Choose from 196 Fun Things to Do in Turkey
ShowingFilter 81-100 of 196 listings.
Hippodrome (At Meydani)
Built in the third century, the Hippodrome was the home of now-named Istanbul’s sporting entertainment during the Byzantine era, with a wide track for chariot racing. Today, the route of the old track is covered by Sultanahmet Square, a wide open space in the center of the old city, punctuated by ancient obelisks.
The Basics
The current Hippodrome traces the course of the ancient race track, though the actual remains are still underground. The square contains the Obelisk of Theodosius, a pink, Egyptian-made granite column that was brought to Istanbul in the fourth century and is one of the oldest monuments in the city. Also here are a spiralled obelisk that came from the temple of Apollo, the Walled Obelisk, and the German Fountain, a gift from Kaiser Wilhelm in the early 20th century.
Some small-group and private tours combine a visit to the Hippodrome with other sights in Sultanahmet, including the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Cistern.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Hippodrome is a must-visit for history buffs.
- Wear comfortable shoes to stroll around the Hippodrome.
- The Hippodrome is flat and handicap accessible.
How to Get There
The Hippodrome is in Istanbul’s bustling Sultanahmet neighborhood, between the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia and close to Topkapi Palace. It is minutes away from the Sultanahmet tram stop and is also easily accessible by taxi. Parking is limited in the area, so driving is not recommended.
When to Get There
The Sultanahmet area and the Hippodrome can get very busy, so it’s best to arrive early in the day or after the main sights have closed. Weekends and sunny days during the peak season are the busiest. The Hippodrome is now a public square, so it is open every day, all day.
Archaeology at the Hippodrome
Much of the historical Hippodrome is still underground. It’s possible to see part of the original level of the racecourse at the base of the ancient obelisks that dot the square. Some of the Hippodrome’s original statues and seats have been uncovered over the years, and are now housed in the Istanbul Archaeology Museums.
Address: Turkey
From $ 14
Isa Bey Mosque
Isa Bey Mosque was built in 1375 near the ancient city of Ephesus in what is today Selcuk, Turkey. Parts of the mosque were built using stones and columns from the ruins of Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis. It was designed asymmetrically instead of a more traditional symmetric layout and includes a large courtyard. The mosque uses a Selcuk style of architecture rather than the Ottoman style that was used more often in later years.
Visitors can admire the facade on the western side which is covered in marble and carved with geometric designs and calligraphy inscriptions. You can all see the brick minaret that has survived over the centuries on the north side of the mosque and two domes in the center. The mosque sits below the citadel near the Basilica of St. John. From the mosque, you can look up at the impressive ruins of the citadel and the basilica. The view from the hill where the basilica sits gives an impressive perspective of the mosque as well.
Practical Info
Isa Bey Mosque is located on Atatürk Mh and is a 10-minute walk from the Selcuk main train station. Entrance is free. Certain areas are used for prayer, but there is also an area for visitors.
Address: Efes Harabeleri, Selcuk, Izmir Province, Turkey 35920, Turkey
From $ 12
Izmir Cruise Port
Sitting on the coast of the Aegean Sea, Izmir is Turkey’s third largest city and second largest port. Once known as Smyrna, its history goes back to around 3,000 B.C. Today, Izmir is a modern city with a European feel that serves as a jumping off point for visits to nearby Ephesus, Pergamum and Asclepion.
How to Get to Izmir
Arriving in Izmir, you’ll dock at Alcansak, about a 20 minute walk from Konak Square – the center of town. If you don’t feel like walking, taxis are also available outside the terminal. A one-way trip should cost around 12-15 Turkish lira. The terminal is also about a 5 minute walk from the upscale Alcansak neighborhood, which offers plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
Another option is to join the city’s hop-on hop-off bus sightseeing tour, which passes right in front of the port every thirty minutes.
One Day in Izmir
More likely than not, if you dock at Izmir, you’ll hop on one of your cruise ship’s excursions to Ephesus, Pergamum and/or Asclepion. If, however, you decide to hang around Izmir, there’s enough to keep you busy for the day.
