Cities in Turkey

Cities in Turkey.

There are many cities in Turkey that are great to visit, not just Istanbul or Cappadocia.

Konya: One of cities in Turkey

If you only know a few cities in Turkey, you will get to know many more cities there after reading my post.

Because Turkey is very rich.

In its history, culture, and also its natural beauty.

Even the food and the Turkish people themselves are interesting to talk about.

Turkey is unique because of its location alone. It has a unique geographical location, with part of its territory in Europe and the other part in Asia, separated by the Bosporus Strait. And there are many more unique aspects to discover.

Even in Turkey, there are 11 sites that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage. Very cool!

Alright, this time, I specifically want to talk about the cities in Turkey that I know.

Actually there might be more cities in Turkey that could be discussed, but this time I’ll only discuss 16 cities.

 Cities in Turkey 

Look at the map below to get more clear understanding.

You can see from the map that many cities in Turkey are interesting to visit, not just Cappadocia.

 

The map has been adjusted for their locations.

 

Istanbul is on the left alone because it is in Europe, while the other cities on the larger map are in Asia.

 

Famous cities in Turkey

Not all the cities shown in the above picture will be discussed here.

This is the list of cities that I will discuss:

• Istanbul
• Bursa
• Izmir
• Denizli
• Ezsehir
• Konya
• Ankara
• Safranbolu
• Edirne
• Antalya
• Mardin
• Gaziantep
• Mugla
• Van
• Sanliurfa
• Sille

Let us start…..

 1. Istanbul 

Istanbul is a city full of history and culture.

It is the largest city in Turkey and was once considered the second city with the busiest traffic after Jakarta.

Istanbul is incredibly vast, covering approximately 5,354 square kilometers, divided into 39 districts.

Fortunately, most tourist attractions in Istanbul are concentrated in a few districts.

Although Istanbul is not the current capital of Turkey, it was once the capital.

The architecture of the buildings in Istanbul is truly impressive.

Various attractions are gathered in Istanbul, such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, Taksim Square, Hippodrome, and many more, all located close to each other.

The ambiance, as depicted in the photo, accompanied by the call to prayer at specific times, contributes to making Istanbul a city of great renown.

Cities in Turkey: Istanbul

The Bosphorus Strait not only separates the city into European and Asian sides but also adds to the aesthetic beauty of Istanbul.

The Bosphorus Strait is the barrier that separates Turkey into its Asian and European parts. To the south lies the Sea of Marmara, and to the north is the Black Sea.

And uniquely, like I mentioned before, the city of Istanbul spans two continents. There are areas that fall within the Asian region, and some parts of Istanbul are in the European region.

I will write about Istanbul in the stand-alone post. Just wait for it…

 2. Bursa 

The next city is Bursa.

 

This city is also famous and located near Istanbul.

 

Bursa was once the capital during the Ottoman Empire.

 

Bursa has an old charm, in my opinion. It feels calm, peaceful, and as if there is no turmoil.

 

As you can see in this photo, it’s different from the bustling atmosphere in Istanbul.

 

Cities in Turkey: Bursa

In Bursa, there are many tombs of the Sultans, old mosques, and a famous silk market called Koza Han.

This place was built in 1941; originally, it was a centre for silk sales, but it seems to have changed its function over time.

Currently, it is mostly used as a tea garden and a souvenir shop.

There are many souvenir shops here.

I also visited the Silk House in Bursa. I wrote a separate writing about it.

If you like kebabs, you should know that kebabs were created in the city of Bursa around 1867.

And if you ever have the chance to visit Bursa, try stopping by Kebapci Iskender, the place where kebabs were first created by someone named Iskender Efendi.

 3. Izmir 

The next city is Izmir.

 

If you are history enthusiast, you must visit this city. Here is rich in historical sites associated with ancient Greece and Rome.

 

There’s a town in Izmir called Selcuk, where you can find Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis, the Library of Celsus, the House of Virgin Mary, and several other historical sites.

 

This is the photo of Izmir. The tourist sites I mentioned earlier are a bit away from the city centre.

 

Even the House of Virgin Mary requires going up into the hills.

 

Cities in Turkey: Izmir

When I visited there, the atmosphere of the city felt dry and sunny, perhaps due to the open air or approaching summer.

My suggestion, if you plan to visit Ephesus during the summer, it’s better to bring a hat and sunglasses. They can be very helpful!

