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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Turkey

101 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Turkey

Updated July 26, 2022

Cities

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Unusual Attractions in Turkey

Aksaray, Turkey

Cappadocia

In this historic region, homes and churches are carved into ancient volcanic rock formations.

Istanbul, Turkey

Basilica Cisterns of Istanbul

A marvel of Byzantine engineering under the streets of Istanbul.

Denizli, Turkey

Pamukkale Water Terraces

Roman ruins top white travertine terraces formed by ancient hot springs.

Fethiye, Turkey

Lycian Rock Tombs

These tombs were built into the side of a mountain so that ancient angels could reach the dead.

Demre, Turkey

Myra Necropolis

A Lycian city of the dead carved into the hillside of Southern Turkey, complete with startlingly human touches.

Örencik, Turkey

Gobekli Tepe

This hunter-gatherer architecture is believed to be the oldest religious complex known.

Çanakkale, Turkey

Troy

This famous city eluded concrete detection until the early 2000's.

Denizli Merkez, Turkey

Pluto's Gate

A deadly ancient portal to the underworld.

See All 101 Things To Do in Turkey

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Turkey

Istanbul, Turkey

Asitane Restaurant

This eatery re-creates dishes from the Ottoman Empire so you can dine like a sultan.

Istanbul, Turkey

Pudding Shop (Lale Restaurant)

This crucial gathering spot along the "hippie trail" still displays old notes between traveling beatniks and backpackers.

Istanbul, Turkey

Galata House Restaurant

Housed in an old British jail, this spot serves up Georgian, Russian, and Ukrainian specialities with a side of Turkish history.

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Guided Tours of Turkey

Explore Turkey

Sacred Spaces 14

Architectural Oddities 12

Subterranean Sites 8

Unique Restaurants & Bars 3

Places To Stay 2

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Stories About Turkey

The Educator Stockpiling—and Sharing—Turkey's Heritage Seeds

You don't save agricultural traditions without swapping some seeds.

by Katie Nadworny

The Curious Past and Uncertain Future of the Original 'Meander'

In southwestern Turkey, the winding Büyük Menderes River shaped human history. Now, it's humans who will carve its future course.

by Gemma Tarlach

The Story Behind Turkey's Pricey, Fairy-Tale Ghost Town

Burj Al Babas may one day be full of wealthy vacationers, but for now it's a strange sight.

by Inka Piegsa-Quischotte

In Turkey's Taurus Mountains, Farms Look Like Modern Art

Despite challenging terrain, these narrow plots produce tons of grain, nuts, fruits, and flowers each year.

by Gemma Tarlach

Istanbul's Master of Puppets Is on a Mission to Save an Ancient Art

From his tiny studio, Cengiz Özek finds new ways to keep this Ottoman era tradition alive.

by Demetrios Ioannou

Tracking Turkey’s Wild Horses

The provinces are home to the elusive yılkı horse, a living reminder of the rich equine history that has long stretched across Central Anatolia.

by Ashley Parsons

December 1, 2020

How to Dress Like an Ottoman

A 19th-century style guide displays the diversity of an empire.

by Noor Al-Samarrai

Found: Vulgar Mosaics in a Roman Latrine

They offered bathroom-goers some raunchy entertainment.

by Matthew Taub

November 8, 2018

Lists Featuring Turkey

Latrines.

The public toilets could get quite crowded.

The abbey ruins.

The stone latrines in the baths at Dougga.

6 Old Latrines Worth a Visit, Even If You Can't Use Them

March your tuchus to these historic bathrooms to see how people used to take care of business.

Including Latrine Poems at Museo de la Natividad, The Public Toilets of Ephesus , and Egglestone Abbey

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