Turkey is a stunning place that straddles Asia and Europe. It is full of historic ruins left over from a parade of empires and blessed with magnificent landscapes that never fails to amaze. All who visit are awed by its colourful culture, delectable cuisine, and extensive history, while its magnificent landscapes, which range from the Mediterranean’s warm sunshine to its powerful mountains and barren steppe, serve as standalone places to visit in Turkey.
This country provides tourists and visitors a wide variety of things to do, whether I wish to soak up the Byzantine and Ottoman glories of Istanbul on a city break, relax on the beach, delve into history by wandering through ruins like Ephesus, or see some of the world’s most surreal landscapes in Pamukkale and Cappadocia.
This piece of construct will be shedding considerable light on the top tourist attractions in Turkey visited by a tourist named Mandi. Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Exploring the Old City in Istanbul
My day 1 was packed as I was picked up from the airport and taken to a defined hotel in Sultanahmet. On the day 2, I was picked up by the knowledgeable guide at 8:30 after breakfast at the hotel to start a full-day walking tour of the Old City. I began by visiting the Hagia Sophia, one of the city’s oldest structures.
I next went over to the Blue Mosque and marvelled at its exquisite interior. The guide explained to me the significance of each object as I exited the Blue Mosque onto the Hippodrome. A traditional Turkish restaurant served lunch. I started my trip around the old parts of Fener and Balat after lunch before arriving at Topkapi Palace. The Grand Bazaar, one of the biggest bazaars in the world, is where I ended the journey of the day.
South Cappadocia Tour
On the day 3, early in the morning, I was picked up from the hotel and driven to the airport for the hour-long flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia. Upon my arrival, I was picked up at the airport and transported to the Goreme Town office. For the South Cappadocia Tour, I was picked up there at 9:30. I first halted at the underground city and descend through the eight levels that are visible. I then traveled to Love Valley – one of the best places to visit in Turkey. When you get to Love Valley, it will be very evident why it was given that name. The moniker “love valley” comes from the phallic-like rock formations in this area.
I visited Red Valley after lunch. The numerous layers of various coloured rock formations that give the valley its name, Red Valley, give it a predominately red hue. Then, I travelled to Rose Valley. The town of Urgup is located in front of Rose Valley. Following that, I headed to Cavusin Village – one of the most popular tourist attractions in Turkey. Cavusin Village is made out of a maze-like arrangement of rock homes strewn across the town’s rock formations. Finally, I headed to Pigeon Valley for some breathtaking vistas. After the trip, I was transported to the hotel, where the rest of the evening is up to you.
North Cappadocia Tour
For the North Cappadocia Tour on Day 4, I was picked up at the hotel at 9:30. After arriving at the intended location, I went on to the Goreme Open Air Museum and had lunch there. I made a pit stop for a ceramic demonstration after lunch. You’ll be able to give it a shot. I also had hot air balloon ride.
I next stopped for a brief period of time in Devrent, where I observed several animal-shaped rock formations, St. Monk’s Valley with its mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys, and St. Simeon’s monk cell. At the end of my trip, I went to Pasabeg. I was picked up from the hotel after the trip and transported to the airport to catch a flight to Izmir. I was picked up at the airport and driven to the hotel in Kusadasi/selcuk after an hour-long trip to Izmir.
Ephesus Tour
On the day 5, I was picked up at 9:30, and my guide then walked me to a car. My guide provided background information about the region and nation while I was on the trip to Ephesus. The Magnesia Gate, a magnificent specimen of ancient architecture that formerly stood tall as a city entryway, was the first thing I noticed as I entered Ephesus. The journey into the city’s ruins then started with a short descent led by the guide. You passed by the Odeon, the Celsius Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the Trajan Fountain, and the Great Theater – one of the top places to visit in Turkey – on the way there.
The theatre, which is still in use today for the neighbourhood spring festival, is one of the city’s best-preserved landmarks. It is thought that St. Paul delivered his sermon to the Ephesians there, where there was once seating for 24,000 people. I was driven to the Virgin Mary House after my Ephesus trip, whereupon I ate some delectable Turkish food. I went to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, after I had lunch. Then At the conclusion of the tour, I was taken to the Selcuk district and the IsaBey Mosque. The IsaBey Mosque is a historic house of worship that was built for the Aydinid Dynasty ruler of this area. I was driven back to my accommodation in Kusadasi/selcuk when the tour was over.
Pamukkale Tour
On the day 6, my guide led me to the van when I was picked up from my Kuşadasi hotel. The guide gave me a quick introduction and provides information about the area and country throughout the three-hour trip to Pamukkale. After arriving, I enjoyed lunch at a nearby eatery before starting the tour. After lunch, I climbed to the top of the site at Hierapolis Ancient City and explore the gymnasium. Next, I viewed the Temple of Apollo and the 15,000-seat Amphitheatre.
The tour guide pointed out and described each noteworthy structure as we passed them as we made our way through Hierapolis. After that, I took off my shoes and strolled down Pamukkale’s snow-white terraces – one of the best places to visit in Turkey.
I could soak my toes in the hot springs that are naturally occurring or ascend to the man-made hot spring pools and go swimming.
I had free time in the afternoon. Following the tour, I was driven to the airport for the hour-long flight back to Istanbul. I was transported back to the hotel once I arrived. On the day 7, I was picked up from my hotel and transported to the airport.
The hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia was breathtaking. The guides were all very knowledgeable, helpful, and punctual. Whenever I had a question about the itinerary Tours Flame was quick to respond and they were always checking to make sure everything was going great during the trip, Mandi adds.