Izmir’s hop-on hop-off bus tour mentioned above is a great way to familiarize yourself with the city and get around easily. Make your first stop at Konak Square in the center of town. The square is known for its clock tower, built in 1901, as well as the Konak Yali Mosque and the Kemeralti Bazaar located nearby. Then, head over to the bazaar to peruse the stalls of ceramics, jewelry, carpets and copper and try your hand at haggling.
To get a taste of old Izmir, make your way up to Kadifekale, an old castle sitting on a hill above the city, and visit the ruins of Agora, a marketplace dating to the 1st century B.C. that was once one of the most impressive in the Roman Empire. Izmir also has a few small museums worth checking out, including the Archaeological Museum and the Ethnography Museum located in Bahribaba Park, as well as the Ataturk Museum, the Izmir Museum of Arts and Sculpture and the Izmir Museum of Commercial History.
On your way back to the port, wander through the narrow streets of the Alsancak neighborhood to check out the old Greek houses and perhaps stop for a drink along the way.
Port Information
At the port, you can find a variety of shops and cafes as well as city maps offered by the local chamber of commerce. There is also an internet café about 200 meters away from the terminal. The official language is Turkish but visitors should be able to get around fine speaking English.
How to Get to Izmir
Arriving in Izmir, you’ll dock at Alcansak, about a 20 minute walk from Konak Square – the center of town. If you don’t feel like walking, taxis are also available outside the terminal. A one-way trip should cost around 12-15 Turkish lira. The terminal is also about a 5 minute walk from the upscale Alcansak neighborhood, which offers plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
Another option is to join the city’s hop-on hop-off bus sightseeing tour, which passes right in front of the port every thirty minutes.
One Day in Izmir
More likely than not, if you dock at Izmir, you’ll hop on one of your cruise ship’s excursions to Ephesus, Pergamum and/or Asclepion. If, however, you decide to hang around Izmir, there’s enough to keep you busy for the day.
Izmir’s hop-on hop-off bus tour mentioned above is a great way to familiarize yourself with the city and get around easily. Make your first stop at Konak Square in the center of town. The square is known for its clock tower, built in 1901, as well as the Konak Yali Mosque and the Kemeralti Bazaar located nearby. Then, head over to the bazaar to peruse the stalls of ceramics, jewelry, carpets and copper and try your hand at haggling.
To get a taste of old Izmir, make your way up to Kadifekale, an old castle sitting on a hill above the city, and visit the ruins of Agora, a marketplace dating to the 1st century B.C. that was once one of the most impressive in the Roman Empire. Izmir also has a few small museums worth checking out, including the Archaeological Museum and the Ethnography Museum located in Bahribaba Park, as well as the Ataturk Museum, the Izmir Museum of Arts and Sculpture and the Izmir Museum of Commercial History.
On your way back to the port, wander through the narrow streets of the Alsancak neighborhood to check out the old Greek houses and perhaps stop for a drink along the way.
Port Information
At the port, you can find a variety of shops and cafes as well as city maps offered by the local chamber of commerce. There is also an internet café about 200 meters away from the terminal. The official language is Turkish but visitors should be able to get around fine speaking English.
Address: Izmir, Turkey
From $ 50
Istanbul Aquarium
Sharks swim in overhead tunnels and stingrays, clownfish, and red belly piranhas wriggle by at Istanbul Aquarium, home to over 1,500 sea and land creatures. With 16 geographical zones set out in 64 tanks holding 6,800 m3 of water, the numbers at this Florya neighborhood aquarium are impressive. From Red Sea to Pacific Ocean, Panama Canal to the Aegean, you can see the creatures that call these underwater worlds home. There's also a rainforest zone where you can spot poison frogs and come up close to the caiman crocodiles who are fed at 4pm every Saturday.
As you walk through Istanbul Aquarium, you'll see there are touch screens with information available in Turkish and English so you can learn more about the resident fish, animals and their habitat. Every day except Monday, at 11am you can see the sharks being fed, and the smaller fish are fed at 3pm every day. The aquarium has three cafes where you can relax, one of which faces the aquarium's Panama Canal, and it's also home to a 5D movie theater where you'll get to experience special fog, wind and water effects.
