312 Best Sights in Turkey

The medium-sized Şehzade Camii was built for Süleyman the Magnificent's eldest son, Prince Mehmet, who died of smallpox in 1543 at age 22. This was the great Ottoman architect Sinan's first imperial mosque, and he called it his "apprentice work." The result is quite attractive, although less spectacular than the nearby Süleymaniye. The tranquil gardens contain several imperial tombs—including that of Prince Mehmet, decorated with some of the best İznik tiles in Istanbul.

North of Arykanda, the mountain town of Elmalı is the center of the country's apple (elma) industry. Although a glimpse of traditional Turkey and the cool mountain air are the main draws, Elmalı is also known for its traditional, half-timber houses and the Ömer Pasha mosque (1602), which is one of the best Ottoman mosques in southern Turkey. Several important pre-classical sites have been excavated in the area, and a hoard of nearly 2,000 coins from the 5th century BC, called the "Treasure of the Century" was unearthed near here. Most finds are now in the Antalya Museum, but a small, free museum, Elmalı Müzesi ( Eski Hükümet Cad.), opened here in 2011. Local wines from the Likya Şarapları vineyards can be tasted at its winery on the edge of town (open weekdays only). 

This column stood at the center of what was a large circular marketplace or forum where Constantine formally rededicated the city on May 11, 330 AD. Carved out of blocks of a reddish-purple stone called porphyry that was especially prized by the ancient Romans, the column is 115 feet high and was once topped by a golden statue of Apollo, to which Constantine added his own head. Constantine was said to have placed various relics under the column, including an ax used by Noah to make the ark, a piece of the True Cross, and some of the leftover bread from the miracle of the loaves and fishes.

The transportation hub of Old Istanbul, Eminönü teems with activity. There are docks for traditional ferryboats (including those making both short and daylong Bosphorus cruises) and faster "sea bus" catamarans that cross the Bosphorus, as well as the Eminönü tram stop, the Sirkeci train station, and the departure area for buses headed to Istanbul's western districts. Thousands of people and vehicles rush through this frenetic neighborhood by the hour, and the many street traders here sell everything from trinkets to designer knockoffs. From Eminönü, you can cross the Galata Bridge on foot or via the tramway to Karaköy, the gateway to the "new town."

The daughter of Sultan Yıldırım Beyazıt built the Emir Sultan Camii in 1429 for her husband, Emir Sultan, and it sits amid cypresses and plane trees on a quiet hilltop overlooking the city. The single-domed mosque was badly damaged in the 1855 earthquake and almost totally rebuilt by Sultan Abdülaziz. The two cut-stone minarets are considered great examples of rococo, and the assemblage faces an attractive courtyard that houses the tombs of Emir Sultan, his wife, and their children.

This quiet European-side suburb is best known for its large, attractive, public park, Emirgan Korusu—formerly an estate owned by the Khedive of Egypt—which has flower gardens, a small pond, paths, and picnic areas. Three restored 19th-century wooden pavilions house restaurants and cafés. During Istanbul's Tulip Festival in April, visitors flock to Emirgan Korusu for its striking flower displays—each year, a million or more tulips in dozens of varieties are planted in this park alone. The flower, which takes its name from the Turkish word tülbend (turban), was most likely introduced to Europe in the late 16th century via the Ottoman Empire, setting off the famous "tulip craze" in the Netherlands. Emirgan is also where the Sakıp Sabancı Museum is located.

The major problem with the site of Byzantium was the lack of fresh water. So, for the city to grow, a great system of aqueducts and cisterns was built. Impeccably restored and opened to the public in 2018, the Theodosius Cistern dates from the 5th century to the reign of Theodosius II. A steep staircase leads you down into the cistern, where 32 marble columns support the Byzantine arches and domes overhead. The cistern occasionally hosts concerts and art exhibitions.

Some say the 11th-century Eski Gümüşler church inside this monastery complex has the only image of a smiling Virgin Mary in the world. Others say that this is due to an error made during the church's restoration. Whatever the case, the frescoes inside, though dark, are beautiful and amazingly preserved. When facing the alter of the church's main nave (the room on the right-hand side), look for the "smiling" Virgin in a rock niche on the left-hand side. Parts of the monastery were carved as early as the 7th century, but most of the frescoes are from around the 11th. They were later painted over by local Turkish Muslims, who considered the depiction of human beings idolatrous.

