Things to do in

Turkey

Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) is one of the world's most important architectural and cultural monuments — built as a Byzantine cathedral (537 CE), converted to a mosque in 1453, then a museum in 1935, and again functioning as a mosque since 2020. The building combines Byzantine engineering, monumental mosaics and Ottoman additions (minarets, mihrab). Visiting offers both a powerful historical experience and a living place of worship. Note: entry is free as it operates as a mosque, but guided tours and audio guides carry fees; access may be restricted during prayer times.

The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) is a working Ottoman-era mosque and one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks. Built between 1609 and 1616 by Sultan Ahmed I, it is famed for its six minarets, expansive central dome, and interior covered with over 20,000 Iznik tiles in shades of blue that give the mosque its popular name. The mosque sits facing the Hagia Sophia on the historic Sultanahmet peninsula and remains an active place of worship while welcoming visitors from around the world.

Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Sarayı) is the historic residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th century. Today it operates as a museum and UNESCO World Heritage site, showcasing imperial collections, sacred Islamic relics, richly decorated rooms and courtyards, and panoramic views over the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. A must-see for history, art and architecture lovers.

Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) in Istanbul is one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets — a vibrant labyrinth of over 3,000 shops set in a historic 15th–16th century complex. It’s both a major shopping destination and a cultural experience: stroll through domed archways, discover antiques, textiles, jewelry and ceramics, and enjoy the atmosphere of a living Ottoman marketplace.

Scenic boat cruises along the Bosphorus Strait connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. Cruises run along the dividing line between Europe and Asia, offering uninterrupted views of Ottoman palaces, waterfront yalı mansions, historic fortresses and modern bridges. Options range from short public ferry trips to private yacht and full‑day excursions.

Experience a sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the otherworldly landscape of Göreme in Cappadocia. Float quietly above fairy chimneys, carved rock formations, and sweeping valleys while the first light of day paints the scenery in gold and rose hues. Ideal for photographers, romantics, and first-time flyers.

Göreme Open‑Air Museum is a UNESCO World Heritage site in central Cappadocia featuring a compact cluster of rock‑cut churches, monasteries and chapels with well‑preserved frescoes carved into tuff. Nearby valleys — notably Pasabag (Monks Valley), Love Valley, Rose/Red Valley and surrounding areas — host Cappadocia's famous fairy chimneys: tall, soft‑rock spires sculpted by erosion. This activity combines cultural sightseeing, short hikes and spectacular landscape photography.

Pamukkale (meaning Cotton Castle) and the adjacent ancient city of Hierapolis form one of Turkey's most iconic natural-archaeological landscapes. White calcium-carbonate travertine terraces, created by mineral-rich thermal waters, cascade down a hillside above the modern town of Pamukkale. Above and behind the terraces lie the extensive ruins of the Greco-Roman and Byzantine city of Hierapolis — including a well-preserved theatre, necropolis, and the famous Cleopatra (Antique) Pool. Visiting combines natural wonder, archaeological exploration, and thermal bathing.

Explore one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean. Walk through marble streets once trodden by Romans, see the iconic Library of Celsus, and stand in the vast Great Theatre that hosted gladiatorial games and public events. This guided or self-guided visit combines archaeology, history and spectacular photo opportunities near Selçuk, İzmir.

Experience a centuries-old cleansing and relaxation ritual performed in a heated marble environment. A hammam visit combines steam, exfoliation (kese), foam wash, and optional oil or aromatherapy massage in a sequence designed to cleanse the skin, relax muscles, and provide cultural immersion. Istanbul’s historic hammams—some dating back to the Ottoman era—offer both authentic public-style treatments and private tourist packages.

Discover Istanbul through its flavors. This walking food tour visits busy street stalls, historic markets and neighborhood meyhanes to taste iconic Turkish street foods — simit, döner, baklava and a selection of meze — while learning about local food culture, ingredients and culinary history.

Kaleiçi (Antalya Old Town): A compact, atmospheric quarter of narrow winding streets, restored Ottoman houses, historic Roman and Seljuk remains, sea-girt marina and boutique hotels. Ideal for strolling, photography, dining and history.

