Top 10 best places to visit in Turkey

 Cosmopolitan cities, beautiful beaches and ancient settlements are all part of Turkey's vast landscape, where virtually every site has some degree of historical, natural or cultural value. Everyone should visit the following places of the country.

ISTANBUL

Istanbul is the first to come to mind as Turkey's largest city for its world-renowned historical sites, fine art, gastronomy and culture. Istanbul is a city that has no analogues in the world, and everyone should visit it at least once in their life.

Over the centuries, more than one culture has left its mark on the land of Istanbul. Today you can see their influence with your own eyes: just walk through its “mahalla” (neighborhoods). From the sacred sites of Sultanahmet and elegant Beyoglu reminiscent of 19th century Europe, to the trendy Nisantasi quarter, the vibrant clubbing community in Kadikoy and the football-loving streets of Besiktas, it's not hard to guess why, according to travelers, Istanbul is - it is not just a city, but several cities in one.

ANKARA

The second most populous city in the country after Istanbul. It is a dynamic metropolis nestled in the hills of Central Anatolia. Ankara is the heart of the Republic of Turkey, a city with a vibrant personality and an interesting synthesis of East and West. This is a real symbol of modern Turkey, the place from which a new era began for the Turkish people.The capital of Turkey may not be as lively as Istanbul, but it has amazing architecture. You can visit, for example, the State Opera and Ballet Theater, as well as the Ataturk Mausoleum - Anitkabir and the historical quarter of the city with its famous fortress.

Mardin

Mardin, one of the most spectacular cities in Turkey, impresses with its old town, represented by beautiful handmade stone houses, mosques and churches from the Artukid period.

CAPPADOCIA

Of course, the hallmark of Cappadocia has become the image of balloons gliding in the sky against the background of an amazing landscape: picturesque valleys, caves, stone giants and rock monasteries. Underground cities, cave churches with beautiful frescoes and Avanos pottery can catch your eye.

ANTALYA

The coast of Turkey and the beautiful landscape of Antalya have always been the dream of many vacationers in summer. Here you can also walk along the streets of the Old City (Kaleiçi), visit the harbor, see the amazing beauty of the waterfalls (Duden, Kurshunlu).

MUGLA

If we talk about secluded bays and beaches, then there are a lot of them in the Mugla region, which includes such summer resorts as Marmaris, Bodrum and Fethiye. Here is the confluence of 2 seas: the Mediterranean and the Aegean. There is certainly a lot to see in the area, from Mazi beaches near Bodrum to Dalyan near Marmaris and Kabak Bay and Butterfly Valley near Fethiye.

MERSIN

Mersin is Turkey's largest Mediterranean port with a population of 1.5 million and the first of three large cities in the Ceyhan Delta. In addition to the fact that ferries depart from here to Cyprus, there is almost nothing of interest here, even though these places were inhabited even during the Hittite times. Until the beginning of the 20th century, Mersin was an impoverished fishing village, but in the last century it dramatically accelerated its industrial growth, which was greatly facilitated by its declaration as a free trade zone, as a result of which this soulless model of modern Turkish urban planning emerged. Often overlooked by travelers, and also known as a port city, Mersin is actually a cluster of historical landmarks that fall outside the usual tourist destinations. This area is a true history buff's dream. What are the Mamure Fortress and the ancient city of Soly (Pompeipolis)

BLACK SEA COAST

Most comparable to the Swiss landscape, Turkey's Black Sea region is a fantastic cluster of mountains and alpine pastures where villagers live in harmony with nature. This area - from the Kachkar Mountains to Artvin and the Sumela Monastery - is exceptional. It is almost 671Km away from Turkey's Istanbul. The Black Sea coast of Turkey, located in the north of the country and stretching from Istanbul to the border with Georgia, is famous for its beauty, abundance of greenery, alpine lakes and glaciers. But of course, the main treasure of the region is the Black Sea - the crossroads of the ancient world. From the Balkans in the west, Europe in the north, the Caucasus and Central Asia in the east, Asia Minor and Mesopotamia in the south, people constantly moved across the Black Sea for trade and war.

BURSA

The former capital of the Ottoman Empire and a northwest city in Turkey. Bursa has a long list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are numerous kulliye, mosques and bazaars, as well as the village of Kumalykizik, perfectly preserved from the beginning of the Ottoman period. Uludag is attached and well known for rough hills.

ALANYA

Alanya a town on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast (known as the Turkish Riviera). Alanya has a lion share in the Turkey's tourism industry. More than 5 million holidaymakers spend their summer holidays here every year. This resort is well known not only in European countries, but also in America and Asia. According to the latest census, about 15 thousand Europeans live in Alanya. The location of the city, living conditions, climate and infrastructure make Alanya a worthy place to visit and live. A RED TOWER also here as symbol of city.