Top Turkey hotels
Topkapi Palace Istanbul
326 Reviews The huge palace was built just after conquering of Constantinople in 1453. It was the main residence of Ottoman sultans till 19th century, when they moved to other palaces. Palace is a full range of...
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Castle Marmaris
17 Reviews Marmaris Castle was rebuilt from scratch in 1522 by the Ottoman sultan Süleyman the Magnificent when he had set out for his campaign on Rhodes, for which Marmaris served as a base. Lord Nelson and his...
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Kaleici - Old Town Antalya
24 Reviews Having had a great hamam experience in Istanbul, I thought I'd treat myself to another on my last day in Turkey. Sefa Hamam was located close to my hotel, so I dropped by late one afternoon. I didn't...
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St. Peter Castle Bodrum
45 Reviews Bodrum Castle (Bodrum Kalesi), located in southwest Turkey in the city of Bodrum, was built by the Knights Hospitaller starting in 1402 as the Castle of St. Peter. Sir Thomas Docwra was one time...
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Boat Trip Icmeler
12 Reviews There are two options for sailing in the wonderful little craft that sail from Ismeler. You can go to either Marmaris for 10 L or Turunc for 15 L return. Either trip is worthwhile, especially Turunc...
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Virgin Mary House Ephesus
23 Reviews The house of Virgin Mary is considered to be the last home of Mother Mary. The Christians visit here for pilgrimage and it has been also visited by the last 3 popes. Outside the house, you can find 3...
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Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) Istanbul
340 Reviews Hagia Sofia or “Church of Holy Wisdom” in Greek is a place, where was a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica for nearly 1000 years. The current form church was designed and built in 532 by the Greek...
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Bazaar Marmaris
11 Reviews Over 1000 small shops make up the Grand Bazaar and you must visit if in town. Several long passageways make up the bazaar and it concentrates on bags, shoes, clothes, leather goods souvenirs jewellery...
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Düden and other Waterfalls Antalya
37 Reviews We have planned to see that waterfall just before the "normal" shopping in Antalya. Every year we "waste" few hrs for shopping in the big modern Shopping Centers around Antalya. We haven't expected...
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Blue Voyage Bodrum
18 Reviews I highly recommend to do a Blue Cruise, but please save yourself some money and do not book through Blue Cruise Bodrum (www.bluecruise.org/). They do not own any fleets and will only charge you a...
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Beach Icmeler
6 Reviews We did not actually go on the beach through our two week stay apart from walking along it at night when it was quiet. As the photo shows it is very crowded and the sun beds and canopies are very close...
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Celsus Library Ephesus
57 Reviews It's a long way down the main roads, lined with the ruins of several buildings that your guide will describe in detail. Finnaly it all ends facing the library, whose facade is the best preserved of...
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Grand Bazaar Istanbul
124 Reviews Grand market, or, differently, Grand Bazaar could be named as one of oldest and biggest markets in the World. It was planned and constructed in middle of 15th century, when Constantinople was...
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Icmeler beach Marmaris
11 Reviews Marmaris is nice but unfortunately is not the best beach... If you like to spend more time on the beach I recommend to go Icmeler Beach. Its very easy just pick the Orange MiniBus (Dolmush) till the...
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Aspendos Antalya
29 Reviews Turning off the Antalya-Alanya road at kilometer 30 in the direction of the village of Belkis we come to the best-preserved ancient theater in Turkey. Aspendos was also used as a caravansarai in later...
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Bodrum environs Bodrum
27 Reviews Foundations of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus St. Peter's Castle, with the underwater museum which has exhibited the glass wreck the Uluburun, an important archaeological find from the late Bronze...
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Marmaris Icmeler
4 Reviews When having a holiday in Marmaris, a good idea for having a break for the beach life is to go to see the cosy small and sweet town of Icmeler. It is also a holiday resort, but much smaller and with...
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Toilet Ephesus
19 Reviews You don't need to use your imagination too much here! The latrines were part of the Scholastica Baths and built in the 1st century AD. They were the public toilets of the city where citizens were...
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Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet ) Istanbul
296 Reviews Blue mosque, as I imagine, is one of main landmarks of huge Istanbul, also its minarets could be visible in panoramas that present Turkey, Istanbul, Sultanahmet historical suburb. Actually I was...
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Turkish Baths - Hamam Marmaris
7 Reviews Complaining from body pains, long lasting headaches, giving up excess body-weight, desire for feeling fresh and young addresses you to a "Hamam" where you feel like a new-born person. If you're after...
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Hadrian's Gate Antalya
24 Reviews Hadrian's Gate is a triple triumphal arch built in the second century. It is very well-preserved because originally the front of the gate was encased inside Antalya's city walls. Today you can pass...
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Bodrum nights Bodrum
5 Reviews This discos is the biggest and loudest. The staff at the entrance will look you up and down for a proper trendy dress and take a cover charge of US$ 17 ! before admiting you inside. Once inside, it is...
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Market Icmeler
2 Reviews rWednesdays in Icmeler they have their own market, which was bigger that we thought it would be. Same sort of goods as in the shops but all in one place for you to barter and compare. The fruit and...
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Grand Theatre Ephesus
43 Reviews The biggest construction remaining in Ephesus, and the most impressive after the Library is the great theatre. Built under Greek influence, it was enlarged and transformed by the Romans, an, despite...
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Bosphorus River Istanbul
130 Reviews Recommend this ferry trip for anyone visiting Istanbul. The Government run ferry (Turkish Maratime Lines)departs Eminonu 2 or 3 times daily for the return trip along the Bosphorus. The 3 hour ferry...
