City: Turkey
Top Things to do in Turkey
Top Hotels in Turkey
- 1. Romance Istanbul Hotel
- 2. Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus
- 3. Concorde De Luxe Resort
- 4. Lara Barut Collection
- 5. Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center
- 6. Hotel Yasmak Sultan
- 7. White House Hotel Istanbul
- 8. Kayakapi Premium Caves - Cappadocia
- 9. Swissotel The Bosphorus, Istanbul
- 10. Hotel Sultania
Countries
10 Ancient Ruins in Turkey That You Shouldn't Miss
Turkey (Turkish: Türkiye [ˈtyɾcije]), officially the Republic of Turkey (Turkish: Türkiye Cumhuriyeti [ˈtyɾcije d͡ʒumˈhuɾijeti] ( listen)), is a transcontinental country in Eurasia, mainly in Anatolia in Western Asia, with a smaller portion on the Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. Turkey is bordered by eight countries with Greece and Bulgaria to the northwest; Georgia to the northeast; Armenia, the Azerbaijan and Iran to the east; and Iraq and Syria to the south. The country is encircled by seas on three sides with the Aegean Sea to the west, the Black Sea to the north, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. The Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles, which together form the Turkish Straits, divide Thrace and Anatolia and separate Europe and Asia. Ankara is the capital while Istanbul is the country's largest city and main cultural and commercial centre, classified as a leading global city.
Restaurants in Turkey
1. Mount Nemrut
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 552 reviews
Reviewed By ninad901 - Adiyaman, Turkey
We went by car and the road was so scary till we reached up the hill , after we took the service bus to reach a special area from where we had to walk on a very long stairs it was nice but hot weather . It's hard for kids to do it but my daughter did it . You can see how big those rocks are and very high. You must ask when the next bus is otherwise you have to wait . That time was every half an hour. Too many local people go there for sport to refresh their selves . There is a restaurant idea cream some food and cold drinks .
2. Zeugma Mosaic Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,100 reviews
Reviewed By shireenweston - Antalya, Turkey
Imagine you’re living in a sumptuous Roman villa, in the 2nd century AD, in the city of Zeugma ( close to Gaziantep in South Eastern Turkey ). Imagine the brilliant artists and mosaic makers who would cover the entire floor area of your villa with fabulous mosaics like these. Then, centuries pass, and these villas with all the wealth of their art works get buried. Fast forward to the 20th century when the whole district around Zeugma became a dam creating project to supply water to south eastern Turkey. As the area started to be flooded, archaeologists from all over the world rushed into Turkey to excavate the area as quickly as possible. And fortunately, they were just in time to save these fantastic mosaics for the world. So now, we can all go to the Zeugma Museum in the gorgeous city of Gaziantepe to gaze with wonder on these works. A very moving experience. Do go!
3. Patara Ruins
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 398 reviews
Much of the city of Patara remains buried in sand, which has helped to preserve many of the ruins. Of particular interest are the Amphitheatre, Necropolis and the monumental gate or Arch of Triumph.
Reviewed By Peter_Ingamells - Hampshire, United Kingdom
Within a short walk from Gelemiş, right on the Lycian Way, lies the ruins of Patara. Much restoration work has been completed and some is ongoing. The key features are the great entrance gate, the assembly hall, the amphitheatre and the main street
4. Muradiye Complex
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 118 reviews
This complex located within a park in the city center was constructed by Sultan Murat II between 1424 and 1426 and was composed of a mosque, theology school, hamam and 12 tombs.
Reviewed By NicJBoston - Brookline, United States
Do not on any account miss a visit to Muradiye while in Bursa - only a short taxi ride away. The complex is not the only attraction there, but it comprises a museum in an old madrasa and a huge outdoor collection of tombstones as well as the dozen or so mausoleums themselves. These are mostly - and spectacularly - painted inside, with fine new painting following that discovered on the original walls. Free.
5. Knidos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,054 reviews
Reviewed By Olga_Lin - Moscow, Russia
An ancient city in a beautiful place. Although from afar it seems pretty small but since you're in the site you realize how actually big for that time the city was. There's not much left of it but even the stones that still remain give an impression how well designed Knidos was. The harbour is something amazing. They used the natural bays and improved the safety for ships with walls both sides, west and east. There's also a lighthouse at the point, it's a bit of a walk but worthy every step. Gorgeous views from the path and from the hill.
