For most Russians, Turkey is a popular resort and chain hotels with all and ultra–all inclusive. Fans of Turkish cinema are familiar with her magical views from the projects of various TV series. Anyway, the homeland of the Ottoman Empire is still on the list of top destinations for holidays abroad all year round.
You should not build an opinion about the whole country, limiting yourself only to well-known locations. Non-banal Turkey is much more diverse. If you are ready to rediscover it for yourself, we suggest you get acquainted with a selection of the coolest sights, unusual places and beautiful cities of Turkey.
Bursa
You can find yourself in a real oriental fairy tale, visit the silk bazaar, see ancient mosques and Ottoman mansions by taking a ferry from Istanbul Sea station to Bursa. It is an ancient Byzantine city at the foot of Mount Uludag, conquered by the Turks in the XIV century and became the first capital of the great Ottoman Empire.
Modern Bursa has retained its conservative appearance. Today, 8 of its districts are recognized as monuments of world cultural heritage under the protection of UNESCO. The whole city is literally riddled with minarets of mosques of the XIV-XVII centuries. Tourists interested in history and architectural masterpieces will enjoy a trip to Bursa. Those who want to relax in the little-known resorts of Turkey on the Marmara Sea (for example, Mudanya and Trilye) should go to the suburbs.
What to see in 1-2 days:
- Green mosque with an interior of rare green, turquoise and blue ceramic tiles with tiles;
- The green tomb of the V Ottoman Sultan Mehmed I;
- Ulu-Jami Mosque with a fountain for ablution inside;
- mausoleum of shehzade Mustafa and Mahidevran Sultan;
- central market;
- silk bazaar;
- authentic ethnic village of Jumalykyzk (not so crowded on weekdays);
- Kaplydzha hot thermal springs in the Chekirge area;
- local Yusuf restaurants.
Tekirdag
The clean and well-maintained port city of Tekirdag on the coast of the Marmara Sea attracts with its peaceful atmosphere and measured life. Locals come here to take a break from the bustling Istanbul. There are not many architectural attractions in Tekirdag. Lovers of nature, hiking and cycling will love the city.
In a cozy province founded by the Greeks more than 6,000 years ago, you can:
- get acquainted with the collection of artifacts of the Thracian era in the city Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography;
- visit the mosque of Rustem Pasha;
- take cool photos against the background of bright yellow valleys of sunflowers;
- buy handmade carpets, fabrics and accessories in Karadjakylavuz, made using pre-Ottoman technologies;
- try local delicacy “keftesi”, Turkish raki and Murefte wine from a local factory;
- buy delicious locally produced sunflower oil as a souvenir;
- paragliding with an instructor from the top Nishantepe hill;
- go hiking in the coniferous forests of the Sharkey district.
Oludeniz and the surrounding area
Speaking of the unique places of Turkey, it is impossible not to mention the small village of Oludeniz, a 20-minute drive from Fethiye. The picturesque corner framed by a pine forest is famous for its snow-white beaches, turquoise sea and almost Caribbean surrounding landscapes. Its quiet bay delights all tourists without exception and attracts not only connoisseurs of a relaxing holiday on the beach, but also extreme people.
Here you can:
- try diving;
- go on a boat trip on a yacht or canoe;
- paragliding with an instructor;
- go to Fethiye to the Sultans Aqua City water park;
- visit the ancient city of Patara – the birthplace of Nicholas the Wonderworker;
- Visit the Butterfly Valley and the ghost town of Kayakey in the vicinity.
And a popular trekking route with a length of 540 km – the Lycian Trail – begins in Oludeniz.
In general, the resort is aimed at Europeans (mainly British), so some establishments even indicate prices in pounds. Everyone feels comfortable here: couples with children, lovers and adventurers.
The most popular beaches of Oludeniz are the sandy Blue Lagoon in the protected area (paid), the small-pebble urban Belgekiz (free) and the wild sandy-pebble Kydrak.
Pamukkale
Pamukkale, or “Cotton Castle” is one of the leaders of the rating of the most unusual places in Turkey, which all lovers of natural beauty have heard about. In the photo, the picturesque travertine complex with cascades of terraced baths looks like an endless white desert. In reality, it does not look so impressive, but it still deserves to spend 1 day of vacation visiting it.
Pamukkale is a thermal spring, the waters of which are rich in calcium. Snow-white travertines are formed from mineral deposits. The comparison with cotton is not accidental, because they have a soft structure. This feature makes the natural landmark vulnerable. Tourists are allowed to move around the territory only without shoes (it does not hurt).
The tour of the complex consists of 4 locations:
- travertines and natural springs of Pamukkale;
- Cleopatra’s swimming pool with swimming for an additional fee;
- ruins ancient Hierapolis;
- exhibitions of the Museum of Antiquities.
The water of natural springs is considered healing. It has a positive effect on the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
St. Peter’s Cave Church
Oddly enough, one of the oldest churches of the early Christian era is located in the southern territory of modern Turkey – Antioch. In the 7th century, the Arabs renamed it Antakya. The name of the main city of Hatay province has been preserved to this day.
