Find inspiration from this selection of best things to do in Turkey. Soar above Cappadocia, take a romantic cruise on the Bosphorus, let yourself be enchanted by the whirling dances of the whirling dervishes or go paragliding over the Blue Lagoon of Olüdeniz.

The best experiences await you in Turkey. Need more inspiration? Discover your rankings of the best hidden gems in Turkey but also the most beautiful beaches in Turkey, the destinations not to be missed, the most incredible castles in Turkey or the best ski resorts in Turkey.

Make your trip à la carte by booking your flights, accommodation and activities and tours at the best price.

1. Discover the beauty of Cappadocia by Hot Air Balloon

Stay in the most beautiful region of Turkey. Cappadocia is home to gems of rare beauty such as the Goreme National Park, Uçhisar and its thousand-year-old castle, Byzantine tombs, phallic rocks and troglodyte hotels. You can discover the wonders of Cappadocia on a guided highlights tour or fly over the region and experience the beauty of Cappadocia from above in a balloon flight. The sunrise over this region is an unforgettable sight.

 How to get there: Book your flights to Kayseri (1 hour by car) as well as your accommodation and your tours and activities in Cappadocia. We advise you to stay in Uchisar, an emblematic village of Cappadocia.

 Where to stay: “Hermes Cave Hotel” offers spectacular views of Uçhisar.

2. Blue Mosque

Istanbul

Your trip to Istanbul will leave you with memories for a lifetime. Voted as one of the best destinations in Europe, Istanbul leaves no one indifferent. During your stay in Istanbul, do not miss to visit the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Mosque. The two iconic monuments of the Sultanahmet district are breathtakingly beautiful.

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 How to get there: Book your flights to Istanbul and your tours and activities at the best price.

 Where to stay: Whilst the historic Fatih district is beautiful, we enjoyed the peace and quiet of Üsküdar and the amazing hotel "Sumahan - on The Water". 

3. Paragliding in Öludeniz

Fethiye

You too can fly! Paraglide over one of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey and treat yourself to an unforgettable experience during your stay in Turkey.

You can reach Olüdeniz and its dream beaches by yourself and plan your excursion by booking your flight on the spot. To get the best price, book your paragliding flight online as well as your transfer from Olüdeniz or Fethiye. 

 How to get there: Book your flights to Dalaman Airport (1 hour by car) or your transfer from the airport and reach Olüdeniz.

 Where to stay: Stay in Fethiye or Olüdeniz, two exceptional seaside resorts located 15 minutes by car. "Salonika Suites" is one of our top picks in Olüdeniz.

4. A cruise on the Bosphorus

Istanbul

This is by far one of the best things to do while in Istanbul. Worried that this is too 'cliché', or even worse, a tourist trap? In fact, this is the best way to discover Istanbul, its palaces and the magnificent wooden houses along the Bosphorus.

To be honest, during our stay in Istanbul, we did this cruise 4 times. It is a sweet and poetic way to discover this amazing city. Several types of cruises are possible. Cruise with dinner, with music, belly dancing, or a simple cruise to discover the palaces, bridges, mosques and historical monuments of the city.

Discover the European and Asian shores of Istanbul and marvel at the beauties of this unique city in the world.

Book your flights at the best price as well as your accommodation and your tours and activities in Istanbul and treat yourself to an unforgettable cruise on the Bosphorus. 

 How to get there: Book your flights to Istanbul and your transfer. Most cruises depart from Kabatas Pier.

 Where to stay: “Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul” located on the European coast of the Bosphorus.  

5. Whirling Dervishes

Istanbul

If you want to experience one of the most amazing and fascinating aspects of Turkish culture book your tickets for a whirling dervishes’ show. Discover the history of this spiritual dance which is close to a form of active meditation. The dervishes, by their dance, symbolize the movement of the planets in the solar system. These circular, repeated movements plunge them into a state of meditation, a way of communicating with the divine.

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 How to get there: Book your flights to Istanbul and your tickets to the show.

 Where to stay:  “Romance Istanbul Hotel Boutique Class”. Couples particularly like this hotel.

6. Day Trip to the Princes Islands

Büyükada Island

Leave the city centre and treat yourself to a day of exploration of the Princes Islands. Discover Heybeliada and take a horse carriage on this car-free island. Then, visit the island of Büyükada and discover its sumptuous and very chic wooden houses where the wealthy Istanbulites come in summer.

