25 Best Places to Visit in Turkey in 2023

Knowing where to go and the best places to visit in Turkey can be tough because of the distances between towns and cities. But, with a little prior planning, you can pinpoint exactly what you want to see and enjoy every last second. I don’t know anyone who’s been to Turkey and not liked it.

I have something to tell you: Turkey is huge. Most people think it’s just Istanbul and a few beach resorts, but in all honesty, this country is MASSIVE. It’s important to figure out the best places to visit in Turkey ahead of your trip so you don’t waste your time on the road.

I lived in Turkey for a few years – my husband is Turkish, and together, we’ve traveled to several parts of the country. It’s a stunningly beautiful place, full of many amazing beaches, ruins, and cities, and plenty of modern-day activities to enjoy too.

25 Best Places to Visit in Turkey

You might be familiar with some of the most visited places in Turkey, but not know where they are. Again, this is down to the sheer size of the place. But the best places to visit in Turkey aren’t always so far away from one another; you just need to do a little homework and plan ahead.

In the list below, I’m going to tell you about 25 of the best spots to visit based on my personal experience, and the top sights in the country to make sure you get the most out of your stay. Some of these destinations in Turkey you might know, while others are outside of the tourist traps.

1. Dolmabahçe Palace, Istanbul

Without a doubt, Istanbul is one of the top cities to visit in Turkey, and it’s packed with some truly amazing sights — Dolmabaçhe Palace is one of them and it blew my mind the first time I saw it. This hugely opulent palace was once the home of Ataturk himself, the founder of the modern Turkish Republic….