From sultans’ harems and domed mosques to Roman ruins and bustling bazaars filled with rugs, ceramics, copperware and fragrant spices, Turkey presents a rich cultural spread of sights, tastes and experiences. Straddling Europe and Asia, it is the only country in the world that sits on two continents, a geographical fact that shapes a culture where ancient traditions and modern life blend seamlessly.
Because of recent political unrest and regional instability, business travelers should exercise prudence wherever they go in Turkey, including İstanbul. Perched on the Bosporus, İstanbul is as exotic as it is grand. Founded by Greeks in the 7th century B.C. as Byzantium, it grew into a world capital over 16 centuries under successive rulers such as Alexander the Great, Constantine the Great (who renamed it Constantinople) and later the Ottoman sultans. Today İstanbul is Turkey’s cultural and commercial heart.
If work has kept you from seeing the city’s major monuments, make them a priority. Start with the Hagia Sophia, a structure that served as a Byzantine church and later an Ottoman mosque. First constructed in the fourth century and rebuilt twice since, its central dome was an architectural marvel for its time. Inside, marble floors and walls host spectacular Byzantine mosaics, many adorned with gold.
Hagia Sophia interior © Nikolai Sorokin | Dreamstime.com
Facing the Hagia Sophia is the Blue Mosque, a multi-domed masterpiece from the early 1600s featuring six minarets and a courtyard nearly the size of the main prayer hall. Its name comes from thousands of blue İznik tiles that decorate the interior.
Don’t miss Topkapi Palace, the 15th-century residence of the Ottoman sultan and his court. The palace is a series of stone pavilions set around spacious courtyards and evokes the tented encampments of nomadic Ottomans. Arrange for a guided tour of the harem quarters (separate tickets required) to explore the lavish rooms once occupied by the sultan’s family and attendants.
For a truly immersive experience, visit The Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of vaulted streets lined with thousands of shops and stalls. Here you’ll find silk and wool carpets—many shops can pack them into a compact rectangle for travel—alongside brass coffee pots, painted ceramics, and traditional slippers. Nearby, the Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar overflows with aromatic heaps of cumin, paprika and turmeric, jars of honeyed nuts and trays of dried fruits.
A Bosporus ferry offers a spectacular perspective on İstanbul. Boats depart daily from Eminönü and head up the strait toward the Black Sea, passing landmarks such as Ortaköy Mosque on the European shore and Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asian side. Many cruises stop at fishing villages along the way, where you can step ashore for a grilled fish lunch and local atmosphere.
For a coastal change of pace, fly to İzmir, Turkey’s third-largest city and a cosmopolitan port on the Aegean coast. Once the Greek city of Smyrna, İzmir offers a relaxed vibe and a range of hotels—Alsancak is a lively neighborhood with international lodging, restaurants, nightlife and bars.
İzmir’s population reflects a diverse history, with Armenian, British, French, Greek, Italian and Sephardic Jewish influences—the latter dating to Jews who settled in Turkey after their expulsion from Spain in the 15th century. Much of the city feels modern because İzmir was rebuilt after a devastating fire in the early 1920s.
Begin exploring at Kordonboyu, the waterfront promenade lined with cafés. Visit the iconic clock tower in Konak and the Konak Pier, designed by Gustave Eiffel, once a customs house and now restored to house restaurants, cinemas and shops. For a leisurely experience, take a traditional carriage ride through parts of the city.
Izmir’s Kemeraltı bazaar, though smaller than İstanbul’s, brims with vendors selling everything from sneakers and kitchenware to tea glasses and kilim rugs. Inside the covered market is Hisar Mosque, an important Ottoman landmark worth visiting.
Turkish lamps for sale in The Grand Bazaar, Istanbul © Vladyslav Danilin | Dreamstime.com
No trip to Turkey is complete without a Turkish bath, and İzmir is known for its thermal waters. Ask your hotel about a visit to Balçova Thermal Hotel, which features one of the country’s largest indoor thermal pools. Locals believe the waters ease muscular aches and certain digestive complaints.
Enjoy İzmir’s culinary specialties: try boyoz, a flaky round pastry made from flour, oil and a touch of tahini, traditionally eaten at breakfast with a boiled egg; or lokma, small fried dough balls drenched in lemony syrup and served warm. The region also offers excellent seafood and classic Turkish dishes such as lamb-stuffed eggplant, rice pilaf and spicy kebabs.
About 50 miles south of İzmir lies Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the eastern Mediterranean. Founded in the 10th century B.C. by Ionic Greeks and later flourishing as a Roman urban center, Ephesus earned UNESCO World Heritage status and reveals layers of Hellenic and Roman remains. While much of the Temple of Artemis is gone, excavations have uncovered remarkable architectural treasures.
Walking Ephesus brings the past to life—explore the first-century Stadium near the entrance, the massive stone Theatre, Arcadian Street and Marble Road with its chariot grooves leading to the Celsus Library, which still displays two stories of columns and the stairs that once led to reading rooms. Allow time to visit the nearby House of the Virgin Mary as well.
Ephesus sits within the town of Selçuk, where staying overnight lets you explore the ruins without rushing. Selçuk offers modest hotels and restaurants, and local tradition links the town to Saint John the Evangelist’s burial site. If you visit in the third week of January, you might witness the unique camel-wrestling festival—a memorable cultural spectacle.
Turkey Info to Go
İstanbul Atatürk Airport is the main international gateway serving the city and sits roughly 15 miles west of the center on the European side. It is a hub for Turkish Airlines, which operates frequent daily flights from İstanbul to İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport; direct flights are about an hour. From İzmir, hire a car or take local transport to reach Selçuk and Ephesus. Some carriers offer shuttle services between İzmir and Selçuk—check schedules when booking.