The monastery also contains a kitchen, rock-carved monks' chambers around the central courtyard, and two levels of underground rooms that may have been used in part as a water reservoir. The sign for the monastery is one of the first things you see as you approach Niğde; it's about 4 km (2½ miles) down the road from there.

Atatürk used this Ottoman Revival–style building as an office, and his body lay here for 15 years after his death while his enormous mausoleum was being built. This small museum mainly appeals to those interested in cultural artifacts. It houses a rich collection of Turkish carpets, folk costumes, weapons, Islamic calligraphy, and ceramics. The display of woodwork, which includes intricately carved doors, portals, minbars (mosque pulpits), and Seljuk thrones—some pieces dating as far back as the 13th century—is especially impressive.

Muslim pilgrims from all over the world make their way to the brightly colored, tile-covered tomb of Eyüp Ensari (Ayyub al-Ansari)—a companion of the Prophet Muhammad who served as his standard-bearer—at this mosque complex on the Golden Horn. Ensari was killed during the first Arab siege of Constantinople (AD 674–78), and the eternal presence of a man so close to Muhammad makes this the holiest Islamic shrine in Turkey. His grave site was visited by Muslim pilgrims in Byzantine times and "rediscovered" during Mehmet the Conqueror's siege of Constantinople. After the conquest, Mehmet monumentalized the tomb and built a mosque, where investiture ceremonies were held for successive sultans. The mosque currently on the site was built after the original edifice was ruined in the 1766 earthquake. The plane-tree-shaded courtyards and large numbers of visitors imbue Eyüp Sultan Camii with a sense of peace and religious devotion not found in many other parts of this often frenetic city. A vast cemetery has grown up around the mosque. It's best to avoid visiting at prayer times.

This complex consisting of a mosque, religious schools, and other buildings of a pious nature was the largest in the Ottoman empire, and is still one of the most culturally important mosques in the city. Today it remains the heart of Fatih, one of Istanbul's most religiously conservative neighborhoods. The original mosque, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1766, was built from 1463 to 1470 by Mehmet the Conqueror on the site of the demolished Church of the Twelve Apostles, the burial church of Byzantine emperors from Constantine on. The 18th-century replacement, which has been completely restored, is quite attractive—particularly the extensive stained-glass windows—though probably very little of what you're seeing is original. Behind the mosque is the reconstructed, baroque-style tomb of the Conqueror himself, along with the far plainer tomb of his wife Gülbahar. It's best to avoid visiting the mosque at prayer times.

Opened in 2023 by the Istanbul Municipality in a reappropriated fez and textile factory from Ottoman times, Feshane is a public culture and art space with rotating exhibitions right on the Golden Horn. The airy brick building has a large library, a cafe, a concert space, a conference hall, and a number of galleries.

Along the crest of the hill overlooking the old town are the remains of the battlements of a castle; the foundations, which date back to antiquity, were later built up by the 12th-century Crusaders, Knights of St. John (also known as the Knights Hospitaller), who also built the castle in Bodrum. It takes a good imagination to picture what a mighty fortress this must once have been, but the views of the Fethiye Bay are lovely from here—and from the Seyir Terası (observation terrace) just down the road. A series of picnic tables on wooden decks is perched on the hillside.

The Galata area was a thriving Italian settlement both before and after the fall of Constantinople, and the Genoese rebuilt this tower as part of their fortifications in 1348 (the original structure dates back to the Byzantium Emperor Justinian in AD 527), when they controlled the northern shore of the Golden Horn. The hillside location provided good defense, as well as a perch from which to monitor the comings and goings of vessels in the sea lanes below. The 220-foot tower later served at times as a jail and at other times as a fire tower and now houses a restaurant at the top. The viewing gallery, which offers fabulous panoramas of the city and across the Golden Horn and Sea of Marmara, is accessible by elevator and open during the day for a rather steep fee—it bears noting that similar views can be had at rooftop cafés and restaurants around the area.

