Best Things to Do in Türkiye: Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Pergamon & More

Planning your first trip to Türkiye and wondering what to do in Türkiye?

Türkiye is one of the most diverse travel destinations in the world, combining ancient cities, historic landmarks, beautiful coastlines, traditional villages, Mediterranean and Aegean landscapes, Turkish cuisine and unforgettable experiences.

From exploring the historic streets of Istanbul and cruising along the Bosphorus to walking through the ancient ruins of Ephesus, visiting Pamukkale, discovering Pergamon, exploring Şirince and relaxing around the Aegean coast, there are many different ways to experience Türkiye.

If you are planning a trip and searching for the best places to visit in Türkiye, this guide will help you decide what to see and do during your journey.

1. Explore Istanbul

For many international visitors, Istanbul is the perfect place to begin a trip to Türkiye.

Located between Europe and Asia, Istanbul combines centuries of history with a lively modern city atmosphere.

Start in the historic peninsula and explore Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar.

Then continue towards Eminönü, Galata, Karaköy and Beyoğlu to experience a different side of the city.

Istanbul is also a great destination for food lovers, with Turkish breakfast, kebabs, seafood, meze, baklava, Turkish coffee and famous street foods available throughout the city.

2. See Istanbul From the Bosphorus

One of the best ways to experience Istanbul is from the water.

The Bosphorus separates the European and Asian sides of Istanbul and offers spectacular views of historic palaces, waterfront mansions, mosques, bridges and neighbourhoods.

During the day, you can enjoy a relaxing sightseeing or Bosphorus Sunset Cruise and watch the city change as the sun goes down.

For travellers looking for a more relaxing evening experience, a sunset cruise can be a memorable way to see Istanbul from the water.

Explore Bosphorus Sunset Cruise experiences

3. Enjoy a Bosphorus Dinner Cruise

If you want to combine sightseeing, dinner and entertainment, consider a Bosphorus Dinner Cruise in Istanbul.

An evening cruise allows you to enjoy dinner while cruising between Europe and Asia and viewing Istanbul's illuminated waterfront.

Depending on the selected package, guests can enjoy dinner, soft drinks, DJ music, live entertainment and traditional Turkish Night-style performances.

For visitors looking for an evening activity in Istanbul, a Bosphorus dinner cruise can be a convenient way to combine food, entertainment and sightseeing in one experience.

Explore our Bosphorus Dinner Cruise packages

4. Discover Istanbul's Historic Neighbourhoods

Don't spend your entire Istanbul trip inside the main tourist attractions.

Walk through Galata, Karaköy, Beyoğlu and Beşiktaş and experience the city's cafés, restaurants, historic streets and waterfront areas.

Visit Galata Tower, walk along Istiklal Street and continue towards Galataport.

Later, you can head towards Beşiktaş and Ortaköy to see another section of the Bosphorus.

Istanbul is a city where historic monuments and modern neighbourhoods exist side by side.

5. Visit Ephesus

If you are interested in ancient history, Ephesus should be high on your Türkiye itinerary.

Located near Selçuk in İzmir Province, Ephesus is one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean and contains remarkable remains including the Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, Marble Street and ancient temples.

Walking through the ancient city gives visitors an opportunity to experience the scale and architecture of an important ancient Mediterranean centre.

For travellers staying in İzmir, Ephesus can be visited as a private day trip with a professional guide.

Explore our Private Ephesus & Şirince Tour from İzmir

6. Visit the House of the Virgin Mary

Near Ephesus, you can also visit the House of the Virgin Mary, located on Bülbüldağı above Selçuk.

The site is an important Christian pilgrimage destination and is also visited by Muslim visitors. The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism describes it as a world-famous pilgrimage site associated with the tradition that Mary spent her final years in the area.

For travellers interested in history, religion and cultural heritage, combining Ephesus with the House of the Virgin Mary can make a particularly meaningful day.

7. Discover Şirince Village

After exploring Ephesus, continue into the hills to Şirince.

Şirince is known for its traditional houses, narrow streets, surrounding olive groves and vineyards and relaxed village atmosphere. The official tourism information also highlights Şirince as a nearby attraction from Selçuk.

Spend time walking through the village, visiting local shops and trying traditional Aegean flavours.

A visit to Şirince can also be combined with Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary in one private day trip from İzmir.

Discover the Private Ephesus & Şirince Village Tour

8. Experience Pamukkale and Hierapolis

Another unforgettable destination in western Türkiye is Pamukkale.

The white travertine terraces of Pamukkale create one of the most distinctive natural landscapes in Türkiye.

Next to the travertines is the ancient city of Hierapolis, an important archaeological site with Roman and Byzantine history. Pamukkale and Hierapolis are recognised together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Walking through the ancient ruins while looking across the white terraces makes Pamukkale very different from the historic experiences found in Istanbul and Ephesus.

If you are staying in İzmir and want to combine ancient history with one of Türkiye's most famous natural attractions, an Ephesus and Pamukkale day trip is an excellent option.

Explore our Private Ephesus & Pamukkale Hierapolis Tour from İzmir

9. Explore Pergamon

Another important ancient destination in western Türkiye is Pergamon.

The ancient city of Pergamon was an important Hellenistic centre and today offers visitors the opportunity to explore the Acropolis, ancient theatre and other archaeological remains.

The Pergamon area also includes the Asklepion and the Red Basilica, making it an excellent destination for travellers interested in ancient Greek, Roman and early Christian history.

