Modern-day Turkey covers an area which has stood at the crossroads of history for thousands of years,
Modern-day Turkey covers an area which has stood at the crossroads of history for thousands of years, leaving it with a wealth of fantastic sights for visitors to explore. With so many options, selecting a comprehensive list of the Top 10 tourist attractions in Turkey is tough. However, we’ve put together a selection of some of Turkey’s most famous attractions, along with a couple of gems that we feel deserve to rub shoulders with the best of them.
No-matter what you’re after from your trip to Turkey, be it a relaxing beach holiday, a city-break or a journey into the country’s ancient past, our tourist attractions of Turkey list will provide that spark of inspiration to get you on your way while our expanded list of sites in Turkey will give you loads more attractions to discover.
Probably the most famous tourist attraction in Turkey, the Hagia Sophia is one of the best preserved ancient buildings in the world. Built in the sixth century AD by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, the building was converted to a mosque with the Turkish conquest and today operates as a museum. With its remarkable architecture and beautiful mix of Byzantine and Muslim adornment, the Hagia Sophia remains among the most popular sights in Turkey.
Turkey is awash with ancient cities, making it tough to select just one for this list. However, the most popular of these attractions is Ephesus near modern Selcuk. It contains some of the best preserved Greek and Roman ruins in the world and remains a well-trodden part of the tourist trail from nearby resorts such as Kusadasi and Izmir. Some of the most impressive attractions at Ephesus include the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the ancient theatre. Many visitors will explore this city in combination tours with Miletus, Didyma and Priene.
The fifteenth century former residence of the Ottoman Sultans, the Topkapı Palace in Istanbul is a huge, ornate palatial compound which was a focal point of Istanbul’s social and political life for hundreds of years. A UNESCO World Heritage site, visitors flock through its gates to see its Ottoman architecture, courtyards and famous Muslim and Christian relics. A must see sight, it consistently ranks among the top attractions in Turkey.
One of Turkey’s most famous tourist attractions, the story of Troy has had everything from Homer’s ancient yarns to the full Hollywood stylings. Yet to truly get a feel for this legendary city you need to explore its walls and take a stroll around its streets, homes and theatres. Did the famed events described by Homer take place here? There’s simply no definitive answer, but as your mind wanders while you stroll through this timeless place you might just find yourself happily believing the legends...
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