Journey Through Turkey: 25 Fascinating tourist castles to Discover
Welcome to Turkey. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, we have a list of 25 top tourist castles you must see. Discover 25 hidden tourist castles gems to experience Turkey like a local. Get ready to be amazed by 25 incredible tourist castles 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 Tourist castles in Turkey
Experience the best tourist castles that Turkey has to offer with our expertly chosen list of top-rated destinations. Our team has scoured visitor reviews and evaluations to bring you only the best options for your next adventure.
1- Yoros Castle
Yoros Castle – Yoros Castle is located in the upper part of the village of Anadolu Kavagi. It is the green face of Istanbul and the opening point to the Black Sea. It is the only Byzantine castle in Istanbul. The Yoros Castle, known as the Genoese Castle, was built in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, which is certainly a Byzantine castle according to the sources, with a unique and distinctive design, which includes huge fortified walls and bastions in addition to two watch towers, defensive bastions, and defensive bastions that were specially designed to confront the various invasions.
Place address: Anadolu Kavağı, 34825 Beykoz/İstanbul, Turkey
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2- Ehmedek Castle
Ehmedek Castle – Ahmadak Castle was built to repel the aggressive attacks that were launched against the city with a distinctive design, and specially huge walls to withstand the cannons. The castle building consists of two separate sections, each with three towers. Larger stones were used than those used in other castles. There is an inscription in the frame on the outside of the western tower. Stonework from the Hellenistic period can be seen in the lower parts of the walls where the outer gate of the castle is located. on the western side.
Place address: Hisariçi, Ehmedek Sk. No:13, 07400 Alanya/Antalya, Turkey
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3- Cimenlik Castle
Cimenlik Castle – The Ottoman Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror ordered the construction of Cimenlik Castle at the narrowest point in the Dardanelles Strait in order to ensure the empire’s control over commercial and military navigation in the strait. It also played a role in defending the city of Canakkale during World War I, which led to the destruction of a large part of it at the hands of French forces. And the British, to become today a military museum through which visitors can learn about the military history of Turkey and the Ottoman Empire.
Place address: Fevzipaşa Mahallesi Yalı Caddesi, Fevzipaşa, Çimenlik Sk. no 46, 17100 Çanakkale Merkez/Çanakkale, Turkey
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4- Kale-i-Bala
Kale-i-Bala – Kale-i-Bala Castle, or as it is called Pharos Castle, is one of the most important archaeological sites in Ayder, which is believed to belong to the fourteenth century. The castle was characterized by a rectangular building on a steep cliff, with an average building length of 70 meters and a width of 25 meters. The castle gate is located in the northwest direction. Today, some remnants of the stone castle stand witness to its antiquity, and to the antiquity of this city.
Place address: 53780 Yazlık Köyü/Çamlıhemşin/Çamlıhemşin/Rize, Turkey
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5- Uzuncaburç
Uzuncaburç – The ancient city of Osungaberg is located within the boundaries of the Silifke District of Mersin Province, about 70 km northeast of Mersin. It has been confirmed that Osengaberg served as the religious center and capital in ancient times, and this is evident through its well-preserved ruins. In addition, The modern rural character makes the settlement impressive. This ancient city is characterized by an archaeological site that includes the remains of churches, mosques, and mausoleums of important political figures who left an imprint on the course of the country’s religious-political movement.
Place address: Uzuncaburç, 33940 Silifke/Mersin, Turkey
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6- Anatolian Fortress
Anatolian Fortress – The Anatolian Castle is located in Beykoz on the Asian side of Turkey and at the narrowest point in the Bosphorus. It was built in 1395 by Bayezid I and consists of a central castle and outer walls. After the conquest of Istanbul, the castle lost much of its strategic importance and was converted into a military hospital. With the passage of time, the area surrounding the castle became stable, and today old houses and palaces are scattered among the ruins of the castle. During the restoration work that lasted from 1991-1993, the castle was converted into an open museum.
