Antalya is the major city on the Turkish Mediterranean coast, and is the hub of the so-called Turkish Riviera. Most of Antalyas historic buildings can be found alo streets of Kalekapisi. Most of Antalyas historic buildings can be found along the narrow, winding streets of Kaleici, the old quarter. Historical, architectural and archaeological sites of note include: Yivli Minaret, Karatay Medresesi, Hidirlik Tower, Ahi Yusuf Mescidi, Iskele Mosque, Murat Pasa Mosque, Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Mosque, Balibey Mosque, Musellim Mosque, Seyh Sinan Efendi Mosque, Hadrian Arch, and the Clock Tower. Many structures date back to the Hellenistic era. Also The Antalya Museum has a notable archaeology collection.
The fairytale castles of Cappadocia are plainly stunning and a hot-air balloon ride over the peaks of them provides the ideal finish to your holiday in Turkey. The area is steeped with mystery and although the rock formations are said to be the conclusion of years of fire, water and wind working together to create the outstanding landscapes, no one is quite sure why the locals decide to live underground in cave houses. The houses date from 3000 BC and you can visit the indoors of one whilst on your holiday in Turkey.
Dalyan is a settlement in Mugla region in the Aegean region of Turkey. Dalyan is established in an environmentally protected area. This is one of the few in existence places of paradise, an area of organic beauty and historical advantage. The ancient town of Caunos lies here with its ruins dating back to the 3rd Century. The Dalyan channel through which water circulates between the Mediterranean and Koycegiz Lake winds its way down past the ancient Rock Tombs to the sea, via a small network of lakes and waterways. Through the rustling reed beds rising between 3 and 5 metres in height. With its mixture of fresh and salt water, these wetlands are now home to a vast number of fish and other water life, as well as the birds of many species which feed on them, species such as the Sparrow hawk, Crane, Kingfisher and Jay.
Didymia is an ancient Greek Temple located near Turkey's holiday resort of Altinkum. The word 'Didymia' is Ancient Greek for twin and this refers to Apollo and Artemis, who were the twin children of Zeus and Leto. The temple was an important Greek site for oracles, where deities gave answers to questions through the mouth of a priest. The Persians and earthquakes may have destroyed a large amount of the Temple but the remains are positively worth discovering on your Turkish holiday.
The ancient city of Ephesus is a tremendously trendy site with tourists on their holidays in Turkey. The town is said to be the best preserved ancient city in the Eastern Mediterranean, and many trust it to be one of the best preserved Greek sites in the whole world. The city was home to the Temple of Artemis, which was one of the seven original wonders of the world, but now is only represented by a single column standing in a lake. Nevertheless there is still plenty to see on a visit to Ephesus and you certainly won't be disappointed on your Turkey holidays. The Basilica of St. John is the resting place of St. John the evangelist and is therefore a popular Christian pilgrimage destination, whilst the Cave of the Seven Sleepers tells the legend of seven Christian boys who fell asleep in this cave in 250AD and woke up in the 5th century.
Gallipoli is a pilgrimage destination for the thousands of Australians and New Zealanders who stay at the destination on April 25th every year in order to give their admires and watch the ANZAC day memorial celebrations. The Turkishchieffeared that if England. A trip to the battlefields, the cemetaries and the museum has grow to be a "must do" pilgrimage for Australians and New Zealanders visiting Turkey. Daily tours of the battelfields operate from Çanakkale. The best time to visit in April 25th where all the people gather and think of that most bloody war of the human kind.
Istanbul (Istambul) is Turkeys most populous city, and its cultural and financial hub. Located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe both literally and figuratively. Istanbuls population is variously estimated bng the narrow, windingetween 12 and 19 million people, making it also one of the largest cities in Europe. The center of historical Istanbul is Sultanahmet, the district centred on the Byzantine Hippodrome in the oldest part of the city. The city is best explored on foot, as most sights are within easy walking distance of one another. If the pace does get too much, a cay bahce (tea garden) is never too far away.
Izmir is the third biggest city in Turkey with a population of around 2.5 million, the second biggest port after Istanbul, and a good transport hub. Once the ancient city of Smyrna, it is now a modern, developed, and busy commercial center, set around a huge bay and surrounded by mountains. The broad boulevards, glass-fronted buildings and modern shopping centers are dotted with traditional red-tiled roofs, the 18th century market, and old mosques and churches, although the city has an atmosphere more of Mediterranean Europe than traditional Turkey.
Olympos is about 50-60 km south of Antalya. Nearest major towns are Kumluca and Finike to the west and Kemer to the north of Olympos. There are minibuses from Antalyas otogar (main station for intercity buses). Ancient Lycian ruins, an isolated Mediterranean beach, accommodation in treehouses and flames that mysteriously burn from the side of a mountain are some of the attractions of Olympos (Olimpos) in Turkeys south.
Pamukkale is an ethereal location, with a name that translates into English as 'Cotton Castles'. The landmark is a made up of a spontaneously occurring wonder of white stalactites and water-filled plateaus. The geothermal hot springs that stand on this site are full of naturally occurring minerals, predominantly chalk and limestone, so when the water hardens whilst coming down the mountain this unique landscape occurs. Of course, something this spectacular can't be missed whilst on your holiday in Turkey and many tourists visit this area in order to bathe in the spectacular sacred pool, which is located inside the Pamukkale Hotel.