Turkey’s 21 Most Beautiful Views

With its millennia-old history, world-renowned gastronomy, culture and natural beauties, Turkey is among the countries that appeal to the most diverse variety of tastes in the world. With views each more beautiful than the other, Turkey provides both photography enthusiasts and travelers with an unforgettable experience.

1-Maiden’s Tower, İstanbul

One of the best-known symbols of İstanbul with its history of 2,500 years, the Maiden’s Tower has also been the source of inspiration for many poems. Built on a small islet off the coast of İstanbul’s Asian side, the Maiden’s Tower is accessible by boat on specific times of the day, and continues to dazzle people with its magnificent view of the sunset as well as the history it contains.

2-Mount Nemrut, Adıyaman

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, Mount Nemrut is located in the Kahta district of Adıyaman. With statues as high as 10 meters and meters-long inscriptions, Mount Nemrut was considered a sacred site by the Kingdom of Commagene. Statues of Mount Nemrut are particularly reminiscent of a movie scene with the glorious harmony of colors particularly during sunrise and the sunset.

3-Pamukkale Travertines, Denizli

Dubbed the “White Paradise”, Pamukkale Travertines entered UNESCO’s World Heritage List as a natural beauty that came to existence when several geological events coincided. Having served as a thermal spring for nearly a millennium, the area embraces both those in search of a cure for their ailments and those who do not wish to miss on this “White Paradise.”

4-Houses of Mardin, Mardin

Built on the Mount Mazı, Mardin Houses mesmerize visitors of all ages with their breathtaking architecture. Built on an area 2,500 meters long and 500 meters wide, the houses were designed in a such way that no building’s shadow falls on another.

5- Soumela Monastery, Trabzon

Built on a steep cliff in the Maçka district of the Black Sea province of Trabzon, Soumela Monastery is also called “Virgin Mary” by the locals. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List in 2000, the Soumela Monastery is built on an elevation of 300 meters from the plain.

6-Rock Tombs of the Kings of Pontus, Amasya

Ancient tombs of the kings were carved into the rocks on the southern hillside of Mount Harşena in Amasya. The city was the capital of the Kingdom of Pontus, and the area where the tombs of the five great kings is located was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List in 2015.

7-Uçhisar Castle, Cappadocia

Situated 5 kilometers away from Nevşehir, the Uçhisar Castle is the biggest fairy chimney that is visible from anywhere in Cappadocia. Uçhisar Castle is actually comprised of two massive fairy chimneys in close proximity to one another. Locals call the bigger one the “Castle of the Master” and the smaller one the “Castle of the Guard.”

8- Maiden’s Castle, Mersin

The most commonly known structure of the ancient city of Korykos, the Maiden’s Castle is 600 meters off the cost of Erdemli, Mersin, offering a magnificent view with its unique structure. Maiden’s Castle is accessible by swimming thanks to the special beach, offering both the natural beauties and history to its visitors.

9-Tekirova, Antalya

Situated on the foothills of Beydağları mountain range 60 kilometers from Antalya, Tekirova is nothing short of a true paradise on earth with its approximately 6-kilometer-long blue flag beach. With a verdant forest behind it and a turquoise sea as far as the eye can see in front, Tekirova is also home to a magnificent historical heritage with its ancient cities it as well as its amazing nature.

10-Ayder Plateau, Rize

An upland with an elevation of 1,350 meters, the Ayder Plateau is situated in Çamlıhemşin, Rize on the Black Sea coastline. Resting on the Kaçkar Mountains, the Ayder Plateau welcomes its guests with its pastures that are lush green in summer and fully white in winter.

11-Karagöl, Artvin

Bringing together a different set of colors every season, Karagöl National Park is situated in Artvin’s Şavşat district, which is designated a “Cittaslow”. Karagöl is covered with green in summer and yellow, orange and red in fall, and in addition to daily excursions, the forests surrounding it are great for a camping trip and rowboating to take in the glorious view of the area.

12-Olympos, Çıralı

Situated in the Kumluca district of Antalya, Olympos offers all the shades of both green and blue along its shore on the Mediterranean coastline. The area north of the beach is the breeding ground of the loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta Caretta), which is an endangered species. A colorful paradise with its pristine shore and wildlife conservation areas in the heart of nature, Olympos is also an important part of the historical Lycian Way.

13- Myra Rock Tombs, Demre

The history of the ancient city of Myra and Lycian rock tombs, which are in the Demre district of Antalya, dates back to the 5th century B.C. Situated on the Lycian Way, the ancient city of Myra is known as the city where St. Nicholas, a.k.a. Santa Claus, served as a bishop. Both its historic fabric and natural beauties give the spot a captivating view.

14-Kapuzbaşı Falls, Kayseri

Located in Yahyalı, Kayseri, Kapuzbaşı Falls are the world’s second tallest fall. Fusing green with blue, the falls not only offer an amazing view but also a calming symphony for their visitors with the sound of the flowing water.

15-Seven Lakes, Bolu

Situated in the province of Bolu, the Seven Lakes (Yedigöller) is a green paradise with its natural beauty. The area is home to seven lakes in varying sizes formed by landslides and dazzle its visitors with its colors that change in each season.

16-Ölüdeniz, Fethiye

Ölüdeniz is in Fethiye, Muğla, enticing tourists with all colors of nature across its white sand beaches, deep blue sea and lush green forests… You can also enjoy the breathtaking view of Ölüdeniz thanks to its weather conditions suitable for paragliding year-round as well as its natural beauties.

17-Manyas Bird Paradise, Balıkesir

Situated in the province of Balıkesir, on the main migration routes of aquatic birds from Africa to Europe and Asia, Manyas Bird Paradise is home to breeding colonies of thousands of birds including Dalmatian Pelicans, White Pelicans, Herons, Spoonbills, Cormorants, Greylag Geese, Wild Ducks, and Songbirds that build their nests on the trees and reeds. Manyas Bird Paradise ensure magnificent views for wildlife both with its wonderful nature and its wildlife.

18-Lake Çıldır, Ardahan

Located on the borderline between the provinces of Kars and Ardahan, Lake Çıldır offers a different visual feast every season. Best known particularly for its white scenery and tours on horse sleighs in winters, December is considered as the best time to visit Lake Çıldır.

19-Köprülü Canyon, Antalya

80 kilometers away from Antalya, Köprülü Canyon is one of the most important and productive spots in Turkey for rafting. Furthermore, visitors to Köprülü Canyon may also appreciate the different natural and historical beauties of of the area but also the ancient city of Selge, which is 11 kilometers away.

20- Kekova, Antalya

Kekova is only a few nautical miles away from the shore near Demre, Antalya, right across the villages of Kaleköy and Üçağız. One of the features that makes Kekova unique is that the majority of the ancient ruins here is submerged due to the water levels that have been rising up since Antiquity. Together with Myra, one of the most important settlements of the Lycian League, the ancient city of Dolichiste also lies submerged due to earthquakes in the 2nd century A.D. to the north of Kekova.

21- Yenice, Karabük

Located in the province of Karabük, Yenice welcomes its visitors as an “Open Air Forest Museum” with trees of various species and its natural beauties. You can also go trekking in Yenice to appreciate all shades of green.

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