City: Turkey
Top Things to do in Turkey
Top Hotels in Turkey
- 1. Romance Istanbul Hotel
- 2. Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus
- 3. Concorde De Luxe Resort
- 4. Lara Barut Collection
- 5. Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center
- 6. Hotel Yasmak Sultan
- 7. White House Hotel Istanbul
- 8. Kayakapi Premium Caves - Cappadocia
- 9. Swissotel The Bosphorus, Istanbul
- 10. Hotel Sultania
What to do and see in Turkey, Turkey: The Best Architectural Buildings
Turkey (Turkish: Türkiye [ˈtyɾcije]), officially the Republic of Turkey (Turkish: Türkiye Cumhuriyeti [ˈtyɾcije d͡ʒumˈhuɾijeti] ( listen)), is a transcontinental country in Eurasia, mainly in Anatolia in Western Asia, with a smaller portion on the Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. Turkey is bordered by eight countries with Greece and Bulgaria to the northwest; Georgia to the northeast; Armenia, the Azerbaijan and Iran to the east; and Iraq and Syria to the south. The country is encircled by seas on three sides with the Aegean Sea to the west, the Black Sea to the north, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. The Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles, which together form the Turkish Straits, divide Thrace and Anatolia and separate Europe and Asia. Ankara is the capital while Istanbul is the country's largest city and main cultural and commercial centre, classified as a leading global city.
Restaurants in Turkey
1. The Great Mosque
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,625 reviews
Built in the 14th century, this mosque is an excellent example of classical Ottoman architecture. Of special interest are the intricately carved wooden pulpit, and the three-tiered fountain.
Reviewed By carolas936 - Marietta, United States
The Great Mosque (a.k.a. Ulu Cami) is on the main street (where the Atatürk Cd. becomes Cemal Nadir Cd.) and is the largest mosque in Bursa, showcasing Seljuk-style architecture. Many consider it the fifth most important mosque in Islam (after those in Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem, and Damascus), and is included in Bursa’s 2014 UNESCO World Heritage Site description. The mosque was commissioned by Sultan Bayezid I, and designed and built by architect Ali Neccar in 1396–1399. The large square building has twenty domes arranged in four rows of five, supported by twelve columns. According to legend, twenty domes were built instead of the twenty separate mosques which the Sultan had promised after winning the Battle of Nicopolis over an allied crusader army in 1396. The mosque's two cylindrical minarets are prominent landmarks if you wander around central Bursa. The interior of the mosque is spacious, filled with light, and has graceful calligraphy and floral motifs adorning the walls and columns. At the center is a şadırvan (fountain) where worshipers can perform ritual ablutions before prayer. The dome over the şadırvan is capped by a skylight which highlights the fountain's softly cascading water. The mihrab (prayer niche oriented towards Mecca) is particularly fine, bordered by intricate decorative tiles and bands of graceful calligraphy. Throughout the interior are graceful inscriptions on the walls and columns written by famous Ottoman calligraphers of the period, one of the finest examples of Islamic calligraphy in the world. The interior is shielded from street noise and invites contemplation, encouraged by a reader softly reciting passages from the Koran. The mosque is open during normal hours with no entrance fee (although a donation is gratefully appreciated). Modest attire and removing one's shoes shows respect for this active place of worship.
2. Selimiye Mosque
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,117 reviews
Reviewed By Ibrahim_Temo - Istanbul, Turkey
Unesco World heritage... Built in 7 years opened in 1575 . Masterpiece of the great Turkish architect Mimar Sİnan...
3. Okuz Mehmet Pasa KervansarayI
4. Hagia Sophia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43,620 reviews
This architectural marvel displays 30 million gold tiles throughout its interior, and a wide, flat dome which was a bold engineering feat at the time it was constructed in the 6th century.
