5 of the Best Places to Visit in Turkey — But Which One’s for You?
Straddling two continents and shaped by empires, trade routes, and contrasting cultures, Turkey truly has something for everyone. This kaleidoscope of a country, which welcomed 64 million international visitors in 2025, is dazzlingly diverse. You can eat baklava by the Bosphorus, paraglide over the Blue Lagoon, and soar above ‘fairy chimneys’ in a hot-air balloon. You can roam car-free islands, hike ancient trails, and trace time from the Stone Age through the Silk Road right up to today. There’s something for sun-worshippers and all skills of skier. And best of all, the country remains comparatively affordable, especially if you’re willing to travel outside the obvious spots. Whether you’re looking for a last-minute bargain or a bucket list adventure, these are the most fascinating places to visit in Turkey right now.
If You Only Have a Long Weekend
Fly into Istanbul and spend three nights there. With its size and centuries of history, it would be impossible to see it all in one trip. Maybe even in a lifetime. So it’s wise to start with the basics. First-time visitors should book a hotel in Sultanahmet, the old town smack in the middle of the city’s star attractions: the Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar. For art, culture, and vintage boutiques, stay in Beyoğlu. For antiques and some of the best views in the city, Fener and Balat. For nightlife and waterside cafes, Kadıköy. You have your choice of two airports, Istanbul (IST) on the European side, and Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) on the Asian side. Daily direct flights operate to both from several UK airports, served by airlines including Turkish Airlines and British Airways and low-cost carriers such as Pegasus, Wizz Air, and easyJet.
If You Only Have a Week
Spend a couple of nights in Istanbul, then head down the Aegean coast for history and beaches in Izmir, Turkey’s most liberal city. End your trip inland at the UNESCO-listed thermal springs in Pamukkale before scooting back to Istanbul on a one-hour flight. It shouldn’t cost more than £45. If it’s not your first time in Istanbul, spare a day (and maybe a night) for the Adalar Islands. The perfect extension to a busy city break, this archipelago of nine islands 12 miles off the coast was the last refuge of the Ottoman Empire’s Greek and Armenian communities, many of them wealthy families who still own stately holiday homes there today. The jewel in the crown is Büyükada, the largest island with an area of about two square miles. It’s connected by ferry to Istanbul, a crossing that takes just over an hour. There are beach clubs, luxury hotels, and local restaurants aplenty. And aside from the odd police car, the island is car-free. It’s a side of Istanbul most miss out on and welcome respite from the crowds that throng the tourist hotspots on the mainland.
If You’re on a Budget
With its beautiful beaches and crystalline waters, Antalya is the beating heart of Turkey’s package tourism industry. Perfect for fly-and-flop breaks, low-cost airlines such as Pegasus, easyJet, and Jet2 keep prices competitively low, while sprawling all-inclusive resorts are under constant construction — meaning you’re always going to be able to snap up a bargain package holiday. Most of the hotels here are geared towards families, so it’s a good choice if you want to bring the kids along, too. Direct flights on Wizz Air from London Gatwick start from £25 one-way in June.
If You’re a Thrill-Seeker
The charming town of Fethiye is the gateway to some of Turkey’s most spectacular scenery. Perched on the Turquoise Coast, it is home to the famed Blue Lagoon, an inlet of azure sea ringed with sugar-white sand that’s gone viral several times over on Instagram and TikTok. But Fethiye should arguably be better known as the thrill-seeking destination in the country. You can paraglide from Babadag Mountain, leaping from the 2,000m summit to get a bird’s-eye vista of the glittering coastline. Plunge to the depths on a scuba diving expedition and explore the underwater tunnels and caves in the waters of the Med. Or hike the Lycian Way, a mammoth 300-mile trail that winds past campsites and family-run cafes. If you’re looking ahead to winter, check out Mount Uludag, Turkey’s premier ski destination. Located 120 miles south of Istanbul, Uludag is a big name in Turkish mythology. Legend has it, it was the vantage point for the gods during the Trojan War. These days, it caters to a wide range of preferences from boozy all-inclusives to halal-friendly resorts. It also hosts music festivals all year round.
If You Want Romance
Head straight for Cappadocia. This city of caves, surrounded on all sides by a lunar landscape of rocky outcrops known as ‘fairy chimneys’, is the perfect place to spend a romantic weekend outdoors. Hike, horse ride, or float over the 1,000m-high plateau in the middle of Anatolia in Cappadocia National Park. No visit is complete without the classic Cappadocia experience: a hot-air balloon ride at dawn. Stay in one of the boutique hotels built inside the ancient rocks and treat the one you love to a hot-stone hammam. They’ll thank you later.
