Curious about visiting Turkey? It’s a fascinating country with a rich history and culture. In recent years tourism has declined because some people think it’s dangerous to travel to Turkey, but I can assure you it’s safe. And there has probably never been a better time to visit Turkey than now!
If you haven’t yet been, here are 35 reasons why everyone should visit Turkey at least once in their lifetime!
1. Food
The food in the Mediterranean area or the Middle East is usually fresh and flavorful. Here below are some Turkish food that you should try!
| Köfte | Manti |
| Kuzu Tandir | Börek |
| Pide | Meze |
| Dolma | Şiş Kebap |
| Mercimek Köftesi | İmam Bayıldı |
2. Cappadocia
Few places on Earth are as magical as Cappadocia. Set in the mountainous areas of Central Turkey, this historical destination is one of the best reasons to visit Turkey. Here you can stay in cave hotels, watch the hundreds of hot air balloons each day, and admire the historical sites.
3. Turkish Tea and Coffee
Another good reason to visit Turkey is to go for a “Caj” (Tea) or coffee. It’s the perfect activity for relaxing and experiencing a chunk of the Turkish culture and everyday life.
4. Öludeniz
One of the most beautiful places along the coast, where it’s also popular to go paragliding.
5. Baklava
Like Sweets? Then you shouldn’t miss trying the world famous Baklava.
6. Turks are beautiful
Here is the Miss Turkey 2017 as an example.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bab7MKYB6zg/?taken-by=missturkey.official
7. Adana
The fifth largest city might not be a tourist hot spot, but it’s beautiful and you will find plenty of things to do as well as some nice spots!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgTBvAODmx-/?taken-at=21753742
8. Hamam (Turkish baths)
If you’re looking for a relaxing experience, then the Hamam baths are another good reason to visit Turkey.
9. Lokma
Another traditional Turkish dessert. Lokma is a piece of dough fried in oil and flavored with honey, sugar syrup, or cinnamon.
Photo: elif ayse
10. Mount Nemrut
Turkey is filled with historical places, and Mount Nemrut is one of them. A World Heritage listed mountain with some precious statues and places. Definitely, a place you should go if you like history!
Photo: Klearchos Kapoutsis
11. Beautiful beaches
The endless coastline in Turkey has created some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, and they come in plenty of variety with everything from sand to pebbles and cliff beaches.
12. Pamukkale
The pools of Pamukkale is one of the Turkish sites that’s one the Unesco World Heritage list, and one of the most popular spots for day trips.
13. Kebab
You can find Kebab all over the world, but Kebab is on a whole other level in Turkey.
14. Antalya
A beautiful coastal city with ancient heritage. There are direct flights available from several destinations in Europe. In the Antalya province, you can also find the wonderful tourist destination Side.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Be8dSOtl__u/?taken-by=antalyaturkey
15. Ephesus
Another historical attraction that you shouldn’t miss when you visit Turkey! Ephesus was an ancient Greek city, and today you can admire the ruins.
16. They also love breakfast, like me
Swedes in general love breakfast, and so do I. It’s the most important meal of the day, and in Turkey they also love breakfast!
17. Istanbul
The gateway from East to West. Istanbul is a city that never sleeps with many beautiful buildings and palaces. It’s also home to a lively nightlife and many restaurants. Istanbul is without a doubt one of the cities in the world that everyone should visit at least once!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd-vzelHFfz/?taken-by=istanbul
18. You can go skiing
When thinking about Turkey, you might not think about skiing, but in the mountains, there are actually some pretty good ski slopes, and the prices are way lower than the Alps.
19. Ani
The remains from an Armenian medieval city that’s nicknamed the city of 1001 churches.
20. Munzur Valley National Park
Prefer nature? Turkey has a lot of beautiful nature with various landscapes and scenery. Munzur Valley National Park is located in the Eastern parts of the country.
21. Ankara
The capital of Turkey isn’t getting as much attention as Istanbul, but if you want to experience some every day Turkish culture, then Ankara is a great destination to go!
22. Turkish football
You might have heard about Besiktas or Galatasaray as they have played in the finest football competitions for a while now, and in recent years those teams have attracted some of the biggest players in the world!
The Turkish fans are really passionate as well!
23. Kaymaklı Ekmek Kadayıfı
A Turkish bread pudding dessert usually served with a kind of clotted cream.
24. Cats
Cats are everywhere in Turkey, and they are being treated very nice. I love cats, so I would say that this is yet another great reason to visit Turkey!
25. The Grand Bazaar
Like shopping? The Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s biggest shopping areas with millions of visitors a day. If you take into account visitors it’s one of the most visited places in the world!
26. Şekerpare
Another traditional Turkish dessert that you should try! I won’t tell you too much, but it’s delicious, so I will leave the flavor as a surprise!
