10 Historical Destination in Türkiye (Turkey)
Ortakoy Mosque and Bosphorus bridge in Istanbul at sunrise, Turkey
Home to some of the world’s oldest civilisations, Türkiye’s cities are awash with history. They make for incredible holiday destinations in Türkiye (Turkey) for sure. From the wonders of Istanbul to the castle of Trabzon, cheap flights to Türkiye we take you through the very best, all easily accessible thanks to Turkey with Pegasus Airlines.
İstanbul
Landscape of Karakoy and Galata Tower. Istanbul, Turkey
It may be known for its thriving gourmet scene, but Istanbul is arguably the foremost ancient city in Türkiye (Turkey). It’s Fatih district roughly equates to the area of Old Constantinople, and has a myriad of world-famous attractions alongside stunning Bosporus Strait strolls.
Dominated by the minarets of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, this UNESCO World Heritage Site also contains the Topkapi Palace Museum, former residence of Ottoman Sultans. Just north in the Beyoğlu district lies Galata Tower. Built in 1348, kids will love its panoramic views across the city. Need more convincing, head to our Istanbul travel guide.
Cappadocia
Hot air balloons over Goreme at sunrise, Cappadocia
Inhabited since at least the sixth century BCE, Cappadocia is one of those historic places in Türkiye (Turkey) which cannot be missed. The region has geological, cultural, and historic sites which will blow your mind.
If you only have the time to visit one of Cappadocia’s ancient cities, you may make it Göreme. It’s landscape of fairy chimney rock formations make a sunrise hot air balloon a must do activity. At the same time, accommodation is some of the most unique in the world, with boutique hotels making use of former cave homes. Dramatic historic painted churches are just another way in which the easy-to-carve rock has been utilised for centuries.
For more on what Cappadocia has to offer, our Cappadocia travel guide is on hand to help.
İzmir
The ruins of Celsus Library in the ancient Greek city Ephesus near the town of Selcuk in Turkey
Nestled around a beautiful gulf on the Aegean Sea, the charms of Izmir have been known for at least 8,500 years. One of the oldest settlements in the entire Mediterranean, it has seen visits from the likes of ancient Persians, Alexander the Great, and the Romans. Use our Izmir travel guide to make it your turn next.
Start your exploration of this ancient Turkish city at the Agora Open Air Museum. It protects the remains of Hellenic Smyrna, partially destroyed by a powerful earthquake in 178 CE. Its ruins include a fascinating mix of streets, homes, basilicas, and gatehouses which visitors of all ages will enjoy. Likewise, history buffs shouldn’t miss Izmir Archaeological Museum, home to smaller treasures, or the nearby ancient city of Ephesus.
Antalya
Aerial view of the amphitheater in the ancient Side town, Antalya Province, Turkey. High quality photo
Glorious Mediterranean beaches aside, Antalya is a hugely historic city of south Türkiye (Turkey). It has a long list of major attractions at its heart, ranging from the Roman-era Hadrian’s Gate to Karatay Madrassa, built in 1250. Antalya Museum has many of the finest statues of the Greek and eastern Roman world.
But the region’s ranking of 10 historical cities in Türkiye (Turkey) don’t stop there. The ancient town of Side offers a fascinating insight into the life of the Roman empire. A once mighty city-state, remains include homes containing their original mosaics, and a gateway 13.5 m high. Elsewhere, Patara was the home of third century holy man Saint Nicholas – otherwise known as Santa Claus!
What’s more, the city’s delights are easy to get thanks to Pegasus Airlines’ cheap flights to Antalya.
Çatalhöyük
the first permanent bridge across the place at çatalhöyük
Sadly, Catalhoyuk isn’t as well known as it should be, because this ancient city of Anatolia has much to recommend it. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012, Catalhoyuk provides an unparalleled view into Neolithic life, since it was abandoned and never built over.
In fact, Catalhoyuk was lost for centuries, and only excavated for the first time in 1958. These digs revealed a town which grew to have a population of around 10,000 people, with few other buildings than private homes. One of the best ways to understand what life must have been like is by visiting the onsite reconstruction of one such home. It’s decked out with a typical interior which includes simple wall niches for storage and an upper floor reached via a ladder.
Ankara
Ankara Castle, ancient fortifications in the capital city of Turkey
Modern Türkiye’s (Turkey’s) capital, Ankara nonetheless has lots of history. Its founding is believed to date back to around 280 BCE. The result is a city with buildings which are a mix of ages and styles. The most obvious is probably Ankara Castle, the series of ruins topped with a flag which rises up over the Ankara River. It offers the chance to imagine the battles which must have taken place here in former times.
Elsewhere, in the Altındağ district lies the Augusteum, or Temple to Augustus and Rome. Created to celebrate the deified version of Roman Emperor Augustus, it adds another layer to the city’s fascinating history. So why not check out cheap flight tickets to Ankara today? Alternatively, see what you might be missing in nearby Konya with our Konya travel guide.
Antakya
Situated in Türkiye’s (Turkey’s) Hatay province, Antakya (Antioch) lays claim to being the most historic city of Türkiye (Turkey). Impressively, we know exactly who founded Antakya, despite it being almost 2,500 years ago. It was a man by the name of Seleucus I Nicator, who came to such a prominent position after fighting with Alexander the Great.
Tarsus
Sunrise at Cleopatra’s Gate in Tarsus , Mersin city, Turkey
We surely made a mistake by not including Tarsus on our pick of places to visit in Türkiye (Turkey). Located in southern Türkiye (Turkey), it has 6,000 years of history. A significant settlement during the height of the Roman Empire, it was the birthplace of St Paul (born Saul of Tarsus). Tarsus was also where Egyptian queen Cleopatra first met Mark Antony, leading to one of the world’s most epic love affairs.
For visitors today, Tarsus has several attractions from the Roman era, including Cleopatra’s Gate and the Roman Bridge of Justinian on the Berdan River, which can still be used despite its age!
Mardin
Mardin is old city in Eastern part of Turkey.
Mardin’s historic attractions lie in its Old City. Many of its structures are of the Artuqid architectural style, and are so important no new structures can be built in the area. It leaves an unchanged city which rises up a hillside towards its citadel fort.
An unofficial open-air museum, Mardin’s Old City is primarily constructed of light-coloured limestone which takes on impressive colour changes come sunset. Among the city’s highlights include the Sultan Isa Madrassa from the fourteenth century, Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami) and minaret from 1176, and the Forty Martyrs Church from the sixth century CE. Check out our Mardin travel guide for more!
Trabzon
The Sumela Monastery – selective focus
Our final pick of the 10 Historical Cities in Türkiye (Turkey) is Trabzon.
Trabzon is located on Türkiye’s (Turkey’s) Black Sea coast, which made it a melting pot for the region’s cultures. Pegasus Airlines’ cheap flights to Trabzon will soon have you enjoying its charming blend of architectural styles, which incorporate Italian, Ottoman, Middle Eastern, and Byzantine influences.
As our Trabzon travel guide points out, its top attraction has to be its ancient city walls and castle, which still rise several metres high, alongside the Eugenius Aqueduct.
