25 Amazing archaeological sites in Turkey: A Journey Worth Taking
Welcome to Turkey. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, we have a list of 25 top archaeological sites you must see. Discover 25 hidden archaeological sites gems to experience Turkey like a local. Get ready to be amazed by 25 incredible archaeological sites that will leave a lasting impression.
Information about Turkey
Turkey is a country in Asia with an amazing strategic location, as its borders connect Asia and Europe, and it is bordered to the north by the Black Sea and Georgia, to the east by Armenia and Iran, to the south by Iraq, Syria and the Mediterranean Sea, and to the west by Greece and Bulgaria. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations for Arab tourists, for several reasons, including the similarity of Turkish culture with Arab culture, as well as its location in the Middle East. It is one of the first human colonies in the world, and many civilizations and empires passed through it and settled in it, the last of which was the Ottoman Empire, and that made Turkey a country with a very rich history, so you will find landmarks and evidence of the different civilizations that passed through Turkey in all its parts. Its population is approximately 75 million, and its capital and largest city is Istanbul. Turkey is one of the countries with diverse natural features, in which you will be able to see many forests, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and many more.
A list of the best Archaeological sites in Turkey
Looking for the best archaeological sites spots in Turkey? Our curated list features the most exceptional destinations, meticulously selected by our team, and based on the experiences of fellow travelers. Start planning your next adventure with us.
1- Catalhoyuk
Catalhoyuk – Catalhoyuk is one of the most important excavation sites in the world, where archaeologists have unearthed the largest Neolithic site ever, with artifacts dating back nearly 9,000 years ago, and at the entrance there is a small open museum that explains the history of the excavations and the importance of the site. It highlights the dawn of human settlement with unique examples of early domestic architecture and landscape paintings as well as sacred objects of the cult of the Mother Goddess.
Place address: Küçükköy, Çatalhöyük, Çatalhöyük Yolu, 42500 Çumra/Konya, Turkey
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2- Safran Han
Safran Han – Khan Al-Zafaran is one of the distinctive accessories of the Rahmi Koc Museum. It is an inn built by Haj Ibrahim Bin Mehmet (İbrahim Bin Mehmet) with the characteristics of an Ottoman inn, and it is believed that it was built in 1512 AD to include 20 shops, and the building served as a warehouse for one period and a prison for another. The inner courtyard and its old shops may catch your eye with a completely different concept than the rest of the country’s shops and inns.
Place address: Atpazarı Mah. Salman Cad., Altındağ Merkez, Altındağ, Ankara, Kale, 06250 Altındağ/Ankara, Turkey
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3- Grand Mosque of Bursa
Grand Mosque of Bursa – The Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I, during the period between 1396-1400 AD, ordered the construction of the Great Mosque, which is one of the most amazing monuments of the amazing Ottoman architectural character, and one of the largest Turkish mosques in terms of area and the oldest in the city of Bursa. This mosque is distinguished by the number of its large domes, which number 20 domes, and it contains a large water tank, a fountain (located inside the mosque), amazing Arabic calligraphy panels and Ottoman writings that decorate its doors, in addition to its decorated windows, clocks, and candlesticks. Wear the appropriate clothes and visit it with your family or friends and enjoy seeing one of the most beautiful Turkish mosques in the city; It is worth noting that the locals believe that Al-Khidr, peace be upon him, prayed in this mosque!
Place address: Nalbantoğlu, Grand Mosque of Bursa, Atatürk Cd., 16010 Osmangazi/Bursa, Turkey
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4- Hierapolis
Hierapolis – The ancient city of Hierapolis was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988. It is one of the most famous ancient cities in the Aegean region. It is believed to have been founded by Eumenes II, King of Pergamum, in the second century BC. It was named after Hiera, the wife of Telephos, the legendary founder. For Pergamum, the remains of baths, temples and many Greek ruins can be seen at the site, along with a huge Roman amphitheater.
Place address: 20280 Pamukkale/Denizli, Turkey
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5- Gobekli Tepe
Gobekli Tepe – Göbekli Tepe is an archaeological site on a high hill in the southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey, about 12 km northeast of the city of Sanliurfa. The height of the hill is about 760 meters above sea level. This site presents huge round, oval and rectangular stone structures erected by hunters in the period Pre-Neolithic between 9600 and 8200 BC, these monuments are mostly associated with funerary rituals, and distinctive T-shaped columns are carved with images of wild animals, providing insight into the way of life and beliefs of the people who lived in Mesopotamia Upper about 11,500 years ago.