Antalya Beaches: A diverse coastline offering pebbly urban beaches, long sandy resort stretches and remote coves. Highlights include Konyaaltı (pebble/blue-flag urban beach), Lara (sandy resort beach with luxury hotels), Kaputaş (stunning turquoise cove) and nearby Olympos/Çıralı (wide nature beaches with relaxed vibes and turtle nesting season).

Experience one of the world’s most famous paragliding sites: a tandem flight from Mt. Babadag down to the crystalline Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon near Fethiye. You'll fly with a certified pilot, soaring over pine-covered slopes, steep cliffs and the iconic turquoise lagoon and sandy beach below. Suitable for first-timers and adrenaline seekers, the flight combines spectacular panoramic views with a smooth, sustained glide using thermal lifts.

Explore one of Cappadocia's marvels below the surface. Visit either the vast multi-level Derinkuyu Underground City or the compact, well-signposted Kaymaklı Underground City to see ancient living quarters, tunnels, ventilation shafts and defensive architecture used by early Christians and earlier inhabitants. Both sites offer a unique glimpse into subterranean life and engineering.

Quick choice guide: Derinkuyu is deeper and more dramatic (many levels); Kaymaklı is more accessible and easier to navigate for first-time visitors.

Aspendos Roman Theatre is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman theatres in the world, located near the modern town of Serik in Antalya Province, Turkey. Built in the 2nd century AD during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the theatre is renowned for its remarkable acoustics, impressive semicircular cavea (seating area), and well-preserved stage building (scaenae frons). The site is a highlight for history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and photographers.

Key features include its original seating for an estimated 15,000–20,000 spectators, an intact orchestra and pulpitum, and remnants of Roman-era engineering such as drainage and access tunnels. The theatre is still used today for cultural events, especially the annual Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival.

Why visit: exceptional preservation, historic significance, photographic opportunities, and live performances in an authentic Roman setting.

Sunrise at Mount Nemrut — Experience the surreal moment when the sun rises behind the colossal stone heads and guardian figures of the 1st-century BC Commagene tomb-sanctuary. Perched on a 2,150 m (7,050 ft) summit, terraces of monumental statues (king Antiochus I, gods, lions and eagles) glow in the dawn light while the surrounding Taurus and Amanos ranges stretch below in a sea of clouds on clear mornings.

Troy (Hisarlık) is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, located on a hill overlooking the plain of the Dardanelles. The site contains the remains of at least nine successive cities built on top of one another from the Bronze Age through the Roman period. It is closely linked to the epic traditions of Homer’s Iliad and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1998). Visitors can see city walls, layered ruins, tombs, and a symbolic wooden horse reconstruction near the entrance.

Sema is the sacred whirling ceremony of the Mevlevi order, inspired by the poetry and teachings of Jalal ad‑Din Rumi (Mevlana). In Konya — the spiritual home of Rumi — the ritual is presented at the Mevlana Museum / Mevlana Cultural Center and at authorized cultural venues. The ceremony is both a spiritual act of devotion and a culturally rich performance: attendees observe a formal sequence of prayers, music and the iconic whirling of the dervishes (semazen). While accessible to visitors, the Sema should be treated with reverence rather than as simple entertainment.

Overview: The Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı) is one of Istanbul’s oldest and most atmospheric covered markets. Built in the 17th century as part of the New Mosque complex, it was historically a hub for spices, herbs and luxury foodstuffs arriving from across the Ottoman Empire. Today it remains a vibrant shopping and cultural destination where sights, smells and sounds capture the city’s trading legacy.

Why visit: Authentic Ottoman-era market architecture, overflowing spice stalls, Turkish delights, teas, and a lively local atmosphere next to the Golden Horn.

Princes' Islands are a peaceful archipelago off the coast of Istanbul famous for their car-free streets, Ottoman-era wooden mansions, pine-covered hills and relaxed seaside atmosphere. A day trip typically focuses on Büyükada (the largest island) and combines a scenic ferry ride with biking or electric carriage tours, panoramic viewpoints, waterfront dining and optional swimming.