Cities in Turkey

Known For : Hagia Sophia Sultan Ahmed Mosque Topkapi Palace

Although not the official capital of Turkey, Istanbul is still very much the heart of all activities in the country. It is Turkey's largest and most populated city and also the centre of tourism. Istanbul is located on both sides of the Bosphorus and thus lies in both Europe and Asia.

Best Time: March to May or September to November (Spring or Autumn)

102 Istanbul Attractions

Known For : Kaleici Konyaalti Beach Roman Harbour

Antalya is one of the oldest yet most modern cities in Turkey. It is located in the southwestern region and is bordered by the Tauras Mountains. Antalya is famous as a Turkish resort city since it is home to several stunning beaches flanked by large and luxurious Las Vegas style resorts. It is as popular with couples looking for a romantic getaway as it is with families looking for an unforgettable trip.

Best Time: April to December

42 Antalya Attractions

Known For : Kemeralti Market Kizlaragasi Hani Agora Open Air Museum

Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey (after Istanbul and Ankara) and the second biggest port. It is a modern metropolitan with a developed and busy city centre surrounded by a large bay. Located on the coast of the Aegean sea, Izmir is known for its beaches and watersports.

Best Time: October to June

36 Izmir Attractions

Known For : Fethiye Old Town Amyntas Rock Tombs Paragliding in Fethiye

Fethiye is a port city located on the Turquoise Coast of Turkey. Known for its natural harbor and turquoise blue waters, Fethiye is situated around 144 kms away from Antalya in the Aegean region of Turkey. Several rock tombs and beachfront promenades make for tourist spots in the city. The postcard-worthy backdrop of Fethiye, with dense forests, blue coastline and smaller islands nearby, make the city a perfect destination for a beachy holiday.

Best Time: July to Oct

19 Fethiye Attractions

Known For : Bodrum Castle Bodrum Museum Of Underwater Archaeology Gumbet Beach

Bodrum is a beach town nestled in the Bodrum peninsula along the southwestern Aegean Coast. Located opposite the Greek island of Kos, the city is known for its marinas and beaches. One of the most popular vacation destinations in Turkey, Bodrum enjoys close proximity to Izmir, located around 230 kms from it. It is an ideal getaway for people who prefer beach vacations, with its quaint and turquoise blue waters.

Best Time: August to November

23 Bodrum Attractions

Known For : Ankara Castle Roman Baths of Ankara Anitkabir

Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the second largest city after Istanbul. It is located in the centre of the Anatolian region and is known to be the nation's administrative centre. It is home to many well-preserved Roman and Ottoman relics scattered throughout the city.

Best Time: April to June and September to November

36 Ankara Attractions

Known For : Marmaris Castle and Archeology Museum Marmaris Old Town Marmaris Marina

The port city of Marmaris is located at Mugla Province on the Mediterranean Coast in South-west Turkey. It is situated on a mountain-ringed bay, opposite the famous Greek island Rhodes. Known for its isolated bays, luxury hotels and resorts and stunning coastline that extends into picturesque valleys, it is a popular holiday town for water lovers along the Aegean coast.

Best Time: June to September

36 Marmaris Attractions

Known For : Mevlana Museum Whirling Dervish Ceremony Konya Karatay Medresesi

Considered to be one of the first residential cities of the world, Konya is a town in the Central Anatolia region in Turkey, towards the south of Ankara. Konya houses numerous mosques and museums and is most popular for the Mevlana Museum, housing the Mevlana tomb. It is also the best place in Turkey to experience the Whirling Dervishes ceremony.

Best Time: April to September

25 Konya Attractions

Known For : Ilica Beach Cesme Marina Cesme Castle

Surrounded by the Aegean Sea, Alacati is a coastal town in Turkey. Nestled in the Cesme peninsula, this charming-old Greek town is popular for its vineyards, windmills and the sea. It is studded with natural stone houses with alcove windows and vibrantly coloured doors. Just a stoneÍs throw from Izmir, Alacati has an interesting history dating back to the 17th century and was recognised as a historical site in 2005.

