Turkey Travel Guide 13th

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A richly historical land with some of the best cuisine you will ever taste, one of the worlds greatest cities, and scenery from white-sand beaches to soaring mountains.

Hot-air balloon above the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia ()
TIM BARKER / GETTY IMAGES

When you set foot in Trkiye (Turkey), you are following in the wake of some remarkable historical figures. Ottoman sultans used to luxuriate in stanbuls Topkap Palace, surrounded by fawning courtiers, harem members, eunuchs and riches from an empire stretching from Budapest to Baghdad. Centuries earlier, Byzantine Christians cut cave churches into Cappadocias fairy chimneys and hid from Islamic armies in underground cities. At other points over the millennia, Romans coursed down the Curetes Way at Ephesus (Efes), medieval Armenians built Anis churches on the Anatolian steppe, whirling dervishes gyrated with Sufi mysticism, and the mysterious Lycians left ruins on Mediterranean beaches. Turkey has hosted A-list history-book figures including Julius Caesar, who famously came, saw and conquered near Amasya, and St Paul, who criss-crossed the country.

Of course, Turkeys current inhabitants are just as memorable. The extroverted Turks have the most in common out of all of their varied neighbouring countries, from Azerbaijan to Bulgaria with their hot-blooded southern-European neighbours. Theyre also understandably proud of their heritage, and full of information (though we cant vouch for its accuracy) about subjects from kilims (flat-weave rugs) to the Aya Sofyas floating dome. Turkeys long history, coupled with its unique position at the meeting of Europe and Asia, has given it a profound depth of culture. Immersing yourself in that culture is as simple as soaking in a Seljuk or Ottoman hamam, eating a kebap and tasting influences brought along the Silk Road, or visiting the ancient ruins scattering the fields, bays and hills.

The greatest surprise for first-time visitors to Turkey, with its stereotypes of kebaps, carpets and moustachioed hustlers in the bazaar, is the sheer diversity found between its Aegean beaches and eastern mountains. In stanbul, you can cruise on the Bosphorus as well as through markets and nightclubs in a Westernised metropolis offering equal parts romance and overcrowded insanity. In holiday spots such as Cappadocia and the southwestern coasts, mix trekking, horse riding and water sports with meze-savouring on a panoramic terrace. Then there are the less-frequented eastern quarters, where honey-coloured outposts overlook the plains of ancient Mesopotamia, and weather-beaten relics add lashings of lyricism to mountain ranges. Its hardly surprising Turkey has attracted so many folk over the centuries. Come and discover its legacy for yourself.

Nargile cafe, stanbul ()
IZZET KERIBAR / GETTY IMAGES

In stanbul, you can board a commuter ferry and flit between Europe and Asia in under an hour. Every day, a flotilla takes locals up the Bosphorus and over the Sea of Marmara, sounding sonorous horns as it goes. Morning services share the waterways with diminutive fishing boats and massive container ships, all accompanied by flocks of shrieking seagulls. At sunset, the tapering minarets and Byzantine domes of the Old City are thrown into relief against a dusky pink sky the citys most magical sight.

Ferry approaching the Eminn ferry terminal
RAWDON WYATT / ALAMY

Cappadocia

The hard-set honeycomb landscape looks sculpted by a swarm of genius bees. The truth the cooling effects of a major volcanic eruption is only slightly less cool. Humans have also left their mark here, in the form of frescoes in colourful Byzantine churches or in the bowels of complex underground cities. These days, Cappadocia () is all about good times; fine wine, fine food and five-star caves; trail rides, valley hikes and hot-air ballooning. Theres enough to keep you buzzing for days.

IZZET KERIBAR /GETY IMAGES

Ephesus

Undoubtedly the most famous of Turkeys ancient sites, and considered the best-preserved ruins in the Mediterranean, Ephesus () complex, offering incredible insight into the daily lives of the citys elite through vivid frescoes and sophisticated mosaics. Much of the city is yet to be unearthed.

Temple of Hadrian ()
CHRIS DELISO

Aya Sofya

Even in mighty stanbul, nothing beats the Church of the Divine Wisdom (), which was the greatest church in Christendom, until the Ottomans took Constantinople. Emperor Justinian had it built in the 6th century as part of his mission to restore the greatness of the Roman Empire. Gazing up at the floating dome, its hard to believe this fresco-covered marvel didnt single-handedly revive Romes fortunes. Entering the ancient interior, covered in mosaics and messages left by generations of rulers, leaves an impression that few buildings in the world can equal.

DAVID PEARSON / ALAMY

Hamams

At most of the traditional hamams in Turkey, plenty of extras are on offer: bath treatments, facials, pedicures and the like. However, we recommend you stick with the tried and true hamam experience a soak and a scrub followed by a good (and optional) pummelling. The world (and your body) will never feel quite the same again. For a truly authentic and memorable experience, seek out a soak in a centuries-old hamam in Antalyas atmospheric old quarter or historic Sultanahmet, stanbul.

Mens baths at Caalolu Hamam ()