Attractions to See in Turkey

Ankara Castle, or Ankara Kalesi, is a fortification that remains from the early medieval era of Turkey. Though it is unknown when exactly the castle was built, it is estimated to have been established in 7th century AD and was at one point used by the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, Seljuq Turks, the Crusaders, and the Ottoman Empire. Visitors can explore the castle and everything within its 43,000 square kilometers; there are many old Ankara houses within the castle grounds that display the architectural styles of different periods. The mosques on the castle grounds are also worth exploring as they’re filled with stunning architectural aspects and decor.

The historical region of Cappadocia can be found in Central Anatolia, Turkey. The hills and rock sites are officially a part of Gerome National Park, which is a declared UNESCO World Heritage Site. The unique cultural and historical heritage of the region, along with its exceptional natural wonders, have made it a popular tourist attraction. Visitors head there to see the unique geological features in the four cities of Cappadocia, which include Aksaray, Nevsehir, Kayseri, and Nigde. One extremely popular activity that visitors should experience when there is hot-air ballooning, which gives a beautiful bird’s eye view of the wonders below.

Located in Ankara, Aqua Vega Aquarium is one of the largest underwater worlds in Europe. Aqua Vega houses the third largest tunnel aquarium and is a fun place for the entire family. There is a total capacity of 4.5 million liters of water in the salt and freshwater aquariums to create the homes of hundreds of fascinating sea creatures from all over the world. Exhibits such as Adrenaline World, the Sea Shell Museum, and Jungle Corner allow visitors to explore this amazing underwater world and get up close and personal with sharks, koi fish, napoleon fish, clown fish, and much more.

Ataturk's Mausoleum, or Anitkabir, is a mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk who was the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey. Having opened in 1953, the mausoleum is also the resting place of the second President of Turkey, Ismet Inonu. Visitors can explore the cut-stone clad monument and its beautiful Turkish architecture; the marble and stone used were brought in from various parts of Turkey, and the surface reliefs reflect that period. The park that surrounds the monument, Peace Park, is a great place to spend the day as there are over 50,000 decorative plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs from over 25 countries.

The Basilica Cisterns Istanbul is the largest of hundreds of ancient cisterns that can be found beneath the city of Istanbul. It was built during the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian. The artificial underground freshwater lakes are longer than the length of two football fields and hold up vaulted brick ceilings with pillars that were scavenged from Roman ruins. Visitors can rent rowboats and float through the masterpiece to explore the majestic architecture of the past and the cisterns unique attributes. Visitors can hear stories from the locals about whether the placement of Roman ruins such as a statue of Medusa’s head were specifically placed to show power or whether they were just randomly put together for the sake of construction.

The CerModern Arts Center in Ankara is one of the best places in Turkey for visitors to get acquainted with a variety of modern art. The art housed at the center consists of pieces from all mediums, and they are exhibited for visitors to see and appreciate. The establishment is renowned for working with schools and colleges to inspire new artists and collaborating with them in many of the museum’s programs. Other than seeing some stunning pieces of work, visitors can also participate in one of CerModern’s many workshops dedicated to understanding art and embracing traditional and contemporary literature.

Dolmabahce Palace, which can be found in the heart of Istanbul, was the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1887 and then again from 1909 to 1922. With baroque, ottoman, and neoclassical architecture, the palace building is one of the most magnificent structures of its kind. Visitors can explore the largest palace in Turkey and its 285 rooms and 46 halls; the exterior is a wondrous display of varying styles while the interior decor is breathtaking. Some of the pieces include exquisite Iznik tiles, gold-gilded ceilings, and the world’s largest Bohemian crystal chandelier, which is said to have been gifted by Queen Victoria.

Established in 2009 and a fairly new addition to Turkey’s many art museums, the Yuksel Erimtan Culture and Arts Foundation has quite an old beginning. In the 1960s, Yuksel Erimtan was a civil engineer who found himself with a growing collection of artifacts he discovered at the construction sites he worked on. Many of his initial pieces were ancient jewelry, but he also started collecting seal stones, coins, and glass and ceramic objects. The Erimtan Museum now displays the diverse collection of artifacts unearthed in Anatolia, including the original pieces of Yuksel himself. In addition to viewing the eclectic exhibitions, visitors can also attend the concerts held at the Erimtan Museum every Tuesday.

The Esztergom Castle Turkish Cultural Center was established in 2005 for people to experience and better understand Turkish history and culture. Found on the banks of the Danube River and within the historical Estergon Castle, the cultural center is filled with traditional Turkish art for visitors to experience. The castle and the palace were built during the Ottoman reign in Romanesque style, and visitors can explore the archaeological aspects as well as the 12th century frescoes in the palace chapel. Other surroundings in the area other than the royal castle include the cathedral, the synagogue, water town, and downtown.