Photo by: Daniela Cuevas on Unsplash

Turkey 🇹🇷

Excavated 4th-century city with remaining courtyards, gates, porticoes, streets & temples.

Izmir other

Small coastal town with lots of water birds and a cold river.

Locations other

Beautiful coastal city that’s still fairly unknown by foreign tourists.

Locations other

Has beautiful riverside setting and Ottoman-era houses. The rock tombs of the Pontic kings carved into the cliffs above the town add to its charm.

Locations other

Cliffside 4th-century BCE tomb featuring a classical, columned portico carved out of the rock.

other

http://www.antalya.bel.tr/

Antalya Locations other

Remarkably well-preserved Roman theater, still used for open-air performances & film screenings.

Antalya activity

https://maps.google.com/?cid=7811110031778170776

Selçuk other

Delicious Yemenese restaurant.

Antalya food

A stunning area known for its lush greenery, waterfalls, and hot springs. It’s ideal for hiking, camping, and enjoying the scenic views of the mountains.

Rize other

https://maps.app.goo.gl/kpZhetf82tw6Ypmk6?g_st=com.dennisfalling.Ido.ShareExtension

Imported other

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMrTDeb3n/

Imported other

Huge underground Roman water source held up with 336 marble columns covering 9,800 sq. meters.

Istanbul other

Constructed by Justinian I, this basilica was built due to St John’s historic link to Ephesus.

The tomb of the apostle John is located inside the church’s ruins.

Entry to this church is included in the full Ephesus ticket.

Selçuk activity

Iconic stone fire-watch tower at Istanbul University now with a lighting system to indicate weather.

Istanbul other

https://maps.app.goo.gl/hV1RBUm5dTz8RNxH8?g_st=com.dennisfalling.Ido.ShareExtension

Istanbul other

https://maps.google.com/?q=Bolu,+Bolu+Merkez/Bolu,+T%C3%BCrkiye&ftid=0x409d3f16dc8406d1:0x83cc363ab54b82e9

Locations other

Nice quiet coffee shop with free wifi and plenty of seating.

Izmir food

Long cave with walkways, a stream & a waterfall, plus limestone rock formations.

Trabzon other

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMMvY5Mrs/

other

Rock tombs carved on a mountain at the highest point so that the kings could be closer to gods.

other

https://maps.google.com/?cid=2642864626352982988

other

https://maps.google.com/?q=Dat%C3%A7a,+%C4%B0skele,+48900+Dat%C3%A7a/Mu%C4%9Fla,+T%C3%BCrkiye&ftid=0x14be249548517575:0x120d358f69d57900

Locations other

https://maps.google.com/?q=Demre,+Antalya,+T%C3%BCrkiye&ftid=0x14c1f2125d67bfbd:0xda7c5f586d1b7586

Antalya other

Central city that’s popular for visits to Pamukkale and Laodicea. It can be reached easily by train or Flixbus from Antalya and Izmir, as well as regional buses and microbuses.

Denizli Locations other

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMrExsnQk/

Imported other

Palace that served as the administrative center of the Ottoman empire.

The buildings are full of art and ceiling frescos. Pictures are not allowed inside.

Istanbul other

Located in a park, these upper waterfalls of a partly underground river cascade in front of a cave.

Antalya other

Landmark archaeological site with monumental ruins of Roman & Greek temples, a theater & library.

I planned my trip based on this great guide on Reddit, which has been updated recently by other visitors.

Tickets

The full ticket (€65 as of 5/8/2024) includes:

main site
digital experience (great for seeing what Ephesus looked like in its prime)
terrace houses (well-preserved excavated houses with beautiful floors and murals)
museum
St John’s Basilica (site of the apostle John’s tomb)

Getting here

Ephesus is in and nearby the modern city of Selçuk which can be reached by train from Izmir. Google Maps knows the train schedule and mid-way transfer (Tepekoy).

Paper train tickets can be purchased, but the machines almost never have paper. It’s best to buy and charge the Izmirkart transit card. As of 4/8/2024, a one-way ticket cost 44 lira (~€1.20).

From Selçuk, the main park is outside of the city. It’s a short taxi ride, or a 45 minute walk.

Selçuk activity

Museum with a large collection of ancient items found during the excavation of Ephesus. The full Ephesus ticket includes entry to this museum.

Selçuk activity

http://www.eskisehir-bld.gov.tr/

Locations other

Fethiye is a port city, and district, on Turkey’s southwestern Turquoise Coast. It’s known for its natural harbor, blue waters and numerous rock tombs including the 4th-century B.C. Tomb of Amyntas, carved into a bluff overlooking the city.

It’s a very popular tourist destination and quite crowded in the summer.

