Unique Travel Experiences You Must Have in Turkey

Crossing Europe and Asia, Turkey is a country with a long history and rich tourism resources. It has always attracted tourists from all over the world. Going through the old Istanbul, a romantic hot-air balloon over Cappadocia, a history exploration in ancient Ephesus, or a relaxing hot spring at Pamukkale, this is a country where you can enjoy yourself. If you're planning a trip to Turkey in the future, you can read this article for some travel inspiration.

1. Enjoy the Spectacular Cathedral of Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia, an important building of Istanbul's Byzantine and Ottoman empires, is one of the world's greatest monuments. Hagia Sophia, once a Christian church under Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, is now a museum and continues to play an important role in politics, religion, art, and other fields.

Hagia Sophia

The exterior of Hagia Sophia is made up of the domes and minarets of a typical mosque, and as you enter the central hall, you will find the floor of the interior of the building made of multi-colored marble. Tall domes, gorgeous chandeliers, and exquisite frescoes can make people feel the shock of the beauty of this building. In addition, leading to the second floor, there are many frescoes depicting Christian stories, including the famous mosaics. Whether you are a history lover or not, whether you believe in religion or not, there is no doubt that every person from around the world who comes here will be touched by the art of architecture.

2. Visit the Blue Mosque in Istanbul

In the opposite direction of Hagia Sophia Cathedral, the Blue Mosque is one of the most important places to visit in Istanbul. The Blue Mosque, formerly known as the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, was created in the early 17th century by architect Sedefkar Mehmed Aga to combine elements of Byzantine Christianity and traditional Islamic architecture to create a brilliant work. It is called the Blue Mosque because its interior walls are made of blue Iznik tiles.

Sultanahmet, the Blue Mosque

Inside the mosque, the walls are decorated with more than 20,000 blue tiles, which burst into color whenever light shines through 260 windows. The tiles have a wide variety of patterns and designs that combine the art of Ottoman architecture with the art of Oriental architecture. In addition, compared with other mosques, the Blue Mosque is unique in that it is surrounded by six minarets, making it the only mosque in the world with six tall towers, so it is also honored as one of the top 10 wonders of the world.

3. Cruise the Bosphorus to See the Sights of Istanbul

The Bosphorus, also known as the Istanbul Strait, is the boundary between Asia and Europe, connecting the Sea of Marmara, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea, making Istanbul the only city that stretches across the Eurasian continent. In addition to its unique location, a cruise tour of the Bosphorus is an interesting way to see the sights of the city.

Bosphorus Cruising

One of the most popular cruises for tourists is the Bosphorus Sunset Cruise. You'll see many of Istanbul's most famous sights on a luxury yacht at sunset, from the historic mosque to the famous Istanbul Bridge, all captured from the cruise. This is definitely a wonderful photography experience for photography lovers. Pick a nice day to cruise the Bosphorus with your family, friends, or lover, and it's sure to enrich your trip.

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4. Overlook a Night View of the City from Galata Tower

Istanbul's Galata Tower, one of the oldest towers in the world, originally built in the 6th century, holds a special place in the history of the city. After the fall of Constantinople and the rise of the Ottoman Empire, the tower was renamed the "Galata Fire Tower" and was used as a watchtower to observe fires from high above. Galata combines the past with the present, operating as a museum and exhibition center and a popular social spot for locals today.

Among them, one of the main reasons many visitors come is to enjoy the city's night view from Galata. At sunset, visitors can take an elevator to the top of the tower and enjoy the view of Istanbul until sunset. In addition, there are restaurants and cafes at the top of Galata's tower, where you can choose to stop and enjoy the food while enjoying the night view.

5. Fly by Hot-air Balloon over Cappadocia

Cappadocia, a region on the Anatolian plateau in central Turkey, is home to one of the most visually stunning geological wonders. Volcanic activity millions of years ago created karst formations so extraordinary that National Geographic magazine named Cappadocia one of the top 10 wonders of the earth. The best way to see Cappadocia's spectacular scenery is by hot-air balloon. The Cappadocia balloon experience is now one of the most popular items on the world travel bucket list, and it is an unforgettable romantic experience.

Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Cappadocia

Hot air ballooning is available all year, but the best time to experience it in Cappadocia is from April to October. However, if you do not have to worry about other times, you can also experience hot air balloons as long as the weather is good. Hot air balloons usually take off between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m., as early morning air currents are the smoothest in the region. Imagine taking off at sunrise with colorful hot air balloons. Floating in the sky makes you feel like you're in a dream. The visuals are at their most stunning when you cross the majestic Cappadocia Plateau and look down on the dramatic changes in the landscape. It's a unique experience, and only by experiencing it yourself can you appreciate its happiness and preciousness.

