Turkey holds a lot of destinations and sites that entice tourists and sightseers from around the world. Known for its stunning architecture and rich culture, it can be the perfect place for your next holiday or getaway! See below some listed places to visit in Turkey.
Istanbul – This is the largest city in Turkey, full of beautiful architecture and opportunities for shopping, dining, and seeing historical sites. It is one of the top tourist destinations for these reasons. Some of the best historical sites to visit are the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. The Hagia Sophia started as a church but later became a mosque and is now a museum. Its main dome is over 50 metres high, making it a marvel to look at and admire. The Blue Mosque is arguably even more of a marvel as it is still used as a mosque, where worshippers partake in congregational prayers throughout the day. The blue tiles make it known as the Blue Mosque.
Cappadocia – This central city is best known for its gorgeous landscapes and tourist attractions. It holds a lot of historical sites as well as many hotels and restaurants. Many tourists visit to go on a hot air balloon ride, which is the main attraction but can be pricey, so book ahead! Find out about more activities to do in Cappadocia here.
Fethiye – This pretty town is home to stunning scenery and perfect beaches. There are opportunities to paraglide to get a better view of the coast, as well as boat trips.
Bodrum – Bodrum offers views of blue water and a sandy beach lined with cafes, bars, and restaurants, making it a perfect tourist destination.
Mardin – placed on a hilltop in Southeast Turkey, Mardin offers spectacular views and is one of the oldest areas in Turkey. It also holds pottery and leather shops, which sell authentic Turkish items.
Antalya – This bustling city is full of beaches and green scenery, as well as ancient ruins. The reason why Antalya is so popular is because of its range of activities, such as sightseeing, swimming, quad biking, rafting and paragliding. There are also many mosques in Turkey, which is common due to its Islamic background.
Marmaris – This is one of the pearls of the Turkish Riviera, which is surrounded by turquoise forests, pine forests, and mountainous landscapes. As a result it sits among the most popular destinations for holiday makers.
Turkish Culture
In Turkey, Islam is the largest religion, with almost the whole population being Muslim.
Many Muslim tourists choose to visit Turkey to see the mosques and Islamic-inspired architecture across the country. The country also offers female-only swimming resorts, as modesty and gender segregation are important in Islam.
Turkey has a strong culture of drinking Turkish tea and coffee and has many traditional and tasty foods that tourists love, including Doner Kebap, Lahmachun, Dolma, Meze and Baklava. Traditional drinks include Turkish coffee and Aryan.
Ramadan In Turkey
As mentioned, Turkey has a predominantly Muslim population, and therefore, Islamic festivals and events are held with more significance. Ramadan is a holy month that should be spent in worship and peace to please God. Ramadan 2023 dates from March 22nd to April 20th.
Due to the numerous mosques in Turkey, it is a busy place during Ramadan for worshippers, especially the Blue Mosque, where Muslims pray in congregation.
Experiencing Ramadan in Turkey can be a great way to learn more about the culture and religion and how lifestyles in Turkey differ from those in the West in terms of food and drink, architecture, and culture.
