At the junction of Asia and Europe, Türkiye presents a wide variety of experiences. The country’s dazzling geography, stretching from the heart of the Mediterranean to the Asian steppes, offers holidays that appeal to all tastes, ranging from sea-sand-sun tourism to gastronomy tourism, and from sustainable tourism to cultural heritage tourism.
For travellers in search of the sea-sand-sun trifecta, Türkiye stands out as the ideal address, with warm sunny days, pristine beaches, and turquoise seas. Türkiye’s beautiful beaches are among the cleanest in the world – the country ranks third in the world’s Blue Flag rankings, hosting 519 Blue Flag beaches, of which 213 are in Antalya. With 213 Blue Flag beaches, the Antalya province – one of Türkiye’s premier destinations – has the most Blue Flag beaches of any region worldwide.
Antalya’s accommodation options also attract attention with their diverse range and high service quality. In the Mediterranean seaside resorts of Marmaris and Bodrum, where nature and history meet, holidays spotlight vibrant nightlife in addition to shimmering seas and warm beaches. The Southern Aegean coastline of Türkiye, also known as TurkAegean and the Turkish Riviera, offers exciting opportunities for holidaymakers who want to explore the country’s azure seas. Departing from numerous points along the coast, ‘Blue Voyages’, with comfortable vessels and stunning scenery, are among the most enjoyable ways to experience Türkiye’s historical monuments, natural beauties, untouched beaches, welcoming residents and local cuisine.
Gourmet travel lovers can discover an abundance of flavours in Türkiye. As a homeland for numerous ancient and contemporary civilizations, Türkiye’s cuisine is one of the world’s freshest, most creative and geographically diverse. The traditional Turkish breakfast – a gastronomic as well as a cultural experience – stands out, along with regional street food. Traditional Turkish appetizers, accompanied by lively conversation and raki, the anise-scented liquor, are spotlighted in taverns and restaurants overlooking the Bosphorus. In addition, visitors will find some of the world’s best fine dining and “chef” establishments. Gaziantep, Hatay, Afyonkarahisar and Kayseri, among the country’s top gastronomic centres, are included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for Gastronomy.
Türkiye is also an enchanting destination for a sustainable holiday amid nature. Featuring highlands offering wildlife viewing areas, as well as nature-friendly activities such as trekking, hiking and rafting, visitors discover regional culture on site and in the country’s 20 slow cities located across seven regions. With a rare wealth of endemic species, flora and fauna, Türkiye offers almost infinite options to visitors seeking a vacation with environmental awareness. Cycling enthusiasts can reduce their carbon footprint on picturesque routes specifically designated for road cycling, mountain biking and electric bikes, and stay in “Bicycle-Friendly” certified hotels. The lush green plateaus of the Black Sea, Mediterranean and Aegean regions not only draw visitors who want to learn about the country’s traditional culture with local people but also offer sustainable accommodation in authentic highland houses and camping and glamping areas.
For visitors seeking insight into the origins of human civilization, Türkiye acts as a time machine – its lands are home to the oldest settlements known to humanity. İstanbul has a history of 400,000 years and features the most striking monuments of the Eastern Roman and Ottoman empires. The centre of the city, which was the capital of these two empires for more than 1,500 years, is now called the Historical Peninsula and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. The Stone Hills in Şanlıurfa, with a 12,000-year-old history, stand out as one of the most important centres of the New Stone Age. Built by the world’s last hunters and the first settled people, this important area presents an invaluable opportunity to witness on-site humanity’s transition from hunter-gatherers to settled life, as well as the establishment of the first villages and the first examples of monumental architecture. The Stone Hills, which have received great attention since their discovery, are among the main centres of archaeotourism offered by Türkiye to the world, along with Göbeklitepe, which is also in the region. Cappadocia, enchanting visitors with its unique volcanic rock formations, has structures dating from the Hittite era. The entire area is an open-air museum, offering an unforgettable holiday experience where visitors can open the mysteries of the past in astonishing rock-carved churches with frescoes, and extensive underground cities dating to the 7th-8th century BC.
