Guide to Top UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Turkey

Turkey, the country situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, has immense historical significance. From the Ancient Anatolian civilizations to Troy to the rise and fall of the Roman and Ottoman empires, the modern land of the Turkish Republic has been a witness to some of the defining moments in History.

The UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Turkey are still-standing evidence from some of the most talked about events in History. This guide will provide you with some insight into some of these ancient ruins, jaw-dropping landscapes, and tales of legends. 

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Turkey

Here is a list of some of the major UNESCO World Heritage sites in Turkey.

Table: The list of World Heritage Sites, Turkey

Göreme National Park

Want to visit someplace where the stunning beauty of nature meets with the breathtaking creations of mankind? Göreme National Park is the place to visit.  The fairy chimneys and caves in the location are unique, dwelling forever in your memory. 

It is the location for the Göreme Open Air Museum, which is home to early Christian cave churches. They are of immense historical significance, showcasing places where early Christian communities sought refuge before flourishing in Cappadocia.  

The best time to visit this place is in late spring, between April and May, and autumn, encompassing September to November. The weather during this time is fairly mild, and the flowers create a vibrant foliage. 

This time is not only favorable to explore the park, but also for the Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon ride. There are two types of Balloon rides offered here, the “standard” and the “comfort” flights. The comfort flights offer longer durations and accommodate fewer people for a more private experience. 

However, the best tours would be a bit expensive. They offer more experienced pilots, and in some cases, even breakfast and post-flight Champagne. Thus, the more expensive choice is the recommended one, for the ideal and safest experience. 

Ephesus

Ephesus is a crucial remnant of the ancient Greek civilization, located in Western Turkey. The Temple of Artemis is the site welcoming you here. This temple, constructed in 550 BC, was among the seven wonders of the ancient world. 

This ancient city is also the location of the Library of Celsus, one of the largest libraries in the ancient world, and the Great Theatre, one of the largest of its time, able to hold 25,000 spectators. 

An impressive site of Ancient urban infrastructure, it was the commercial center in the Roman Empire. The city’s architecture involves a sophisticated layout, colonnaded streets paved with marble, a complex aqueduct system supplying fresh water, and an effective sewage system. 

This is a place, among others, that will make your application for a Turkey tourist visa extremely worthwhile. And to enjoy this place the most, visit during the shoulder season, such as April-June or September-October. 

Since you would visit this place in the warmer months, the sun’s heat will be significant, especially due to a lack of proper shade all around. It will be a good idea to cover yourself from the sun or apply sunscreen. 

Also, getting a guided tour will be an excellent choice to properly experience the heritage of this Ancient city. 

Hierapolis-Pamukkale

The appeal of Pamukkale is in the unreal landscape created by calcite-filled water. It was here that the Attalids, the Kings of Pergamon, established the Hierapolis thermal spa at the end of the 2nd Century B.C. 

As tourists, a reason to visit Hierapolis can be bathing in Cleopatra’s Pool, next to the Pamukkale travertines. You can also get your Roman spa treatment here with its hot springs and thermal mud baths. Here, you enrich your body with the healing waters of the Karahayit Hot Springs. 

P.S. The culture here is to take your shoes off before entering the pools. Do not wear water shoes here as they are prohibited. 

Mount Nemrut

Mount Nemrut is most famous for the magnificent giant stone sculptures overlooking the mountain. These giant heads were built in the 1st Century B.C., under King Antiochus I Theos, of the Commagene Kingdom. 

These statues are nothing like what you have ever seen, standing at 10 meters tall and weighing about 6 tons. To best experience the haunting beauty of these giant statues of Gods and Kings, the place is best visited during sunrise or at sunset. 

While this site is located overlooking a mountain, getting to this location is possible by car, so no trekking will be required. However, taking some precautions for mitigating altitude sickness will be important. In any case, try to ascend slowly. This will allow you to get used to the altitude and prevent dehydration. 

If you are planning on applying for a Turkey tourist visa, Mount Nemrut is a must-visit site in your travel itinerary. 

Hattusha: The Hittite Capital

This historical site (Boğazkale District, Çorum Province, Northern Central Anatolian Mountain Region) is known as a well-preserved urban layout, with intricate architecture and a rich cultural heritage.

It is also the site for a stone tablet, the evidence of the earliest known peace treaty, the Kadesh Treaty between King Hattušili III and the Pharaoh Ramses II. 

The impressive city walls, the well-preserved layout, along with the various archaeological finds, make this place extremely desirable for anthropology and archaeology buffs. This is especially due to the immersive experience it provides. 

Troy

This ancient site holds great historical significance, especially as the city from Homer’s epic, the “Iliad”. In the legend, this city was conquered after a 10-year-long siege by the Greek King Agamemnon after Helen, a Spartan Queen, was abducted by the Trojan King Priam’s son, Paris. 

It now stands among the most notable sites in the world. Troy has been subject to several archaeological campaigns, starting from the 18th and 19th centuries. And, in the present day, what still stands are the remains of the ancient city’s walls, gates, and buildings. 

A replica of the Trojan Horse is also present at the entrance to the archaeological site, making the modern remnants of Troy a place for history buffs, fans of Greek mythology, and fans of archaeology. 

Visitor Essentials Table

Having discussed some of the must-visit UNESCO World Heritage sites in Turkey, a small recap of when to visit and accessibility of the locations can be important. This is reflected in the Visitor Essentials Table below, which can be valuable if you are applying for a Turkey tourist visa. 

Table: Visitor Essentials

Of course, this is just a loose guideline; your actual itinerary will depend on what you want. Also, if your visa duration can cover five out of the six places, and you want to experience the sixth site, you can choose to extend the Turkey visa duration.

Plan a Trip to Turkey Today!

Wasn’t the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Turkey exciting? If this guide makes you want to visit the country and get all the sites on a checklist, why wait? Start planning an itinerary and apply for the Turkish tourist visa as soon as possible!

Side note, if you are planning to visit during a busy season, apply for the visa as early as possible and start planning. It will help avoid any undesirable situations or delays later on.