Practical Info
Entry to the Istanbul Aquarium costs 35 TL, and 5D movies cost 7.5 TL for the first movie, 10TL for the second. The aquarium is open from 10am-7pm on weekdays and from 10am - 8pm on weekends. Housed in the Aqua Florya shopping complex, the Istanbul Aquarium is hard to miss. To get there, take the train to Florya station and walk in the direction of Yeşilköy — you’ll reach the aquarium after 800 meters.
Address: Bakırköy, Yeşilköy Halkalı Cad. No:93, Istanbul, Turkey
Hours: 10am-7pm on weekdays; 10am-8pm on weekends
Admission: Aquarium costs 35 TL, and 5D movies cost 7.5 TL for the first movie, 10TL for the second
From $ 19
Hagia Irene
Hagia Irene was the first church built in Constantinople, though the current structure dates back to the 6th century after fires and earthquakes ravaged the previous churches on the spot. It was used as an Orthodox Church and was the only church in Istanbul not turned into a mosque after Ottoman Turks conquered the area. Instead, it was used as a storage facility for artillery and other military items. Therefore, it still has much of its 6th-century look.
Inside, you won't find a traditional museum as the church itself is the main attraction. What you will find are the remains of a spectacular piece of Byzantine architecture, including the original atrium. Also take note of the still-intact apse with its five rows of built-in seats and the black cross drawn on the wall dating back to the iconoclastic period of the 8th century.
The structurally sound dome in the church has a marvelous acoustic quality to it and concerts are often held in Hagia Irene, which is a truly memorable way to experience the ancient church.
Practical Info
Hagia Irene is located by the entrance to Topkapi Palace, but has a separate entrance fee (20 TL). Hagia Irene is open every day except Tuesdays. Shoulders and knees need to be covered in order to enter.
Address: Fatih/İstanbul 34122, Turkey
Hours: Open Wed-Mon, Closed Tues
Admission: 20 TL
From $ 81
Istiklal Street
Istiklal Street, known in Turkish as Istiklal Caddesi, is one of the most well-known avenues in Istanbul. Stretching for about three kilometers, it is the main pedestrian thoroughfare in the city and welcomes as many as 3 million visitors on any given day.
Known as Grand Avenue during the Ottoman Period, the avenue was renamed Istiklal (Independence) in 1923 to commemorate the declaration of the Republic of Turkey after the Turkish War of Independence. Running from the Galata Tower to Taksim Square, it is lined with late Ottoman era buildings built in a variety of architectural styles, ranging from Neo-Classical to Art Deco.
Istiklal experienced a downturn in the 1970s and 1980s, but by the late 1980s a massive restoration project was underway to revitalize the historic area. Historic buildings along the street were restored, pavement was laid for full pedestrianization and the tram that once ran up and down the length of the avenue was reinstalled. Today, it is teeming with art galleries, boutiques, shops, cafes and nightclubs, making it a center of activity in Istanbul day and night. Together with Taksim Square, it also plays host to a number of parades, demonstrations and celebrations throughout the year.
Known as Grand Avenue during the Ottoman Period, the avenue was renamed Istiklal (Independence) in 1923 to commemorate the declaration of the Republic of Turkey after the Turkish War of Independence. Running from the Galata Tower to Taksim Square, it is lined with late Ottoman era buildings built in a variety of architectural styles, ranging from Neo-Classical to Art Deco.
Istiklal experienced a downturn in the 1970s and 1980s, but by the late 1980s a massive restoration project was underway to revitalize the historic area. Historic buildings along the street were restored, pavement was laid for full pedestrianization and the tram that once ran up and down the length of the avenue was reinstalled. Today, it is teeming with art galleries, boutiques, shops, cafes and nightclubs, making it a center of activity in Istanbul day and night. Together with Taksim Square, it also plays host to a number of parades, demonstrations and celebrations throughout the year.
Practical Information
Istiklal runs from Tunel Square to Taksim Square, each of which is accessible by public transportation. Take the tram to Karakoy and then either make the steep climb uphill to Tunel Square or take the much faster (and less strenuous) funicular. Alternatively, you can ride the metro to the Taksim Square station or take the tram to Kalabatas and transfer to a funicular there that will take you up to Taksim Square. Hop on the historic tram to get from one end of the street to the other.
