Turkey is a colorful country in the Middle East. Visitors can experience the ancient influence of the Greek, Roman, Ottoman, Persian, and Byzantine eras in its many cities. Places to see in Turkey offer everything. It has calming beaches, lush parks, the fun-filled nightlife. During your trip, this exquisite location becomes even more interesting as you get to be a part of two continents that Turkey straddles between.
Here are the Best Tourist Places to Visit in Turkey
1. Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia is in Istanbul, Turkey. It is regarded as one of the most important monuments. This structure was also referred to as the Church of St. Sophia. During ancient times it was destroyed and rebuilt many times. In the preservation of UNESCO, this heritage is considered a treasury of ancient knowledge. Hagia Sophia, a 6th-century church that was refurbished by the Ottoman Turks as a mosque and later secularized has high significance in today’s time. However, it is one of the famous tourist places in Turkey.
2. Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace is a large museum and library in the east of the Fatih district of Istanbul in Turkey. It was originally called the New Palace. This palace is one of the most wonderful places to visit. Topkapi Palace gives a glance at the royal lifestyle of the Ottoman sultans. It was the main residence of the Turks during the 15th – 16th century. In 1924 it was transformed into a museum. Now this palace museum has many grand rooms and chambers on display. Visitors can find the royal treasury, the spoon maker’s diamond, the Topkapi dagger, Ottoman clothing, weapons, armor, and manuscripts in the museum.
3. Sumela Monastery
Sumela Monastery is a Greek Orthodox monastery dedicated to Mary. It is located at Karadag within the Pontic Mountains, in modern Turkey’s Macka district of Trabzon Province. The monastery was constructed back in the 4th century. It is one of the world’s oldest monasteries that sits atop the majestic Zigana Mountain. This monastery has a brilliant architectural design that attracts spiritual seekers and architecture buffs. The interior walls of this monastery are adorned with vibrant and elegant frescoes.
4. Mount Nemrut
Mount Nemrut is a 2,134-metre-high mountain in southeastern Turkey. It happens to be the monumental abode of King Antiochus I Theos of the Kingdom of Commagene. Mount Nemrut is considered one of the world’s 8th wonders. This amazing place is packed with magnificent statues of King Antiochus I Theos. It has various Persian and Greek gods. In 1987, Mount Nemrut was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can find magnificent stone heads of ancient gods perched on the arid mountaintop. Mount Nemrut include Zeus Oromasdes, Apollo-Mithras-Helios-Hermes, Commagene-Tyche, and Heracles-Verethragna-Artagnes-Ares.
5. Pamukkale
Pamukkale means cotton castle in Turkish. It is a natural site in Denizli Province in southwestern Turkey. This place is famous for its mesmerizing cotton-look terraces. The white terrace slope appears like a snowfield set amidst the lush landscape. This magnificent calcite hill of Pamukkale is also home to the rambling remnants of Roman Hierapolis. It makes for another attraction of this place. Visitors can witness the travertines shine amazingly as the sun goes down the horizon.