Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey

Turkey holidays

Turkey’s cities pour with history, its coastlines dazzle under the sun and its culture always shines proudly

Turkey is a vast and diverse country with vibrant cities, historical sites, mile upon mile of pretty coastline, incredible scenery and magical landscapes. Istanbul is the crossroads of Asia and Europe; the familiar and the exotic sit comfortably side by side. But travel further east and the culture and atmosphere become more obviously Central Asian.

Amasra, Turkey
Turkey
Istanbul Bosphorus Bridge, Turkey
Istanbul Bosphorus Bridge, Turkey
Fethiye Coast, Turkey
Datca Peninsula, Turkey
Bodrum, Turkey
Turkey

What to expect on your holiday to Turkey

There are two distinct sides to Turkey. There is the southern coastline crammed with cheap hotels catering to mass package tours and cheap flights, and then there is the rest of the country. We can help you choose the south coast-based hotels with care. Admittedly, there are points where the two meet, but for the most part, it is possible to travel around Turkey without encountering crowds of tourists.

Sunset, Ephesus, Turkey
Ephesus, Turkey
Pamakkule, Turkey
Turkey
Aegean Sea, Turkey
Aegean Sea, Turkey
Fethiye Coast, Turkey
Datca Peninsula, Turkey

Some ideas for a Turkey holiday

  • Spend a week cruising the Aegean coast in a luxurious gulet, a wide-beamed traditional sailing/motor yacht.
  • In Cappadocia, visit underground towns that housed over 3,000 people and stay in stylish hotels with bedrooms cut into rock.
  • Journey through eastern Turkey and visit Gobekli Tepe, the recently excavated 9,000-year-old temple that has rewritten the history books.
  • Attend the Sufi, or Whirling Dervish festival in Konya, in December.
  • Transport yourself back to Roman times as you stroll around the ancient city of Ephesus.
  • Climb Mount Nemrut at sunrise and marvel at the colossal stone heads of Antiochus.
Mevlana Museum, Konya, Turkey
Konya, Turkey
Whirling Dervishes, Turkey
Whirling Dervishes
Goreme Valley, Cappadocia, Turkey
Cappadocia, Turkey
Catalhoyuk, Neolithic site, Turkey
Çatalhöyük, Turkey

Central Turkey with Ian Colvin

This June, join historian Ian Colvin on a small group tour exploring Central Turkey. From Ankara to the captivating rock-cut cave churches of Cappadocia and Konya, home of Islam’s greatest poet, Rumi, delve into the region’s diverse history. Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites and journey through ancient eras, from Roman and Byzantine to the Bronze and Iron Ages. Traverse mountains and open steppes to uncover the beauty and heritage of Anatolia’s heartlands in this 12-day adventure.

20 June to 01 July 2024 from £4,485 per person
Contact Paul for further information

Need inspiration?
Browse our Turkey holiday ideas.

Our experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.

Experiences

Choose from our collection of curated experiences that will help us to create a bespoke and memorable journey for you.

Black Sea Coast, Turkey
Turkey

Local Seafood

Sample fresh sardines, a local delicacy.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Kas beach view, Turkey
Turkey

Kas Town

Wander the winding cobbled streets and soak up the local atmosphere in the harbour town of Kas.

Whirling Dervishes, Turkey
Turkey

Konya

Visit Konya, the home of the beautifully spiritual Whirling Dervishes.

Ruins of Knidos, Datca, Turkey
Turkey

Knidos Ruins

Explore the Datça peninsula with its pretty harbour town and ancient ruins at Knidos.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Fairy Towers, Love Valley, Cappadocia, Turkey
Turkey

The Fairy Chimneys

Hike through the dramatic Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Turkish Gulet, Turkey
Turkey

Board a Traditional Gulet

Access remote coves and bays, unreachable by the masses, onboard a traditional gulet.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Cappadocia, Turkey
Turkey

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Take to the air in a hot air balloon to view the magical lunar landscapes of Cappadocia.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Catalhoyuk, Neolithic site, Turkey
Turkey

Çatalhöyük

Visit Çatalhöyük one of the oldest towns in the world, a fascinating Neolithic site.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Mount Nemrut Turkey
Turkey

Mount Nemrut

Climb Mount Nemrut at sunrise and marvel at the colossal stone heads of Antiochus.

Mardin, small town near Diyarbakir in Turkey
Turkey

Mardin

Soak up the history of Mardin, blending a fascinating mixture of different religions and influences.

Explore Turkey

  • Aegean Coast
  • Black Sea Coast
  • Cappadocia
  • Istanbul
  • Eastern Turkey
  • Mediterranean Coast

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Six Senses Kocatas Mansion £££££

  • Turkey
  • City

Located in the prestigious Sariyer district of Istanbul, the new Six Senses is a converted historic mansion that offers remarkable views over the Bosphorus. Look further beyond the mansion and discover a spa and wellness experience set within lush landscaping that provides the perfect antidote to city life.

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Gulet Fortuna £££££

  • Turkey

The luxury sailing yacht MS Fortuna is designed to sleep a maximum of 14  passengers. Her traditional design is complemented by spacious fore, side and aft decks, modern nautical equipment, outdoor dining facilities and cushioned lounging areas.

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Gulet Nikola £££££

  • Europe

Nikola is a fully-crewed luxury sailing gulet cruising along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.  This is a fantastic opportunity for any first-time sailors to test the water in the world of cruising holidays. 

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Amanruya £££££

  • Turkey
  • Beach and Island Escapes

The isolated resort of Amanruya is a scenic 30-minute drive from the bustling town of Bodrum. The resort rests in spacious seclusion on 60 acres of forested hillside, overlooking its own private bay – a rare privilege on the Bodrum Peninsula. With flourishing pine forests, olive groves, the sound of cicadas and the crystal-clear warm waters of Bodrum Bay as its setting, Amanruya fulfils the promise of its name ‘peaceful dream’. With only 36 spacious Pavilions, each with a garden and pool the resort is an excellent choice for anybody looking for privacy and seclusion.

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Four Seasons Sultanahmet £££££

  • Turkey
  • City

The Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet is a luxury hotel in the old quarter of Istanbul, a short walk from the Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque. Once a Turkish prison, this striking mustard-coloured building is now a three-story neoclassical hotel with 65 rooms and suites set around a landscaped courtyard garden. Comfortable and well equipped, the rooms all overlook either the central courtyard or outwards to the Blue Mosque.

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Museum Hotel £££££

  • Turkey
  • Boutique

Museum Hotel can be found in the small unique town of Uchisar in Cappadocia. Carved into the cliff-face, the hotel offers panoramic views over the magical Cappadocia landscapes which are viewed from the Roman infinity swimming pool or from the award-winning Lil’a restaurant, which serves international and Turkish cuisine as well as a lovely selection of Cappadocian home-cooked dishes. This award-winning boutique cave hotel offers 30 beautifully decorated rooms and suites and is one of the best hotels in Cappadocia.

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Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Kate Hitchen

My travels were first inspired by my love of the UK, which I take as much pleasure in exploring as countries far and wide. For me, travel is all about the adventure, the people I meet and the food I sample along the way.

Talk with our experts
  • 1 800 571 2985

Paul Craven

Paul is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Central Asia and the Silk Route.

Being from a family with Army connections I can from an early age remember travelling. From camping in Europe and then later being sent to boarding school when we lived in Germany at the age of eight, complete with shorts, long socks, a cap and my suitcase. In appearance not too dissimilar to the children evacuated to the countryside during the blitz.

Talk with our experts
  • 1 800 571 2985

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