Things to do in Turkey, Turkey: The Best Cultural Tours

October 28, 2021 Janean Rudisill

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. Blue Mosque & Topkapi Palace Private Tour

Atmeydanı Caddesi, Alemdar, Atmeydanı Cd., Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey Withlocals
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

Ready for a cultural awakening? Step into the beautiful Blue Mosque and check out a palace to see how every culture celebrates its beliefs in Istanbul. And for the local touch: enjoy a tasty pastry & have some tea. Get ready to be enlightened and come with a desire to discover!

Inclusions: Private Tour, Local Guide, Coffee and/or Tea

Exclusions: Hotel Pickup & drop off, Extra food & drinks

Reviewed By Liam_617_A

Amazing experience and great way to experience some of the best food Istanbul has to offer. I did this trip on my second day in the city and it was a great way to get oriented. I found myself returning to many of the hidden gems that my guide Alper pointed out during the remaining days of my trip.

2. Pamukkale Small Group Tour From Kusadasi

Peron Tour Kusadasi/Turkey
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5.0 based on 13 reviews

In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel, after that the tour will begin. Pamukkale, listed as a World Heritage Sides by UNESCO. The white beauty of Pamukkale has happened after warm tears of nature, as if the beauty of white pearl on Cleaopatra’s chest has been the inspiration for these art work of nature. This unique calcium terraces and pools with hot spring water will amaze you as you walk barefoot on the vast white beauty. Hireapolis, “Holy City” or “Hierapolis” evangelized by Paul and Epaphras. Also the Apostle Philip lived and burried here. Also, we visit Odeon, Roman Baths and Theatre. If you’ve already visited the ruins of Hierapolis and the Roman theater, this is the next logical stop for anyone with a fairly lively interest in Roman archeology. In the end of the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Inclusions: Entrance Fees, Professional Tour Guide, Lunch, Hotel Pick Up & Drop Off, A/C Mercedes Sprinter

Exclusions: Drinks, Personal Expenses, Driver & Guide Tips – Gratitue, Entrance Fee of Cleopatra's Pool

Reviewed By 910andreeaa

Wonderful trip, very well organized and a great guide who helped us undrrstand the places and their history. Highly recommended

3. Cappadocia: 3 Days City Break

Kusadasi Tour Company
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Discover Cappadocia; The land of Beautiful horses and the home of fairy chimneys. Visit Goreme Open Air Museum, Devrent Valley and Pasabag. Walk around the fairy chimneys and see the first cave houses of early Christians. Enjoy a panoramic view of Göreme from one of the best panorama point, See the rock-cut houses and churches of Cavusin the historical Christian greek town and experience the life of the locals, enjoy a panoramic view of the pigeon valley, visit underground cities of early Christians and see rock-cut churches and storage rooms. Learn the history of the region from your expert local guide, experience make pottery from local experts, tasty typical Turkish food in a local restaurant.

Inclusions: Lunch, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, 2 night accommodation in Cappadocia, Meal plan as mentioned in the itinerary, Admission fees for all sightseeings mentioned in the itinerary, Transfer services from/to airports on private basis. , Land transportation by air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicle

Exclusions: Tip to guides&drivers, Personal Expenses, Beverages with Meals

Reviewed By Luis R

We had a wonderful day! a great experience in pamukkale with our guide. Gonca or rosita is a love of person, a being who loves his work and is very professional, his smile and his way of explaining us is unique, he makes us live the story, he is very affectionate and sincere. We also got a good price. We are leaving happy and in a next trip we will not hesitate to hire tours with you and always with Rosita as a guide. I will recommend to my friends from Colombia who are next to come. Thank you.

4. Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Dance Shows

Istanbul Bosphorus Tours
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5.0 based on 29 reviews

Begin your 3-hours Bosphorus dinner cruise with either a coach pickup from your hotel or join your guide at the port. Then, board your festive boat for a sightseeing cruise of the Bosphorus Strait and see the monument-laden European and Asian coastlines. To help you settle in, grab a complimentary drink from the cabin bar, and then pick your favorite viewpoint to gaze out at Istanbul’s stunning monuments. Enjoy this exciting performance of music and dancing which sheds light on the city’s Anatolian culture. As the show picks up, get ready for classic belly dancing with playful twists and shakes enjoyed by all. Once the show is over, spend the last few minutes admiring the sparkling city as your boat arrives at the port. Next, either head back to your hotel by coach or continue your evening from here at your leisure.

Inclusions: Rich Ordovr Plate,The speciality of the day, Meatball, Grilled chicken or Grilled Fish, Salad, Seasonal Fresh Fruits,Soft Drinks (with 10 euro extra, you can include unlimited local alcoholic drinks), Air-conditioned vehicle, Two ways hotels transfers from centrally located hotels, 3-Hours boat cruise on double deck boat, Great Turkish night shows including whirling dervishes and folk dances, Turkish belly dance shows

Exclusions: Alcoholic beverages (can be purchased at the cash bar)

Reviewed By donSly_

its sos beautiful this bosphorus and the houses on the twi sides are very impressive and expensive. Boat tour was amazing

5. Best of Istanbul: 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Tour

Guided Istanbul Tours
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5.0 based on 1,025 reviews

Visit top-sights of Istanbul with your private family and kid friendly tour guide in 1-2 or 3 days; DAY-1 Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, German Fountain, Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace. DAY-2 Spice Market, Bosphorus Cruise, Dolmabahce Palace, Istiklal Street, Cicek Passage, Galata Tower(from outside).  DAY-3 Suleymaniye Mosque, Chora Church, Fener-Balat Districts, Iron Church, Pierre Lotti Panorama Hill by Cable Car.

