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Country guide

Theme: History in Türkiye — page 8

Türkiye is 783,562 km² across 81 provinces, most of it Anatolia in West Asia with East Thrace on the European side of the straits. It has three coasts to choose...

Photograph · Benh LIEU SONG · CC BY-SA 4.0

26,399 Places
7Cities

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Türkiye is 783,562 km² across 81 provinces, most of it Anatolia in West Asia with East Thrace on the European side of the straits. It has three coasts to choose between — the Black Sea to the north, the Aegean to the west, the Mediterranean to the south — and an interior plateau that behaves like a different country in winter. Istanbul is the largest city and the economic centre, Ankara the capital and the second-largest, and the December 2025 population of 86,092,168 is weighted heavily to the west. A first trip is usually Istanbul and one coast; the plateau is the second trip.

Checked 2026-08-25

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Turkish
The official language of the Republic of Turkiye
Dialling code
+90
The international dialling code for Turkiye
Currency
Turkish lira (₺, TRY)
The official currency; one lira is divided into 100 kurus
Emergency number
112
One number for ambulance, fire and police
Plug type
European two-pin · 220 V
The national living guide records 220 V and European-style two-pin plugs
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified national source in the dataset

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

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514 places match

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Category

Historic monuments 379 Museums 84 Places of worship 51 Nature sites 0 Viewpoints 0 Food and drink 0 Markets and shopping 0 Entertainment 0 Nightlife 0 Family attractions 0 Art and culture 0 Activities 0

Typical visit duration

Up to 1 hour 432 1 to 2 hours 77 Half a day or more 5

Interests

History 514 Art 60 Museums 93 Nature 93 Sea and beach 66 Viewpoints 27
  1. İsa Bey Mosque İsa Bey Mosque
    176 30 min

    İsa Bey Mosque

    İsa Bey Camii

    İsa Bey Mosque is a 14th-century Aydinid mosque on the south-western slope of Ayasuluk Hill in Selçuk, İzmir.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • İzmir
  2. Republic Museum Republic Museum
    177 1 hr 30 min

    Republic Museum

    Cumhuriyet Müzesi

    Republic Museum is housed in Ankara’s former 2nd Grand National Assembly building in Ulus, where parliament met from 1924 to 1960.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Ankara
  3. St. John St. John
    178 45 min

    St. John

    Karşı Kilise

    St. John is a rock-cut church in Gülşehir, within Nevşehir Province, known locally as St. Jean Church and Karşı Kilise. Cut into a rock chimney, it forms a compact but layered historic site with two levels.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Nevşehir
  4. Türkiye İş Bankası Economic Independence Museum Türkiye İş Bankası Economic Independence Museum
    179 1 hr 30 min

    Türkiye İş Bankası Economic Independence Museum

    Türkiye İş Bankası İktisadi Bağımsızlık Müzesi

    Türkiye İş Bankası Economic Independence Museum is a museum in Ankara’s Ulus district at Çam Sokak No: 3. It presents the history of Türkiye İş Bankası alongside Türkiye’s economic development and the broader story of economic independence.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Ankara
  5. Balbura Balbura
    180 45 min

    Balbura

    Balbura is identified in OpenStreetMap as a historical site in the Antalya region of southern Turkey. The record preserves a named, fixed mapped location, but does not establish a securely documented date, monument list, excavation history, or visitor interpretation.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Muğla
  6. Akhisar Museum Akhisar Museum
    181 1 hr 30 min

    Akhisar Museum

    Akhisar Müzesi

    Akhisar Museum, in the Paşa neighbourhood of Akhisar district, opened on 6 August 2012 in a building with a longer history than the museum itself: built in 1932 as the Ali Şefik Hospital, endowed by Ayşe Aloğlu, it later became…

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Manisa
  7. Neonteichos Neonteichos
    182 45 min

    Neonteichos

    Neonteikhos

    Neonteichos is an archaeological settlement in the mountainous landscape around Yanıkköy, within İzmir’s Menemen district.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • İzmir
  8. Muradiye Mosque Muradiye Mosque
    183 45 min

    Muradiye Mosque

    Muradiye Cami

    The Muradiye is the mosque Mimar Sinan designed for Manisa, built between 1583 and 1586 for Sultan Murad III. It replaced a smaller mosque begun on the site in 1571 and is the finest Ottoman building in the city.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Manisa
  9. Hyllarima
    184 45 min

    Hyllarima

    Hyllarima is an ancient settlement spread across the hills around Derebağ Mahallesi in Kavaklıdere district, Muğla. The remains are mainly associated with the Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Muğla
  10. Stamp Museum Stamp Museum
    185 1 hr 30 min

    Stamp Museum

    PTT Pul Müzesi

    Stamp Museum is the PTT museum in Ankara’s historic Ulus district, housed in the restored Emlak ve Eytam Bank building.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Ankara
  11. Limantepe Limantepe
    186 45 min

    Limantepe

    Limantepe is a coastal archaeological settlement in İskele Mahallesi, Urla, where research examines a long sequence of occupation rather than a single monument preserved for routine sightseeing.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • İzmir
  12. War of Independence Museum War of Independence Museum
    187 1 hr 30 min

    War of Independence Museum

    Kurtuluş Savaşı Müzesi

    The War of Independence Museum occupies the building of the First Grand National Assembly of Turkey in Ankara’s Ulus Square. This is the historic building where the Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi first met during the War of Independence.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Ankara
  13. Aslanhane Mosque Aslanhane Mosque
    188 30 min

