WONDERS OF TURKEY
Turkey is one of the world’s most visited countries, thanks to its abundant natural beauty and sites of historical interest.
It is famous not only for the enchanting city of Istanbul, but also for Antalya, Bodrum, Pamukkale, Cappadocia, Trabzon, Kars, and many more!
Thanks to this global interest from tourists, revenue from the tourism industry in Turkey increased by 12.3% YoY to USD29.5 billion in 2018, when 46.1 million tourists came to Turkey.
According to the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, Turkey ranked as the 6th most popular tourist destination in the world.
The country attracts many tourists from all over the world with its iconic destinations, entertainment, and cultural activities, not to mention the mouth-watering Turkish cuisine, making it far more than a simple Sea-Sand-Sun tourism destination. From the turquoise coastlines to historical places, here are some of the country’s most popular attractions, each offering tourists something unique.
Bodrum
The Bodrum Amphitheatre dates from the 4th century, standing as one of the most intact remnants of Halicarnassus. Nejdet Duzen / Shutterstock
Pamukkale
Submerged Roman columns at the antique city in Pamukkale. Synedvey89 / Shutterstock
Cappadocia
Cappadocia’s surreal ‘fairy chimneys’ were created by erosion over centuries, and offer tourists an other-worldly vista, particularly from the many hot air balloons available across the region. Andrew Mayovskyy / Shutterstock
Sumela Monastery
Sumela Monastery, located on a precipitous cliff edge, was recently restored and remains one of the most breathtaking sights in the Black Sea region. Heracles Kritikos / Shutterstock
Uzungöl
In the Çaykara district of Trabzon, Uzungöl Lake is an oasis of serenity in an already peaceful area. Sinan Sinanoglu / Shutterstock
Ani, Kars
Once the capital of Armenian civilization, the desolate ruins of the city of Ani now lie just over the border from the modern state of Armenia on Turkish soil, making for a destination interesting from both an historical and geopolitical perspective. MuratGungut / Shutterstock