100 Epic Things To Do in Turkey!

Turkey is a country rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, offering countless epic experiences. Here’s a list of 100 unforgettable things to do in Turkey—from ancient wonders to adrenaline-pumping adventures:

FROM ISTANBUL TO CAPPADOCIA: 100 EPIC THINGS TO DO IN TURKEY

Historical & Cultural Wonders of Turkey

• Explore the ruins of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities.
• Walk through the rock formations of Cappadocia and visit its underground cities.
• Marvel at Hagia Sophia in Istanbul—a Byzantine masterpiece turned mosque.
• Visit the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) with its stunning Iznik tiles.
• Discover the Library of Celsus in Ephesus.
• Step into the Topkapi Palace, home of Ottoman sultans.
• See the Basilica Cistern, an eerie underground water reservoir.
• Wander through the ancient city of Troy and see the legendary wooden horse.
• Explore Hierapolis and bathe in the Pamukkale thermal pools.
• Visit Ani, the hauntingly beautiful "Ghost City" near Armenia.
• Walk the Lycian Way, an ancient 540-km hiking trail.
• Discover Göbekli Tepe, the world’s oldest known temple.
• Tour the Mevlana Museum in Konya, home of the Whirling Dervishes.
• See the Aspendos Theatre, a perfectly preserved Roman amphitheater.
• Visit Mount Nemrut at sunrise to see its giant stone heads.
• Explore Patara, an ancient Lycian city with a stunning beach.
• Walk through the ruins of Perge, a major Roman city.
• Visit Sumela Monastery, clinging to a cliff in Trabzon.
• See the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
• Discover Sagalassos, a hidden Roman city in the mountains.

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Adventure & Nature in Turkey

• Hot air balloon over Cappadocia at sunrise.
• Paraglide over Ölüdeniz for breathtaking coastal views.
• Scuba dive in Kaş, Antalya to explore ancient underwater ruins.
• Raft the Köprülü Canyon for thrilling white-water rapids.
• Hike the Butterfly Valley for stunning cliffs and waterfalls.
• Ski in Uludağ (Bursa) or Palandöken (Erzurum).
• Trek up Mount Ararat, Turkey’s highest peak (5,137m).
• Camp in the Kaçkar Mountains, a paradise for hikers.
• Take a boat cruise along the Bosphorus in Istanbul.
• Explore the İğneada Floodplain Forests, a unique wetland.
• Swim in the turquoise waters of Kaputaş Beach.
• Kayak over the sunken city of Kekova.
• Drive the scenic Black Sea coastal road.
• Visit Lake Van and see the mysterious Akdamar Island.
• Relax in the thermal springs of Pamukkale.
• See the flamingos at Lake Tuz.
• Hike through the Aladağlar National Park.
• Explore the Saklıkent Gorge, one of the world’s deepest canyons.
• Take a mud bath in Dalyan.
• Sail the Turquoise Coast on a traditional gulet.

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Unique & Quirky Experiences in Turkey

• Sleep in a cave hotel in Cappadocia.
• Try a traditional Turkish bath (hammam) in Istanbul.
• Smoke nargile (hookah) in a historic café.
• Attend a Whirling Dervishes ceremony.
• Ride the nostalgic Orient Express route.
• Visit the abandoned Greek village of Kayaköy in Fethiye.
• See the fairy chimneys of Pasabag in Cappadocia.
• Explore the abandoned "Çatalhöyük", a 9,000-year-old Neolithic city.
• Take a photo at the Pigeon Valley in Cappadocia.
• Visit the world’s oldest shopping mall, the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.

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Turkish Food & Drink

• Eat a traditional Turkish breakfast (kahvaltı) with olives, cheese, and honey.
• Try authentic baklava in Gaziantep.
• Sip Turkish tea (çay) in a tulip-shaped glass.
• Drink Turkish coffee with fortune-telling afterward.
• Taste freshly caught fish in an Istanbul meyhane (tavern).
• Eat a döner kebab from a street vendor.
• Try Iskender kebap in Bursa.
• Sample rakı (Turkey’s national drink) with meze.
• Visit a spice bazaar and buy saffron & Turkish delight.
• Eat gözleme (savory stuffed pancakes) in a village.

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Off-the-Beaten-Path Gems of Turkey

• Visit the rock tombs of Myra in Demre, Antalya.
• Explore the ancient city of Aphrodisias in Aydın.
• See the surreal travertines of Eğirdir Lake.
• Discover the Uzunköprü, the world’s longest stone bridge.
• Wander through the old mansions of Mardin.
• Visit Hasankeyf, an ancient town soon to be submerged.
• See the Yedigöller (Seven Lakes) National Park.
• Explore the İshak Pasha Palace near the Iranian border.
• Visit the Hittite capital of Hattuşa.
• See the Dara Ruins, an ancient Mesopotamian city.

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Festivals & Events in Turkey

• Attend the Istanbul International Film Festival.
• Experience the Camel Wrestling Festival in Selçuk, Izmir.
• Join the Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne.
• Celebrate Eid (Bayram) with a Turkish family.
• Watch the Whirling Dervishes Festival in Konya.

Beaches & Islands in Turkey

• Relax on Ölüdeniz Beach with its blue lagoon in Fethiye.
• Party in Bodrum like a VIP.
• Visit the Butterfly Valley by boat in Fethiye.
• Swim in the Cleopatra Beach in Alanya, Antalya.
• Explore the Princes' Islands by bike in Istanbul.

Modern Turkey

• See the Çamlıca Mosque, the largest in Turkey.
• Visit Miniaturk, a park with miniature Turkish landmarks.
• Explore Taksim Square & Istiklal Street in Istanbul.
• Ride the Tünel, one of the world’s oldest subways in Istanbul.
• See the Galata Tower for panoramic Istanbul views.

Mystical & Spiritual Turkey

• Visit the House of the Virgin Mary near Ephesus in Izmir.
• See the Seven Sleepers Cave (Ashab-ı Kehf).
• Explore the Saint Nicholas Church in Demre (Santa Claus’s birthplace).
• Meditate at Mount Ida (Kaz Dağı), a sacred site.
• Visit the Eyüp Sultan Mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites.

Road Trips & Scenic Drives in Turkey

• Drive the Kaçkar Mountains route.
• Take the Bosphorus ferry from Europe to Asia in Istanbul.
• Ride the Eastern Express (Doğu Ekspresi) train.
• Drive the Mediterranean coastal road from Antalya to Fethiye.
• Cross the Bosphorus Bridge between two continents.

Last But Not Least...

• Bargain at the Grand Bazaar for souvenirs.
• Get lost in the Spice Bazaar’s intoxicating aromas.
• Watch the sunset from Pierre Loti Hill.
• Take a Bosphorus dinner cruise with folk dancing.
• Simply wander and let Turkey surprise you!

Turkey is a land of endless adventure—whether you're into history, nature, food, or adrenaline, there’s something epic for everyone.

Which one will you do first?