Sports
Turkey is not only a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. In addition to the coast, the country offers a variety of landscapes and therefore ideal conditions for numerous outdoor sports. Mount Uludag near Bursa is one of the most popular winter sports destinations in Turkey between January and April. There are difficult slopes and challenges for skiers in Palandoken, near Erzurum. Mountaineers and hikers get their money’s worth in Turkey. Many trekking routes, for example the Lycian Way or the Paulus Way, are among the best hiking trails in the world. Over a length of up to 500 kilometers, there are natural spectacles, breathtaking views and ancient sites alike. More information is available at www.wandern.de/reise/europa.
Rock Tombs of Myra
Once a hub for maritime trade, today’s Demre on the south coast near Antalya is famous for its impressive rock tombs and St. Nicholas. In honor of Nicholas of Myra, who helped the poor and needy, the Nicholas Church was built as a place of pilgrimage. Miracle healings and inexplicable things are said to have happened again and again at the grave of Nicholas. Part of the old basilica and a monument to St. Nicholas attract visitors, as do the impressive rock tombs dating back to 400 BC. have arisen. High tombs were carved like houses into the mountain and into the rocks. They were decorated with reliefs and some with sculptures, which are well preserved and beautiful to look at.
- TOPSCHOOLSINTHEUSA.COM: Guides to study in Turkey, including geography, climate, economy, and tourism of the country.
Bozburun Peninsula
One of the most untouched and original areas of Turkey is the Bozburun Peninsula at the southernmost tip of the Aegean Sea. The main town of Bozburun is a fishing and sponge diving town. In summer you can see many skeletons of the massive wooden boats. These so-called gulets are built here in a long tradition. In autumn, the Bozburun International Gulet Festival takes place and attracts many visitors to the otherwise dreamy peninsula. Ancient and overgrown sites such as Thyssanos or Bantik and the mountain village of Taslica are magnets for visitors. Hikers are welcome to have a cool drink at a tea house in Taslica or sample the pine honey that Bozburun is known for. Turunc Bay in the south of the island is a paradise for nature lovers and sailors.
Sumela Monastery
The former Greek-Orthodox monastery of Sumela dates back to Byzantine times and is located in north-eastern Turkey. Imposing at an altitude of more than 1000 meters, the monastery was carved into the rock above a gorge in the Zigana Mountains. The oldest buildings date back to the 14th century. Over time, Sumela developed into a place of pilgrimage. The rock church, the fountain and the old library, which have been gradually restored, are majestic and beautiful to look at.
Hamam – the Turkish bath
The ritual Turkish bath – also called hamam – has a long tradition and dates back to the Middle Ages. The bathhouses are often simple from the outside, but very sumptuous on the inside and equipped with marble. The focus of the wellness experience is the washing and massage procedure. To this day, there is a strict separation of men and women. The first hammam was built in Istanbul by Sultan Mahmut I. Sweating and cleansing are ancient rituals, but they have always been about social exchange. A visit to a hammam should not be missed on a trip to Turkey.
EKO Park Tekirova
The small town of Tekirova is located on the south coast, 20 kilometers from Kemer. One of the biggest attractions is the EKO Park, the largest reptile park in the world. A large number of different reptiles, snake species, giant lizards and turtles can be viewed on an area of 50,000 m². A botanical garden offers a natural environment to touch. The park is open during the summer months and is easily accessible by car.
Izmir
Izmir, Turkey’s third largest city, is located on the Aegean coast and offers numerous cultural attractions as well as an interesting history. In the north-eastern part of the city there is a cultural park on the site of the old core of Smyrna, which burned down in 1922. Today there is a zoo and an amusement park there. The symbol of the city is the large clock tower on Konak Square. Also worth seeing is the magnificent and restored Hisar Mosque, which was built in 1579. You can immerse yourself in antiquity in the Archaeological Museum. There are finds from ancient Smyrna, Ephesus and Pergamon on display, as well as figures of the gods Demeter and Poseidon. Pergamon is now called Bergama and, like Ephesus, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Remnants of the ancient Roman road network have been preserved in Izmir to this day, where you can climb up to the old Kadifekale Castle. This offers a magnificent view over the Bay of Izmir.
