Turkey Holidays

More than 11,000 years old, Göbekli Tepe is recognised as the world’s oldest known temple complex and holds UNESCO World Heritage status. Its carved stone pillars forced historians to rethink some of their earliest assumptions about civilisation.

Most ancient cities require a bit of imagination. Ephesus doesn’t. The marble streets are still there. So are the Library of Celsus and the huge Great Theatre. Few Roman cities anywhere have survived this well.

Istanbul rarely asks you to go looking for history. It is everywhere. Within this UNESCO-listed area, landmarks from the Byzantine and Ottoman empires sit remarkably close together. Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome are all part of the same story.

Photos of Mount Nemrut never quite prepare you for the scale of the stone heads. They surround the royal tomb sanctuary of King Antiochus I high in the mountains. Arrive at sunrise and the whole place feels completely different.

The entrance is easy to miss. What is harder to forget is what lies beneath it. Carved deep into Cappadocia's volcanic rock, Kaymaklı is an underground settlement where early Christians once sheltered during invasions. Tunnels connect living spaces, storage rooms, and hidden passageways beneath the surface.

Waking up early is not the best part of the experience. However, the reward comes later, when dozens of balloons begin drifting across the sky as the sun rises over Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys and valleys. From above, the landscape looks even more unusual than it does from the ground.

The first step off Babadağ Mountain in Ölüdeniz requires a little trust. A few seconds later, the Blue Lagoon sits directly below and the Mediterranean coastline stretches into the distance.

A map makes the Lycian Way look fairly straightforward. On the ground, it feels much bigger. The trail follows Turkey’s Mediterranean coast through ancient sites, forested hillsides, small villages, and stretches of shoreline that can feel surprisingly remote. Some sections barely feel connected to the modern world. 

Most ancient sites are explored on foot. Kekova is different. An earthquake left part of a Lycian settlement beneath the water, and paddling across the bay offers a clear view of what remains below the surface.

Divers usually start talking about visibility before anything else. The clear Mediterranean water reveals shipwrecks, reefs, caves and marine life that are easy to miss elsewhere. Some of Turkey’s most popular dive sites are found just offshore. Conditions suit both first-time and experienced divers.

One of the first things many visitors notice in Turkey is how easily conversations begin. Whether you are in a shop, a family-run restaurant, or someone’s home, being offered tea, coffee, sweets and a warm welcome is a part of a long-standing tradition of hospitality.

A tulip-shaped glass of tea often appears whether you are browsing a market, waiting in a shop or taking a break at a café. Turkish coffee plays a similar role, turning a simple drink into an excuse to sit down, chat and slow the pace of the day. 

The blue Nazar (evil eye) charm shows up almost everywhere in Turkey. You will spot it above doorways, tucked inside taxis, displayed in market stalls and sold in every shape imaginable. It is Turkey’s most recognisable symbol and is believed to protect against envy and negative energy.

Stepping into a traditional hammam can feel a little intimidating at first, especially on a first visit. Before long, though, you are stretched out on a warm marble platform beneath a domed ceiling, taking part in a bathing ritual that has been part of Turkish culture for centuries. 

The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is far more than a place to shop. Beneath its historic covered walkways, centuries-old traditions of craftsmanship, bargaining and trade still shape the experience, helping make it one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. 

September is a lively time to be in Izmir. The city’s long-running fair mixes exhibitions, concerts, food stalls, and cultural events, creating an atmosphere that feels closer to a festival than a trade show.

For a few weeks each April, tulips seem to take over Istanbul. Parks, squares, and public gardens fill with colour, giving even familiar parts of the city a completely different feel.

Spring arrives with plenty of energy on 5-6 May. Bonfires, music, dancing, and wish-making traditions bring communities together, particularly in Istanbul and Edirne where celebrations can last well into the evening.

Every summer, Edirne hosts a sporting tradition that dates back centuries. Watching wrestlers covered in olive oil compete might seem unusual at first, but the atmosphere and history quickly draw people in.

Konya takes on a different mood between 7 and 17 December. Visitors come for the Whirling Dervish ceremonies, though the deeper connection to Rumi’s teachings is what gives the festival its significance. 

Usually arriving in May, Cappadox feels as though it belongs in Cappadocia’s landscape. Music, contemporary art, food, and outdoor experiences unfold across the region rather than being confined to a single venue.

Watching a Whirling Dervish ceremony can be unexpectedly absorbing. Performed by the Mevlevi Order, the Sema ritual is a spiritual tradition rather than a stage show. After a few minutes, it becomes difficult to look away from the steady, graceful spinning.

Not every traveller loves Turkish Night shows, but they are rarely boring. Folk dances, live music, belly dancing, and traditional dishes all arrive in quick succession. The whole evening feels energetic and unapologetically geared towards having a good time.

Istanbul looks completely different from the water at night. Boats drift between Europe and Asia while palaces, mosques and waterfront mansions glow along the shoreline. Even people who normally skip dinner cruises often remember this one.

The Land of Legends is enormous. What starts as a quick visit can easily turn into a full day of roller coasters, water attractions, family-friendly shows, and themed experiences. It has grown into one of Turkey’s biggest entertainment resorts for a reason.

The two cities have very different personalities after dark. Istanbul is known for rooftop bars and late-night views over the Bosphorus. Bodrum leans more towards beach clubs, sea breezes, and nights that seem to end much later than planned.