visitors from all over the world have visited Pamukkale and bathed in its mineral-rich water, which was believed to be able to cure all kinds of ailments. Although I highly doubt this is true, it is still one of the most unique places to visit in Turkey.

Pamukkale is also home to an ancient city called Hierapolis, which is believed to have been built around this wonder of the world. It was primarily intended for retired individuals seeking to spend their remaining years relaxing by the pool. Unfortunately, we know this because of the presence of a large necropolis nearby, indicating that numerous people were buried in the city.

You can visit Pamukkale and spend a day or 2 relaxing in one of these turquoise water travertines or have a proper spa day at the Antique Pool, which is another thermal bath that is a bit cleaner and more equipped for tourists.

5. Pamukkale From the Air

Pamukkale is a nice place to walk around, but what could be better than visiting the place on foot? How about flying over it with a paraglider to see just how epic the travertines of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis truly are from above?

Paragliding over Pamukkale is definitely the best way to see Pamukkale. With a tandem paragliding tour, you will have around 15-30 minutes in the air as you fly above the travertines and Hierapolis. This experience allows you to appreciate the true size of the travertines.

It is one hell of a sight to see, and if you are looking for something adventurous to do that will get your adrenaline pumping in a place meant to be relaxed in, like Pamukkale, paragliding over it is the best way to do it.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Pamukkale?A Complete Travel Guide to Pamukkale, Turkey

6. The Butterfly Valley in Faralya

The Butterfly Valley is probably one of the most beautiful places I have visited in Turkey. Even now, the thought of being at the beautiful secluded sandy beach while being surrounded by the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the stunning rocky mountains still puts me in a trance.

The Butterfly Valley got its name from the abundant population of butterflies that used to be in the valley. Unfortunately, due to mass tourism and all the party boats that visit the valley daily, they migrated elsewhere a long time ago.

Still, it is a beautiful place to visit in Turkey, and even though most people would take a party cruise to the beach down the valley and camp for the night, I found it much better and way more peaceful to hike up to Faralya, a town at the top of the valley, and camp there instead.

In Faralya, you will be able to camp away from the hippies and party-goers down at the beach and enjoy the valley the way it was meant to be. You will also have an unobstructed view of the sunset over the Mediterranean Sea if you pick your camping spot wisely.

You will also be able to hike elsewhere if you decide to stay in Faralya, as the town lies right on the ancient trekking route of the Lycian Way – one of the best long hiking trails in the world, and it is next on our list.

Looking for a complete travel guide to the Butterfly Valley?A Complete Travel Guide to the Butterfly Valley, Turkey

7. The Lycian Way Hiking Trail

The Lycian Way is one of the most popular long-distance hiking trails in the world. The trail follows the old footpath and mule trail used by the Lycian civilization way back when they lived here in prehistoric times, and it goes along the southwestern coastline of Turkey for 500 km.

You can easily do part of it if you are camping in Faralya above the Butterfly Valley, as I suggested above. One of the trails you can do from the Butterfly Valley and Faralya is a hike to Kabak, a beautiful beach settlement that has become increasingly popular among beach-goers and hikers alike.

It will take you about 3 hours to hike from Faralya to Kabak one way, and even though Kabak might not be the hidden gem beach it used to be, being able to hike even just part of the Lycian Way is one of the greatest things you can do in Turkey.

Hiking the Lycian Way is an excellent way to see the beautiful and historically important coastline of Turkey that is full of ancient ruins and remnants of its prosperity. You can explore it at a much slower pace, and it will give you a chance to go swimming in one of the many remote beaches along the Lycian Way, which is next on our list.

8. Paradise Beach, Kabak

If you decide to hike the Lycian Way or just part of it, as I did, you will have the opportunity to discover some truly beautiful remote beaches where you will be able to have the entire beach to yourself.

One of the hidden beaches is Paradise Beach, which I highly recommend you hike to, especially if you are staying at Kabak. The hike should take about 3 hours one way, and once you arrive, you will find a strip of white sand beach all to yourself.

If you are looking for an off-the-beaten-path track to follow along the Mediterranean coastline of Turkey, a hike from Kabak to Paradise Beach is highly recommended.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Kabak?A Complete Travel Guide to Kabak, Turkey

9. Cappadocia

You can’t deny it, Cappadocia is one hell of a stunning place to travel to. It is surrounded by a fairytale-like landscape, stunning rock formations, cave dwellings, and a sky full of hot air balloons, which is what I recommend you do in Cappadocia.

Riding a hot air balloon over Cappadocia is one of the most popular activities to do in Turkey, and it is easy to understand why that’s the case. There is just no other way to truly appreciate the expansive landscape of Cappadocia than to see it from the air, and the only way to get up there is with a hot air balloon.

The moment you are up in the air and the first light of the day touches your face, that’s when the beauty of the Cappadocian landscape shines the brightest. As the sun rises above the horizon, you will find yourself among several other colorful hot air balloons dotting the sky of Cappadocia. It will be one of the most memorable sights you will see in Turkey, hands down.

10. Love, Rose, and Red Valleys in Cappadocia

The Valleys of Goreme is another great way to see just how diverse and beautiful the landscapes around Cappadocia are. There are four popular valleys you can hike in Goreme: Rose, Red, Love, and Pigeon Valley, all of which have their own distinct features that make them worthwhile.