GoTürkiye's recommended Ephesus and Pergamon itinerary highlights the Acropolis, Temple of Athena, ancient theatre, Red Basilica and Asklepion among the major attractions of the region.

Explore our Private Pergamon Tour from İzmir

10. Explore the Aegean Coast

Türkiye's Aegean coast offers a completely different travel experience.

After exploring ancient cities and historic landmarks, you can slow down and enjoy coastal towns, islands, beaches, seafood and traditional Aegean cuisine.

Ayvalık and Cunda Island are particularly interesting for travellers who want to experience the Aegean atmosphere.

You can explore historic streets, visit Cunda, enjoy local food and discover the coastline around Ayvalık.

Explore Ayvalık Tours & Experiences

11. Take a Private Ayvalık Boat Tour

If you have more time on the Aegean coast, consider a private boat experience around Ayvalık.

A private boat trip can include beautiful islands, hidden bays, swimming stops and an Aegean lunch, depending on the selected experience and sea conditions.

For families, couples and private groups, a private boat can be a relaxed way to discover the coastline away from busy tourist areas.

Discover our Private Ayvalık Boat Tour

12. Try Turkish Food

No trip to Türkiye is complete without experiencing Turkish cuisine.

Try a traditional Turkish breakfast, meze, grilled meats, seafood, pide, gözleme and local Aegean dishes.

In Istanbul, don't miss Turkish coffee, baklava, simit and famous street foods.

Around İzmir and the Aegean coast, olive oil dishes, seafood and regional specialities provide a completely different taste of Türkiye.

Food is not simply part of travelling in Türkiye; it is one of the best ways to experience local culture.

13. Drink Turkish Coffee

For a slower and more traditional experience, try Turkish coffee.

Turkish coffee is prepared finely ground and traditionally served in a small cup.

It is more than simply a drink. Sharing Turkish coffee is part of Turkish hospitality and social culture.

You can enjoy Turkish coffee in a traditional café during the day or combine it with a relaxing Bosphorus experience while taking in the views of Istanbul.

14. Experience Turkish Culture and Entertainment

Türkiye offers many opportunities to experience traditional music, dance and entertainment.

In Istanbul, a Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night entertainment can be a convenient way to experience dinner and traditional performances during the same evening.

Depending on the selected cruise package, entertainment can include traditional Turkish dance performances, oriental dance, live music, DJ entertainment and other stage shows.

This can be particularly enjoyable for first-time visitors who want to experience Turkish culture while enjoying Istanbul's nighttime skyline.

Explore Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Night experiences

15. Plan a Multi-Destination Türkiye Trip

If you have enough time, don't limit your trip to one city.

A first-time itinerary could combine:

Istanbul for history, food, neighbourhoods and the Bosphorus.

İzmir and Ephesus for ancient history and archaeological sites.

Şirince for traditional village life and Aegean culture.

Pamukkale and Hierapolis for natural landscapes and ancient history.

Pergamon for Hellenistic and Roman heritage.

Ayvalık and Cunda for the Aegean coast, islands and boat experiences.

This combination gives you a much broader introduction to Türkiye.

A Suggested Türkiye Itinerary

3 Days in Istanbul

Spend your first day exploring Sultanahmet, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace.

On your second day, discover Galata, Karaköy, Beyoğlu and Beşiktaş.

On your third day, explore the Bosphorus and Asian side of Istanbul.

In the evening, finish your Istanbul experience with a Bosphorus Sunset Cruise or a Bosphorus Dinner Cruise.

2–3 Days Around İzmir

Explore Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and Şirince.

Then dedicate another day to Pergamon or Pamukkale and Hierapolis, depending on your interests.

GoTürkiye also recommends a multi-day Ephesus and Pergamon route for visitors interested in the archaeological heritage of the region.

1–2 Days in Ayvalık

Explore Ayvalık Old Town and Cunda Island, enjoy local Aegean cuisine and spend time along the coast.

If you prefer being on the water, choose a private boat experience around the islands and hidden bays.

How Many Days Do You Need in Türkiye?

There is no single answer because Türkiye is a large and diverse country.

For a short first visit, 3–4 days in Istanbul can provide a good introduction to the city.

With a week or more, you can begin combining Istanbul with western Türkiye and destinations such as Ephesus, Şirince, Pamukkale and Pergamon.

If you have more time, adding Ayvalık and other Aegean destinations can turn the trip into a much broader Türkiye experience.

The Best Way to Experience Türkiye

Türkiye is not a destination that can be experienced through one type of activity.

Explore ancient cities during the day, taste regional Turkish food, walk through historic neighbourhoods, visit traditional villages and spend an evening watching Istanbul's skyline from the Bosphorus.

Whether you are looking for things to do in Istanbul, Ephesus tours, Pamukkale tours, Pergamon tours, Şirince day trips or Ayvalık experiences, combining different parts of Türkiye can make your journey much more memorable.

For your Istanbul stay, you can begin with our Bosphorus Sunset Cruise experiences or explore our Bosphorus Dinner Cruise packages.

For western Türkiye, explore our Izmir tours and day trips, including private experiences around Ephesus, Pamukkale, Pergamon and Şirince.

And if you are travelling towards the Aegean coast, discover our Ayvalık Tours & Experiences.

Türkiye offers history, culture, nature, food and unforgettable experiences at every turn. Plan your route, choose the destinations that interest you most and enjoy discovering Türkiye at your own pace.