Turkey is without a doubt one of the top tourist destinations in the world because of its incredible diversity.
Making a list of non-touristy things to do on a Turkey tour can be challenging because every city—and even districts within cities—provides travellers with a very different travel experience.
Istanbul and Ankara are the most popular Turkey tour destinations for the vast majority of visitors, whereas places like Bursa and Trabzon receive zero attention. However, there is no reason why you shouldn't explore some of Turkey's lesser-known but equally stunning places if you have the time and money to do so.
The key term in this sentence is "if you have the time." Some of the cities on this list would require you to drive (if you have a rental car), ride buses or trains for lengthy distances, or drive because Turkey is such a huge country.
Millions of tourists visit the Antalya region each year, but few are aware of the stunning waterfalls nearby the Antalya International Airport! These waterfalls along the coast are undoubtedly some of Turkey's most picturesque tourist destinations.
The cascades of water that pour from Mount Taurus before flowing into the sea create the waterfalls. The water begins to sparkle and produces stunning cascades that you just must capture on camera as the light dwindles and the sun sets.
Aside from during Turkey's significant national holidays, when folks go outside with their families to enjoy some time in the sun, Duden Waterfalls is located in a protected park with plenty of greenery to relax in.
The waterfalls are only a 15-minute drive from the airport, so you can get there on your own steam or, more likely, the easiest method is to arrange a trip. Tours take you to the base of the waterfalls, or you may take a boat tour and witness them for yourself as they fall into the river.
Most people focus on the south of Turkey when considering a beach vacation, but the Black Sea Coast in the north is stunning. For the majority of tourists, this location is off the beaten path, but locals frequent it frequently.
Unexpectedly, this is among the most amazing non-touristy locations in Turkey's coast. Despite its modest size, Amasra has a very authentic feel to it and is a wonderful spot to visit. There are many beaches along the coastline, and there are many places to go for walks. You can take a boat tour or visit the Amastra Museum to find out more about the area.
It's a must to visit a typical Turkish restaurant and eat some delectable food. Here, the fish is delicious and always fresh.
Alacati is still a well-kept secret despite Izmir being a lively and popular city. This metropolitan suburb is filled with antique mills that formerly operated hard and traditional homes with colourful doors. It has a genuinely charming and genuine feel about it. This is also the spot to go if you enjoy eating and drinking because it is teeming with quaint eateries and cafés that serve some of the tastiest food you will ever have.
Visit the beach to cool yourself in the summer heat and observe how transparent the water is. Additionally, there seems to be a steady breeze there, which makes it a great area to see experienced kites and windsurfers compete. You may even give it a try!
It takes only about an hour to go from Izmir to Alacati, and there are tours that will take you there for the entire day. This is a great choice if you're looking for lesser-known Turkish cities to visit. Why not stay for a few days to fully experience the relaxed atmosphere?
You might not be aware of the veritable paradise that is waiting for you just 20 minutes away by vehicle if you're travelling to Turkey's off-the-beaten-path destinations and staying in Icmeler or Marmaris.
The seaside resort of Akyaka caters more to locals than to tourists. Even while it is somewhat crowded with international tourists throughout the summer, that doesn't mean you can't go. Akyaka is stunning since it is situated at the base of a lofty mountain, the water is always pleasantly chilly due to the virtually constant breeze, and you can walk out in the shallows for quite a far before the water appears to have any depth to it.
The Azmak riverboat tour is a must-do in addition to the beach! You must see this shady, chilly river beauty to appreciate it. It's much smaller and, thankfully, absent of alligators, yet it almost reminds me of the Everglades! Be sure to check out the traditional fish eateries that serve regional catch and are perched on stilts beside the river.
It is simple to travel to Akyaka. You may either take a local dolmus bus, which stops at the bottom of the hill, and then walk for just 10 minutes in a straight line to get to the town, or you can rent a car and drive (it takes only 20 minutes). If you wanted to indulge a bit, you could also take a taxi from Marmaris; this would cost you about 300 lire back (do haggle your pricing first), which now equates to roughly 30 Euros.
At the Lycian Rock Tombs, which most people discover by chance, history and beauty converge! Trips to the neighbourhood mud baths and Turtle Beach, where loggerhead turtles lay their eggs during nesting season, are common if you're staying anywhere in the Dalaman area.
What they don't tell you is that you take a riverboat tour of the Dalyan River on your route from the mud baths to Turtle Beach, during which you sail through an object that can only be defined as a work of historical beauty.
You will find actual tombs carved into the towering rock face. The Lycians, who thought that angels carried the deceased to the afterlife, invented these in the fourth century. They built these tombs at the highest vantage point because they intended to make things simpler for the angels.
A trip to Turtle Beach with a mud bath is a fantastic way to explore these tombs, and you also get to see a few other interesting places for one low price! Any resort in the Dalaman region, including Icmeler, Marmaris, Fethiye, Hisaronu, Dalyan, and Olu Deniz, offers excursions. If you're staying in Bodrum, the tour will take you a little longer, but it's well worth it.
9 days exploring Istanbul's icons, Cappadocia's surreal landscapes, & Mt. Nemrut's colossal statues. Explore ?anl?urfa's sacred sites & Göbeklitepe, the world's oldest structure. Discover Halfeti's sunken city & Zeugma's mosaics.
Type
Days
Price
Small Group
9
From
£1899
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