Discover Türkiye’s Awesome Aegean

With 5,177 mi (8,333 km) of coastline, the history and culture of Türkiye are deeply intwined with the sea. Europe’s gateway to Asia borders the Black Sea to its north, while the Mediterranean and one of the world’s greatest walks, the Lycian Way, invite countless sun-seekers south. 

Still, Türkiye’s most historic coast is longer and more intricate than both of them put together! From the mouth of İstanbul’s famous Bosphorus Strait, all the way to the southern town of Marmaris, Türkiye’s Aegean Coast has seen and forged a story of triumph, tragedy, religion, conquest, revenge, revolution, and rebirth stretching thousands of years. When you’re exploring one of the local fishing villages, tasting Turkish specialties fresh from the sea, taking in the living history of Ephesus, or sipping a cocktail aboard a gulet on an idyllic Aegean day, it’s hard to imagine a more spectacular backdrop. 

İstanbul: Gateway to Europe, Asia & Adventure 

You could spend a week in Türkiye’s largest city and barely scratch the surface, but by far the best way to delve into this country’s incredible history is to start in the former capital of the Roman and Ottoman Empires. The historic monuments around Sultanahmet Square are İstanbul’s star attractions, including the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia. Now a mosque again after 86 years as a museum, Hagia Sophia still welcomes visitors to admire its incredible Eastern Roman (Byzantine) domes and immerse themselves in the splendour of the Roman era without disturbing modern worshippers. Don’t miss the Grand Bazaar either, still one of the world’s most impressive covered shopping malls 550 years after it was built, with over 3,600 shops spread over 65 streets. Cap your day off with an evening Bosphorus cruise to see İstanbul at its most splendid, including the Bosphorus Bridge, the only one in the world that connects two continents. 

Just as crucial to İstanbul’s identity is its food. This geographic and cultural crossroads combines influences from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East to create a national cuisine like no other. Besides döner, baklava, and lokum (Turkish delight), there’s köfte, dolma, pilav, and su börek. Every neighbourhood lures its passionate foodies, but venture to Kadıköy on the city’s Asian side for more local treats you won’t find at home. İstanbul’s favourite gift from the sea is balık ekmek, a fish sandwich sold throughout the city. Grab one from a vendor at Eminönü Square, then watch the boats go by to whet your appetite for an Aegean adventure. You’re almost certain to make friends with one of the city’s countless stray cats, who are protected by a long-standing sultan’s decree. 

İzmir, Selçuk & the Wonders of Ephesus

In the city’s heyday, it wasn’t tourists drawn to Ephesus, but philosophers, artists, and academics, not to mention John the Apostle and the Virgin Mary, whose last home sits atop Mount Koressos and still attracts pilgrims today. Besides an epistle to its citizens becoming a book of the New Testament, Ephesus was famously home to the Temple of Artemis. Though only ruins remain of what was then the world’s biggest temple (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), the worshippers it drew turned Ephesus into a thriving classical city with a large theatre, Roman baths, and gymnasiums, and what quickly became the world’s third biggest library, the Library of Celsus. Its façade has become one of Türkiye’s signature images and Ephesus’ most popular photo op. 

Beyond Ephesus, İzmir is a great place to soak up the energy and beauty of Türkiye’s Aegean coast. It also tends to be underestimated by tourists making a beeline for the ruins. You can shop up a storm in the Bazaar district, see locals fishing, exercising and socializing along the docks (where you can buy another snack fresh from the sea), or visit İzmir’s other archeological wonder, the Agora of Smyrna. Pop into the İzmir Archeological Museum to round out your discoveries, and catch a spectacular sunset from the city’s historic elevator and highest viewpoint. 

Escape to Türkiye’s Aegean Coast at Bodrum 

Once known as Halicarnassus, the coastal city of Bodrum combines historic monuments such as the Myndos Gate, the Bodrum Ancient Theatre, and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus (another Wonder of the Ancient World) with a climate and lifestyle that is pure Aegean perfection. Bodrum’s ever-hopping nightlife lures travellers in search of a good party, but its proximity to some of Türkiye’s best food and wine regions including Karnas will set your taste buds dancing too. If you prefer a more chilled style of relaxation, climb aboard a luxury wooden gulet to explore the coastal waterways, or relax at a traditional Turkish hammam. Both are essential Türkiye experiences, so you might as well do them in a city known for its pampering. 

As for sightseeing, your first stop should be Bodrum Castle, a defining feature of the city since 1402, when it was built by the Knights Hospitaller. Come for the spectacular views and stay for its spectacular museum of archaeological treasures found underwater. The Zeki Müren Museum is a local treasure that invites you inside the home of a pop superstar who enchanted the nation from the late 50s until his death in 1996. Earning comparisons to Liberace, David Bowie, and Elton John, Müren’s flamboyance and cultural impact was matched only by his popularity, and he remains a beloved icon today. Give yourself time to venture out of the city too. Historic monuments on the region’s islands are only a short cruise away, while the resort town of Turgutreis invites visitors to take part in the traditional Ottoman ritual of kumda kahve. It will probably be the only coffee you ever drink that’s brewed with heated sand.