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Fantastic Beaches and Fascinating Natural Landscapes: Ten Places in Turkey That Will Impress You
Side
Side is one of the most popular resorts in Turkey. The old port city is characterized by its ancient buildings – including the amphitheater (see vs. picture), the Roman temple of Apollo or the imposing city wall with arched portal. Some of Turkey's most beautiful beaches are also located here. The most central is Side Beach, from which many hotel facilities have already reserved a piece. Not far from it is the Kumköy Beach, which is especially sought after in windsurfing and sailors. If you want to experience something away from Side, you can also take a day trip to the well-known waterfalls of Manavgat.
Alanya
The seaside resort of Alanya is also very popular with holidaymakers. This may be due to the total of 25 kilometres of beach, on which sun-seekers can spread beautifully. The Cleopatra Beach is one of the most beautiful of the Turkish Riviera – its name is owed to the Egyptian pharaoh, who is said to have taken a bath there. The city itself also offers some sights that are worth a visit – the most famous is probably the castle complex Alanya Kalesi with the striking Red Tower. There are also plenty of excursions from Alanya, such as the Taurus Mountains with its mountain villages or the Sapadere Canyon.
Myra
The ancient city of Myra must not miss travellers on holiday in Turkey. The pilgrimage site is located in the mountainous Lycia and was the place of the canonized Nicholas of Myra. A special feature are the rock tombs, which – unlike one is used to – were carved not under the ground, but upwards into the stone. The around 400 v. Today, numerous tourists attracted numerous tourists to the region. Today, the village is called Demre and is less than two and a half hours away from Antalya by car.
Antalya
Speaking of Antalya: The Turkish city on the Mediterranean coast is perfect for a cultural and bathing holiday. The most beautiful beaches include Örnekköy Beach and Lara Beach, which are popular with tourists. If you like it a little quieter, however, go to Konyaalti Beach. As a contrasting programme, the old town of Kaleici offers a variety of historical sights. The Hadrian's gate is one of the most famous and falls out of its two different towers – one dates from the Roman era, the other from the 13th century. Many visitors also attract the Yivli-Minare Mosque, whose minaret also drops from the 13th century. Outside of Antalya, there are also numerous possibilities for excursions, especially the Kursunlu and Düden waterfalls.
Fethiye
The port town of Fethiye in the south of the country is part of the Aegean in the Turkish Aegean Sea. Its beaches and coves create a tropical flair, not least because of the lush, green nature in the surrounding countryside. As one of the most beautiful beaches, Ölüdeniz Beach (see island) becomes the most beautiful beach. picture) which extends shaped over a blue lagoon. Apart from the beach holiday, there is also a lot to experience for explorers, because nearby is the Saklikent National Park with the homonymous gorge, up to 300 metres deep. Near Fethiye, the ghost village of Kayaköy is also located. It has been abandoned since the 1920s, but thanks to curious tourists, the more than 3,500 house ruins are still visited. Also worth seeing: Above the port city, rock tombs have been cut into the stone – similar to Myra. The most famous of these is the tomb of Amyntas, whose front is reminiscent of an Ionic temple.
Kaputas Beach
But back to the beaches: One of the most beautiful is the Kaputas Beach in the southwest of the country, about 85 kilometres from Fethiye. It is picturesquely located in the mouth of the canyon of the homonymous and has a crystal clear blue water. It is also popular because it is located directly on the D400 expressway and from there a staircase can be reached. Those who climb the cliffs above enjoy a unique view of the picturesque bay and the sea.
Pamukkale
If you are in Turkey and could somehow set it up, you should definitely pay a visit to the town of Pamukkale. It is located about 20 kilometres north of Denizli and is located around 170 kilometres from the coast of the Turkish Aegean. It is best known for its limestone terraces, which are located slightly north of the city and has been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. They were created by the evaporation of the hot, calcareous waters of the thermal springs – at the sight it is hardly surprising that Pamukkale translates as meaning “cotton castle”. The ancient Romans already knew the natural thermal pools and celebrated the healing effects of the springs. Also nearby are the remains of “Hierapolis”, a city located in the 2nd century BC Christ was founded.
Istanbul
The city of Istanbul looks back on an eventful history: it was now an important trading centre under the name Byzantion, before it was renamed Constantinople by the Christian Emperor Constantine and finally in the 15th century fell into the hands of the Ottomans. The various influences are also reflected in the cityscape: Hagia Sophia is one of the most famous sights and an impressive cathedral of old Byzantium. Equally important is the Blue Mosque, which is considered Istanbul's landmark with its six minarets. Many visitors also count the Topkapi Palace, where the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire resided for centuries.
Cappadocia
Cadocia is one of the most fascinating natural beauties in Turkey: The surroundings are characterized by unique rock formations, the so-called fairy fireplaces, which represent the remains of a volcanic eruption. Those who walk through the valleys feel reminded of a mysterious moon landscape. But not only that: From the 4th century, Christians transformed the fair chimneys into oberground and underground cities by beating caves into the tuff. One example of this is the Göreme open-air museum, where impressive cave churches with frescoes still exist today. The balloon rides offered in Cappadocia and a breathtaking view of the fairytale landscape are also astonishing.
Köprülü Canyon
In addition to the fairy-kameries of Cappadocia and the snow-white limestone terraces in Pamukkale, there are also dreamy, green landscapes in Turkey. This includes the Köprülü Canyon National Park in the province of Antalya: it has a diverse flora and fauna full of cypresses, pines, oaks, junipers and cedars as well as foxes, deer, lynx, but also bears and wolves. A highlight is also the Tazi Gorge which provides a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding area. The river Köprüay also runs through the national park, which is a port of contact for numerous rafting fans.
