Top 21 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Turkey

On approach to Bodrum, on one of the many 50-minute ferries leading into the port city, you will first see a pristine coastline with the Castle of St. Peter standing high above the coastline.

Although some areas can be brash and touristy I honestly think it’s a charming city home to a collection of some gorgeous upscale resorts, stunning beaches, buzzy restaurants and beautiful scenery. 

Bodrum is a melting pot of cultures, with several cultural events yearly to celebrate each one. Its 37,000 population welcomes visitors with open arms as they love educating guests on their history, including Greek mythology, in this quaint fishing village.

Our cool and unusual hotel pick for Bodrum – Cape Bodrum Beach Resort

• Asagi Mah. Kizilburun Cad. No:72 Bodrum, Mugla, 48965 Gundogan, Turkey
• Click here to book with Booking.com.

One of the most ancient cities in the world, Istanbul at times overshadowed even ancient Rome, serving as the capital first to Byzantine and then to the Ottoman Empire.

At every turn in the city, you fall over beauty. It teems with Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman palaces, mosques, churches, monasteries, monuments, walls, and ruins.

The Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, the mosques of Süleymaniye, and the Blue Mosque dominate the skyline.

Our cool and unusual hotel pick for Istanbul – The Elysium Istanbul Hotel & SPA

• Inonu Mahallesi Yedikuyular Caddesi Harbiye Cayiri Sokak No:4 Istanbul City Centre Beyoglu, Sisli, Istanbul, Sisli, 34373 Istanbul
• Click here to book with Booking.com.

Few places on earth offer such untouched beauty as the Blue Lagoon in Oludeniz. This area of Turkey is what dreams are made of, yes, the water is a spectacular shade of turquoise. Not only is the water the most striking shade of blue, but the lagoon is teeming with sea life.

Snorkeling, Kayaking, and swimming in the lagoon will allow you to see turtles and sea horses up close, so be sure to bring your gear along with you.

Blue Lagoon is located in a protected park, so there is a nominal entrance fee. at times, it can get crowded, but no matter how many people are there, you will enjoy a picturesque experience.

Our excellent and unusual hotel pick for Oludeniz (near the Blue Lagoon) – Morina Deluxe Hotel

•  Belcekiz, 48340 Oludeniz, Turkey
• Click here to book with Booking.com.

Cappadocia is a stunning region of rock formations, subterranean churches, and underground cities, the scale of which is simply overwhelming.

There are hundreds of underground buildings in the region. Two of the most unmissable are Kaymakli, which has eight levels, and Derinkuyu, which descends some 55 meters.

Nevsehir, the capital of Cappadocia, is a great place to base yourself when visiting. The surrounding area is a popular trekking route amid the breathtaking and alien rock formations called Peri Bacalari or ‘Fairy Chimneys’ – easily one of Turkey’s most beautiful places to visit.

Our excellent and unusual hotel pick for Cappadocia – Kapadokya Hill Hotel & Spa

• Afetevler Mahallesi, Ni?de Yolu 4. km Göre Kasabas?, 50170 Nevsehir, Turkey
• Click here to book with Booking.com.

Few people can ever say that they’ve seen snow at 40C. A hot spot on the backpacking trail and one of Turkey’s most impressive natural wonders, the Pamukkale mineral spa, translated as ‘cotton castle.’

Stunning white terraces of calcium-rich warm waters spring up from the earth and cascade over low cliffs, forming the crisp, snow-like landscape.

Our excellent and unusual hotel pick for Pamukkale – Doga Thermal Health & Spa

This fabulous, large, upscale 5-star hotel has a swimming pool, a great design, and an excellent onsite health spa focusing on well-being, beauty treatments, and mineral-rich thermal waters. 

• Karhayt Mah. 147 Seyir Sokak No:9/1 PAMUKKALE, Karahayit, 20020 Pamukkale, Turkey
• Click here to book with Booking.com.

This is easily one of the most famously beautiful places to visit in Turkey. Not only is the scenery simply gorgeous, with pure turquoise waters and a pristine stretch of sandy beach nestled between two towering cliffs (accessed by boat from either Olu Deniz or Fethiye).

But it’s also a special place because of the thousands of butterflies in the trees behind – hence its excellent name – so this unique place offers both stunning views and a kaleidoscope of color in summer.

There are also no buildings or asphalt here to destroy its picture-perfectness, ensuring that Butterfly Valley remains one of the most photogenic beach locations in the country!

The sea surrounding Kas, Turkey, looks almost like glass, bringing the opportunity to capture a glimpse of the crystal clear waters in every picture taken.

The coast is lined with residences and small shops to browse in, but shopping is not the only thing you will have on your mind while visiting.

To get a bird’s eye view of this spectacular city, paragliding or watching the sunset up the mountain will be welcomed activities. Patara Beach and Xanthos ruins are in Kas and unique diving opportunities for tourists and residents alike.

It was once the principal naval and trading port of Lycia, located at the mouth of the Xanthos River. Now, it is a broad, stunning smile carved onto the landscape of Turkey.

This bohemian beach retreat is also an incredibly biologically diverse national park rich in birdlife and I’m a big fan.

It sits not far from the sites of Letoon and Xanthos and a day trip from Kalkan, Kas, or Fethiye. Beautiful 12 km-long Patara Beach, voted one of the top beaches in the world by Times Online, is an easy 10- to 15-minute stroll away from the significant ruins at Patara.

