Did you know that I have lived in Turkey for almost two years? How come you might ask. Well, it's the typical romantic story. I visited Istanbul for a week and fell in love with a stranger, on my second day. And then I stayed. I missed my return ticket and ended up living for 20 months in Istanbul.

 

During my two years in Turkey I had a chance to travel a bit around the country and I have to say, Turkey offers a sheer diversity of landscapes, from the mountains to the beaches. Pictures say more than words, have a look at the following 20 images and you'll understand why I fell in love in Turkey, and with Turkey...

 

 

Sultanahmet - The Old City of Istanbul will give you a feel of time travel. Wander along the streets and get amazed by the incredible amount of historic monuments, including the iconic Blue Mosque, the gorgeous Hagia Sophia and the spectacular Topkapi Palace. 

 

 

Turkey offers some beautiful beaches along the Mediterranean coastline. I spent a week in Fethiye and was surprised to see turquoise lagoons and white beaches. The area around Ölüdeniz is a world class paragliding spot with spectacular views and plenty of watersport activities.

 

 

Turkey is one of the native lands of pomegranates, one of the best looking fruits on this planet in my opinion. The season starts in late summer, you'll find plenty of juice stalls along the streets that will sell freshly pressed pomegranate juice. Many restaurants offer pomegranate sauce as a salad dressing. Try it, it's delicious!

 

 

The town of Göreme looks like a filmset of a fairytale. The spectacular landscape is dotted with bizarre rock formations (also called chimneys) and mysterious caves that makes you feel like you're on a different planet. The city offers a variety of cultural and natural wonders and should not be missed.

 

 

Enjoy a cup of traditional Turkish coffee, an unfiltered, strong, and delicious beverage. If you're up to it, go visit a fortune teller for coffee reading, a popular ritual in Turkey that started in the 16th century.

 

 

If you're into history, you have to visit Ephesus, an ancient city along the Aegean region in Turkey. The archaeological site contains the largest collection of ruins from the Roman Empire and is one of Turkey's most popular tourist attractions.

 

 

Get lost on Istiklal street, Istanbul's busiest avenue with over 1 million visitors per day. The 1,5 kilometer long pedestrian street houses some nice art galleries, plenty of cozy cafés, restaurants, rooftop bars, night clubs, theatres, bookstores and of course a variety of boutiques and stores. 

 

 

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and drive to the hilly countryside along the Black Sea. The mountains in Rize province are seperated by lush green valleys, and offer spectacular views.

 

 

Turkey is the country of cats, I promise you will see plenty of them. Turks adore cats and pretty much every store or restaurant has a cat. I even saw them snoozing on the couch at Starbucks. If you like cats, you will love Turkey even more.

 

 

Pamukkale, the so so-called "Cotton Castle" is a surreal city with white calcite pools, filled with warm turquoise, and mineral-rich waters. Have a soak in the hot springs and enjoy the spectacular landscape...

 

 

The Iconic Galata Tower in Istanbul - it's not only the views from up there that are stunning, also the view of the tower is equally impressive. I love the neighborhood around Galata Tower, you'll find many art galleries and small cafés. If I return to Istanbul, this would be my favorite area to stay.

 

 

If you travel through through Central Anatolia, you'll get spectacular views of Mount Hasan, an inactive stratovolcano in the Aksaray region. The volcano is the second biggest mountain in Central Anatolia, with a height of 3268 meters.

 

 

The Spice Bazaar, also called Egyptian Bazaar in Istanbuls Old City is a must visit place. There is no better place to buy local delicacies including Turkish delights, a massive selection of cheeses, colorful spices, Turkish coffee and more...

 

 

Cappadocia is the best place to catch the sunrise from a hot air balloon! It is absolutely magical! 

 

 

You can't leave Turkey without visiting one of their colorful and chaotic bazaars. Be prepared to drink a lot of tea, as most of the store owners will offer you one. Don't forget to bargain and compare prices with other shops before you buy.

 

 

Did you know that Turkey has some of the best ski slopes in Europe? The mountains in Erzurum Province (Eastern part of Anatolia) are covered in snow for half of the year, which makes it a popular tourist spot for winter sports.

 

 

Having a glass of black tea is part of the Turkish culture and their way to welcome guests. 

 

 

Istanbul, a city like no other, is divided across 2 continents: the European and the Asian side. You can cross the bridge and drive from one continent to the other within minutes, or hop on a ferry and enjoy a ride on the Bosphorus while looking at Asia and Europe at the same time. 

 

 

Because we love cats, here is another image. I took this photo from my balcony while I was living in Istanbul. Aren't these the cutest street cats you've ever seen? Look at their eyes, just magnificent!

 

 

This is my last photo for you, showing me in Cappadocia watching the sunset over Red Valley. As you can see, Turkey has something for everyone! From historical places to gorgeous beaches, snow-covered mountains and fairytale villages... And I haven't even started with the food yet. I'll save that for you, I promise you'll love the Turkish cuisine!

 

 

tUrkey Travel Tips

 

Are you ready to fly to Turkey? Here are some quick booking links and resources that I use myself for travel planning. These websites will help you to get started with your Turkey itinerary!

 

 

Cheap Flights to Turkey

 

Skyscanner is my favorite search engine for finding cheap flights to Turkey, from anywhere in the world. I always start my flight search here! 

 

 

Transport within Turkey

 

Bus, boat, and trains: Omio is one of the most reliable websites when it comes to booking buses, ferries and railway. Get an instant seat confirmation and start your overland travel worry-free.

 

 

Find a Place to Stay in Turkey

 

Hostels, hotels and resorts: Agoda is excellent if you're looking for hotels from budget to luxury! It's one of the largest hotel booking websites in the world. Plenty of options to book now and pay later, or even pay at the hotel. Risk-free booking, many with free cancellation. My other go to is Booking.com.

 

Homestays and Housesits: For a more authentic and local experience I recommend Homestay.com, a website where you can find places to stay with locals for such a great price. Personally, I'm obsessed with Trusted Housesitters, where you get to stay completely for free in exchange for pet care. Find out more in my article on How to Become a House Sitter and Never Pay for Accommodation.

 

 

Fun Tours and Activities in Turkey

 

Get your Guide has plenty of fun activities in Turkey, such as boat cruises, hiking tours and city sightseeing trips. There is plenty of choices to keep yourself entertained!

 

Klook is similar than the one above, but offers additional options such as airport transfers, SIM cards, and food & dining experiences. It' a great way to meet other travelers while exploring a new place!

 

 

eSIM - Stay connected with Internet

 

Get an eSIM before you go and have Internet available from the second you arrive! I highly recommend Roamless or JetPac -  they're both highly ranked, inexpensive and reliable. 

 

 

Travel Insurance

 

Never go adventuring without travel insurance! I recommend Genki or SafetyWing - they're both very affordable and will cover you in an emergency. 

 

 

Do I need a Visa for Turkey?

 

Travelers from most countries are allowed to enter Turkey visa-free, for a period of 30 - 90 days. You can check on iVisa whether you need a visa and how long you are permitted to stay.

 

 

More Blog Posts from Turkey

 

• A Guide to Blue Voyage and Sailing in Turkey Turquoise Magic: Fethiye
• Istanbul Travel Guide - Awesome Things to do, Must-Try Restaurants and Cool Places to Stay
• Discover and explore the best of the Turkish islands

 

Thank you for reading. If you like this article, please share!