YOU ARE WELCOME SISTUURRS !
From vibrant cities such as Istanbul and Ankara where you can see the old and the new mingle seamlessly to the scenic coastal areas such Antalya and Marmaris where you can relax at the beach or dive from a cliff, Turkey, the land of the crescent moon, truly has it all. Whether your flight is to Istanbul or Antalya, this culturally rich country surely makes a great first impression which leaves a lasting result. Turkey is especially a great option for women travel or solo travel as not only is it quite easy to find cheap rooms but you can rent room for rent as well. This land comprised on the huge land of 783,562 km2 stretching from Asia to Europe is abundant in its offerings and for tourists, it is quite customary to get overwhelmed and feel confused about the places that require a must visit or the things that should necessarily be done. So, if you planned a trip to turkey and feel like you are in the same boat of utter confusion then here are 10 things that you should do during your visit.
- Go for a natural sauna in Pamukkale
Pamukkale, an eternal landmark is a place that shouldn’t be missed out on while in Turkey. The name Pamukkale is derived from the Turkish word Pamuk which means cotton and rightfully so, as the terraces flooding with the mineral-rich water resemble nothing short of a cotton castle. Pamukkale is a UNESCO site and millions of people have come here for thousands of years to bathe in its warm pools. Initially there were a lot of hotels that were using the site as its backyard but ever since it was declared a world heritage site they were required to be torn down. So, if you are already a lot impressed then imagine what seeing this place for real would feel like. So, be sure to have it in your itinerary.
- Fly into the Goreme horizon
If all that Goreme had was its historic caves, it would still blow people’s minds away. Add the additional factor of the hot air balloons and it becomes almost mystical. People that have been on a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia claim it to be magical and spiritual. Some say that you feel like you are on another planet. Living up to its Instagram standards, the hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia is something that should be on your bucket list.
Hot air balloons go up in the air almost every day, unless the weather conditions don’t allow it which is usually very rare so you’d be more than likely good to go up.
- Cruise between the continents in Bosporus
Istanbul is divided into two continents: Asia and Europe, and the views of either side are nothing short of spectacular. Istanbul has one of the most amazing skylines in the world and what better way to soak it in than from a ferry on the Bosporus. So, when you land in Istanbul, be sure to get tickets for the Bosporus cruise and find yourself in two places at once .
- Soak in the view of Uzungol
Trabzon is one of the most important cities of the Black Sea region and located South of it is Uzungol, which is one of the most popular areas for urban dwellers who are interested in spending some time amongst the mountains and trees of Turkey. Uzungol is the best place to unwind if your trip is meant for relaxation and the view is nothing short of extraordinary. So, if you have a day or two to spare then be sure to head North East of Turkey.
- Soak in the sun at the Gumbet beach
Once you have checked out the Black Sea, it’s time to head south to get adventurous on the beaches along the Mediterranean Sea. The golden sandy beaches at the South of Turkey offer some of the most breathtaking views and Bodrum stands out among all of the other cities for its beaches. Bodrum is quite close to Greece so when you visit the beaches you won’t be able to differentiate whether you are in Turkey or Greece. Head to the Gumbet beach as it’s a beautiful, clean beach that offers visitors free umbrellas and day beds to lounge on and soak in the sun.
- Soar above Mount Babadag
Other than visiting the beaches, the most popular thing to do in the South of Turkey is to paraglide above the emerald blue waters around Fethiye. There are plenty of paragliding service providers that take you up the Mount Babadag where you can try your hand at paragliding. The view is the cherry on top on this once in a lifetime experience. However, if you can’t think of jumping off a mount sober, then grab drinks from the restaurant right next to the take off place to calm your nerves.
- Walk through Saklikent Gorge
Since you are heading to Fethiye for your paragliding trip, we would advise you to visit the Saklikent National Park while you are at it. This canyon is incredible with its depth of 300 meters. It is stretched for 18 kilometers. This national park offers a great day trip so be sure to head there.
- Visit the Hagia Sophia
You can’t go to Turkey and not visit Hagia Sophia. This landmark is the most important Byzantine sites ever built. Originally Hagia Sophia was built as a Greek Church and later used as a Muslim Mosque but now it functions as a museum.
- Chill at the Duden Waterfalls
Duden Waterfalls are a great place to visit when in Antalya. It’s basically used as a picnic area by both the locals and the expats. Located 10 kilometers north of the city center of Antalya, you can take a day trip to this place.
- Head to Aspendos
Just south of Antalya, is the stunning and iconic mammoth bulk of the Roman Theater of Aspendos. It is thought to be the finest sustaining instance of a classical age theater still standing in the world, which is why you should definitely pay it a visit.
