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by
Ahmed Samir
Ahmed Samir
Turkey is located between the continents of Asia and Europe. Its location is considered strategic, and the seas border it in three directions. In the north is the Black Sea, in the south is the Mediterranean Sea, in the west is the Aegean Sea, and in the east is the Sea of Marmara. There are also many countries surrounding Turkey, including:
- In the east: Iran, Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan.
- In the west: Bulgaria and Greece.
- In the north: Russia and Ukraine.
- In the south: Syria and Iraq.
Turkey was known in the past as the land of Anatolia or Asia Minor until the Roman Emperor Constantine I ruled it. The Ottomans took the capital, Istanbul, as their headquarters to witness after Turkey’s prosperity, strength, and urbanisation.
As we explained, Turkey is considered a peninsula surrounded by a group of seas. Its lands are formed from plains, with an average height of 1000 and 1500 metres above sea level. Rivers flow in the middle of the plains to pour into the seas.
There are many plains in the country, the most famous of which are the plains of the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. Many tourist cities have been built on these plains. Many activities exist, such as mountain climbing, exploring sea caves, horse riding, fishing, and yacht trips.
Important Cities in Turkey
- Ankara is the capital of Turkey and is considered the second-largest city after Istanbul. It is located in the centre of the country, a centre of commerce and industry.
- Istanbul is the largest city in Europe, the 8th largest city in the world, and the largest city in Turkey. Due to its strategic location between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, the city is distinguished as an economic, commercial, and cultural centre. It is one of the most famous cities in the world in terms of tourism, as it is visited by many tourists worldwide.
- Antalya: It is one of the most beautiful Turkish cities, and it is located on the Mediterranean coast in southwest Turkey. It is also one of the cities that Europeans and Turks go to for holidays and relaxation.
- Izmir is the third-largest city in Turkey and is located in western Turkey on the coast of the Aegean Sea. It is distinguished by being one of the most beautiful Turkish cities, with beautiful nature and a mild climate. It is also the second-largest Turkish port after the port of Istanbul.
- Bursa City: The city is located in the northwest of the country and is one of the most active cities in the industry. It is located between the cities of Ankara and Istanbul. It is called the Green Bursa due to its green nature, surrounded by forests, gardens, and parks, and it is considered a historical and archaeological area.
Transportation in Turkey
Turkey’s transportation system has developed over the past few years. It varies from the minibus to the subway, and there are also about 56 airports across the country.
A railway also links all Turkish cities, facilitating access and saving time. The distance between cities is now only an hour or two.
Weather in Turkey
Due to its large area and diversity of nature, Turkey’s climate is diverse. It is hot and dry in summer and cold and humid in winter. July and August are considered the driest months in Turkey, but the coastal cities have a mild climate.
Rain usually falls on the Turkish coast of the Black Sea, and it is the only region in Turkey with a high rainfall rate. Temperatures in the summer reach between 20 and 30 degrees, and in the winter, the temperature can reach zero, and some areas reach -15 degrees, which is cold.
Things to do in Turkey
Turkey is one of the most famous countries rich in cultural, historical, and religious arenas and occupies an advanced rank among the best tourist destinations in the world. Turkey enjoys being included in many civilisations, distinguishing it from the Stone Age, Byzantine, Roman, and Greek eras until the Ottoman era.
It is also characterised by the presence of 4 coasts on its borders: the Mediterranean coast, the Sea of Marmara, the Aegean Sea, and the Black Sea. Istanbul is often the first tourist stop and has the most important tourist attractions, such as forests, beaches, and archaeological landmarks.
Millions of tourists come to Turkey every year to enjoy the many places from nature which is the most characteristic of Turkey: Ottoman mosques, Roman castles, Byzantine churches, and Greek buildings.
After learning a lot about Turkey, it’s time to learn more about its popular places to visit, places to stay, things to do, and activities to try. So, let’s start our journey.
Hagia Sophia or Aya Sophia Mosque
Hagia Sophia Mosque is considered one of the most famous mosques in Turkey and the world. It was also regarded as the most beautiful building in the world, and it was built in the Byzantine era.
