Turkey's list of unmissable experiences is longer than most countries can offer in a lifetime. This guide covers the 20 best things to do across the country — from Istanbul's skyline of domes and minarets to the volcanic valleys of Cappadocia and the ancient cities of the Aegean coast.
Istanbul: Where East Meets West
- 1. Hagia Sophia: A 1,500-year-old Byzantine cathedral-turned-Ottoman mosque — a building of staggering scale and beauty that changed the course of architectural history.
- 2. Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque): Six minarets, 20,000 hand-painted Iznik tiles and a vast prayer hall that takes the breath away — visit outside prayer times for free entry.
- 3. Topkapı Palace: The seat of the Ottoman Empire for four centuries — the Treasury (Mehmed II's dagger, the Spoonmaker's Diamond), the Harem and the views across the Bosphorus are extraordinary.
- 4. Grand Bazaar: Over 4,000 shops under a covered labyrinth — carpets, spices, jewellery, leather goods and enough sensory overload for a full morning.
- 5. Bosphorus Cruise: A boat journey between two continents past Ottoman palaces, wooden yalı (summer mansions), the Rumeli Fortress and the Bosphorus Bridge. Take the public ferry from Eminönü for the authentic experience.
Cappadocia: Turkey's Dreamscape
- 6. Hot Air Balloon Ride: Launch at sunrise and drift over the fairy chimneys, cave churches and volcanic valleys of Göreme. This is one of the top 5 travel experiences in the world — book well in advance.
- 7. Underground Cities (Derinkuyu & Kaymakli): Entire cities carved underground to a depth of 60 m — an extraordinary engineering feat from the early Christian era that sheltered thousands of people.
- 8. Göreme Open Air Museum: A UNESCO-listed complex of rock-carved Byzantine cave churches with 10th-century frescoes in extraordinary condition.
- 9. ATV/Quad Bike the Valleys: Ride through the Red Valley, Rose Valley and Pigeon Valley on an ATV tour — the most enjoyable way to cover Cappadocia's landscape.
Ancient History
- 10. Ephesus: The best-preserved Roman city in the Mediterranean — walk the marble main street, stand before the Library of Celsus and imagine the city at its peak population of 250,000.
- 11. Pamukkale: Snow-white terraced calcium pools fed by thermal springs, with the ghost city of Hierapolis above. Swim in the Cleopatra thermal pool — fed by the same spring the queen reportedly bathed in.
- 12. Pergamon (Bergama): The acropolis, the ancient library and the Asklepion (ancient medical centre) — a less-visited but remarkable ancient site in western Turkey.
Coastline & Nature
- 13. Blue Cruise (Mavi Yolculuk): Hire a traditional gulet (wooden sailing boat) and sail the Turquoise Coast between Bodrum, Göcek and Fethiye — anchor in deserted coves, swim in clear water and sleep under the stars.
- 14. Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon: One of the most photographed beaches in the world — impossibly turquoise water in a natural lagoon fringed by pine-covered mountains. Paraglide from Babadağ Mountain for a top-down view.
- 15. Saklıkent Gorge: Wade through icy meltwater in a 300 m deep canyon — a thrilling outdoor adventure 45 minutes from Fethiye.
Culture & Food Experiences
- 16. Turkish Bath (Hamam): The 15th-century Çemberlitaş Hamamı in Istanbul is the most atmospheric — an hour of steam, scrubbing and full-body relaxation that has been practised in Turkey for centuries.
- 17. Cooking Class in Istanbul or Gaziantep: Learn to make meze, börek, baklava and kebab in a home kitchen — Gaziantep is especially worth visiting for its food culture.
- 18. Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı): 400-year-old L-shaped market in Istanbul selling saffron, sumac, dried fruits, Turkish delight and lokum — smaller and more focused than the Grand Bazaar.
- 19. Whirling Dervishes Ceremony (Sema): A Sufi spiritual ceremony performed nightly at the Galata Mevlevi Lodge in Istanbul — deeply moving and utterly unlike any other performance.
- 20. Sunrise at Uçhisar Castle: Climb the highest point in Cappadocia at dawn and watch hot air balloons drift across the valleys below — free, magical and the best possible start to a day in Turkey.
Plan Your Turkey Trip
Apply for your Turkey visa online, book your Istanbul hotel and Cappadocia cave stay, and give yourself at least 10 days to scratch the surface of everything Turkey has to offer.