A long canyon extends between Ihlara and Selime, cut by the River Melendiz which winds its way through a bed of green vegetation. The clear, turbulent waters have sculpted elegant drapes in the rocks here, which change colour throughout the day. This..

Historians have counted around 100 churches in the Ihlara canyon, although only around ten of these are accessible. All have been given evocative names, such as the Scented Church, the Church under the Tree, the Church of Hyacinths and the Church of ..

Situated in a politically unstable region and accessed via a track full of potholes, Nemrut Dagii will appeal to adventurous travellers. Because of its location, this site without equal has been left largely undisturbed. When you arrive here, prefera..

Once fertile and now a desert of stones, this striking site has an almost tragic feel. An esplanade extends in front of the pile of crushed stones (150m in diameter) which was once overlooked by nine colossal stone statues of gods such as Tyche, the ..

The construction of this mosque was commissioned by the sultan Suleymen the Magnificent to the most talented of the architects of the 16C, Sinan, with the aim of surpassing the Aya Sofya basilica, a goal that he achieved. Perched on the third hill of..

A small, unspoilt bay protected by Kekova Island and a string of small islets, Kekova Bay is dotted with countless ruins – stone ghosts of the past which are strewn here and there among the rocks, the undergrowth and marshland, or submerged in the tr..

Considered by enthusiasts to be one of the highlights of any trip to Turkey, the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations provides an excellent introduction to the rich history and culture of the Hittite, Phrygian, Greek and Roman worlds. Arrange in chronol..

The symbol of Byzantine glory at its zenith, and a sanctuary designed on an extraordinary scale, the 6C Aya Sofya basilica was converted into a mosque in the 15C and then a museum in 1934. Although a little clumsy in style when viewed from the exteri..

What the Ottomans called Yerebatan Sarayi (Sunken Palace) is in fact a 6C Byzantine underground cistern that supplied water to the palace of the emperor Justinian. Clever plays of light coupled with the background dripping of water add to the theatri..

Designed by the great Sinan, the 16C imperial architect appointed to the service of the sultans, the Rüstem Pasa mosque has the typical charm of a quiet place of worship. It is justly famous for its Iznik ceramics, the traditional blue tones of which..

Located on the east bank of the Golden Horn, Beyoglu is the focus of intellectual life in Istanbul, as well as what remains of the capital’s former glamorous lifestyle. In this district, the city is keen to showcase Turkey’s modernity, enabling it to..

Visitors interested in culture and contemporary art will want to head to the city’s modern art museum, Istanbul Modern (IM), which occupies a former customs’ warehouse on the banks of the Bosphorus, and which has been superbly redesigned by the artis..

With its unusual cocktail of styles, such a popular feature of the 19C, the Dolmabahçe Palace is a mix of both neo-Classical European influences and Orientalism. Such eclecticism can leave visitors somewhat perplexed, a feeling enhanced by a tour of ..

The imperial complex of Beyazit II stands on the banks of the Tunca river. Completed in 1488, it is the largest in Edirne as well as being the most complete. For the mosque, adorned with four elegant minarets, the architect adopted an inverted T-shap..

As soon as you arrive, you are struck by the magnificent façade of the mosque and its equally elegant marble portico. This is the most beautiful vestige of Beyazit I’s imperial complex, which was completed in 1395. Seriously damaged by several earthq..

Here also, enamelled Iznik tiles play a starring role, covering the tympanums and part of the prayer room with their geometric and floral motifs, and occasionally even celestial spheres and stars. The remarkable 15C Murat II complex is also renowned ..

This acropolis is worth a visit to Pergamon in its own right. Once you have passed the royal gate, you arrive at one of the world’s major Hellenistic sites, and one which was also prominent during the Roman era. From this rocky spur teeming with hist..

Inhabited for more than 4 000 years, Sardis was the capital of the Lydian Empire, whose rulers included Croesus. It subsequently became an important Roman city and a Byzantine bishopric. In the surrounding countryside, planted with vines which produc..

With its extraordinary dimensions, the Temple of Artemis rivalled in importance the Ionian temples of Ephesus, Samos and Didyma. Although only the skeleton of this 3C BC temple now remains, it is easy to imagine its huge size, which measured 46m by 9..

At the attractive entrance to this ancient gymnasium, sculpted columns bear the effigies of divinities, satyrs and the face of a smiling faun. Built by the Romans, its purpose was more than just for sporting activities, as witnessed by the baths that..