6. Kaunos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,162 reviews
The remains of ancient Kaunos include a Roman thater, a Byzantine basilica, the Roman bath, and the rock tombs.
Reviewed By inflexible85 - Canakkale, Turkey
Although I do not have the opportunity to visit here, our historical values, I can see them during the boat tour in the Dalyan River. They are eye-catching rock tombs that are said to be 2400 years old on the slopes of the ancient city of Kaunos overlooking the river. Famous for these tombs, The Caunos Ancient City of Caunos host thousands of visitors every year. There were also boat tours from Dalyan and the journey took 10 minutes. This ancient city is also on the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List.
7. Perge Ancient City
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,743 reviews
The historical site of Perge, 18 kilometers east of Turkey, holds the vast remains of what was once the most propserous city of the ancient world. Enter by passing through the arch of the Roman Gate to be greeted by an amphitheater, the Hellenistic Gate (quite well preserved) and richly decorated remains of the city wall and much more.
Reviewed By Metaldread
Perge is great. In fact it was captured by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC. Then it became a has-been when the river serving the bustling port silted up leaving the harbour 12k from the sea, about as useful as a lighthouse in the desert. The Romans left and nothing else happened until excavations began in 1947 and this gem of a city was slowly revealed. Excavations and reconstruction work continue to this day. I last visited in 2011 since when the North Gate, a major East-West colonaded street and a nymphonium have been opened along with access to the Acropolis on top of the hill. It boasts a Triumphal Arch, 14k seat amphitheatre and 12k seat stadium, marble-columned colonades, decorative fountains and a waterway cascading down the main street. It's better appointed than most present-day High Streets. Highly recommended if you are in Antalya.
8. Aspendos Ruins and Theater
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,215 reviews
The best-known attraction among the ruins of Aspendos is the great theater, an amazingly well preserved vestige of Roman architecture that may be as impressive as Rome's own Colosseum.
Reviewed By ramilk2013 - Moscow, Russia
We have visited various historical sites in the Antalya region and can say that the Aspendos amphitheater is the best preserved. This is a wonderful place for cultural enlightenment and walking through the archaeological monuments of the ancient city. I note that most of the city and its facilities are located on a hill, where not everyone goes. If you have baby strollers, then unfortunately you couldn't go to the aqueduct, you should take a baby stretcher.
9. Iznik
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 246 reviews
Iznik is a quiet village near Bursa that was a major pottery center during the Ottoman Empire. It's still well-known for beautiful pottery in the Ottoman style and for the ancient walls that still mostly surround the city. It's a few hours' drive from Istanbul, but the trip can be made shorter—and more entertaining—by hopping a ferry to Yalova and driving from there.
Reviewed By 1973LYS - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Lovely small city with rich history especially with the connection with Council of Nicaea (or some wrote Nicea). I visited Iznik from Istanbul by taking IDO Ferry from Yenikapi to Yalova. From Yalova IDO ferry stop, on the right side from IDO pier there is a bus / minibus terminal where I took dolmus to Iznik. As of April 2021 dolmus Yalova to Iznik costed me 22 Turkish lira about 1 hour-ish drive. The dolmus dropped all passengers in the junction where Aya Sophia Mosque is located. I explored the city in two days time. I refer to the website of The Byzantine Legacy as my web-guide. The places I visited were: Hagia Sophia, 5 gates (Lefke Gates + Hadrian Aquaduct, Istanbul or Constantinope Gates, Southern Gate, Southwestern Gate, and ruins of Lake Gate), Iznik Museum, Roman Theatre with ruins of "Church B", ruins of "Church C", ruins of "Church of Koimesis and Bocek Hagiasma - actually almost nothing much, Palace of the Senate "Senato Sarayi", and from far distance "underwater" Basilica. All by walking and it's small city. And not to forget to enjoy the view of sun set in Iznik Lake.
10. Xanthos Antik Kenti
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 541 reviews
Xanthos was the capital city of the Lycian Federation and its greatest city for most of Lycian history.
Reviewed By RedHeadPeter - London, United Kingdom
There are numerous historic sites along the mediterranean coast of Turkey that you might choose to visit - Xanthos can be combined with a trip to Letoon. Xanthos has a well preserved theatre, some fascinating Lycian tombs and the remains of a Roman street. Well worth a visit.
