Turkey Cities, Towns and Parks

Despite its gloomy name, the Black Sea is just as worthy of your time as the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. The region receives an astonishing amount of rainfall every year, so although the skies aren't always blue and sunny, the land is green and lush. The climate is excellent for farming; visitors can check out terraced tea plantations, huge hazelnut farms, and some of the world's oldest cherry orchards.

Most visitors choose to begin their time here in the city of Trabzon, but there are also plenty of tiny fishing villages for those who want to get a taste of traditional Turkish culture. Black Sea Map

Sitting in the middle of Lake Van, Akdamar is best known for being home to the famous 10th-century Akdamar Cathedral. The church has been converted into a monument museum, and it boasts a number of excellent bas-relief carvings on the exterior walls, including an image of David and Goliath. After exploring the church, visitors can swim, picnic, stroll through the almond groves, or try to spot the white winged tern and other birds. Akdamar is roughly four miles away from the shores of the district of Gevas, and it takes approximately twenty minutes by boat to reach the island.

Situated on a small peninsula that juts out into the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, Alanya is a seaside resort town that offers an appealing blend of adventure and relaxation. Anyone looking to relax and unwind can lounge on the beach or visit a traditional Turkish bath house, while more adventurous visitors can go SCUBA diving, paragliding, donkey riding, or take a Jeep safari tour. The most impressive sight in the city is the iconic 13th-century citadel; perched on the top of a rocky hill, the site offers excellent panoramic views of the city and the ocean.

Often thought of as the gateway to Turkey's southern Mediterranean Riviera, Antalya is a fast-growing resort city with an impressive array of beautiful beaches and luxurious hotels. At the core of the city is the historic old quarter, which is closed off from the rest of the city by ancient stone walls and is home to a 125-foot minaret, a beautiful harbor, and several interesting ruins. Beautiful beaches lie to either side of the city; the western Konyaalti Beach boasts attractions like a large water park and an aquarium, while the eastern Lara Beach is home to a large number of luxurious hotels.

Almost entirely surrounded with beaches, Avsa Island is set in the southern Sea of Marmara. The sun and the sand draw most visitors here, but the island is also known for its many vineyards, its locally produced wine, and the wonderful seafood served in its restaurants. There are also plenty of excellent bars and nightclubs for visitors to enjoy, particularly along the seaside Sahil Avenue. The island is easy to reach by boat from Erdek, Tekirdag, and Istanbul, and once on the island, visitors can easily make a day trip to the nearby Marmara Island.

One of the country's most popular holiday resorts, Bodrum lies on the site of the ancient city of Halikarnassus and is the former location of the Mausoleum of Halikarnassu, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Although the mausoleum was destroyed during the Middle Ages, the city's twin bays offer stunning views of the iconic Bodrum Castle, which dates back to the early 1400s and is now an excellent museum. A number of other fascinating historic ruins can be found throughout the city, but modern advances mean that there are also plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops for visitors to enjoy.

Bosphorus is a natural strait that connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, and it separates Asian Turkey from European Turkey. Three suspension toll bridges stretch over the water, but the best way to enjoy the strait is to take one of the many available leisurely boat cruises. These range in length from two hours to the entire day, and special evening tours are offered during the peak summer months. Plenty of excellent seafood restaurants and teahouses line the shores of the strait, and many cruises include stops that allow visitors to enjoy a meal or a drink.

Also known as Tenedos, Bozcaada is the third largest island in Turkey and perhaps the most beautiful. Much of the island's coastline is made up of rocky cliffs, but there are plenty of secluded sandy coves for anyone interested in going for a swim or relaxing on the beach. Other highlights of the island include its picturesque windmills, its vineyards and wineries, its seafood restaurants, and its many historic monuments. Visitors who would like to bring their cars must take the ferry from the Geyikli Yukyeri Port, but a passenger-only ferry service is available directly from Canakkale.

Nestled in the foothills of Mount Uludag, Bursa is one of the country's most important industrial centers. However, the city is also a great place for a visit. As the original capital of the Ottoman Empire, Bursa boasts a dizzying array of beautiful mosques and külliyes, impressive examples of early Ottoman architecture, fascinating museums, and traditional thermal spas. It's possible to see the city's main sights on a day trip from Istanbul, but there are plenty of wonderful accommodation options for anyone who would like to spend more time enjoying all the city has to offer.

Canakkale is the perfect base for anyone who would like to explore the Gallipoli battlefields and the ruins of Troy, but there are plenty of great things to see and do in the city as well. One of the most impressive sights is the Çimenlik Fortress, which dates back to the 15th century and now houses both a Military Museum and a Naval Museum. The city center is small enough to explore on foot, and visitors interested in the history of the area should also visit the Trojan horse on the waterfront.