6. Soak in the Thermal Pools at Pamukkale

Pamukkale, one of Turkey's most important natural wonders, is famous for its snow-white travertine terraces and natural hot springs. The word Pamukkale means "cotton castle" in Turkish. Pamuk refers to its white color, which looks like a cotton ball from a distance but is actually a hard limestone terrain. Kale means it's made up of a whole hillside, shaped like a castle, hence the name Pamukkale.

Cotton Castle, Pamukkale

Pamukkale's most famous attraction is undoubtedly the travertine terraces. It's filled with blue-green hot water that contains carbonate minerals and calcium carbonate. The water temperature is a comfortable 36 degrees Celsius, which is said to have a healing effect for many diseases, so you can easily soak in the hot spring here. At sunset, soak in the hot springs while watching the snow-white mountains, and this unique view will be remembered forever. In addition, in order to protect this beautiful natural landscape, you must enter Pamukkale barefoot to prevent the soles of your shoes from fraying the limestone!

7. Explore the Ancient City of Ephesus

Ephesus is the largest and most complete ancient Greek and Roman city in the world. It is also a rich trading city of marine civilization. Once upon a time, Ephesus became the most economically and culturally prosperous city in the Mediterranean region by virtue of its convenient maritime trade. But Ephesus eventually fell because of the unviable sea trade. However, the ruins left by this ancient city are enough to make people wonder.

Ancient City of Ephesus

The entrance to Ephesus begins with the spectacular open-air Grand Theatre, a semicircle built in the ancient Greek style along a hillside that can hold up to 20,000 people. Also, not far from the Grand Theatre, you can see the famous Celsus Library. This library was originally a mausoleum; the tomb owner's son built this beautiful library near the mausoleum in memory of his father and named it after him. Although the library has experienced many vicissitudes of life, you can still see the exquisite carvings and statues of four Greek goddesses: the goddess of wisdom, the goddess of fate, the goddess of learning, and the goddess of virtue. In addition, nearby temples, toilets, and other ruins are well worth visiting.

8. Stay in a Unique Cave Hotel

If you come to Cappadocia and are worried about accommodation, then the Cave Hotel is your best choice! Cappadocia was once called "the most moon-like place on Earth" because of its unique landforms. Imagine staying in a cave hotel and watching a hot air balloon soar through the air.

Cave Hotel in Cappadocia

In the 14th century, the cave was once the home of monks. Caves were formed by the erosion of rocky hills over the years, providing a refuge for monks. Today, the caves have been transformed into a unique theme hotel. The Museum Hotel is among the best of them. Located on the hillside at the foot of the church of Uchisa, the Museum Hotel is in a perfect position to enjoy the views from the hotel. However, since the founder of the hotel is an antique collector, the hotel's biggest feature is the large collection of antiques here, with a strong atmosphere of history. In addition, the hotel's guest rooms are made from the shape of the cave itself, making it a unique experience.

9. Experience Authentic Hamman Bathing

As one of the "Four Great Baths in the World", the Turkish bath is one of the traditional experiences that must be experienced when visiting Turkey. Because of their belief in Islam, Turks attach great importance to the cleanliness of the body, so the Turkish bath has been spread from ancient Rome to today and occupies an important position in Turkish culture.

There are two different types of Turkish baths: self-serving and traditional. Self-serving prices are the cheapest, but the experience may not be the best. And the traditional bath price is relatively expensive, but they will assign you a waiter of the same gender for you to take a bath and get massaged, so the experience is better. In addition, modern bathrooms offer a variety of other services, including Indian head massage, clay masks, reflexology, and aromatherapy oil massage. Places like Mihrimah Sultan Hammam and Beylerbeyi Hamam are highly recommended for visitors experiencing traditional Turkish baths for the first time.

10. Experience and Enjoy Turkish Cuisine

Turkish cuisine is heavily influenced by regional differences, ranging from the Mediterranean to the Middle East, Central Asia to Eastern Europe, resulting in a distinct cuisine that is adored by tourists from all over the world.

Turkish Cuisine

If you are a meat lover, Turkish cuisine is sure to satisfy your appetite. Döner has become a popular street food in many countries because of its unique practice. When you come to Turkey, you should taste the most authentic Turkish barbecue. Testi Kebab, a traditional kebab from the Cappadocia region. It puts all the ingredients in a clay pot and then grills them, and the aromas of the meat and vegetables come together in the pot. In addition, köfte is also one of the specialties of Turkey (i.e., meatballs). The difference is that köfte is grilled in Turkey, and the delicious beef is served with chili sauce, which makes it even more delicious.