Place address: Anadolu Hisarı, 34810 Beykoz/İstanbul, Turkey
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7- Bursa Castle
Bursa Castle – Bursa Castle is a historical castle located within the boundaries of the current Osmangazi municipality, and there are 5 gates in it in total, which are the Siege Gate, the Hot Springs Gate, the Dungeon Gate, the Binarbashi Gate, and the Yir Gate. Walls that have been besieged and destroyed many times have been rebuilt or taken care of many times. The castle was home to many Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman states after the 14th century, and in particular became a popular visiting point for well-known travelers such as Evliya Çelebi and Katip Çelebi.
Place address: Pınarbaşı, 1. Zindankapı Sk. No:36, 16040 Osmangazi/Bursa, Turkey
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8- İzmir Tarihi Asansör Binası
İzmir Tarihi Asansör Binası – The historic Izmir elevator building, which was built in 1907, is one of the most exciting places to visit in the city of Izmir. In addition to the panoramic view of the city and its stunning view of the Aegean Sea, especially at sunset or at night, there is a restaurant that serves many different, different and delicious meals and drinks for visitors. This beautiful place, and the place is distinguished by its historical elevator, which was restored in 1992 and is still operating today, so this place is a landmark worth visiting and will give you a lot of fun time and unforgettable moments.
Place address: Turgut Reis, Şht. Nihatbey Cd. 76/A, 35000 Konak/İzmir, Turkey
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9- Giresun Castle
Giresun Castle – Giresun Castle is a castle built in the 2nd century BC in what is now Giresun Province in the Black Sea Region. The remains of the castle are considered one of the most important landmarks in Turkey, as they are still in a good condition despite the passage of thousands of years. When visiting the area, visitors will find most of the walls of the castle, some of its roof, and several rooms and doors. Visitors come to the castle to learn about the history of the region, as well as to enjoy the majestic views of the Black Sea, as the castle is located in an elevated area of the city.
Place address: Kale Mah., 28100 Merkez/Giresun Merkez/Giresun, Turkey
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10- Avdalaz Castle Phrygian Valley
Avdalaz Castle Phrygian Valley – The Phrygian Valley includes a group of ancient ruins and remains belonging to the powerful Phrygians who inhabited this valley in the past, and these ruins include churches and castles carved into the natural rock, among them the interesting Avdalas Castle, which was used as a defensive fortress against enemies, which was built on a rock mass that dominates On the area, there are a number of Roman and Byzantine tombs around and at the bottom of the rock mass.
Place address: Fatih, 03370 Ayazini Köyü/İhsaniye/İhsaniye/Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
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11- Afyonkarahisar Castle
Afyonkarahisar Castle – Afyonkarahisar Castle is a historical castle and strong fortification built in the fourteenth century near the city of Afyon in southwestern Turkey. It is located on a huge volcanic rock at an altitude of more than 600 meters above the city level. It is considered a major landmark in the region, and includes a group of antiquities dating back to To the Seljuk and Byzantine periods, tourists who come to visit Afyon can climb the castle and enjoy stunning views of the historical district and the surrounding areas.
Place address: Kale Mah., 03100 Merkez/Afyonkarahisar Merkez/Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
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12- Zil Castle
Zil Castle – Since its restoration in 2008, the medieval castle of Zil in the Black Sea region of Turkey has proven to be a popular attraction for both domestic and foreign tourists. It is located on the edge of a cliff in a first-rate archaeological and natural site called Chat Valley, also known as Firtina Valley ( The storm), the castle is located at an altitude of 750 meters above sea level, and fascinates visitors with its wonderful view, and the castle contains a guard room, a chapel, and a main tower, and it was used by the Ottoman Empire for military purposes after the conquest of the region, and its main goal was to ensure the security of an important trade route in the ages Central.
