Hello Readers! Are you eager to find some of the top-kept secrets in Turkey? Get ready for an exciting journey as we take you on a quick tour of five locations that’ll make your Instagram pop and your friends green with envy. These spots aren’t your typical tourist traps—they’re the kind of places that’ll have you saying “wow” more times than you can remember. So, grab a cup of Turkish coffee (or apple tea if you’re feeling adventurous), and let’s dive in!
1. Cappadocia: Where Fairy Tales Come to Life
Float Above the Fairy Chimneys Picture yourself floating softly over a scene that appears to be taken from a fantasy film on a hot air balloon. Welcome to Cappadocia! This region in central Turkey is famous for its “fairy chimneys”—tall, cone-shaped rock formations that will make you think you’ve landed on a different planet.
How best to see these beautiful formations? Absolutely a hot air balloon trip at sunrise! Yes, you will need to force yourself to get out of bed early sunrise, but it will be well worth it. You’ll think you’re in a dream as you fly over the valleys and watch the sun paint the sky in pink and orange hues. Don’t pinch yourself, though, since you don’t want to escape the balloon!
Sleep in a Cave (No, Really!)
If floating above fairy chimneys isn’t cool enough, how about sleeping inside one? Cappadocia is known for its cave hotels, where you can live out your caveman fantasies—except with Wi-Fi and room service, of course.
These hotels provide a unique sleeping experience because they are essentially built into the rock. Some caves even include jacuzzis. A jacuzzi. within a cave. I’m not sure what constitutes living your best life if that’s not it!
Hike Through Valleys of Wonder
Not into heights? No worries! Cappadocia is crisscrossed with hiking trails that take you through some of the most stunning landscapes you’ll ever see. The Rose Valley’s pink-hued rock formations and the Love Valley’s, um, uniquely shaped rocks are must-sees. Pro tip: Pack plenty of water and sunscreen—the Turkish sun doesn’t mess around!
Pamukkale: Nature’s Own Infinity Pool
Soak in the Cotton Castle
Let’s play a little game. I’ll describe a place, and you try to picture it. Ready? Imagine a hillside covered in fluffy white cotton, except it’s actually mineral-rich thermal waters cascading down terraces. And yes, you can swim in it.
That’s Pamukkale, which literally means “Cotton Castle” in Turkish. And trust me, it’s as dreamy as it sounds. These natural infinity pools are unlike anything you’ve ever seen. The water is a gorgeous shade of blue, and the white calcium deposits make it feel like you’re swimming on clouds.
caution: during hot days, the water may not be very pleasant because of its warmth (thermal, recall?). Also, you’ll definitely take some funny pictures of yourself coated in white dirt, but that’s part of the fun!
Walk Through Ancient History
Right next to Pamukkale is the ancient city of Hierapolis. This Roman spa city is incredibly well-preserved, and wandering through the ruins feels like stepping back in time. The highlight? The ancient pool where you can swim among submerged Roman columns. It’s like a history lesson and a spa day rolled into one. Just resist the urge to pocket any artifacts as souvenirs, okay?
Mardin: A Living Museum of Mesopotamia
Step Back in Time
This one is for you, history nerds. Mardin is like to traveling back in time to medieval Mesopotamia. This southeast Turkish city, perched on a hill overlooking the Mesopotamian plains, is so breathtakingly beautiful it nearly hurts. The city’s beautiful mosques, historic churches, and winding, small lanes are all made of golden-colored stone. You’ll think you’re in a movie set as you stroll around the ancient town, yet this is real life!
Feast on Flavors of the Past
Let’s speak about food now. The food of Mardin is a delicious mix of Arabic, Turkish, and Kurdish influences. The stuffed lamb ribs (kaburga dolması) are a taste explosion that you won’t soon forget, so try them if you only sample one dish. And there’s coffee after that. Menengiç coffee, which is manufactured from the terebinth tree’s fruit, is well-known in Mardin. It’s aromatic, nutty, and quite addicting. Just so you know, after this ordinary coffee could seem a little dull.
Watch the Sunset Over Mesopotamia
As the day winds down, go to one of Mardin’s rooftop terraces for an incredible sunset. Get a broad perspective of the expansive plains of Mesopotamia as the sun sets, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. That’s the kind of moment where you pause, inhale deeply, and realize, “Wow, I’m really here.” And then, without delay, take a picture, because, let’s face it, that sunset is too beautiful to keep to ourselves.
Olympos: Where Myths Meet the Mediterranean
Beach Bum Paradise
This one’s for you, beach bums. Imagine a beautiful beach on the Mediterranean with pine forests growing up to the sheer cliffs on each side. Now scatter some historic ruin sites throughout the coast. That’s Olympos—the perfect fusion of history, environment, and beachcombing. This is a dreamy, pebbly beach with clean waters that are ideal for swimming and snorkeling. What’s the finest thing, then? Not many wrapped beach clubs or large resorts. Olympos is the perfect place to detach and relax because it has maintained its carefree, bohemian feel.
Chase the Eternal Flame
But Olympos isn’t just about lounging on the beach (though that’s perfectly fine too!). It’s also home to one of Turkey’s coolest natural phenomena—the eternal flames of Chimaera. A short hike up the mountain takes you to a hillside where flames literally burst out of the rocks. It’s caused by natural gas seeping through cracks in the earth, but the ancient Greeks believed it was the breath of a monster—the Chimaera. Pro tip: Visit at night for the most magical experience. Roasting marshmallows over an eternal flame? Now that’s a campfire story to top all campfire stories!
Indiana Jones Your Way Through Ruins
Of course, we also cannot overlook the ruins! Part of the thrill is discovering these little-known historical sites, which are strewn around the valley and comprise the ancient city of Olympos. See the Roman baths, explore the necropolis, or attempt to read the inscriptions on the historic sarcophagi…. Just watch where you walk—uneven terrain and tree roots may rapidly transform an exciting journey into a medical visit!
Göbekli Tepe: Rewriting History Books
It’s time to geek out, history geeks. Göbekli Tepe is not only cool; it’s phenomenally, paradigm-shiftingly amazing. How come? Since it’s upending what we previously believed to be true about ancient history. It is said that the earliest known temple in the world is located at this archeological site in southeast Turkey. This is 11,000 years old. It surpasses the age of Stonehenge, the pyramids, and just about everything else. The site is made up of circular constructions with animal sculptures all over them that are held up by enormous stone pillars. What’s more, hunter-gatherers constructed it. That’s correct, this intricate structure was constructed by people who hadn’t even yet developed pottery. Brain. Savaged.
Play Archaeologist for a Day
Visiting Göbekli Tepe feels like being part of an ongoing archaeological dig. The site is still being excavated, so who knows what new discoveries might pop up while you’re there? As you walk around the site, try to imagine what it would’ve been like 11,000 years ago. What rituals took place here? What do the carvings mean? It’s a place that raises more questions than it answers—and that’s exactly what makes it so fascinating.
Sunrise Over Ancient Stones
Plan your visit to Göbekli Tepe around sunrise for the best experience possible. You will have a profound sense of connectedness to the people who stood here thousands of years ago, witnessing the same sun rising over the same landscape, as the first rays of sunshine touch the ancient stones. It will give you chills because it serves as a potent reminder of the past that unites all of humanity.
That’s it, everyone —these are Turkey’s top five travel destinations. You will undoubtedly have some incredible lifelong memories from these places. Before you pack up, get your Turkey Visa as soon as possible. It’s a little beginning, but it will open doors to a variety of experiences in this amazing country that are waiting for you.