 4. Denizli 

Denizli might not be as well-known as Pamukkale.

 

Because indeed, the very famous tourist destination is Pamukkale.

 

Like in this photo, you must have seen pictures like this, yes, this is Pamukkale.

 

Cities in Turkey: Denizli Pamukkale

It’s a form of limestone deposited by mineral-rich hot spring. And the layered structure makes it look really beautiful.

And there is warm water still flowing. Its location is on a hill.

It looks clean white from a distance like snow, and often called Cotton Castle or Cotton Palace.

When you come here, it’s nice to take off your shoes so you can play in the water and feel the hardness of the mineral limestone.

After finishing playing in Pamukkale, we can climb up the hill. At the top, there is Hierapolis, and there is also the remains of Cleopatra’s Bath. Wait for my story about this one…

The theater in Hierapolis in Pamukkale is not as large as some other ancient theaters, but it has historical significance.

 5. Nevsehir 

The next city is Nevsehir. It is less famous, overshadowed by Cappadocia or Goreme. The weather in Nevsehir can be quite hot in the summer.

From a distance, the city resembles those in the Middle East, with square buildings and flat roofs.

Are you familiar with Cappadocia?

It’s My Dream Mas, It’s My Dream 🙂

Cities in Turkey: Nevsehir Cappadocia

What most interesting in Cappadocia is Hot Air Balloons….

Cities in Turkey: Cappadocia

Cappadocia is a popular destination for many tourists visiting Turkey.

Because indeed, Cappadocia is that beautiful. It looks like a fairy tale land, especially at night. The natural rock formations are truly awe-inspiring.

And if you want, you can stay in a cave house there. This cave house is a rock that has been hollowed out to become a dwelling and then turned into a hotel.

For those who want to ride a hot air balloon, you can prepare around IDR 1.5 to 3 million for a ride in the air for 1 or 1.5 hours.

Or if you don’t want to ride a hot air balloon, you can explore the underground caves, which might make you a bit nervous.

 6.  Konya 

When you think of Konya, you’ll surely remember Jalaluddin Rumi.

 

The city seems to exude a very religious atmosphere.

 

There’s the Mevlana Museum, and the tomb of Jalaluddin Rumi is also located there.

 

He lived from 1207 to 1273, almost 750 years ago.

 

It’s amazing that his name is still well-known today.

 

Rumi is also the creator of the Whirling Dervishes, a Sufi dance known as a ritual of worship.

 

Cities in Turkey: Konya

The buildings in Konya are simpler compared to other areas, it might be because of that religious atmosphere.

However, they still appear elegant to me, and in reality, the details are somewhat intricate, not as simple as they seem.

 7. Ankara 

Ankara is the capital of Turkey. Here is the city in the picture, it indeed has an atmosphere of governmental city.

 

Cities in Turkey: Ankara

Ankara became the capital of the Turkish Republic in 1923.

The city is closely associated with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey.

 8.  Safranbolu 

Now we move on to the city of Safranbolu.

 

This city is famous for its old town, characterized by Ottoman Empire-style houses.

 

The houses are made of wood, painted white, and from a distance, they appear to be tiered due to the hilly terrain.

 

The spaces between the houses are connected by small European-style alleys.

 

The city also earned the title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

 

Cities in Turkey: Safranbolu

Because its name is Safranbolu, it reminds me of saffron.

And it turns out there is a connection because this city is the world’s best producer of saffron.

Perhaps that’s where the city’s name comes from.

You can climb the hill to visit the Historical Museum of Safranbolu and to see a spectacular view.

Across from it is Hidirlik Hill. These two places are separated only by hills and valleys.

Or if you want, you can also try bathing in a hamam. Sounds interesting, right?

 9.  Edirne 

The next city is Edirne.

 

This is the city where Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople, was born.

 

In this city, there is the Selimiye Mosque, which also holds UNESCO World Heritage status.

 

The mosque was built by Mimar Sinan, a renowned Turkish architect, at the age of 80.

 

And there is one more thing I remember about Edirne. There is a story about Prophet Khidir and the Ezki Mosque.

 

It is said that someone once saw Prophet Khidir praying in the Ezki Mosque. Who knows… because the Ezki Mosque has a quite mystical atmosphere.

 

The city of Edirne is directly bordered by Greece and Bulgaria.