The place was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 537 CE. It was one of the Byzantine Empire’s most significant architectural achievements and remained the most prominent church for about 1,000 years. After the Ottoman forces conquered Constantinople, it was converted into a mosque. In the 20th century, it was transformed into a museum, and then in 2020, it worked again as a mosque.
When you visit the mosque, you will see its exterior decorated with delicate minarets, which were added after the Ottoman conquest.
Istanbul Archaeology Museum
Another famous spot in Istanbul is the Istanbul Archaeology Museum. It is a large complex that includes many collections from Turkey and the Middle East throughout history. The museum has about three different sections, each more beautiful than the other.
The first section is the Museum of Ancient Orient, which includes collections of pre-Islamic art and heritage from the Middle East. The main museum contains tombs and famed sarcophaguses from Sidon and Lebanon, and you will also find an exhibit that contains things about Istanbul throughout the ages. The third building is the Tiled Pavilion, which includes a large collection of ceramic art and was built by Mehmet the Conqueror.
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace is a beautiful place to visit. Here, you will feel how sultans in the Ottoman era lived in the 15th and 16th centuries. It was the place where sultans made the orders to extend into Europe and through Africa and the Middle East.
When you visit the palace, you can see the beauty of its interior, with the lavish jewelled décor showing the power of the Ottomans during that period. You can also see the Imperial Council building, which was built by Grand Vizier. It includes many collections, such as miniature paintings and dazzling Harem rooms.
Taksim Square in Istanbul
It is one of the best tourist places in Turkey for those who love nightlife. When you visit the square, you will find it doesn’t sleep and teems with life for 24 hours.
Restaurants and bars are scattered around the place, overlooking the Bosphorus, giving you a stunning view. You can also take historical and recreational tours in the area, including the memorial. You will find a shopping centre, antiques, and gift shops in the square.
Ephesus
Ephesus is one of the historical ruins of a city where you can experience life during the golden age of the Roman Empire. It was built in the 10th century BC and was a commercial centre during the Roman period.
The city includes the Library of Celsus, a terraced house complex with frescoes and mosaic floors decorating the villas, the Great Theatre, which can seat up to 25,000 people, and the Temple of Hadrian, which shows how important the place was during the Roman period.
Balloon Ride over Cappadocia
A balloon ride is one of the top things to do in Turkey. Cappadocia is one of the best destinations in the world for this, and it gives you a wonderful view of the area from the top with beautiful rock formations.
The balloons can fly near the ground due to the rare wildlife, and the journey starts after sunset. The trip starts with getting picked up from the hotel. The tour takes 45 minutes to an hour, and you can also have a private trip if you want.
The Castle and the Old Quarter of Ankara
The castle is one of the most important tourist places in Ankara; it is one of the oldest forts, dating back to the Roman and Ottoman eras. After you finish your tour of the castle, you can visit the old neighbourhood, where you can see wooden houses in the Ottoman style and buy souvenirs from the handicrafts that the city is famous for.
Ataturk’s Mausoleum in Ankara
This is another famous spot in Ankara, visited by thousands of tourists. It symbolises Turkish development and civilisation and the mausoleum of the first republican ruler in the country, Mustafa Kamel Ataturk. The mausoleum is also called Anit Kabir, and the building appears to have magnificent architectural ruins of limestone and marble.
Bursa Grand Mosque
Turkey’s mosques are famous places to visit. Bursa Grand Mosque is one of these mosques, located in the city’s central market area. The mosque was built in 1399 in the Ottoman era in a Seljuk style inspired by Persian mosques.
The mosque’s roof is unique, with about 20 domes on top of it. It was built by Sultan Beyazit I, who wanted to make 20 mosques but installed 20 domes in one mosque instead.
Bursa Citadel
Bursa Citadel is located in the centre of Bursa City. Its well-preserved walls surround the oldest part of the city. It was the town’s defensive wall in the past, but now, only a few parts remain.
It is located in the Tophane neighbourhood. At the top, you will find a park, and from there, you can have a magnificent view of the Bursa Grand Mosque and a bazaar area. The park includes an old clock tower, which is famous in the country, and the tombs of Ozman and Orhan Gazi, the founders of the Ottoman Empire.
