Turkey Cultural Tours and 20 Must-Visit Cultural Destinations in Turkey!
Hi everyone! In this article, we examined the Turkey Cultural Tours for you! We have explained some helpful points and listed some travel tips better to keep on your mind before Travel to Turkey! Enjoy reading it!
General About Turkey!
Turkey is located on two continents; most of the country is in Southwestern Anatolia and the rest in Southeastern Europe. This is because it is also called a bridge between Europe and Asia!
Population is around 85 to 90 million in 2020. It is possible to meet people of all nationalities in the country; Turkish, Kurdish, Zaza, Arab, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Macedonian, Albanian, Laz, and many others. However, the majority is Turks.
The official language of the country is Turkish. But, more than 50-60% of the young generation speaks English at least at a basic level. Over 96% of the population is Muslim, 2-3% is Christian, and the rest is others. However, the country itself is secular in the laws! 3 Sides of the country are surrounded by the seas; the Black Sea on the North, the Agean sea & Marmara Sea on the West, and the Mediterranean Sea on the South.
Black Sea (Karadeniz)
Karadeniz (called the Black Sea in English) located in the north of Turkey, bordering two regions; Marmara at the west and Georgia + Russia at the east. Besides Turkey, the other countries that surround the Black Sea are; Romania, Russia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Georgia.
In the southwest, it’s connected to the Sea of Marmara throughout the Bosphorus. Some of the very important trading ports on the Black Sea are; Istanbul, Trabzon, Sinop, Samsun, Varna, Constanza, Yalta, Odesa, Burgas, Sevastopol, Kerch, Sochi, Sukhumi, Poti, Novorossiysk, and Batumi.
Marmara Sea
The Sea of Marmara (called the Marmara Denizi in Turkish) is an inland sea within the Marmara region connecting to the Black Sea, and to the Aegean Sea in the southwest. It lies between Thrace and Anatolia, covering an area of over 11 thousand square kilometers. It is approx. 280 kilometers long from northeast to southwest and about 80 kilometers wide at its greatest width.
Aegean Sea (Ege Denizi)
Ege Denizi (the Aegean Sea in English) is located between Turkey and Greece. It’s connected to the Sea of Marmara by Dardanelles Strait to the northeast and the Mediterranean Sea to the South. Some of the most important trade and cruise ports in the Aegean Sea; Kusadasi, Bodrum, Marmaris, Cesme Port, and Izmir Port.
The Aegean Sea gave its name to the Aegean Region of Turkey. And, it has a characteristic Mediterranean climate; summers are dry and winters are rainy (not snowy).
Mediterrenean Sea (Akdeniz)
The Mediterranean Sea (called Akdeniz in Turkish) is surrounded by Asia at the east, and Africa at the south. It’s connected to the Atlantic Ocean at the west with Gibraltar. It’s also connected to the Red Sea in the southeast with the Suez Canal in Egypt, a man-made canal built-in 1869. Aegean and the Marmara Sea are often considered as a part of the Mediterranean Sea. The sea gave also its name to the Mediterranean region of Turkey.
Modern Turkey and Its History
In 1923, under the leadership of the Mustafa Kemal (who is: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kemal-Ataturk), known as Atatürk, with incredible efforts and civil and military organization, the Modern Turkish Republic was founded.
And, the capital city moved from Istanbul to Ankara. At different points of its history, the region has been homed by diverse civilizations including; Anatolians, Assyrians, Greeks, Thracians, Phrygians, Urartians, and Armenians. The Seljuk Beylic Turks began migrating into the area in the 11th century, and their victory over the East Romans at the Battle of Malazgirt in 1071 symbolizes the Turks going into Anatolia.
With its hosting of so many civilizations, culture and history literally gushes from the Anatolian lands. Possible to find cultural and historical activities all around Turkey. Here we have listed the most popular places where you can find cultural and historical Turkey Tours!
20 Must-visit Cultural Destinations in Turkey!
- Istanbul: Possible to explore Ancient Greek, Eastern Roman, and Ottoman Empire traces.
- Troy/Gallipoli/Canakkale: Possible to explore Anzac Coves.