 

Besides Istanbul, Edirne is also part of the European region of Turkey.

 

Look at the photo: this is the appearance of the city of Edirne.

 

Cities in Turkey: Edirne

The distance from the city of Edirne to Istanbul is only about a 2.5-hour journey by land.

 10.  Antalya 

Antalya is a very beautiful city… It is located in southern Turkey.

 

From here, we can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea…

 

For those seeking tranquillity and peace, this place is perfect.

 

One thing famous in Antalya is Hadrian’s Gate.

 

This is a gate built to honour the Roman Emperor Hadrian, who once visited Antalya.

 

Cities in Turkey: Antalya

The atmosphere is so beautiful, isn’t it???

Imagine sailing in Antalya and gazing at the incredibly bright sun…

Sunbathing with a wide white hat on the beach… Ah, Antalya, how beautiful…

 11. Mardin 

The city of Mardin is an old and ancient city. It is located in the southeast of Turkey.

 

From a distance, the city appears brownish and seems to be made of stone.

 

There are many mosques and many churches there. It’s Concrete evidence that since ancient times, there has been a very multicultural mix of culture and religion.

 

Supposedly, the meaning of the word “Mardin” is fortress. And this city is only 35 km away from the borders of Syria and Iraq.

 

Cities in Turkey: Mardin

 12. Gaziantep 

Gaziantep is one of the oldest cities in the world. It is believed that the city has been inhabited since 3650 BC.

 

In the city of Gaziantep, there is the Gaziantep Castle, which is over 2000 years old.

 

Gaziantep is one of the oldest cities in the world. It is estimated that the city has existed and been inhabited since 3650 BC, and it was once a military base during the Byzantine era.

 

Gaziantep is part of the region that was recently affected by a major earthquake in Turkey. Many historical buildings collapsed due to the earthquake.

 

Cities in Turkey: Gaziantep

 13. Van 

Van is a city that is very close to Iran. It is located on the shores of Lake Van.

 

Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey.

 

Cities in Turkey: Van

The city of Van was briefly captured by Russia but was successfully recaptured by Turkey.

Around the year 2011, there was a major earthquake that struck this region, claiming the lives of 1000 people.

 14. Mugla 

Well, if the city of Mugla is indeed a tranquil place suitable for a vacation.

 

The sun always shines here, even in winter. In Mugla, there are several well-known areas, such as Bodrum, Marmaris, and Fethiye.

 

Bodrum is a port city known as the St. Tropez of Turkey, a luxurious place where many cruise ships and wealthy people spend their money.

Marmaris is famous for its beautiful coastline and is a favorite sunbathing spot for tourists.

 

Fethiye is renowned for its bay, surrounded by pine forests, with many scattered islands nearby.

 

Cities in Turkey: Mugla

 15. Sanliurfa 

Sanliurfa means “Glorious Urfa.”

 

This city is often referred to as the City of Prophets because it is believed to have witnessed the cultural fusion during the Islamic era and the Old Testament.

 

The city is only 12 km away from Ankara.

 

Cities in Turkey: Sanliurfa

And this city is widely believed to be the birthplace of Prophet Abraham and the place where Prophet Abraham (AS) was supposed to be burned but the attempt failed.

The alleged location of the burning is now a large pond in the Urfa site.

The water in the pond is believed to come from the ashes of the failed burning.

So, until now, no one dares to catch and eat the fish from that pond.

 16. Sille 

Sille is an ancient village in the city of Konya.

 

When the snow season arrives, the Sille area becomes the first area in Konya to receive snowfall.

 

The age of this ancient village of Sille is 5000 years.

 

Cities in Turkey: Sille

Sille used to be a resting place for people during their sacred journeys.

There are places called the Devil’s Bridge and the White Monastery, which bear witness to the journeys of people in the past.

The naming of the Devil’s Bridge remains a mystery to this day.

There are also many tombs from thousands of years ago, and houses on the rock cliffs, similar to those in Cappadocia.

 Review of Cities in Turkey 

Well, finally, this is the end of the post about some cities in Turkey.

The story of each city was supposed to be longer and details. Unfortunately it might be tiresome, so I did it in a brief.

Turkey has unique and meaningful cities and villages.

All places seem to have a good historical story to be known.

There are still many stories about Turkey, and we’ll save them for the next post.

 

Cities in Turkey

Turkey, June 19^th  2019

 

 

 

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