For example, Love Valley is full of phallic-shaped rock formations that gave it its name. Pigeon Valley is home to stunning rock formations where pigeon carriers used to live. Finally, Red and Rose Valleys are full of bright red and pink-colored sandstone ridges that are quite a sight to behold, especially at sunset.

Best of all, these hiking trails are connected in a way that you can do them in loops, making it one of the best ways to explore Goreme on foot. If you are moderately fit and looking for a way to see most of the attractions in Goreme in one go without spending a dime, hiking these valleys is the way to go.

11. Goreme

Cappadocia is home to many ancient cave dwellers, so one of the most popular experiences you can have in Cappadocia is to spend a night or two in one of the many cave hotels in Goreme.

There are plenty of cave hotels you can choose from, with prices ranging from 34 USD per room (Old Town Stone House) to over 100 USD per room (Elegance Cave Suites and Restaurant), all of which are perfect for experiencing your first night sleeping in a cave.

Don’t worry. It is more comfortable than it sounds. Most of the cave hotels in Göreme are fitted with modern facilities and air conditioning, so you shouldn’t have trouble sleeping in these cave hotels.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Cappadocia?10 Best Things to Do in Cappadocia, Turkey

12. Mt. Nemrut

Imagine a massive mountain, over 2,400 meters above sea level, in the middle of nowhere, and someone built a collection of massive statues of Greek and Iranian gods on top of the mountain back in the 1st Century BC. Surprisingly, all of these statues are still standing today.

That is exactly what Mt. Nemrut is, a massive mountain located in Central Turkey where you will find several giant statues of ancient gods still standing after more than 2,000 years at the summit. It is one of the most unique and off-the-beaten-path things you can do in Turkey.

Due to how remote Mt. Nemrut is, it doesn’t receive as many tourists as other places listed here, and getting to Mt. Nemrut can be quite a headache if you are traveling on a budget.

That said, it is still one of my favorite places in Turkey, and if you are still determined to visit Mt. Nemrut no matter how complicated it is, you can learn more about how I did it and how you can do it too with a complete travel guide to Mt. Nemrut below:

Looking for a complete travel guide to Mt. Nemrut?A Complete Travel Guide to Mt. Nemrut, Turkey

13. Akdamar Island, Van

Akdamar Island is one of the great highlights of visiting Eastern Turkey. The island is the second-largest island out of four in Lake Van, and on this island, you will find a 10th-century-old Armenian Holy Cross Cathedral, the remnant of the once-great Armenian Kingdom that ruled the area from 1116 to 1895.

The island is surrounded by the vividly blue soda-salt water of Lake Van, with a breathtaking backdrop of the sacred mountain of Ararat looming behind. It is probably one of the most scenic churches I’ve seen in Eastern Turkey, and it really made my long journey to Eastern Turkey worthwhile.

If you are planning to spend some time in Eastern Turkey away from the tourist crowds, make sure to include Akdamar Island and Van on your list of places to visit. For more details on visiting Akdamar Island, be sure to check out my complete guide to Van with the link below:

Looking for a complete travel guide to Van?A Complete Travel Guide to Van, Turkey

14. Sumela Monastery, Trabzon

Nestled in a steep cliff of Karadag Mountain in the remote mountainous region of Macka in Trabzon, Sumela Monastery is probably one of the most epic monasteries ever built in the world and a must-visit if you are planning to travel to Eastern Turkey.

With such an incredible feat, the Greek Orthodox monks of yesteryears had managed to build an architectural wonder that defies nature in almost every imaginable way… for the most part until the 20th Century, where it was abandoned and left in a state of disrepair for most of the century. It was further damaged by falling rocks, which closed the place down from 2015 to 2020.

Thankfully, you can now visit the monastery with one of the many daily tours from Trabzon, the closest city to the monastery. There are some truly stunning architectures inside the monastery, as well as a well-preserved Orthodox Church complete with colorful murals and frescos that are quite a sight to see. For more information on how to visit Sumela Monastery, click the link below for a complete travel guide to Sumela Monastery.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Sumela Monastery?How to Travel to Sumela Monastery, Turkey

15. Ani in Kars

Not many travelers make it all the way to Eastern Turkey when they visit the country, but for those who dare to step off the beaten path, you will be rewarded with a sight of places like the ancient city of Ani that make it all worthwhile.

Ani is an ancient Armenian city built between the 10th and 11th centuries, and it is a true city in every sense of the word, with more than 50 churches, 30 caves, and 20 chapels discovered so far. Some say there are more than a thousand structures that are yet to be excavated from this vast plain of Eastern Turkey.

I really enjoyed my time in Ani. There are several walking trails you can do once you are here, and you will be able to discover some truly stunning ancient Armenian architectures like the Cathedral, the Church of Kizkale, and the Church of Tigran Honents that really show how the city was developed and give us a glimpse of what the city was like back then.

If you are a history buff and planning to explore Eastern Turkey and all the area has to offer, you are going to love the ancient city of Ani. To this day, it is still one of my favorite places that I had the opportunity to visit in Turkey.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Ani?How to Travel to Ani, Turkey

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

Looking for a complete itinerary and travel guide for Turkey? 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.
Istanbul is the crown jewel historical city of Turkey and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There are a lot of things to do, and you are going to need a complete travel guide to see them all. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Istanbul, Turkey.
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 some 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 of 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.