Address: Turkey
From $ 45
Izmir Ethnography Museum
Situated within the four-story former St Roche Hospital, the Izmir Ethnography Museum houses some fascinating artifacts relating to the Seljuk period of Turkish history, exploring everything from camel wrestling and weaponry to jewelry and embroidery. The site makes for an interesting visit with photographs and dioramas to browse, plus various examples of local arts, crafts, clothing and customs from the period, demonstrating the way of life in Izmir and its surroundings.
Notable displays include a collection of illustrated manuscripts and a number of folkloric artifacts, including a collection of Bergama and Gordes carpets.
Practical Info
The Izmir Ethnography Museum sits right next door to the Archaeology Museum, and so a combined visit is recommended. Entrance into the Ethnography Museum is free, and the nearest metro station is Konak.
Address: Halil Rifat Paşa Caddesi 3, Izmir 35250, Turkey
Hours: 8:30am-5:30pm, Tuesday to Sunday
From $ 50
Izmir Archaeology Museum
The Izmir Archeology Museum is located next to the Ethnography Museum, not far from the city’s Konak Square. It was first opened to the public in 1927, but found its place in its current location in 1984. Many of the museum’s rich and varied artifacts derive from the Bronze Age, or from the Greek and Roman periods.
This vast museum features various exhibition halls arranged across different floors, including laboratories, libraries, and conference halls, covering an area of some 5000 square meters.
It’s estimated that there are approximately 1500 artifacts on display here, with items from the ancient city of Smyrna, as well as from a number of other ancient sites in the area, including Ephesus, Pergamon, Miletus, Aphrodisias, and Iasos.
Practical Info
The Izmir Archaeology Museum sits right next door to the Ethnography Museum, and so a combined visit is recommended. The nearest metro station is Konak.
Address: Halil Rifat Paşa Caddesi 4, Izmir 35250, Turkey
Hours: 15 April to 27 September: 8am-7pm / 28 September to 25 October: 8am-6:30pm
Admission: 10 TL
From $ 50
Istinye Park
Absolutely the go-to shopping destination in Istanbul, Istinye Park is the most prestigious mall of the city’s retail scene. This sleekly designed one-stop shopping center is home to more than 300 high-end stores, including famous designer names such as Prada, Armani, Chanel and Dior and stylish high-street brands such as Max Mara and Zara. With 917,623 ft2 (85,250 m2) of retail space over four floors, the mall has glossy undercover shopping arcades, an entertainment center topped with a glass dome, a traditional Turkish food market and an outdoor eating area centered around a garden with fountains that are illuminated at night.
It’s easy to spend a happy family day out at the mall, as it offers the city’s first IMAX movie theater plus a multitude of cuisines in its 40 cafés and restaurants. Istinye Park has four floors of free underground parking and there are daily activities to entertain youngsters while their parents scour the shops.
Istinye Park can be visited on a full-day private tour of Istanbul’s premier retail outlets — including Istanbul Cevahir — with lunch as part of the package.
Practical Info
Katar Cad. No: 73 Sarıyer, Istanbul. Open daily 10am–10pm. Free admission. Take the bus to Istinye Park or Borsa.
Address: Katar Cad. No: 73 Sarıyer, Istanbul 34460, Turkey
Hours: Open daily 10am–10pm
From $ 250
Istanbul Cruise Port
The legendary city of Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia, washed by the Bosphorus on the Sea of Marmara. Sail past the minarets and domes to dock near the medieval Galata Tower, then make a date to bargain hunt in the markets, soak up Ottoman history in the palaces and mosques, or visit the Turkish islands for the day.
How to Get to Istanbul
Cruise liners dock at the Yolcu Salonu passenger terminal, on the Bosphorus waterfront at Karakoy. Trams run from Karakoy across the Galata Bridge to the Spice Bazaar, Sultanahmet, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi. It’s a 10-minute stroll if you’d like to walk to the Galata Bridge. Or you can catch a taxi to Taksim Square and pedestrianized Istiklal Caddesi to stroll past bustling shops and restaurants.
