Things to Do in Turkey

Located on the shores of the Bosphorus, on the Asian side of Istanbul, the Beylerbeyi Palace was a summer residence for Ottoman sultans and a guest house to entertain foreign heads of state. Sultan Abdulaziz ordered the construction of the palace in 1863 and it formally opened two years later. Over the years, it hosted visitors such as Empress Eugenie of France, Emperor Joseph of Austria-Hungary, Crown Prince Oscar of Sweden and Nasireddin, the Shah of Iran. It also served as the last place of captivity for deposed Sultan Abdulhamid II, who lived there until his death in 1918.

The two-story stone palace consists of six halls, 24 rooms, one hamam and one bathroom. The interior decorations mix Western neo-classical elements and traditional Ottoman design, with much of the furniture coming from Europe. The elegant reception hall is known as the Hall with Mother-of-Pearl and leads to a fine seaside room covered with rich wood paneling. The Hall with Pool and the Blue Hall make up the center of the palace, the former featuring a large oval pool in its center and the latter named after its sixteen blue columns.
On the grounds of the Beylerbeyi Palace, you will find exquisite garden terraces and several annexes, including bathing houses and stables.

Beyoglu is a cosmpolitan district on the European side of Istanbul that includes both Taksim Square and the famous Istiklal Caddesi. Located just north of the Golden Horn and connected to the old city center by the Galata Bridge, Beyoglu is the city’s modern center of shopping, entertainment and nightlife. 

The area around Beyoglu has been inhabited since the time of Christ and grew as a city as early as the 5th century. Known then as Galata, it was also the site of a fortress built by Byzantine Emperor Theodosius II. Eventually, it became a base for European merchants and was alternately controlled by the Genoese and the Venetians before being settled primarily by Turks in the 15th century.

By the mid-19th century, Beyoglu again had a European flavor, with international diplomats and traders settling in the district and making it the most Westernized part of Istanbul. Even today, numerous consulates remain in the area.

In addition to the shopping, dining and nightlife around Istiklal and Taksim Square, Beyoglu is home to a variety of museums, including the Pera Museum (exhibiting art from the late Ottoman Period), the Dogancay Museum (showcasing works by artist Burhan Dogancay) and the Jewish Museum of Turkey. You can also find Turkey’s largest Catholic church and largest synagogue in Beyoglu.

Located at the easternmost point of the Thracian Peninsula, the Belgrad Forest is about 15 kilometers outside of Istanbul. Covering about 5,000 hectares of land, the forest is home to a variety of plant, bird and animal species. Shaded by birch, elm, oak, pine and spruce trees, it is also a popular recreational area for residents of Istanbul.

The historical importance of the forest cannot be understated. In the 16th century, Suleyman the Magnificent resettled the area with Serbian prisoners-of-war so they could manage the many reservoirs that supplied water to Istanbul. Several reservoirs remain today, some dating as far back as the 15th century. On the fringes of the forest, sparse remains of the village of Belgrad can also be found.

The forest is also home to the Ataturk Arboretum, an expansion of the first nursery ever founded in Turkey, in 1916. Containing almost 300 hectares of land, the arboretum boasts over 2,000 foreign and native plant species. The most exotic plants can be found along a lake trail that takes about ninety minutes to walk.

A visit to the forest can be a great way to escape the tourist crowds of Istanbul and enjoy a bit of fresh air, although it can get crowded with picnickers on the weekends.

More than just a launching pad for visits to Gallipoli and Troy, Canakkale is a lively seaside port on the Dardanelles that’s an ideal destination for day trips from Istanbul.

The waterfront promenade is the place to be in summer, thronged with visitors enjoying the sunshine, outdoor bars and restaurants, and water views. The multistory clock tower near the harbor is a Canakkale landmark, built in 1897.

The town’s Military Museum includes Gallipoli exhibits, and Canakkale’s Cimenlik castle that was built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452. The archaeology museum has prized displays from Troy and Assos, and the cannons dotted around town are from WWI.

