Sightseeing

Pamukkale

Istanbul · Turkey

Pamukkale (Cotton Castle) is a surreal natural wonder in southwestern Turkey where mineral-rich thermal waters cascade down terraced white travertine pools, creating a landscape of frozen white waterfalls. The UNESCO-listed site also encompasses ancient Hierapolis, a Greco-Roman spa city whose ruins include a spectacular necropolis, theatre, and the sacred thermal pool of Cleopatra. The glowing white terraces are one of Turkey's most iconic and otherworldly landscapes.

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Istanbul · Turkey

Places to stop

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Sightseeing

Ephesus

Ephesus was one of the greatest cities of the ancient world, a thriving Greek and Roman metropolis whose remarkably preserved ruins on Turkey's Aegean coast include the Library of Celsus, the Grand Theatre (seating 25,000), marble-paved colonnaded streets, and the House of the Virgin Mary. Once home to 250,000 people, it was the commercial and administrative capital of Roman Asia and a major early Christian center. The nearby Ephesus Museum in Selçuk houses spectacular finds from the site.

Istanbul · Turkey

Transport

Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)

Sabiha Gökçen International Airport is Istanbul's second major airport, located on the Asian side of the city approximately 45 km from the European center. The airport primarily serves budget airlines including Pegasus and SunExpress, and handles a growing volume of domestic and international traffic, particularly to Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian destinations. The E14 metro line provides connections to Kadıköy on the Asian shore, from which ferries cross to the European side. Despite its distance from central Istanbul, Sabiha Gökçen's lower cost base makes it a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers and those staying on the Asian side.

Istanbul · Turkey

Sightseeing

Troy

Troy is a historic site , offering a fascinating glimpse into the region's rich past. The historical architecture and cultural significance of this landmark provide visitors with a tangible connection to the long history of human settlement and cultural development in this area.

Istanbul · Turkey

Food

Çiya Sofrası Istanbul

Çiya Sofrası is one of Istanbul's most important and beloved restaurants, operating in the Kadıköy market district on the Asian side of the Bosphorus under chef Musa Dağdeviren, who has devoted his career to preserving and reviving the dying culinary traditions of Anatolia. The restaurant functions simultaneously as a research institution and a lunch counter, serving a rotating menu of regional Turkish dishes drawn from a personal archive of thousands of recipes collected from villages across Turkey. Dishes from southeastern Anatolia, the Black Sea coast, and nomadic traditions sit alongside more familiar Istanbul staples, creating a daily menu of extraordinary depth and cultural significance.

Istanbul · Turkey

Food

Kadikoy Market

Kadikoy Market is a vibrant urban area , alive with local culture, commerce, and community life. The area offers an authentic experience of local traditions, street life, and the distinct character of this community, making it a rewarding destination for those seeking genuine cultural engagement.

Istanbul · Turkey

Lodging

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet

The Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet is one of the most extraordinarily positioned hotels in the world, housed inside a restored neoclassical prison building from 1917 directly adjacent to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia in the heart of Old Istanbul. The building's imposing facade and distinctive central atrium have been transformed into 65 rooms and suites, many of which look directly onto the minarets of the Blue Mosque at dawn — a view of unparalleled historical and architectural power. The hotel's terrace restaurant is among the finest breakfast settings in the city, and the proximity to Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar, and the Basilica Cistern makes this the most historically immersive luxury hotel address in Istanbul.

Istanbul · Turkey

Discover places worth the detour

Destination

Turkey

Travel guides

Turkey Travel Guide: Ancient Wonders & Modern Charm

7 days

Events

Ramadan Iftar Season

Turkey’s Ramadan Iftar Season centers on iftar, the evening meal that ends the daily Ramadan fast at sunset and the Maghrib call to prayer. Ramadan is a month o

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Events

Istanbul Tulip Festival

The Istanbul Tulip Festival brings a vivid welcome to spring each April, when parks, gardens, and public spaces across the city are planted with tulips. The flo

Date pending official confirmation