What is Turkey known for? This fascinating country is known for its striking mixture of history, culture, and natural splendor. It lies between Europe and Asia and features famous ruins, colorful markets, and breathtaking architecture.
In Istanbul, the old stones in monuments such as the Hagia Sophia tell tales of a colorful past. At the same time, Mediterranean seaside towns promise clear blue seas, ancient settlements, and warm sandy beaches.
Turkey is also a land where Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian cuisine combine in an explosion of flavors, from zesty kebabs to Turkish coffee and honeyed baklava. From the Roman city of Ephesus to enthralling Istanbul, you will find adventure, great food, and wonderful architecture in Turkey that you will remember for a lifetime.
Sultanahmet, Istanbul
Sultanahmet, Istanbul
Istanbul’s old quarter, Sultanahmet, is full of some of the most famous sights in the country. Here, you’ll find the Hagia Sophia, a monument of Byzantine majesty dating back almost 1,500 years.
The Hagia Sophia was first a church, then a mosque, then a museum, and is now a mosque again. It’s filled with dazzling mosaics and the impressive domed basilica ceiling will leave you in awe.
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul
Directly opposite the Hagia Sophia, you’ll find the Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, an amazing building famed for its blue Iznik tiled domes, columns, and six soaring minarets that form one of the most prominent silhouettes of Istanbul’s skyline.
Constructed in the early 17th century by Sultan Ahmed I and his architect, Sedefkar Mehmed Ağa, the Blue Mosque combines Byzantine and Islamic Ottoman architectural influences and features towering domes and a large courtyard.
More than 20,000 hand-painted ceramic tiles in blue and purple bring the interior of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque to life, creating one of the most beautiful mosques in existence.
Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul
Sultanahmet Square is another spot where you can witness the convergence of the Byzantine and Ottoman eras with sublime views of the Blue Mosque and, across the way, the Hagia Sophia.
The square, the site of a former Hippodrome, hosted chariot races during Constantinople’s golden age. The 3,500-year-old Egyptian Obelisk at its center lends even more historical resonance to this bustling gathering space.
Topkapi Palace, Istanbul
Not too far away from the square, you’ll come across the 15th-century Topkapi Palace, one of the best places to visit in Istanbul. Here, you can see how the Ottoman elites lived in grandeur in a bygone era, surrounded by ornate rooms, beautiful courtyards, the imperial harem, and exquisite vistas over the Bosphorus.
Grand Bazaar, Istanbul
Grand Bazaar, Istanbul
The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, built by Mehmet II in the 15th century, is a massive covered market in Istanbul bustling with activity.
With more than 4,000 shops on 60 narrow streets, this market has been the heart of the city’s commerce for centuries and sees millions of visitors every year. If you were to ask a local what Turkey is known for, shopping in the Grand Bazaar would be high on the list.
Shop for Turkish souvenirs like rugs, jewelry, spices, ceramics, tea, traditional handcrafted goods, and more. Sellers ply their wares on the noisy alleyways and expect good-natured haggling as part of every transaction.
Walk around and soak up the sounds, smells, and chaotic vibe of this historic marketplace, where every stall and merchant has a story to tell about the character of Istanbul.
Exciting Cuisine
Turkish food
Turkey’s cuisine is a medley of culinary influences with flavors from the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and Central Asia. It’s regarded as one of the great cuisines of the world, whether you opt for a rustic tavern or one of Istanbul’s many fine dining restaurants.
Iskender Kebab is a popular local delicacy made with minced lamb layered on pita bread with yogurt and tomato sauce; Manti, aka “Turkish ravioli”, are dumplings prepared with spicy minced lamb or beef served with garlic yogurt.
Lokum
Imam Bayld is a stuffed eggplant filled with tomatoes and onions and is one of the main vegetarian delights that Turkey is known for. Speaking of “delights,” you’ll want to try Turkish delight, or lokum in Turkish, which is a sweet confection often flavored with rosewater and containing chopped dates or pistachios.