Mehmet Vuran is the winemaker of this small family-owned vineyard which developed from producing table grapes to wines; the depth of age in their vine stock yields some stunning reds. Wine tastings include three wines and a small cheese plate; you can also visit the cellars.

The pleasant, well-tended Gençlik Parkı ("Youth Park"), though not large enough to make you forget you're in the middle of the city, is a nice place for a stroll. Plantings are manicured, and a small, man-made lake is surrounded by a partly trellised, partly tree-lined walkway. Ankara's main tourist information office is also in the park.

The park is a shady oasis on hot days or summer evenings, and is home to the famed carp pools. According to legend, King Nimrod, angry at Abraham's condemnation of the king's Assyrian polytheism, set about immolating the patriarch. God awakened natural springs, dousing the fire and saving Abraham. The carp, according to the myth, are an incarnation of the wood from Abraham's pyre. While historically the story might not, well, hold water—they are probably part of a pre-Christian fish shrine—the gorgeous springs remain. The place has a serene and distinctly spiritual feel to it, with groups of visiting pilgrims and families from Turkey and neighboring countries strolling about and feeding what are probably the most pampered fish in the world. Look for the Byzantine era bell tower beside the lake.

The walls of Constantinople were the greatest fortifications of the medieval age and, although they were severely damaged by Sultan Mehmet II's canon in the siege leading up to the Ottoman conquest of the city in 1453, large sections still stand more or less intact. The walls were built in the 5th century after the city outgrew the walls built by Constantine, and they stretched 6½ km (4 miles) from the Sea of Marmara to the Golden Horn. The "wall" was actually made up of a large inner and smaller outer wall, with various towers and gates, as well as a moat. Parts have been restored, and you can even climb around on top; the easiest section on which to do this is near Edirnekapı, a short walk uphill from Chora.

Central Istanbul has precious few public green spaces, which makes this park—once the private gardens of the adjacent Topkapı Palace—particularly inviting. Shaded by tall plane trees, the paved walkways, grassy areas, gazebos, and flower beds make this a relaxing escape from the nearby bustle of Sultanahmet. Walk all the way to the end of the park for excellent views of the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. The Istanbul Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam is inside the park, as are a municipal-run café and a couple of places serving tea and snacks.

There aren't many sights in Kuşadası proper, but the causeway just south of the harbor connects the town to an old Genoese castle on Güvercin Adası (Pigeon Island). Once home to three infamous Turkish pirate brothers in the 16th century, the fortress has been restored and opened to visitors, with its tree-studded grounds providing a lovely space for strolling, relaxing, and taking in the sea and city vistas. To the right of the castle entrance, there’s a swimming platform well-used by locals in summer (despite the proximity to the city center, the water appears quite clean) and a casual café serving reasonably priced snacks and drinks with a million-dollar view.

Popularly dated from the 7th century, this is called Turkey's oldest mosque. More likely, a church of John the Baptist originally stood here, replacing a temple, and this was converted to a mosque, then back to a church by the crusaders, then destroyed in 1268 by the Mamluk Sultan Baybars, who had the current building constructed. It has since been much restored. A side chamber contains two sarcophagi, labeled as the prophet Jonah and John the Baptist, while downstairs are the tombs of Habib-i Neccar, an otherwise unidentified early Christian martyr mentioned in the Koran, and Sham’un al-Safa (Simon the Loyal), perhaps the Apostle Simon Peter. All presumably survive from the Byzantine church and, with that pedigree, could even be genuine.

Dating from 1427, Hacı Bayram Camii is one of Ankara's most important mosques. Built mainly of brick, it is named after the revered founder of the Bayrami order of dervishes, Hacı Bayram, whose tomb is next to the minaret. A newer and showily decorated wing takes something away from the site's historic character. An attractive public square, with a fountain and landscaped flower beds, has also been built around the mosque in recent years. The location of Hacı Bayram Camii, practically abutting the ancient Temple of Augustus and Rome, indicates that this area has been a sacred site through the ages. Though it's in a rather sad state today, the temple, built 25–20 BC, is of great historical significance—inscribed in marble on its walls is the most complete Latin and Greek text of the Res Gestae Divi Augusti, in which Augustus, the first Roman emperor, lists his deeds. What's left of the structure is now largely supported by metal scaffolding, and it can only be viewed from a walkway that runs around it.

