For many, a vacation in Turkey is the best of summer. Sunny beaches, breathtaking landscapes and archaeological sites make Turkey such an interesting destination for Turkey travel. Several million travelers depart each year and Turkey is also very popular with Germans as a vacation destination. The country, on the border of the European and Asian continents, offers many different beaches, all suitable for a dream beach vacation. To the north the beaches of the Black Sea and the Sea of ​​Marmara, to the west those of the Mediterranean Sea and to the south the Mediterranean Sea with its dream beaches.

Turkey is located on the Asian and European continents. Most of the country is in Asia, a small part in Western Europe. Istanbul is located exactly on this border and is divided by the Bosphorus into European and Asian regions. Between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, Turkey connects East and West. Throughout the country there is a mix of modern progress and old tradition. Especially in the metropolises of Turkey, and there are some here, the mix of old and new comes together in an extraordinary way. Thus, in big cities like Antalya or Istanbul, you can explore a vibrant nightlife and exclusive shopping malls in modern tourist districts and discover the traces of the most diverse cultures in the historical centers of the cities.

There are beautiful mosques in Turkey. The most famous mosque in the entire country is the Sultanahmet Mosque in Istanbul, also called the Blue Mosque. It was built between 1609 and 1616 and is an imposing splendor of oriental architecture. The slightly smaller Süleymaniye Mosque has a similar architecture. She is also in Istanbul. Other mosques worth seeing in Turkey are the Ulu Camii, also called the Grand Mosque, the Alaeddin Cami from 1221, and the beautiful İsa Bey Cami, which was built in 1375.

Who can say that they have seen one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World on vacation? If you want to brag about it, you should visit Ephesus. Because here are the ruins of the temple of Artemis. Construction began around 580 B.C. Although only ruins remain today, one can still guess the imposing dimensions of the temple. Artemis’s seal consisted of 117 gold-plated jewels. Each one was about 18 m tall. Silver statues and elaborate paintings made the temple one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Shopping enthusiasts will love Turkey also, because there are numerous shopping opportunities here. In addition to modern shopping malls with international brands, many cities also have authentic historical markets and bazaars. The best known and largest of them is the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. The large market, of approximately 20,000 m², resembles a maze of small alleys with countless streets. As you stroll down the small alleys, you can’t help but be amazed: rugs, fabrics, leather goods, gold, jewelry, and beautiful antiques as far as the eye can see. There are bazaars and markets in many other cities. Walking through them, you feel as if you were in another moment. If you want to bring something to your loved one at home, you should definitely try your luck in the trade and demand a certificate of authenticity for valuables like silver jewelry. If you have a little more time and want to have a custom made piece of clothing, you will find cheap tailor shops in Turkey that can tailor your new personal favorite clothes for little money.

In addition to the throbbing metropolices, there is also stunning nature to discover in Turkey. The 5,000 m high Taurus Mountains, the white terraces of Pamukkale and Cappadocia Turkey with their tufa formations are among the most impressive landscapes in Turkey.

A white wonderland in central Turkey: The white terraces of Pamukkale are a very special natural spectacle. The white spot on the Turkish map has impressed visitors for thousands of years. Here, hot water flows from a spring on a rock edge. Lime is deposited during the cooling process. The resulting terraces have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1988. Although the lime pools look very cozy, bathing in them is not allowed! So that visitors can take advantage of their money, flat concrete pools have been built on the terraces, where you can bathe. If you are already on the Pamukkale terraces, you should also take a look at the Hierapolis ruins. These are located on the plateau above the terraces. In the old city you can visit a well-preserved medicinal bath and an archaeological museum. By the way: Only about 5 km from the white terraces is the colored counterpart. In the village of Karahayit there is also hot water springing from the ground, but here the rocks glow red, yellow and green.

Although Turkey is not a well-known destination for hiking holidays, there are several trails that allow you to combine a hiking vacation with a bathing vacation. One of the most famous hiking trails in Turkey is the Lycian Trail, which stretches for more than 500 km across the Lycia peninsula and is said to have been known since ancient times. It runs from Fethiye to Antalya and is suitable for both hikers and advanced hikers. Red-white markings for hikers through the Turkish landscape. Along the way there are numerous catering and accommodation services. Another well-known hiking route is the Paulusweg. It offers a good alternative to the crowded Camino de Santiago and stretches for 250 km from Perge to Antioquia.

Whoever has enough relaxation and once again wants to experience something, can experience pure action on their holiday in Turkey. The Taurus Mountains with their canyons are ideal for rafting and canyoning. So if you want to experience nature up close, you will get your money’s worth here. Another alternative to explore the interior of Turkey is a jeep safari. In a convoy of jeeps you will board dusty tracks and rest in an authentic mountain landscape.

What is the name? “Freedom must be unlimited on the clouds.” If you want to experience this feeling on your vacation, you must have an aerial view of the beauty of the country. Whether paragliding in the Taurus Mountains or taking a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia, experiencing Turkey from above is a very special experience.