Choose from 196 Fun Things to Do in Turkey
Icmeler Beach
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Manavgat Waterfalls
- There is an entrance fee to visit the Manavgat Waterfalls.
- Facilities at the falls include a shaded picnic area, viewing platforms, restaurants, gift shops, and restrooms, as well as plenty of free parking.
- It’s possible to swim at the beaches along the river, but not beneath the falls or from the boats.
- The viewing areas at the falls are wheelchair accessible, but public transport to the falls is not, so it’s best to organize your own transport.
Istanbul Sea Life Aquarium
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Izmir Archaeology Museum
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Limnionas Beach
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Isa Bey Mosque
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Mt Olympos
The ancient city of Olympos lies in ruins in a picturesque valley southwest of Antalya.
Founded in Hellenistic times and becoming part of the Roman empire in 78 BC, the city is believed to have taken its name from nearby Mount Olympos, one of many mountains across Turkey and Greece named after the heavenly abode of the Gods.
The city ruins lie scattered near the village of Olimpos, in an area known for its rich plant life – wild grapevines, oleander, bay trees, wild figs and pines – and are a short walk from pretty Olimpos beach.
Visitors making the trip to the ruins of Olympos also include a visit to the nearby Chimaera (Yanartas). Sitting on a rocky mountainside above the village of Cirali, these seemingly eternal flames (fuelled by natural methane leaking from the earth) have been burning non-stop for thousands of years.
Practical Info
Olympos is 90km (56mi) southwest of Antalya near the town of Kumluca.
Izmir Cruise Port
How to Get to Izmir
Arriving in Izmir, you’ll dock at Alcansak, about a 20 minute walk from Konak Square – the center of town. If you don’t feel like walking, taxis are also available outside the terminal. A one-way trip should cost around 12-15 Turkish lira. The terminal is also about a 5 minute walk from the upscale Alcansak neighborhood, which offers plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
Another option is to join the city’s hop-on hop-off bus sightseeing tour, which passes right in front of the port every thirty minutes.
One Day in Izmir
More likely than not, if you dock at Izmir, you’ll hop on one of your cruise ship’s excursions to Ephesus, Pergamum and/or Asclepion. If, however, you decide to hang around Izmir, there’s enough to keep you busy for the day.
Izmir’s hop-on hop-off bus tour mentioned above is a great way to familiarize yourself with the city and get around easily. Make your first stop at Konak Square in the center of town. The square is known for its clock tower, built in 1901, as well as the Konak Yali Mosque and the Kemeralti Bazaar located nearby. Then, head over to the bazaar to peruse the stalls of ceramics, jewelry, carpets and copper and try your hand at haggling.
To get a taste of old Izmir, make your way up to Kadifekale, an old castle sitting on a hill above the city, and visit the ruins of Agora, a marketplace dating to the 1st century B.C. that was once one of the most impressive in the Roman Empire. Izmir also has a few small museums worth checking out, including the Archaeological Museum and the Ethnography Museum located in Bahribaba Park, as well as the Ataturk Museum, the Izmir Museum of Arts and Sculpture and the Izmir Museum of Commercial History.
On your way back to the port, wander through the narrow streets of the Alsancak neighborhood to check out the old Greek houses and perhaps stop for a drink along the way.
Port Information
At the port, you can find a variety of shops and cafes as well as city maps offered by the local chamber of commerce. There is also an internet café about 200 meters away from the terminal. The official language is Turkish but visitors should be able to get around fine speaking English.
Istanbul Modern Art Museum
- Istanbul Modern is a must-visit for art buffs.
- The museum is located in a temporary space as of 2018.
- The structure is fully wheelchair accessible.
- Strollers are available to borrow for free.
Imagination Valley (Devrent Valley)
The Devrent Valley, also known as Imagination Valley, has none of the cave churches, Byzantine frescoes or Roman citadel ruins that are famous throughout the rest of Cappadocia; but what it does have is an extraordinary landscape shaped by nature to make you laugh and wonder and explore.