Place address: Örencik, 63290 Haliliye/Şanlıurfa, Turkey
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6- Pergamon Ancient City
Pergamon Ancient City – The ancient city of Pergamon was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014, and it is the only capital from the Hellenistic period that combines the effects of the Hellenistic, Roman, Eastern, Roman and Ottoman periods, and it is considered the most prominent example of urban planning for the Hellenistic period with its huge architecture, and the Temple of Athena; It is the steepest theater in the Hellenistic period, the library, the great altar of Pergamon, the Temple of Dionysus, the agora, the gymnasium and the high-pressure water pipeline system are the most prominent examples of the planning and architecture system of this period.
Place address: Hamzalısüleymaniye, 35700 Bergama/İzmir, Turkey
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7- Kasımiye Madrasah
Kasımiye Madrasah – Even if there are no inscriptions indicating the date of construction, it is known that the construction of the Al-Qasimia Madrasa began in the Artuqi era and was continued by Sultan Qasim during the Aq Qoyunlus period between 1487 AD and 1502 AD. The school is the largest building in Mardin, consisting of two floors and an open yard in which cut stone and bricks are used together. The school, which has survived to this day, was used for several purposes. Symbols of astronomy and medical sciences were spotted on the walls of the school. There is a large swimming pool in the arched school yard. This swimming pool was designed in an architectural style in order to describe human life from birth to death.
Place address: Cumhuriyet, 1711. Sk., 47100 Artuklu/Mardin, Turkey
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8- Caunos Tombs of the Kings
Caunos Tombs of the Kings – The tombs of King Kaunos are one of the symbols of the region and one of the historical attractions that attract tourists to the town from all sides, as they enjoy a majestic Roman architectural design, and tell many ancient local stories and legends related to the way they were built and the reason for their height in the way they take from the ground.
Place address: Köyceğiz Muğla TR, Çandır, 48840 Ortaca/Muğla, Turkey
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9- Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahce Palace – Sultan Abd al-Majid built the Dolmabahçe Palace, or the so-called Palace of the Sultans, in 1856 AD, opposite the Bosphorus Strait, with an area of 45,000 square meters, which is divided into three parts, which are the imperial harem, government apartments, and the ceremonial hall. This beautiful palace was built mainly as a mooring for the Ottoman fleet. Eventually, however, the imperial garden and various small summer palaces transformed this area into a palace. There are also clear Western influences in the decoration style of the palace, which gives it a distinctive aesthetic touch, as it is full of amazing chandeliers and fountains. It is one of the most important tourist places in historical Turkey, which is characterized by luxurious design and construction, and includes many gardens, 285 rooms and 46 halls, and when entering the Dolmabahçe Palace, you must enjoy a family picnic in the surrounding gardens, which are considered important gardens and see the sculptures and fountains it contains.
Place address: Vişnezade, Dolmabahçe Palace, Dolmabahçe Cd., 34357 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Turkey
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10- Mesudiye Medresesi
Mesudiye Medresesi – Al-Masudiyya Madrasa was built by the Artuqid Emirate between 1198-1223. While the construction of the madrasah began in 1198 and was completed in 1123 during the time of Mawdud (Mevdud) nicknamed Malik Masud, the plan of the madrasah was drawn up by the teacher Kafir ibn Mahmud of Aleppo. According to the school’s inscription, subjects such as jurisprudence, medicine, physics, mathematics, biology, chemistry, literature and philosophy were taught in it.
Place address: Cami Kebir, Pirinçler Sk. 10 A, 21300 Sur/Diyarbakır, Turkey
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11- Maiden’s Tower
Maiden’s Tower – For centuries, this tower was used as a distinctive beacon in the city of Istanbul, and it is now one of the most prominent tourist attractions in the city and is visited by a large number of local visitors and tourists from all over the world, and it gained great fame due to its location in the middle of the Bosphorus Strait, which is the meeting point of the continents of Europe and Asia. Many legends revolve around this tower, including that there was a sultan who had a daughter who loved her very much, and he predicted one day that she would die because of the bite of the snake, and to protect her, he built this tower for her, and on her birthday he brought her a gift of a basket of fruits, but the snake was hiding among the fruits, so she bit her and the girl died In her father’s arms. The tower now includes a famous traditional restaurant and a small museum, and on the Bosphorus side there are a large number of restaurants, cafes, and sessions that visitors from everywhere come to enjoy the exceptional view of the tower.
