Cities in Turkey

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Istanbul, the coast, and the Anatolian interior

Turkey is large enough that its cities have little in common: Istanbul straddles two continents, the Aegean coast is Greek and Roman, and Anatolia is something else again.

Here is the list of 18 Cities in Turkey

1. Istanbul

Istanbul
4.8 /5 View 251+ photos

Known For : Hagia Sophia Sultan Ahmed Mosque Topkapi Palace

Although not the official capital of Turkey, Istanbul is still very much the heart of all activities in the country. It is Turkey's largest and most populated city and also the centre of tourism. Istanbul is located on both sides of the Bosphorus and thus lies in both Europe and Asia.

Best Time: April to June, September to October

102 Istanbul Attractions

2. Antalya

Antalya
4.7 /5 View 116+ photos

Known For : Kaleici Konyaalti Beach Duden Waterfalls

Antalya is one of the oldest yet most modern cities in Turkey. It is located in the southwestern region and is bordered by the Tauras Mountains. Antalya is famous as a Turkish resort city since it is home to several beaches flanked by large and luxurious Las Vegas style resorts. It is as popular with couples looking for a romantic getaway as it is with families looking for an unforgettable trip.

Best Time: April to October

43 Antalya Attractions

3. Izmir

Izmir
4.3 /5 View 62+ photos

Known For : Kemeralti Market Konak Square Izmir Clock Tower

Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey (after Istanbul and Ankara) and the second biggest port. It is a modern metropolitan with a developed and busy city centre surrounded by a large bay. Located on the coast of the Aegean sea, Izmir is known for its beaches and watersports.

Best Time: April - June, September - October

36 Izmir Attractions

4. Fethiye

Fethiye
4.4 /5

Known For : Fethiye Old Town Amyntas Rock Tombs Paragliding in Fethiye

Fethiye is a port city located on the Turquoise Coast of Turkey. Known for its natural harbor and turquoise blue waters, Fethiye is situated around 144 kms away from Antalya in the Aegean region of Turkey. Several rock tombs and beachfront promenades make for tourist spots in the city.

Best Time: May - October

19 Fethiye Attractions

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5. Bodrum

Bodrum
4.4 /5

Known For : Bodrum Castle Zeki Muren Arts Museum Bodrum Ancient Theatre

Bodrum is a beach town set in the Bodrum peninsula along the southwestern Aegean Coast. Located opposite the Greek island of Kos, the city is known for its marinas and beaches. One of the most popular vacation destinations in Turkey, Bodrum enjoys close proximity to Izmir, located around 230 kms from it.

Best Time: August to November

24 Bodrum Attractions

6. Ankara

Ankara
4.4 /5 View 38+ photos

Known For : Anitkabir Museum of Anatolian Civilizations Ankara Castle

Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the second largest city after Istanbul. It is located in the centre of the Anatolian region and is known to be the nation's administrative centre. It is home to many well-preserved Roman and Ottoman relics scattered throughout the city.

Best Time: April to June, September to October

44 Ankara Attractions

7. Marmaris

Marmaris
4.4 /5

Known For : Marmaris Castle and Archeology Museum Marmaris Public Beach Atlantis Water Park Marmaris

The port city of Marmaris is located at Mugla Province on the Mediterranean Coast in South-west Turkey. It is situated on a mountain-ringed bay, opposite the famous Greek island Rhodes. Known for its isolated bays, luxury hotels and resorts and coastline that extends into valleys, it is a popular holiday town for water lovers along the Aegean coast.

Best Time: May - October

38 Marmaris Attractions

8. Konya

Konya
4.1 /5

Known For : Mevlana Museum Whirling Dervish Ceremony Konya Karatay Medresesi

Considered to be one of the first residential cities of the world, Konya is a town in the Central Anatolia region in Turkey, towards the south of Ankara. Konya houses numerous mosques and museums and is most popular for the Mevlana Museum, housing the Mevlana tomb. It is also the best place in Turkey to experience the Whirling Dervishes ceremony.

Best Time: April to September

25 Konya Attractions

9. Alacati

Alacati
4.8 /5

Known For : Ilica Beach Cesme Marina Cesme Castle

Surrounded by the Aegean Sea, Alacati is a coastal town in Turkey. set in the Cesme peninsula, this charming-old Greek town is popular for its vineyards, windmills and the sea. It is studded with natural stone houses with alcove windows and vibrantly coloured doors.

Best Time: June to September

8 Alacati Attractions

10. Trabzon

Trabzon
4.5 /5

Known For : Trabzon Castle Boztepe Tea Garden Sera Lake

Located on the Black Sea coast of northeastern Turkey, Trabzon is a city with an epic history. Known for its distinctive churches, mosques and natural marvels, Trabzon, formerly known as Trebizond, is the second-largest city in the Black coast region. Trabzon is an excellent place to travel to for admirers of nature, history and architecture.

