Türkiye (Turkey) Travel Guide: Seven Regions, One Country, Countless Routes

Türkiye is hard to sum up in one sentence, because the country is big and varied enough that you can wake up in the fog of a Black Sea highland and end the day in a Mediterranean cove. In our documentary we brought together 40 places from all seven geographical regions. In this guide we’ve organized them region by region and linked to our detailed guide for each region. Jump to the region that interests you, or find all of our Türkiye guides grouped by region at the bottom of the page.

Marmara: Where two continents meet

Most trips to Türkiye begin in Istanbul. The Historic Peninsula, home to Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and the Basilica Cistern, along with Galata, Balat and the shores of the Bosphorus, show the city’s many faces. For a detailed route, see our guide to things to do in Istanbul.

In the south of the Marmara region, the Gulf of Edremit, where the Kaz Mountains meet the sea, is known for its peaceful holiday towns: Ayvalık, Akçay, Altınoluk and Assos, with its ancient city, are the standout stops.

The Aegean: Ancient cities and olive groves

The Aegean is where Türkiye’s ancient heritage is most concentrated. Ancient cities like Ephesus, Pergamon and Aphrodisias, the travertine terraces of Pamukkale and villages like Şirince are all here. Izmir is the gateway to the region, and Kuşadası is the closest resort town to Ephesus. Farther south, the Muğla coast, meaning Bodrum, Marmaris and Fethiye, offers Türkiye’s most famous coastal scenery, including Ölüdeniz and Butterfly Valley. Our Aegean region guide is a good place to start for the whole area.

The Mediterranean: The Lycian coast and the Taurus Mountains

Around Antalya you’ll find Kaleiçi, the Düden Waterfalls and ancient cities like Perge and Aspendos; to the west stretches the Lycian coast with Kaş, Kekova, Patara and Olympos. The Lycian Way is a long-distance hiking trail linking ancient cities along the coast; even walking a few days of it is unforgettable.

Central Anatolia: Fairy chimneys and steppe

Cappadocia, with its fairy chimneys, rock-cut churches and underground cities, has one of Türkiye’s most recognizable landscapes. Hot air balloons floating over the valleys in the early morning are the region’s symbol. For guided tours and experiences: Cappadocia tours. The region also includes Konya’s Rumi heritage, the Hittite capital of Hattusa and Lake Tuz.

The Black Sea: Highlands in every shade of green

The highlands of Rize and Artvin, Uzungöl, Sumela Monastery and the Kaçkar Mountains make the Black Sea unique for anyone looking to escape the summer heat. Because the region gets a lot of rain, summer is the best time to visit.

Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia: Ancient civilizations

In the east, the ruins of Ani, Lake Van, Mount Nemrut and Mount Ararat await; in the southeast, Göbeklitepe, the stone houses of Mardin and the cuisine of Gaziantep. For details, see our guides to Eastern Anatolia and Southeastern Anatolia. For every site on the UNESCO list, read our article on UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Türkiye.

When to go

• Spring (April–June): The best time for ancient sites, Cappadocia and city breaks.
• Summer (July–August): Ideal for the beach, the Black Sea highlands and the high country of Eastern Anatolia; the coasts are crowded.
• Fall (September–October): The sea is still warm and the crowds have thinned; perhaps the most balanced time to explore Türkiye.
• Winter: A quieter Istanbul, snow in Erzurum and Kars, and snow-covered fairy chimneys in Cappadocia.

Getting around

Domestic flights connect Türkiye’s big cities quickly, and the intercity bus network reaches even the smallest towns. On the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, a rental car is the most flexible way to explore the coves. High-speed trains run on the Ankara–Istanbul, Ankara–Konya and Ankara–Eskişehir lines.

Sample itinerary: Classic Türkiye in 12 days

1. Days 1–4: Istanbul: the Historic Peninsula, the Bosphorus, Galata and Balat.
2. Days 5–7: Cappadocia: valleys, underground cities and a balloon morning.
3. Day 8: Pamukkale and Hierapolis.
4. Days 9–10: Selçuk and Ephesus; Şirince.
5. Days 11–12: Beach time and rest in Fethiye or Kaş.

To compare places to stay: hotels in Türkiye.