A country saturated in culture and natural beauty, Turkey is a destination like no other. Here are 6 jaw-droppingly beautiful destinations you can’t overlook when planning your trip, from breath-taking hotsprings to eerie sculptures. Read on to be amazed…

1. Pamukkale

One of the most spectacular natural wonders out there, the milky mineral waters have cascaded down the hillside for thousands of years, creating one of the world’s most unique thermal hot springs. Located in Turkey’s Büyük Menderes Valley Pamukkale translates to ‘cotton castle’ in Turkish, which is a very fitting name for this thermal spring!

2. Nemrut Dağ

Crowning one of the highest peaks of the Eastern Taurus mountain range, Nemrut Dağ is one of the most impressive World Heritage sights in the world. It was built in the 1st century BC by a local dynast called Antiochus I who ruled a small but wealthy kingdom in south-east Turkey called Commagene. The impressive statues reach a height of around 8 – 10 meters each, making this one of Turkey’s most fascinating yet eerie sites.

3. Cappadocia’s Cave Houses

People have lived in this historic region for over three thousand years, with early settlers making their home inside the ancient volcanic rock formations. The rock formations that create Cappadocia’s unique landscapes were created by volcanic eruptions, erosion, and wind. With rock soft enough that you can easily dig right into it. One of the most interesting experiences you can have in this little Turkish region is staying in a cave hotel!

4. Ephesus

Known as one of the great outdoor museums of Turkey, Ephesus was an ancient port city whose well-preserved ruins are in modern-day Turkey. The city was once considered the most important Greek city and the most important trading centre in the Mediterranean region. One of the most impressive tourist attractions in this ancient city is the Library of Celsus, it is the third-largest library in the Roman world built way back in 110 AD and you can still see it standing today after all these years!

5. Love Valley

Named after its unusual shaped rock formations… the Love Valley is one of the most fantastic sites to visit in Cappadocia and is popular with couples for marriage proposals! The huge phallic formations may look like a homage to male fertility but are actually the result of thousands of years of erosion of volcanic rock. Every morning before sunrise, hundreds of hot air balloons rise into the air above Cappadocia, giving passengers the opportunity to marvel at the unique landscape below.

6. Yanartaş

Yanartaş is a mountain temple sanctuary where natural fires have been burning for at least 2500 years through fissures fuelled by gas emissions. The eternal flames flicker from gaps in the side of the mountain making it one of the most unusual sights found in Turkey. In the past, mariners passing by used the bright flames as a landmark on their voyage, however nowadays hikers use the ever-present fires to brew tea or toast marshmallows so don’t forget to bring some for the ultimate campfire experience!

For those wanting to find out more about visiting Turkey or joining us on our Hot Air Ballooning Experience which includes 2 nights in Istanbul as well as the once-in-a-lifetime balloon ride over Cappadocia please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Written by Lucy Kaufmann