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Top 10 Places to Visit in Turkey (Besides Istanbul)

Istanbul is one of the most frequently visited cities in the world, but if you’re looking for a more unique vacation experience, then in today’s video, we’re going to take a look at the top ten places to visit in Turkey. Istanbul may be a chic, popular travel destination, but the historic country of Turkey has so much more to offer for its visitors! There are tons of breathtaking places that are simply overlooked in favor of the monumental Istanbul.

Long ago, Turkey was once known as Anatolia, and was home to a number of ancient civilizations and kingdoms. Anatolia was captured by the Ancient Romans in 334 BCE, and remained under the Romans’ rule for 14 centuries! If you’re fascinated with ancient history, Turkey is the perfect place to visit.

Of course, Turkey offers something for everyone- not just history buffs! This country is known for its diverse landscape and mix of cultures. Nestled between the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, Turkey is an idyllic location for anyone who enjoys white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. Turkey’s breathtaking scenery and numerous forests and parks also make it a great travel destination for the ambitious outdoorsman. While many parts of Turkey preserve the country’s rich history, it’s also filled with bustling, modern cities, complete with fine dining and nightlife.

Turkey is also known for its mild weather year round, with cool winters and warm, dry summers. You don’t have to worry about booking Turkey during the perfect season; you’re sure to find something to do no matter what time of year you go!

Today, we’re going to dive into the top ten best places to visit in Turkey. Some places are destination hotspots that bring in thousands of people every year, while others are a bit more off the beaten track. We’ll also look at both beautiful natural landscapes and chic, modern cities. Make sure you stick around, because we’re also going to reveal how you can spend your next vacation bathing in the very same healing spring that Cleopatra herself once used!

Butterfly Valley

Butterfly Valley is a bit tricky to get to, as it’s only accessible by boat, but that’s what makes this place so special. While most beaches in Turkey are filled with tourists, Butterfly Valley is a more secluded spot where you can really connect with nature. This hidden gem is a little cove surrounded by beautiful, jagged cliffs. On the beach, you’ll find a little campsite, beach bar, and even outdoor yoga classes! You can trek further inland for one of the most scenic hikes in the world, which includes countless waterfalls and vibrant plant life.

Of course, Butterfly Valley earned its name for a reason. As if this secluded cove wasn’t magical enough, it’s also home to over 100 species of butterflies, which you can observe throughout the spring and summer.

Pamukkale

Pamukkale is another natural wonder, but at first glance, it looks manmade. These ancient thermal waters have been used as spas for so long, they were even used by the Ancient Romans! The natural mineral springs trickle down a 655 foot tall cliff. As the waters flow, mineral deposits have built up over centuries, creating natural, gleaming white pools. Pamukkale is a breathtaking sight, but be warned; it’s a popular destination, and is usually filled with tourists.

If you’re looking for something a bit less busy, though, all you have to do is travel to the nearby city of Hierapolis. At the top of the cliff, this ancient Greek city remains in ruins, but you can still bathe in the hot bath that was gifted to Cleopatra by Mark Antony!

Ankara

The capital city of Turkey, Ankara, is a modern, bustling environment filled with historic sites, museums, and the arts. Despite its ancient roots, Ankara is home to all kinds of modern shops boasting the latest fashion and decor. While Ankara is a hotspot for universities, embassies, and commercial businesses, as well as a transportation hub, there’s a lot more to take in! Amidst the modern buildings, you’ll also find well preserved historic sites, including ancient mosques, the Citadel, the Temple of Augustus, and even a Roman Theatre! Ankara also hosts numerous festivals and cultural gatherings, and even though there are plenty of modern shops, you can also purchase lots of cultural arts and crafts.

Ephesus

Ephesus is one of the grandest historic sites in all of Turkey, which is truly saying something! The entire country is filled with well preserved ruins, but the ancient Roman city of Ephesus was once considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. At the height of its glory, it was one of the largest and most important cities, second only to Rome.

