Holidays to Turkey usually involve city breaks in Istanbul or a resort stay on its dazzling Aegean or Mediterranean coasts. But this vast country — more than twice the size of Germany — has many more treasures waiting for the intrepid traveller. Why not try skiing in the Uludag mountains, a soak in the mineral springs near Pamukkale, or sleep in a cave hotel in Cappadocia before soaring over its ethereal landscape in a hot air balloon? Whether you have a week, two weeks or even longer, Turkey has a delicious and culture-rich option for you. And for the budget-conscious, the weak lira means holidays here often offer incredible value. Here are some of the best places to visit in Turkey for your next break.
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If you only have . . .
One week Spend a couple of nights in Istanbul then head down to the Aegean coast for history and beaches in Kusadasi or Izmir, and then inland for thermal springs in Pamukkale
Two weeks Take in both the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts either on a cruise or fly drive. For history buffs, there are countless archaeological sites to keep you busy
Three weeks Do a grand tour that loops from Istanbul down the Aegean coast, east along the Mediterranean and then up to Cappadocia. Fly back or stop via Ankara
1. Kars
The Eastern Express runs from Ankara to Kars
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With its Armenian roots and heavy stone architecture, Turkey’s easternmost city feels more like a Caucasian place than an Anatolian one. Kars is the last stop on the Eastern Express — a 24 to 32-hour train ride starting in Ankara — taking you through the stunning wilderness of the Turkish interior. Cabins are basic but clean and comfortable, the restaurant car is decent, and tickets are a bargain. Once you’re there, visit the ancient Armenian churches, some of them ruins, others converted into mosques, and climb up to Kars castle for a panoramic view out from the old fortifications.
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Hotel Katerina Sarayi is housed in a Russian building commissioned by Tsar Nicholas II
You’ll be based in Kars for two nights and visit the surrounding regions on a six-day Land of Ararat tour with Fez Travel
tourhub.co/tour/fez-travel/2024-land-of-ararat-tour/laar
2. Black Sea
Pokut Highland in the Black Sea region
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Turkey’s northern coast misses out to the Aegean and the Med, but there is a cottage holiday industry here catering to surfers, ecotourists and Gulf Arabs who come to its cool green mountains for an escape from their desert summers. If you are a confident driver, hire a car and take a trip on the sometimes alarming roads along the coast. If not, with a base in Rize, the heart of the tea-growing region, or historic Trabzon or Samsun, you can visit ancient Christian monasteries, verdant mountain villages and lively port towns.
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Abant Aden is a boutique eco resort in the green hills of Bolu
Wild Frontiers offers an 11-day Turkey: From The Black Sea to The Golden Horn tour that starts from Trabzon
3. Istanbul’s Bosphorus strait
The Ortakoy mosque on the European side of the Bosphorus strait
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Pretty much any form of public transport that takes you from one side of Istanbul to the other will mesmerise you, be it the genteel passenger ferry with its tea stall and open decks, or the dolmus, the stuffed public minibus that weaves hair-raisingly through the traffic over the bridge. The strait is 550m across at its narrowest point, and the vistas from the middle are incredible; taking in palaces, shanty towns, mosques, skyscrapers, ports and islands. Sunset is the best time to see the historic peninsula from the water, when the sun sinks directly behind the domes of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
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Sumahan on the Water is Istanbul’s boutique seaside hotel
Add a Bosphorus cruise to your Istanbul stay — Velena Travel offers a classic sunset sailing on a luxury yacht
4. Uludag
Cable cars at Uludag Ski Centre
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Located 130 miles south of Istanbul, near the city of Bursa, Uludag Mountain has a mythological significance as it was believed to be a vantage point for the ancient gods during the Trojan War. Today, from December to March, it serves as Turkey’s premier ski destination, catering to a wide range of preferences from boozy all-inclusives to halal-friendly resorts. The mountain boasts 22 lifts and offers runs suitable for all skill levels, in addition to ski courses and equipment rental. It has become a favoured spot for Istanbullus to celebrate the New Year, and hosts music festivals in both winter and summer.