11. Shop at the Grand Bazaar

Istanbul's Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 streets and more than 4,000 shops, and is popular with tourists every year. The Grand Bazaar is located in the center of Istanbul, near the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, and is a landmark in Turkey. You can have the ideal shopping experience and select many desirable souvenirs here.

Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

The Grand Bazaar has a wide variety of products, from hand-painted porcelain, glass lamps, Turkish carpets, and other local crafts to Turkish spices, delights, tea, and so on.

12. Climb up inside the Trojan Horse in Troy

If Aegean Sea area is in your itinerary, include this site on your plan. A big part of the reasons is because of the legend, history buffs almost have to "check it off" from their list; the rest is that Troy inspired Homer to write Iliad, by simply strolling here you could get a flavor of mythology.

Though being only a fascinating replica of the device that the Greeks used to enter the city of Troy, the wooden Trojan Horse is built as an incredible attraction. Use your imagination to visualize the old structures, climb up the horse and peep out of the windows for a view, or feel the spirit of Helen. When exploring the ruins of city walls, house foundations nearby and learn new things about the ancient civilization that lingered on those lands, be sure to have an experienced tour guide, because to the untrained eyes, Troy is no more than a pile of rubble and rocks under the ground, but a qualified and experienced tour guide knows how to bring them to life. The outing should conclude with a tour of Canakkale, where the Trojan Horse used in the movie, Troy, is displayed for pictures.

13. Get closer to the gods at Mt. Nemrut

Located in southeastern Turkey, Mt. Nemrut is far away from the usual tourist path but it is well worth the visit. In 62 B.C., the Commagene King Antiochus built on top of the mountain a tomb-sanctuary flanked by gigantic statues of animals, Greek and Persian gods, which have names inscribed on each of them. However, at some stage in history, the heads of the statues were brought down by a collective effort, while when and why it was done remains unknown. Archaeologists helped them sit upright but didn't intend to re-attach the head to the bodies. So you will see huge stone heads scattered throughout the site where they fell, incredibly photogenic in the superb sunset light, making one feel how impressive they were, and the amount of work it took to complete such a massive project. Phenomenal is not only the two terraces with these decapitated gods but also the peaceful view of the mountain ranges surrounding. It takes a climb of 20 minutes and private transportation is recommended as there is no public transport reaching Mt. Nemrut. 

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14. Explore the underground at Basilica Cistern

It is time to dig something lie beneath the city of Istanbul. Sitting very close to Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern built underground in the 6th century is a fantastic stop to witness how the Romans used the largest underground water cisterns to bring drinking water into Istanbul from Thrace. You might find it look not much from the outside but when you go down - WOW!

Basilica Cistern Beneath Istanbul

The roof is supported by 336 nine-meter-high marble columns, most of which were recycled from ruined temples and finely carved with capitals. What interests many are the two Medusa's heads used as column pediments, as well as the pillar of tears that is said to pay tribute to the workers who died during the construction, according to Ancient texts. With atmospheric lighting, you can see all its curious corners, the breathtaking symmetry and the sheer grandeur of conception. Soft music is played to evoke a mood. You will also find a café serving drinks and snacks for a relaxing break. On hot summer days, the cistern makes a great retreat because of the perfect temperature in such depth.

15. Appreciate the Whirling Dervishes

Unlike tourist shows in hot destinations, Whirling Dervishes, or Mevlevi that are known to the local, is never a popular entertainment. However, I would personally recommend a go to absorb the important cultural essence of the Turkish. Performing as a traditional worship service originated 800 years ago, Whirling Dervishes believes that closeness with one's gods is achieved by elaborate whirling, so expect a lot of spinning and twirl happen. Here is how your spiritual journey starts: pleasant classical Turkish music will be played for 15 minutes before the Sema ceremony, the men taking part in the ceremony are wearing white, making fast feet movement and whirling, and it does go for quite a while, normally 45 minutes or more. The mesmerizing scene is amazing - every audience is pondering how they remain so in control of their position and don't pass out. During the ceremony, explanations of each stage are projected on the wall, thus no problem following the meaning. Again, it is more of a religious ceremony than dancing, but you will easily find yourself almost in a trance. When watching it in a real monastery, photography and applause are not allowed.

Turkey certainly has plenty of attractions and culture just waiting to be visited and experienced. The above suggestions are just some of our top ideas when traveling to Turkey. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us, and our 1-on-1 travel expert will take all your needs into consideration to customize a memorable Turkey trip for you.