One Day in Istanbul
There’s so much history crammed into Istanbul, historically known as Constantinople. Visit Byzantine churches turned Ottoman mosques, the most famous being Hagia Sophia, and tour the sultans’ exotic Topkapi Palace. Get ready to haggle at the Great Bazaar, or sail off for a car-free day on the idyllic Princes Islands.
For the best overview of this seductive city, an Istanbul in One Day sightseeing tour includes all the highlights, plus a visit to the tiled Blue Mosque. And if your visit extends into evening, dine on Turkish cuisine accompanied by the glitter and glamour of belly dancers with an Istanbul by Night dinner and show.
Port Information
Istanbul is one of Turkey’s most important cruise ports, visited by liners operated by Princess, Celebrity, Oceania, Costa, Cunard, Hapag-Lloyd and MSC Italian. The currency is Turkish Lira, best sourced from banks and ATMs. Turkish is the official language while Arabic and Kurdish are also spoken. But English is widely understood at the major tourist sites, shops and bazaars so you should not encounter many problems when communicating with the locals.
How to Get to Istanbul
Cruise liners dock at the Yolcu Salonu passenger terminal, on the Bosphorus waterfront at Karakoy. Trams run from Karakoy across the Galata Bridge to the Spice Bazaar, Sultanahmet, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi. It’s a 10-minute stroll if you’d like to walk to the Galata Bridge. Or you can catch a taxi to Taksim Square and pedestrianized Istiklal Caddesi to stroll past bustling shops and restaurants.
One Day in Istanbul
There’s so much history crammed into Istanbul, historically known as Constantinople. Visit Byzantine churches turned Ottoman mosques, the most famous being Hagia Sophia, and tour the sultans’ exotic Topkapi Palace. Get ready to haggle at the Great Bazaar, or sail off for a car-free day on the idyllic Princes Islands.
For the best overview of this seductive city, an Istanbul in One Day sightseeing tour includes all the highlights, plus a visit to the tiled Blue Mosque. And if your visit extends into evening, dine on Turkish cuisine accompanied by the glitter and glamour of belly dancers with an Istanbul by Night dinner and show.
Port Information
Istanbul is one of Turkey’s most important cruise ports, visited by liners operated by Princess, Celebrity, Oceania, Costa, Cunard, Hapag-Lloyd and MSC Italian. The currency is Turkish Lira, best sourced from banks and ATMs. Turkish is the official language while Arabic and Kurdish are also spoken. But English is widely understood at the major tourist sites, shops and bazaars so you should not encounter many problems when communicating with the locals.
Address: Rıhtım Cd 2 Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa Mh., Istanbul 34425, Turkey
From $ 15
Imagination Valley (Devrent Valley)
This is a place to let your mind run free in a seemingly lunar landscape with rock formations that look like animals.
The Devrent Valley, also known as Imagination Valley, has none of the cave churches, Byzantine frescoes or Roman citadel ruins that are famous throughout the rest of Cappadocia; but what it does have is an extraordinary landscape shaped by nature to make you laugh and wonder and explore.
Only a 10 minute drive from Göreme, between Avanos and Ürgüp, the valley is like a rock-formed zoo. Walk the trail and you’ll see a landscape filled with snakes, camels, seals and dolphins and whatever else your mind chooses to make of the twisting curving rocks. Maybe even a dragon. There are also small fairy chimneys, the rock pillars so distinctive of Cappadocia.
The Devrent Valley, also known as Imagination Valley, has none of the cave churches, Byzantine frescoes or Roman citadel ruins that are famous throughout the rest of Cappadocia; but what it does have is an extraordinary landscape shaped by nature to make you laugh and wonder and explore.
Only a 10 minute drive from Göreme, between Avanos and Ürgüp, the valley is like a rock-formed zoo. Walk the trail and you’ll see a landscape filled with snakes, camels, seals and dolphins and whatever else your mind chooses to make of the twisting curving rocks. Maybe even a dragon. There are also small fairy chimneys, the rock pillars so distinctive of Cappadocia.
Address: Cappadocia, Turkey
From $ 30
Ihlara Valley
Cappadocia’s Grand Canyon, the 328 ft (100 m) deep Ihlara Valley was formed by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago.
