Turkey's biggest draws are the most idyllic city of Istanbul, the stunning landscape of Cappadocia, the richly historical land, famous food and the view of beaches. Turkey is a destination that straddles Asia and Europe. Turkey tourism offers a unique blend of old-world culture and modern amenities, making Turkey an ideal destination for travellers.
Enjoy the view of the Golden Horn from the Pierre Loti Hills. A famous café, ' Pierre Loti', is an excellent meeting point for visitors and lovers. Some of the most famous Turkish romantic movies are filmed here. The hill is about 55 meters above sea level and is named after a French novelist and traveller, Pierre Loti. You can access this Turkey's popular attraction with a lovely cable car ride up the hill. It is stunning at sunset, when the sky is painted with vibrant shades of orange and pink, and the city lights twinkle in the distance.
Treat yourself to a luxury Turkish bath known as Turkish Hamam and have the relaxation experience of one of the Turkish cultures for centuries. Turkish Hamam is a steam room where travellers relax and receive massages and exfoliating treatments. Hamams are a series of chambers with a steam room initially, then different types of salt are used for scrubbing the body, followed by a massage. It helps to boost immunity and increase blood flow and circulation. It's one of the best tourist places in Turkey.
Turkey is a perfect destination to treat your inner shopaholic. Turkey has a rich history with a civilization dating back thousands of years and is home to many ancient artefacts, such as pottery, textiles, jewellery and rugs. The country is also famous for its traditional handicrafts, including hand-painted ceramics, hand-woven carpets, and intricate glassware.
Istanbul, in particular, is a shopper's paradise, with its bustling bazaars and markets, including the famous Grand Bazaar, one of the largest markets in the world. Here, visitors can browse through thousands of stalls selling everything from spices and sweets to jewellery and souvenirs. The bazaar is a popular tourist place in Turkey. Other popular destinations in Turkey include the Istinye Park shopping mall, which offers a mix of luxury and high-end brands, and the Kemeralti bazaar in Izmir, famous for its traditional Turkish jewellery and textiles. Turkey is also home to several street and flea markets, where visitors can find various vintage items and antiques at affordable prices. Shopping in Turkey is an experience not to be missed.
Turkey has some unique and famous drinks that you must try once. Turkish drinks and beverages are the most famous in the world. Turkey's tourism is on the rise, and travellers love Turkish drinks.
Some of the most popular Turkish drinks you must try are:
• The most famous UNESCO –recognized Turkish coffee.
Turkish coffee has remained unchanged for centuries. The coffee beans are ground to powder and then added to a copper pot called 'cezve' and cold water. It is served with the ground parts. The coffee is supposed to be sipped slowly, and there is a tradition of fortune-telling with the grinds. It pairs well with Turkish Delight.
• Salep- Milky Orchid drink
It is a milk-based beverage made by boiling powder with milk. The powder is prepared with the wild orchid plant named 'Sahlep'. An excellent combination for Salep is cinnamon sprinkled on top of it.
• Boza- Fermented Millet beverage
One of the oldest Turkish beverages, Boza is prepared from millet semolina, water and sugar. The drink is thick and chilled with unique sweet and tangy flavours. It is served with cinnamon and freshly roasted chickpeas. Try this drink at Istabul's iconic shop, 'Vefa Bozacisi', a famous Tourist place in Turkey.
Get lost in the fairyland of Cappadocia, lying in south central Turkey. It's unique for its fairy chimneys, the large cone-like formation created over time by erosion of soft volcanic ash around them. Once, they were dug to create dwellings, castles and even underground cities like Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, used as hiding places by early Christians. Explore the Goreme Open-Air Museum and Kaymakli Underground City. Fly on a hot air balloon to soar over the fairy chimneys, valleys, and rock formations, while enjoying the peaceful view of the surrounding landscapes. It's one of the well-known Turkey's tourism places.
Turkey is famous for its cuisines, offering countless different influences and tastes. It's full of flavours and aromatic spices, which reflect the country's culture and history.
A few amazing dishes on Turk menus are:
• Kebabs are grilled or roasted meats cooked over an open flame, usually spicy.
• Meze is a selection of small dishes (stuffed grape leaves, hummus, Feta cheese and olives) served as appetizers.
• Pide is a type of Turkish flatbread similar to pizza.
• Baklava is a sweet pastry with layers of phyllo dough and honey, usually filled with chopped nuts like pistachios, walnuts, or almonds.
• Lahmacun is a thin flatbread topped with minced meat, vegetables, and herbs.
• Manti is small dumplings filled with ground beef or lamb and served with a yoghurt sauce and butter.
• Turkish Delight is a sweet confection made from starch and sugar flavoured with rosewater or citrus.