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Editors Corner Turkey
What are the most popular travel destinations in Turkey?
From the endless beaches and ancient ruins of its coast to the pulse of its cosmopolitan cities, Turkey is a study in contrasts. Visitors can lose themselves in the magic of a historic palace before enjoying a world-class meal, or swim amidst Roman ruins before continuing their journey in the comfort of a state-of-the-art yacht.
Whatever your fancy, there are countless things to see and do in Turkey. Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, serves as the gateway for most travelers. Istanbul is the only city in the world that sits on two continents and it offers an abundance of fascinating attractions for visitors. Some of Istanbul's most popular sites include the Bosphorus Strait, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, the Kariye Museum, the Underground Cistern, Galata Tower, the Tower of Leander, the Princes' Islands and the Grand Bazaar.
From Canakkale Bogazi, also known as the Dardanelles where the Gallipoli Battle was fought, to the fairytale Crusader castle and sunny beaches of Bodrum, the Aegean shores of Turkey are among the loveliest landscapes in Turkey. The highlights of an Aegean tour are Troy, the site of the legendary Trojan War and its wooden horse; ancient Pergamum, once a great centre of culture and now one of Turkey's finest archaeological sites; Ephesus, the capital of Roman Asia Minor, dedicated to the goddess Artemis whose temple was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; Aphrodisias, the centre of the greatest school of sculpture in antiquity; Pamukkale, a unique fairyland of dazzlingly white calcified castles; and Fethiye, a charming coastal town with a long, palm-lined waterfront and beautiful beaches.
Antalya province on the Mediterranean coast is Turkey's principal holiday region. It is a paradise for sunbathing, swimming and sports. Best of all, Antalya serves as a convenient hub for nearby archaeological attractions. Ancient theatres can be found in a remarkable state of preservation at Aspendos and Perge and visitors can tour the sunken city of Simena in Kekova. Remains of ancient Lycian cities such as Patara, Letoon, Xanthos, Myra and Apollonia are also within easy traveling distance. These are among the most fascinating sites on the Anatolian Peninsula.
Cappadocia in Central Anatolia is one of the most fantastic landscapes in the world and one of the most popular travel destinations in Turkey. The area's early Christian inhabitants utilized its remarkable rock formations to create more than thousands of churches and numerous underground cities in which they took refuge from their persecutors. Even now locals live in houses dug into this amazing landscape, enjoying the comforts of jacuzzis, satellite TV and internet. Goreme, Urgup and Uchisar villages offer travelers rooms in caves.
Other popular destinations include Safranbolu in the Black Sea Region, an open-air museum of traditional Turkish houses; Mount Nemrut in South Eastern Turkey, where enormous stone statues of deities commemorate the first century BC Commagene Kingdom. Harran where the worlds first university was established and also the birthplace of prophet Abraham, Konya in Central Anatolia was home to the great Islamic philosopher Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi who in the 13th century founded the Mevlevi Order known as the Whirling Dervishes. Each year in early December, the white-robed Mevlevi commemorate the death of Mevlana with their trance-like turning dance or Sema - an amazing sight to behold. |
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