Tips for planning your next trip to Turkey
The Aegean sea makes up Turkey’s western border and separates Turkey from Greece. Hundreds of miles of coastline are home to olive groves, fishing villages, Greek and Roman ruins, and whitewashed summer homes. Its a prime vacation destination, particularly if you are looking to spend some time at the beach during your visit to Turkey.
The Northern Aegean coast of Turkey is home to beautiful beaches, stunning vistas, and important historic sites. This post covers the key cities and points of interest from Çanakkale to Çeşme.
Bozcaada is one of the most charming spots in all of Turkey. It is one of only two inhabited islands in the Aegean Sea that belong to Turkey (Gökçeada, further north, is the other). The island is only 15 square miles but it has lots to offer including beautiful beaches, an adorable town, an imposing…
Ephesus, or Efes in Turkish, is the most famous ancient site in Turkey. Located in the town of Selçuk on the Aegean coast, Ephesus is about an hour’s drive south of Izmir and three hours north of Bodrum. Kuşadası, the closest seaside town and a major stop for Mediterranean cruises, is less than 30 minutes…
Located just outside the city of Denizli, Pamukkale and the adjacent ancient city of Hierapolis together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pamukkale is about a 4-hour drive from Bodrum and a 3-hour drive from Izmir.
I have written about a whole host of ancient sites in Turkey and have raved about many of them. However, hands down, Aphrodisias is my favorite ancient site in Turkey. There are three main reasons for this: 1) the sheer scale and condition of the site 2) its ridiculous stadium, and 3) the spectacular on-site museum.
Bodrum is one of the most popular beach destinations in Turkey – both for Turks and foreigners. “Bodrum” can refer to either the town of Bodrum itself or to the Bodrum peninsula which includes many other small bays and villages. Bodrum is the biggest town on the peninsula and has the most to offer…
While you are in Bodrum you may just want to spend the entire time at the beach. With sandy beaches and rocky coves surrounding the peninsula you will have no problem finding great spots to sunbathe and cool off in the Aegean. If you are able to extract yourself from your lounge-chair, however, you will discover that there are…