6 amazing sights you’ll only see in Turkey

It’s home to ancient culture, sensational beaches and the largest city in the world that straddles two continents: cosmopolitan Istanbul. If you’re considering Turkey as a holiday destination, may we tempt you with these six fantastic sights that you’ll only see in this fascinating, beautiful country:

1. Hot air balloons over Cappadocia

Is it Mars? Is it a planet from Star Wars? No, it’s the ancient district of Cappadocia, located in the Göreme valley in the middle of Turkey. Originally shaped by millions of years of erosion, the honeycombed hills have been given a helping hand from humans since way back in the fourth century AD. Today, it’s an incredible, otherworldly landscape where you can legitimately lay claim to being a troglodyte if you stay in one of the cave hotels; or fly above the lunar-like landscape from a hot-air balloon for an extraordinary bird’s-eye view.

2. The travertine pools at Pamukkale

Formed (if you’re very lucky) when you cross limestone, a hot spring and a decent slope, travertine terraces are surreally beautiful step-like geological formations that create terraced hillside pools. They can only be found in a few very special places in the world – once such location is Pamukkale in Denizli, southwestern Turkey. Probably the most famous travertine terrace in the world, it’s certainly the bearer of the most delightful and entirely appropriate name: in Turkish, Pamukkale means “cotton castle”.

3. The Celsus Library at Ephesus

Once upon a time this was the third-largest library in the ancient world, capable of holding 12,000 scrolls in its wall niches. Built in 117AD in honour of Gaius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus (yep, we don’t know who he is either), the library has been extensively restored and is one of the highlights on a tour of Ephesus. This ancient Greek city was built in the 10th century BC and, according to legend, was founded by those great female warriors, the Amazons (hello, Wonder Woman). These days Ephesus is part of Turkey, located about three kilometres from Selçuk in İzmir Province. Bonus: After visiting the classical ruins at Ephesus you can jump on a boat at nearby Kuşadası and be on the charming Greek island of Samos in less than two hours.

4. Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul

Along with the Sultan Ahmet Mosque (a.k.a the Blue Mosque) and Hagia Sophia, the Süleymaniye Mosque is one of the most famous mosques (or former mosques) in Istanbul. Completed in 1557, it’s magnificent – and absolutely enormous, with a central dome that stands 47 metres high. As well as viewing it up-close, be sure to view the Süleymaniye Mosque from the Galata Bridge for a jaw-dropping photo.

5. Olympos beach in Antalya

Located on Turkey’s Mediterranean Coast, about 90 minutes from the city of Antalya, this stunning beach is part of the 700-square-kilometre Olympos National Park. It’s backed by an Instagram-worthy cliff, site of the ruins of ancient Olympos (not to be confused with Mount Olympus in Greece). The ruins are overgrown but picturesque, and include a Roman theatre, Byzantine basilica, temple, bridge, defensive walls and chamber tombs. The fascinating eternal flame of the Chimaera is also found nearby. Named after the fire-breathing monster of Greek mythology, the flames have mysteriously burned here since ancient times (just don’t bother to visit during the day when you’ll barely see them – this is an expedition you need to undertake at night). As well as ancient ruins the region is famous for accommodation in treehouses, adventure activities such as canyoning, scuba diving and sea kayaking, plus you can go whitewater rafting at the nearby Köprülü Canyon. Olympos is located along the Lycian Way, so hikers will also be tempted to walk part of this 500-kilometre trail between Antalya and Fethiye. 

6. The Lycian Rock Tombs near Fethiye

Speaking of Fethiye, go to this port city on Turkey’s southwestern Turquoise Coast to witness the nearby Lycian Rock Tombs. Carved into the side of a mountain in the 5th century BC, they may look like entrances to temples, but they’re actually the facades of ancient tombs (a bit like Petra in Jordan, there’s not much behind the ornate exteriors). Their location – high up on the side of a mountain – was not just for show. The Lycians (who built the tombs in the 5th century BC) believed that the dead were transported to the afterlife by magic winged creatures – so they were just giving them a hand!

Read more: 6 of Europe’s oldest, most fascinating cities