The 24 Most Beautiful Places in Turkey – The Perfect 2 Weeks Turkey Itinerary

Turkey is one of the most beautiful and diverse countries to explore and so far I’ve had the pleasure of visiting it already 5 times!

But somehow when most people think of Turkey they think of the all-in resorts packed with tourists. Well what if I told you there is so much more to Turkey than that?

I have gathered all of the information from all of my trips to Turkey and combined them into the ultimate 2 weeks Turkey itinerary! A once in a lifetime trip where you won’t just run around from one beautiful place to the other but where you’ll have time to learn about the culture and the rich history of this wonderful country.

It’s one of the most extensive Turkey travel guides out there and I hope you’ll enjoy it!

The 24 Most Beautiful Places in Turkey – The Perfect 2 Week Turkey Itinerary

Turkey is a transcontinental country bridging South Eastern Europe and Western Asia. European Turkey (3%) is separated from Asian Turkey (97%) by the Bosphorus which runs through Istanbul.

When visiting this city you’ll be able to cross continents within the time span of a few minutes.

Turkey is divided into seven geographical regions: Marmara, Aegean, Black Sea, Central Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia, Southeastern Anatolia and the Mediterranean.

Turkey has 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 51 World Heritage Sites, which is pretty damn impressive if you ask me!

Is it safe to travel to Turkey?

For some reason Turkey still has bad reputation when it comes to safe travel. Well let me tell you loud & clear – Turkey is a very safe country to travel to– even as a solo female traveler!

Turkey has also seen tourism numbers rise for the last couple of years – which pretty much means that tourists overwhelmingly feel they will be safe in Turkey!

As a traveler in Turkey you’re more likely to overeat yourself in all of the delicious Turkish delight than you are of running into some sort of violent crime.

Of course petty thefts occur here as well in the bigger cities. But that’s the same case for us in Belgium as well. So if you find yourself in a larger crowd always keep an eye on your belongings.

TIP – Instead of carrying around your actual passport bring a copy of it with you and leave your actual passport at your hotel room.

Of course as a Western woman in a Muslim country you have to think about your dresscode. Turkey is the most westernised Muslim country in the Middle East but one of the main problems a woman can face here is being mistaken for a prostitute in the big cities.

Especially if you have long blonde hair they might mistake you for one of the Eastern European streetwalkers. That’s why my biggest tip for you is to dress conservatively.

What to pack as a woman traveling to Turkey

It’s time to grab those boho maxi dresses, headbands, sunglasses and sundals!

Below you’ll find some of my go to favourites when traveling to a Muslim country.

Why you should visit Turkey

Turkey’s many facets are what make it such a unique travel destination! There’s huge cosmopolitan cities, small villages, fairytale landscapes, ruins of ancient empires and so much more!

And in this 2 week Turkey itinerary you’ll come across each and every single one of these gems!

Another reason to put Turkey high on your travel list is its amazing food. Every region in Turkey has its own kitchen culture, including distinct ingredients and their resulting recipes. Let me tell you, there is so much more to Turkish food than kebab and baklava, such as fresh seafood, meze, huge breakfast spreads, delicious vegetable dishes and so much more! It’s one of those countries where every vegetarians heart skips a beat from joy!

Best time to visit Turkey

I am always a big fan of traveling in shoulder season such as Spring or Fall due to the lower temperatures and lesser tourists.

Turkey is the 6th most visited country in the world and during the Summer months it can get extremely crowded on your visit to Turkey. Locals are also traveling around the country so that means a ton of long waiting lines everywhere, except for the big cities.

During Spring the temperatures during the day are already high enough so you can walk around in a shirt or a dress and be comfortable. Due to the nice weather this also means that it’s high season for the cosmopolitan cities and regions such as Cappadocia.

Which airport to fly into Turkey

The city of Istanbul is one of the largest metropolises in the world and chances are very high that you’ll fly into one of the two functioning airports it has.

Istanbul has two international airports, one on each continent, and both of them offer a large number of domestic and international flights.

