Things to do in Turkey
Offering colourful bazaars and ornate churches as well as soaring mountains and a beautiful coastline, Turkey provides ample choice for things to see and do. The country's history and scenery are incredibly varied and we can arrange anything from culture-focused activities to coastal exploration and authentic, local experiences. Try your hand at haggling in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, learn how to make traditional mezze with a local family or witness a whirling dervish ceremony at the grand Surahan Caravanserai in Cappadocia. This dramatic region is also the place to explore rock-cut churches.
who's been there
Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our Turkey specialists on 01993 838 460
Ideas for experiencing Turkey
Experiences you have as you travel often hold the longest memories. As part of their research trips, our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know Turkey, and the best local guides. These activities reflect some of their best-loved experiences.
Kaymakli underground city excursion
Explore Kaymakli one of the best and most accessible of the 200 underground cities within the Cappadocia region.
Private tour of the Basilica Cistern
Visit the Basilica Cistern’s underground cavern. Descending beneath the streets, you’ll be met with the sight of hundreds of columns rising from the waters, with towering, arched brick ceilings overhead.
Visit to the Mevlana Museum and Karatay Madressah
Visit Konya’s Mevlana Museum with its mausoleum of the famous Sufi mystic, Rumi, and a dervish lodge of the Mevlevi.Then head to the Karatay Madressah to view its archaeological finds from Kubadabad Palace.
Shared tour of Dolmabahce Palace
Take a guided tour of the interior of the Dolmabahce Palace, which is sumptuously decorated from floor to ceiling with gold and crystal.
Whirling dervish ceremony at Surahan Caravanserai
With this evening excursion you'll be taken to the large and rather grand Surahan Caravanserai, to witness a hypnotic whirling dervish ceremony.
Bosphorus cruise
Starting from the marina just in front of the Spice Market, your cruise will take you out onto the Bosphorus to view many of Istanbul's different architectural styles.
Spice Market tour
Experience the smells and sounds of the Spice Market with this guided tour through its narrow streets and stalls selling herbs and spices, Turkish delight, tea and other delicacies.
Jeep safari
Taking a jeep safari through the Cappadocian landscape is one of the best ways to see some of its most spectacular scenery and formations.
Guided tour of Kekova sunken city, Myra rock tombs and St Nicholas' Church
Travel by boat to the Kekova-Simena sunken city before heading overland to the Church of St Nicholas and then on to the Myra rock tombs.
Explore ancient Ephesus
Enjoy a guided tour of ancient Ephesus, which takes in the Library of Celsus, Curetes Street and the Great Theatre.
Aphrodisias and its ancient ruins tour
Aphrodisias is a remarkable and vast site, which is mostly un-excavated. Its ruins are to be found amid the natural landscape, springing up from the greenery or half-buried in the dust,
Blue Mosque guided tour
Take a guided tour of the Blue Mosque, perhaps the most photographed site in Istanbul with its distinctive shape dominating the Sultanahmet skyline.
Guided tour of Suleymaniye Mosque
This excursion will take you to the Suleymaniye Mosque, which dominates Istanbul's skyline, to see its Iznik tiles, mother of pearl inlays and stained glass windows.
Guided excursion to Termessos
Explore the ancient and well-preserved ruins at Termessos, an extensive site, spread across a rocky mountain valley in the Gulluk Dagi National Park.
Guided visit to Cukurcuma and the Museum of Innocence
Experience Cukurcuma with its tree-lined streets and winding alleys before visiting the Museum of Innocence, a creation of author Orhan Pamuk.
Trip to the Topkapi Palace
Learn about life in the imperial household of the Ottoman sultans with this guided excursion of the Topkapi Palace’s buildings and Treasury.
Private tour of Pergamon Acropolis and Asclepion
Take in what was once one of the most powerful settlements in the Middle East. Pergamon’s beauty and cultural importance is still evident today in the impressive mountainside Acropolis and the Asclepion.
Cookery course at a local home
Spend time in the home of a local family in Cappadocia learning how to cook traditional meals from the area.
Guided tour of Antalya Museum, Perge and Aspendos
Learn about Turkey’s long history with this trip that takes in the archaeological displays at the Antalya Museum, the ancient city of Perge and Turkey’s most complete theatre at Aspendos.
Private excursion to Hagia Sophia
Take a trip to see perhaps the most famous of all Istanbul’s sites, the Hagia Sophia, which dates back to 537 AD.
Guided tour of the Chora Museum
Visit the Chora Museum, an astoundingly beautiful church covered in glistening mosaics from floor to ceiling.
Full day visit to the Gallipoli battlefields and Troy
Travel to the Gallipoli Peninsula, where you'll explore the beach cemeteries of fallen Allied soldiers from World War I and the ancient city of Troy.
Trip to the Göreme Open Air Museum
Visit the Göreme Open Air Museum with its well-preserved selection of cave houses, monasteries and churches, which date back to the 10th century.
Visit to Hierapolis and Pamukkale travertines
This guided trip will take you to the limestone travertines of Pamukkale, which cascade down the hillside and to the ancient thermal spa town of Hierapolis.
Chez Galip pottery workshop
Visit the workshop of one of the finest pottery masters in Turkey and watch him at work, or take part in a workshop yourself.
Trip to the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations
Located in Ankara Old Town, this private excursion will give you an insight into Anatolian life, dating back as far as the Paleolithic Age.
Tour of the Grand Bazaar
This privately guided tour will take you beneath the domed roof of the Grand Bazaar to explore its labyrinthine alleys and stalls.