Europe and Asia

Türkiye

Officially known as Türkiye, but still commonly searched for internationally as Turkey.

At a glance

A crossroads between continents

Turkey is between Europe and Asia and has historically connected the Mediterranean, the Balkans, the Middle East, and Central Asia. This location helped shape its architecture, cuisine, language, religion, and culture.

Istanbul is huge

Istanbul is one of the world’s largest and most dynamic cities. The city stretches across two continents and combines historic mosques, palaces, ferries, modern neighbourhoods, markets, and busy commercial districts.

Turkish TV shows are globally popular

Turkish television dramas have become extremely popular internationally, especially across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and parts of Europe. Some visitors already recognise filming locations and cultural references before arriving.

Medical tourism hub

Turkey has become one of the world’s leading destinations for medical tourism, particularly for cosmetic procedures, hair transplants, dental treatment, and eye surgery.

The cats of Istanbul

Istanbul is famous for its large population of street cats. Many are cared for by local residents, restaurants, and shop owners, and they have become part of the identity and atmosphere of the city.

Santa Claus was born in Turkey!

Saint Nicholas, the historical figure who inspired Santa Claus, was born in Patara, Turkey. He later became Bishop of Myra, near present-day Demre.

A visual journey through Türkiye

Istanbul

Dolmabahçe Clock Tower in Istanbul, Turkey — **The Dolmabahçe Clock Tower stands as one of Istanbul’s most elegant landmarks.** Built beside Dolmabahçe Palace, the 27-metre tower blends Ottoman and European architectural styles and has survived Istanbul’s earthquakes remarkably well over the years.

Turyol ferry on the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey — **Boats are part of everyday life in Istanbul.** Ferries constantly move people between Europe and Asia, making the Bosphorus feel more like a living highway than a river. Turyol has a 90-minute cruise towards the Rumeli Fortress and the second bridge connecting the two continents, giving visitors a completely different perspective of the city from the water.

Dolmabahçe Palace gardens in Istanbul, Turkey — **The gardens of Dolmabahçe Palace show the European style of the Ottoman court.** Set in Beşiktaş, the palace was a shift towards European-inspired architecture, with formal gardens, decorative lamps, and views towards the Selamlık administrative wing.

Galata Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey — **Galata Bridge feels like everyday Istanbul.** At any time of day, the bridge is alive with movement: commuters walking between districts, fishermen lining the railings, ferries crossing below, and restaurants serving seafood underneath the bridge itself. It is noisy, energetic, and full of character.

Fishermen on Galata Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey — **Fishing is one of the traditions of Galata Bridge.** For years, locals have gone there hoping to catch fish such as cinekop and palamut while overlooking some of the best views in the city. Watching the fishermen against the backdrop of mosques and ferries feels very "Istanbul".

Yeni Cami in Istanbul, Turkey — **Yeni Cami is one of the defining landmarks of Eminönü.** Despite its name meaning “New Mosque”, it was completed in 1665. Located near the Galata Bridge and the Spice Bazaar, it sits in one of Istanbul’s busiest and most recognisable waterfront areas.

Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey — **The Grand Bazaar is endless.** Corridors lined with textiles, ceramics, jewellery, lamps, spices, and traditional crafts stretch through one of the oldest covered markets in the world. The atmosphere is chaotic, colourful, and unforgettable, with every corridor leading to something different.

Interior of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey — **Hagia Sophia is perhaps the most powerful symbol of Istanbul’s layered history.** Inside the building, Christian mosaics and giant Islamic calligraphic medallions exist side by side in the same physical space. The image of the Virgin and Child overlooks the interior while the names of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad dominate the hall below.

Traditional Turkish coffee in Istanbul, Turkey — **Turkish coffee is much more than just a drink.** Recognised by UNESCO as Cultural Heritage, Turkish coffee represents hospitality and tradition. There is a famous Turkish proverb that says, “A cup of coffee is remembered for forty years,”.

İskender Kebap in Istanbul, Turkey — **İskender Kebap is one of Turkey’s most famous dishes.** I took this at Kebapçı İskender, apparently operated by descendants of İskender Efendi, the inventor of the dish in Bursa during the late 19th century. It os one of Turkey's most iconic meals.

Cağaloğlu Hamamı in Istanbul, Turkey — **A traditional hamam is one of the most unique experiences in Istanbul.** Cağaloğlu Hamamı dates back to 1741 and is one of the last major baths built during the Ottoman Empire. The experience follows old rituals involving steam rooms, exfoliation with a kese mitt, soap foam massages, and cooling down afterwards with tea or ayran.