Place address: Çamlıhemşin Merkez SO, 53790 Şenköy/Çamlıhemşin/Rize, Turkey
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13- Macedonian Tower
Macedonian Tower – The Macedonian Tower is located in the city center of Edirne and has great historical and tourist importance, as many tourists express a desire to enter the tower and explore its various facilities, which were used throughout history for defensive purposes, especially against the enemies of the Byzantine state. Today, tourists can take souvenir photos of themselves with their friends in front of the tower, and they can climb it and take pictures from its top overlooking different parts of the city.
Place address: Çavuşbey, Mumcular Sk. No:9, 22020 Edirne Merkez/Edirne, Turkey
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14- Pedasa Upper Castle
Pedasa Upper Castle – The Upper Pedasa Castle is one of the most important cities that were established in the Trojan era, and it was distinguished by its huge and distinctive design in line with the goal for which it was established, which is to protect the soldiers, with thick towering walls and huge towers that overlook the area. Today, due to the passage of time, only some ruins and graves belonging to soldiers and princes remain from this architectural masterpiece.
Place address: Konacık, 48965 Bodrum/Muğla, Turkey
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15- Gulek Castle
Gulek Castle – Golik Castle, whose foundation dates back to the Middle Ages, is located at a point of strategic importance, the reason being that it is a place where entrance fees are charged on the road to Tarsus. According to the architectural plan, stone works, and surface discoveries, it is understood that the castle was inhabited in different periods, and it was distinguished by a distinctive architectural style. It was completely fortified, and towers, lighthouses, forts, and tunnels were built in it. Only a few of this beauty.
Place address: Gülek, 33530 Tarsus/Mersin, Turkey
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16- Tripolis Castle
Tripolis Castle – The small castle of Tripolis is located on a small island that extends towards the sea, and it is believed that it was built according to the natural shape of the island in the fifteenth century AD, and it can be reached by climbing some stairs. This castle consists of an arched entrance, buttressed walls, and a small chapel. It also includes some tombstones dating back to the Ottoman era. The castle has been recently restored, and has become one of the most beautiful historical shrines in the region.
Place address: Cintaşı, Amiral Şükrü Okan Cd. No:68, 28500 Tirebolu/Giresun, Turkey
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17- Espiye Andoz Castle
Espiye Andoz Castle – The Castle of Aspi Indus is considered one of the distinguished historical attractions that attract large numbers of tourists every year, as it was built in 1300 BC with a beautiful architectural character, in addition to that it is located on a high hill that provides a stunning view of the sea, the valley and the distant horizon, and it is also accessible It is accessed through a road surrounded by green plants on all sides.
Place address: 28600 Arıdurak/Espiye/Giresun, Turkey
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18- Antioch Citadel
Antioch Citadel – Simple parts of the Antakya Castle, which was built more than 300 years BC, still exist today, so that visitors, both tourists and locals, can wander around and imagine what life was like in the time of ancient empires. The archaeological site of the castle is very suitable for exploration paths and for taking wonderful souvenir photos that combine the beauty of nature with great history.
Place address: Küçükdalyan, 31120 Antakya/Hatay, Turkey
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19- Mut Castle
Mut Castle – Mut Castle is located in the center of the city of Mersin, and it is a historical castle that the invaders took turns to obtain, here the Greek soldiers settled and made it their stronghold, and later, Ibrahim Bey (İbrahim Koyu), one of the princes of Karamanoglu, seized and destroyed this castle completely, and after he seized The Ottomans over the castle, it transformed into its current majestic form, as it is characterized by an outer wall and an inner castle supported by inclined and square bastions, fortified columns, and huge stones inscribed with construction dates and important events, in addition to the ruins of an old church.