- Pergamon: Home of Ancient Medicine.
- Ephesus Ancient City: Explore Ancient Greek and Glorius Eastern Roman Empire life.
- House of Virgin Mary: Explore and pray in the house believed that Mary has spent the last years of her life.
- Priene – Miletus and Didyma Ancient Cities: Explore the ancient oracle center.
- Hierapolis Ancient City: Explore the largest necropolis that comes from eastern roman life and visit St. Phillips tomb.
- Aphrodisias Ancient City: Explore the ancient city named for the goddess Aphrodite and founded during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
- Sumela Monastery: Explore one of the most interesting monasteries that you may ever see in your life.
- Kayakoy: The deserted town Kayakoy was largely ignored for most of the 20th century.
- Basilica Cistern: Also known as Yerebatan Sarnıcı. Explore the water system and aqueducts that come from Byzantium time.
- Hagia Sophia: There not enough words to describe its magnificence! One time in life! Must-explore site…
- Aspendos Theatre: One of the a few examples from typical Roman type ancient theatres.
- Cappadocia, Goreme Open Air Museum: Doubtfully, the most famous touristic destination of Turkey with its 5.000 years of history!
- Nemrut: Nemrut, also known as Nemrud, stands at over 7,000 feet and is the site of the 1st-century BC mountain-top tomb of King Antiochus I Epiphanes.
- Topkapi Palace: A wonderful building that served as a home for Ottoman sultans for centuries!
- Blue Mosque: Most stunning example of Islamic art and tiles!
- Hattusha: It is one of Turkey’s great ruins, and was once the capital of the Hittite Empire, besides it is one of the Unesco Sites.
- Gobeklitepe: Believed that it is the oldest manmade place of worship on the Earth which about 12.000 years old.
- Zeugma Mosaic Museum: It contains a vast collection of restored mosaics from the Ancient Roman town of Zeugma.
Advantages of Booking a Turkey Travel Package!
Traveling one to others is very easy since the roads, flights, and railways are very well developed. However, we always recommend the travelers to have Turkey Tour Packages which can make you have a lifetime experience besides making your time very easy! The main advantages of purchasing a Turkey Packages are as below;
- The most important thing is; almost all travelers have limited time and tight schedules. And, a prearranged Turkey Travel Packages can save your entire holiday. All our packages created carefully by our professionals, and you do not need to make tons of search about different places of Turkey; how to go from one place to another, which way is the best, which Hotel to stay in, which tour to pick, which tour guide is the best, etc… All arranged and packed in our Turkey Packages. So, it makes it too easy for you.
- A Holiday Package to Turkey can avoid you any possible hassle since you will have an agent who will assist you 7/24 during your Turkey Tours.
- You do not need to search a lot about local things and arrangements. You may directly look at pre-created packages includes carefully selected local service providers (high ranked hotels, best tours, and tour guides, best transportation ways can make you save your time and money, etc…), and book your Turkey Tour at once!
- With the Turkey Packages includes Small-Group or Private Tours, you may collect the best information about the very historical and cultural places you visit from your professional licensed Turkey Tour Guide! Do not forget that Turkey has several destinations listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List which are thousands of years of history. So, there is no better way to learn than getting informed by local licensed guides!
- At first look, a tour package can seem costly to book. However, a tour package that includes accommodations, domestic flights, guided tours, and transportation will save your Money against last-minute trouble, surprises, and hassles. And, would make you more organized. So, this holiday would not turn into a nightmare because of the last-minute problems that you may face as an individual organizer!
- There is nothing better than taking support from a local while you are miles & miles away from your home!
So, in a summary; having a Turkey Package can save your money, your time, avoid you any last-minute hassles, can make you choose the best destinations, and take 7/24 support while traveling. Simply you can sit back to you and enjoy your time while exploring the places on your schedule!
Best Time to Visit Turkey!
Turkey has 4 seasons around the country! It is a different taste to visit this country in Summer or in Winter! The most popular and the most crowded time is between May to September! However, especially Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Istanbul can be a little too hot and crowded for some travelers who are not used to it! As a result, we always recommend March – April, and October for the best time askers!
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