Spanning all the way across Europe and Asia, Turkey has very diverse scenery. With its rolling plains, magnificent mountains, vast desert, white sandy beaches and towering sea cliffs there is sure to be something to please everyone in Turkey! If you are planning a trip to Turkey in the near future, there are many sights that you just will not want to miss! Here are some great historical places to check out!
You will definitely want to check out Istanbul’s Old City which was once the capital of the Christian Byzantines and then became the Islamic Ottoman Empire. Some of the features of the city include the Topkapi Palace, Aya Sofya Museum and the city’s Archaeological Museum. However, The Sultan Ahmed Mosque (better known as the Blue Mosque because of its blue tiles) is without a doubt the most amazing sight to see in the city of Istanbul, and is one of the real highlights of a holiday to Turkey. It is located right in the center of the Turkish capital, and it is a breathtakingly beautiful building, filled with minarets and intricately decorated both inside and out. It is open to visitors which is unusual for most of the major mosques around the world. It is truly a unique chance to see the inside of an Islamic place of worship. After that go out and explore the northern suburbs of Istanbul on a ferry-boat, going across the Bosphorus to visit villages that reach all the way up to the mouth of the Black Sea.
The city of Troy is well known as the sight of the legendary ten year battle between the Trojans and the Greeks from Homer’s Iliad. Troy was actually believed to be not real; many thought it was a mythical place for many centuries, until the discovery of its ruins in the 19th century by Heinrich Scliemann. Today the ruins of Troy are a sight you will not want to miss while on holiday in Turkey.
Ephesus, which is an ancient city and is currently in the process of being restored, is a definite must see while visiting Turkey. Dating all the way back to the seventh century BC Ephesus will show you an interesting view of ancient life in Turkey because the city’s ruins illustrate how ancient cities worked and how the people played thousands of years ago. Ephesus will be of particular interest to Christian tourists because it is believed that The Virgin Mary resided there during the final days of her life. The city holds a lot of historical significance!
The sites and cities mentioned are only a small fraction of what Turkey has to offer! The possibilities are endless and no two vacations to Turkey will be quite the same.
Think about using a Kas Hotel as a base, it’s near many ancient sites and is a relaxing place to escape after you’ve finished your visits. The nearby city of Xanthos is definitely worth a visit.
There are many guides and resources available that can give further suggestions about places to check out while in Turkey because it has been becoming increasingly popular as a tourist destination hotspot! Be sure to plan ahead so that you will not miss out on any of the beautiful sights to see
