Turkey is a beautiful country to visit, with stunning natural beauty and a diverse range of well-preserved architecture. Hot air balloon trips in Göreme and scuba diving tours in Kaş are among the activities available to adventure junkies. Here are 10 of the country’s must-see cities and towns.

Do you want to visit Turkey’s busy bazaars and mountain valleys? Apply for a Turkey visa online today and arrange a day group trip to visit famous monuments and a hot-air balloon ride across the landscape.

Bozcaada

Bozcaada is a little treasure of an island in the Aegean Sea that has avoided modernization, retaining its ancient architecture and structures. The village has a well-preserved castle from the Middle Ages to the 15th century. The castle, built on the ruins of several former palaces, dominates the skyline and gives the little seaside town a grand feel. The island is rich in natural beauty, from the soft, sandy beaches to the gently rolling hills rising above the clear blue sea. Bozcaada is the ideal small Mediterranean island with lovely winding alleyways and classic coastal restaurants.

Amasya

The little city of Amasya, in northern Turkey, is set in a narrow valley on the banks of the Yeşilrmak river, with the Rocky Mountains in the background. Ferhat & Sirin, one of the most famous tales of Turkish folk, is said to have taken place in Amasya. According to myth, Ferhat was in love with Sirin, a lovely princess, and built tunnels below the mountains to deliver water to her father’s palace to gain his favour. Even today, the town’s breathtaking environment is ideal for a romantic story. Several graves have been carved into the face of the rock above the village, while the city itself is full of stunning Ottoman-style homes and historic bridges.

Istanbul

Istanbul, Turkey’s largest and most well-known city, is home to stunning architecture and scenery. The town is situated on the strait that connects the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea, creating a beautiful contrast between the tranquil blue seas and the busy metropolis. It is the geographical and cultural confluence between east and west. It is home to various stunning churches, mosques, and castles that respect the region’s rich and exciting past. The art and architecture have been carefully preserved, making it one of the most fabulous venues to see the Byzantine and Ottoman empires side by side.

Kaş

Kaş has grown in popularity as a lovely, unspoiled fishing village situated at the foot of lush hills right on the Mediterranean beach. This is because of the natural beauty, well-preserved ancient remains and streets, and numerous diving possibilities. Antiphellos’ ancient remains are mixed with modern-day lanes, traditional residences, and cafés, while the tranquil, pebbly beaches remain pure and unspoiled despite their popularity. Much of the local beauty, however, can be found beneath the surface, with an incredible variety of fish, turtles, and other marine animals to be discovered on scuba diving tours, as well as fascinating wreck sites on the seafloor.

Göreme

The town of Göreme is located in the Cappadocia region, which is known for its unbelievable rock formations. Hundreds of excellent rock fairy chimneys rise from the earth, scattered among the communities and homes. The fascinating uses that the inhabitants have put to the formations throughout the years make them unique. The region is filled with gorgeously decorated churches, homes, and underground towns, as well as the Göreme Open Air Museum, which is a collection of churches and monasteries. Göreme is also known for its fantastic hot air balloon rides, with hundreds of balloons filling the skies to provide a breathtaking view of the region.

Mardin

Mardin is a lovely city in southern Anatolia. The whole capital is a Unesco World Heritage Site, and it is famous for the numerous antique structures that cascade down the hillside. The citadel, located at the summit of the hill and inaccessible to tourists, is a historic fortress turned military zone that lends the city a majestic, unique aura. Beautiful mosques and churches may also be seen throughout the city. In the 12th century, the Great Mosque had a tall minaret that soars above the winding streets.

Sanliurfa

Sanliurfa, also known as Edessa in Mesopotamia, is located on the main trade routes connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa. It has witnessed most of Turkey’s major historical events and Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Alexander the Great invasions. Sanliurfa is also believed to be the birthplace of Abraham. According to Jewish and Islamic history, he was nearly burned alive by King Nimrod, only for God to turn the fire into water. This legendary location is currently in the Halil-ur-Rahman mosque’s yard. Keep an eye out for the tranquil pool, which is surrounded by carved stone walls, as well as the minaret.

Safranbolu

Safranbolu was once one of the significant saffron trading centres. The town is today known for its outstanding historical features and well-preserved homes. It includes about 1,000 historical artefacts registered, including tombs, Turkish baths, and 17th-century mosques. Traditional Ottoman-style houses can also be seen in Safranbolu, easily recognizable by their walls, lovely shuttered windows, and tiled roofs.

Uzungöl

The little town of Uzungöl is located at the foot of a beautiful, green valley near Trabzon, on the edge of a gorgeous lake of the same name. The scenery is lovely and fairytale-like, a far away from the image of Turkey as a Mediterranean coastal country. Uzungöl is a great site to visit because of the unique, almost Swiss perspective that contrasts with the typical Turkish houses and the mosque’s tall minarets. When a soft mist descends on the surroundings early in the morning, producing an enchanting, dreamy scene, the village and valley are well worth visiting.

Side

Side is a must-see for history buffs, with several Roman and Hellenistic ruins. The town’s historic Roman amphitheatre still stands in contrast to the new residences, bars, and the hustle and bustle of daily life. Meanwhile, along the sea’s edge, the stunning remains of the Temple of Apollo stand out even more in the fire-red glow of sunset. Side is also known for its natural beauty; it is situated on a small peninsula that is just 1km (0.6mi) wide and is surrounded on both sides by stretches of golden beach and the Mediterranean’s crystal blue waves.

To visit these beautiful towns and cities, you must first apply for a turkey e visa at turkeyvisaonline.com.