Istanbul Airport, which is the newest one that replaces the Ataturk airport, is located on the European side of Turkey and is one of the biggest airports in the entire world.

The other airport is Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, which is on the Asian side of Istanbul.

Both international airports are good choices if you’re looking for flights to Istanbul but there are a few differences.

Istanbul Airport is the more modern one and is closer to the main tourist attractions which are almost all located on the European side.

The Sabiha Gokcen International Airport usually offers cheaper flights but then you’ll be further away from the main city centre of Istanbul.

2 Weeks Turkey Itinerary Overview

DAY 1 – 3: Istanbul
DAY 4: Izmir
DAY 5: Dalyan River
DAY 6-7: Pamukkale
DAY 8-12: Cappadocia
DAY 13-14: Istanbul

Beautiful Places to see in Turkey in 2 weeks

DAY 1: Istanbul

Chances are really high that you’ll fly into Istanbul no matter which country you’re coming from. Turkey’s most visited city truly is exceptional in many ways. One moment you’ll be walking in between modern buildings and before you know it you’re surrounded by 10 different scents of spices and piles of colourful rugs.

Istanbul is the only city in the entire world that is spread out over two continents.

1. Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

One of the top things to do in Istanbul is visiting the Hagia Sophia. The current Hagia Sophia was used as a church for the first 916 years and as a mosque for 481 years. It wasn’t until 1934 that the Hagia Sophia was turned into a museum. These days the Hagia Sophie Museum is the most visited museum in Turkey with a whopping 3.5 million visitors in 2019.

The Hagia Sophia was originally built in 360 AD and is one of the oldest, still intact building in the entire world. Over time it’s been rebuilt a couple of times and its current state is over 1482 years old and even survived several earthquakes!

• Opening hours – 9am – 5pm (during Winter) and 9am – 7pm (during Summer). You can enter the museum until 1 hour before closing time.

• Entrance Fee – 60TL
  
• How to get there – Take T1 or a taxi to Sultanahmet

2. Blue Mosque, Istanbul

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, is the oldest mosque in Istanbul and you can find it right across from the Hagia Sophia. 

Its nickname seems kind of strange when you’re on the outside, but once you step inside of the mosque it will become all the more clear. More than 20,000 handmade ceramic Iznik tiles decorate the interior, different floral motives and the mosque gets its light through more than 260 stained glass windows.

The Blue Mosque is one of the most beautiful Ottoman mosques in all of Turkey and it’s the only mosque in Istanbul with 6 minarets. It was built between 1609 and 1616AD and until this day the mosque is actively used for daily and congregational prayers. Nevertheless it also became one of the most popular tourist attractions and top things to do in Istanbul.

Did you know that the reason behind these 6 minarets is actually just a simple misunderstanding? The word for gold and six is pretty similar.

The sultan asked for gold minarets (altin minaret), but the architect understood alti minaret, which means six minarets. This ordeal made the sultan apparently so upset that he didn’t even fix the mistake but instead he ordered a seventh minaret to be placed on top of the Prophet’s Mosque in Mecca. Talk about overcompensating….

• Opening hours – 8.30am and it closes 30 minutes during prayer time 5 times a day. You can find the exact opening hours of that day outside on the wall of the mosque.

• Entrance fee – Free

• Dress Code – As a woman you have to cover your hair and body. They are very strict but they do offer free cover ups and head scarfs.

• How to get there – The Blue Mosque is located on the opposite side of the Hagia Sophia.

3. Grand Bazaar, Istanbul

The Grand Bazaar is one of the most iconic places to visit in Istanbul and one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the entire world. With a total area of over 30.000 square meter it houses more than 4000 shops and attracts more than 250.000 daily visitors!

The Grand Bazaar is often listed as one of the first shopping malls in the entire world.

Important to know when you enter the Grand Bazaar is that these men are here to sell and they will try their very best! The smartest way to go about is to smile politely and say that you’re not interested and simply keep on walking. If you are interested in buying something know that haggling is key!

