From rolling Kackar mountains to long, sandy Mediterranean beaches, Turkey is a vast country filled with stunning landscapes worth visiting. Whilst some destinations are remote and beautiful, others are some of the top visited attractions in the world. There are hundreds of places in Turkey that deserve a mention, but to make it easier when planning your next trip, the experts at Property Turkey have narrowed it down to their top seven spots.
Pamukkale
Based in Denizili Province, Pamukkale is one of world’s most magnificent natural wonders. The calcium solidified water has formed terraced pools that fall down the hillside, creating shimmering cotton-like limestone. You can swim in these large and small natural spa water pools, while getting a gorgeous landscape view of the surrounding countryside. Alongside allowing tourists to bathe in designated areas, there are plenty of well-preserved Roman ruins to take a look at during your visit.
Cappadocia
In the central Anatolian region of Turkey, Cappadocia is a unique lunar-like landscape of fairy chimneys formed by thousands of years of wind erosion. It is so much more than just a place, but a region that takes up to four days to explore completely. In the past, residents used to carve churches and local homes in the tufa rock, which can still be seen today. During the summer it is recommended to take a hot air balloon trip to see the vast landscape, alongside the green fields and abundance of flowers that fills the area.
Oludeniz
Oludeniz is a small neighbourhood and beach resort in the Fethiye region. This popular coastal resort is a national nature reserve, meaning there is no building or construction allowed under the protection of the government. As you descend the hill from Hisaronu and Ovacik, you will begin to see the beauty of the Blue Lagoon – one of Turkey’s most photographed sites. Paragliding is popular and is recommended in order to take in the stunning scenery in the best way possible.
Patara
Nobody likes a crowded, noisy beach, which is why Patara has become a rustic favourite for many travellers. At 12 miles long, this is Turkey’s longest sandy beach surrounded by ancient ruins amongst the landscape. Unlike other beaches around the Mediterranean, developments are not allowed due to the ancient city that surrounds it. This means that the beach is a calm, unspoilt paradise, perfect for quiet bird watching and to see protected species such the resident Loggerhead turtles.
Mardin Old Town
While new Mardin is a thriving city, there is something spectacular about the old town. This jewel of southeast Turkey is based over the Mesopotamian plains, giving tourists a jaw-dropping view of the Tigris river, as well as the surrounding ancient architecture. Locals are keen to keep their cultural heritage alive, so a simple stroll down the streets of Mardin Old Town is a historical experience to be treasured.
Kursunlu falls
While being an incredible waterfall experience, Kurşunlu Falls is also a wildlife experience. During your visit expect to see endemic plants, swim surrounded by cool pine forest and animal wildlife of birds, turtles, lizards and more. This is a lesser known attraction located in the heart of Kurşunlu Waterfall Nature Park but it is a beautiful, unique atmosphere scented with blackberries, wild roses and other plants.
Mount Ararat
Famed for its iconic two peaks, Mount Ararat is the mountain that is legendarily described in the Bible where Noah landed his Ark. This snow-capped, dormant compound volcano is located in the extreme east of Turkey, so should only be climbed by the most experienced hikers. With a height of 5137m (17,000ft), a hike up this mountain can take up to eight days.
The final word
Visiting Turkey brings with it many unique opportunities from wherever in the world you are based. Our top tip is to make sure you book in these experiences or tours well in advance of your travels so that you don’t miss out on anything that you have your heart set on. Also, don’t forget to pack the right clothing and accessories for wherever in the country you are heading and head to visa-for-turkey.com to make sure you have all the right travel documents in place before you leave for your holiday.
