10 Captivating Cities to Visit on Your Next Turkey Tourism Adventure

Introduction

We’ve all heard the song: “Turkey, Turkey, Turkey—what a nice place to visit.” The country is full of historical sights, beautiful cities, and delicious food. But after more than 1,000 years of being in the spotlight as a rising star of world travel destinations, Turkey has a ways to go before it can be considered as cool as its neighbors Egypt or Greece. However, there’s no denying that Turkey has something special about it!

Istanbul

You’ve heard of Istanbul, but have you been? If not, now is the time to jump on board. The largest city in Turkey and capital of your country, Istanbul is also one of the most beautiful cities in all of Europe. With its long history and UNESCO World Heritage status, it’s no wonder why so many travelers flock there each year for their holidays.

Your time at this fascinating place will be filled with history–the city was founded by Constantine I in 330 AD as Constantinople (later renamed Constantinople/Istanbul). Today it is considered one of Europe’s most important cultural metropolises with an estimated population over 14 million people living within it boundaries! And if that isn’t enough already then add that Istanbul has some incredible sights including Hagia Sophia Mosque which was built between 532-563 AD; Blue Mosque which was built between 1609-1616 AD; Topkapı Palace Museum Complex containing many different buildings including Harem (women quarters); Grand Bazaar – largest covered market place in Asia; Spice Bazaar which sells spices from around world including cinnamon sticks etc., where you can even buy food items directly off street vendor carts like kebabs or donuts!

If shopping isn’t your thing then perhaps try taking a ferry ride across Bosporus Strait connecting Asia & Europe together where visitors can see landmarks such as Galata Tower overlooking both sides’ shores before ending up back home again after spending hours exploring its various districts.”

Ankara

The capital of Turkey is Ankara. It’s one of the most populous city in Turkey, with 13 million inhabitants and a population density of 1,450 people per square kilometer (3,832 per square mile). It has an area of 3,145 km2 (1,202 sq mi), making it the largest city in terms of both area and population.

The city is also important politically and culturally; it’s home to many major universities such as Middle East Technical University (METU) and Bahcesehir University which were established as a result of its growth during this period. Spreading across two continents with over 500 years’ history behind them; these universities are now among Turkey’s top educational institutions providing quality education on topics ranging from science & technology through humanities & social sciences etc., making them perfect places for travelers interested in learning about Turkish culture beyond what they see outside their hotel windows every day!

Izmir

If you’re looking for a city that’s both stunningly beautiful and full of history, Izmir should be your first stop. Located on the Aegean Sea, this coastal city has been named one of Europe’s most livable cities by The Economist magazine in 2015.

Izmir is also known as the “Turkish Athens” for its many historic sites like Ephesus (one of ancient Greece’s Seven Wonders), Helenic Temple and Ancient Agora Museum. These attractions make it an ideal destination for travelers who want to experience Turkey at its best! And if you need more reasons why Izmir deserves your attention? Well…

The city was founded by Greek settlers who migrated there from Miletos around 700 BC. Over time it grew into an important trading hub between East and West; today it serves as gateway between Europe & Asia via air travel (Izmir Airport). Its population exceeds 1 million people which makes it one of largest cities in Turkey!

Antalya

Antalya is a coastal city in southern Turkey, known for its beautiful beaches and sandy coastline. The city boasts one of the most popular summer tourist destinations in Turkey, with its warm weather and miles of white sand beaches on the Mediterranean Sea.

Antalya has been called “an exotic paradise” by many travelers who come here to experience its unique culture and history. The town is also home to some of Turkey’s best museums–including the Antalya Museum of Underwater Archaeology! This museum features artifacts from ancient civilizations such as Phoenicia, Assyria and Persia (now Iran). These artifacts date back as far as 4500 BC!

Bursa

Bursa is a city in Turkey with a population of around 1.1 million people, making it one of the most important tourist destinations in the country. The city was founded by the Seljuk Turks in 1063 AD as Bilek and later became part of Anatolia; it was named “Bursa” after its founder, who built an underground palace there. Today, Bursa is known for its historic Ottoman architecture, especially during winter when you can see thousands upon thousands of yurtas (traditional nomadic tent dwellings) along its main avenue Ceyhan Street.

The area surrounding Bursa has been inhabited for thousands of years by people from many different cultures including Greeks who settled here during Alexander’s siege on Halicarnassus (modern Bodrum). Once conquered by Rome they remained under Roman rule until their incorporation into Byzantium where they became one with Greeks again over time becoming known as Rum Milleti which means “Roman People.”

Bursa has also played host to many famous visitors over time including Napoleon Bonaparte who set up his headquarters here during his expedition against Ottoman forces at Scutari before moving onto Adrianople – now Edirne – where he defeated them soundly leading him onto Cairo where Alexander encountered Ptolemy II Philadelphus while marching toward Persia after defeating Darius III Codomannus but did not succeed because he couldn’t stop fighting among himself so decided against attacking them despite being urged otherwise by his generals like Achille Murat who argued against such action saying that doing so would only lead to failure since there weren’t enough men left alive anyway…

Edirne

The city of Edirne is situated in the east of Turkey, near today’s Bulgarian border. Founded in the 3rd century BC, it served as the capital of Roman Empire for a short time before Constantinople was built on its ruins. Today, this ancient city has been revived with interesting architecture and history to offer visitors an unforgettable experience.

Konya

Konya, a city in Central Anatolia, Turkey. It is the capital of Konya Province and has a rich history dating back to the Hittites and Seljuks. The city has many historical sites that are worth visiting if you’re looking for something different than your average tourist destination.

The most famous landmark in this area is Süleymaniye Mosque, which was built during the reign of Ottoman sultan Suleiman I (1520-1566). It’s one thing to see what someone else built–it’s another thing entirely when you know how much effort went into building something as gorgeous as this mosque! You can also visit Topkapı Palace Museum where there are many paintings from around Europe including Van Dyck’s portrait “Lady with Parrot” among others – these works date back centuries before European artists began depicting them on canvas!

Adana

Adana is one of the largest cities in Turkey and one of the most important transportation hubs in the country. Although it’s not quite as large as Istanbul or Ankara, Adana has its own unique charm that makes it an ideal destination for travelers looking for something different than Turkey’s other major cities.

Adana is also known for its industrial history, having been home to many large factories and companies over the years. Today, you can visit some of these sites yourself if you’re interested in seeing what life was like during this time period (or if you just want a glimpse into history).

The city also boasts some impressive beaches–one of which even has its own lighthouse! If that doesn’t make your travel dreams come true then nothing will!

Diyarbakir

Diyarbakir is the largest city of the southeastern region of Turkey. It is also known as “the Velvet City” because of its rich historical and cultural heritage, which includes mosques and minarets dating back to the 13th century. It’s home to a large Kurdish population who make up over 30% of its total population.

The city has earned its reputation as “the Kurdish capital,” thanks to its history with oppression under both Sultans and Baathists alike. This led to many refugees fleeing here during tumultuous times in their native lands; some even arriving with nothing but their clothes on their backs!

Turkey is a beautiful country with lots to see.

Turkey is a beautiful country with lots to see. It has a rich history, as well as natural beauty and cultural sites that can be explored by tourists. You may want to visit some of these places if you are planning on traveling in Turkey:

Historical sites such as Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, which was built over 600 years ago by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I
Religious sites such as the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, built in 1461
Tourist attractions like Pamukkale Thermal Baths (known for its beautiful white-coloured cliffs), Cappadocia Underground Cities (ancient settlements carved into rock), Ephesus Temple (where Jesus Christ preached his first sermon)