Turkey City Guide
21 city and resort guides across Turkey, grouped by region, each with attractions, local food and practical tips.
⭐ Popular destinationsAegean coastMediterranean coast
⭐ Popular destinations
Istanbul
Istanbul sits on both sides of the Bosphorus, the strait separating Europe and Asia. As Constantinople it was capital to the Byzantine and …
33 things to do
Ankara
Türkiye's capital: Anıtkabir, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, the old castle quarter and day trips to Gordion.
Full guide
Fethiye
Fethiye occupies the site of ancient Telmessos, and Lycian rock tombs still overlook its harbor. The Blue Lagoon at Ölüdeniz, one of Turkey'…
8 things to do
Antalya
Antalya anchors Turkey's Mediterranean holiday coast and has one of the country's busiest airports. The old harbor district of Kaleiçi keeps…
17 things to do
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a volcanic region of central Turkey where erosion cut the soft rock into valleys, cones, and cliffs. People carved homes, c…
10 things to do
İzmir
İzmir spreads around a wide gulf on the Aegean coast and is Turkey's third-largest city. The Kemeraltı bazaar has traded on the same streets s…
City guide
Bodrum
Bodrum stands on the site of ancient Halicarnassus, home of the Mausoleum that counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The 15th…
10 things to do
Marmaris
Marmaris fills a deep bay ringed by pine-covered mountains, near where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean. Its marina is one of the largest…
8 things to do
Pamukkale
Thermal springs built Pamukkale's white travertine terraces over thousands of years; the Turkish name means Cotton Castle. The Greco-Roman…
City guide
Kaş
Kaş grew from a Greek fishing village called Andifli, and Lycian sarcophagi still stand in its old town streets. Divers rate the surrounding wat…
City guide
Kars
The ghost city of Ani, Russian-era basalt streets, famous cheese and snowy winters at the end of the Eastern Express.
Full guide
Erzurum
A high, cold city of Seljuk monuments, Palandöken skiing, Tortum Waterfall and cağ kebabı.
Full guideAegean coast
More towns, grouped by region.
Datça
A quiet peninsula where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean, with stone villages, clear bays, almond groves and the ruins of Knidos at its tip…
City guide
Akyaka
A slow town on the Gulf of Gökova, with the crystal-clear Azmak river, wooden Ula-style houses and afternoon winds loved by kitesurfers…
City guide
Dalyan
River boats, royal rock tombs, mud baths and İztuzu turtle beach, near Fethiye.
New guide
Göcek
A quiet yachting village on the Gulf of Fethiye: the 12 Islands boat trip, gulet charters and pine-fringed coves.
Full guideMediterranean coast
Kalkan
A whitewashed harbour village of rooftop restaurants and private-pool villas, close to Kaputaş beach and the sands of Patara.
Full guide
Kemer
Mountains meet the sea: clear pebble beaches, ancient Phaselis, Göynük Canyon and the cable car up Tahtalı.
Full guide
Belek
Luxury all-inclusive resorts and Turkey’s golf capital, close to Aspendos and Antalya Airport.
Full guide
Side
A beach resort inside an ancient harbour city, with the Temple of Apollo at sunset and long sandy beaches.
Full guide
Alanya
A Seljuk castle on a rocky headland, Cleopatra Beach, sea caves, boat trips and a long sunny season.
Full guideCard photos via Wikimedia Commons: REHBER0770, CC BY-SA 4.0; Ad Meskens, CC BY-SA 3.0; Slyronit, CC BY-SA 4.0; Sakhalinio, CC BY-SA 4.0; MilenaBal, CC BY-SA 4.0; Francisco Anzola, CC BY 2.0; Aw58, CC BY-SA 4.0; Antoine Taveneaux, CC BY-SA 3.0. Full credits on each guide page; Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0; Engin Mutlu 58, CC BY-SA 4.0; Panegyrics of Granovetter, CC BY-SA 2.0.