• Opening hours – The Grand Bazaar is open every day from 10am until 6pm
  
• Entrance Fee – Free
  
• How to get there – The Grand Bazaar is located in the Fatih district and only 15 minutes walking from Sultanahmet.

DAY 2: ISTANBUL

4. Ortakoy Mosque, Istanbul

The Ortakoy Mosque, also known as the Büyük Mecidiye Mosque, is one of the most beautiful mosques to visit during this Istanbul itinerary and you can find it in front of the Bosphorus bridge.

The Ortakoy Mosque is designed by the same architect who created the Domabahce Palace and while you’re here you should definitely check out the surrounding area. It used to be a rather sleepy fishing village but now it holds some of Istanbul’s best nightlife and dining options.

• Opening hours – 4am to 10pm
• Entrance fee – Free
• How to get there – The most practical way to get to Ortakoy Square is via T1 line and taking the public bus to Ortakoy. From Sultanahmet, Eminonu, Galata or Karakoy, take the tram. The closest tram stop is Kabatas.

5. Dolmabahce Palace, Istanbul

The Dolmabahce Palace was Istanbul’s first European style palace and was commissioned by Sultan Abdül Mecit in 1843. After the project was finished the sultan decided to move from his original humble abode, the Topkapi Palace to the Dolmabahce Palace since the latter was able to also provide modern luxuries.

The Dolmabahce Palce is one of the top things to see in Istanbul and the tourist entrance to the Dolmabahce Palace is at the imperial gate and be prepared to be there early morning. Only 3000 people per day are allowed inside and on weekends and during holidays this number is almost always reached.

During your visit head to the Palace Gardens first (go right instead of entering the Palace). You can’t take photos inside the palace anyway so the best thing to do is start by visiting the Palace Gardens before they get overcrowded with tourists.

• Opening hours – 9am to 4pm
• Entrance fee – 90TL
• How to get there – The closest tram stop is Kabatas taht’s why it’s ideal to visit both the Ortakoy Mosque and the Dolmabahce Palace in the same day!

6. Galata Tower, Istanbul

The Galata Tower is one of the oldest and highest towers in Istanbul and it was built on a hill in the Beyoglu district, overlooking the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus.

But to be fair i’s purpose was a little more serious back in the day. With its 61 meter above sea level it was used for surveillance over the harbour and later on to detect fires in the city.

The Galata Tower is one of the most touristic places in Istanbul and the best time to visit to avoid long cues is early in the morning when it opens. It’s definitely a must cause seeing Istanbul from the top of the Galata Tower is really impressive. You’ll be treated with a view over the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn, the Asian side, the main landmarks in Sultanahmet, as well as the highrises from the business district.

There’s also a restaurant on top of the Galata Tower but this is pretty much a tourist trap and way overpriced.

• Opening hours – 9am – 10pm (7pm during the Winter months)
• Entrance fee – 35TL as of 2021
• How to get there – You can either take the metro to Sishane or the T1 and get off at Eminonu.

DAY 3: ISTANBUL

7. Topkapi Palace Museum, Istanbul

The Topkapı Palace, or the Seraglio, is a large museum in the east of the Fatih district of Istanbul in Turkey. For over 400 years it used to be used an Ottoman administrative center and imperial residence. These days it serves as a museum that exhibits the imperial collections of the Ottoman Empire.

• Opening hours – 10am to 4pm (closed on Tuesday)
• Entrance fee – 100TL (+ an additional 42TL if you also want to visit the Harem)
• How to get there – The entrance to the Topkapi Palace Museum is located behind the Hagia Sophia Museum.

8. Suleymaniye Mosque

The Süleymaniye Mosque, also known as the mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent, is an Ottoman imperial mosque located on the Third Hill of Istanbul and one of the most beautiful places to visit in Turkey. This mosque is equally as beautiful as the Blue Mosque with one big difference: there’s way less tourists that visit it on a daily basis!

Just like most imperial mosques, the Suleymaniye Mosque is more than just a place of worship. Apart from the praying hall and courtyard, the complex also included four Koran schools, bath houses, a hospital, a caravanserai and a public kitchen which served food to the poor.