Best Time: March to May, September to November

16 Trabzon Attractions

11. Alanya

Alanya
4.5 /5

Known For : Alanya Castle Red Tower Cable Car Alanya

Alanya is a resort town in the Turkish Riviera, located around 124 kms from Antalya. Alanya is an excellent destination for travelers who seek solitude and a hustle-free countryside trip. It is the perfect blend of medieval history and touristy spots with its turquoise beaches and ancient ruins.

Best Time: February to May, September to December

20 Alanya Attractions

12. Cesme

Cesme
4.5 /5

Known For : Cesme Marina Cesme Castle Gulet Boat Trip in Cesme

The Turkish coastal town of Cesme is located on the Aegean coast towards the west of Izmir. It is located 89 km from Izmir in Turkey and very close to the Greek island of Chios. Surrounded by crystal blue seas, Cesme is one of the most stretches in Turkey and a popular holiday resort town.

Best Time: June to September

12 Cesme Attractions

13. Bursa

Bursa
4.3 /5

Known For : Bursa Grand Bazaar Grand Mosque of Bursa Koza Han

Also known as the Green Bursa, Bursa is situated at the foothills of Mount Uludag in Anatolia's Marmara region. Bursa is one of Turkey's most important historical cities, with a rich Ottoman history. It is known for its parks and gardens, vintage Ottoman houses and ornate tombs of Sultans. Bursa was awarded the UNESCO World Heritage status for being the birthplace of the Ottoman Empire.

Best Time: November to March

23 Bursa Attractions

14. Mersin

Mersin
4.2 /5

Known For : Maiden's Castle Mersin Marina Forum Mall Mersin

Mersin is a working port on the Mediterranean coast of southern Turkey, the country's largest container harbour, with a long palm-lined seafront and little of the resort apparatus of Antalya further west. What brings visitors is mostly what lies around it: the sea castle at Kizkalesi, the sinkholes known as the Caves of Heaven and Hell, and the ruins at Kanlidivane.

Best Time: June to October

12 Mersin Attractions

15. Kemer

Kemer
4.8 /5

Known For : Phaselis Kemer Beach Mount Chimaera

Kemer is a seaside resort town on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, at the foothills of the Taurus Mountain. Known for its panoramic views of pine trees, golden sand beaches, and lush green valleys, Kemer is located 32 kms from Antalya, a popular holiday destination.

Best Time: June to September

12 Kemer Attractions

16. Kusadasi

Kusadasi
4.2 /5

Known For : Ladies Beach Ephesus Kusadasi Castle

The beach resort town of Kusadasi is located on the Aegean Coast in Turkey. Located 95 km ride from Izmir, the island of Kusadasi is known for its turquoise sparkling waters, sandy beaches and large marinas. This major cruise destination is also the gateway to historical ruins in Ephesus, an ancient town in the surrounding areas.

Best Time: June to Oct

34 Kusadasi Attractions

17. Adana

Adana
4.2 /5

Known For : Adana Stone Bridge Adana Central Park Sabanci Central Mosque

The city of Adana is situated on the banks of the Seyhan River, around 35 kms from the northeastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Housing vast Cilician Plains, Adana is the fourth largest and one of the most populous places in Turkey. It is not a major tourist location in Turkey, but it is frequented by tourists on extended vacations in the country.

Best Time: March to June, October to November

14 Adana Attractions

18. Goreme

Goreme

Goreme, set within volcanic rock formations, serves as the entrance to Goreme National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring ancient cave churches dating back to the 10th and 11th centuries. This area is renowned for its unique chimney rock formations and attracts backpackers. Besides its natural beauty, Goreme is a wonderful place to savor Turkish cuisine and local wines.

Routing is the first decision on a Turkey trip. Museums in Turkey covers the collections, palaces in Turkey the Ottoman sites, and day trips from Istanbul the excursions.

This post was published by Anchal Jain

FAQs on Cities in Turkey

Which cities should I visit in Turkey?

Istanbul, without question, then one coastal base such as Antalya or Izmir for the ruins and beaches, and Cappadocia, which is a region rather than a city. Ten days covers those three comfortably.

Is Ankara worth visiting?

For the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, which is genuinely world class, and Ataturk's mausoleum. Otherwise it is an administrative capital rather than a tourist city, and most itineraries skip it.

Which city is best for ancient sites?

Izmir, as a base for Ephesus, Pergamon and the Aegean sites. Antalya covers the Mediterranean equivalents including Perge and Aspendos. Both have airports with direct flights.

How do I travel between Turkish cities?

Domestic flights, which are frequent and cheap for a country this size. Long-distance buses are comfortable and reach everywhere. The high-speed rail links Istanbul, Ankara and Konya.

When is the best time to visit?

April to June and September to October. July and August are very hot on the coast and in the interior, and winter closes much of the coastal tourism, though Istanbul and Cappadocia are atmospheric in snow.

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