The best places to visit in Türkiye

Best for: A cultural city break

Istanbul has been home to many – the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Ottomans, to name a few – and the city is a wholehearted representation of that. Historic structures like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and the Dolmabahce Palace will take you on a journey through time, but much of Istanbul feels fresh and modern, like the city’s vibrant nightlife, which stretches along the European shore in Bebek. It’s also well worth checking out the food scene in Kadikoy, and spending time in the forward-thinking Princes’ Islands, where cars are banned despite its proximity to the metropolis. 

Best for: Eating everything in sight

This UNESCO City of Gastronomy is one of Türkiye’s best-kept secrets. Gaziantep’s identity is built on the belief that dining together is the foundation of happiness and connection. So, if the locals keep offering you food, take this as their loving way of welcoming you. Make sure you try a Lahmacun (thin dough topped with minced meat and fresh veg), İçli Köfte (stuffed meatballs), yuvalama (lamb broth), Beyran soup and a proper, potentially life-changing kebab (I’d recommend visiting İmam Çağdaş). For afters, dig into pistachio baklava and Menengiç coffee at Güllüoğlu. Ready to burst? Walk off the calories by learning about the many tribes that lived there since the Palaeolithic Age at the Zeugma Mosaic Museum and the Museum of Archaeology.  

Best for: A classic beach break 

This port city might appear at first to be a beach break for the bougie, but alongside the pristine marinas for the super wealthy, there’s a ton of all-inclusive spots for families on a budget, and poppin’ beach clubs for groups of pals. My advice? Start the day with a traditional Turkish breakfast (think olives, feta, eggs, jam, Turkish bread simit and *so* much more), and spend the day at the beach. If you spot a travelling beach food vendor with a cart, grabbing corn-on-the-cob or rice-stuffed mussels is a must. After sunset, head to the Yalikavak marina for dinner before getting ice cream at the iconic Bitez Dondurmacisi.

Best for: Feeling like you're in a fairytale

Instagrammable heaven Cappadocia is a region of vast plains, layers of lava from now-inactive volcanoes, rugged mountains, and honey-hued ‘fairy chimneys’. Humans have lived there since the Bronze Age, so you pretty much run into mesmerising artefacts everywhere you turn: think fresco-adorned churches set in rocks, subterranean cities, cave houses and fortresses. Must-sees include Göreme’s Byzantine monastery, the Güllüdere Valley’s fairy chimneys and cave churches, the ancient underground city of Kaymaklı, and the centenarian village of Ürgüp. Make sure to book a hot air balloon ride for a bird’s eye view, too!

Best for: Spa retreats and treating yourself

Pamukkale, which means ‘cotton castle’, is near Hierapolis, the ancient Roman spa city. It’s known for its UNESCO-protected mineral-rich thermal waters that flow down white travertine terraces on a hillside, where visitors can take a dip. I’d recommend staying until sunset for some breathtaking views. When booking your stay, opt for a hotel with thermal pools. For a dose of culture, stop by Hierapolis and the Archaeology Museum, and for food, try a Denizli kebab, Kuzu Kapama, and a Kuru Börülce Soup – and definitely give the iconic local soft drink Zafer Gazozu a go.

Best for: Waterfall adventures and ski slopes

Just a few hours’ drive away from Istanbul is Bursa, the city that houses the 2,500m-high Mount Uludağ the city folk frequent throughout the winter. Greek mythology buffs might know it as Mysian Olympus, the mountain the gods lived at. Aside from the 28 kilometres of slopes with various difficulty levels for skiers and snowboarders, Uludağ is known for its opportunities to Heli-ski, ice-skate and snow bike, its great range of hotels, its snowy music festivals, and the nearby UNESCO-protected village of Cumalıkızık, where the Ottoman Empire began.

Best for: Tea, tea and more tea

This coastal city by the Black Sea runs on tea, hazelnut and citrus fruit farming. Visitors can expect emerald-green valleys, lively streams, picturesque waterfalls, hiking trails and delicious cups of black tea, all at once. Make sure to visit a tea farm while you’re here (I’d recommend the Çayeli Haremtepe Tea Garden), stopping by the Çaykur Tea Museum to see how the leaves become a warm cuppa, and eating some mıhlama (cornmeal with cheese), karadeniz pidesi (a kind of Turkish pizza), laz böreği (custard baklava) and local cornbread. Other itinerary options are rafting, horse-riding, bird watching, camping, and paragliding.