Things to do in

Turkey

A walking exploration of Istanbul's historic Fener and Balat quarters along the Golden Horn. Discover colorful Ottoman houses, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, historic synagogues and churches, narrow cobbled streets, street art, and local markets. Perfect for travelers interested in history, photography and authentic neighborhood life.

Gallipoli (Gelibolu) Peninsula) — a deeply moving landscape of battlefields, cemeteries and memorials commemorating the 1915 Gallipoli Campaign during World War I. This tour visits key ANZAC and Turkish sites, providing historical context, battlefield orientation and time for reflection. Best for history enthusiasts, descendants of campaign participants, and cultural travellers.

Saklıkent Gorge (Saklıkent Kanyonu) is one of Turkey's deepest and longest canyons near Fethiye. The trek combines boardwalk sections and river-wading through icy mountain meltwater, framed by sheer limestone walls and dramatic narrow passages. It's a mix of easy sightseeing and moderate adventure walking — very scenic and refreshing on hot summer days.

Scenic coastal beaches, ancient Lycian ruins and the famous natural ‘eternal’ flames — a relaxed beach day combined with a short evening hike to the Chimera (Yanartaş). This activity combines swimming, sunbathing and exploring the Olympos ruins around Çıralı village with a visit at dusk to see the Chimera flames burning from the hillside.

Sümela Monastery is a historic Greek Orthodox monastery dramatically built into a steep cliff face in the Altındere Valley near Maçka, Trabzon. Traditionally founded in 386 AD, the site contains Byzantine-era architecture and frescoes set against a forested mountain backdrop. The complex offers cultural, historical and scenic experiences and requires a short walk from the parking area up to the cliff-side entrance. (Coordinates are approximate.)

Göbekli Tepe is one of the world's most important archaeological sites — a Pre-Pottery Neolithic ceremonial complex dated to roughly 9600–8200 BCE. Located on a gently sloping ridge above the Harran plain near Şanlıurfa, Turkey, it features massive T-shaped limestone pillars decorated with carved animals and abstract motifs. The site has dramatically changed our understanding of early complex society and ritual practice, and is recognized for its outstanding universal value.

Safranbolu is a well-preserved Ottoman-era town in Karabük Province, north-central Turkey. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, the town is renowned for its historic timber-framed houses, narrow cobbled streets, classic Ottoman architecture, traditional bazaars, and preserved urban fabric that illustrates Ottoman urban life from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Experience the Dalyan delta by boat: a scenic river cruise past ancient Lycian rock tombs, reed-lined channels, hot mud baths and a visit to the famous protected Iztuzu (Turtle) Beach — an important nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). This is a combined cultural, nature and beach day ideal for wildlife lovers, photographers and sun-seekers.

Aphrodisias is a major Greco-Roman archaeological site in the hills of Aydın Province near the modern village of Geyre, Turkey. Founded in the Hellenistic period and flourishing in the Roman and Byzantine eras, it is renowned for the Temple of Aphrodite, an exceptionally well-preserved stadium, and an outstanding collection of sculptural workshops. The site also features the Sebasteion, Tetrapylon, agora, odeon, baths and an on-site museum that houses many of the finds, including finely carved statues and reliefs.

Ani is a medieval walled city and archaeological site on the Silk Road located in northeastern Turkey, near the border with Armenia. Once the capital of the medieval Armenian Bagratid kingdom, Ani flourished between the 9th and 11th centuries and is famed for its monumental Armenian churches, city walls, gates and unique blend of Byzantine, Armenian, Georgian and Seljuk architectural influences. Today Ani is an evocative open-air museum of stone ruins set on a windswept plain with panoramic views of the Arpaçay (Akhurian) River and the Armenian highlands.

Mount Ararat (5,137 m) is Turkey's highest peak and a classic high-altitude trek with a mostly non-technical summit route. The climb combines long, steep snow and scree slopes, high-altitude exposure and spectacular views across eastern Anatolia. Expect challenging fitness requirements, simple mountain camps, and the need for a local permit/escort due to the border zone.

Lake Van & Akdamar Island is a scenic and culturally rich day trip on Turkey's largest lake. The highlight is the 11th-century Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross (Akdamar Church) on Akdamar Island, set against stark volcanic landscapes and deep blue waters. Visitors enjoy a short boat ride, guided visits to the historic church and its striking stone reliefs, lakeside photo stops, optional swimming in summer, and sampling local cuisine in nearby villages.

Patara is a unique combination of one of Turkey's longest sandy beaches and the archaeological remains of an important ancient Lycian city. The site offers wide golden sands, rolling dunes, and shallow warm waters ideal for swimming, alongside ruins that include a theater, a parliament (bouleuterion), Roman baths, temples, and a restored lighthouse. The area is also an important nesting ground for the endangered Caretta caretta (loggerhead sea turtle), and parts of the beach are protected during nesting season.

Düden Waterfalls are a pair of spectacular cascades just outside Antalya city center and a must-see natural attraction in the region. The Upper Düden (a park with springs and falls cascading into a gorge) offers shaded picnic areas, walking paths and a cave behind the falling water. The Lower Düden (the Sea Falls) dramatically plunge off coastal cliffs directly into the Mediterranean; viewpoints on the clifftop and boat trips give excellent perspectives. The site blends relaxed parkland walks with dramatic sea views — popular for families, photographers and nature lovers.

A compact cultural and sightseeing experience linking the medieval Galata Tower with the vibrant Karaköy neighborhood on the northern shore of the Golden Horn. Together they offer panoramic views across Istanbul, historic architecture, trendy cafés and seafood eateries, street art, and convenient ferry connections to the historic peninsula. Ideal for photographers, history lovers and foodies.

İstiklal Street (İstiklal Caddesi) is Istanbul’s most famous pedestrian avenue — a lively 1.4 km boulevard lined with historic buildings, cafes, shops, art galleries, and nightlife. It connects Taksim Square at the north end with the historic Tünel funicular at the south. Taksim Square is a major transport hub and symbolic public space, known for its Republic Monument, large gatherings, and easy access to the Bosphorus and other central neighborhoods.

Highlights include the nostalgic red tram, late-Ottoman and early-Republic architecture, bookshops, the Pera Museum, Çiçek Pasajı (Flower Passage), St. Antoine Catholic Church, and vibrant street life with musicians and performers. The area is ideal for a mixed cultural, shopping and dining experience, day or night.

A scenic day (or 1–2 day) excursion through Rize province’s iconic tea terraces and the high-mountain meadow of Ayder Plateau (Ayder Yaylası). The activity mixes cultural immersion — visits to family-run tea gardens and tea houses — with nature: river valleys, waterfalls, wooden Hemshin villages and the lush, cool pastures of the Kaçkar foothills.

Sunset safari through Cappadocia's lunar landscapes around Göreme and Uçhisar. Choose an adrenaline-filled ATV/quad ride or a more relaxed horseback ride along valleys carved by volcanic activity, ending at a panoramic viewpoint to watch the sun paint the fairy chimneys and rock formations in red and gold.