Around 4,000 people lived in the valley and there were 80 churches carved into the cliff faces, 12 of which can be visited today. These days the valley is home to one of the most popular hiking trails in Cappadocia with 26 bends along an 8 mile (14km) route that passes vineyards and pistacio trees.
The valley begins at the village of Ihlara and ends at Selime Monastery in the village of Selime, but there are two other entrances depending on how far you are willing to hike. Around 2.8 miles (4 km) into the valley is the most popular entry point with 300 steps down to the valley floor. Or you can drive to the village of Belisirma in the middle of the valley. The best section for seeing churches is between Ihlara and Belisirma.
Around 4,000 people lived in the valley and there were 80 churches carved into the cliff faces, 12 of which can be visited today. These days the valley is home to one of the most popular hiking trails in Cappadocia with 26 bends along an 8 mile (14km) route that passes vineyards and pistacio trees.
The valley begins at the village of Ihlara and ends at Selime Monastery in the village of Selime, but there are two other entrances depending on how far you are willing to hike. Around 2.8 miles (4 km) into the valley is the most popular entry point with 300 steps down to the valley floor. Or you can drive to the village of Belisirma in the middle of the valley. The best section for seeing churches is between Ihlara and Belisirma.
Address: Cappadocia, Turkey
Hours: Apr–Oct: 8am - 7pm; Nov–Mar: 8:30am - 5pm
Admission: €3
From $ 41
Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya)
Hagia Sophia (or Aya Sofya) is one of the world’s most beautiful buildings, built to be the world’s largest place of worship by Emperor Justinian in 532 AD.
The church became a Mosque under the Ottomans, and its mosaics and decoration were plastered over. They have been successively revealed since the 1930s, when the building was declared a museum by Turkey’s legendary ruler, Atatürk.
The Hagia Sophia’s golden mosaics are rivaled only by Ravenna’s, and its design was the inspiration for the basilica of San Marco in Venice.
The huge complex is a riot of domes and minarets, focusing on the huge central dome which for centuries was unrivaled as an architectural masterpiece.
Inside, the lofty interior is a soaring sequence of domed and arched spaces, centering on the shell-like apse and the massive dome, which seems to float unsupported and gives the church its amazing sense of space.
Practical Info
Head to the upstairs gallery to catch the best views and to glimpse the surviving mosaics, in particular the golden mosaic of the Virgin and Child in the apse.
Hagia Sophia is in Sultanahmet, opposite the Blue Mosque. To get here, walk or catch a tram up Divan Yolu.
Address: Aya Sofya Meydani, Istanbul 34357, Turkey
Hours: Open daily 9:30am - 4:30pm. Closed Mondays
Admission: 20 TL
From $ 13
Istanbul Modern Art Museum
Opened in 2004 as Turkey’s first museum of modern and contemporary art, the Istanbul Modern Art Museum relocated in 2018 to a temporary space in the Asmalimescit neighborhood while a new building is constructed. The city’s preeminent modern-art museum features contemporary works by Turkish artists and rotating temporary exhibitions.
The Basics
With a collection of modern and contemporary work by Turkish artists and an innovative program of temporary exhibitions, Istanbul Modern is a cultural must-see. Stroll through the white-walled galleries to view the collection, which includes photography, sculpture, digital art, and installations.
Guided tours in English of the Istanbul Modern Art Museum can be arranged on-site for a fee. Most small-group and private tours combine a visit to the museum with a broader exploration of culture and food in the surrounding neighborhood, including Galata, Karakӧy, and Taksim Square. Hop-on hop-off bus tours also stop at the museum.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Istanbul Modern is a must-visit for art buffs.
- The museum is located in a temporary space as of 2018.
- The structure is fully wheelchair accessible.
- Strollers are available to borrow for free.
How to Get There
Temporary located in the Beyoğlu district, the Istanbul Modern Art Museum is close to the Tunel funicular, not far from the pedestrian boulevard Istiklal Caddesi. To get there by public transportation, take the M2 metro line or a bus to Şişhane.
When to Get There
The Istanbul Modern Art Museum is closed on Mondays and stays open into the evening on Thursdays. It is closed on New Year’s Day and on the first day of religious holidays. Arrive early in the day to beat the crowds and explore the museum's collection at your own pace.