Place address: Salacak, Üsküdar Salacak Mevkii, 34668 Üsküdar/İstanbul, Turkey
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12- Galata Bridge
Galata Bridge – Galata Bridge or Galata Bridge is one of the distinctive tourist attractions in Istanbul, and it was built for the first time in 1845 AD by Sultan Abdul Majeed II, and as a result of its construction of wood, the bridge was damaged after a short period, and it was rebuilt by Hassan Ahmed Pasha in 1863 AD. This bridge has undergone many repairs and renovations over the years, but now it is one of the bustling bridges and includes pedestrian paths and street vendors who display their handicrafts and light foods that everyone loves, in addition to the presence of a number of cafes under this bridge. Do not miss visiting this bridge to enjoy the active and vibrant atmosphere.
Place address: Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa, Galata Köprüsü, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey
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13- Timisvat Ottoman Stone Arch Bridge
Timisvat Ottoman Stone Arch Bridge – The Ottoman-designed stone bridge, Tsemfat, is known as “Cobroki” or “Ottoman Bridge”. It was built in the eighteenth century AD. Its height is about 33 meters, its width is 2.7 meters, and its height is estimated at 13 meters. In addition, it is considered one Among the very popular Ayder attractions; In addition to its architectural and historical importance, many people visit it to enjoy the charming nature surrounding it and the river below.
Place address: 53490 Hoşdere/Ardeşen/Rize, Turkey
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14- Tlos Ruins
Tlos Ruins – Tullus is an ancient Lycian fortress located on top of a hill near the city of Fethiye in the province of Muğla in southern Turkey, about 4 km northwest of the Saklikent Strait. It is believed to have been one of the most important Lycian religious sites. Lycian settlement at this site is said to have begun more than From 4000 years ago, making it one of the oldest and largest settlements in the region, it was then inhabited by the Romans, Byzantines and eventually the Ottoman Turks, and its ruins are clearly visible today, and it is considered a popular tourist destination in Turkey.
Place address: Yakaköy, Saklıkent Yolu, 48850 Seydikemer/Muğla, Turkey
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15- Camlica Masjid
Camlica Masjid – The magnificent Çamlıca Mosque is the largest mosque in Turkey, with a capacity of approximately 63,000 worshipers. It is distinguished by its stunning high towers, beautiful blue domes, and its exceptional Ottoman-style building covered with white marble, abundant decorations, and hand-painted windows. This mosque also contains a museum that tells the history of the mosque and the period in which it was built. It also contains an art gallery in which pieces were collected from the palaces of the Ottoman princes and kings. There is free parking near the mosque that can accommodate approximately 3,500 cars.
Place address: Ferah, Çamlıca Masjid, Ferah Yolu Sk. No:87, 34692 Üsküdar/İstanbul, Turkey
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16- Sülüklü Han
Sülüklü Han – Khan Soluklu is a historical inn located in Sur, one of the central districts of Diyarbakir. Built by Hanilioğlu Mahmut Çelebi and his sister Atike Hatun in 1683, it is made of black basalt stone. It takes its name from the leeches extracted from the well in the yard and used for medicinal purposes. The ground floor of the inn was used as a barn, but today the upper floors are used as resting places and the lower floors as stables. It is worth mentioning that it was used as a headquarters for cavalry units during the Turkish War of Independence.
Place address: Savaş, Değer Sk., 21200 Sur/Diyarbakır, Turkey
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17- Zeugma Ancient City
Zeugma Ancient City – The ancient city of Zeugma is a city built on hills 10 kilometers east of the Najib district in Gaziantep. It was established by the generals of Alexander the Great in 300 BC. Alexander established a second city opposite this city in the name of his wife, Abama, and connected these two cities with a bridge. Connected to Rome since 31 BC and its name was changed to “Zeugma”, and during the Roman era, the city lived its golden age, and made great progress in the field of art, and the mosaic floors that adorned the rich villas in it competed with international examples.
Place address: Belkıs Merkez, 27700 Belkıs Köyü/Nizip/Gaziantep, Turkey
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18- Cavusin church
Cavusin church – Cavusin Church or Cave Church is one of the oldest, largest and most ancient cave churches in Cappadocia. The church dates back to the early 15th century, when the church expanded into the Byzantine Empire, when the large church was the central place of worship for the local community. According to the inscription on the front arch, the church was dedicated to John the Baptist. The church was distinguished by its stone carving, which made it a distinctive marvel that still stands tall to this day.
Place address: 50500 Çavuşin/Avanos/Nevşehir, Turkey
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19- Agirnas Underground City
Agirnas Underground City – The underground city of Agernas is located at the entrance to the village of Agernas in the northeastern part of the city of Kayseri, and it dates back to the period from 1 to 13 AD, and it is believed that some parts of it were built before Christ and added in subsequent years, and this city is characterized by its passages, caves and ancient monuments It contains many large chambers inside and a set of tunnels that extend several kilometers each.
