Turkey’s Must Do Experiences
Every country has experiences that are considered must dos; for instance, it is a must do to go on the London Eye in London, it is a must do to head to Las Ramblas in Barcelona, it is a must do to visit the ruins in Rome. Turkey is no different.
It is important to remember however that this is a large country, so you need to narrow down your experiences according to the region you’re visiting.
Let’s check out a few that should be on your list, using the main three regions as an example.
The Istanbul Region
This particular area is so packed with must do experiences that it is impossible to narrow it down to a firm list. What we can do however, is give you a few ideas. First things first, Istanbul is massive, but it is so easy to get around that it doesn’t matter where you are staying. The European side is where most of the famous sights are located, such as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia in Sultanahmet. Topkapi Palace is another sight that you can’t miss. A cruise down the Bosphorus cannot be missed, as well as a walk down the famous Istiklal Street in Taksim. Head down to Ortakoy and enjoy a tea on the banks of the Bosphorus, right under the huge bridge. Dolmabahce Palace is another place to check out. The Galata Tower is another must do experience, with a stunning view from the top.
On the Asian side, certainly head to Uskudar and enjoy a glass of tea (cay), overlooking the beautiful Maiden’s Tower, and check out the most stunning sunset you are likely to ever set your eyes on.
Another experience you must have in Istanbul is to try some street food. This is not what you think! You will be able to eat very cheaply this way, and try some delicious flavours. For instance, head to Eminonu and try fresh fish in bread, or visit Taksim and enjoy meatballs in bread with salad. The list goes on!
The Dalaman Region
The Dalaman region of Turkey is where the big beach resorts are located. There are several others, such as those around Antalya and Izmir, but the Dalaman region is where you will find Marmaris and Icmeler, to name just two.
In terms of must do experiences, a boat ride down the Dalyan River, passing the King’s Tombs, and finishing up on Turtle Beach is a must do. The Mud Baths at Dalyan is also something to check out, for and very memorable few hours!
Whilst you will find Turkish baths (hammams) everywhere, it is easier to find them around tourist resorts. Excursion offices sell trips to Turkish baths for very little money, and these trips usually last for a couple of hours, so you can easily fit it into a beach day.
The Izmir Region
The tourist resorts of Bodrum, Gumbet, and Kusadasi can be found in the Izmir region, as well as the huge city of Izmir itself. There are plenty of shopping opportunities to try here, but two of the main must dos are historical and natural – Ephesus and Pamukkale.
The ruins of Ephesus are probably best visited when the weather isn’t searing hot, so perhaps try and avoid July and August if you can; this is because it is a wide open space, with very little shade, and the crowds are also likely to be quite large at this time of year.
When visiting Bodrum, be sure to head over to the Greek Island of Kos for the day. This is entirely possible, and you can find tour offices selling trips quite easily. Remember that you are leaving the country in effect, even for just a few hours, so you do need to take your passport and visa document with you. Ask when booking if the port tax is included in the price too, but for the most part, it will be.
Of course, Turkey being so huge, there are other experiences to try too, such as the hot air balloons at Cappadocia, for instance. The central area of the country isn’t as widely visited amongst tourists as the coastal regions and the city of Istanbul, but if you want to experience something more authentic, certainly head towards Ankara, the capital city, and the surrounding towns and even villages.