We advise you to climb to the top of Büyükada on foot and take a walk in the pinewood. At the top of the island you can discover an old wooden orphanage, listed among the most beautiful abandoned places in Europe. You can organize the trip by yourself or book your tour at the best price online.

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 How to get there: Book your flights to Istanbul and join Princes Islands by booking your tour.

 Where to stay: If you want to stay on the island in a traditional house book at "Sergüzeşt Otel Büyükada", perfect for a 2-night stay.

7. Düden Waterfalls

Antalya

Düden Waterfalls is an exceptional site located a few tens of kilometres from Antalya. Take an afternoon to discover this beautiful and magical place and have a picnic surrounded by camels, parrots and the relaxing sound of waterfalls.

You can reach Düden waterfalls by car or public transport (bus 80 and 66) or book your tours and activities in Antalya, such as "Antalya City tour and Düden waterfalls visit with boat trip". 

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 How to get there: Book your flights to Antalya and your transfer.

 Where to stay: "White Garden Hotel" is one of our top picks in Antalya. 

8. Grand Bazaar

Istanbul

Discover the iconic places of Istanbul on a tour of its historic landmarks. Immerse yourself in the incredible labyrinth of the Grand Bazaar accompanied by your guide and discover this market of a thousand spices.

With its 18 entrances, 60 interior streets and 4000 shops, the Grand Bazaar will make your head spin. Discover the unusual places of the largest covered market in the world by booking your flights to Istanbul as well as your accommodation and your tours and activities at the best price.

 How to get there: Book your flights to Istanbul as well as your transfer to the city centre. 

 Where to stay: We stayed at "Swissotel The Bosphorus Istanbul". Its suites are magnificent and its location is perfect. 

9. The Maiden Tower

Istanbul

An incredible legend surrounds the Maiden Tower also called the Leander's Tower. In byzantine times, a king received a terrible prediction from an oracle who told him that his daughter, Leander, would die on her 18th birthday, killed by snake venom. The king then decided to have his daughter locked up on this tiny island where not a single inhabitant and not a single snake could be found. On her 18th birthday he sent her a basket of fresh fruit as a gift. Unfortunately for him, a snake had slipped into the basket and, as the prediction had announced, his daughter succumbed to the snake’s poison.

Since then, the tower bears the name of the unfortunate young "Leander". You can take a boat to this tiny island and even stop there for a coffee or a bite to eat.

Book your flights to Istanbul as well as your accommodation at the best price and reach Maiden Tower from Üsküdar Port.

 How to get there: Book your flights to Istanbul as well as your airport transfer. Boat crossings are made from the port of Üsküdar.

 Where to stay:  “10 Karakoy Istanbul” located in the heart of Istanbul.

10. Koprulu Canyon

Antalya

From Antalya or Alanya treat yourself to thrills and unforgettable moments with an adventurous day of river rafting in the Köprülü National Park. You will be amazed by the beauty of this national park, enjoy a tasty Turkish meal to recover from the thrills and spills and enjoy a day that combines sport, relaxation and nature.

You can go directly to the site on your own or enjoy a pick-up from your hotel. This Canyon 14km long and 300 metres deep in places awaits you for strong emotions a few kilometres from Antalya.

 How to get there: Book your flights to Antalya (1h30 from Koprulu Canyon) as well as your activities and your transfer.

 Where to stay: "Akra Hotel" located on the seafront.

11. Topkapi Palace Tour

Istanbul

Do you want green spaces, breath-taking panoramas over Istanbul and the Bosphorus, do you want to discover the history of one of the most incredible places in Istanbul? If you answered yes to any of these questions, don't miss a visit to the Topkapi Palace. By booking your tickets online today you will be able to skip the line and enter the Topkapi Palace directly (there are sometimes several hours of waiting for the normal ticket office).

Several options are available to you, a visit with an experienced guide who will tell you the history of this extraordinary place, or, for less money, the download of an audio application which will explain to you the secrets of this legendary place.

Visit Turkey's most visited museum and learn about the history of a country as beautiful as it is surprising.

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 How to get there: Book your flights to Istanbul as well as your airport transfer.

 Where to stay:  "Levni Hotel & Spa". Stay in the heart of Istanbul.