    Aslanhane Mosque

    Ali Şerafettin Cami

    Aslanhane Mosque, also called Ahi Şerafettin Mosque, is an active historic mosque at the southern end of Ankara Castle. It stands in Kale Mahallesi on Kale Sokak, in Altındağ’s Samanpazarı area, beside the Ulus Historical City Centre.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Ankara
  14. Pedasa
    189 45 min

    Pedasa

    Pedasa Antique City

    Pedasa is an open-air archaeological settlement in the Gökçeler area of Konacık, in the hills north of Bodrum.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Muğla
  15. Myonnesus Myonnesus
    190 45 min

    Myonnesus

    Myonnesos

    Myonnesus is a small rocky archaeological island off the Doğanbey coast in Seferihisar, İzmir. It is also called Çıfıt Adası, Çiftekale Adası and Çıfıtkalesi. This is a low offshore rock rather than a conventional museum or enclosed attraction.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • İzmir
  16. Temple of the Emperors (Ephesus) Temple of the Emperors (Ephesus)
    191 45 min

    Temple of the Emperors (Ephesus)

    Domitian Tapınağı

    The Temple of the Emperors is an imperial-cult monument within ancient Ephesus, standing on the west side of the State Agora. Its large terrace and altar identify a ceremonial complex set directly into the city’s civic landscape.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • İzmir
  17. Arkas Art Center Arkas Art Center
    192 1 hr 30 min

    Arkas Art Center

    Arkas Art Center is a temporary-exhibition venue in İzmir’s Alsancak district, housed in a restored historic building whose rooms shape the visit.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • İzmir
  18. Hydissus
    193 45 min

    Hydissus

    Hydisos

    Hydissus is an ancient settlement in Caria, the region of southwestern Anatolia that gives this place its historical setting.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Muğla
  19. Gordion Museum Gordion Museum
    194 1 hr 30 min

    Gordion Museum

    Gordion Müzesi

    Gordion Museum stands beside Yassıhöyük, the village associated with the ancient Phrygian capital of Gordion in Ankara Province. Established in 1963, it presents archaeological finds from the settlement and helps visitors understand the site’s long occupation.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Ankara
  20. Ankara Aviation Museum
    195 1 hr 30 min

    Ankara Aviation Museum

    Havacılık Müzesi

    Ankara Aviation Museum is a Turkish Air Force museum beside the 11th Air Transport Main Base Command in Etimesgut. It opened to the public on 18 September 1998, with Sabiha Gökçen attending the opening.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Ankara
  21. Pembe Köşk Pembe Köşk
    196 1 hr 30 min

    Pembe Köşk

    Pembe Köşk is the historic Ankara house where İsmet İnönü lived with his family from 1925 to 1973.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Ankara
  22. Galata Mevlevihanesi Galata Mevlevihanesi
    197 1 hour

    Galata Mevlevihanesi

    Galata Mevlevihanesi Müzesi

    The Galata Mevlevihanesi is the oldest Mevlevi dervish lodge in Istanbul, established in 1491 during the reign of Bayezid II on land that had belonged to İskender Pasha, a prominent governor of the period.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Istanbul
  23. Yeşilova Mound Yeşilova Mound
    198 45 min

    Yeşilova Mound

    Yeşilova Höyüğü

    Yeşilova Mound is an archaeological settlement in Bornova, İzmir, where evidence of human occupation reaches back about 8,500 years, to around 6500 BCE.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • İzmir
  24. İzmir Women's Museum İzmir Women's Museum
    199 1 hr 30 min

    İzmir Women's Museum

    İzmir Kadın Müzesi

    İzmir Women's Museum is a Konak Municipality museum in Basmane, opened on 23 January 2014 and identified by İzmir's public bodies as Turkey's first women's museum.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • İzmir
  25. Bergama Museum Bergama Museum
    200 1 hr 30 min

    Bergama Museum

    İzmir Bergama Müzesi

    Bergama Museum is an indoor museum in Bergama, İzmir, bringing together archaeology from the ancient city’s major excavation areas and objects from the region’s traditional life.

    • High
    • Museum
    • İzmir
Show 25 more places

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Türkiye be?

Ten to fourteen days allows about four days in İstanbul and at least three around Antalya when coastal archaeology is included. Cappadocia needs its own regional stay, and a one-way coastal route is more workable than returning to the same city each night.

What entry documents are needed for Türkiye?

Türkiye's visa position varies by passport and purpose. Verify the rule through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, when eligible, use only the official e-Visa service rather than an intermediary.

What is the best way to travel around Türkiye?

İstanbul's two airports and Antalya are the principal gateways for this itinerary. Domestic flights cover long cross-country legs, coaches serve many city pairs, and high-speed rail is most useful on the İstanbul-Ankara axis rather than as a universal substitute.

When is a practical time to visit Türkiye?

April to May and September to October are broad choices for combining İstanbul with the Mediterranean coast. Cappadocia nights, inland heat, and Antalya's coastal conditions differ, so confirm weather for each overnight base.

What money and payment basics apply in Türkiye?

Türkiye uses the Turkish lira (TRY). Keep lira available for smaller transport and market transactions even when cards are accepted, and review the displayed amount in TRY before agreeing to any card conversion.

What practical safety details should I save for Türkiye?

Dial 112 for emergencies in Türkiye. Electricity is 230 V through Type C and F sockets; tap-water safety is not recorded here, so obtain current local advice at each stop.