Inclusions: Private tour, Professional local guide

Exclusions: Museum/Attraction Tickets, Transportation from/back to hotel and between sites (unless option selected), Lunch, Gratitude (suggested)

Reviewed By michaelzX71IY

Sergio was an amazing guy, showed me and my girlfriend beautiful places in Istanbul. He also spoke english very well and told us a lot of interesting facts about Turkey‘s history and culture.

6. Green (South) Tour Cappadocia (small group)

Hereke Travel
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5.0 based on 87 reviews

Hiking in Ihlara Valley and underground city with its unique beauty will accompany you on this tour. We have luxury vehicles with a maximum capacity of 16 people (up to 8 people because of pandemic) and we do our best to host you in the safest way with our own vehicles without renting. In addition to these, our smiling face and 100% customer satisfaction will accompany you throughout the entire tour.

Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes, Air-conditioned vehicle, Lunch

Exclusions: drinks during lunch are extra and will be paid by the guests.

Reviewed By 499pinark

We joined this tour with our great guide Oguz. He was very friendly and giving us all information regarding region. He gave us enough time to enjoy by ourselves while making those moments unforgettable. I wanted to buy special meat “pastırma” during tour and he organized a short stop together with our kind driver. I would definitely recommend this tour with Hereke Travel in Cappadocia! Thanks a lot for all Oguz!

7. One Day Gallipoli Tour from Istanbul: Lunch Included

Taksim Square, Gümüşsuyu, 34435 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey Crowded House Tours
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4.9 based on 58 reviews

The name Gallipoli has long been associated with sacrifice and heroism, a place where history and legend have combined, with the events of 1915 leaving their mark on many nations. This daily Gallipoli tour can take you back to where history was made and myths were born, connecting the past with the present. Visit Brighton Beach, Anzac Cove, Arıbırnu Cemetery, Beach Cemetery,The ANZAC Commemorative Site, The Lone Pine Australian Memorial, 57th Turkish Regement Cemetery The Nek and Chunuk Bair New Zealan Memorial.

Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Lunch, Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Exclusions: Drinks, Gratuities, Breakfast, Dinner

Reviewed By radbrad73

I contacted Crowded House for a private tour of the Gallipoli battlefields and was so impressed I wound up using them to help me book two weeks worth of activities all over Turkey! Ramazan Altunas and his Crowded House team were so professional, courteous and informative! First, his communications were very quick and easy to understand, leading me through every step of the way. They even generously helped me fix some travel difficulties that were my own fault and completely unrelated to them. Crowded House is a first class operation. I've travelled all over the world and there's always something that goes a bit awry. Not this time, not with this crew. Truly above and beyond.

8. Full Day Car & Guide at Disposal in Cappadocia

Laal Dmc
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4.9 based on 101 reviews

* No need to obey timings and exact programmes * Make your own programme with your guide at hotel lobby * Feel Luxury with reasonable price * Enjoy all day with your professional guide and driver * 100 Kilometres limited per day for vehicle * 2 different handcraft center will be visit during Tour to discover Turkish Culture and Traditions

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation, 100 Kilometres limited per day for vehicle , 2 different handcraft center will be visit during Tour (Options at below), Carpet Weaving ,Ceramic Atelier ,Jewellery Center ,Leather Factory

Exclusions: Lunch, Entrances Fees for mentioned places , Tips , Own Expenses

Reviewed By Thedailyvariant

Very professional and smooth ride! The service and the drivers who picked us up were very helpful, Not to mention safe drivers!

9. Istanbul Full Day Old City Tour

Turkey Tours Company
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4.9 based on 40 reviews

Let’s start to explore Istanbul. First visit is Hippodrome. It was the center of sport activities of Constantinople. Haghia Sophia, is the most famous museum in Turkey and one of the greatest marvels of architecture. Haghia Sophia was built as a church in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian. (Closed on Monday) Blue Mosque, as known as the Sultanahmet Mosque, this breath-taking building is one of the most majestic Ottoman Mosques in all of Turkey. (Closed on Friday) Topkapi Palace, which has been home to the Ottoman dynasty for many years, was used for educational administrative and as the art center of the state. (Closed on Tuesday) Grand Bazaar, is the biggest market and the most attractive shopping center of Istanbul which has lots of shopping opportunities. (Closed on Sunday) Hagia Irene also called as “St. Eirene” Church. It is one of the oldest Byzantium churches in Istanbul, was the 2nd largest church of the Eastern Roman Empire after Hagia Sophia. (Closed on Tuesday)

Inclusions: Entrance Fees, Professional Licensed Tour Guide, Hotel Pick Up & Drop Off, A/C Mercedes Sprinter

Exclusions: Food & Drinks, Personal Expenses, Driver & Guide Tips – Gratitue, Topkapi Palace Harem Entrance Fee

Reviewed By freddyp463

That was an excellent trip from the beginning till end. Every step of the tour was unique and perfect. Not only guide but also driver were respectful and funny people. We love it! Highly recommended! Trip was beyond my expectations. Thanks for the team they helped us much. Superb!

10. All in One 10-Hour Private and Guided Day Tour in Cappadocia

Cappadocian Guide
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4.9 based on 65 reviews

This 10-hour guided day tour offers all of the must-see places in Cappadocia. Fairy chimneys and other rock formations, cave churches decorated with fine frescoes, underground cities, local foods, hiking in valleys, local wine tastings and a sunset.

Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Wine tasting, 3-course lunch, Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private tour, Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Exclusions: Drinks, Tips to Driver and Guide

Reviewed By Robert_Avishalom

Kadir is the most experienced guide, with absolutely great personality. Cappadocia is the region you must visit. Unbelievably beautiful place on the earth.

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