Place address: Karşıyaka, Mezarlık Sk. No:4, 33600 Mut/Mersin, Turkey
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20- Karacahisar Castle
Karacahisar Castle – Karacahisar or Karacahisar Castle is located in the southwest of Eskisehir, and covers an area surrounded by a wall of about 200 x 300 meters on a plateau at an altitude of 1010 meters above sea level, although the studies conducted so far about the stages of formation and change of the castle throughout history reveal About some important data, however, there are still doubts about the period in which the castle was built and named, but it is known that it was one of the important castles in the line of defense of the region during the Byzantine period.
Place address: Karacaşehir, 26004 Odunpazarı/Eskişehir, Turkey
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21- Gözne Castle
Gözne Castle – Jozni Castle is about 30 km away from Mersin, and is located in the north on high cliffs, on the strategic road leading to Kandir Castle, which dominates the area. The castle previously served as a police station. The castle, which dates back to the Middle Ages, consists of two main buildings, the castle and its surroundings, which are open to highland tourism summer and winter, and are also a prime area for picnics and summer walking trails.
Place address: Yukarı Gözne Mh., İstemihan Talay Cd., 33325 Gözne Bld./Toroslar/Mersin, Turkey
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22- Silifke Castle
Silifke Castle – Silvi Castle, which is understood to belong to the Hellenistic or Early Roman period according to its basic rules, today appears as a medieval castle as a result of the repairs and changes it underwent. It is an ancient Roman castle featuring arched galleries, water tanks, warehouses and the remains of other buildings within the oval-shaped castle, which was built on a 185-meter-high hill overlooking Silvike, surrounded by a dry moat. It was mentioned in the antiquities that Silifki Castle included 23 forts in the nineteenth century, and that it contained a mosque and 60 houses.
Place address: Pazarkaşı, 33950 Silifke/Mersin, Turkey
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23- Unye Fortress
Unye Fortress – Onia Castle is a ruined historical military castle located in Ordu Province in Turkey, dating back to the era of Pontus in the second and first centuries BC. The castle was characterized by a huge building that includes passages, wells, caves, royal tombs, ruins of ancient walls, and long tunnels. The architectural styles inspired by the Greek, Roman, and partly Ottoman eras are evident in the castle building.
Place address: İnkur, Ünye Niksar Yolu No:13, 52300 Ünye/Ordu, Turkey
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24- Bedrama Castle
Bedrama Castle – Bidrama Castle was built on a very steep natural rock overlooking the seashore, and it is one of the sites protected by the Council for the Preservation of the Cultural and Natural Heritage in the region. This castle takes a shape close to a rectangle, and it can be reached after climbing a set of narrow stairs surrounded by green plants and some small wells.
Place address: 28500 Örenkaya/Tirebolu/Giresun, Turkey
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25- Meydancık Castle
Meydancık Castle – Medancik Castle covers a very large area in the city of Mersin, with a length of 750 meters. This castle was before Christ the city of kings, and in the second century it was a garrison city for the kings of Egypt, and in the fourth century it played a military and administrative role in the Persian era. The castle was distinguished by the design of fortified walls, to repel all the invasions and strikes that were constantly launched against it. As for the internal spaces, they are spacious and include multiple rooms, including rooms for soldiers and kings, prisons, and cells for prisoners of war. Today, you will only be able to see archaeological remains and decorative stones that are spread over large areas of the site.
Place address: Tırnak, 33700 Gülnar/Mersin, Turkey
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Conclusion
As your journey through Turkey comes to an end, we hope you take with you unforgettable memories and experiences that will last a lifetime. This amazing region is home to diverse landscapes, ancient cultures, and welcoming communities that have something special to offer every traveler. Our guide has provided you with the top destinations and hidden gems that make Turkey such a unique and special place. But, we encourage you to continue to explore this region on your own and uncover new adventures and treasures along the way. As you journey back home, don’t forget to reflect on the moments that made your trip so special and share your experiences with others. Remember to keep the spirit of adventure and curiosity alive in your everyday life and continue to seek out new experiences. We hope our guide has been a valuable resource in planning your trip, and we look forward to hearing about your travels. Safe travels and until next time!