Top destinations in Turkey for European tourists

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Ever since the UK has scrapped its traffic light system, nomadic souls have started planning their trips to the popular destinations that belong to the green list i.e. Egypt, The Maldives and Turkey.

As per the saying goes, Turkey is the country where east meets west as it bridges Europe and Asia.

The historically enriched country shares its borders with Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq and Syria. Each country influences Turkey’s culture in its own way so that each corner of the country feels completely different from the others.

While many Europeans see Turkey as the perfect beach destination, it actually has much more to offer than just sun loungers.

Tourists travelling to Turkey from the EU or US will need to show either proof of two COVID vaccinations, evidence of recent COVID recovery or a negative PCR test taken within the last 72 hours of travel.

Here’s everything you need to know for a last-minute getaway to one of the most picturesque destinations of the world:

Istanbul

Steep cobbled lanes aligned with rootsy cafes, vintage shops live music venues and outdated Jewish quarters make up the artsy neighbourhood of Istanbul. The city displays all aspects of bullish development as far as you can see along the Bosphorus River.

Daylan

Nature and animals lovers adore Dalyan Turtle Beach (also called Iztuzu Beach) for its natural splendour. There are over 100 varieties of bird species here as well as three varieties of turtle, including the endangered Loggerhead Caretta caretta. This is a great place to swim alongside turtles, visit nearby hot springs or take a mud bath. The mud here is rich in minerals like magnesium and sulfur, both beneficial to the skin.

Ephesus

Turkey has a great number of ancient sites that are similar to Italy and Greece in terms of its annual tourist traffic. Ephesus, now UNESCO-protected, is arguably the grandest of them all. The Temple of Artemis which stood in the ancient city of Ephesus was one of the original Seven Wonders of the World. Little remains of it now, but the ruins of Ephesus are wondrous nonetheless.

Butterfly Valley, Fethiye

Walkers on the Lycian Way can enjoy spectacular nature views as they pass above Butterfly Valley. On the toenail of sand-and-pebble beach at the foot of it, accessible only by boat, there’s a campsite with a beach bar serving beers and grilled fish, and yoga classes are held beneath the trees. Heading inland, the valley leads through lush greenery and waterfalls and in spring is filled with 100 species of butterfly.

Cappadocia

High on the Anatolian plateau, the curious landscapes of Cappadocia resemble a fantasy world. Honey-coloured rocks have eroded into sculptural forms resembling minarets, magic mushrooms and Fairy Chimneys. Underground settlers since the Bronze Age have been busy carving out cave houses, churches and monasteries from the soft volcanic rock even entire subterranean cities.

Derinkuyu

The underground city of Derinkuyu is located in the Nevşehir province. It was built to shelter 20,000 people during the Arab-Byzantine wars (780–1180 AD). In a guided walking tour tourists can explore the excavated ruins, including the remains of stables, cellars, storage rooms, kitchens, wineries, and wells.

Gümüşlük, Bodrum

Until the 20th century, the fishing villages dotted around the Bodrum Peninsula were only accessible from the water, and still today the best way to get around is by boat. Of all these fishing villages, the most charming is Gümüşlük. It’s also the best spot in Bodrum to catch the sunset.

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