Grand Tour of Turkey

East meets West in a vibrant crescendo of history, culture, and cuisine, making Istanbul an unmissable destination.

Sitting on the European bank of the mighty Bosphorus, this 19C palace is an extravagant mix of styles and lavish decor.

One of Istanbul's top sights, the magnificent interior of this former basilica is laden with fine Byzantine mosaics and designs.

Get lost hunting for treasures and trinkets among the bustling market stalls of the Grand Bazaar - truly a world of its own!

A fairy tale in the middle of a modern city, this stunning castle is enveloped in legend and history, and took 500 years to build.

Escape Istanbul's busy streets on these idyllic islands, dotted with picturesque villas, historic buildings, and lovely beaches.

A favorite retreat of locals, this nature park engulfs gorgeous forests and a small village with a fascinating history.

Still in use today, this majestic 17C mosque is known for its sea of grand domes, six slender minarets and beautiful interior.

Soak up centuries of history as you explore the old town's lively streets, historic mosques, palaces and thronging markets.

A must for art-lovers, with exhibitions on Turkish modern art, as well as works from some of the world's best contemporary artists.

The hip, lively district of Beyoglu is the place to go for fantastic eats, drinks, shopping and trendy guesthouses.

A great national park located in Western Anatolia, boasting a wide diversity of flora and fauna species, as well as a rich habitat.

A village comprised of 270 architecturally significant houses dating to the Ottoman Empire, home to a wonderful ethnography museum.

Art-lovers and historians should head here for the fine collections of Ottoman calligraphy, paintings and historic artifacts.

Sitting beautifully atop one of Istanbul's hills, this majestic 16C mosque is one of the city's most revered.

A wander through this cavernous underground cistern, built in the 6C for the Byzantine emperor, is an atmospheric experience.

A waterside district, which has long been a melting pot of culture and religion, now hosts great galleries, cafes and nightlife.

The perfect destination for a day trip, this fresh water lake is a gem of natural beauty and offers many fun activities for all ages.

Dubbed "The Bird Paradise", this park is a thriving migration stop for birds and is the perfect destination for bird-watching.

The Ottoman craftwork of the 17C imperial pavilion has recently been restored to its former beauty.

Taking some 60 years to complete, the domed exterior of this 17C mosque has since become a fixture of the city's skyline.

Stunning ancient coffins, statues and other artifacts reveal the magnificent artistic and cultural heritage of the city and region.

Once part of the palace gardens, this large park in the Yildiz Quarter offers shady pathways, picnic spots and peaceful greenery.

A wonderful national park, with a unique ecosystem made up of marshlands, swamps, lakes and coastal sand dunes.

Dating to 8C BC, this city boasts a variety of well-preserved Roman ruins, as well as remnants from the Ottoman and other periods.

Now a museum, this 11C church houses some of the world's finest examples of Byzantine frescoes and mosaic work.

The lush greenery, placid ponds, and colorful flowers of this city park make it popular with locals and visitors alike.

Wander peacefully and picnic among the flowers and trees of these former palatial gardens, now one of the city's oldest parks.

Get a taste for Turkey's fine architectural heritage through the vast array of scaled-down models at this open-air attraction.

Known for its pottery-making industry, this historic lakeside town also boasts ancient sites and recreational activities.

Now a bustling industrial metropolis, the Ottoman empire's first major capital is full of history, markets, parks and attractions.

Wander the historic streets of Bursa, haggle at old bazaars, dig in to Turkish treats and discover treasures of the Ottoman era.

A peaceful complex containing tree-lined gardens, historical graves and the mosque of Sultan Murat II who ruled for 30 years.

The large botanical garden offers a peaceful place to wander among flora from around Turkey and the world.

Built for the Ottoman Empire's fifth sultan, this hexagonal mausoleum stands among leafy cypress trees.

A great national park located in Western Anatolia, boasting a wide diversity of flora and fauna species, as well as a rich habitat.

Escape Istanbul's busy streets on these idyllic islands, dotted with picturesque villas, historic buildings, and lovely beaches.

Completed in 1399, this huge mosque is an impressive and lasting monument to the beginnings of the Ottoman empire.

A grand 14C bazaar which harks back to the days when Bursa was one of the last stops on the ancient Silk Road.

Erected in honor of the sultan's son-in-law, this 14C mosque has since been rebuilt in a baroque Ottoman style.

A significant early-Ottoman mosque, built by Orhan, one of of the founders of the Ottoman Empire.

A village comprised of 270 architecturally significant houses dating to the Ottoman Empire, home to a wonderful ethnography museum.

Dubbed "The Bird Paradise", this park is a thriving migration stop for birds and is the perfect destination for bird-watching.

A UNESCO-listed town, known for its easy-going atmosphere and significant ancient ruins.

Soak up the city's rich history among the peaceful cobbled lanes and traditional Ottoman dwellings of the old town.

This ancient temple and medical center was dedicated to the god of healing and offered herbal treatments, mud baths, and therapy.

