Turkey: 16 Places to See, from Istanbul to Ani

Explore Turkey's 16 most remarkable sites on a 10,074 km route that connects ancient cities like Istanbul, Ephesus, and Ani with unique natural landscapes such as Pamukkale and Lake Van. The itinerary spans both continents, from the Bosphorus to Mesopotamia, encompassing remnants of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.

Mode
Places
Start
Ani – Lost City
End
Lake Van – High-Altitude Saltwater Lake
Stops
16
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Ani – Lost City — A city that disappeared but was never forgotten, in its time one of the largest and richest cities. Stands at the edge of a plateau next to deep canyons and near a modern border.
  2. Istanbul – City on Two Continents — The only major metropolis on the planet settled on two continents, separated and united by the Bosphorus strait.
  3. Göbekli Tepe – Ancient Enigma — One of humanity's greatest enigmas hidden in southeastern Turkey, remained underground for thousands of years until late 20th century rediscovery.
  4. Ephesus: Antiquity Preserved — Ancient Roman city with temples, theaters and libraries that reveal the grandeur of the Roman Empire in Asia Minor.
  5. Pamukkale – White Terraces — Natural miracle created by mineral hot springs that deposited calcium layers forming distinctive white terraces over thousands of years.
  6. Antalya – Mediterranean Port City — Situated between sea and mountains, important port for centuries. Key point in Mediterranean trade routes, not only a beach destination but a city where history hides between palm…
  7. Fethiye – Ancient Lycia — Place where mountains meet the sea, growing on lands of ancient Lycia. Near Oludeniz, one of the most famous bays with turquoise waters separated from open sea by narrow strip of…
  8. Ankara – Capital City — Capital of Turkey, the administrative and political center. Concentrates the heart of modern Turkey, often in the shadow of more well-known cities.
  9. Safranbolu – Ottoman Heritage — City where time seems to have stopped, with streets preserving the Ottoman period layout. Was an important commercial center on caravan routes.
  10. Akdamar Island – Ancient Church — Island in the middle of Lake Van with an ancient church whose walls are covered with reliefs.
  11. Sumela Monastery: Suspended in Stone — Greek Orthodox monastery built on a rocky cliff, with Byzantine frescoes and spectacular views of the valley.
  12. Patara: Lycian League Heritage — Ruins of an ancient Lycian city with theater, port and beaches, testimony to a pre-Hellenic civilization of Asia Minor.
  13. Izmir: Gateway to the Aegean — Coastal metropolis on the Aegean with seafront promenades, historic bazaars and modern architecture that blends tradition and progress.
  14. Mardin – Ancient Trade Crossroads — Controlled trade routes between Anatolia and Mesopotamia for centuries, key point of exchange in antiquity.
  15. Ephesus – Ancient City Preserved
  16. Lake Van – High-Altitude Saltwater Lake — Largest lake in Turkey, located on a high-altitude plateau with salty and alkaline waters. Due to high salt concentration, only one species adapted to these conditions survives.

Useful for your trip

Timing
Visit Istanbul at any time to experience a living city where the past coexists with the present, as it is a dynamic organism that is constantly functioning.
Tip
In Cappadocia, take a hot air balloon ride in the morning to see from above how nature and history blend together in the landscape of rock formations.
Tip
Explore the underground cities of Cappadocia, which could house thousands of people with ventilation shafts, warehouses and water systems, allowing them to live underground for months without outside contact.
Where to stay
In Pamukkale, stay close to the mineral hot springs considered healing since ancient times to enjoy the baths.
Timing
Visit Pamukkale keeping in mind that the mineral terraces are constantly changing if the water is diverted, so you need constant monitoring to preserve their appearance.
Tip
In Ephesus, walk along the marble streets that lead between temples and squares to see an ancient city with advanced infrastructure: sewage systems, lighting, and public baths.
Tip
In Antalya, combine relaxing on the beach with exploring the old town, which preserves Roman gates, Ottoman houses, and narrow alleyways leading to the port.
Tip
Visit Saframbolu to see what daily life was like centuries ago, as its streets retain their Ottoman layout and the wooden houses have remained unchanged for centuries.
Tip
In Kas and Kecova, observe beneath the transparent waters the foundations of buildings and remains of ancient streets submerged after earthquakes, without intentional restoration.
Tip
On Lake Van, visit Akdamar Island where an ancient church stands with walls covered in reliefs that tell biblical scenes and local legends.
Transport
Take advantage of the fact that you can cross from Europe to Asia in a matter of minutes using the Bosphorus Strait, as Istanbul is the only metropolis located on two continents.
Tip
Explore the Ilhara Valley by following the course of the water among vegetation and stone, where you will find rock churches with frescoes that tell of events from more than 1000 years ago.

Video on this route

Türkiye | Between Europe and Asia | The Most Spectacular Places in Türkiye | 4K Travel Guide

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