With a coastline stroked by three seas and a landmass stretched across two continents, when you travel to Turkey you’ll experience an array of sights and culture.
But why travel to Turkey? And, why do the top destinations in Turkey also offer the best halal tours to take advantage of?
Keep reading to find out more about the best cities in Turkey, why they’re the perfect picks for halal tours, and how you can set off on inspirational Islamic tours with Halal Tourism.
Why travel to Turkey?
Travelling to Turkey will feed your sense of adventure as well as stimulate your cultural interests.
Turkey is the second-largest country in Europe and its terrain is as varied as its cultural attractions.
Although Turkey is considered a secular country today, its history is deeply rooted in monotheistic religions, and it hosts an abundance of Islamic, Jewish, and Christian historical sites.
Due to its significance in Islamic history, travelling to Turkey means you’ll have access to unique halal travel arrangements.
For example, Turkey offers:
- an abundance of halal restaurants, eateries, and food options
- separate spa, pool, and leisure activities for men and women in some establishments
- service providers that follow an Islamic ethos
- the chance to learn about Islam in one of the religion’s historical hubs.
Travelling to Turkey is also an excellent option for families, with attractions that will tick all the right boxes no matter the traveller’s age or interests.
With endless beaches, outdoor activities, and opportunities for shopping, entertainment, and relaxation, everyone from children and parents to grandparents and teens will find something that tickles their travelling fancy!
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What will the climate be like when travelling to Turkey?
One of the biggest drawcards of travelling to Turkey is the variety of spectacular climates you can experience across the country.
From snow-capped peaks to sunny seaside destinations, Turkey has it all.
Many of the best cities in Turkey are well-known for their warmer climate throughout the year.
When you travel to Turkey, you can expect a dry Mediterranean-type climate in general.
However, since this expansive country sits on two different continents, the climate in Turkey can vary greatly when travelling from one city to another.
The regions of Anatolia and the Armenian Highlands located within Asia make up the vast majority of Turkey. Here you can expect a warmer climate.
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The Turkish Thrace is the stretch of Turkey that lies within the southeastern part of Europe. This snippet of Turkey may be smaller, but it’s home to Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul.
Here’s a closer look at the landscape you’ll get to see when you travel to Turkey.
What type of terrain will you experience when travelling to Turkey?
The Turkish landmass is pieced together by regions of sweeping mountain peaks, rolling hills of green vegetation, and kilometers of craggy coastline furnished with soft-sand beaches.
So it’s true that Turkey has no shortage of terrain for holidaymakers to immerse themselves in.
What are the top destinations in Turkey?
While every one of the 580 cities in Turkey is worth a visit, some destinations offer an irresistible mix of sights, cultural experiences, and leisure activities.
These are some of the best cities in Turkey that you can travel to on one of our fully halal tours.
Bursa
For insightful Islamic tours, Bursa is one of your best bets.
This city spills out from the foot of the Uludağ mountain and is a treasure trove of religious attractions.
In fact, Bursa is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its importance in the origins of the Ottoman Empire. This attraction alone sees scores of people travelling to Turkey to experience Bursa’s various villages.
Some of the city’s top attractions include:
- Bursa Grand Mosque – Bursa’s 20-domed mosque dating back to the early years of the Ottoman Empire
- Central Bazaar – a maze of covered markets that was once a central part of Turkey’s historical Silk Route
- Bursa Teleferik – the world’s longest cable car
- the tombs of Osman and Orhan Gazi
- Panorama 1326 Bursa Conquest Museum.
Sogut
When travelling to Turkey, Sogut may not be one of the most noticeable Turkish cities due to its small size and modest appearance.
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But, this rural town packs a historical punch because of its links to the rise of the Ottoman Empire.
Sogut was the very first capital of the Ottoman Empire and is one of the top Turkey destinations to visit to learn more about the beginnings of the Ottoman regime.
Despite its modest facade, stopping in this small town when you travel to Turkey is a big treat. You can get up to speed on everything about Ertugrul Gazi, visit the tomb of Shaykh Edebali and spend some time shopping for the perfect Kayi-inspired souvenirs.