Locations other

A picturesque river ideal for rafting and enjoying the serene landscape. There are dozens of zip lines, rafting agencies, and beautiful cabins all along the canyon.

Rize other

https://maps.app.goo.gl/KieyZheYwD5pxdgq8?g_st=com.dennisfalling.Ido.ShareExtension

Istanbul other

https://maps.google.com/?q=Gazipa%C5%9Fa,+Antalya,+T%C3%BCrkiye&ftid=0x14dc8ad7a66ba183:0xd1f77b55e57c0cad

Locations other

Historic sprawling network of indoor souks & market streets peddling leather, jewelry & gifts.

Istanbul other

https://greencanyontour.com.tr/

Antalya other

Complex of churches cut into volcanic rock during the Middle Ages & decorated with frescoes.

other

Adventure park in rugged terrain with zip lining & canyon safaris, plus waterfalls & swimming holes.

Antalya activity

Venerable, tranquil forested park featuring gardens, paths, a creek & a science museum.

Istanbul activity

Iconic, storied mosque set within a vast, domed former Byzantine church with stained-glass windows.

You can get a ticket just for the mosque, or for the mosque and museum. I highly recommend the museum to understand the history and significance. The ticket line at Hagia Sofia can be quite long and in the sun, while the line for the same ticket is non-existent at the museum- just a few minutes walk away.

Istanbul other

Museum with a great series of entertaining videos showing the history of Istanbul and the Hagia Sofia. I recommend visiting here before the mosque so you can better appreciate some of the details there.

There’s absolutely no line for tickets here, whereas at the mosque I waited in the sun over 30 minutes for the combined ticket to both.

Istanbul activity

Late-Byzantine mosque with a central dome & frescoes reflecting its past as an Orthodox church.

Trabzon other

Affordable bus between downtown Istanbul and both airports. There are buses leaving every thirty minutes or so to and from the airports.

Istanbul transportation

Nice garden restaurant in Anadolu Kavagi, the midway stop for the Long Bosphorous Cruise.

Istanbul food

Landmark 1590s mosque featuring a domed interior with a mix of Ottoman & European-style art.

Izmir activity

Beautiful cafe with formations resembling Pamukkale. It’s located in a town by the same name, around 35 minutes from Denizli.

You can take a microbus from Denizli bus station to the town and then look for a taxi. I was lucky and my micro offered to take me to the cave and wait for me during my visit.

Denizli activity

Another of the Ottoman era stone bridges. This one’s smaller than the famous Şenyuva Bridge and much less crowded.

Rize other

https://maps.google.com/?cid=10264394408586692755

Denizli activity

Vast, mountainous national park with trekking routes amid alpine scenery & diverse wildlife.

Rize activity

Small fishing town in the Turkish Riviera.

Locations other

Seaside pier designed by Gustav Eiffel, converted into an upscale shopping, dining & cinema complex.

There are beautiful views from the numerous restaurants here, especially for sunset.

Izmir other

This 587-hectare nature park features picnic areas & a waterfall along an Aksu River tributary.

Antalya activity

I like Köyceğiz, for the serenity of the lake and the very nice hot springs by it

Locations other

https://www.tiktok.com/@aysealacaoglu/video/7250885893081271557

Denizli other

Blue lake with a maximum depth of 643 ft., believed to contain healing minerals for skin diseases.

other

https://maps.app.goo.gl/epXtasg76rDJQ8RaA?g_st=com.dennisfalling.Ido.ShareExtension

Imported other

Reconstructed ancient city dating back to the 3rd century BC with excavations still taking place.

Denizli activity

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ScJeJiqfka1wPvSq9?g_st=com.dennisfalling.Ido.ShareExtension

Imported other

The lower Duden waterfall right on the coast is easily accessible by car, bus, or tram from the center of Antalya. It’s also the destination for most of the daily pirate cruises from the harbor.

Antalya activity

An ancient city near the Tigris river, and now a UNESCO heritage site.

Locations other

https://maps.google.com/?q=Marmaris,+Mu%C4%9Fla,+T%C3%BCrkiye&ftid=0x14bfbdbff1961523:0xdf8e730ed1eeb2be

Locations other

Are with numerous fires in the ground from leaking natural gas. Called by some “the eternal flame of Olympus”.

other

Beautiful coastal area of Turkey with ancient Roman ruins.

Cirali Locations other

Aerial tramway offering coastal views as it ascends Mount Tahtalı, known for hiking & paragliding.

other

https://maps.google.com/?q=Ordu,+Alt%C4%B1nordu/Ordu,+T%C3%BCrkiye&ftid=0x406321e8831051d5:0xef59fbaab5f13cdd

other

Waterfall surrounded by green forest & verdant hills accessible by paved road & stairway.

