A trip to Istanbul is usually completed with visits to other areas of Turkey known worldwide. We can find very attractive proposals both in the surroundings of Istanbul and in other parts of the country that can be easily accessed from the Turkish metropolis.
In this article we will review the most important places to visit near Istanbul, so that your trip to this wonderful city remains among your best memories.
Cappadocia
Apart from Istanbul, there is no other place in Turkey more known and requested than Cappadocia. Those pictures of the balloons flying over that magical territory of undulating formations, more typical of cartoons, is always among the most demanded places to visit from Istanbul.
Although it is not technically close to Istanbul (750 kilometers), its popularity makes Cappadocia the main visit to make from the Turkish capital. A flight of just one hour will not be an impediment to reach this area of central Turkey, and less considering the numerous companies that link Istanbul with Kayseri, the closest airport to Cappadocia.
What to see in Cappadocia? Without a doubt, Göreme National Park and Pasabag Valley, both with their famous fairy chimneys, as well as the subway cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymakli, are some of the must-see places to visit in Cappadocia.
Pamukkale
Another must of Turkey is Pamukkale, the place of the famous snow-white thermal baths. And the meaning of the toponym itself already gives us clues: “cotton castle”. A landscape that will delight lovers of photography.
Pamukkale, that white mountain where each terrace that descends the slope is a pool of thermal waters. The water falls from the top dragging with it calcium carbonate that is deposited in the pools that maintain a temperature of about 35 degrees Celsius. An authentic spectacle of white and light blue color.
Like Cappadocia, Pamukkale is not exactly close to Istanbul (almost 600 kilometers by car), but an hour’s flight will make it well worth the trip. Pamukkale is also home to the ruins of the Roman city of Hierapolis, an obvious retreat by the hot springs.
Ephesus
Not far from Pamukkale, about 150 kilometers to the west, on the coast of the Aegean Sea, is Ephesus, one of the most famous ancient cities in the world.
Ephesus, a biblical city of Greek and Roman origin, preserves impressive ruins such as the library of Celsus, the theater or the agora (marketplace), an open-air museum of the city that was once the most important port in the Aegean Sea.
But if Ephesus is known for anything, it is undoubtedly for the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Only the base and a column remain in memory of this magnificent Greek temple that measured 115 meters long by 55 meters wide.
Visiting Ephesus should be on the agenda of every lover of history and archeology. To get there from Istanbul, the fastest option is to fly to Izmir. By bus, the trip takes more than eight hours (about 500 kilometers).
Bursa
Much closer to Istanbul, on the southern side of the Sea of Marmara, lies Bursa, the ancient capital of Turkey in the 14th century. A city that combines its immense heritage with acres and acres of greenery. The jewel of Bursa is the Great Mosque, or Ulu Camii, built between 1396 and 1399, a spectacular temple riddled with colorful tiles and from where you can enjoy sensational views over the city.
In Bursa you will also find numerous hot springs with hot water from the nearby mountains. The spa of Eski Kaplica, from the 5th century A.D., continues to supply water at 90 degrees, lowered to a therapeutic 45 degrees. As if that were not enough, a few kilometers away are the ski slopes of Mount Ulu Dag, over 2,500 meters high.
Edirne
Between Bursa (1335-1363) and Constantinople (present-day Istanbul), the capital of the Ottoman Empire was the city of Edirne, known in antiquity as Adrianople, in honor of Emperor Hadrian who rebuilt the city. It was 90 years as the capital of the Ottoman Empire, a city next to Greece and Bulgaria, in the far west of Turkey.
The Selimiye Mosque marks the skyline of this ancient capital that centuries ago was one of the largest cities in Europe. The minarets are the tallest in Turkey, reaching 71 meters.
In Edirne there are other mosques of interest, such as the Old Mosque and the Uc Serefeli Mosque. The old city, the thermal baths or the historic bridges Meric and Gazi Mihal, are other places that justify a visit to this historic city strategically located.
The location of Edirne is ideal if you are traveling from Greece or Bulgaria, since it is the main entrance route for roads and trains from the rest of Europe. It is about 240 kilometers from Istanbul.
Prince Islands
As if it were a small paradise far from the city, the Prince Islands lie on the waters of the Sea of Marmara a few kilometers from Istanbul. This is where the royalty used to go in exile, a place of peace and wellbeing that gradually adapted to luxury and exclusivity.
The archipelago of Principe is composed of nine islands where the use of motor vehicles is prohibited. You can stroll among palaces and mansions and soak up the absolute tranquility. There are also small beaches for swimming in the Marmara, as well as trails to explore the lush interior of the islands.
Visiting the Princes Islands is a perfect excursion from Istanbul. To get there, boats leave from Kabatas Pier in Istanbul. For lunch, take advantage of your visit to the islands and try one of their restaurants, with tasty local fish.
Kilyos Beach Istanbul
If you travel to Istanbul and want to go to the beach, a strong candidate is the beach of Kilyos, about 25 kilometers north of the Turkish capital. A popular sandy beach overlooking the cold waters of the Black Sea where water sports such as kite or windsurfing are also practiced.
The Kilyos area also offers small coves and bays where you can escape from the popular sandy beach. It should be remembered that most beaches in Turkey are private and require the payment of a small fee to access them.
