Top 20 Experiences
- Hagia Sophia at sunrise — The over 1,500-year-old masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, now a mosque again, is emptiest at opening at 9 AM. The golden mosaics on the upper floor are breathtaking. → Chap. Istanbul
- Balloon ride over Cappadocia — At sunrise, hundreds of hot air balloons float over the fairy chimneys of Göreme. The ride costs from 150–250 € and is worth every cent. April to November is the season. → Chap. Cappadocia
- Ephesus — the best-preserved ancient city — The Celsus Library, the Great Theater (25,000 seats), and the marble streets of Ephesus are overwhelming. Come at opening at 8 AM before the cruise buses arrive. → Chap. Aegean
- Bosphorus cruise at sunset — The ferry between Europe and Asia costs only a few Lira and offers the quintessential Istanbul panorama: mosques, palaces, the bridge — with a glass of Çay in hand. → Chap. Istanbul
- Ölüdeniz — the Blue Lagoon — One of the most famous beaches in the world: turquoise water in a protected lagoon, with the Babadağ mountains behind. Paragliding tandem flight from the 1,969 m high peak is a must. → Chap. Lycia
- Strolling through the Grand Bazaar — Over 4,000 shops on 31,000 m² in a covered labyrinth from the 15th century. Bargaining is part of it. Spices, carpets, jewelry, leather goods — the senses are overwhelmed. → Chap. Istanbul
- Lycian Way — hiking by the sea — The 540 km long hiking trail along the southwest coast leads through ancient ruins, over secluded beaches, and through fragrant pine forests. Stages between Fethiye and Antalya can also be done individually. → Chap. Lycia
- Turkish Hammam experience — A real hammam is more than a sauna: hot stone, foam massage, scrubbing until the skin shines. The Çemberlitaş Hamamı (1584) in Istanbul or the historic hammam in Bodrum are unforgettable. → Chap. Istanbul
- Pamukkale — the Cotton Castle — The snow-white limestone terraces with their turquoise thermal pools are a natural wonder. Directly above lies the ancient Hierapolis with theater and necropolis. Bathing in the ancient pool among sunken columns (Cleopatra Pool). → Chap. Aegean
- Sunset on the Bosphorus in Ortaköy — Under the Bosphorus Bridge, next to the delicate Ortaköy Mosque, with a Kumpir (stuffed giant potato) in hand — the perfect Istanbul moment. → Chap. Istanbul
- Underground city Derinkuyu — 85 meters deep, 8 floors, space for 20,000 people: The underground city in Cappadocia is an architectural wonder from the 7th/8th century BC. Not for the claustrophobic. → Chap. Cappadocia
- Kas — diving and chilling — The small coastal town on the Lycian coast is both a diving paradise and a bohemian village. Sunken ruins, underwater caves, and fish at the harbor in the evening. → Chap. Lycia
- Aspendos — the perfect theater — The Roman theater of Aspendos near Antalya (155 AD) is considered the best-preserved ancient theater in the world. 15,000 seats, perfect acoustics — a whisper on stage can be heard in the last row. → Chap. Riviera
- Sumela Monastery in the mountains — Clinging to a 300 m high rock face, surrounded by dense forests: the Greek Orthodox monastery from the 4th century near Trabzon is one of Turkey's most spectacular buildings. → Chap. Black Sea
- Meze evening in Bodrum — Sitting on the harbor promenade, toasting with cold Rakı, and eating through 20 different meze plates: Hummus, Babaganuş, Böreks, Calamari, Patlıcan Salatası — that's Turkish lifestyle. → Chap. Aegean
- Hiking through the Ihlara Valley — The 14 km long gorge in Cappadocia with over 100 rock churches, a river at the bottom, and dramatic rock walls is a hiking paradise away from the tourist crowds. → Chap. Cappadocia
- Butterfly Valley near Fethiye — Only accessible by boat: a narrow canyon with a waterfall, home to rare butterfly species. Camping on the beach under the starry sky. → Chap. Lycia
- Turkish breakfast — Turkish breakfast (kahvaltı) is a ceremony: 15–20 small bowls with cheese, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, honey with Kaymak, Sucuk, eggs, fresh bread, endless tea. Best enjoyed on the Bosphorus in Kadıköy or on a rooftop terrace in Sultanahmet. → Chap. Istanbul
- Patara — the longest beach in Turkey — 18 km of fine sand, barely developed (nature reserve and turtle nesting site), plus the ruins of ancient Patara with lighthouse and parliament building. → Chap. Lycia
- Drinking Çay in the tea house at the Golden Horn — Sitting in one of the traditional Çay Bahçesi (tea gardens) in Istanbul, sipping red tea from tulip-shaped glasses and watching the hustle and bustle — that's the Turkish soul in a moment. → Chap. Istanbul