One way to enter the old town is via Hadrian's Gate, a short walk from the main Saat Kulesi intersection along pleasant palm-lined Atatürk Caddesi. The gate was constructed in honor of a visit by the Roman emperor in AD 130 and has three arches (hence its Turkish name, Üçkapılar), each now restored, with coffered ceilings decorated with rosettes. Ruts in the marble road show where carts once trundled through. From here, turn left onto a straight road that leads through town past Kesik Minare Camii (Şehzade Korkut Camii) to the Hıdırlık Kulesi and the sea.

Sinop's most impressive natural beauty can be explored at this natural inlet a few miles west of the city. Considered a fjord by locals, the bay still offers protection to fishermen during storms but is sometimes more populated with hikers, who enjoy the abundant flora, views of sea, and cool dips in the water. Unfortunately, the site is scheduled to become home to a nuclear power plant and will be off limits once construction begins, but remains open as protesters and townsfolk continue to resist the plant.

Originally called Daphne, this beautiful gorge of laurel trees and tumbling waterfalls was said to have been chosen by the gods for the Judgment of Paris and contained one of the ancient world's most important shrines to the god Apollo. Daphne was also a favorite resort for wealthy Antiochenes and developed such a reputation for licentiousness that it was put off-limits to the Roman army. Nothing ancient survives, but this is still a popular escape, especially in the heat of summer, and there are many open-air cafés and restaurants, all fairly similar, overlooking the streams and cascades. Mark Antony chose Daphne as the venue for his ill-fated marriage to Cleopatra in 40 BC, and many of the mosaics at the Hatay Museum were found in the area's ancient villas.

It takes a bit of imagination to appreciate the Hippodrome—once a Byzantine stadium for chariot racing with seating for 100,000—since there isn't much here anymore. Notably absent are the rows of seats that once surrounded the track and the life-size bronze sculpture of four horses that once adorned the stadium (the Venetians looted the statue during the Fourth Crusade). You can, however, see several other monuments that once decorated the central podium. The Dikilitaş (Egyptian Obelisk) probably marked the finish line. The very partial Yılanlı Sütun (Serpentine Column) was taken from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi in Greece, where it was dedicated after the Greek victory over the invading Persians in the 5th century BC. The Örme Sütun (Column of Constantine Porphyrogenitus) was once entirely covered with gilt bronze, which was stripped off by vandals during the Fourth Crusade. Closer to the tram stop is a much more recent addition: a neo-Byzantine fountain that was a gift from the German government in 1901, commemorating Kaiser Wilhelm II's visit to Istanbul three years earlier.

Still a summer retreat for İzmir's wealthy, Ilıca fronts one of the peninsula's most popular beaches, with many hotels lined up along the seafront and unusually warm, crystal-clear water and white sand. The public beach here is large, and has lots of waves, but gets crowded on weekends. There's no kitesurfing at Ilıca beach in summer, but it's allowed in winter, though you'll have to bring your own gear. Jet Skis and banana boats are available. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming; walking.

The main reason to come here is for the sweeping view of the mouth of the Dardanelles and the Aegean, but the long history and exhibits come a close second. Built on the orders of Mehmet the Conqueror in 1462 after he successfully stormed Istanbul, the impressive waterfront fortress now houses the Deniz Müzesi (Naval Museum), displaying artifacts from the Gallipoli battlefields and exhibits in English (proceed counterclockwise inside), accompanied by a Turkish-language, live-action reenactment of life in the trenches. The grounds contain all kinds of weaponry, including dozens of ancient and modern cannons, and a replica of the World War I–era minelayer ship, Nusret, is docked offshore.

This privately established cultural center in an ultra-modern building opened in 2023, in Ortakent village, with art galleries, performance stages, and arts and crafts workshops. A high-end restaurant upstairs complements the popular cafe bistro downstairs. Sometimes there are Sunday jazz brunches. The indoor section of the cafe and the rooms next door house a bookshop and gift store.