Where to stay in Istanbul

• Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel – I loved that my room came with a view over the Hagia Sophia, breakfast is amazing and they even have a garden and swimming pool! You can read my full review here.
• Berjer Hotel – to stay near Taksim square (the main airport drop-off). Make sure to also check out their spa treatments when you’re staying here.
• Corinne Hotel – for easy access to the public transport.
• Georges Hotel Galata – A trendy boutique hotel with a rooftop restaurant offering an amazing view over the city.
• The House Hotel Karakoy – Located in the headquarters of a former glorious bank.

Now it’s time to leave Istanbul and drive down to Selçuk! It’s a distance of 540km and it will take around 5,5 hours to reach your destination!

If you don’t want to drive yourself you can also take one of the intercity busses that runs from Istanbul to Selçuk in Izmir. They are pretty frequent and comfortable but it will take you around 10 hours then to reach your destination.

DAY 4: SELCUK

Ephesus, now known as Selçuk, used to be one of the most famous cities in the entire Mediterranean and contained the Temple of Artemis, one of the original Seven Wonders of the World.

You can book a fully customisable day tour to see all of the most important sights in Selçuk but make sure that the Ephesus Archeological Museum is at the top of your list! The tour includes a guide and driver at your disposal for the day and pickup and drop-off from Selçuk

9. Ephesus Archeological Museum, Selçuk

The Ephesus Archeological Museum is one of the top sights in Turkey and one of the most beautiful Roman ruins I’ve ever seen. It is one of the best preserved ancient cities in the world, with a history dating back to 1000 BC. This Greco-Roman city was once home to 25.000 people and it’s a huge site to visit.

Upon your visit make sure not to miss the mammoth library (3rd largest in the ancient world), the well-preserved theater, and the Temple of Hadrian!

• Opening Hours – 8am to 6pm
• Entrance fee – 60TL (+ an additional 30TL if you want to see the mosaics which I recommend you do)
• How to get there – If you’re staying in Selçuk the best way is to take a taxi to one of the two entrances. If you’re going by car then you have to park at the lower entrance.

10. Temple of Artemis, Selçuk

The Temple of Artemis, also known as the Temple of Diana, used to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World but today all that remains is one lonely column. The original marble temple was built in the 6th century BC and held no less than 127 columns in total!

It withstood the test of time and was even rebuilt a couple of times but in the Byzantine era it got completely destroyed. But you’ve actually already seen parts of this temple earlier on this trip! They used stones of the Temple of Artemis to build the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul!

• Opening hours – Open 24/7
• Entrance fee – Free
• How to get there – The remains are located right outside of Selçuk and can be best reached by car or taxi.

Where to stay in Selçuk

• Nisanyan Hotel – A beautiful hotel that offers a stunning view over the town of Sirince and close to the archeological treasures of Ephesus. After your visit to the historic sites you can take a dip into the marble pool which is filled with water from their very own spring.
• Vinifera Vineyards Hotel – This stunning hotel was built by an Austrian architect and is located in between the vineyards. What I love the most is that they combine ultra modern facilities with vintage rooms and that all of them offers views over either the vineyards, lavender fields or a valley.

DAY 5: DALYAN

The small fishing town of Dalyan is the perfect place to enjoy a more relaxing day after all of that exploring. Dalyian is only a 1h45 minute drive from Selçuk so you can easily do it as a day trip!

11. Lycian Tombs, Dalyan

The Lycian tombs of Dalyan are carved into the cliffs and are best viewed from either the other side of the river or on the water itself. They are one of the ancient architectural wonders of Turkey and were built around 400BC.

• Opening hours – 24/7
• Entrance fee – Free. If you want to take a closer look you can go on a boat ride but these cruises are usually included in a bigger tour which also includes the mud baths in Marmaris and cost around €25.