Best Time: June to September

8 Alacati Attractions

Known For : Trabzon Castle Boztepe Tea Garden Sera Lake

Located on the Black Sea coast of northeastern Turkey, Trabzon is a city with an epic history. Known for its distinctive churches, mosques and natural marvels, Trabzon, formerly known as Trebizond, is the second-largest city in the Black coast region. Trabzon is an excellent place to travel to for admirers of nature, history and architecture.

Best Time: March to May and September to November

16 Trabzon Attractions

Known For : Alanya Castle Red Tower Cable Car Alanya

Alanya is a resort town in the Turkish Riviera, located around 124 kms from Antalya. Alanya is an excellent destination for travelers who seek solitude and a hustle-free countryside trip. It is the perfect blend of medieval history and touristy spots with its turquoise beaches and ancient ruins.

Best Time: Feb to May, Sep to Dec

20 Alanya Attractions

Known For : Cesme Marina Cesme Castle Gulet Boat Trip in Cesme

The Turkish coastal town of Cesme is located on the Aegean coast towards the west of Izmir. It is located 89 km from Izmir in Turkey and very close to the Greek island of Chios. Surrounded by crystal blue seas, Cesme is one of the most magnificent stretches in Turkey and a popular holiday resort town. Studded with fig and gum trees and lush green fields of aniseed and golden sand beaches, Cesme's unspoilt beach promenades offer solitude and peace. It is the third best surfing resort in the world.

Best Time: June to September

12 Cesme Attractions

Known For : Grand Mosque of Bursa Koza Han Green Mosque Bursa

Also known as the Green Bursa, Bursa is situated at the foothills of Mount Uludag in Anatolia's Marmara region. Bursa is one of Turkey's most important historical cities, with a rich Ottoman history. It is known for its picturesque parks and gardens, vintage Ottoman houses and ornate tombs of Sultans. Bursa was awarded the UNESCO World Heritage status for being the birthplace of the Ottoman Empire.

Best Time: November to March

20 Bursa Attractions

Known For : Maiden's Castle Mersin Marina Forum Mall Mersin

Located 380 kms from Antara, Mersin is a port city on the Mediterranean coast of southern Turkey. The largest seaport in Turkey, Mersin is a significant economic city of the region; and is rightly regarded as the ïPearl of the MediterraneanÍ. With the most extended seashore in the entirety of the Mediterranean region, Mersin has been beaming with skyscrapers, hotels, opera houses and other urban amenities in the past decade.

Best Time: June to Oct

12 Mersin Attractions

Known For : Phaselis Kemer Beach Mount Chimaera

Kemer is a seaside resort town on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, at the foothills of the Taurus Mountain. Known for its panoramic views of pine trees, golden sand beaches, and lush green valleys, Kemer is located 32 kms from Antalya, a popular holiday destination.

Best Time: June to September

12 Kemer Attractions

Known For : Ladies Beach Ephesus Kusadasi Castle

The beach resort town of Kusadasi is located on the Aegean Coast in Turkey. Located 95 km ride from Izmir, the island of Kusadasi is known for its stunning turquoise sparkling waters, sandy beaches and large marinas. This major cruise destination is also the gateway to historical ruins in Ephesus, an ancient town in the surrounding areas.

Best Time: June to Oct

34 Kusadasi Attractions

Known For : Adana Stone Bridge Adana Central Park Sabanci Central Mosque

The city of Adana is situated on the banks of the Seyhan River, around 35 kms from the northeastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Housing vast Cilician Plains, Adana is the fourth largest and one of the most populous places in Turkey. It is not a major tourist location in Turkey, but it is frequented by tourists on extended vacations in the country.

Best Time: Mar to June, Oct to Nov

14 Adana Attractions

Goreme, nestled within volcanic rock formations, serves as the entrance to Goreme National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring ancient cave churches dating back to the 10th and 11th centuries. This area is renowned for its unique chimney rock formations and attracts backpackers. Besides its natural beauty, Goreme is a wonderful place to savor Turkish cuisine and local wines.