If you're looking for a summer holiday that mixes sparkling coastlines with ancient culture, endless outdoor activities and fabulous food, it's time to take a closer look at Türkiye. This diverse destination delivers romantic city breaks, watersports by the bucketload, beautiful beaches and outdoor dining, all set under glorious blue skies.
Restaurant
Neolokal
This Michelin-starred restaurant, with a focus on sustainability, offers fantastic views over the rooftops of İstanbul. Authentic recipes are brought up to date with modern techniques and the occasional quirky twist.
Focus on food
Turkish cuisine mixes fresh Mediterranean flavours with centuries of Ottoman heritage. You'll also find Asian and Middle Eastern influences and regional variations that are as big as the country itself. From the fusion street food and Ottoman feasts of İstanbul to the fresh Aegean flavours of İzmir and the sophisticated Mediterranean fare of Bodrum, your dining options are endless in Türkiye.
Don't miss...
Soaking up the atmosphere and sipping Turkish tea in one of İstanbul's many çay bahçeleri (tea gardens).
A famous, freshly grilled balık ekmek by the Bosphorus. This simple fish sandwich is perfect while wandering along the Golden Horn.
A table in İstanbul's fashionable Karaköy neighbourhood, a culinary hotspot for Turkish and international food.
Hot künefe, a cheesy, syrupy dessert that's best eaten straight from the grill outside one of İstanbul's künefeci (künefe shops).
Fabulously fresh seafood with stunning sea views at Bodrum Harbour. The octopus is particularly popular.
Stuffed courgette flowers, a delightful summer speciality on the Aegean coast.
Çökertme kebabı, a popular Bodrum dish of beef or chicken served over crispy fried potato matchsticks with garlic yoghurt and tomato sauce.
Any number of seasonal vegetables prepared 'zeytinyağlılar' or in olive oil, a uniquely Aegean appetiser.
The definitive İzmir breakfast of strong Turkish coffee and a freshly-baked boyoz, a tasty savoury pastry.
The street food delights of İzmir's historic Kemeraltı Market, including lokma (sweet fried dough balls), and midye dolma (stuffed mussels).
Don't miss...
Exploring the fabulously well-preserved ancient city and World Heritage Site of Ephesus, with its marble streets and ruins, including the Great Theatre and Temple of Artemis.
The remarkable ruins of the ancient city and World Heritage Site of Pergamon, with an Acropolis and stunning views from the cable car ride.
The windsurfing and kitesurfing hotspots of İzmir, around Alaçatı and the Çeşme Peninsula.
Hiking the Lycian Way, a 500km route that starts near Fethiye and follows the coast towards Antalya. Popular sections include Kaş, Kalkan, and Olympos.
The thrill of white-water rafting in the Köprülü Canyon National Park or rock climbing in the steep canyon.
Trekking through the breathtaking scenery of the Taurus Mountains.
The vast range of watersports on offer around Antalya, including parasailing, sea kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.
The 'Blue Voyage' boat tours from Bodrum through the stunning turquoise waters and secluded bays of the Gulf of Gökova.
Scuba diving or snorkelling through Bodrum's underwater world to explore reefs, caves, and shipwrecks.
Biking through Karagöl-Sasalı National Park, a protected area with diverse flora and fauna and a picturesque lake.
Summer in the city
A summer city break in İstanbul promises fascinating history, top-notch cuisine, lively nightlife, and a maze of boutiques and bazaars to explore. Plus, the sparkling Bosphorus, flowing through the heart of İstanbul, unites the vibrant metropolis while bridging two continents. The long, sunny days give you plenty of time to explore, unwind, and enjoy fabulous views. Look out for outdoor festivals and events, and enjoy İstanbul's melting pot of culture under blue skies.
Don't miss...
Strolling through history at Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, whose story began in 537 as an imperial basilica, later became a mosque and continues to this day.
Browsing spices, carpets and gold in the Grand Bazaar, home to over 4,000 shops
Exploring the opulent Ottoman architecture and lavish interiors of Dolmabahçe Palace, where the founder of the Republic of Turkey died in 1938.
Discovering the 600-year history of Topkapı Palace and how Ottoman sultans once lived.
Climbing the Galata Tower for glorious views of İstanbul in all directions.
A trip to the Princes' Islands off the coast of İstanbul, with their peaceful car-free streets and beautiful beaches.
An authentic Turkish bath at one of the city's oldest hammams.
Watching the Whirling Dervishes in a traditional Sufi ceremony.
A short trip on the Tünel, an underground funicular railway that saves the steep uphill climb between Karaköy and Beyoğlu.
A ballet, opera, or classical music concert or a theatre performance at AKM - Atatürk Cultural Centre - in Taksim Square.
And if you’d like to experience a performance on the Asian side of the city, head to the historic Süreyya Opera House.
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