Konya
Archaeologists have confirmed Konya as one of the most ancient areas within the Anatolia region of Turkey.
So it comes as no surprise that this city is packed with historical attractions.
Konya is thought to have been named after the memorial to an ancient battle between Perseus – a Greek hero – and a dragon who wreaked havoc on the city.
Others believe that the name Konya refers to the words uttered by mythical dervishes – friends of God – who stopped in Anatolia while travelling through the skies. When one dervish asked the other, “Should we land here?” the other responded, “Kon ya”, which translates to “Sure, let’s land!”.
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The city’s whimsical beginnings are just a taste of the immersive travel experience you can have when you travel to Turkey and visit Konya.
These are the top attractions you can see in Konya:
- Mevlana Rumi Mausoleum and Museum
- Shams-i Tabrizi Mosque
- Karatay Madrasa
- Şile village.
Cappadocia
When travelling to Turkey, Cappadocia can’t be overlooked with its stark volcanic rock towers jutting out of the earth.
Much like its dramatic terrain, the attractions you’ll see when you visit Cappadocia will take your breath away.
Follow the trail of Turkey right back to the Neolithic Period when you peruse the ancient pottery and tools that were discovered in this region. Walk Cappadocia’s streets which were once thronged with Alexander the Great’s troops in 322 BCE.
To get the most out of your time in Cappadocia, be sure to:
- visit the Sultanhani Caravanserai – an ancient marketplace boasting incredible Turkish architecture
- take a hot air balloon ride over the city
- spend some time at Goreme Open Air Museum
- explore Kaymakli Underground City
- visit Çavuşin Village
- navigate your way through the Fairy Chimneys.
Side
In a country with stretches of seaside appeal, it can be tricky to pick which coastal spot to visit.
But, there aren’t many coastal towns that measure up to Side when it comes to historical spunk and adventurous leisure activities.
Side was once a central port city in Turkey and was occupied by Alexander the Great in 333 BCE. It also served as the main slave market for Cilician pirates in the first century.
The city is also home to cavernous canyons, the ruins of ancient cities, and traditional Turkish baths for tourists to enjoy.
Taking a few hours to immerse yourself in the city will add to your understanding of Turkey’s terrain, history, and development in a meaningful way.
Antalya
With its hot summers and mild winters, Antalya is known as one of Turkey’s best beach destinations.
For this reason, many tourists who travel to Turkey flock to Antalya to soak up one of the best destinations in Turkey.
The shimmering seaside and mountainous surrounds also set the scene for some incredible sights.
Be sure to check out these attractions in Antalya for an amazing Turkey experience:
- Damlatas cave
- Alanya castle
- Cleopatra beach.
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Istanbul
Topping the list of the best cities in Turkey, Istanbul needs little introduction. But what makes this metropolis stand out amongst a sea of historical sights and breathtaking scenery?
Well, Istanbul is not only Turkey’s largest city and main seaport, but it also has a key historical role, having been the capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.
When you travel to Turkey you may also notice the distinct culture and terrain in Istanbul. This look and feel of Istanbul has been developed over centuries and has been influenced by its neighbouring countries, Bulgaria and Greece.
When travelling to Turkey and visiting Istanbul, it’s a good idea to get the right guidance to find your way around. Our Halal Tourism tour package in Turkey will allow you to get to all the right places at the right times.
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Here’s a look at the attractions you can experience on a Halal Tourism tour in Istanbul:
- the Eyüp Sultan Mosque
- the Blue Mosque
- the Topkapi Palace Hippodrome
- Istanbul Spice Market and Istanbul Grand Bazaar.
Travel to Turkey with Halal Tourism
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When you choose to travel to Turkey, fully halal tours will wipe away any travel concerns you may have, have you immersed in every activity, and allow you to enjoy every minute of your travel experience.
Halal Tourism offers the type of care-free travel that makes for a meaningful and memorable trip abroad.
Find out more about our Turkey Group Tour and Spain and Turkey Group Tour by visiting our website, and get in touch with an agent to plan for the best travel to Turkey experience!