The crumbling red ruins of this massive temple, built by the Romans almost 2000 years ago, are still an impressive sight.

Marvel at the expansive ruins of this huge Roman archaeological site, beautifully located with fantastic views of the region.

Surrounded by sea and mountains, the large port city of Izmir is becoming known for its lively, forward-thinking cultural scene.

Turkey's most famous historic site, this ancient city dates to 10C BC and is home to several illustrious archaeological findings.

The city's museum boasts a fine collection of Greek, Roman and Byzantine stonework, some dating back well over 2000 years.

Take some time to relax at this authentic 16C Turkish bathhouse.

The peaceful pace of life and pleasant whitewashed abodes of this old Aegean fishing town make it a popular getaway spot.

A seaside resort among ruins of an ancient city, famed for its Temple of Athena built in the Doric style, as well as fine beaches.

A city famous for its archaeological sites and unique natural attractions, including hot springs and mineral water terraces.

Promising a phenomenal experience, these terraced thermal pools are created from carbonate minerals.

Wander the serene streets of this city center, where history and natural beauty intertwine into an authentic Turkish experience.

Built atop hot springs in use since the 2C BC, this ancient ruined city retains well preserved historically significant structures.

Visit this ancient city, home to a well preserved Temple of Aphrodite, relics from a school of sculpture, and a beautiful theater.

Hike through these majestic forested mountains up to the summits for a chance to see their snowy peaks and amazing scenery.

Preserved ruins of an ancient city, with theaters, temples, a stadium, and other buildings which testify to its former grandeur.

Blending Greek, Roman, and Byzantine architecture, this ancient city boasts a theater with remarkable friezes, a library, and more.

Turkey's most famous historic site, this ancient city dates to 10C BC and is home to several illustrious archaeological findings.

The perfect mix of old and new, this busy city boasts ancient architecture and culture, along with a thriving modern university.

Wander through this exciting city, taking in the ancient sites, while enjoying the young university atmosphere.

A unique archaeological museum, home to a wide range of artifacts, including the skeleton of a little girl, jewelry, and pottery.

The prefect place to relax while exploring the city, enjoy this park, home to Japanese architecture and plants.

Learn about the life and works of Persian Sufi mystic Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi at this mausoleum.

A national park in a historically significant region, famed for the Beysehir Lake set in its heart and dotted with over 30 isles.

A wonderful experience for all ages, this science center offers interactive learning activities, a planetarium, a cafe, and more.

Dedicated to the history and culture of the region, this excellent museum is known for its collection of Turkish rugs.

Formerly a Christian basilica, the church itself dates to the 11C, with most of today's design being from the Ottoman period.

Formerly a 13C religiously focused schoolhouse, this ancient building now exhibits a beautiful collection of Seljuk tiles.

Stroll through this charming park, enjoy the greenery and admire the historic sites dotted throughout.

Important to those who appreciate Dervish culture and teachings, this is the final resting place of Rumi's teacher, Semsi Tebrizi.

Now home to the Museum of Stone and Wood Art, this building originally served as a 13C Islamic school.

Constructed in the 20C, this stone house was used as the governor's office and now serves as a museum dedicated to Ataturk.

Dating to the 17C, this double minaret mosque features a mixture of Baroque and traditional Ottoman architecture.

Favored by travelers, the town boasts boutique hotels and great nightlife along with cave dwellings and quaint handicraft shops.

Discover the genuine charm of a Cappadocian town as you explore the twisting alleys, seeking out traditional handcrafted souvenirs.

Famed for its uncanny rock formations shaped like mushroom-topped fairy chimneys, this valley offers a glimpse into another world.

Offering stunning landscape shaped over centuries by erosion, this national park is home to rock hewn villages dating to the 4C.

Over 200 villages of cavernous dwellings are carved into the rock formations of this region, evoking its millennia-long history.

A small village of stone-carved houses, famed for a surrealistically beautiful citadel set on the highest point in Cappadocia.

Spanning several subterranean levels, this underground city dates to the 8C BC and serves as a superb remnant of Byzantine ingenuity.

Visitors can see the Roman Bath Section, Agora, The Basilica and The Bouleterion buildings in this ancient Roman village.

Often overlooked, Turkey's second largest city and capital is dynamic, cultured and teeming with lively spots to explore.

Culture, cafes and modern art from across Europe are fast making this one-time train depot the cultural hotspot of the city.

One of the world's largest, this young but impressive mosque has become an emblem for Ankara.

Get a taste for Turkey's rich and complex history through the artifacts of this excellent museum.

Sitting atop a rocky mound, the city's historic center is a great place to wander, keeping an eye out for ancient relics and ruins.

Stroll through this rejuvenated historical district, admiring the traditional architecture and browsing in shops.

Get a taste for Turkey's rich artistic history through the fine collection of paintings and sculptures here.

A must for most Turks, the impressive mausoleum of modern Turkey's founder is also home to museums and a huge courtyard.

This 15C mosque was built to honor a Muslim religious figure and poet. It is one of the most admired in the city.