A photograph of Türkiye

Country guide

Theme: History in Türkiye — page 9

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.

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. Turkish State Cemetery Turkish State Cemetery
    201 30 min

    Turkish State Cemetery

    Devlet Mezarlığı

    Turkish State Cemetery is Ankara’s national memorial cemetery for presidents of the Republic and commanders of the Turkish War of Independence.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Ankara
  21. Güvenlik Monument Güvenlik Monument
    202 45 min

    Güvenlik Monument

    Güven Abidesi

    Güvenlik Monument is a 1935 civic artwork inside Güvenpark, in Ankara’s Kızılay district. Its subject is not a private memorial or enclosed museum display: it places a statement about public trust within one of the capital’s busiest everyday spaces.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Ankara
  22. Gavurkale Hill Gavurkale Hill
    203 45 min

    Gavurkale Hill

    Gavur Kalesi

    Gavurkale Hill is a rocky archaeological landmark near Dereköy in Haymana district, roughly 60 kilometres southwest of Ankara.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Ankara
  23. İzmir Atatürk Museum İzmir Atatürk Museum
    204 1 hr 30 min

    İzmir Atatürk Museum

    Atatürk Müzesi

    İzmir Atatürk Museum is a house museum on Atatürk Caddesi, the First Kordon waterfront road in Alsancak.

    • High
    • Museum
    • İzmir
  24. USS Ainsworth USS Ainsworth
    205 1 hr 30 min

    USS Ainsworth

    TCG Ege

    USS Ainsworth is preserved as TCG EGE at İzmir Naval Museum, where the former warship is displayed as a museum ship at İnciraltı pier.

    • High
    • Museum
    • İzmir
  25. Persian Tomb Monument Persian Tomb Monument
    206 45 min

    Persian Tomb Monument

    Persian tomb

    Persian Tomb Monument is a rock-cut funerary monument in Yenibağarası, in the countryside east of Foça. Public descriptions identify it with the additional names Taş Ev and Taş Kule and date it to the 4th century BC.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • İzmir

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.