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top spots
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Istanbul
The only city to span two continents sits on the Bosphorus - the strait of water that divides the continents of Europe and Asia. It’s illustrious past leaves a rich legacy of churches, mosques, palaces and museums, complemented by the behemoth Grand Bazaar and colourful street life. Sultanahmet, the compact old city of Istanbul, is full of parks, gardens and stunning sights. The Blue Mosque is famed for it’s blue Iznik tiles and unique 6 minarets. The Hagia Sofia, constructed in the 6th century, reigned as the grandest and biggest church in Christendom until the conquest of Constantinople in 1453, when it became a mosque. Just around the corner is Topkapi Palace.
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Pergamum
Built essentially by Eumenes II, Pergamum (modern Bergama) is famous in antiquity for it’s library. In its time, it was thought to have rivalled the great library in ancient Alexandria. Sitting in a stunning location on top of a hill, Pergamum is also famous for it’s awesome hillside amphitheatre, one of the steepest in the classical world. Down the hill (and viewable from the ancient city) is Pergamum’s Asclepion (medical centre). The Asclepion is entered along a Roman street where upon entering, there is a Roman column carved with snakes, the symbol of Asclepios (the God of Medicine). There are various ruins including a Roman theatre, Sacred Well (which still gives off drinkable water) and the Temple of Telesphorus. Patients slept here hoping Telesphorus (another god of medicine) would send them a cure or diagnosis in their dreams!
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Ephesus
Positively the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean Ephesus, under the Romans, was a vast city with a population nearing 250,000. It revelled in its prosperity from commerce and visiting pilgrims who came to see its great Temple of Artemis - one of the Seven Ancient Wonders. Carefully restored, top sights within the huge archaeological area include the Great Theatre once capable of seating 25,000 spectators at one time, Curetes Way (one of the main thoroughfares), the Temple of Serapis, the elegant façades of the Temple of Hadrian and the awesome Library of Celsus. Off Curetes Way are ancient public toilets, a brothel, remains of fountains and various temples. Be sure to look out for some of the ancient Roman graffiti and inscriptions on Curetes Way.
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Pamukkale
Known locally as the Cotton Castles, Pamukkale is a natural phenomena and gift of Mother Nature. Pamukkale was formed when warm, calcium rich mineral water cascaded over the cliff edge, cooling and depositing in the process. The calcium built natural shelves and pools on the cliffs, known as travertines. At the very top of the travertine pools is Pamukkale Thermal, where a pleasant dip can be enjoyed in the warm waters amongst submerged fragments of fluted marble columns. It is thought the natural pool once formed the centre of the ruined Roman spa town of Hierapolis, which was a cure centre founded around 190 BC by the Romans. Walking through the chunks of marble ruins dotted around haphazardly, the star attraction of Hierapolis has to be the partially restored Roman theatre, once capable of seating more than 12,000 spectators. |
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Turquoise Coast region - Fethiye
A seaside town on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, fringed by the Taurus Mountains, Fethiye is stunningly situated. Fethiye, a charming coastal port with a breathtaking outer bay strewn with islands, is a good base from which to opt to enjoy a good range of beaches and coastline. Fethiye itself offers a choice of charming cafes, bars and restaurants, not to mention shops, just perfect for a relaxing afternoon. From here you can opt to take a boat cruise to some of the offshore islands, explore the Lycian ruins dotted about the coast or just maroon yourself at a beach or bar! Fethiye is also usually the port from which gulet cruises depart. |
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Cappadocia
Perhaps the jewel in Turkey’s crown. Whole troglodyte villages, subterranean churches and fortresses have been hewn from the soft, porous, eerily eroded rock of Cappadocia. The World-Heritage listed Goreme is probably the biggest attraction, with over 30 magnificently frescoed Byzantine rock churches open to the public. At Zelve is the famous phallic-like eroded landscape of so-called ‘fairy chinmeys’. Sort of like entering a huge and complex chunk of Swiss cheese with holes here and holes there, these underground cities are up to 8 levels deep. The complex system of apartments, public rooms and underground interconnecting streets easily housed hundreds and hundreds of people in former times. Cappadocia is also an excellent region for the purchasing of carpets and leisure pursuits such as mountain biking, hot air ballooning and hiking.
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