Welcome to the Turkish Travel Blog and an extensive guide to things to do in Turkey. You’re spoiled for choice: Turkey ranks among the world’s most visited countries because it offers something for everyone, whether your interests lie in history, culture, nightlife, or lifestyle.
Combine these attractions with delicious cuisine, warm hospitality, pleasant weather, beautiful beaches, and striking landscapes, and you have the ingredients for an unforgettable trip.
Because there are so many places to explore, I invited Jill from BareFootPlus Travel to contribute. A former Peace Corps volunteer in Turkey, Jill built deep local knowledge and now plans personalized itineraries and recommends off-the-beaten-path experiences, especially in Istanbul.
Together we compiled our favourite and most popular experiences. To make planning easier, we separated them into categories—let’s get started.
The Most Popular Things to Do
First-time visitors and backpackers often combine multiple destinations into an 8–12 day trip. The most visited highlights usually include the following.
1: The Ancient City of Ephesus
Once the Roman Empire’s third-largest city, Ephesus is one of Turkey’s most popular archaeological sites. Extensive excavations reveal temples, public latrines, the Celsus Library, a Hellenistic theatre, and remarkably well-preserved Roman terraced houses with impressive mosaics—my personal favourite.
2: White Pamukkale and the Ruins of Hierapolis
A short drive from Ephesus brings you to Pamukkale’s white travertine terraces and the ancient city of Hierapolis. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pamukkale’s tiered pools cascade down a hillside in a surreal, otherworldly landscape. Many visitors combine a visit with nearby ancient sites such as Aphrodisias and Laodicea.
3: Beautiful Cappadocia
Cappadocia’s lunar terrain features fairy chimneys, underground cities, cave churches, and cave hotels. The iconic activity here is an early morning hot air balloon ride above the valleys at sunrise. The sight of dozens of balloons drifting over the landscape is unforgettable and a staple of Cappadocia’s appeal.
4: A 4-day city break in Istanbul
Istanbul rivals Europe’s great cities as a top city-break destination. Most historic landmarks are concentrated in the Sultanahmet district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over a couple of days you can visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern, the Archaeological Museum, and the Grand Bazaar. For a different vibe, explore Beyoğlu for shopping, galleries, and nightlife.
5: Sail the Turkish Riviera
A Blue Cruise along the Turkish Riviera—from Fethiye to Antalya, or from Bodrum or Marmaris—is a popular way to end a summer trip. Traditional gulet charters offer comfortable sailing with food and accommodation included, making island-hopping and swimming at secluded coves easy and relaxing.
Historical Things to Do
Turkey’s long history spans many empires, and archaeological discoveries date back millennia. Sites such as Göbekli Tepe and Çatalhöyük show human settlement from around 7500 BC. Turkey has numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites and countless ruins to explore—many still under excavation.
For anyone interested in human history, Turkey is essential—where to go depends on your focus.
1: Follow the Lycian Way
The Lycian Way is a registered 516-kilometer trekking route along the southwest coast from Antalya to Fethiye, passing historical sites and coastal towns such as Kaş, Kalkan, and Çıralı. The route visits ancient cities like Myra, Olympus, Tlos, Phaselis, Xanthos, and Patara, as well as unusual sites like the ghost village of Kayaköy. Many visitors combine segments of the trail with local transport rather than hiking the entire route.
2: Delve into the world of early Christianity
Turkey played an important role in early Christianity. Notable sites include the Göreme Open Air Museum with its cave churches and well-preserved frescoes, the churches of the Seven Churches of Revelation on the western coast, and the House of the Virgin Mary near Ephesus. In the northeast, the dramatic Sumela Monastery clings to a cliff and is steeped in religious history.
Things to Do in Turkey during Winter
Turkey’s main tourism season runs from May to October, but winter offers many alternatives when coastal resorts quiet down. Here are winter-friendly activities.
1: City breaks
City breaks remain popular in winter. In addition to Istanbul, Izmir offers cultural sights and vibrant neighbourhoods, while Antalya’s city centre stays active with museums, cafes, and local attractions even when the beaches are quiet.
2: Snow-covered Cappadocia
Cappadocia is open year-round. Snow gives the fairy-tale landscape a peaceful, ethereal quality. If conditions limit trekking, explore towns like Göreme, Uçhisar, Ürgüp, and Ortahisar by car or local tours.
3: Skiing
Turkey has invested in ski resorts in recent years. Popular centres for skiing include Uludağ, Mount Erciyes, and Erzurum, offering good facilities and slopes for winter sports enthusiasts.
Sporty Things to do
Turkey has developed adventure tourism extensively. Olu Deniz and Kaş are premier paragliding spots, Antalya is known for white-water rafting, and Kaş also offers scuba diving, sea kayaking, and canyoning. Cappadocia hosts mountain biking events, while the Kaçkar Mountains attract mountaineers. Gökova Bay and Alaçatı are well-regarded for kiteboarding and windsurfing respectively.
Cultural Things to Do Everywhere
1: Indulge in a Turkish Bath
The hamam is a welcome mix of relaxation and tradition. This practice, rooted in Ottoman and Roman bathing traditions, combines steam, exfoliation, and socialising—an ideal way to unwind and refresh.
2: Eat a Village Breakfast
Weekend village breakfasts are a beloved tradition in coastal regions. These leisurely meals feature organic, homegrown items such as eggs, sigara böreği (cheese pastries), fresh vegetables, bread, jams, olives, cheeses, honey, and local charcuterie.
3: Try Turkish tea, Ayran and Raki
Enjoy tulip-shaped glasses of black tea, a daily staple. Ayran, a chilled yogurt-based drink, is refreshing in summer. Raki, the anise-flavoured spirit often diluted with water until it turns milky, is a traditional alcoholic accompaniment to meals.
4: Eat Baklava
Baklava—layers of filo pastry filled with nuts and syrup—is Turkey’s most famous sweet. Gaziantep is often cited for producing outstanding versions, and many shops in Istanbul trace their recipes to that region.
5: Visit Different Regions
Turkey’s culture and cuisine vary widely by region, shaped by Greek, Armenian, Georgian, Kurdish, Arabic, and other influences. Each area has specialties—Kars for cheese, the Mediterranean for oranges, the Aegean for olives, and Cappadocia for wineries. Exploring multiple regions reveals the country’s rich diversity.
Things to Do in Turkey for Families
Turkey is family-friendly, with hotels, restaurants, and transport that cater to children. Antalya stands out for family-oriented resorts with kids’ clubs, aqua parks, a large aquarium, and child-friendly excursions like jeep safaris, boat cruises, and beginner diving experiences.
Finally…
This list should give you plenty of ideas to start planning a trip to Turkey. If organising your own itinerary feels daunting, travel specialists offer prepared routes and custom trip planning. Wherever and however you travel, Turkey promises memorable experiences and a warm welcome.