From Selçuk to Pamukkale it’s a 2,5 hour drive. If you wish you can also visit Pamukkale as a day trip from Selçuk. I chose not to cause after Pamukkale we’ll have a long drive ahead of us and this way you can start fully relaxed!

DAY 6 & 7 – Pamukkale

Pamukkale’s travertine terraces are a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful places to visit in this 2 weeks Turkey itinerary.

12. Pamukkale Travertine Terraces, Pamukkale

The white terraces are at its most beautiful during sunrise and sunset and are one of the top things to see and do in Turkey.

These travertines terraces were formed by underground volcanic activity and the presence of hot springs. This hot water is transferred 300 meters upwards by underground pressure and from there the water cascades down, all the while depositing calcium and minerals. That’s how these white terraces came to exist.

• Opening hours – There are three entrances and the opening hours differ: The North and South entrance is open from 6.30am to 9pm. The Town entrance is open from 8am to 9pm.
• Entrance fee – 50TL
• How to get there – You can reach the North and South entrance by car or taxi. The town entrance you can reach on foot.

13. Hierapolis Archeological Site, Pamukkale

Hierapolis was founded in 190BC and is the most visited archeological site in entire Turkey. Its ruins are embraced by the unique natural site of Pamukkale which makes them all that more special. The ancient site has a Necropolis, Domitian Gate and a theater with reliefs illustrating Apollo and Artemis. The most prominent and popular spot is the amphitheater but the entire site is beautiful to explore.

• Opening hours – There are three entrances and the opening hours differ: The North and South entrance is open from 6.30am to 9pm. The Town entrance is open from 8am to 9pm.
• Entrance fee – Included in the ticket for the travertine terraces. If you want to visit the Hierapolis Archeological Museum you have to pay an additional 35TL.
• How to get there – The Hierapolis site is located on top of the hill and is closest to the Southern and Northern entrance.

14. Cleopatra’s Swimming Pool, Pamukkale

Cleopatra’s swimming pool, also known as Pamukkale’s Antique Pool, stems from Roman times when it was the spiritual center of the spa city Hierapolis. The pool is constantly refreshed by an inflow of hot calcium-laden mineral water and has fallen marble columns, plinths and the occasional capital from the nearby Temple of Apollo inside of it.

• Opening hours – 6am – 9pm
• Entrance fee – 32TL on top of the admission fee for the travertine terraces.
• How to get there – The Antique Pool is close to the Hierapolis Archeological Museum

Where to stay in Pamukkale

• Özbay Hotel – Located in the center of Pamukkale and only 5 minutes walking from the Town entrance.
• Richmond Pamukkale Thermal – This hotel has been fully renovated in 2015 and has its own spa facilities and outdoor swimming pool. It’s located 3km from the Pamukkale travertine terraces.
• Pam Thermal Hotel Clinic & Spa – The hotel is surrounded by pine trees and has a secluded and relaxed atmosphere. Besides a spa and outdoor swimming pool it also has a thermal spring with healing powers.

After a relaxing 2 days in Pamukkale it’s time to start the second half of this 2 weeks Turkey itinerary. We’ll start with an 8 hour drive to the center of the Cappadocia region: Göreme. That’s why it was so important to take it a little slower these last days. So on the 8th day you won’t do much more than driving those 614km.

DAY 8-12: CAPPADOCIA

Cappadocia, also known as ‘land of the beautiful horses’, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a historical region located in Central Turkey. It is mostly known for its moon-like landscape or as the land of whimsical fairy chimneys and peculiar rock formations. Its typical landscape was shaped by erosion and by ancient volcanic eruptions.

15. Lover’s Hill Sunset Point, Cappadocia

This is one of the most famous panorama viewpoints in Göreme and its within walking distance from most hotels in the city center.

It’s the perfect place to unwind after that long drive and to get a first impression of the beautiful Cappadocia region.

• Opening hours – 24/7 but most popular for sunrise and sunset
• Entrance fee– Free
• How to get there – It’s within walking distance from Göreme city centre

16. Rose Valley, Cappadocia

Rose Valley is one of the most beautiful places in Turkey and one of the top things to do in Cappadocia is watch the sunset here. What makes the Rose Valley so special isn’t just the incredible rock formations. But here the minerals in the sand stone have a pink hue which you can see clearly throughout the day.

