If you are looking for a land of sensorial richness, Turkey is the best place to visit. Enriched with a vibrant history, diverse landscape and historical cities, Turkey is one enchanting holiday destination experience flaunting an intoxicating lifestyle. Beautiful and culturally rich, Turkey is modern as well as traditional and has a deep heritage to boast of. It is the land where Hellens, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and the Ottomans found their fortunes and left behind a trail of memories. Whether you yearn to go in search of sun, sea and sand or gorge the luscious cuisine, Turkey is your best choice. With lots of water sports, yachting, hiking, rock climbing, hot air ballooning, mountaineering, and bicycling activities, Turkey has become a popular place to visit. The best time to visit Turkey is especially from mid-September through October. Here are some of the best places you must visit in Turkey.
1. Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia or Ayasofya is an architectural marvel originally built as a basilica for the Greek Orthodox Christian Church in Istanbul. It is a symbol of Byzantine architecture and is a landmark sight for both Orthodox Christians and Muslims. It is the best place to visit in Turkey Istanbul. Built in 537 as the patriarchal cathedral of the imperial capital of Constantinople by Byzantine Emperor Constantius, it was known as Constantinople, the first ruler of the Byzantine Empire.
The magnificent dome of Hagia Sophia, which rests as though hung from the air itself and encloses the entire building, is its major highlight. The walls and ceiling surfaces are covered with multi-coloured marble and mosaics, and the tombs are adorned with interior decoration and intricate tiles. Visit the beautiful Hagia Sophia and make a wish at the ‘crying pillar’, where tradition says your wish is granted if you place your finger in the hole surrounded by a bronze band.
2. Ephesus
Founded in the Bronze Age, Ephesus was one of the most famous cities of the ancient Mediterranean. Renowned for the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Ephesus played a major role in ancient times with its strategic location. Ephesus is listed in the Unesco World Heritage List, and the third biggest library the Celsus Library, the second biggest gymnasium of the ancient world and the largest theatre of Asia Minor were all built here.
Visit the House of Virgin Mary, where she was believed to spend her last years, the Basilica of St John, where St John the apostle was buried, and the beautiful Ephesus Museum of archaeology within a 10-minute drive. Walk along the marble streets of Ephesus and travel back in time or loaf at beaches, factory outlets and local restaurants.
3. Topkapi Palace
Located on the historical Istanbul peninsula between the Marmara Sea, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, the Topkapi Palace is one of the iconic structures to visit in Turkey Istanbul. The Topkapi Palace was the imperial residence of the Ottoman Sultan and home to his court and harem. Once the centre of the state administration, its construction began in 1459 and was completed in 1478, making it the Ottomans’ second palace in Istanbul. The royal treasure, the Holy Relics of the Prophet Muhammad, and the imperial archives were preserved at Topkapi, and important state ceremonies were also hosted here.
Presently, the Topkapi Palace is one of the largest palace-museums in the world with its buildings, architecture, imperial collections and massive archive documents. The Topkapi Palace is worth a visit as it was included in the Unesco World Heritage List in 1985 and is one of the most important works in the Historic Peninsula of Istanbul. Enjoy a tour inside the Topkapi Palace and see the four-courtyard museum, which includes the Audience Hall, High Court, Historical Kitchens, and the Treasury.
4. The Blue Mosque
The Sultan Ahmet Mosque, popularly known as the Blue Mosque, is renowned for its blue tiles surrounding the walls of its interior design. Built between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Sultan Ahmet I, it dominates the majestic skyline of Istanbul with its elegant composition of ascending domes and six slender soaring minarets. The mosque features two main sections: a large unified prayer hall crowned by the main dome and an equally spacious courtyard. Remember to wear a modest dress while visiting the Blue Mosque. Stroll leisurely through the mausoleum of its patron and admire the exquisite bluish interiors.
5. Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a popular place to visit in central Turkey famous for its fairytale scenery, cave dwellings, remarkable rock formations and the hundreds of colourful hot air balloons that soar in the sky. The best view from one of these balloons is that of the Unesco World Heritage Site-listed Goreme Open Air Museum, which is home to rock-cut churches that once sheltered the Byzantine monks. And equally interesting are the thousands of fairy chimneys that exist on the tuffaceous volcanic soil of Cappadocia. Go around and observe the hundreds of fairy chimneys in Soganli Valley, which is famous for rag dolls, and the 36 underground cities, the prominent being the Kaymakli Underground City. Visit the Pasabag and Devrent Valley, and check into a cave hotel for a cave-living adventure!
6. Konya
Konya is a fusion of the ancient and modern points of historical significance and influences of Seljuk culture and is the best place to visit in Turkey with family. Konya was the final home of Mevlana Rumi, the famous Sufi poet and the whirling dervish, whose tomb is in the Mevlana Museum adorned with gorgeous roses. In 1273, his followers in Konya established the Mevlevi Sufi order of Islam and came to be known as the Whirling Dervishes.
Walk in the footsteps of Rumi, and go through the museum exhibiting religious items from the era. Head to the Alaeddin Tepe park for an evening stroll or to the Kultur Park for the magnificent light show at night. Visit with kids the Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden and Science Centre.
And finally, do not miss the luscious Turkish cuisine that combines Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes. Sip Turkish coffee or gobble in the delicious Kebabs or enjoy a Turkish Meze platter. Make your stay in Turkey a memorable one.