The Permanent Collection
The Istanbul Modern Art Museum’s permanent collection includes works by highly regarded Turkish modern and contemporary artists. Highlights include Fahrelnissa Zeid’s large-scale colorful abstract canvases and selections from the artist Sarkis, who works in neon.
Address: Turkey
Admission: Varies
From $ 41
Hierapolis & Pammukkale
Hierapolis is an ancient city of the Lycus River valley famed for its sacred hot springs. Its ruins are a popular day trip from Antalya as are the spectacular white cliffs of Pamukkale.
As you near the ancient city ruins of Hierapolis, you won’t be able to miss seeing Pamukkale’s iced-white terraces. Easily viewed from the ruins, these terraces are created by a natural build up of calcium carbonate, a by-product of the hot spring water that flows down the slopes.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pamukkale shares its World Heritage status with Hierapolis, whose original inhabitants built the city to take advantage of its proximity to the hot springs.
Hierapolis’ most popular attraction includes the thermally heated Sacred Pool where you can swim among the remains of ancient Roman columns, toppled into the water by various earthquakes.
Among the ruins at Hierapolis are the remains of the Temple of Apollo (Apollo was believed by ancients to have been the divine founder of the city), the Gate of Domitian, the tomb of Flavius Zeuxis, necropolis (graveyard), the Plutonium (a cave believed to have been the entrance to the underworld), and the theater.
Among these, the theater is perhaps the most well-preserved. Constructed around 200BC, it could hold 20,000 spectators in its day. These days, just 30 rows remain.
Practical Info
Hierapolis & Pamukkale are 178km (110mi) northwest of Antalya.
Address: Pamukkale, Turkey
Hours: Open year-round
From $ 64
Iztuzu Beach (Turtle Beach)
Turtle Beach, or Iztuzu Beach in Turkish, is a large breeding ground for the rare and endangered loggerhead sea turtles. The beach is located just south of the town of Dalyan, Turkey along the Aegean Sea. Due to its protection status, the beach is quiet, though there are a few cafes and tourist facilities in the area. There are no showers on the beach because they don't want shampoo to contaminate the beach and harm the turtles. Certain sections of the beach are off limits during breeding season in order to protect the turtles and their eggs. The beach has been under threats of over development for decades, which would have a devastating effect on the turtles. Luckily there are groups fighting to stop the development and continue protecting the turtles and their habitat.
Other activities in the Dalyan area include visiting the ruins of the ancient trading town of Kaunos, enjoying the Sultaniye hot springs and mud baths, swimming in Koycegiz Lake, and admiring the facades of Lycian tombs located above the Dalyan River.
Practical Info
Turtle Beach is easy to reach by public transport from the town of Dalyan. Dalyan is located about 17 miles from the Dalaman Airport, and between Marmaris and Fethiye. You can reach Dalyan by bus from either Marmaris or Fethiye, or join one of the many tours that include the beach. The beach is closed from 8pm to 8am May through October, which is the turtles' breeding season.
Address: Iztuzu Beach, Dalyan, Turkey
From $ 22
Jurassic Land
Deemed the best dinosaur museum in the world by many, Jurassic Land is not only a place to enjoy dinosaurs but also to learn about them in a whole new way. Dinosaur bones were uncovered during the construction of the shopping mall inside which Jurassic Land is located; the rest is history. These magnificent and extinct beasts come alive at Jurassic Land thanks to the life-size, moving models of over 70 dinosaurs linked to each other through a witty and clever scenario. Various exhibitions tell the story of dinosaurs, their features, their abilities and their daily life, as well as their sudden and tragic disappearance through interactive displays and 65-million-year-old skeletons. Jurassic Land also boasts a massive six-dimension cinema with special effects that takes guests on extreme air, underwater and land journeys, a special cave where kids can dig for bones and be rewarded with a “Explorer Paleontologist” certificate, a gift shop, and a relaxing garden. Dinosaur bones were uncovered during the construction of the shopping mall inside which Jurassic Land is located; the rest is history.
