Capital : Ankara
Official language : Turkish
Population : 75,627.384
National Anthem : National Anthem
Currency : Turkish Lira (TRY)
National Day : 29 October
Border countries : Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece
Why should you visit Turkey?
Turkey has everything you need for a complete trip: historical sites, seaside resorts, attractive cities, nature walks in extraordinary areas, cruises and skiing in winter. This makes it possible to go there for a weekend, a week, or more, all year round, as there is so much to see in just a few hours' flight from France. With the hospitality of the Turks, who see us as European cousins, the language barrier will quickly be broken. If you want to combine idleness and exploration of ancient sites, Turkey is for you!
What to visit in Turkey:
flagship sites
Cappadocia : You will find famous primitive cities and towns carved into the rocks in this region. We discover real underground cities such as Derinkuyu and Kaymaki , or very typical villages in the vicinity such as Göreme , Paşabağı and its churches, the very unusual village of Uçhisar or Ürgüp , all of which have a very rich ancient past. You can stay in one of these or Avanos . Flying over the area in a hot air balloon and having a breathtaking view of Mount Erciyes is an attraction. It is one of the two volcanoes that "created" Cappadocia. Mostly to observe the fairy chimney (rock needles)Join the largest concentration in Devrent Valley .
Pamukkale : This name means Pamuk Castle in Turkish and it is an extraordinary spa resort. In the Menderes valley , at the foot of the mountain, there are many natural pools where bathing was therapeutic over time. The water is very clear and the bathrooms are dazzling white. The ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis, not far from there , can be visited with pleasure, especially the amphitheater, which once had a capacity of 15,000 people.
Simena : The flooded city is located in the Gulf of Kekova.It is a jewel of antiquity in its magnificent setting. You can see the ruins of this city from the transparent hulls of the boats. It's a pity that diving is prohibited there!
Ephesus : Less than one hour is sufficient to reach İzmir from the Ephesus location . This is where the temple of Artemis , one of the 7 wonders of the world, was built, and the ancient site has remarkable historical ruins. Must see: Celsius Library and the façade of the Grand Theater can accommodate up to 25,000 people. Afterwards, you can visit the ancient sites of Priene , Miletus , Aphrodisias and Didyma , more or less far from Ephesus but still in the Southern Aegean.
Antalya : Famous for being a thriving seaside resort, Antalya stands out above all for the richness of its heritage within its walls and also for its surroundings. Beyond its assets (beaches, climate, setting), the Turkish city lets you stay there to shine in the surroundings. To the east of Antalya, don't miss the Aspendos theatre, the best preserved Termessos archaeological site in Asia Minor. In the North-West is the ancient city of Pergé , built on a mountain slope and its necropolis is pleasant to explore step by step, in the North-East its columns It has a stadium and well-preserved thermal baths. Natural as well as other archaeological sites are abundant in the area. Sillium remains, the location of Myra andYou will get St. Nicholas church (in Demre), sarcophagi and Cyaneae theater (in Kalkan), Düden Waterfall , Köprülü river and island island. Kekova , as described above for Simena.
Phaselis : The two ancient harbors are connected by a side street under pine trees. You will also discover a Greek theater on site. Phaselis is located south of Kemer and less than an hour's drive from Antalya.
Nemrut Mountain: In the southeast of the country, on the top of the mountain with the same name, there are ruined statues representing the heads of 5 gods. This is the burial place of King Antiochos I. It is recommended to go early in the morning to enjoy the calmness and the view with the sunrise.
Çatalhöyük : On the banks of the Çarşamba river, the Çatalhöyük site witnesses activity between the 7th and 5th millennium BC. Many excavations have been carried out recently, which made it possible to supply museums. Not far from the city of Konya , it is worth seeing for its many religious buildings.
towns
Istanbul : Turkey's largest city is a must-see during your stay in Turkey. Istanbul, which is very different from other cities, will fascinate you. Be sure to visit the Blue Mosque , Suleiman the Magnificent Mosque and Hagia Sophia and Hagia Sophia Museum on the menuAlso add Topkapi Palace , which houses an important museum of Islamic art as well as an archaeological museum , the Basilica Cistern , the Grand Bazaar where you can get lost. Istanbul BosphorusYou will enjoy a short walk by the water. Ancient Constantinople is rich in culture and history that will make your trip even more interesting.
İzmir : İzmir, the third city of the country, does not deserve to linger too long there. We go there especially because of its proximity to touristic places (Ephesus, Pamukkale) and seaside resorts (Kuşadası, Çeşme, Gümüldur, Seferihisar and Foça). However, you can visit the bazaar, see the Agora , the Alsancak district and the Clock Tower on the site .
Ankara: The Turkish capital is not worth Istanbul , but Anadolu is a good starting point for visiting Goreme. Cappadocia, Hattusaor in Gordion . The city of Ankara offers several must-sees if you spend a day or two here , such as Ataturk's Mausoleum , the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, and the castle itself.
Bodrum : Nicknamed the Turkish Saint-Tropez, Bodrum draws the crowds, and we understand why: The seaside resort has beautiful architecture, lively nightlife and an excellent setting. Visit the Château Saint-Pierre and the ruins of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus .
Other Famous Sites
Lake Van : In the east of the country, close to the Iranian border, Lake Van is Turkey's largest salt lake. It is an ideal swimming spot with its clear and shallow water. To the northeast of the lake , we find the Doğubayazıt and İshak Pasha palaces .
Coasts of different seas : Turkey has coasts with four different seas, giving you a wide choice of seasides all over the country. Whether on the shores of theSea, the Sea of Marmara , the Aegean Sea or the Mediterranean , you will be satisfied in every way (calm or crowded beaches, bustling seaside resorts, small cruises, etc.).