You’ll also see a grand model of a Trojan Horse in Canakkale, left over from the 2004 movie Troy, and a model of the ancient city.

Bosphorus, or the Istanbul Strait, functions not just as a border between Europe and Asia, but as one of the most beautiful sites in all of Turkey. Lined with scenic greenery, palaces, parks, and not to mention an absolutely gorgeous waterfront, Bosphorus has much more to offer than one may initially suspect.

One of its more popular landmarks, Dolmabahce Palace is one of the Ottoman Empire’s most significant and grandiose structures. With more than 240 rooms, and 43 hallways, Dolmabahce was a political hub in Turkey for the better part of one and a half centuries before the collapse of the empire.

If you’re looking to embrace the wonderful outdoors of the area, two of Bosphorus’ more beautiful parks are the Emirgan and Macka Parks. Where Emirgan contains a plethora of water-related scenery including ponds, waterfalls and the Bosphorus itself, Macka too shares views of the Bosphorus’ beauty, but is composed of charming valley terrain, providing the opportunity for energizing strolls about.

Although a bit pricey, there are many places along the Bosphorus to enjoy a proper day out and if you so desire, a night out—including a jazz club, one of Europe’s best nightclubs, and nice selection of restaurants and bars.

Just a few kilometers from Uskudar in Istanbul, Camlica Hill offers a different perspective of the city. Split into two hills – Big Camlica and Little Camlica – it is a popular destination for residents to picnic and barbeque on the weekends.

At 267 meters above sea level, Big Camlica is the highest point in Istanbul and, not surprisingly, offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. From the top, you can see the Bosphorus Bridge, Eminonu Peninsula, the Sea of Marmara and the Princes’ Island.  On the clearest of days, you can also see as far as Mount Uludag near Bursa.  Tea gardens, restaurants and a variety of vendors are also scattered around the hill.

Little Camlica is the quieter of the two hills. Despite its pleasant gardens and walking trails, it attracts fewer visitors than its counterpart.  

The view from Camlica Hill at sunset is superb, with the silhouettes of Istanbul’s domes and minarets glowing in front of the colorful sky. Visiting in the springtime is also pleasure as tulips are planted ahead of the annual Istanbul Tulip Festival and wildflowers are in bloom.

Standout architectural gems in Bursa include the Green Mosque (Yesil Camii) and Green Tomb (Yesil Turbe), early examples of the Ottoman style and featuring carved marble, calligraphy and glazed tiles.

Merchants have gathered at Bursa’s Koza Han caravanserai since 1490, and the covered market dates back to the 14th century. Shop for traditional shadow puppets and sensuous silks, before visiting the vast imperial Great Mosque with its 20 domes and dozen pillars.

While you’re here in Bursa, enjoy a doner kebap in the town where this favorite Turkish snack was born. Bursa serves up the original and best kebaps in Turkey, topped with tomato sauce, yogurt and melted butter.

The beautiful spot known as Kelebekler Vadisi, or “Butterfly Valley,” holds an almost mythical attraction for many travelers to Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, perhaps because of its relative isolation: the narrow, steeply walled cove can only be accessed by boat or on foot. To add to the mystique, the valley takes its name from the many species of butterflies and moths that breed here during the winter, including the brightly colored and rarely seen Jersey tiger.

From the secluded beach at the entrance to the verdant gorge that leads to a 60-foot waterfall at the back, the setting is simply delightful. Although there is a well-trodden path to the waterfall it’s a good idea to bring waterproof shoes, as some wading through the streambed is necessary.

Butterfly Valley makes an easy day trip by boat from Ölüdeniz, but in order to fully soak up the atmosphere you might want to stay a few days. Accommodations are decidedly rustic – bungalows and camping tents can be rented – and a mellow, hippie-like atmosphere pervades. For getting off the grid, this place can’t be beat.