The ruins are over 9,000 years old, but you can still see monuments from all sorts of civilizations, including Greek, Roman, Hellenistic, and Ottoman creations. There are many temples that are still standing, and there’s even an amphitheatre and ancient library!

Marmaris

Marmaris is an incredibly popular resort town that contains lots to do for the entire family! It has some of the most exciting nightlife in the country, including fine dining, exotic cuisine, and plenty of bars and clubs. There are also countless Turkish Night Show venues, where you can partake in traditional Turkish food and watch belly dancing!

Marmaris also has several fun water parks, as well as traditional Turkish baths. It’s also a great location for visiting other popular vacation hotspots, including Pamukkale and Ephesus.

Marmaris may be a bit tourist-y compared to some of the other destinations in Turkey, but there’s one city that you absolutely have to travel to. Make sure you stick around until the very end of the video, because we’re going to reveal one of the most beautiful, colorful, and romantic places in the entire world! And if you’re enjoying this video so far, please take a moment to like this video, and don’t forget to subscribe to Facts Verse for more!

Konya

Konya is one of the oldest cities in the entire world, and was once a huge capital during the 12th and 13th centuries. Today, it is an important place for practitioners of Sufism to visit. During the 13th century, the Sufi mystic, Rumi, lived in Konya, and his tomb is still preserved. Today, many Sufis pilgrimage to the site, and they also perform breathtaking religious ceremonies called Sama. Every week, Sufis gather to perform Sama at the Mevlana Cultural Centre, where they wear gorgeous white gowns that billow as they spin on one foot.

Konya is also home to many other historic sites, including the Seljuk Palace, the Inca Minare Medrase, which is now a museum, and the Alaeddin Mosque, which has preserved the tombs of many different sultans.

Kas

Many people visit Turkey for its beautiful ocean, but if you want to get more up close and personal than simply laying on the beach, then Kas is the perfect destination for you! It’s considered one of the best spots to scuba dive in the entire world. This old fishing village is a little off the beaten track, with a more rustic appeal than most of the country. You can travel to the nearby island of Kekova and snorkel above an underwater city, which is so shallow that you can see it clearly through the water!

Kas isn’t just for scuba divers, though. This charming little town also boasts its own ancient ruins and historic sites, and has some of the best cuisine in the country! If you’re looking for a secluded, cozy place to spend your vacation, away from bustling tourist hotspots, then Kas is the perfect place for you!

Izmir

Izmir is a truly hidden gem, even though it’s the third largest city in turkey. This coastal city is often overlooked by travelers, so you can explore without worrying about as many tourists. It’s also a diverse place filled with a mix of European and Middle Eastern cultures. It’s also filled with adorable sidewalk cafes. Visit Izmir and take in the idyllic ocean view, then visit some of the countless nearby historical sites!

Mardin

Mardin has a unique architectural blend of Byzantine, Mongol, Ottoman, Roman, and Seljuk influences. It’s located atop a hill that overlooks the plains of southeastern Turkey. You can visit the Old City, carved from sandstone that forms a maze of terraced houses and courtyards. You can also visit the Great Mosque, one of the most beautiful architectural sites in the country.

Cappadocia

Cappadocia is widely considered one of the most magical places in all of Turkey, famous for the constant stream of hot air balloons that dot the sky in brilliant colors. Cappadocia also has one of the most whimsical, fascinating landscapes in the world. Ancient rocks have been eroded by time, carved by the wind into mushroom caps that are often referred to as fairy chimneys. Ancient settlers used to carve homes into the rock, leaving magical remnants of an older time.

The ideal Cappadocia experience is to get into a hot air balloon at either sunrise or sunset so you can observe the gorgeous landscape while a hundred other hot air balloons float around you.

Turkey is a culturally and historically rich travel destination, filled with  all sorts of natural and urban places to explore. Were you more interested in the ancient historic sites, or the beautiful natural landscape? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to Facts Verse for more!

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