When it comes to famous cities in Türkiye (Turkey), it is often Istanbul that rises into most people’s minds. Istanbul is the largest after all, and the fact that it has the biggest city population in Europe makes it stand out in a world of its own. Even though this city is notably vast, it is important to not forget about some of the other interesting cities that Turkey has to offer.
Especially Ankara, which is not only the capital but the second-largest city that the country has to offer. The capital city is home to the astounding Anitkabir. This is known as the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who was the leader of the Turkish War of Independence and the first President of the Republic of Turkey. The Anitkabir is a must-see for tourists who wish to learn more about the history of Türkiye (Turkey), and I would highly recommend visiting if you have the time.
Before choosing which city to explore in Turkey for your itinerary, the first step will be securing flight tickets to Türkiye (Turkey). With Pegasus, you can book flight reservations, secure cheap flights, and choose your individual route, making it easy for you to get to where you need to go.
So, if you are deciding on which famous city in Turkey to spend your time at, you can find all your answers in the post below of 4 famous cities in Turkey to visit.
Izmir
Empty Konak Square view with historical clock tower. It was built in 1901 and accepted as the official symbol of Izmir City, Turkey
There is no doubt in my mind that Izmir will always remain a key tourist destination in Turkey. This large city offers tonnes of activities to do and contains famous Turkey landmarks. Izmir combines both modernism and hip-culture with the historical side of Turkey, creating an interesting mix of sights for tourists.
If you are chasing history, feel free to head down to ancient monuments such as the Agora Open Air Museum. These ruins are extremely well preserved for their age and tell the story of the ancient city built by Alexander the Great. The Agora features numerous statues of Greek gods that offer real insight into the past of Izmir as a whole.
Once you are finished learning about this epic city’s past, it is time to enjoy some of the more engaging and popular activities that the city has to offer. One of these is, of course, the MaviBahce. This gigantic, world-renowned mall is home to its fair share of impressive name brands and children’s stores, so you can shop until you drop.
After shopping, feel free to watch a movie with family and friends at the indoor IMAX cinema, where movies are enjoyed in the highest quality.
Izmir certainly has everything you could want as a visitor, and it is a city you don’t want to miss out on!
Bursa
Bursa Grand Mosque or Ulu Cami is the largest mosque in Bursa, Turkey.
This list would not be complete without mentioning the city of Bursa. Most famous for its range of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this large city lies in the north-western region of Turkey, and there is such a plenitude of interesting attractions here that it is hard to get bored.
One of these is the Khans Area, which is gigantic. This 400+ acre complex was home to the Ottoman Empire and served as a core part of Bursa’s economy from the 14th century and beyond. There is so much to explore here that you walk around the complex for hours on end. There is also a beautiful array of mosques to set your sights on and an impressive bazaar, which is in the complex.
Another significant highlight in the city is the Grand Mosque of Bursa. This mosque is over 600 years old and carries a tremendous amount of history behind it, which simply cannot be ignored. It is not only a sacred part of the Islamic faith in Turkey, but you will find architecture inside that dates all the way back to the Ottoman Empire.
Once you are finished exploring the Grand Mosque, which is one of the most famous places in Turkey, feel free to get a cable car to the top of Uludag mountain. The sights from the top of this towering mountain are nothing less than spectacular and will complete a memorable few days in this great city.
Istanbul
View at Maiden tower and suspension bridge over the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey
As you might have guessed, Istanbul is one of Turkey’s major cities and is the most visited city in the country by tourists around the world. There are surely innumerable tourist attractions here that are worth talking about, and a trip to Turkey wouldn’t be finalized without going to them.
This includes the Grand Bazaar for your shopping desires and the Hagia Sophia mosque, which is one of the top 5 most famous attractions in the entire country.
You can find practically everything in Istanbul as a traveler, and the city is suitable for any kind of budget. I would advise spending three to five days here in total to get a strong feel of what this epic city is all about.
You can now check out cheap flights to Istanbul and plan your next trip!
Antalya
Turkey Antalya Duden Waterfall ladscape. Spring season.
Antalya belongs on all lists when it comes to discussing famous Turkish cities.
The Turkish capital is less known among visitors compared to Istanbul, although it is equally fascinating. Antalya isn’t just home to popular landmarks; it also has beautiful public parks to walk around and stunning waterfalls. The Duden Waterfalls are located only 12 kilometers outside of Antalya city and offer a refreshing break from the busy capital.
You will notice how shockingly high these waterfalls are, with the lower Duden waterfall falling into the ocean from a whopping 40 meters in total.
Antalya offers the best of both worlds, and it is up to you how you want to experience the wonderful capital!
I hope you enjoyed this article on 4 famous cities to visit in Turkey . If you are looking for how to find inexpensive flights, Pegasus is the perfect solution. With Pegasus, you can book flight reservations, secure cheap flights, and choose your individual route, making it easy for you to get to where you need to go.