Turkish Bath (Hammam)
It is one of the things that you would love to experience in Turkey, where you will find a mixture of history and culture. These baths were once a part of life in the Ottoman period. The Turkish bath is now a top attraction for many tourists visiting the country.
When you visit the bath, you will have a steam bath, then cold water will be poured on your body before a soap wash, and all that includes a short massage. The baths also offer many other services, such as oil massages, facials, and manicures. The most famous Turkish baths are in Istanbul, with lavish marble interiors like Cagaloglu Hamam, built in 1741.
Cable Cars
Cable Cars are generally famous in Turkey, but two cable cars are trendy: Bursa Teleferik, which goes up to the Uludağ, and the Olympos Teleferik in Kemer.
The Bursa Teleferik is considered the largest cable car ride in the world. It takes about 25 minutes and 9 km to the ski hotels, and it is often used in winter. The Olympos Teleferik in Kemer is located 50 km from Antalya; it gives you a beautiful view of the mountains of Beydaglari National Park.
Sea Kayaking
It is a beautiful activity to do in Turkey, specifically in Kas. You will see many beautiful spots while you are on your tours, like the Kekova Island area and the underwater Sunken City ruins. These tours are great for beginners, and kayaking is the only way to see the ruins since swimming is not allowed there.
The tour will start from the harbour in the village of Ucagiz. It will then proceed to Kekova Island to see the ruins, to the village of Kalekoy to see the ruins of ancient Simena, and back to Ucagiz.
Dolmabahce Palace
The Dolmabahce Palace is located in Istanbul. It was built by Sultan Abdulmecid I in 1854 and became the main residence of the Sultans, replacing the Topkapi Palace. It was also used as an official residence at the time of the foundation of the Turkish Republic, and the gardens are full of fountains, blooming flowers, and ornamental basins.
When you enter the palace, you will see a mixture of Rococo, Ottoman, Neoclassical, and Baroque elements, including crystal chandeliers, French-style furnishings, and many other things.
Galata Tower
The Galata Tower has been known as Istanbul’s tallest building for centuries. It was built in the 14th century by the Genoese and restored many times over the years because storms or fires damaged it. At the top of the tower, you will find a restaurant with a magnificent view of the central old city.
Ski on Uludağ
It is easy to reach from Bursa or even Istanbul. It is also known as a famous ski resort in Turkey. The resort reaches an area of 2,322 metres above sea level, with 28 km of slopes. It is an excellent place for beginners and intermediate skiers. The main area includes mid-range and luxury hotels, cafes, and restaurants. Hire shops are available to borrow equipment if you don’t own one.
Fatih Mosque
Fatih Mosque is located in the Fatih neighbourhood, on the hilltop of the first mosque built in the city by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror. An earthquake damaged the first mosque in the 15th century, and it was replaced by the current one, which is full of multiple domes built in the 18th century.
Whirling Dervish Ceremony
In Turkey, the whirling dervish ceremony, also called Sema, can be enjoyed in many places. It is held in Konya, Istanbul, and Bursa.
Konya is known as the birthplace of the Mevlevi order, and it hosts the ceremony every Saturday evening throughout the year at the Mevlana Culture Centre. In Istanbul, you can watch the Galata Mevlevi House Museum ceremony.
Hiking the Lycian Way
You can try hiking in Turkey, with this long walking trail about 540 km along the Mediterranean Coast from Fethiye to Antalya. On your way, you can see some of the Lycian city ruins, such as Xanthos and Letoon, considered UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
While walking, you will see magnificent views. The entire trail takes about 29 days to complete, so most people just take some parts of it.
Cruise the Bosphorus Gorge
It is a must-do when you visit Turkey to take a cruise and admire the beautiful things while having your tour on the Bosphorus, which connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara.
You will just sit and relax while watching the lovely attractions on your tour. The most popular ferry tour there is the Long Bosphorus Tour, which leaves from the Eminonu ferry dock to the village of Anadolu Kavagi. It takes two hours for a one-way tour and stops for three hours in Anadolu Kavagi.