Reviewed By AnLily
The Hagia Sophia Church-turned Mosque deserves a second look. Often, you need to look up & behind (at the exit and corner of upstairs former chapel) to spot the beauty that Islamic conquerors forgot or ignored in stripping its decor. Sadly, they plastered over the pure gold & silver Byzantine mosaics, which are only palely visible now. (The glowing ceiling and radiant upper walls of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem shows what the Hagia Sophia once would have looked like by brilliant candlelight inside.) The Byzantine influence of the Hagia Sophia is great; its architecture was copied by Ottomans and can be seen at the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet) in Istanbul and in Cairo (“Blue Mosque” as well) at the Fortress governed by Mohamed Ali. Aside from the similarities, including windows and dome at the succeeding blue mosques, differences to the mosque-cathedrals revised by North African Caliphates in Cordoba also astound visitors. Whereas the archways and simplicity of Spanish architecture on the conquered Iberian peninsula resemble ancient Egyptian Coptic churches, the Hagia Sophia has an intricacy that dimly appears after centuries of contest. You miss the most impressive views by not taking the ancient Roman uneven ramp to the upper gallery (with jewellery stand!); it closes early and is only accessible until approximately 6 p.m. Beyond the Empress Lodge upstairs is the 6th century marble door, behind which is a handrail with 9th c. Viking graffiti. On the arches above are mosaic stars of David flanking emblems of crosses. If you proceed to the far wall and look back there’s an impressive Byzantine image of Jesus retained in gold. However, the marble was largely damaged by Ottomans and the statuary looted by Crusaders and Venetians. A portion of the mosaics (6-13 c) are being uncovered from behind imposing scaffolding. This Hagia Sophia beside Sultanahmet in Iznik (Nicaea) was built during the reign of Emperor Theodosius and burned in the fire of Nika Revolt (532 AD) before being rebuilt. It was the site of the 7th ecumenical Church council in 787 CE (the first was also held there in 325 CE). It became strictly used as a mosque from 1331 under order of Orhan Gazi and modified with medallions or script of Koran inspiration by the architect Mimar Sinan. The remains of a 1,600-year old Byzantine basilica, St. Neophytos, is nearby--preserved as a museum under Iznik Lake as an inspiration of the original Hagia Sophia cathedral. In 1453 Mahmud II made severe changes to Hagia Sophia, the ancient base of the Orthodox Church, when he forced out the local Ecumenical faithful and hung the Greek patriarch George V—as well as executing the leading Orthodox bishops. Subsequent Muslim renovations continued 1847-49 during Abdulmecit’s reign. The Hagia Sophia was reconstituted as Museum under secularized state control after Ataturk ascended to power in postwar Turkey. General admission to the museum costs 60 TL/person. The ticket office accepts visa, as does the gift- and coffee shop. You can purchase a 5-day pass for 185 TL to save 169 TL on other attractions as well. Headsets are limited and available only for large groups. The last daily entry time is 6 p.m, and snack counters sell expensive refreshments outside the public washrooms (wood huts) on the museum grounds. If you have time and cash-only, the Basilica cistern is kitty corner to the Hagia Sophia entrance across the street /tram tracks. Combining these venues and/or the Blue Mosque nearby can be simply enjoyed with or without a guide. Tourist pamphlets in multiple languages are oddly placed beside the exit gates, not at the front of the former church and basilica.
5. Dolmabahce Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,833 reviews
This palace was built in the mid 1800s to replace an earlier structure that was made of wood. The new palace incorporated sixteen separate buildings with stables, a flour mill and a clock tower among them.
Reviewed By muratm660 - Fethiye, Turkey
In order to visit Dolmabahçe Palace (Dolmabahçe Sarayı) you must take one or both of the guided tours. The Selamlık tour takes you through the quarters reserved for men, while the Harem tour shows you the apartments of the sultan’s family. Only a limited amount of people are allowed into each section per day, so make sure to check out the opening hours. If you only want to go on one tour, visit the Selamlık. I have used Fizytur Ultra vip minibus to void İstanbul's traffic trouble and enjoyed with my netflix, minibar and silence.
6. Orhan Gazi Mosque (Orhan Camii)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Located within the Muradiye district, Orhan Mosque is one of the most important structures of the early Ottoman period. The most important characteristics include twin arches at both sides of the structure and the interesting, external brickwork.
Reviewed By syarilm - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Beautiful structure. The ottomans capital was modest and few of the mosque here were amazing. Cant wait to come again for the great mosque
7. Yildirim Bayezit Mosque (Yildirim Bayezit Camii)
8. Red Tower
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 948 reviews
Reviewed By Jane2003rugby - Kingston-upon-Hull, United Kingdom
The Red Tower is located at the end of the harbour, just up from the jetty. The opening hours where 9.00 am - 19.00 pm in the summer. Entrance fee was 7 TL or 10 TL with the Shipyard or 14 TL with Shipyard & Damlatas cave. Four floors to visit, plus the turret with fantastic views at the top. As this is a medieval tower, there are lots of steep ,narrow, steps to climb, so not suitable for people with disabilities, or small children. Displays, models, old photos, on each floor. A must do, is on the second floor, walk out onto the old walls, the only way you can access it, again great views, but a lot of people miss it.
9. Temple of Apollo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,998 reviews
Reviewed By GaryMWar - Southport, United Kingdom
Nice walk round Side Town leads you to this, The Temple of Apollo, this is open and free to take a look around and is great to see, local bars nearby and shops, well worth a visit
10. Cesme Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 521 reviews
Reviewed By ConsciousTravelling - Windsor, Canada
If you're in Cesme, the castle is well worth a quick visit. It breathes history, just like many other monuments in Turkey. Be prepared to climb steps and enjoy the view from the top.
