Turkey Landmarks

Turkey, officially the Republic of Türkiye, straddles two continents — Europe and Asia — but even the smaller European section, on the western side of the Bosporus, has a strong Middle Eastern feel. 

The star attraction of the European side is Istanbul, with its iconic Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.

The Asian side features classical ruins at Ephesus, cave dwellings at Cappadocia, and beach resorts along the coasts. 

Istanbul alone is worth the trip to this fascinating country that spans two continents. Greater Istanbul spans two continents, with ferry boats making continual trips across the Bosphorus between the western and eastern sides of the city.

Turkey is a treasure trove of East and West culture, history, archaeology, adventure, and cuisine — a delightful way to experience both Europe and the Middle East. 

Among the top reasons to consider Turkey for a small-group guided tour are the incredible hospitality of the Turkish people, the legendary cuisine, the ancient sites (including many UNESCO World Heritage Sites), varied and awe-inspiring landscapes, historic landmarks, and a gorgeous Mediterranean shoreline. 

The country sits on the border of Europe and Asia and, as a 99 percent Muslim nation, is home to a huge number of religious sites (it continues to be a top place of pilgrimage for both devout Muslims and Christian pilgrims).

Among travelers’ favorite experiences in Turkey are cruising the Black Sea, learning to cook baklava, watching the sunset over the Blue Mosque, swimming in blue lagoons and soaking in thermal hot springs, taking a hot-air balloon ride over Cappadocia, exploring underground cave systems and much more.

Turkey is a must-visit destination for history buffs, foodies, lovers of culture and tradition, and adventure travelers. Soak it all up on a thoughtfully planned, immersive Turkey itinerary from a reputable tour operator — and consider adding other Eastern European countries, such as Slovenia and Croatia, to make it a grand tour! 

Turkey is best explored with a guided tour instead of planning an itinerary yourself. The country is so unique, fascinating, diverse, and different from any other European country that it’s worth researching a tour operator who can help you navigate your way through and ensure you get the most bang for your buck.

Today’s most reputable guided tours of Turkey won’t herd you around with 50 other travelers. Instead, you can choose from small-group tour companies focusing on senior travel, millennial travel, adventure travel, cuisine, culture, history, photography, and more. 

You’ll travel with like-minded people from around the world, guided by local residents and experts eager to share the best of Turkey with you with our exclusive turkey tour packages.

See Turkey Small Group Tours »

Additionally, with smaller groups and the cache the tour company can provide, you’ll get behind-the-scenes sightseeing privileges and access to more intimate dining establishments and characterful accommodations.

Whether you’re seeking a two-week, all-inclusive luxury tour package that highlights the best of Turkey or need help for a weekend excursion to Istanbul, joining a small-group tour will not only likely save you money over making the arrangements yourself but take away the headache of said arrangements and any ensuing problems that may arise.

Discover the many excellent private and state museums the Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism runs. These museums are a treasure trove for history, art, and culture lovers and are often included in tour packages focused on Turkish culture. 

Turkey's state museums offer a deep dive into the country’s rich history and cultural heritage. These museums house some of the most significant artifacts and exhibits, providing visitors with a comprehensive understanding of Turkey’s past and present.

Turkey’s private museums offer unique and specialized collections, often reflecting the personal passions of their founders. These museums provide intimate and curated experiences highlighting different aspects of Turkish culture and history.

Small-group tour operators specializing in Turkey typically include several of the country’s numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites in their itineraries.

Among the top UNESCO cultural sites in Turkey, you’ll see:

Turkey’s UNESCO cultural/natural sites include:

The newest UNESCO treasures in Turkey include:

One of the top draws for travel to Turkey is its religious sites and faith centers. Among Istanbul's most popular Islamic religious sites are Topkapi Palace, Eyup Sultan Mosque and Tomb, Suleymaniye Mosque, and Blue Mosque.

For those who would like to explore the Jewish traditions in Turkey, Izmir is a must-see. This is the only city in the world with many synagogues in medieval Spanish architectural style clustered together, creating a unique architectural complex.

Guided tours of Istanbul focusing on Jewish history include visits to the Ancient Ephesus Synagogue, the Beth Israel Synagogue, and the Rosh Ha-Har Synagogue, among others. Istanbul is home to several Jewish sacred sites, so make sure your tour includes visits to the Jewish Museum of Turkey.

Christians consider Turkey the second holy land, although it’s a minority religion in the country. Christianity is noted in its stunning sacred sites, including almost 240 churches.

Among the most well-known sacred Christian sites in Turkey are St. Nicholas’ birthplace and church in Antalya, Ancient Nicaea in Bursa, the early Christian settlement in Cappadocia, and the Seven Churches of the Revelation (Ephesus, Pergamum, Smyrna, Laodicea, Sardis, Philadelphia and Thyatira).

A top bucket list item for a Turkey vacation is seeing a whirling dervish performance. This iconic dance is based on Sufism and the Mevlevi Order, which was first formed in Konya, Turkey, in 1312.

What’s a Sufi? A Sufi is a practitioner of Sufism, a mystical Islamic belief system focused on the inward search for God and the cultivation of spiritual closeness to the divine.

Sufis are often associated with the 13th-century Sufi Muslim mystic and poet Jalaluddin Rumi, who first created the whirling dervish ceremony as a form of meditation.

If you simply can’t leave Turkey without experiencing the whirling dervishes, a few to look for include: 

One of Turkey's biggest draws for tourism is its wealth of ancient ruins and impressive archaeological treasures. Anatolia, the land that is Turkey today, has a history of more than 10,000 years and is the origin of countless civilizations and empires. 