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Monte Baia Uludag is all-inclusive and in the middle of 9,000m of slopes
Tourigy offers day trips to Uludag from Istanbul that include hotel pick up and cable car ride
5. Cappadocia
Hot air balloons in Goreme National Park
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This enchanted landscape of rocky outcrops known as “fairy chimneys” is the perfect place to spend a romantic weekend outdoors. In the Cappadocia national park you can hike, horse ride and float over the 1,000m-high plateau in the middle of Anatolia. This city of cave houses was first settled by Christians in the sixth century, and lives on today with cosy boutique hotels built inside the ancient rocks. Indulge in the classic Cappadocia experience — a hot air balloon ride at dawn.
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Seraphim cave hotel is a historic mansion set over an acre of fairy chimneys
BellaTurca Travel offers a two-day all inclusive Cappadocia tour from Istanbul with an overnight stay in a cave hotel and an optional hot air balloon ride
6. Fethiye
Paraglide over the Blue Lagoon in Fethiye
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This quaint town is the jumping-off point for some of the most beautiful scenery along the Turquoise Coast, including the famed Blue Lagoon — a round inlet of crystal seas ringed with perfect sand. You can paraglide from the nearby Babadag mountain to enjoy a bird’s-eye vista of the coastline, and take boat trips out to bays that are only accessible from the water. Fethiye is also a starting point for the Lycian Way, a 300-mile hiking trail along the coast that is dotted with family-run pensions and cafés, but you can also camp along the way.
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Ece Saray Hotel is in Fethiye’s glittering marina
The 13-day the Aegean Legacy tour from Encounters Travel includes a short gulet cruise from Fethiye
tourhub.co/tour/encounters-travel/the-aegean-legacy-tour/38
7. Ankara
Turkish women sculptures in Anitkabir, Ankara City
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Turkey’s modern capital, Ankara, often finds itself in the shadow of Istanbul — the historic heart of the Ottoman Empire and still the country’s largest city, both in population and cultural influence. While it can’t rival Istanbul in history or size, Ankara is still worth a weekend visit. The atmosphere is far calmer, there are elegant parks and broad pavements, and it’s the place to learn more about Turkey’s republican history. The most famous monument is Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, Turkey’s founder and first president, which also incorporates a museum and collection of neoclassical monuments.
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Hotel Ickale offers classic luxury with a front-row view of Anitkabir
See both Istanbul and Ankara on a 14-day Turkish Delight tour from Globus
tourhub.co/tour/globus/turkish-delight/qt-2024
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8. Istanbul’s ancient shopping centre
The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul
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The weak lira makes Turkey the ideal place to pick up a bargain, and if you know where to look there is great artisanship going on. Peruse Istanbul’s famous Grand Bazaar — said to be the world’s oldest shopping centre and certainly its most atmospheric. Stick to the antiques and leather sections if you’re actually looking for something to buy — for rugs, lamps and the other classic Turkish souvenirs, seek out smaller shops away from the tourist areas where you’ll find genuine products and lower prices. There are also lots of independent art galleries in upmarket neighbourhoods such as Nisantasi and Kadikoy on the Asian side, selling reasonably priced originals by Turkish, Iranian and Syrian artists.
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Innova Sultanahmet is an opulent stay a stone’s throw from the Grand Bazaar
City Unscripted has a three-hour private shopping experience that takes you to local artisans in Istanbul, including at the Grand Bazaar
9. Antalya
Beach outside the ruins at Olympos in Antalya
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The gaudy heart of Turkey’s package tourism industry is also the gateway to some of Turkey’s most stunning natural beauty. Grab a hire car and head out of the city to find national parks, protected coastlines and species, and a burgeoning ecotourism sector. Kas, a coastal town 120 miles southwest of Antalya, has become a popular destination for middle-class Turks who come for the quaint old hotels and the villagey vibe. In Cirali, 40 miles to the south of the city, you’ll find a boho vibe with treehouse hotels and the ancient ruins of Olympos on an emerald green stretch of the coast.
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Olympos Lodge is a chalet getaway with a luxury-eco vibe
Utracks offers a fully guided eight-day walk along the Lycian Way that departs from and returns to Antalya, and includes a visit to Cirali
tourhub.co/tour/utracks/lycian-way-coastal-walk/uly
10. Izmir
A cosy outdoor cafe in Alacati, Izmir
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Turkey’s most liberal city — and proudly so — Izmir’s unique vibe is flavoured by its young population, many of them students, its multicultural history and its relationship with the sea. Most of the beautiful old city was sadly destroyed during Turkey’s war of independence in 1922, but with its wide boulevards, palm trees and lively pavements packed with fish restaurants and bars, it’s still an easy place to fall in love with. Come in the spring before the weather gets too stifling and stay in one of the old courtyard houses that have been converted into boutique hotels.