Rize other

Restaurant specializing in the kumpir, a baked potato loaded with toppings.

Izmir food

Unobtrusive from the outside, but beautiful inside this mosque.

Trabzon other

Ancient Lycian settlement that later became a Greek city in Pamphylia.

Antalya other

https://maps.google.com/?cid=1074674781294489089

other

Delicious Indian / Pakistani restaurant. The biryani and roti were excellent.

Antalya food

Famous for its lush green tea plantations and mountainous landscape. The town itself is small, but the surrounding area offers incredible nature spots, including the Fırtına Valley and the Kaçkar Mountains.

It’s near two airports: Rize and Trabzon, and has quite a few car rental agencies for visits to the nearby mountains.

Locations Rize other

A UNESCO World Heritage site known for its well-preserved Ottoman architecture. The town is surrounded by hills and offers a quaint, historical atmosphere.

Locations other

https://maps.google.com/?q=Sakarya,+T%C3%BCrkiye&ftid=0x14ccb2fad58e639f:0xb84f12f8c14f1221

Locations other

http://www.samsun.bel.tr/

Locations other

An ancient city best known as the capital of the Lydian Empire. After the fall of the Lydian Empire, it became the capital of the Persian satrapy of Lydia and later a major center of Hellenistic and Byzantine culture.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sardis

other

One of the most picturesque towns on the Black Sea coast. It offers a mix of history, nature, and beautiful coastline. The town is known for its well-preserved fortress, old wooden houses, and stunning views of the sea.

Locations other

Ornate 16th-century mosque with gardens, plus a terrace with views over the Golden Horn.

Istanbul other

Museum of religious history in a monastery that was active from the 4th century A.D. until 1923.

There are tours here from Trabzon, but it’s also easy to get here on your own.

Take the 451 bus to the small town of Macka (route and schedule available on moovit. From there you can either look for a shuttle to take you the rest of the way to the monastery, or hire a taxi for around €20 one-way.

Trabzon other

Short 2km hike on a paved path to a large waterfall. As of August 2024, it costs 25 lira to enter.

Rize activity

https://maps.google.com/?cid=3154645125866979873

activity

Beautiful hiking trail along the coast.

Cirali activity

Restaurant in a converted passenger jet.

Imported food

Well-known site, also known as the Blue Mosque, built in 1616 & containing its founder’s tomb.

Istanbul other

https://maps.app.goo.gl/2PeRheLWQvLjuSDj7?g_st=com.dennisfalling.Ido.ShareExtension

Istanbul other

Huge, opulent 15th-century palace, occupied by sultans for 400 years, housing Ottoman treasures.

Istanbul other

Trabzon is a scenic city on the Black Sea coast with a rich history. It’s home to the famous Hagia Sophia of Trabzon, the Sumela Monastery in the nearby mountains, and beautiful coastal views.

Locations Trabzon other

Free botanical garden overlooking Trabzon, with restaurant, tea garden, and an animal park.

Trabzon activity

Natural thermal pools surrounded by white limestone, accessed by a walk over rough rocks.

Denizli activity

durum kebabs: the famous kebabs in a wrap
kebab: plate of grilled meat with vegetables, bread, and a grain (usually wheat)
manti: ravioli-like dumplings
kofte: meatballs
baklava: the famous desert made from thin layers of dough, honey, and walnuts
simit: a baked sesame-covered bread that’s similar to a bagel
kumpir: baked potato filled with ingredients like pickles, olives, and sausages
menemen: breakfast dish with eggs, tomatoes, and peppers
pide: flatbread typically with meat, cheese, and vegetables
borek: pastry made with crunchy thin layers of bread and filled with meat or cheese

food

Tiny town with a beautiful lakefront mosque. It’s a popular destination for Turks, with small amusement parks, paragliding, and a lot of restaurants.

Rize other

Beautiful mosque near Hagia Sofia. It’s free to enter when it’s not prayer time (with signs posted outside showing these times.)

Istanbul other

https://maps.google.com/?cid=10877652464363023722

other

https://maps.google.com/?cid=18195228149187238630

Istanbul food

Tiny castle nestled in the canyon near Ayder.

Rize other

Beautiful tea garden with great views overlooking tea plantations. They sell bags of different teas here, and serve tea in glasses or pots.

Rize food

Small quiet beach town walking distance from the Roman ruins in Olympos.

other

https://maps.google.com/?q=%C4%B0nebolu,+Kastamonu,+T%C3%BCrkiye&ftid=0x40854dcdcc83e2b1:0x238f6150a08ec2a0

Locations other

Restaurant with great menemen- the famous Turkish dish with scrambled eggs, tomatoes, and peppers. I had one with cheese and sausage.

Izmir food