Top 6 landmarks in Turkey

Turkey is a country rich in ancient history, from Greek dominance through Roman and Lycian rule, and there are many fascinating sights to see. The landscape is littered with well-preserved ruins that provide insight into the country's rich history. Archaeologists are still exploring several of these sites. Within its cities, the combination of old-world architecture, fantastic restaurants serving local dishes, and a vibrant nightlife are not to be missed.

Turkey is full of hidden gems, ranging from secret beaches and coves only accessible by boat to buried communities cut into the rock face. Turkey is a country known for its warm welcome, beautiful architecture, and natural beauty. Here are 6 must-see historical, natural, and well-known Turkish attractions.

6. Cappadocia

Cappadocia's strange, curving rock valleys are a photographer's fantasy.

Rippling panoramas of wave-like rock or wacky-shaped pinnacles have been sculpted by millennia of wind and water activity on cliff ridges and hill crests. If you don't feel like hiking for the sights, this is one of the world's best hot-air balloon destinations. The frescoed rock-cut churches and cave-cut architecture of the Byzantine Era, when this area was home to monastic Christian communities, are nestled in this unusual lunar-like landscape. The many cave churches of Göreme Open-Air Museum and Ihlara Valley, in particular, have some of the world's best examples of surviving mid-Byzantine-era religious art.

5. Mount Nemrut

Mount Nemrut's remains, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are positioned atop one of the Taurus Mountains' largest summits in south-eastern Turkey.

Those who ascend to the summit are greeted by massive stone heads, the remains of massive statues of ancient gods. The statues were erected almost 2,000 years ago to commemorate the grave of Antiochus I, a Hellenistic king. They're meant to be seen at sunrise or sunset, with the light bathing the statue in gold or crimson depending on the season. The views from the peak are extremely stunning, including views of the landscape and the Euphrates River.

The mountain and its stone heads are only accessible during the summer because the rest of the year it is buried in heavy snow and ice.

4. ANCIENT TOMBS OF DALYAN

The Carian Rock Tombs, also known as the Ancient Tombs of Dalyan, are located near Kaunos, just outside of Dalyan's modern resort town. 

The 167 Carian Rock Tombs are unusual temple-like rock-hewn tombs cut high into a cliff above one of the Historic City of Kaunos' ancient harbours. They are supposed to be the burial tombs of the Lycian elite and date from the middle of the 4th century BC. The Lycians were ancient people who lived in the bays between Antalya and Fethiye in Turkey. They believed that the souls of their deceased would be transported to the afterlife by winged spirits, therefore they buried their most revered members of society high up on the cliffs. These magnificent tombs are located within the UNESCO-listed Ancient City of Kaunos, which also includes a 5,000-seat Hellenistic theatre, several Lycian temples and churches, and a rock-cut Roman spa.

Tourists may only see the detailed and majestic sculptures by boat or from the opposite side of the river, to protect them.

3. EPHESUS

Did you know that Selcuk, a small hamlet just a few kilometres off the shore of the historical Aegean Sea, is home to the ancient city of Ephesus and the Library of Celsus, one of the most beautiful vestiges of the Greek and Roman Empire?

According to legend, the city was founded in the 11th century by Androcles, an Ionian prince. Ephesus was formerly an important Mediterranean port town and commercial station. The Library of Celsus, the complex of frescoed terraced villas, and the Great Theater, in particular, all attest to Ephesus' riches and influence during the Roman Empire.

A tour excursion here will take at least half a day to cover the key features, and longer if you want to explore, so plan to avoid feeling rushed.

2. DALYAN DELTA

The Dalyan Delta is a beautiful valley and river in Turkey, made famous by its proximity to several historical landmarks.

Carved into the Delta’s rock face are the well-preserved Carian rock tombs dating back to the 4th century. Another key historical landmark within the Dalyan Delta is Kaunos, a settlement dating back to the 9th century. The Carians, Lycians, Greeks and Romans once ruled Kaunos. Kaunos is not as famous as other ancient landmarks, however, it is one of the few that still holds regular excavations, and as a result, the city and its ruins are continually expanding.

Dalyan's wonderful attractions include ancient ruins, mud baths, and loggerhead sea turtle breeding sites. Your inner explorer will be satiated by beach sports, bike trips, and river tours. Dalyan has become quite the tourist destination for holidaymakers from all across the world, view our Villa collection in Dalyan, there are many luxurious villas with private pools in Dalyan that come at very reasonable and affordable prices.

1. HAGIA SOPHIA

Istanbul has long been significant because of its strategic location on the Bosphorus Strait, which connects Asia and Europe. Because of its strategic location, it was invaded by many groups, including the Greeks, Romans, Genoese, and Ottomans.

During Emperor Justinian's reign, Hagia Sophia was completed in 537 AD for Constantinople's Christian populace. Little is known about the building's construction, although it has been well-preserved throughout its lengthy existence, with many restorations. Throughout history, the Hagia Sophia has been used for a variety of reasons. Some of these include serving as a church, a mosque, and falling into disrepair after being plundered of its valuables. When Sultan Mehmed II seized Constantinople in 1453, it was famously turned into a mosque by the Ottoman Empire. The "Great Mosque of Istanbul" was given to it at this time, and it became a centre of Muslim prayer. It was restored as a mosque, and certain adjustments were made to the structure, such as the addition of minarets. The Hagia Sophia has been altered over time to suit various objectives. One of these occurred in 1935 when it was used as a museum.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, Hagia Sophia is an iconic landmark in Turkey.