Lanterns in Moda district in Istanbul, Turkey — **Moda offers a completely different atmosphere from historic Istanbul.** Located on the Asian side in Kadıköy, people say that Moda is the “Brooklyn of Istanbul” because of its artistic and bohemian energy. Streets around Bahariye and Ziya Bey are filled with cafés, bookstores, lanterns, and creative spaces popular with artists and students.

Izmir

Library of Celsus in Ephesus, Turkey — **The Library of Celsus is the unforgettable centrepiece of Ephesus.** Built in 114 AD, it once held more than 12,000 scrolls and was one of the great libraries of the Roman world. Its restored two-storey façade is now one of the most photographed ancient monuments in the Mediterranean.

Ancient city ruins of Ephesus in Turkey — **Ephesus feels much larger and more impressive than “just ruins.”** Once a major centre of commerce, religion, and political life in the Roman Empire, the city still gives a strong sense of its former scale.

Ancient columns in Ephesus, Turkey — **The scale of Ephesus becomes clear through its columns and public spaces.** The city was one of the Roman Empire’s major urban centres, and many structures are still surprisingly visible across the site.

Marble road in Ephesus, Turkey — **The marble roads of Ephesus are beautiful but slippery.** Good shoes are essential, especially in the heat. The polished stones can be difficult to walk on, even with proper footwear.

Theatre of Ephesus in Turkey — **The Theatre of Ephesus is one of the site’s most impressive spaces.** With a capacity of around 25,000 people, it is believed to be one of the largest theatres of the ancient world and was used for performances and later gladiatorial events.

Atatürk Mask in Izmir, Turkey — **The Atatürk Mask is one of Izmir’s most striking landmarks.** Located in Buca, this massive concrete bust honours Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, whose image and legacy remain central to Turkish public life.

House of the Virgin Mary near Ephesus in Izmir, Turkey — **The House of the Virgin Mary is a peaceful and spiritual stop near Ephesus.** Surrounded by nature, it is a calm place for reflection and prayer. You cannot take pictures inside the church itself, but the site is well worth visiting if you are already travelling to Ephesus.

Wishing Wall at the House of the Virgin Mary near Ephesus in Izmir, Turkey — **The Wishing Wall is one of the most memorable parts of the visit.** Visitors leave prayers, notes, and wishes near the House of the Virgin Mary. This adds a deep layer to a site already filled with spiritual meaning.

Roadside market near Izmir with genuine fake watches sign in Turkey — **Sometimes the funniest travel memories are found on the road.** This roadside market near Izmir had one of the most honest signs I have seen. At least they were clear about what they were selling!

Swissôtel Büyük Efes in Izmir, Turkey — **Swissôtel Büyük Efes is one of the best hotels I have stayed in.** The service was outstanding from start to finish, with a beautiful location, strong attention to detail, and a level of comfort that made it stand out in Izmir.

Travel notes

One of the world’s best connected hubs

Istanbul is one of the best connected cities in the world thanks to Turkish Airlines, with direct connections across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas, and the Middle East.

Free Turkish Airlines hotel stay

Turkish Airlines offers free hotel accommodation in Istanbul for eligible long layovers. Economy passengers are generally offered a very good hotel, while business class passengers may receive a 5-star hotel if the connection period is at least 20 hours.

Two airports in Istanbul

Istanbul has two main airports for travellers: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW). IST is the newer and much larger airport, while SAW is smaller and often quicker to navigate. If you are staying around Taksim or on the Asian side, SAW can sometimes be more convenient.

Allow extra airport time

Istanbul traffic can be very heavy, especially on the way to the airports. Passport control queues can also become busy, particularly at IST, where walking times to some gates can be long.

Metro access from IST

Istanbul Airport (IST) is connected to the metro network, making it easier to reach parts of the city without needing a taxi, especially if your accommodation is close to a metro station.

Türkiye to Greece by ferry

It is possible to travel between Türkiye and Greece by ferry. One of the popular routes connects Çeşme, west of Izmir, with the Greek island of Chios.

Izmir is generally more affordable

Prices in Izmir are often lower than in many of Türkiye’s main tourist destinations. Restaurants, cafés, transport, and accommodation can feel noticeably more affordable compared to Istanbul and some coastal resort towns.

Summer heat in Izmir

Izmir receives a lot of sunshine during the summer and temperatures can become extremely hot. Light clothing, sunscreen, and drinking plenty of water are important, especially when walking around during the afternoon.