Cities of Turkey
1. Istanbul
Istanbul can combine its great ancient past with the hectic modern hustle and bustle of big cities, with sovereignty not controlled by many other cities. This is Turkey's largest city. Located on the opposite shores of Europe and Asia, it has a population of approximately 15 million. Not surprisingly, Istanbul is one of the most popular city break destinations in the world. Few other cities on the planet can visit this overwhelming variety of historic buildings of different eras. The central old town alone is home to countless world-class tourist attractions throughout the country. You can spend weeks here finding new and interesting shopping, but for first-time visitors, the historic centre is the focus. Here you can find the city's most famous major empire construction projects from both the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia (Hagia Sophia), Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar are the four major. But in addition, there are Byzantine reservoirs, domed and luxurious tiled mosques, Baroque palace architecture, and frescoed churches. And history is just one part of Istanbul's charm.
Don't assume that this city is the sum of its great past. The street life here has a vibrant and youthful atmosphere. The cafe and dining scene includes everything from revamped Ottoman palace and regional cuisine to modern Mediterranean and fusion flavours. And with big players like Istanbul Modern and ARTER, the contemporary art scene is thriving.
2. Antalya
Turkey's leading Mediterranean resort is also an important commercial centre with 1.2 million inhabitants. Antalya is one of the best places in Turkey if you want to combine the sun and sand with the convenience of the city. You can find a relaxing beach life on both Konyaalti and Lara beaches, but you still have easy access to the city's vibrant variety of cafe and restaurant scenes.
In the Kaleici district in the heart of Antalya, there is one of Turkey's best-preserved old towns, which is easily accessible for days as well as tanning. This area of the Ottoman mansion, which leads to the Roman-era harbor overlooking the rugged mountain coastline, has plenty of unique attractions, even if you're not interested in having a beach at hand. If the sights of the city of are not enough, Antalya is right next to Turkey's most important archaeological site. It will be difficult to provide more to the beach town as the famous classical Ella ruins of Aspendos, Pergue, Say and Termessos are only a day trip from the town.
3. Bursa Bursa
The former capital of the Ottoman Empire is now a huge and vast modern city with a population of 2 million. Most visitors will want to focus their tourism in the centre of the city. A magnificent mosque with 20 domes, luxurious tiled interiors of both the Yesil mosque and tombs and the colourfully decorated mausoleum of the first Ottoman sultan in the Muradier complex are the most famous monuments of Bursa's imperial era. There is a huge market hall in the centre of the city, where Hans (caravanserai) and Bedesten (warehouse) introduce Bursa's heritage as a trading centre on the Silk Road. Don't miss Kozahan, which is still inherited by many silk shops.
But for some travellers, this exhibited heritage is all secondary. In the city where Iskender Kebab was invented, foodies eat here. Almost every restaurant in town offers this as a headline dish, but in reality, it goes straight to the first created Kebapuchi Iskendel.
4. Sanliurfa Formerly
The Byzantine city of Edessa, the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham, Sanliurfa has always been one of the most interesting stops in southeastern Turkey. In recent years, when the ruins of Gobeklitepe were opened for tourism, a new stream of visitors flowed here as well. Located in the suburbs, these Neolithic monoliths were designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2019. Located in the city centre, a huge and completely modern new archaeological museum offers one of Turkey's most fascinating museum experiences, due to the importance of the Gobeklitepe and Sanliurfa regions in early humans.
History complements most of the space dedicated to the exhibition. But even without these two major attractions these days, Sanliurfa has a lot to offer. The bazaar in the Old Town district is lively, with traditional craft shops and stalls flocking to narrow streets, and the old caravanserai courtyard is now used as an atmospheric outdoor cafe. The green Gölbasi park continues from the old town in the centre of the city. This important pilgrimage area is a historic mosque and a pond full of sacred carp, built in a place important to the story of Abraham, and plays a central role in the city's local folklore.
5. Izmir
This provincial capital and the third largest centre of Turkey with a population of 2.9 million is the base of the big cities near the day trips Ephesus and Pergamon. Izmir stretches along the Aegean coast and is today celebrated as one of Turkey's most vibrant metropolises. Its youthful, commercial hustle and bustle and its modern facade hide a long history.
Izmir was once Smyrna and was the most important port city along the coast from Roman times to the end of the Ottoman Empire. Along with Alexandria in Egypt, it was celebrated for centuries as the international centre of the Mediterranean where the Turks, Greeks, Jews and Armenians flourished. A catastrophic fire at the end of the Turkish War of Independence in 1922 destroyed many of Izmir's historic districts, but a glimpse into its historic past is in the city centre. The vast Chemeralty Market district of. Here, the Ottoman warehouse has become the home of handicrafts, the caravanserai has been transformed into a coffee house, and the stalls are full of merchandise and household items.
6. Konya
Mevlana Museum with intricate tiles. There is the tomb of Mevlana Serra Reddin Lumi, a 13th-century Sufi poet and preacher. Most visitors plan a trip to the birthplace of the Mevlevi Order to see the performances of the Mevlevi Order (twice a week during the summer and once a week for the rest of the year). The Sufi Society of Konya has made a name for itself in the tourism industry, but there are many that go beyond monks.
The city centre houses the mosques and monuments of Konya's great times as the capital of the Seljuk Empire in the 13th century. Some, such as Karatay Madrasa, have been carefully restored to become interesting museums that highlight the artistic achievements of the Seljuk era.
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