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Lagora Old Town Hotel has cosy rooms set around a 300-year-old courtyard
The ten-day Wonders of Turkey Luxury Tour from Ciconia Exclusive Journeys includes an overnight stay in Izmir
ciconiatravel.com
11. Pamukkale
The pools of Pamukkale in Turkey
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Pamukkale — meaning “cotton castle” — is best known for the sparkling white terraces that have formed over thousands of years from calcium-heavy mineral springs cascading over a cliff. There are still hot springs in the area for those looking for a spa break. Unesco has listed it as a heritage site along with nearby Hierapolis, an incredibly well preserved ancient spa city with a Roman theatre. You can visit both sites in one day, although it can feel a bit rushed. Best to stay overnight and enjoy the benefits of the mineral springs too.
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Hierapark Thermal & Spa Hotel Deluxe has indoor and outdoor thermal pools and is just 2.5 miles from Pamukkale
The seven-day Aegean Explorer tour from On The Go Tours includes a visit to Pamukkale and Hierapolis, with optional thermal spring experience
tourhub.co/tour/on-the-go-tours/aegean-explorer-7-days/2-aexp
12. Kusadasi
The ancient fort castle on Pigeon Island
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Best known for its beautiful beaches with clear blue waters, Kusadasi is ideal for a fly-and-flop break in Turkey. But while its natural beauty is its obvious draw, it’s also the gateway to Ephesus ancient city — considered one of the most well-preserved archaeological sites in the world. Highlights here include the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Artemis, and the Great Theatre. There’s also the islet of Guvercinada, or Pigeon Island, which is dominated by a 14th century fortress. There’s no need to charter a boat though — it’s connected to the mainland via a causeway.
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Charisma De Luxe Hotel sits in front of a 60m private beach with sweeping views of the Aegean sea
The eight-day Taste of Turkey tour from Encounters Travel includes an overnight stay in Kusadasi and a visit to Ephesus
tourhub.co/tour/encounters-travel/taste-of-turkey-tour/35
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13. East Thrace
Wine has much improved in Turkey over the past few years, largely thanks to a clutch of cutting-edge wineries that are bringing viniculture back to Asia Minor. You can eat, drink and wander the vineyards at several of these in the East Thrace region, an easy day trip from Istanbul. Further south, there are a number of other open vineyards, many growing the Narinca variety, around the Aegean and Mediterranean coast. Several great wine houses back in Istanbul offer extensive local wine lists, served up with cheese and meat platters.
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Bakucha Vineyard Hotel offers up luxurious cool with local food and — of course — great wine
Fez Travel has a full-day wine tour from Istanbul that includes lunch and visits to three different wineries
14. Gocek
In Turkey, private sailing is not just for the rich and famous: you can get the private yacht experience on a modest budget. Gather enough friends and you can affordably hire a gulet — a traditional sail boat — with crew for several days of sailing around the coves, islands and beaches of this idyllic part of the Mediterranean coast. While Gocek is the hub for Turkey’s gulet tours, there are fishing villages all along the western coast where you will find mariners willing to take you out for a few hours. In Istanbul and other coastal towns, you can hire motor boats to take you out for the day.
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Six can sail in luxury on the Gulet Serenity
guletbookers.com/gulet-serenity-70
Encounters Travel offers an eight-day Fethiye and Gocek gulet cruise that visits secluded bays and quiet islands
tourhub.co/tour/encounters-travel/fethiye-and-gocek-gulet-tour/367
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Additional reporting by Qin Xie.
Take me there
Inspired to visit Turkey but yet to book your trip? Here are the best packages from Tui Holidays and BA Holidays. Here’s a selection of some of the best Turkey tours from our Times Travel partners. And if you’re still unsure of where you want to go or what type of holiday to book, get in touch here and one of the Designer Travel experts will be in contact to help you arrange your perfect tailor-made break.
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