Turkey tourist attractions: what to see in Turkey

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Turkey is a country located between two continents, Europe and Asia, and has always been a meeting point, and also of confrontation, between different cultures. The most famous city in the country is Istanbul. Who began as Byzantium in the 7th century BC and became Constantinople in 330 AD, to be called Istanbul starting from 1453. The city is the symbol of modern and past Turkey, a city where east and west meet and merge. Turkey tourist attractions are many and all truly amazing.

WHAT TO SEE IN TURKEY: THE SEA

Turkey has become one of the most visited countries in the world by tourists. This is also due to its seaside resorts located along the Aegean sea, such as Kuşadası, Marmaris and Bodrum, and along the Mediterranean sea such as Antalya, Finike, Fethiye, Anamur, Silifke and Alanya.

WHAT TO SEE IN TURKEY: ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

The country is renowned for its historical and archaeological sites. Archaeological Turkey pivots on places of the Hittite civilization, such as the capital Hattusa. But also especially on almost mythological sites such as the ancient city of Troy, and on the wonderful Greek and then Roman cities of the Aegean coast, such as the ruins of Ephesus, Pergamum, Halicarnassus, Didyma, Magnesia, Miletus, Priene. While further inland there are the archaeological sites of Sardis, Hierapolis and Aphrodisias.

Along the southern Turkish coast, the one that overlooks the Mediterranean sea, there are other ancient Greek-Roman cities with fascinating archaeological remains. Among them ancient cities such as Xanthos, Aspendos, Perge, Termessos and Myra.

In the interior of Anatolia the fascinating statues of the temple of Antiochus the kings of Commagene on the top of Nemrut Dağı, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are one of the most suggestive destinations among the tourist attractions of Turkey.

WHAT TO SEE IN TURKEY: BYZANTINE ART

Byzantine art that reaches its peak with the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, is visible in many places in Turkey. Especially in places like the churches of Binbirkilise in the province of Karaman, in the remains of the city of Nicea, in the walls of Diyarbakır, in the churches of Trebizond. But first of all in the suggestive cave churches of Cappadocia near Göreme. These churches are set in a suggestive and unique landscape which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

WHAT TO SEE IN TURKEY: ISLAMIC ART

The Seljuk domination, with the palaces and mosques of Konya and Sivas, and then the Ottoman Empire. The most recent and deepest domination that has left important testimonies in almost every Turkish city. First of all, of course, Istanbul, with the Suleymaniye Mosque (Süleymaniye Camii), the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii), the Topkapı Palace, and the Sehzade Mosque (Şehzade Camii). But also in cities like Edirne with the Selimiye Mosque (Selimiye Camii), the great Mosque and the Divriği Hospital, the mosques of the city of Bursa, the buildings of the city of Safranbolu. The Ottomans also left buildings such as carvanserais, bazaars and baths who entered in the Turkish way of life.

Turkey also has a rich and varied natural landscape. Among the most beautiful places are the natural landscapes of the Taurus mountains and the Anatolian plateau. Here there are natural wonders often unique in the world such as the rock formations of Cappadocia, the limestone terraces of Pamukkale, the scenic Lake Van with its volcanic peaks, and Mount Ararat, where according to tradition, Noah’s ark landed.

The climate of Turkey.

Website of the Tourist Office of Turkey.

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