Are you planning a trip to Turkey? If yes, then you’re where you need to be. Turkey is a country in the Middle East renowned for its ancient history, rich culture, and stunning landscapes. Planning to travel to this phenomenal destination will offer you a range of things to do. Whether you’re an adventure seeker or want a relaxing vacation travelling to Turkey will let you experience everything you would like to indulge in. So, without looking further, continue to scroll through this blog post and learn about the top 20 must-see attractions.
Top Things to Do in Turkey
Travelling to Turkey itself is one of the best experiences you can have in your lifetime. Thus, if you are travelling to this magical destination, then you discover a blend of things to explore, so among them all here is the perfect list of the top things to do in Turkey. Just keep scrolling down and know where to go in Turkey tour packages. For a hassle-free start to your journey, consider booking an Istanbul airport taxi to reach your destination comfortably and efficiently.
1. Visit Turkey’s Crown Jewel – Hagia Sophia Grand Museum
This is Turkey’s most popular tourist attraction where you get the opportunity to explore a church built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century. This historical landmark, protected by UNESCO, offers you a chance to see some Grand Domes, Mosaics, and Minarets. Don’t miss visiting this fabulous destination.
2. Breathtaking Blue Vistas – Blue Mosque
This is a standing testament to the grandeur of Ottoman architecture famous for its stunning blue tiles, six minarets, and intricate decorative elements. It also symbolises the bravery and royalty that Muslims have used to worship for more than 400 years, and still use it regularly. A must-visit attraction in Istanbul.
3. Experience Lanterns & Turkish Delight – Grand Bazaar
This is the world’s largest and oldest covered market, where you get everything you would like to have. Located between Beyazit and Nuruosmaniye mosques, it is a wonderful destination offering a vibrant shopping experience with thousands of shops selling a range of unique things to buy. Here, don’t forget to bargain.
4. Take a Trip To The Past – Topkapi Palace
In your international tour packages, if you want to explore something ancient, then this is the place for you. It is a museum that was earlier used at the residence of the Ottoman sultans. Visiting this fabulous destination will offer you a chance to see the living quarters of the Sultans, the imperial treasury, the holy relics room, and others.
5. Explore the Bosphorus
This is one of the best experiences of the narrow strait located in Istanbul. Here, take a boat cruise along the Bosphorus to admire the breathtaking skyline, dotted with landmarks like Dolmabahce Palace and Rumeli Fortress. In addition, you’ll get the chance to learn about its rich history spanning from the Ottoman Empire to ancient Greece.
6. Visit the Turkish Riviera
This Turquoise Coast primarily encompasses the provinces of Antalya and Mugla, offering you a chance to relax on pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, vibrant towns, and a variety of activities ideal for relaxing cultural exploration.
7. Discover Troy
Located in modern-day Turkey, this is a must-see attraction in Turkey setting the legendary Troja War from Homer’s Iliad. For history buffs, this site offers you a fascinating glimpse into the past. Further, here you will get historical significance, the Trojan Horse site, and others. Thus, Troy is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
8. Experience a Turkish Bath
Indulging in a traditional Turkish bath is a unique cultural experience that one should not miss out on. Here, you get the chance to enjoy a steam session followed by a relaxing massage and scrub, a popular activity among the tourist sites. Thus, inside a Turkish bath, you’ll enclose several rooms with different temperatures and purposes.
9. Go Paragliding in Oludeniz
For adventure-seekers, this is a phenomenal experience where you can soar above the stunning turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon, providing panoramic views of beautiful Oludeniz beach, and others. Thus, it typically lasts around 25-30 minutes and offers you some mind-blowing experiences that are truly worth the money.
10. Discover Greek & Persian Architecture – Mount Nemrut
It is Turkey’s most significant and popular destination located at the Taurus Mountains. Featuring a complex of temples, tombs, and statues from the 1st century BC. Wherein, throughout your journey, you’ll see giant stone heads, marvellous statues, temple-tomb Hierotheseion, and a lot more that leave you speechless.
