Turkey classics: Istanbul, Aegean and Cappadocia

Byzantium, Constantinople, IstanbulGreek colonists founded Byzantium in the 7th century BC. In 330, the city became Constantinople, the capital of the Roman Empire. After its conquest in 1453, it served as the capital of the Ottoman Empire until its end.World Heritage on the PeninsulaIstanbul's historic areas have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985. These include the Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, and Süleymaniye Mosque. Many structures have a dual history as both a church and a mosque, such as the Hagia Sophia and the Chora Church.Visiting MosquesAttire: Shoulders and knees covered, women with headscarf.Prayer Times: Visits are restricted before the five daily prayers and on Friday midday.

The StraitTwo Ottoman fortresses guard the Dardanelles at their narrowest point: Çimenlik in Çanakkale and Kilitbahir on the European shore. In 1915, they were intended to jointly stop enemy ships.Gallipoli 1915On the Gallipoli Peninsula, Ottoman troops fought against Allied forces, including soldiers from Australia and New Zealand, in 1915 and 1916. The southern part of the peninsula was declared a historical national park in 1973 and has been protected as a Historical Site (Çanakkale Savaşları Gelibolu Tarihi Alanı) since 2014. Around March 18th and April 25th, Anzac Day, the city is particularly crowded.Troy and FilmÇanakkale is the nearest major city to Troy. On the Kordon stands the wooden horse from the 2004 film 'Troy'.

AyasulukDuring Turkish rule, the settlement was called Ayasuluk, derived from Agios Theologos, the epithet of John the Apostle. Emperor Justinian had the Basilica of St. John built over his presumed grave in the 6th century. The Isa Bey Mosque was built in 1374/75 under the Aydınoğulları; in 1914, the city was named Selçuk.ŞirinceThe mountain village was Greek-populated until the population exchange after 1923, then named Kirkince. New inhabitants arrived from Northern Greece and continued viticulture. The village was renamed Şirince in 1926.World HeritageThe Artemision, Ayasuluk Castle Hill with the Basilica of St. John, and the Isa Bey Mosque are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ephesus.

HierapolisThe city was founded under the Seleucid Antiochus I, and Pergamon's King Eumenes II later granted it city rights. The theatre dates back to the time of Emperor Hadrian and accommodated around 15,000 spectators. The necropolis extends for more than two kilometres and contains approximately 1,200 tombs.Thermal SpringsIn the area, 17 hot springs emerge with temperatures between 35 and 100 °C. Their calcareous water has formed the terraces. Parts of the terraces are temporarily closed to allow the deposits to recover.Early ChristianityOn a hill outside the northeastern city wall stands the 5th-century Martyrion of the Apostle Philip, an octagonal structure about 20 metres in diameter. Approximately 40 metres away, a tomb was discovered in 2011 that is associated with Philip.

AttaleiaKing Attalos II of Pergamon founded the city as Attaleia in the 2nd century BC. Emperor Hadrian visited in AD 130, and Hadrian's Gate was built in his honour. The Hıdırlık Tower on the edge of the old town also dates from Roman times.Seljuks and OttomansThe Seljuks conquered Antalya in 1207 and, after a brief Byzantine reconquest, for good in 1216. The 38 m Yivli Minare, the fluted minaret with remains of turquoise and dark blue tiles, dates from their era. The old town of Kaleiçi, with its lanes and Ottoman-era houses, has been restored and is now home to guesthouses, bars and restaurants.Antalya MuseumThe archaeological museum has been closed since July 2025. Because of earthquake risk, the old building is being replaced by a new one on the same site, with completion announced for the end of 2026. Check the current status before your visit.

Ikonion and the SeljuksIn antiquity, the city was called Ikonion. After its conquest by the Seljuks in 1084, it became the capital of the Sultanate of Rum Seljuks. Dating from this period are the Alaeddin Mosque from 1235, located on the eponymous hill, the Karatay Madrasa from 1251, and the İnce Minareli Madrasa, built around 1265, which is now a museum.Mevlana and the DervishesRumi lived and taught in Konya; after his death in 1273, his followers founded the Mevlevi Order. Its Sema, the whirling dance of the Dervishes, has been a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2008. Every December, the Şeb-i Arus commemoration week marks Rumi's death anniversary on December 17th.ÇatalhöyükThe settlement of Çatalhöyük near Çumra is around 9,000 years old, making it one of the world's oldest known settlements and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2012. Figures from the site are displayed at the Archaeological Museum in Konya.

Byzantine RootsDuring Byzantine times, the neighboring villages of Korama and Matiana were located here, both mentioned in 451 in the acts of the Council of Chalcedon. For centuries, monks carved churches and chapels into the tuff rock and adorned them with frescoes. Since 1985, Göreme has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Göreme National Park.From Cave Village to Tourist DestinationIts inhabitants carved their homes into the rock at least since the 3rd century. Before the 1970s, few visitors came; by 2000, Göreme was already considered a major tourist center of Cappadocia. Most old cave houses have since been converted into boutique hotels.Balloon RidesRides start at sunrise and last approximately one hour. Every morning, the Coordination Office of the Civil Aviation Authority (SHGM) in Nevşehir decides whether flights can take place, and pilots can additionally cancel on-site. In 2025, according to SHGM, over 754,000 passengers flew on 223 flight days, while in the first half of 2026, the weather permitted only 90 flight days.