Everyone must have knees and shoulders covered, and females must wear a headscarf. Adding to the experience, just behind the sand, are the vast ruins of Ancient Patara, which include a colonnaded street, restored bouleuterion (the parliament of the city), and a theater that sat 5,000 people. This weird and lonely place has to be one of Turkey’s most peculiar archaeological sites. The giant stone heads of long-forgotten gods stare out from the summit, casting an eerie atmosphere over the barren mountaintop. Although the travertines are themselves a highlight of a Turkey trip, the vast and rambling ruins of Greco-Roman Hierapolis, an ancient spa town, lie scattered across the summit of this calcite hill. For ideas on the best places to visit read our list of the top tourist attractions in Turkey.

Perched on a cliffside, the luxurious resort overlooks Barbados Bay on the Bodrum Peninsula. For a city that’s centered around its harbor, you’ll want to stay close to the coast if you want to be in the center of the action. A stunning property near Oludeniz Beach that offers guests a luxurious and tranquil retreat. The hotel features elegant design, spacious rooms, and a range of top-notch amenities including a pool and spa. A charming boutique hotel nestled in the heart of the picturesque town.

The first time I landed here, I felt like I had walked straight into a history book, a food festival, and a National Geographic documentary—all at once. It’s the perfect mix of cuisine, history, relaxation, and adventure for 2 weeks in Turkey. Drive 2.5 hours to Selçuk, a quieter, more relaxed vibe with attractions like Grotto of the Seven Sleepers and Temple of Artemis. Drive 2.5 hours along the Turquoise Coast to Bodrum, which combines the best of laid-back coastal living with a touch of luxury. And you’ll also need to consider tighter seating arrangements, luggage situation and having to find your way to/from the bus stop. Waikiki in Hawaii came in a close second, with a score of 79.8 out of 100.

As well as restaurants serving traditional Ottoman and contemporary cuisines, there are countless street stalls and markets serving all sorts of Turkish favourites. Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren’s travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. I recommend picking some up from the Istanbul Spice Bazaar and opting for the pomegranate flavour for a fun take on the treat. You’ll be looking at around $12 for 1kg of extremely high-end Turkish delights.

However long you have, a month or just 7 days when you visit Turkey, you can’t miss out on a trip to Ephesus. Flying or driving down to Izmir for the 3rd day of your Turkish adventure, there’s plenty of history and culture waiting for you. If you choose to drive, plan to get as early a start as possible as it can take about 5 hours.

What Should I Do In Istanbul?

It was once a thriving city known as Smyrna with its own expansive library, medical school, and sophisticated culture. There are calm beaches, like Colakli Beach, where the surf is gentle and the sea gently slopes off to make an ideal spot for families with kids or unsure swimmers. This beach is lined with waterfront restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy great views while you eat and drink Turkish cuisine or international fare. This is a naturally protected area, home to sea turtle spawning grounds, with views of the nearby Lycian mountains and the Kum Tepesi sand dunes.

Itinerary

Making these extraordinary journeys possible are the handpicked experts in our 50 offices worldwide, on call around the clock. Chief among them are our resident A&K Tour Directors and local guides. The Tour Director leads each group departure, providing unmatched on-the-ground expertise with A&K local guides contributing along the way. At Abercrombie & Kent, we strive at every turn to redefine your notion of what is possible on a vacation. A&K lets you discover Machu Picchu through the eyes of its former resident archaeologist, and introduces you to Mayan culture firsthand, through an exclusive meeting with a Mayan family.

They’re one of your best options for saving money, and aren’t just for the backpackers. You won’t have to worry too much about the cost of flights to Turkey, thanks to the wide range of budget airlines in the region. As always, I recommend heading to Skyscanner to snag yourself a bargain — they’re the only aggregator I use to find cheap flights. There are some fantastic hotels and villas in the area surrounding Antalya as well as in the city centre, so you can choose according to your tastes and budget. Hotel Lykia – This luxe hotel located in the old town of Antalya is another perfect place to make as your base. They have plenty of classic rooms, a lovely swimming pool and countless other amenities available to guests.

After all, it sits on the cusp of both Europe and Asia, so it’s no wonder that the Turkish heritage is a fascinating fusion of various cultures. With expertise in not only luxury but culture, wildlife and history as well, Abercrombie & Kent reveals your destination with an authenticity beyond the reach of any other travel company. Our specialty is designing custom trips that match your travel style, trip priorities, and budget. While we have sample itineraries to inspire you, we encourage you to tell us exactly what you’re looking for, so we can create the perfect custom trip.

Small Group Tours

Do pack your umbrella if traveling in spring, as this is Turkey’s rainiest season. It was my first time doing a trip where we covered so many kilometres which made it tiring, but I expected that at the outset.

It’s brewed in a two-piece teapot with loose black tea leaves on top and water at the bottom. I use and recommend SafetyWing for travel insurance in Turkey, as they’re one of the few companies out there who will actually cover you if you contract COVID-19. On top of that, they provide worldwide coverage, don’t require you to have a return ticket, and even allow you to buy insurance after you’ve left home. Finally, they have a clear, easy-to-understand pricing structure, which is always a bonus. Ask at your accommodation for recommendations on the best budget eats, or simply walk around and see which restaurants are full of locals.

But at the same time, certain attractions and activities aren’t operating during this time like boat tours, some beaches are closed and it’s too cold to dip into anyway, and some shows don’t play. Imagine lounging on a beach one day and strolling through ancient ruins the next, all while enjoying fresh seafood or local Turkish food. A Turkish coast road trip is one of the best things to do in Turkey to get immersed in local culture & people, history, nature and cuisine. One more spot in the U.S. made its way to the top of the list, with the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona rounding out the top three. “Another golden hour hotspot, the sun setting on the vast, layered rock formations of the Grand Canyon scores it an impressive sunset score of 79.6 out of 100,” the rankings noted. While the beach towns along the Aegean and Mediterranean grab the most visitors, away from the coast, Turkey’s provincial cities and towns offer plenty of historical and cultural sightseeing.

When you are done snacking on the Turkish delight treats and bargaining the price of shiny trinkets, make sure that you visit Süleymaniye Mosque, an iconic landmark in Istanbul. Whatever you want to miss in Viaggi in Turchia Istanbul, but do not miss the Grand Bazaar because it will offer you the most memorable sights. Misir Carsisi is something that you have to see while you are in Istanbul whether you want to buy it or not.