Turkey has everything from ancient ruins, to gorgeous beaches, countryside, and cities, so there is something for everyone and more than enough to see on a vacation. In fact there might be too much to see on a single vacation. Here are some of the top cities to check out when you’re in Turkey.

Ankara

Ankara is the capital of Turkey, so it is a very modern city with lots of commercial buildings, museums, government buildings, universities, etc. It’s also a very popular transportation hub for the country, as it links together a lot of the other areas in Turkey.

Konya

Konya is one of the oldest cities in the world, not just in Turkey. In the 12th and 13th centuries the region was under the Seljuk Dynasty, and many of the buildings to see are incredibly old and beautiful. The ruins of the Seljuk palace are still there to be seen as well. The Persian theologian and Sufi mystic Rumi was from this town, which will be interesting to anyone who has read any of his work.

Mardin

The town of Mardin is on the side of a mountain, and is the capital of the Mardin Province. The town looks out over the plains of Mesopotamia and is one of the oldest towns in the area. Visit Mardin when you’re in the mood for lots of old culture, buildings, and lots of diversity. It’s also very easy to get around Mardin by walking which makes it great for taking photos and exploring as you wander around.

Antalya

Antalya is located on the Mediterranean coast and the Turkish Riviera, so expect lots of beautiful water as well as mountain views. The city is big and incredibly popular so it’s a great stop for tourists with its many restaurants, hotels, bars, and shops. There are also ancient ruins in the area to check out, as well as lots of activities like water sports and mountain climbing.

Marmaris

Marmaris is another town that is on the water and is one of the most popular seaside resort areas in Turkey. The town has gorgeous mountains as well as bright white sand and the clear blue waters that make it feel like a luxury vacation spot. There are a lot of adventure type activities to do in the area, and there is also a very busy nightlife so its a fun place for tourists to go and stay for a while. While there is more than enough to do within the town, there are also a lot of day trips that can be taken from the area as well.

Ephesus

Ephesus is one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of Turkey, as it the most complete classical metropolis in existence. The ruins of the town are quite well preserved and contains the Temple of Artemis which is of the seven wonders of the world. At its heyday Ephesus was one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire. It also has a theater and a library that was built to hold more than 12,000 scrolls.