The best time to see it in all its glory is during sunset.

• Opening hours – 24/7 but most popular for sunrise and sunset
• Entrance fee– Free
• How to get there – Rose valley is 15 minutes driving from Göreme

17. Pigeon Valley

Pigeon Valley, also known as Guvercinlik Valley, is one of Cappadocia’s most famous valleys. Here you’ll find a beautiful panorama over Göreme, the Evil Eye Tree and a stunning view over the valley below.

• Opening hours – 24/7 but most popular for sunrise and sunset
• Entrance fee– Free
• How to get there – Pigeon valley is only 6km from Göreme and in less than 10 minutes you’ll be there by car. Another option is to hike and follow the Pigeon Valley trail, which is one of the most popular hiking trails in Cappadocia.

18. Selime Monastery

Selime Monastery, also known as the Kaledibi Monastery, is the biggest rock-cut monastery of Cappadocia with a cathedral sized church! It was carved by hand by the monks in the 13th century and apart from the church it also has living quarters for the monks, a large kitchen and stables for animals. The walls were once decorated with frescoes of which very little remains but it’s still a wonderful site to see today and to explore!

What I loved the most about this place is that it’s not on the typical Cappadocia Instagram radar and I actually learned a lot about the local history and culture.

• Opening hours – 24/7 but most popular for sunrise and sunset
• Entrance fee– Free
• How to get there – The Selime Monastery is a 1 hour drive from Göreme but is also included in the Green Tour. If you want to explore more off the beaten path places in the Cappadocia region then you’ll love joining in on the Green Tour. you’ll even get to visit the Derinkuyu Underground Village

19. Red Valley, Cappadocia

The Red Valley is one of the most beautiful places in Cappadocia and if there’s one hike you should look into it’s this one! The best time to visit the Red Valley is during sunset, when the true colours from these rock formations shines through and a red glow spreads across the already stunning landscape.

As I said you can hike up to the sunset viewpoint and throughout the valley but there are also a few other options. For one you can go for a horseback ride throughout the valley. This is one of the top excursions to do in Cappadocia and it sure is a lot of fun as well!

Another option is to simply drive up to the sunset viewpoint which is around 15 minutes driving from Göreme.

• Opening hours – 24/7 but most popular for sunrise and sunset
• Entrance fee– Free
• How to get there – The fastest way to reach the sunset viewpoint is to go by car and drive to the Kizilvadi restaurant which is at the sunset viewpoint.

20. Göreme Open Air Museum

The Goreme Open Air Museum is one of the most popular places and historic sites in Cappadocia and is also an official  UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are over 10 cave churches to admire and visit and upon entering you get an audio guide to take with you. This one explains in detail about the history of Cappadocia and how places like this came to exist.

• Opening hours – 10am to 4.15pm
• Entrance fee– 75TL as of 2021
• How to get there – Göreme Open Air Museum is only 15 minutes walking from the city centre but it’s also included in the Red Tour.

21. Hot Air Balloon Ride

Going for a hot air balloon ride is the top attraction to do in Cappadocia and one of the main reasons people put this place on their Turkey itinerary.

If you choose to go on one of these excursions then you’ll get picked up at 4am at your hotel and you’ll be transported towards your balloon.

The average price of a balloon ride is around €150 so make sure that before booking you read a lot of online reviews! Included in this price is transport from and to your hotel, the hot air balloon ride, breakfast (not enough for everyone) and a champagne toast after landing.