Place address: Ağırnas Mahallesi 38225 yeraltı şehri, Ağırnas, 38225 Melikgazi/Kayseri, Turkey
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20- Kaleici Panoramic Elevator
Kaleici Panoramic Elevator – The panoramic elevator was opened in Kaleici in 2014, and its aim is to facilitate access for all visitors, especially those with special needs, from the main street level to the port in the old town, in addition to enjoying the stunning views. During your short trip up or down, you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the old city and the Gulf of Antalya. It should be noted that this elevator can get crowded during the tourist seasons, as many tourists flock to it, so it is recommended to bring a means of shade (an umbrella or a hat) and some water, given that the corridors are exposed to sunlight, as you will have to wait in queues to board the elevator, However, the view is definitely worth the wait.
Place address: Selçuk, Varyant Sk., 07100 Muratpaşa/Antalya, Turkey
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21- Sidyma Antik Kenti
Sidyma Antik Kenti – It is believed that the ruins of the ancient city of Sidema in the Dudurga region of Sidekimer Province date back to the Roman era, but the inscriptions and coins that were found in it refer to a date dating back to before the first century BC, and this city is also known to have shown great development during the Roman period. This situation continued during the Byzantine era. As for now, what attracts the most attention in this city is a polygonal gate, a watch tower, and the ruins of a theater, in addition to the ruins of baths, churches, and rock tombs. Besides the historical destination of this site, it is also characterized by the scenic natural side.
Place address: Sidyma Antik Kenti, Dodurga Köyü Fethiye Kaş Yolu 17 Km., Kalkan, Kaş, Antalya, Turkey
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22- Historical Cesme
Historical Cesme – During your tour of historical Cesme, you will pass a long journey through ancient times, where historical tall buildings, arches, large balconies, and pointed ceilings, which will give you a clear imagination of the lifestyle at that time, and when you enter the old alleys, you will glimpse colorful staircases and lanes covered with colorful umbrellas in an attempt to attract tourists to These distinct areas.
Place address: Balat, Sancaktar Ykş. No:11, 34087 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
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23- Gazi Kosku
Gazi Kosku – Ghazi Palace or Atatürk Palace is located in Diyarbakir; It is a historical palace dating back to the fifteenth century and consisting of two floors. It was used by the commander of the Sixteenth Corps, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, during the First World War. Ataturk, who came to Diyarbakir on March 14, 1916, stayed in this mansion until March 27, 1917. It was bought by the Diyarbakir Municipality in 1937 and presented to Ataturk.
Place address: Köşkler Mahallesi Eski Mardin Yolu, Şehitlik, Merkez Gazi Köşkü Tesisleri, Üzeri, 21010 Yenişehir/Diyarbakır, Turkey
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24- Adamkayalar
Adamkayalar – Adam Kılar is one of the distinctive rock archaeological sites of Mersin, which is famous for its carved rocks dating back to decades ago. This secret place is located on the southern slope of the Taurus Mountains, several kilometers north of the Mediterranean coast, and includes 17 human figures carved into 9 niches. Of these numbers, there are 11 males, 4 females and 2 children. Since there are no written records about these carvings, information about them remains incomplete, but their mesmerizing beauty and the nature of their execution made them a site immortalized in history.
Place address: Kızkalesi, 33790 Erdemli/Mersin, Turkey
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25- Titiopolis Antique City
Titiopolis Antique City – The ancient city of Titiopolis is one of the oldest historical spots that characterize the city of Mersin, and indeed Turkey in general. It is an ancient Roman city, showing traces of temples, churches, inns, war castles and strongholds that were the first military haven. Perhaps one of the most important things that add to these archaeological remains is the distinctive inscriptions and decorations that you will find difficult to see anywhere else.
Place address: Cami Şerif Mahallesi, Ovabaşı Köyü Yolu 5. Km, 33060 Anamur/Mersin, Turkey
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Conclusion
Exploring Turkey is a journey that will take you through diverse landscapes, vibrant cultures, and captivating histories. Our guide has given you a taste of the must-see destinations and hidden treasures that await, but there’s always more to discover. Take the time to connect with the locals, try the local cuisine, and immerse yourself in the traditions and customs that make Turkey so special. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or enlightenment, Turkey has something to offer everyone. As you journey through this remarkable region, we invite you to let go of your worries and embrace the present moment. Take time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds you, and allow yourself to be swept away by the magic of Turkey. We hope our guide has been a valuable resource in planning your trip, and we look forward to hearing about your travels. Until then, happy exploring!