4 Popular Cities You Need To Visit When In Turkey

Seated between the Mediterranean and Black seas, Turkey is a beautiful and balmy vacation destination with lots of access to major historical sites, modern metropolitan areas, and plenty of amazing beaches.

Turkey is an amazing place with many major metropolitan areas and more historical sites than you can imagine. The richness of culture, both old and new, is out of this world. Its Mediterranean climate and plentiful access to the coastline make it a great place to get away from city life and relax at the beach.

When you have limited time and money, it’s hard to know what to do in a place with so many options. So read on to learn about the cities that have some of the richest historical value, luxuriousness, or modern amenities.

Bursa – The Ottoman Capital

Bursa is the old seat of the Ottoman Empire. Due to this fact, it is the epicenter of Ottoman historical relics and architecture. There is a lot to do here if you’re interested in history or modern city living.

Located near the city center is the infamous Covered Market. This market is an ancient traditional market and showcases Turkey’s modern street wares and the history of the country.

There are a few major architectural sites that all visitors should visit. These include the Grand Mosque, the Yesil Mosque and Tomb, and Iznik — the location of the first meeting of Nicaea. There are countless buildings and monuments to see. Each provides a glimpse of the diverse culture that makes Turkey the unique gem of the world that it is.

Antalya – The Luxury Getaway

Antalya is a beachfront metro area with a small-town feel. It claims over a million inhabitants and the amenities that come with it, but it is as quiet as a country town. If it’s the historical sites you’re after, it’s also the most convenient city from which to travel to several major archeological sites.

Otherwise, Antalya’s real benefit is its access to some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. Lara beach is located conveniently nearby and has some of the best beach resorts in the country.

You can learn more about Lara Beach’s premium resort at their website. Visiting the beach, going for a swim, and kicking back at a Mediterranean resort are the stuff of dreams.

Istanbul – The Doorway Between Worlds

Istanbul is the ancient city of Constantinople. This famous city is traditionally the gateway between Europe and the near East. Situated on the border of Greece and Turkey, this city used to be the capital city of the Eastern Roman Empire. That’s after it was a major Grecian polis. After a long era of possession by the Byzantines, it was famously sacked by crusaders and subsequently conquered by the Ottomans. At which time it was renamed Istanbul.

All of this history makes it understandable that Istanbul has more historic sites than you can imagine. Sometimes a single building will have been conquered and repurposed by several different great empires throughout its history. Some of the more famous sites include Topkapi Museum, the Aya Sofia, the Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, and the Hippodrome. These sites alone make it one of the most relevant historical cities in the modern world.

There are also countless other museums, churches, mosques, ruins, and historical sites to visit. They’re dotted all over the city, usually, within walking distance of any hotel.

Izmir – A Beacon From the Past

This is a town from the ancient world. Previously known as Smyrna, this city was of major importance to the ancient Greeks. As an easily defended port city with favorable conditions, it was a major hub of commerce and trade. Much of the major architectural ruins are well preserved in the Open Air Museum found within the city. Its location along the coast and between worlds, Izmir was a multi-cultural hub and was visited by travelers from all over the old world. This makes it one of the most interesting and important centers of civilization from that period.

Izmir is also conveniently located near some of the most important historical sites of the country. Namely, Ephesus and Pergamum. These major ruins are visited by archeology hobbyists and tourists looking to expand their perspective about life in ancient times.

Regardless of what you choose, Turkey has many urban centers with countless activities to enjoy. Their metros are a beautiful mix of ancient and modern that anyone can appreciate. This blend of multi-cultural ruins and neon lights makes Turkey one of the most interesting places to visit no matter what your interests are. Whether you’re looking for nice weather, nightlife, or a glimpse into the past, Turkey’s got what you need.