11. Go to Galata Tower
It is a nine-storeyed building with a height of 67 metres comprising a museum, as well. Not only the popular attraction but also the oldest and tallest towers in Istanbul offer spectacular views of the city. Thus, to make the most of your experience, here you also find a restaurant and cafe from where you can enjoy lavish meals with breathtaking views of the city.
12. Gulhane Park
This is the biggest and most beautiful park in Istanbul, popular among locals for picnics and recreation. It’s especially known for its tulips and attracts many during the Istanbul Tulip Festival. Furthermore, it features centuries-old walnut and oak trees offering stunning vistas of the Bosphorus, Sea of the Marmara, and Princes’ Islands.
13. Dolmabahce Palace
This palace is the largest palace in Turkey, which is home to the world’s largest collection of Bohemian and Baccarat crystal chandeliers. With 285 rooms, 44 halls, and 6 Turkish baths, this palace showcases lavish interiors with 14 tons of gold and at least 6 tons of silver.
14. Enjoy The Nightlife
Experience the nightlife is one of the best things you can experience within your Turkey tour packages. During the nighttime, you’ll get the chance to explore vibrant and diverse adventures like bars, clubs, restaurants, and live music that embrace Turkish culture by visiting traditional taverns. Further, you can also visit one of the rooftop bars to capture the breathtaking views of Istanbul’s skyline, take a Bosphorus night cruise, and attend cultural performances truly mesmerising.
15. Bodrum
Used to be a pleasant fishing village, but now transformed into Turkey’s most popular vacation hotspot that offers a variety of things like visiting the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, The Bodrum Castle, and the Bodrum Theatre. Thus, it’s a fantastic vacation spot that one should add to their international tour packages. Here, individuals can also seek extra luxury because of its fantastic boat and cruise tours.
16. Vialand Theme Park
It is Turkey’s first mega theme park with exciting rides and shopping outlets located in the Eyup district. This majestic theme park sprawls across 600 sq. mt. and houses Nefeskesen, the 4th biggest rollercoaster in the world. In addition, it also houses an exhibition centre, a mega shopping complex, and eateries.
17. Legoland Istanbul
This is a magical theme park located within the Forum Istanbul Mall in Bayrompasa. Here, you will find a fun Legoland Discovery Centre that is fun and interactive. This is mostly enjoyed by families of children aged between 3-10 years, offering activities like rides, play zones, workshops, and a lot more. Some other wonderful attractions are Miniland and a mini Lego City.
18. İstanbul Akvaryum
This is Istanbul’s biggest thematic aquarium situated close to the Ataturk International Airport. It houses over 1,500 land and water species and is divided into 17 themes. Some of the most popular species are Gentoo penguins, Capybaras, Coownose rays, and Redbelly piranhas.
19. The Love of Wildlife – Dilek Peninsula
If you’re a wildlife lover, then this place is for you. Situated next to the well-liked tourist resort of Kusadasi, the Dilek Peninsula Dilek is an amazing destination you should not miss out on. Here, you’ll get to enjoy sandy beaches and marshes paradise for nature enthusiasts. In addition, with over 250 kinds of birds, this park is also famous for its birdwatchers.
20. Miniaturk
This is a fabulous destination covering an area of about 650,000 sq ft offering 122 models. Where twelve models in the park are from former Ottoman territories that are now outside of Turkey. 52 are from Anatolia, and the remaining 58 are from Istanbul. Furthermore, the park features Turkish waterworks and pools where you can enjoy and spend some time with your loved ones.
Last But Not The Least
These are Turkey’s must-see attractions for 2025 that you should not miss visiting in your international tour packages. Whatever your travel preferences there are some destinations that cater to every traveller type. So, plan your trip to Turkey wisely, and choose the places that match your travel preferences. Additionally, going to these marvellous tourist destinations will ensure you with a lifelong experience.
