Traveling in Turkey: 10 Spots You Can’t Miss

Turkey has been turning a lot of heads lately. People who typically travel to Paris or Rome are now finding themselves in this country where two continents collide. With its East-meets-West flavors, its history that digs deep into the pockets of civilization, and its extremely friendly culture, Turkey is easily the place to see in 2014. Whether it’s skiing or swimming, our Top 10 list shows the wide variety of tastes that Turkey can cater to.

• Cappadocia
This martian-like landscape truly feels like it belongs to another world and to another time. Sample ancient history at night by staying in a cave hotel in Derinkuyu, and sample modern entertainment during the day by taking a hot air balloon ride over the town of Goreme. With fairy chimneys sticking out of the earth like chess pieces and underground cities carved into the depths of the earth, Cappadocia is at the top of every Turkish tourist list. This site has the UNESCO stamp of approval, featuring some of the most unique manmade and mother-nature-made sites.

• Pamukkale
Translated as “cotton castle,” Pamukkale has been a tourist destination since the 2nd century BC. (And you know that when something’s been around for that long it just has to be a good thing.) Even the people thought Pamukkale belonged in the clouds with the gods, building temples all around the natural hot springs which exist to this day. Visit these calcified steps to the heavens and swim in the Antique Pool or dip your toes in the Plateau. This massive glacier of minerals and terraces will be hard to miss—both literally and figuratively.

• Ephesus
Ephesus is a tangible demonstration of all the forces and influences that have shaped modern-day Turkey. Here you can visit the House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis, and the Hercules Gate all in one stride. What was once the second-most important city in the Roman Empire is now a well-preserved cultural and tourist destination. Do as the Romans do and make sure Ephesus is on your Turkey checklist.

• Sumela Monastery
This 4th century monastery-turned-museum is impossibly Tolkien: carved into the face of the rock, surrounded by dense forest, and overlooking a fog-laden valley. This must-see is snuggled into the cliff face, sitting 1200 metres above ground level. If heights or crowds are not your thing, then perhaps enjoy this sight from the outside only.

• Mt. Nemrut
Mt. Nemrut (or Nemrut Dağ) is a natural mountain topped with a manmade pyramid, like a candle on a rocky birthday cake. The pyramid consists of transported stones, as well as a tomb paying tribute to Antiochus I and all the important Greek gods. The scene is intriguingly bizarre: 2,150 metres up, bodiless heads of the gods—decapitated from earthquake activity in the area—sit nonchalantly on the rock imported in the 1st century BC.

• Uzungöl Lake
Don’t confuse the quaint little town of Trabazol for a place nestled in the footsteps of the Swiss Alps. Although not a huge tourist attraction, Uzungöl is the perfect stop-over between heavy travel days. Hike the trails to the mountain houses, feed the ducks, and de-stress far from the big cities and commercial centres.

• Blue Mosque
The mosque’s outstanding finesse of architecture continues to be a sacred destination for many tourists and native Turks. With an active Muslim community, it does close its doors five times a day to allow daily prayers to continue uninterrupted. The 20,000 decorative blue tiles indoors are what give this mosque its nickname and what will make you fall in love with this place.

• Patara Beach
Running for 18 kilometres in length, Patara lays side-by-side with the Mediterranean Sea on the coast of Turkey. Its size allows for many beach-goers to enjoy natural space, and the nearby ruins please the hearts of all amateur archeologists. Most importantly? The nearby town of Patara’s claim to fame is being Saint Nicholas’ (more commonly known as Santa Claus’) hometown.

• Mardin
Backpackers and off-the-beaten-trackers unite! The little city is typically heard of among Turkish travelers, but it is slowly gaining popularity for its hillside real estate and narrow cobbled streets. Near the Syrian border, it was once situated along the Silk Road and now boasts post offices and schools hundreds, if not thousands, of years old.

• Mt. Tahtali
Found within the Beydaglari National Park and peering over the shoulders of the Mediterranean is this 2,400 metre giant. With a cable car to the top and offering skiing and swimming in the same day (“Sea to Sky”), Mt. Tahtali shows the incredible diversity found within the borders of Turkey. Catch a hike or even a paraglide down from the top.

Have you traveled to Turkey before? Have we missed any of your top 10 spots in the country? Let us know what we’re missing out on in the comments section below!