In the video below, you can see how to make Sekerpare.
27. Köprülü Canyon National Park
Go canyoneering in the beautiful Köprulu national park!
28. Hagia Sofia
Once a Christian church, later on, a Mosque, and now a museum. It’s one of the most impressive religious buildings in the world!
29. Diverse society
A lot of cultures have had Turkey as their home, and various times and epochs have influenced the society, which has made the Turkish society diverse and multi-cultural.
30. Marmaris
Just a short boat ride from Rhodes in Greece, you will find Marmaris, which is a cozy town with some nice nightlife, restaurants, and shops as well as a lovely promenade.
31. Kaçkar Mountains National Park
Another stunning national park that you should take a closer look at if you like to spend time in nature!
32. Kusadasi
A beautiful resort town on the Aegean coast of Turkey.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgS8HiTAc37/?taken-at=340297
33. Golf
Turkey is also home to quite a few golf courses that are open year round, which makes it a perfect destination for golf enthusiasts.
34. Bodrum
A city that’s situated on the place of the ancient city of Halikarnassos. Nowadays it’s a popular tourist destination with lovely beaches, restaurants, boats, and much more.
35. The People
Turks are in general very friendly and have a great hospitality. Don’t be surprised if they invite you for some Caj or coffee, or even sometimes for dinner, even if you’re a stranger. Most Turks that I have met have been very curious about my culture and also wanted to show me theirs.
The people is definitely one of the best reasons why everyone should visit Turkey at least once in their lifetime!
Book flights and Hotel in Turkey
Of course, there are more than 35 reasons to visit Turkey, and if you have some more suggestions and tips, feel free to share in the comment section below!
Great article, I moved to Turkey last year and currently I’m living in Istanbul.
I work in a tourism company, I get to meet new people every day from all around the globe.
They are all happy to come here and explore the Turkish Adventures.
I’ve been here about 15 times in different parts of Turkey. Southeast is the best one.
We have lived for nearly 16 years here in Beautiful Alanya and previously in North Cyprus ( Turkish) Have we a great life ? Yes we have with wonderful Turkish Friends.
Hi my friends,
Thank you for your all good ideas about Turkey. I am a Turk and I live in Istanbul. I definitely recommend you to visit Divriği Ulu Mosque in Sivas region. This mosque is also protected by UNESCO. Also, I suggest you visit the Rize, Artvin and Trabzon which they located in northern Turkey. You can be surrounded by green nature by eating or drinking something (especially tea) on the clouds in the mountains in these regions. This is my mail adress: mustaacelik@gmail.com
If you want to ask or learn something about Turkey, you can always e-mail me. Best regards.
? wow l like turkey
Visiting Turkey was such a warm and inviting experience. As a woman travelling alone I felt so comfortable wandering around Istanbul. Will definitely be going back.
Excellent list! Thank you for sharing and let’s spread the love..
Hi Alex,
we need more people like you :) your page is great . I live in Turkey since 30 years and Love it here . Happy Easter
While #6 “Turks are beautiful people” seems to be alluding to the physical traits of Turks, I would add that they are a warm people who go out of their way to show hospitality and make tourists feel at home. If you are fortunate to spend a good deal of time in Turkey, you will find they have great senses of humor, are generous and very helpful. Turkey is a gorgeous country and the people are wonderful.
Thank you so much Dear kind friend ? very good sharing, i like it as a turkish ???
Sounds awesome! Last summer I was in Bodrum for one day. Yes. Only one, because it was a water trip from the Kos island ( by catamaran ). That day really was unforgetable! People are hospitable! The views are amazing. I’ ll visit Turkey, for sure!
Nice article! I have lived in Turkey for 27 years… mostly in Adana and have a couple of helpful hints for those who take your advice and visit this beautiful city. If possible avoid Adana in July and August… the heat plus humidity are unbearable (sometimes temperatures can reach 50 degrees CELSIUS)… eat Adana kebab… it is famous all over Turkey but should only be eaten in the name city. One more thing… we drink “cay”… which is pronounced like “chai”
Yes I love it it’s the best so friendly.
I always stayed in marmaris. Now I have moved here. Respect them they will respect you. Barter but don’t expect it for nothing .
I had one of the greatest experience to visit turkey
How much were you paid to post this unbiased article?
Nothing, I don’t get paid to write anything on my site since I don’t accept sponsored posts. Turkey has a lot to offer, and if you have been, you would know that too.
I just spent 3.5 months in Turkey. As an American let me tell you it’s MUCH safer than anywhere you’ll go to the States. The country is filled with lovey people. The blend of Turks, Syrians, Kurds, and other Arabs makes this country a melting pot of culture.