Another famed dessert you should sample is künefe, a cheesy phyllo dough pastry that’s a real crowd-pleaser. Turkish baklava, also made with phyllo dough, is a buttery treat prepared with nuts and honey syrup to provide the perfect crunch and sweetness.
If you’re into caffeinated drinks, you can’t go wrong with Turkish coffee, a robust, unfiltered beverage made in a cezve copper pot with a strong aroma and a frothy head.
Ancient Ephesus
Ephesus
Ephesus is a huge open-air museum that showcases one of the biggest, most important, and best-preserved ancient Greek cities of the classical world. Accessible from the town of Kusadasi on the Aegean, Ephesus will plunge you into an immersive historical experience.
Located just to the south of Selçuk, Ephesus was a Greek and then later Roman center of commerce, religion, and learning.
The Roman-built Library of Celsus, perhaps the most recognizable building in the area, is a monument to scholarship, constructed in the 2nd century AD to commemorate the Roman senator Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaean. In its heyday, thousands of scrolls were stored in this elaborate double-walled library, designed to guard against dampness.
Library of Celsus, Ephesus
The library’s columns, still standing today, richly decorated walls, and statues of Arete and Episteme are a nod to the city’s love of wisdom and knowledge. It’s one of the most recognizable images of Turkey today.
While much of the Library of Celsus is still intact, the Temple of Artemis—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—has fared less well, although it’s still a big draw. Sadly, only bits and pieces have survived, including dispersed remains of its foundation.
When you visit the Artemis site, try to imagine its sheer magnitude back in the day, defined by amazing marblework, sculptures, decorations, and artistic excellence, which helped shape Greek and Roman religious life.
Great Theater, Ephesus
To the west of the Temple of Artemis lies Ephesus’ Great Theater, a 25,000-seat Hellenistic amphitheater once used for gladiatorial battles and plays. The Greeks constructed it, and the Romans later enlarged it. Today, it is still used for modern concerts.
You can also drop by the Odeon, a small, second-century theater, which was once a notable music and poetry hall and public meetinghouse, arranged in semicircular marble aisles, with a capacity for around 1,500 people.
And then there’s the Temple of Hadrian, dating back to 138 AD, with its well-preserved reliefs, Corinthian columns, and arches that testify to Ephesus’ dedication to the Roman emperor Publius Aelius Hadrianus.
Terrace Houses, Ephesus
You’ll find the Terrace Houses close to Hadrian’s Temple. These seven stately residences, with their mosaics, frescoes, and high-tech clay pipe heating systems, reveal the privileged lifestyles of the city’s aristocracy. It’s a fascinating experience to walk through these houses to get a flavor of what life must have been like for the ancient Ephesians.
The ruin of St. John’s Basilica is a hilltop icon also included in any visit to Ephesus. This impressive basilica was completed by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD and is supposedly the location of the tomb of St. John the Apostle.
St. John’s Basilica, Ephesus
Regardless, the basilica’s ruins—the arches, columns, and baptismal pool—invoke the site’s former splendor and sacred importance to early Christianity.
Another must-see in Ephesus is the Prytaneion, a public building where sacred flames were burned in honor of Hestia, the goddess of the hearth and family.
Sema Whirling Dervishes
Sema Whirling Dervish
When you’re in Turkey, try to carve out some time to see the spinning Sufi mystical ritual known as the Whirling Dervish, or Sema. This spellbinding performance and meditative dance originated with the 13th-century followers of the poet and mystic Rumi.
This isn’t just a dance but rather an inner spiritual journey, as dervishes spin to merge with the divine. Wearing white gowns and felt hats, the dervishes whirl with symmetry, bridging the mundane world to a higher plane of existence.
The Galata Mevlevi Museum in Istanbul, dating back to 1491, is a good place to experience this magical ritual. You can watch the dance in this historic hall and see the Whirling Dervishes in the context of Turkish Sufism, letting you appreciate the spiritual beauty of this unique heritage.
