15 Must-Visit Historical Sites in Turkey
Explore ruined Byzantine cities, incredible subterranean cisterns, and the most beautiful mosques in the world. Consider these 15 must-visit sites in Turkey.
From 3,000-year-old ruined cities to strange 2,000-year-old statues perched on 2,000m mountains, historical attractions in Turkey tend to be very old, very big, or very high.
Sometimes, they’re all three.
If you love history, Turkey will have you coming back again and again - not least because there's too much to squeeze into a standard two-week break.
Here are 15 of the top historical destinations in Turkey.
Ephesus
One of the best-preserved ancient cities on the planet and the best-preserved in Turkey, UNESCO-listed Ephesus should be at the top of your attraction hit list.
The ruins give a remarkable sense of what life in this part of the world was like 3,000 years ago.
Attic and Ionian Greek colonies built Ephesus in the 10th century BC, before it eventually fell into the hands of the Romans, who used it as the provincial seat of government in Asia.
Look out for the Temple of Diana, the Library of Celsus, the Ancient Theatre, and the Temple of Hadrian - to name a few.
This is arguably the most famous of Turkey’s historical sites - and with very good reason.
Aizanoi
Built from 160 AD onwards, Aizanoi is not quite as antiquated as Ephesus, but what's a thousand years here or there?
Once a key city in the Roman Empire, highlights include the Temple of Zeus, a 2-for-1 theatre-stadium, and the Macellum, thought to be one of the world's first stock markets.
The Museum of Kütahya, meanwhile, is a great place to start your visit - helping to bring Aizanoi's significance to life.
Among ancient ruins in Turkey, this is among the most impressive.
Aphrodisias
Aphrodisias lies about 90 minutes from Pamukkale and remains largely off the tourist radar. The sparse crowds make exploring wonders such as the Temple of Aphrodite a real pleasure (just look at those pillars!). Plus, you won't need to overuse the 'magic erase' feature to delete people from your photos!
Named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodisias was built in the 2nd century BC, and prospered under the Romans between the 1st and 5th centuries AD.
Note the orthogonal street grid pattern; the Temple is one of the few structures that doesn't align with it.
Side
It’s worth popping into Side Museum to get a grounding in Side's history before exploring the city itself.
Highlights include the Temple of Athena, with its great colonnade and the 2nd-century theatre that still dominates Side's old town.
Aside from these top billers, if you keep your eye out you'll notice a handful of majestic Roman and Hellenistic ruins casually dotted around town.
Be ready for the many souvenir sellers and restaurant touts, who will do their darndest to bring you back into the 21st century after your foray into the ancient world.
Side note: ‘Side’ means 'pomegranate' in Greek.
The Blue Mosque, Istanbul
Just one of the many incredible buildings in Istanbul, the 17th-century UNESCO-listed Blue Mosque was the brainchild of Sultan Ahmet I, who mirrored the Hagia Sophia (also in Istanbul) with its minarets and domes. However, most agree that the Blue Mosque is the prettier of the two.
The mosque gets its unofficial name from the blue İznik tiles that decorate the interior. Its real name is the Sultan Ahmed Mosque.
Anadoluhisarı, Istanbul
Built between 1393 and 1394, Anadoluhisarı is an Istanbul fortress built by the reigning sultan. The inner area is not open to the public, but you are free to stroll the battlements.
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul
Located near the Blue Mosque is the much older Hagia Sophia.
While it may not be quite as dramatic as its blue-ish neighbour, it is much, much older, having been built between 532 and 537.
It was the principal church of the Byzantine Empire, back when Istanbul was called Constantinople.
Mount Nemrut
The summit of this 2,134-metre mountain in the Taurus Range is home to a series of statues, thought to have been placed there as part of a royal tomb in about the 1st Century BC.
Interestingly, the summit has been artificially heightened. It takes around 3 hours to reach the top, so ensure you wear a sunhat and bring plenty of water.
Credit: SDF_QWE - stock.adobe.com
Topkapi Palace, Istanbul
The stunning Topkapi Palace Museum is home to innumerable Byzantine and Ottoman treasures, including robes, porcelain, weapons, and Islamic calligraphic manuscripts.
It was a suitably opulent palace for the sultans of the Ottoman Empire to reside in, which they did from the 1460s to 1856, when Dolmabahçe Palace became the centre of power.
Alanya Castle, Alanya
In the world league of big castles, Alanya is a real contender. This truly impressive structure is surrounded by a four-mile wall and features 140 towers.
This UNESCO-listed goliath offers fabulous views across the Cilician mountains and Alanya city.
At the top you'll find the İç Kale, which contains more than 400 cisterns, the remnants of an 11th-century Byzantine church, and lots of other ancient bits and bobs.
For castle aficionados, a pilgrimage to Alanya is non-negotiable!
ANZAC Cove, Gallipoli
In April 1915, 16,000 Australian and New Zealand troops landed on the coast of Gallipoli, in the Dardanelles region. Today that landing point is called ANZAC Cove, in memory of the many casualties suffered.
The campaign lasted almost a year and was ultimately unsuccessful. However, the action did draw Turkish troops away from other theatres, thereby having an indirect impact on an eventual Allied victory.
While there isn’t much to see in terms of historical landmarks, Turkey’s most famous World War One battlefield nevertheless still bears the scars of war in the form of overgrown trench networks - which are fascinating to see in person.
Antalya Museum
Antalya Museum is just one of many historical attractions in the Antalya region, but this one gives an excellent grounding in the history of the Mediterranean and Pamphylia.
Boasting 13 exhibition halls alongside an impressive open-air gallery, the entry price is worth every lira (TRY 340.00 / 8 GBP).
Basilica Cistern, Istanbul
The largest of many ancient cisterns underneath Istanbul, the Basilica Cistern is an awe-inspiring sight.
This ancient engineering marvel covers 10,000 square metres and contains some 80,000 cubic metres of water. It features 336 immense columns.
The current water level is kept low to enable people to visit.
Göbeklitepe, Anatolia
Göbeklitepe Tepe is a partially unearthed Neolithic archaeological site in Turkey's Anatolia region.
Inhabited from around 9,500 to 8,000 BC, it is best known for big circular structures that house gigantic pillars. These are thought to be the planet’s oldest monoliths.
Göbeklitepe Tepe is a must-see if you're in the Anatolia region - and is reason enough to visit.
Galata Tower
Located in the buzzing district of Beyoğlu in Istanbul, the Galata Tower Museum was originally built as a watchtower on the highest part of the Galata Walls.
It has long been an iconic symbol of the city and is probably the best known historical landmark in Turkey.
The 14th-century structure now houses several museums.
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