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Situated beneath Mt Olympos, Phaselis with its three harbours was once a major commercial centre. There are ruins of aqueducts, agoras, baths, a theatre, Hadrian's Gate and an acropolis which show how important the ciy once was. Spectacular views of Mt Olympos can be had from various parts of the city. The sheltered sandy beaches are calm and safe for swimmers.A small fishing village still exists on the site.
Pamukkale (Cotton Castle) is about 20km from Denizli. It is one of the most intriguing places in the world - a combination of the beauty of its geological formations and its ancient remains. Waters full of Calcium Carbonate from geo-thermal springs have over millions of years built up deposits of mineral into shapes like frozen waterfalls. There are pools in which to swim in the mineral water but the favourite of many is to walk down the hill side in the warm water - no shoes allowed so to protect the deposits. A great way to massage and treat weary feet.
Hierapolis is said to have been founded by King Eumenes II of Pergamon and its name derived from Hiera, the wife of King Telephos, the legendary founder of Pergamon. It became subject to Rome in 133 BC. An earthquake in 17 BC destroyed most of the city and it had to be rebuilt. The original city was built on either side of a long colonnaded street called the Plateia, paved with huge blocks of limestone - some of which is still in place.Hierapolis was a luxury resort town - built on the mineral springs of what is now Pamukkale. Because of this the city was richly adorned with sculptures some of which can be seen in the theatre. The theatre is also a good place for magnificent views of the city and plains below.There is a modern hotel and pool on site for swimming in the mineral waters
The Grand Bazaar is aa amazing place - literally a maze of streets. It is one of the largest undercover bazaars in the world and is even divided into areas like the leather section, or the rug section. There are so many entrances it is easy to get lost and to come out on the opposite side to where you intended. Maps are available and are a good idea. See website below for a basic map.You need to have water (but there are restaurants and cafes in the bazaar), a good pair of walking shoes, lots of time, lots of money (I defy anyone to leave the Bazaar without purchasing something) and a sense of humour (it is the home of bargaining). It is a lot of fun.
This is a tip that some would have no interest in some other than the historical. This the World War I battle field between the Allied forces and the Turkish army fighting for their homeland. It is where the nations of Australia and New Zealand were said to have come of age and the legend of the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) was born.As an Australian I found this to be an extremely moving experience as would, I feel, most New Zealanders, Brits, French and Turks. British Indian and Newfoundland troops also fought here. It was also a personal experience as my Grandfather fought at Cap Helles with a Scottish regiment. I saw the battlefields of Galipolli in peace and quiet - mid November when most tourists have left for the winter - and had time to reflect while I walked along the beach at Anzac Cove. Our Turkish guide and driver both took time to visit the Turkish memorials....
Thousands of years ago lava from the eruptions of Mt Erciyes covered a large area - almost 20,000 square km. Erosion caused the softer rock to wear away leaving the harder surface rock to form the bizarre formations we see today - locally referred to as the 'Fairy chimneys'.The area was an important centre of Christianity between the 6th and 9th centuries and there were almost 400 churches in the area. (See the page 'Open Air Museum'). The Christians were forced to take shelter in caves and underground due to persecution by the Romans and then Arab raids. They named the area 'gor emi' meaning 'you cannot see this place'. Some of the dwellings are still inhabited and some have even been adapted as rooms for an hotel.There are many lovely valleys in which to walk and take a closer look at the rock formations. You can walk along the floor of the Red Valley; take a look at the giant phallic...
Ihlara is a 150m deep gorge carved out by the Melendiz River and has a popular walking track along its 14km length. The gorge can be accessed at 4 different points - Ihlara village at the beginning, at 4kms along by 300 steps down (the most popular entrance), at 7kms at Belisirma where you can get to by driving and at the end at Selime Monastery.The valley once was home to eighty thousand people and there are still cave churches with well preserved frecoes. The first 7km are said to be the best for scenery and number of churches. You follow the river amongst groves of pistachio and poplar trees, passing the occasional farm and all the while there is the sound of the water and birds.There are several restaurants at Belisirma. I walked the stretch between the steps and Belisirma.
Fethiye is situated on a natural harbour which is protected by many islands. It is great place for a base to explore the south coast. Nearby is Oludeniz where you can swim in the most amazing turquoise water. Also close is Kayakoy village - a virtual ghost town since the cultural exchange in 1922-23.The ancient town of Telmessos over which Fethiye was buikt was destroyed during an earthquake in 1957 and few ruins remain except for a few rock tombs. Enjoy the open air tea houses and reataurants while taking in the view of the harbour.
The Roman theatre at Aspendos claims to be the best preserved antique theatre in the world. It was built in the 2nd century AD and can seat 15,000 people.It has an excellent acousitc and you can hear even a slight sound from the stage area in the back row. The buillding had bee used as a caravanserrai for many years but has been repaired and now protected. Many musical and theatrical events are being staged here.
Anatolia is one of the unique regions of the world that have been inhabited since the first men were seen on the earth. Different civilistaions from the Paleolithic or Stone Age (600,000 - 10,000 BC) onwards have settled here. Hittites, Phrygians, Lydians, Persians, Greeks and Romans all spent time in the area.The Museum of Ancient Civilisations has exhibits from all of these periods. It is worth a visit even if you aren't an ancient historian.
Esans Hotel Istanbul
7 Reviews and 181 Opinions a very new hotel. very near to grande museums and sophia dome. sea is very near to hotel. we enjoy...
Welcome Barut Hotels Lara Spa Antalya
5 Reviews and 511 Opinions This was our first time in Turkey and first time in an all-inclusive hotel. i have to say - we all...
El Vino Hotel Bodrum
2 Reviews and 272 Opinions This small property is both central (10 min walk to the bazaar and waterfront) and secluded and...
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