Tourism in Turkey
Turkey probably has the greatest tourism potential of any single country in the world; a potential that is only just being noticed by tourists and the Turkish government, which has sloughed a lot of investment into tourist infrastructure and maintaining its literally thousands of historical sites. There has never been a better time to discover what tourism in Turkey has to offer. Our sister company, Reveal Turkey, is producing a series of videos about Turkey’s best sites and how to get the most out of them, as well as organizing tours and travel advice to anyone who wants to see them for themselves.
Istanbul’s location at the meeting point of two seas and two continents make it the single most fought-over piece of territory on the planet, which has gone from Greek colony to capital of the Roman Empire, to the world’s center to Christianity, then Islam, then the Ottoman Empire, and finally the cultural capital of Turkey. As well as its many historical sites, Istanbul is also home to Turkey’s best art galleries, restaurants, museums, and nightlife.
The pace does not let up once you get get out of the city. Excavations at Gobeklitepe are revealing the oldest settlement ever discovered and literally re-writing history. Nearby is the tomb of Abraham and the birthplace of St Paul, both of which are inter-faith pilgrimage sites that draw hundreds of thousands of visitors every years, as does the biblical city of Efesus and the supposed resting place of the Virgin Mary, itself a stone’s throw from the remain of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. And that is barely scratching the surface.
Turkey’s rugged and varied geography means that different parts of the country can cater to a vast range of interests year round, with plenty of ways to take advantage of such prime tourism in Turkey. The beaches along the south-west are among the best in the world. If that doesn’t float your boat, consider one of Turkey’s trademark “Blue Cruises”, which offer affordable, 2- to 4-day private boat trips along the most beautiful stretches of the Mediterranean coast, as well as scuba diving, spear fishing, and other water sports. Some of the world’s best hiking is to be found across Turkey, from wandering Mount Ararat in search of Noah’s Arc to the Lycian Way along the south coast.
If you need any help or advice putting together a trip or with navigating the world of tourism in Turkey, please get in touch to benefit from our own experience and contacts in Istanbul and beyond.