Fethiye is a traditional Turkish market town spread around a beautiful natural harbor on a wide bay. It is a significant center for scuba diving and sailing on a stunning natural coastline and I would suggest joining in if you can! 

Fethiye has a very traditional lifestyle and offers a change of pace for travelers who are always on the go. The most famous beach in Turkey is Olu Deniz (Dead Sea) near Fethiye, a serene lagoon beach with turquoise waters – a far cry from the arid and rugged areas to the south.

Dilek Penninsular-Buryuk Menderes Delta National Park was established in 1966 among the older Turkish National Parks. Since then, it has become known as one of Turkey’s most lovely areas.

It is also known as one of the most diverse wildlife parks in the country, with hundreds of species found within its borders.

If you truly want to see it all in one park, this one is the one to visit. It has everything from mountains to pristine waters, so bring your gear and enjoy your time at Dilek Penninsular-Buyuk Menderes Delta National Park.

One of Turkey’s most beautiful places for humans is also a nesting ground for one of the rarer creatures.  The loggerhead turtle nests annually on the beach, and if you are lucky enough to visit between May and September, you might catch a glimpse of these impressive creatures making their way to the ocean.

Beach officials work diligently to stake off nesting sites and protect the delicate turtles from overzealous tourists and other predators.

Located on the Northern Aegean Coast of Turkey, Ayvalik is considered one of the most beautiful coastal towns in the country. It faces the Greek Island of Lesbos, and therefore, the two cultures seem to come together in this fantastic space.

Ancient buildings depicting Greek architecture remain a massive staple in the city of Ayvalik, and this classic notion mixes perfectly with modern life in the area. Those looking for a unique place to explore find Ayvalik ideal, and remember your camera as you will want to take a lot of pictures.

Relaxation is everywhere you look in Side, Turkey. The city is a large-scale resort, but you would be wrong if you think you will be brought into an area with noisy tourists and a lot of confusion.  The site has made it its mission to ensure every guest enjoys their stay in this remarkably laid-back beach town.

Roman sculptures and the illustrious Taurus Mountains offer a backdrop to the city that makes visitors return. Beaches are provided on either side of this Peninsula, so you can visit both and choose your favorite.

Located on the Datcha Peninsula, Idmeler is another resort city, but rest assured, it is a city all the same. They have their own government and run as any city would in Turkey.

Again, this is an area of Turkey where you can go from sea to mountains in just a matter of kilometers.  Hiking and all forms of water activities are available here, and as in classic Turkish style, crystal clear waters abound. Apart from being beautiful, tourists note that the area is spotless, with abundant toilets and showers for public use.

Friendly residence adds to Icmeler’s overall charm, I think makes it a top destination anytime time of the year.

Ultimate beauty and fun can be found in Koprulu Canyon. In a national park, Korulu Canyon offers the opportunity to hike, bike, kayak, and white water raft in one location.

Whether you want to relax under the stars or enjoy a white-knuckle adventure, Korulu Canyon is the place to go. The canyon is over 14 km long, so a lot of time can be spent enjoying the water or simply hiking the cliffs surrounding Koprulu Canyon.

Antalya is best known as the Turkish Riviera and I personally think the most stunning part of Turkey’s Mediterranean coastline. It blends thriving modern city and ancient history on your doorstep, boutique hotels, and restored Ottoman mansions.

Heading into the mountains, you can make the most of the beautiful scenery by visiting the spectacular Düden or Kursunlu waterfalls.

Ruggedly and rustically beautiful, Ankara is the capital of Turkey. It is the country’s second-largest city after Istanbul and the center of the Turkish government. It has historically been a vital and much-fought-over crossroads of trade. The city was famous for its long-haired Angora goat and prized wool mohair.

The historical center of Ankara is situated upon a rocky hill, which rises 150 meters above the plain on the left bank of the tributary of the Sakarya River.

The facade of this ancient and wondrous temple has four Corinthian columns supporting an exquisite curved arch, the middle of which contains a relief of Tyche, the goddess of victory. Although the carvings are replicas, with the originals in Ephesus, the quality and setting transport you back in time.

The pedestals with inscriptions in front of the temple are the bases for the statues of various emperors. In contrast, inside the temple, above the door, a human figure, probably Medusa, stands with ornaments of acanthus leaves.

Alanya is a paradise of sun, sea, and sand. If you want more of the cultural vibrancy of Turkey, Alanya is a beautiful place to start. I think it works as a great holiday center with its pristine sandy beaches, modern hotels, and quality fish restaurants.

The cafes that ring the harbor are popular gathering places for tourists and locals, with three blue flag beaches and many sights, including Damlatas Cave, the Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, and the Dim Çayi Valley.

Natural beauty will envelop you in Kure Mountains National Park. Although the area has only been an official national park since 2000, it has become one of the hottest attractions in Turkey.

With over 129 bird species, nine amphibian species, and 48 mammals so far documented, there is no limit to what you might see in this beautifully complex national park.

The park’s beauty is not simply a statement made by a few, but something stated by many as Kure Mountains National Park is on the global list of must-see places before you die. Hiking through this area is an exciting and breathtaking experience.

This once-thriving ancient Greek city has seen it all and lived to tell the tale. A prominent Roman site on the west coast of Asia Minor, near present-day Selçuk, it was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek era.

Famed for housing the Temple of Artemis in 550 BC, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Ephesus now houses some of the finest examples of classical architecture in the region and I would highly recommend a visit!