I've spent over 4 months in Turkey, and have explored some fascinating cities, incredible ruins, seen snow covered fields and mountains, and beaches with crystal clear water surrounded by high cliffs. Here is a summary of where you need to go!
Istanbul
A city full of historical buildings dating back thousands of years, from the Blue mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica cistern, to bazaars and fortresses. A city with beautiful old buildings on very block, you can experience great shopping, fantastic nightlife, and try traditional food, spices and sweets. Take a cruise down the Bosphorus or check out the "Asian" side of Istanbul for a more relaxed and suburban atmosphere.
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Ephesus
The sheer size of these ruins allow you to really imagine what life here would have been like thousands of years ago. Stadiums that held thousands, a library, a market square, and walkways complete with "street lights" almost bring the city of Ephesus back to life. Don't miss coming here from Izmir or nearby Selçuk.
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Pamukkale
Made from calcium deposits, the travertines overlooking Pamukkale are beautiful and endless, and look as light as snow despite being rock solid. Dip your feet in the pools' water before wandering up to the ruins of Heiropolis. And make sure you stay until the sun sets for a stunning view!
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Fethiye
A beautiful seaside city that has everything you need, from shops, to cute cafes and bars, as well as being the doorstep to many ruins, hiking adventures, and diving opportunities!
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Kayaköy
A beautiful 10km hike or short bus ride from Fethiye, Kayaköy is a ghost town of hundreds of houses at the back of a small village. Quiet and peaceful, it's the perfect place to explore and have a Turkish kahve in the outdoors, or to bring a picnic lunch!
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Oludeniz, Faralya and Butterfly Valley
A stunning coastline as far as the eye can see, the beach by Oludeniz is gorgeous, and a great place to lie down and relax and grab some food. Further along the coast, you'll reach Butterfly Valley, where massive cliffs overlook an isolated beach, popular for camping. Next to Butterfly Valley lies the village of Faralya, which is beautiful to walk through, grab some lunch, and you can pick up some fresh and local fruit, honey, and eggs!
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Olympos
The ancient city of Olympos sits in a valley by the ocean. Surrounded by massive cliffs, you can see the remaining ruins on the way to a long pebble Beach. Stay in one of many family-run huts and tree houses in town, for a luxury "camping" experience!
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Antalya
The city that has it all, from shopping, to restaurants, to nightlife; all on a stunning coastline with a view of both mountains and ocean! With waterfalls falling into the ocean, Antalya really is a beautiful city. Have a walk around the "Old Town", Kaleiçi, and grab some lunch while enjoying the gorgeous view!
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Van
Set in the East of Turkey, only hours from Iran, Van is a considerably more conservative and "Eastern" city, sitting next to the massive Lake Van. The city is home to an old fortress overlooking both the town and lake, and is famous for it's resident Van cats, which are white and unique due to having one blue and one green eye!
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Kars
Just hours from Van, Kars is a lovely (however freezing cold!) city, with a fascinating history dating back thousands of years. This is reflected in it's diverse architecture, with Seljuk and Russian era buildings remaining, as well as a fortress. Kars also boasts some great local cheese and honey, and is under one hour away from the ruins of Ani; in my opinion one of the most incredible and extensive sites in Turkey. Previously a part of Armenia, mosques, churches, and other buildings dating back thousands of years cover the grounds!
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Erzurum
Also occupied by several great empires over thousands of years, a range of architectural influences can be seen in Erzurum. The Seljuk mosques are stunning and different to anything else I've seen before, and there are opportunities to ski right next to town! While overall conservative, the town centre appears modern and has many shopping and dining opportunities
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