The peace and quiet of an ancient monastery in a valley, the mysterious whispers of a temple from thousands of years ago… Turkey tells a story with every corner.Let 2025 be the year of discoveries!These unique routes, which you won’t find anywhere else in the world, will take you to the most fascinating points of history, nature and culture.Are you ready to embark on a journey that will amaze you at every step? So, let’s dive into Turkey’s unique beauties together.
Before we get started, don’t forget to download the Piri Guide mobile app. It’ll be your personal tour guide, taking you to all the places on the list and more, step by step!😊
1.Ani Ruins, Kars

I’m sure you’ll agree, few places in the world are as impressive as Ani. Located in the southeast of Kars, on the Turkey-Armenia border, Ani Ruins is a treasure of history, and was once the gateway of the Silk Road from the Caucasus to Anatolia. Due to its strategic location, it shone as a centre of trade, culture and politics.
Today, Ani is like an architectural representation of the multicultural past, with all sorts of structures ranging from the Temple of Ateshgede to Seljuk mosques. It’s been on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List since 2016, and with 21 architectural structures that have survived to the present day, Ani is a must-see place for everyone in Turkey.
2.Sümela Monastery, Trabzon

We all know that famous photo of Sümela Monastery, which makes us wonder how people climbed up there and fascinates those who see it.In the 4th century AD, a church was built in a cave in the middle of the mountain in honour of the Virgin Mary.The cave was gradually carved into a monastery over the centuries. Up until the 1920s, the monastery was a place where priests and believers lived and visited all the time.It’s a huge complex with a main rock church, a holy ayaz, a chapel, a library and a guest house.
Two of the main reasons why Sumela Monastery is so interesting are its location and its beautifully crafted frescoes. It’s absolutely covered in amazing frescoes, so you’ll need to set aside a good few hours to take it all in.
3.Ancient City of Pergamon, İzmir

Pergamon is an ancient city that has seen a lot of history and is the first place in Izmir to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage list (it ranks 13th in Turkey). It’s a place where mythology and archaeology meet, and when we talk about ancient periods, mythology is a big part of the story. Pergamon has a deep connection with the gods and goddesses of Olympus. The reliefs on the Altar of Zeus, for example, tell one of the most important Greek myths: the Gigantomakhia, the battle between gods and giants.
Pergamon was one of the most important cities in Anatolia in the past. It was here that Parchomen was born and it was also the site of Turkey’s first local festival. It was a majestic city that protected the treasure of Alexander the Great, and most importantly, it was a place that kept the cultural and intellectual pulse of its period.In fact, one of the two largest and most important libraries of the ancient world was here.
4.Mardin

Mardin, or the Land of the Sun, as it’s also known, is a place where the past meets the present. It’s a cultural heritage with narrow streets, stone houses and abbaras, and a history going back to 8000 BC. Different civilisations met here and it was an important trading centre.
It’s also known as the Capital of Stone, with its architecture preserved behind high courtyard walls and historical atmosphere, not to mention the rich cuisine. It’s a place with a unique landscape and a magic that will call you back once you have been.
5.Göbeklitepe, Şanlıurfa

Göbeklitepe is home to one of the most incredible secrets in human history – the oldest temples we’ve got our hands on, built around 12,000 years ago. This sanctuary, constructed with a specific purpose in mind before people started settling down, is at the heart of a belief system known as ‘Göbeklitepe Culture’, and we can actually trace its influence across a huge geographical area.One of the most fascinating things about Göbeklitepe is that this hill was created by human hands. They were first built as temples, then buried under soil and stones, and then new temples were built around them. This meant that they’ve been kept in a really well-preserved state.
Göbeklitepe has totally changed what we think we know about the Neolithic period, and given us a really deep perspective on the history of humanity thanks to the symbols it carries. We still haven’t figured everything out about it, but every discovery brings us a bit closer to understanding this huge chapter of history.
6.Cappadocia, Nevşehir

Cappadocia is one of the most exciting places to visit in Turkey, and one of the most unique tourist destinations in the world. Here, nature and history are on display, and the region’s geography, shaped over millions of years by volcanic eruptions, is like something out of a fairy-story, with its fairy chimneys. Throughout its history, Cappadocia has been home to many different civilisations, from Assyrian trade colonies to the Hittites, and from the Roman period to the first Christians. And for about 400 years, until Rome adopted Christianity, it was a hotbed for religious resistance. So you’ve got all these chapels, churches, monasteries and historical sites.
Goreme, right in the middle of all this, has to be one of the most unique spots. It’s a place that’s on the bucket list of any traveller with a backpack. The Goreme Open Air Museum is one of the three most visited museums in Turkey, along with Topkapi Palace and Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia.
Now you’ve picked your destination, it’s time to get exploring! If you’re keen to learn about the history of the places you visit, don’t forget to download the Piri Guide mobile app on your phone.
And if you need some more inspiration, we’ve listed some of the best ancient cities to see in Turkey in this article.