Only a 10 minute drive from Göreme, between Avanos and Ürgüp, the valley is like a rock-formed zoo. Walk the trail and you’ll see a landscape filled with snakes, camels, seals and dolphins and whatever else your mind chooses to make of the twisting curving rocks. Maybe even a dragon. There are also small fairy chimneys, the rock pillars so distinctive of Cappadocia.
Istiklal Street
Known as Grand Avenue during the Ottoman Period, the avenue was renamed Istiklal (Independence) in 1923 to commemorate the declaration of the Republic of Turkey after the Turkish War of Independence. Running from the Galata Tower to Taksim Square, it is lined with late Ottoman era buildings built in a variety of architectural styles, ranging from Neo-Classical to Art Deco.
Istiklal experienced a downturn in the 1970s and 1980s, but by the late 1980s a massive restoration project was underway to revitalize the historic area. Historic buildings along the street were restored, pavement was laid for full pedestrianization and the tram that once ran up and down the length of the avenue was reinstalled. Today, it is teeming with art galleries, boutiques, shops, cafes and nightclubs, making it a center of activity in Istanbul day and night. Together with Taksim Square, it also plays host to a number of parades, demonstrations and celebrations throughout the year.
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Kadikoy Market (Kallavi Kadikoy)
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Kariye Museum (Chora Church)
- The Kariye Museum is a must-visit for history and religious art enthusiasts.
- Restoration is ongoing in the Kariye Museum, and some sections might be closed to visitors.
- Wear comfortable shoes to explore the museum and surrounding area.
- The museum is not accessible to wheelchair users.
Izmir Ethnography Museum
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Kalekoy Harbour
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Istanbul Aquarium
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Istanbul Cruise Port
How to Get to Istanbul
Cruise liners dock at the Yolcu Salonu passenger terminal, on the Bosphorus waterfront at Karakoy. Trams run from Karakoy across the Galata Bridge to the Spice Bazaar, Sultanahmet, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi. It’s a 10-minute stroll if you’d like to walk to the Galata Bridge. Or you can catch a taxi to Taksim Square and pedestrianized Istiklal Caddesi to stroll past bustling shops and restaurants.
One Day in Istanbul
There’s so much history crammed into Istanbul, historically known as Constantinople. Visit Byzantine churches turned Ottoman mosques, the most famous being Hagia Sophia, and tour the sultans’ exotic Topkapi Palace. Get ready to haggle at the Great Bazaar, or sail off for a car-free day on the idyllic Princes Islands.
For the best overview of this seductive city, an Istanbul in One Day sightseeing tour includes all the highlights, plus a visit to the tiled Blue Mosque. And if your visit extends into evening, dine on Turkish cuisine accompanied by the glitter and glamour of belly dancers with an Istanbul by Night dinner and show.
Port Information
Istanbul is one of Turkey’s most important cruise ports, visited by liners operated by Princess, Celebrity, Oceania, Costa, Cunard, Hapag-Lloyd and MSC Italian. The currency is Turkish Lira, best sourced from banks and ATMs. Turkish is the official language while Arabic and Kurdish are also spoken. But English is widely understood at the major tourist sites, shops and bazaars so you should not encounter many problems when communicating with the locals.
Ihlara Valley
Around 4,000 people lived in the valley and there were 80 churches carved into the cliff faces, 12 of which can be visited today. These days the valley is home to one of the most popular hiking trails in Cappadocia with 26 bends along an 8 mile (14km) route that passes vineyards and pistacio trees.
The valley begins at the village of Ihlara and ends at Selime Monastery in the village of Selime, but there are two other entrances depending on how far you are willing to hike. Around 2.8 miles (4 km) into the valley is the most popular entry point with 300 steps down to the valley floor. Or you can drive to the village of Belisirma in the middle of the valley. The best section for seeing churches is between Ihlara and Belisirma.