Lonely Planet Turkey (Travel Guide)

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This pretty little path gives visitors a taste of the beautiful nature inside Dilek Peninsula–Büyük Menderes National Park south of Kuşadası and it's a great starter for families. Some 801 different species of plants are found there, including 31 that are endemic to Turkey. Notable species are identified on informative signs posted along the way. With generally good highways and varied landscapes ranging from sea shores to summits, Turkey is prime road-trip territory. Larger cities have metro and tram systems, while even the smallest villages are generally served by at least one daily dolmuş (shared taxi) or minibus. At the end of winding roads on the already relaxed and remote Datça Peninsula, the pebbly Ovabükü Beach sits on a small bay surrounded by olive and almond groves. The water is clean, if a bit wavy, and small restaurants and cafes offer sun-lounger and umbrella rentals along with food and drink.

For a more active way to explore the Turquoise Coast, consider taking on part of the Lycian Way, a long-distance trekking path stretching 540 km (335 mi) from Fethiye to Antalya. Best traversed in spring or fall, the sometimes challenging trail winds along spectacular coastal cliffs, through bucolic villages and beach towns, past ancient ruins and up into the mountains. Taxis are available almost everywhere in Turkey, from big cities to small towns. In Istanbul, they have a poor reputation for surliness and attempting to scam passengers, particularly tourists. Using the local ride-hailing app BiTaksi (which is also available in Ankara) or Uber (which only offers rides in standard yellow and turquoise cabs because of outcry by taxi drivers) can provide more accountability, as can having your hotel call a taxi rather than finding one on the street. Such problems are encountered much less elsewhere. Public transportation in cities in Turkey

Covering more than 100,000 acres, this national park in the eastern province of Tunceli is the largest in Turkey – and the most biodiverse. Home to mountain goats, wild boar, foxes, lynx, badgers and even wolves and bears, it also boasts some 1500 plant species. Hiking and rafting are among the options for exploring its mountains, valleys, rivers, springs and mixed forests. The weather can be harsh outside summer months. Altınbeşik Mağarası Milli Parkı NEW top experiences feature- a visually inspiring collection of Turkey’s best experiences and where to have them That evening, we walked uphill through the small village of Şirince, and dined on traditional Turkish ravioli (but smaller) topped with yoghurt sauce in Pervin Teyze. Things to do in your free time Tulips bloom in parks across Istanbul, as do wildflowers in many parts of the country, making April a wonderful (if occasionally rainy) time of year for hiking on southern routes like the Lycian Way and Carian Trail. Çanakkale draws visitors en masse for Anzac Day, the annual commemoration of Allied soldiers (mostly from Australia and New Zealand) killed on the WWI battlefields of Gallipoli.

Yedigöller translates to ‘Seven Lakes’ in English, and that’s exactly what you’ll find in this national park in the northern province of Bolu. The namesake lakes were formed by avalanches and today are ringed by mixed forests that burst into brilliant displays of color each fall. The Kapankaya Manzara Seyir Yeri, a scenic overlook, is one of the most popular places in the park to visit. Turkey is not a particularly bike-friendly place, with limited infrastructure and little driver awareness of sharing the road, but bike touring in the Turkish countryside is rewarding for experienced and well-prepared cyclists. Several marked trekking routes, including the Evliya Çelebi Way in western Turkey and the Hittite Trail east of Ankara, are also accessible by cyclists as well as long-distance walkers. Accessible transportation in Turkey Lonely Planet’s Turkeyis our most comprehensive guide that extensively covers all the country has to offer, with recommendations for both popular and lesser-known experiences. See the minarets of Istanbul’s Old City, hot-air balloon over Cappadocia, gaze at the magnificent Aya Sofya; all with your trusted travel companion. To reach smaller towns and villages, you’ll probably have to transfer to a dolmuş or minibus at the nearest otogar (bus station). A dolmuş is most often a minibus, though sometimes a van or sedan, that sets off only once it is full of passengers ( dolmuş means “filled” in Turkish), which can mean long wait times in little-traveled areas. Dolmuşes run on a set route, but passengers have to tell the driver where they want to get off. The vehicles usually have a sign in the window indicating their destination, and in busy cities you might see a tout calling out the routes of the next departing dolmuş. In many places, dolmuş routes are being converted to minibus ones, with scheduled departures and set stops.

Turkey’s first and best-known long-distance hiking route is a classic. It traverses a vast swath of the Mediterranean shoreline between Fethiye and Antalya, taking in dramatic coastal vistas, secluded beaches and dozens of atmospheric ruins, including the ancient cities of Xanthos, Olympos and Phaselis.