Cities in Turkey are the best places to get a taste of the country’s diverse culture. Old town districts brimming with Byzantine, Ottoman, or Classical architecture may still be found in many of Turkey’s cities, even those dubbed modern commercial and industrial hubs.
Here are 5 amazing cities in Turkey that you should visit at least once during your visit to Turkey. Before that, you can also check how to get your Turkey visa for Bahamas citizens.
With that, you should also check these 6 reasons to visit Turkey this year.
Şanlıurfa
Anlurfa, which is believed to be the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham and was formerly the Byzantine city of Edessa, has always been one of the most attractive places to visit in the southeast region of Turkey.
Over the past few years, the archaeological site of Gobeklitepe has been opened up to the public, which has resulted in an increase in the number of tourists who have come to visit.
2019 marked the year that these Neolithic monoliths, which are located close on the outskirts of the city, were given World Heritage status by UNESCO.
It is one of Turkey’s most fascinating museum experiences, and it completely complements the site by devoting a large portion of its space to exhibits from both Gobeklitepe and the Sanliurfa region’s importance in early human history.
The Archaeological Museum is located in the city center itself, and it is both enormous and thoroughly contemporary.
But even if these two relatively new significant tourist sites were not there, travelers would still find a lot to see and see in Sanliurfa.
Located in the narrow streets of the old town district, the bazaar is a bustling jumble of traditional craft shops, market food stands, and atmospheric open-air cafés.
Golbaş park is located at the very center of the city, directly across from the historic neighborhood known as the old town. This prominent pilgrimage region plays a central role in the folklore of the city. It is home to historic mosques that were constructed on locations that played an important part in the story of Abraham, as well as fish ponds that are home to sacred carp.
Izmir
This province capital, which is also the third-largest hub in Turkey, has a population of 2.9 million people and serves as a big-city base for day trips to the surrounding sites of Ephesus and Pergamum. Both of these destinations are within driving distance.
Izmir, which is located in southwestern Turkey and has a coastline along the Aegean Sea, is regarded as one of the liveliest metropolitan areas in all of Turkey. A rich past lies dormant beneath the youthful, commercial buzz and contemporary veneer that surrounds it.
Smyrna was the most significant port town along this coastline from the time of the Romans all the way up until the end of the Ottoman era, and Izmir used to be known as Smyrna.
It was celebrated for centuries, along with Alexandria in Egypt, as a cosmopolitan center in the Mediterranean region. It was a place where Turks, Greeks, Jews, and Armenians all flourished.
The devastating fire that occurred at the conclusion of the Turkish War of Independence in 1922 wiped out a large portion of Izmir’s historic neighborhoods; however, a glimpse of Izmir’s rich history can still be found in the expansive Kemeralt Market district that is nestled in the center of the city.
In this area, former Ottoman warehouses have been converted into craft workshops, former caravanserais have been repurposed as coffee houses, and alleyway booths are stocked to the brim with fresh food and everyday wares.
Fethiye
This small city of 100,000 people, which is located along Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, is one of the most visited sites in Turkey due to its breathtaking port front location.
An important port for yachting, Fethiye is located in Turkey. There is a plethora of sailing-related entertainment available, ranging from daily boat cruises with other people to multi-day private yacht charters.
The harbor located here is also the departure point for the Blue Cruise, which is considered to be the most well-known sailing itinerary in Turkey. The Blue Cruise is a three-night excursion that sails along this section of the coast and takes in some of the most breathtaking coastal panoramas.
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Even while the water is Fethiye’s primary attraction, the town’s location makes it an ideal jumping-off point for excursions to the numerous ruins that are dispersed throughout the surrounding hills covered in thick vegetation.
The Lycian ruins of Xanthos and Letoon, both of which are included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, are just two of the significant ancient sites that may be visited in a single day.
If, on the other hand, you just want to soak up the rays and swim in the water, this is the closest city base to the famous beaches of Oludeniz, where you can go paragliding or on boat tours, as well as Butterfly Valley.
Gaziantep
Travelers interested in gastronomy do not require an introduction to Turkey’s baklava center. The delicious confections that can be found in Gaziantep are well-known all around the country. However, beyond the immediate gratification, there is a wealth of information to learn.
The Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum is one of the most popular places for visitors to go while they are in town.
It is one of the most important collections of Roman-era mosaic floor art in the world, and it was completely saved from the adjacent Belkis-Zeugma archaeological site before it was flooded under the waters of the Birecik Dam. The museum is both highly contemporary and elegantly planned.
Exploring the historic district of Gaziantep is among the city’s most enjoyable activities. It is possible for you to lose an entire day exploring its plethora of baklava shops and the narrow alleyways of its bazaar, which are packed with traditional craftwork stores and old coffee bars.
Eskişehir
The café culture, the gardens, and the art are the focal points of this important academic center.
Eskisehir is a popular destination for day trips during the warm summer months for local families who come to enjoy gondola rides on the river, picnicking in the parks, and strolling the small old town district of Odunpazar. Eskisehir is brimming with youthful energy and buzz and is a big hit with local families.
The most recent tourist destination in Eskisehir may be found in the Odunpazar neighborhood. The art gallery known as OMM (Odunpazar Modern Museum) is home to a permanent collection of modern art that includes paintings as well as sculpture and installation pieces.
It also offers temporary exhibitions of works by prominent figures active in the contemporary art scene. It is often considered to be the most significant private art gallery found outside of Istanbul.
As a result of the new high-speed train lines that connect Istanbul with Ankara and Konya, Eskişehir, which is a station on both lines, has become a popular stop-off for travelers traveling interior. In the past, many visitors would choose to avoid Eskişehir altogether.
I am doing my master’s degree at Bahauddin Zakariya University and at the same time, I am working as a news editor at “The Daily News Times”.