Practical Info
Jurassic Land is located in western Istanbul in Bayrampaşa, inside the Forum Mall Shopping Center. It can be reached by subway as it is right outside Kartaltepe-Kocatepe station. It is open every day from 10 am to 8 pm. Entry costs 28 TL per adult, 22 TL per child aged 2 to 16 years old; it is free of charge for children under the age of 2. A special package is available to families of two adults and two children for the price of 84 TL.
Address: Kocatepe, 34045, Bayrampaşa/İstanbul, Turkey
Hours: Daily, 10 am to 8 pm.
Admission: 28 TL per adult, 22 TL per child aged 2 to 16 years old
From $ 191
Icmeler Beach
Just five miles (eight kilometers) west of Marmaris, the golden sands of Icmeler Beach draw huge crowds throughout the summer months, and its warm, calm waters make it ideal for swimming. The beach is blessed with a Mediterranean climate, as it stretches along the Datcha Peninsula. The area’s quiet, laid-back vibe makes it a tranquil alternative to the neighboring resorts.
The family-friendly beach is also a burgeoning hot spot for watersports such as banana boating, waterskiing and jet-skiing, and the clear underwater visibility offers ample opportunities for snorkeling. Once you’ve tired of sunbathing and have tucked into some fresh seafood at one of the many waterfront restaurants, hire a boat to cruise around the bay, head offshore on a scuba diving excursion or go hiking in the pine-forested mountains that encircle the shore.
Practical Info
Icmeler Beach is located eight km west of Marmaris and can be reached by dolmus (mini-bus) or water taxi from the Marmaris harbor. Sunbeds, deck chairs and parasols are available on the beach free of charge.
Address: Marmaris, Turkey
From $ 14
Istanbul Sea Life Aquarium
The Istanbul Sea Life Aquarium educates visitors about the world’s various aquatic habitats in a fun, hands-on environment under the guidance of trained aquaium professionals. The aquarium is divided into zones, including The Shoal, Tropical Reef, Shipwreck, Ocean Cave, Clownfish Alley, Rainforest and Stingray Bay.
Colorful starfish and horseshoe crabs make their home in the Rockpool, and guests can encounter one of the world’s oldest animals, green sea turtles, in the Turtle Hospital. The aquarium is also home to 61 sharks — Europe’s largest collection — representing 15 different species. A special area for kids lets little ones draw their favorite sea creatures, scan them into a computer and watch them swim in a digital aquarium.
Practical Info
Istanbul Sea Life Aquarium is located inside the Forum Istanbul Shopping Mall.
Address: Kocatepe Mah, Istanbul 34045, Turkey
Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-7pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-8pm
Admission: Adult/Child 48/37 TL
From $ 12
Hodjapasha Cultural Center
It’s been said that music, rhythm, and dance are universal languages that can transcend borders, ethnicity, race, and time. This is certainly true at the Hodjapasha Cultural Center, where ancient Turkish and Anatolian traditions are rhythmically weaved right before your eyes in an historic and intimate theater. The cultural center building itself was once an enormous Turkish bath dating back to 1470, and the building continued to serve as a bath up until 1988.
Today, however, this modern and captivating performance studio regularly hosts a variety of dance shows that manifest a spiritual beauty. Of the center’s three different dance performances, the Mevlevi Sema Ceremony is the most traditional, and features Whirling Dervishes who hypnotically spin in a mystical ancient routine. Other performances—such as Rhythm of the Dance—are more modern, upbeat, and lively, and belly dancers and troupes of both male and female dancers perform tales of Anatolian folklore. Or, be captivated by the theatrical White Rose performance that tells the true love story of an Ottoman slave and a royal Dutch ambassador, which is then punctuated by a rousing harem dance just a few feet from your seat.
Practical Info
The Hodjapasha Cultural Center is located in Istanbul’s Sirkeci District about 10 minutes south of Taksim Square. Performances take place from March-December, with no performances on Monday or Friday. White Rose and Rhythm of the Dance occur on alternating nights with rotating schedules, whereas the dervishes perform each night at 7 pm. The Mevlevi Sema ceremony is approximately an hour, and no children under 7 are allowed, whereas other performances are 90 minutes and are open to the entire family.
Address: Hoca Pasa Mh. Hocapasa Hamami Sokak 3, Istanbul, Turkey
Admission: Varies
From $ 22