The Bosphorus, Istanbul
The Bosphorus, Istanbul
The narrow Bosphorus waterway connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, with Europe on one side and Asia on the other. The views from a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait are breathtaking, to say the least, letting you soak in Istanbul’s skyline. Boats of all shapes and sizes buzz up and down the waterway, and back and forth between the Asian and European sides.
On this scenic boat trip, you’ll get to cruise beneath the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, which divides the city in two.
Dolmabahçe Palace, Istanbul
You’ll also witness Istanbul’s towering domes, minarets, and palaces, passing by the Dolmabahçe Palace, the Bosphorus Bridge, the Maiden’s Tower, the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Princes’ Islands in the Sea of Marmara, as well as the Golden Horn, a natural estuary that separates old and new Istanbul.
On daytime cruises, you can experience the color and energy of Istanbul’s skyline, while at night, you can glimpse the enchanting glow of the city.
Basilica Cistern, Istanbul
Basilica Cistern, Istanbul
The Basilica Cistern, located beneath Istanbul’s busy boulevards, is a fascinating monument to Byzantine engineering. This immense underground cistern, built in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian, originally fed water to the Great Palace of Constantinople.
These days, when you visit, you will see rows of illuminated marble columns reflecting the shallow water surrounding them. When you descend into this cool, dark world, you will be met by the surreal.
There are two odd stone Medusa heads hidden among the 336 columns here. As you venture under the arches looking for Medusas, you will see the skilled craftsmanship of the ancient builders. Visit the Basilica Cistern for a glimpse into Istanbul’s underground history.
Turkish Wines
Turkish wine
Turkey produces some excellent wines, although you’ll rarely come across them outside the country. If you’re a wine lover, consider signing up for a Seven Sages, or Yedi Bilgeler winery tour located near Ephesus for a sensory and cultural foray into Aegean winemaking.
Viniculture has been going strong in this part of the world for millennia; Seven Sages embodies this proud tradition, adding a touch of modern sophistication.
The estate’s lovely main building, built from stone, is surrounded by lavender plants, olive trees, and sunbaked hills. The winery offers tasting rooms with samples of wines made with local Turkish grapes, including Kalecik Karas and Narince, as well as international blends.
With every sip, Turkey’s viniculture traditions come alive, capturing the regional climate and taste of the soil. Drink your wines with savory cheeses, local cuisine, and olive oil for a real Aegean meal while you learn more about Turkish wine production.
Galata Tower, Istanbul
Galata Tower, Istanbul
True to its name, the Galata Tower looms above the chic Istanbul neighborhood of Karaköy, offering incredible views of Istanbul’s skyline along the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.
This 14th-century Genoese stone tower has witnessed centuries of change to Istanbul’s shape and character.
Today, you can climb to its observation deck via an elevator and stairs to check out the city from a bird’s eye perspective, taking in Sultanahmet’s domed wonders, as well as the modern skyscrapers on the Asian side. The Galata Tower climb is particularly beautiful in the late afternoon when the minarets and rooftops are lit up in a golden hue.
Egyptian Bazaar, Istanbul
Egyptian Bazaar, Istanbul
The Spice Bazaar—also called the Egyptian Bazaar—is a sensory overload of colors and aromas located in the waterside Eminonu quarter. It’s one of the busiest markets in Istanbul.
This covered bazaar, established in the 17th century, originally sold spices imported from Egypt. its exotic scents and hues have been enchanting visitors for centuries. Spices, dried fruits, nuts, Turkish delight, teas, and much more are stacked on stalls humming with activity.
As well as spices, the bazaar, with its wide arches, high ceilings, and vibrant Ottoman-style designs, also displays Turkish goods, from soaps and oils to handicrafts. Head to the Spice Bazaar to shop and bask in an atmosphere pervaded with centuries of trade, aromas, and tastes.
Ephesus
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