Turkey is one of those countries I keep returning to. Therefore, I thought it was finally time to bring my experiences together and create my own personal Turkey travel guide.
From the colourful streets of Istanbul and the magical landscapes of Cappadocia to the turquoise coast and incredible ancient ruins, every trip has revealed a completely different side of the country. Furthermore, I have travelled through Turkey several times, by car, bus, bicycle and plane, collecting plenty of personal stories, photographs and recommendations along the way.
And so, this Best of Turkey travel guide brings all my favourite destinations and memorable experiences together in one place. Whether you are planning your first trip to Turkey or looking for somewhere new to explore, this is the perfect place to start.
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My Favourite Places in Turkey
Istanbul
Istanbul is filled with fascinating history, beautiful architecture and completely different neighbourhoods on both sides of the Bosphorus. Would you like to discover more? Below, you can find my two personal blog posts about exploring this incredible city.
Start with:
From its famous mosques and bustling bazaars to the colourful houses of Balat, Istanbul certainly deserves several days. For me, however, the city’s diverse neighbourhoods are among its greatest highlights, as each one has its own atmosphere and character.
Therefore, take your time, wear comfortable shoes and explore the city on foot. After all, walking is often the best way to discover the many different sides of Istanbul.
Antalya
Antalya is my favourite coastal city in Turkey. I have been here several times and I would come back here anytime again. I just love walking through Kaleiçi, exploring the old harbour and enjoying the atmosphere of the historic streets. Not to mention the access to the beautiful waters and Mediterranean Sea. After all, Antalya and this part of Turkey is known for its Turquoise Coast for its blue waters
Beyond the old town, you can visit waterfalls, beaches and several archaeological sites.
Read:
Kaş and Kalkan
Only a few hours away, there is Kaş. You think the water in Antalya is amazing, in Kaș and Kalkan you find beautiful water, relaxed seaside life and smaller coastal towns. This part of Turkey is definitely the best of Turkey. Kaş and Kalkan are among my favourite places in Turkey.
Kaş is perfect for swimming, walking and enjoying the sunset from the ancient amphitheatre. It is less hectic than Antalya and definitely worth the trip. From here, you can explore Kalkan, Kaputaş Beach, Kekova and the sunken city.
Read my guide to Kaş and Kalkan – the Prettiest Beach Towns in Turkey.
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is one of Turkey’s most recognisable destinations, and although I have only visited once, it certainly left a lasting impression. Did I like it? Oh yes! With its unusual rock formations, fascinating cave hotels and famous hot-air balloons floating above the valleys, the entire region feels almost unreal.
Did I go on a balloon ride? No. Personally, I found the experience too touristy and overpriced. However, Cappadocia has so much more to offer than its famous balloons. Exploring the spectacular valleys on foot was absolutely incredible and, for me, it was the perfect way to appreciate the extraordinary landscape.
Read more here:
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The Best Ancient Ruins in Turkey
Turkey has an incredible number of archaeological sites, each offering a fascinating glimpse into the country’s ancient past. During my road trips, I visited world-famous landmarks as well as remote ruins where I found myself almost completely alone.
At one point, you could probably say that I became slightly obsessed with exploring ancient ruins. But honestly, can you blame me? There are simply so many incredible sites to discover, and each one tells a different story.
Some of my favourites include:
- Kibyra
- Hierapolis and Pamukkale
- Aphrodisias
- Ephesus
- Sardis and the Temple of Artemis
- Troy, Pergamon and Assos
- Perga and Termessos
If you only have time for a few, read my personal guide to the Top Five Ancient Ruins in Turkey.
You can also read about Kibyra – an Amazing Ancient Greek City in Turkey. Because that was definitely worth a visit.
Gallipoli
Gallipoli offers a very different experience from Turkey’s beaches and holiday destinations. Having lived in Australia, visiting the First World War battlefields was particularly meaningful to me.
Read about Visiting the Gallipoli Battlefields in Turkey.
My Personal Best of Turkey
After several trips through Turkey, I have discovered many beautiful cities, coastal towns, archaeological sites and unique landscapes. Of course, choosing only a few favourites is not easy. However, if I had to select my personal highlights, they would be:
- Best big city: Istanbul
- Best coastal city: Antalya
- Prettiest seaside town: Kaş
- Most unusual landscape: Cappadocia
- Favourite ancient ruins: Kibyra
- Best combination of history and nature: Termessos
- Best coastal road trip: Antalya to Kaş and Kalkan
Each destination gave me a completely different experience. While Istanbul impressed me with its energy, culture and fascinating neighbourhoods, Antalya offered the perfect combination of history, coastal scenery and relaxed city life. Meanwhile, Cappadocia felt like another world, and exploring the ancient ruins of Kibyra with almost nobody else around was an unforgettable experience.
Every part of Turkey has something different to offer. From lively cities and peaceful seaside towns to extraordinary landscapes and centuries of history, there is always somewhere new to discover. That is precisely why one visit to Turkey is never enough.
All My Turkey Travel Stories
This Best of Turkey guide includes my personal highlights and recommended starting points. However, I have explored many more places during my travels through the country.
You can find every article, including my road trips, city breaks, archaeological sites, coastal adventures and personal travel experiences, in my complete Turkey blog archive.
Furthermore, I will continue updating this guide whenever I return to Turkey and discover another beautiful destination. After all, I am certain there are still many more places waiting to be explored.
Have you been to Turkey? Which was your favourite part?
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About the Author
I’m Beate Pluta, an award-winning luxury and lifestyle travel writer, stylist and the creator of Sweettravelbee. Having travelled extensively around the world, I share my personal experiences, favourite destinations and honest recommendations through my stories and photography.