Where to stay in Cappadocia

• Mithra Cave Hotel – Located on one of the top levels in Göreme and offering a spectacular view over the entire valley. This is the hotel where I stayed at and I 100% recommend staying here! The owner is super nice and he owns several cute dogs that roam around the property!
• Sultan Cave Suites – This is probably the most photographed hotel in Cappadocia. Known for inviting influencers from all over the place to promote their property. Sultan Cave Suites is actually located below Mithra Cave Hotel so I could actually see all of the mayhem in full blown action. :p
• Local Cave House Hotel – Known for its pool which can come in handy on those sizzling hot Turkish afternoons.
• Museum Hotel – This stunning Relais & Chateaux hotel is a masterpiece on its own and is definitely worth a visit! I got lucky to be invited during sunrise but I have to admit that the hot air balloons were really far. nevertheless it’s a stunning hotel and if you want to splurge yourself with some luxury then this is the way to go!

After a wonderful time in Cappadocia it’s now time to drive back towards Istanbul. It’s a 730km drive and it will take you approximately 7,5 hours to reach your final destination.

DAY 13-14: Istanbul

22. Balat

Balat is one of the oldest and definitely most colourful districts in Istanbul. The most characteristic feature about Balat are it’s small cobble stoned streets lined with colourful houses. Most of these wooden houses are between 50 and 200 years old! Balat also holds a mix of synagogues, mosques and churches, something you also don’t see every day!

These days Balat is transforming more and more into a hipster district. Buildings are being renovated and cute bars and cafe’s are setting up shop all around. Take your time to explore and you might want to take a breather on one of the sidewalks now and again cause the cobbles streets can be pretty steep.

• Opening hours – Open 24/7
• Entrance fee – Free
• How to get there – Balat is best to be reached by bus or ferry and the ferry point named Fener is direct across the main street of Balat.

23. Maiden’s Tower

The Maiden’s Tower, also know as the Leander’s Tower, can be best admired from the Asian side of Istanbul in Üksüdar. The tower stands on a small island in the middle of the Bosphorus and has had many different functions throughout the years. It served as a custom station for ships coming from the Black Sea, as a watch tower, a lighthouse and these days there’s even a restaurant and café inside.

The best way to see the Maidens Tower is near he water in Üksüdar and you can grab some Turkish tea at the small bar near the waterfront.

• Opening hours – Open 24/7
• Entrance fee – Free
• How to get there – You can easily get there by taking the subway to Üsküdar station. Once outside you follow the riverbank to the left and you’ll come across the famous look out point.

24. Spice Bazaar

Visiting the Spice Bazaar is one of the top things to do in Istanbul for sure. As soon as you arrive you’ll be on a sensory high thanks to all of the vibrant colours and oriental scents. The Spice Bazaar is the second largest shopping bazaar in Istanbul after the Grand Bazaar.

You can find pretty much every spice here that you can possibly think of. So why not take home some typical Turkish spices so you can keep on eating those delicious Turkish dishes when you’re back home. Some spices to look out for: Sumac, Pul Biber, Nar Eksisi, Cörek otu, Saffron.

• Opening hours – 9.30am to 7pm
• Entrance fee – Free
• How to get there – The Spice Bazaar in Istanbul is located in the Fatih district in Istanbul and is located behind the New Mosque.

Essential tips for traveling to Turkey

• Visa – When flying to Istanbul you need to have your international passport with you. Citizens of Belgium don’t need a separate visa to enter Turkey as of 2 March 2020 and they can enter the country by use of their ID card only. For other country requirements check this page.
• ATM’s Credit Card – There are plenty of ATM’s present and you can easily take out cash with your Credit Card. However most places that are accustom to tourists offer payment by card as well. Just if you’re shopping in the markets you’ll need some cash on you.
• Language – The official language of Turkey is Turkish but you’ll find that a lot of people do speak some English as well.
• Currency – The official currency in Turkey is Turkish Lira (TRY) but if you ever happen to run out of Lira you’ll find that a lot of shops, restaurants and bars also accept EURO.

PIN IT FOR LATER

Charlotte

Charlotte Lint is the founder of Charlies Wanderings.
Charlotte has traveled all over the world and is based in Belgium where she also owns her very own dental practice.
She is an expert on writing efficient travel guides and finding unique places to stay.
Every month she helps over 134.000 people discover the most beautiful places in the world through her detailed travel guides.