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 a unique country that spans two continents—with the majority of its landmass in Southwestern Anatolia (Asia) and a smaller portion in Southeastern Europe. Because of this fascinating geography, Turkey is often described as a bridge between Europe and Asia.
The population of Turkey was estimated at around 85–90 million in 2020. The country is home to a rich mosaic of cultures and ethnic groups, including Turks, Kurds, Zazas, Arabs, Armenians, Azerbaijanis, Macedonians, Albanians, Laz people, and many others. However, the largest group is the Turkish population.
The official language is Turkish, but more than 50–60% of the younger generation speaks English at least at a basic level. In terms of religion, more than 96% of the population is Muslim, around 2–3% Christian, and the rest belong to other belief groups. Despite this demographic structure, Turkey is officially a secular state, with laws that separate religion and governance.
Turkey is surrounded by seas on three sides:
The Black Sea to the north,
The Aegean Sea and Sea of Marmara to the west,
The Mediterranean Sea to the south.
Black Sea (Karadeniz)
The Black Sea, known as Karadeniz in Turkish, lies to the north of Turkey and borders the regions of Marmara in the west and Georgia and Russia in the east. Besides Turkey, the Black Sea is shared by Romania, Russia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Georgia.
In the southwest, the Black Sea connects to the Sea of Marmara through the Bosphorus Strait. Important international trading ports along its coastline include Istanbul, Trabzon, Sinop, Samsun, Varna, Constanța, Yalta, Odesa, Burgas, Sevastopol, Kerch, Sochi, Sukhumi, Poti, Novorossiysk, and Batumi.
Marmara Sea
The Sea of Marmara (Marmara Denizi in Turkish) is an inland sea entirely within the Marmara Region. It connects the Black Sea to the north via the Bosphorus and the Aegean Sea to the southwest via the Dardanelles Strait.
It spans more than 11,000 square kilometers, stretching approximately 280 km from northeast to southwest, with a maximum width of about 80 km. It lies between the European region of Thrace and the Asian region of Anatolia.
Aegean Sea (Ege Denizi)
The Aegean Sea, or Ege Denizi, lies between Turkey and Greece. It connects to the Sea of Marmara via the Dardanelles Strait to the northeast and opens into the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Some of Turkey’s most important commercial and cruise ports in the Aegean include Kuşadası, Bodrum, Marmaris, Çeşme, and İzmir.
This sea also gives its name to Turkey’s Aegean Region, known for its classic Mediterranean climate—hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.
Mediterrenean Sea (Akdeniz)
The Mediterranean Sea, or Akdeniz, is bordered by Asia to the east and Africa to the south. To the west, it connects to the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar. In the southeast, it links to the Red Sea via the Suez Canal in Egypt, a historic man-made waterway completed in 1869.
The Aegean and Marmara Seas are sometimes considered extensions of the Mediterranean due to their shared characteristics. The sea also gives its name to Turkey’s Mediterranean Region, famous for its warm climate and stunning coastline.
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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