Your in-depth guided tour of Turkish history will unveil the marks these cultures have left on the region over time.

Turkey’s most visited ancient cities near the Aegean Sea include Ephesus, Kaunos, Knidos, Letoon, Pergamum, and Teos.

Near the Mediterranean, must-see ancient cities include Aspendos, Olympos, Perge, Phaselis, Termessos, and Xanthos.

In central Anatolia, visit the underground cities of Cappadocia, and in eastern and southeastern Anatolia, look for tours of the Ani ruins, the Dara Mesopotamia ruins, and the Gobeklitepe Temple.

Istanbul is rich in architectural and historic treasures. The city’s two iconic landmarks, the enormous Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia — a one-time Greek Orthodox basilica turned mosque and museum — stand near each other within easy viewing distance of the Bosphorus. 

With their minarets and domes, especially when illuminated at night, the two help create as distinctive a skyline as any city in the world.

You could easily spend days examining the wealth of jewelry, china, costumes, and carvings at the Topkapi Palace Museum. Most of them date from the era of the old Ottoman Empire, which at one point dominated much of Europe and the Middle East. A jeweled dagger featured in the 1964 Peter Ustinov heist film Topkapi remains the top draw.

For the most comprehensive experience, look for Turkey travel tours beyond Istanbul. While Istanbul is undoubtedly a must-see Turkish city, there is so much more to experience throughout the country, which is roughly the size of Texas. 

While Turkey is modernizing rapidly, its culture and tradition are sufficient to ensure an authentic experience wherever you travel. 

Look for small-group tours of Turkey that include:

Much of southwestern Turkey is lined with Aegean and Mediterranean Sea beach resorts, which are often packed with Europeans on holiday. 

The most striking ruin is probably the Library at Celsus, whose dramatic facade is still standing, though vast streets lined with ruins of temples and ancient house foundations can keep you interested for hours.  

Cappadocia, a World Heritage site in central Turkey’s Goreme Valley, has become a must-stop on many Turkish tour itineraries. Not only does it contain strange volcanic rock formations produced by age-old forces of wind and rain, but dwellings and even churches have been chiseled out of the soft rocks. 

You can also find entire troglodyte cities connected by underground tunnels — some dating from as early as the 5th century AD. Ancient monks decorated many of the chapels with striking Byzantine art.

Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Turkey's most mesmerizing natural wonders. It is known for its dazzling white terraces formed by the calcium-rich thermal springs. 

The name Pamukkale translates to "Cotton Castle." This surreal landscape lives up to its name with its brilliant white travertine terraces cascading down the mountainside. These terraces are filled with warm, mineral-rich waters revered for their healing properties since ancient times.

Adjacent to this natural spectacle lies the ancient city of Hierapolis, founded as a thermal spa. Here, visitors can explore well-preserved ruins, including a grand theater, temples, and the extensive necropolis – the city of the dead — one of Turkey's largest. 

If your idea of an excellent Turkey vacation includes more days on a trail, on a bike, or in the water than in a fancy hotel room, an active travel tour is for you.

Fortunately, Turkey has many outdoor, active opportunities for travelers who want to move, from multi-day treks along long-distance trails to horseback riding in Cappadocia. 

Here are a few of our favorite ways to experience Turkey on an active travel small-group tour: 

The opportunities for active adventure travel in Turkey are limitless. Take a yoga class facing the Aegean, hike one of the 22 long-distance hiking, biking, or horseback-riding trails throughout the country, or go mountain biking or rock climbing.

Upscale outdoor adventure tour companies specializing in Turkey have all the insider tips you’ll need to discover the country’s natural landscape on your terms and in the way you feel most comfortable.

Beyond its whirling dervishes and Turkish Delight, beyond Istanbul and Cappadocia, Turkey is brimming with natural attractions and wildlife unlike anywhere else in the world. Discover the country’s 43 national parks and 300 wetland areas on a Turkish vacation focused on active travel, nature, and wildlife. 

Among Turkey’s favorite national parks — and its most beautiful — are:

Turkey is also home to more than 300 wetlands, making it the European and Middle Eastern country with the most wetlands. The country is located on the migration path between Europe, Asia, and Africa, so birdwatchers flock to the wetlands to view the birds resting from their long flights. 

Ask your Turkey tour guide to point out some of the 460 bird species in the wetlands, many of which are hosted and protected by the country’s “Bird Sanctuary Project.”

Turkey’s natural landscapes are as popular with visitors as its cultural and religious landmarks. If venturing out into volcano country, thermal hot springs, beaches, and unique land formations is high on your must-see list, look for a Turkey vacation package that includes some of the following: 

Turkey is home to several animal species, many of whom originated here. Wildlife lovers on tour in Eastern Europe will want to ask about the opportunity to view wild Yilki horses, red deer, Mediterranean monk seals, Caretta Caretta turtles, Northern bald ibis birds, Anatolia leopards, and Anatolian wild sheep.

You’ve made it to Turkey… what to eat? Traditional Turkish cuisine tops the country's many highlights your expert tour guide will enthusiastically share. There’s no cookie-cutter description of Turkish food — instead, you’ll find a melting pot of flavors stemming from Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Balkan region.

Here are a few of the most well-known staples of Turkish food: 

What’s a long-anticipated tour of Turkey if you don’t bring home a piece of nostalgia to remind you of your fantastic and enriching days spent visiting this fascinating Eastern European country?

Look for these fun, quirky, and traditional items to buy when you’re in Turkey: