3 Unforgettable Ways to See Turkey: From Ancient Cities to Surreal Landscapes

You can wake up in a cave in some areas, pass through Roman ruins at noon, and view the sunset across two continents in Turkey. And here, in this region, these variations are not simply on page in guidebooks but experienced on a daily basis.

From the windy hills of the ancient city of Ephesus to the bizarre landscapes of Cappadocia, this nation is full of old legends, stunning scenery, and kind-hearted people who can surprise you at any moment. Most people visit Istanbul and hang out along the coast, but the essence of genuine Turkey is in the interior regions – and in its rich history.

Here are three of the most wonderful experiences that reveal the richness, beauty, and personality of Turkey. These are not simply tour itineraries but profound journeys into the country’s soul.

Ephesus: A City Frozen in Time

Think about walking on the same street where Cleopatra and Mark Antony once strolled. This is how Ephesus, one of the most preserved ancient cities in the world, is like. It’s located in western Turkey next to the town of Selcuk. Ephesus was the former Roman capital of Asia Minor and served as an important trade, political, and cultural center.

A proper guide on the Ephesus tour makes the past live before your eyes. You visit the Library of Celsus, whose two-part front is still imposing. You walk the Marble Road, worn smooth by centuries of chariot wheels, and pass in front of ancient Roman homes whose walls have paintings of gladiators, Poseidon, and Dionysus.

Few visitors are actually aware that most of the history of Ephesus is beneath the surface — only 20% of the city has been excavated. This makes every visit like discovering something new.

Don’t miss the House of the Virgin Mary, located in the hills above. It is thought to be the Virgin Mary’s final dwelling place and is a peaceful, sacred site with a spring that is purported to cure ailments.

Tip: Visit in the morning or towards the end of the day in order to avoid the crowds and experience the sun on the Library of Celsus at its optimal angle. It is one of the country’s most great sights.

Cappadocia: Where the Earth Becomes Art

Ephesus may feel like stepping into the past, but Cappadocia is like stepping into a dream. The eruption of volcanos followed by wind erosion in the central part of Anatolia created stunning landscapes of goblins, caves and moon-like landscapes.

Seeing photos of hot balloons drifting over Góreme is emblematic of Turkey, but the Ozbek Tour company takes it each step further. Every part of their Cappadocia tour is, ‘a highlight of a lifetime’ and they certainly are not wrong. Aside from balloon rides, which we all know with 100 percent conviction do NOT fall under the ‘overrated’ category, we are offered:

• Starting with the thousand-year-old captivating open air museum where churches carved in rocks vibrantly decorated with 10th-century frescos.
  
• Introduced to the enormous underground city of Derenkuyu where thousands were once safely guarded off from invaders.
  
• Accompanied through the captivating scenery of Red Valley and Ihlara Canyon with soft illuminating rays overcoming abandoned monasteries alongside apricot trees.
  
• Dining under euphoric skies while consuming testi kebabı, a blend of slow cooked stew confined in a clay pot which is then smashed open at the table is truly phenomenal. Even more so when paired with volcanic wine grown within the region.

To top it all off, staying in cave hotels where floors have authentic rugs and the walls are sculpted straight from stone is like a dream!

Cappadocia isn’t just a landscape, it’s a place that makes you feel something. The silence of the valleys as well as the wind in the canyons along with the history frozen in stone deeply leaves one thinking. One feels calm. One feels different.

The Grand Tour: Experience the Best of Turkey in One Trip

If you have only one trip to Turkey, Then why not make it the trip of a life time? With Turkey tour packages, you don’t have to choose between cities, mountains, and coastlines – you can explore it all. These curated journeys blend comfort with culture and connection, so you’re not just visiting, you’re truly absorbing.

Here’s what a typical route might include:

• Istanbul: A whirlwind of domes and minarets. Tour Hagia Sophia, cross the Bosporus by boat, get lost in the sprawling Grand Bazaar, and while sipping tea oblivious overlooking the Blue Mosque, you breathe in the magic the city has to offer.
• Pamukkale: Walk barefoot across the white travertine terraces and take a dip in Cleopatra’s Pool, an ancient spa, now set in ruins. Don’t forget to witness the ancient Roman town Hierapolis, a marvel in its own right.
  
• Antalya: Where old meets new, beaches mingle with historic towns, Ottoman mansions tower over turquoise waters. Restaurants dishing out fresh grilled sea bream accompanied with chill meze is just the cherry on top.
  
• Konya: A spiritual gateway that hums with the works of Rumi, it is certainly the home of the Whirling Dervishes.

Each day offers a new surprise: spending the evening feasting on gözleme by the mountain village and still dipping your toes in a warm bay. A Lycian sunset or bustling bazaars overflowing with spices and treasures await.

You know the best part? Someone else sorts all the details for you. You need to do nothing but turn up, accept the offer of questions, and agree to everything – the apple tea, ancient baths, and spontaneous dances at the roadside cafes.

Why Turkey Stays With You

Getting bewitched by Turkey is simple but forgetting it is trickier.

Every traveler has a soft spot for history. From welcoming locals to places where history and hospitality co-exist, Turkey has it all. You visit Turkey for sites like bazaars, the ancient monuments, and grandiose mosques, but you stay for the little things that build one’s impression about a nation; be it a morning prayer sung from the overflowing roofs, a shepherd greeting you from a hillside, or the tantalizing scent of freshly baked simit.

Every stroll on the marble roads of Ephesus or while hiking under the chimneys in Cappadocia or even while tasting olives at the Aegean Coast, brings new charm. You no longer part your heart to just sightseeing; you become integrated into the narrative.

It is said that in Turkey, every story you hear or share contains countless layers.