Now the cave in which St. Peter’s Church is located is a museum and is sometimes used for Orthodox worship. Originally it was a small grotto at the base of Mount Stavris, which became the home of the Evangelist Luke. Since the preachers of Christianity in ancient times were persecuted and did not have the opportunity to openly build temples, they gathered in secluded places. It is believed that he preached in the cave churchthe Apostle Peter himself
Both pilgrims and lovers of historical artifacts of another faith will be interested in visiting this place. The interior of the church and the facade have changed a lot since that time. At various times, the building was restored by crusaders, Capuchin monks and the current Turkish authorities. On the floor of the nave of the church, you can still see the remains of the ancient mosaic of the IV-V centuries, as well as fragments of frescoes on the walls and a stone tunnel where sacred water was collected for religious rituals and baptism. Unfortunately, the source is dry, but groundwater is collected in the recess, which is also considered healing. For a small fee, tourists can take it with them.
Flooded city of Khalfeti
Those who are looking for unusual places in Turkey should visit the ancient Assyrian city of Khalfeti, founded in the IX century BC. Here, on the Euphrates coast in Northern Mesopotamia (102 km from Gaziantep), one of the oldest civilizations of the Sumerians was born. Before Khalfeti became part of the Ottoman Empire, the Greeks settled in the city, turning it into a fortress city. In this time interval, the Romans, Arabs and Seljuks owned the city at various times.
Modern tourists come here for the sake of several attractions:
- underwater labyrinth of the old town;
- Rumeli fortress,or Rumkale;
- black rose plantations.
The old part of the city of Khalfeti, which seems to be an oasis of tranquility after megalopolises, went under water 25 years ago as a result of flooding during the construction of a dam. Despite the tragedy, the flooded city is considered a dynamically developing tourist destination. To explore the centuries–old architecture of its streets, to see the minaret towering above the water surface, travelers are offered from a boat, making stops in the most important places – in the city itself on the coast and in the fortress. You can also swim in the waters of the Euphrates.
By the way, those who watched the Turkish TV series “Black Rose” will easily recognize this place, because it was almost completely filmed in Halfeti. The name of the project was not chosen by chance. Unique flowers with naturally dark colored petals grow only in this region.
On a 2-hour walk along the Euphrates, you can see the Rumkale Fortress. During the time of the Ottomans, the fortification was considered an important strategic object. Despite the devastating effects of the elements and military attacks, the fortress towering over the river still looks majestic today.
An important point: The South-east of Turkey scares tourists with the proximity of the Syrian border and the strictness of traditions. And yet, traveling even during Muslim fasts does not cause inconvenience. When planning a trip, keep in mind that you will need a local guide, because English is practically not spoken in the region.
The local popular resort of Kyzylesi
The small town of Kizkalesi in the province of Mersin is a pleasant and peaceful place suitable for relaxing by the sea for not particularly demanding tourists. This place has everything you need for a pleasant and memorable vacation on the Anatolian coast: sandy beaches, architectural historical sights, beautiful nature and a variety of activities.
The region, founded in the IV century BC, like many in Turkey, at different times belonged to different empires: the Roman, Byzantine, Cilician Armenian Kingdom and later the Ottoman Empire. Translated from Turkish, the name of the town translates as “Maiden Castle”. To this day, 2 fortresses have been well preserved in the resort: Korikos and the eponymous citadel of Kizkalesi on the island of Krambus, which is visible from the central beach. Evening lighting gives the building a fabulous look. Next to it there is a small necropolis with tombs and sarcophagi. To explore the fortress, you need to get to it by boat.
The season at the resort starts in May and ends at the end of September. The developed tourist infrastructure allows vacationers to easily find suitable housing (there are large and small hotels, apartments and the private sector).
As entertainment, guests of Kyzylesi are offered to participate in educational adventures:
- karst sinkholes “Hell and Paradise” with an observation deck over the abyss;
- the ancient church of the Virgin Mary dated 5th century;
- jeeping in the national park of Kepryul;
- Asthma cave, which has healing properties;
- ruins of the ancient a Roman city on the territory of the canyon.
Those who are interested in semi-wild and inaccessible places should see the so-called “Antalya Cappadocia” Adam Kayalar. The name of the place in translation means “rock people”. The landmark is a story image carved into the steep cliffs with human figures. The Romans spent about 250 years on the construction of the man-made creation dating back to the II century AD! Unfortunately, there is practically no information about these sculptures. Scientists assume that this is a burial ground. Among the rock reliefs, 11 men, 4 women, 2 children and a dog can be seen.
A separate quest is the path to a group of statues. It is very difficult for people with a fear of heights to do this. To see the sculptures, you will have to descend a steep stone staircase from a 30-meter height.
Saklykent Canyon
The Turkish Saklykent Gorge near Fethiye is a suitable place to go on an extreme journey through the lost world. The name of the canyon, which means “lost city” in Turkish, fully reflects its greatness and monumentality. The height of the rocks here reaches 300 meters in places, and the length is 18 km, and the stormy Eschen River flows along the bottom of the canyon.
The gorge is divided into 4 parts, characterized by difficulty of passage. You can get to Saklykent as part of an excursion group or on your own to walk around the territory at your own pace.
The first route runs along suspension bridges over the turquoise water surface. Even visitors with small children can easily pass it. The walk along the bridges ends with an observation deck with scenic views of mountain waterfalls and local cafes.
People with good physical fitness can go deeper into the canyon a little further. In the main part, they will have to wade through the waters of a raging river with a temperature no higher than 10C even in the height of summer (special shoes, like coral slippers, will be required). The most extreme tourists are offered tubing at a mountain spring.
