Turkey is certainly a paradise for the ones who love history. The whole country is adorned with reminiscences of history, mythology and reminders of the past civilizations. Everywhere in Turkey you will be welcomed by archeological sites, domes and minarets of mosques, or castles and fortresses of many powerful rulers of the past, Istanbul, of course, is a perfect center for you to taste history and view one of the most beautiful visions of the world. The Bosphorus by itself is a masterpiece and a boat trip along the Bosphorus will give you clues as to what you may find in this city. Some of the places which deserve visiting are, Topkapi Palace, where sultans of the Ottoman Empire ruled the country for centuries; the Hagia Sophia, the celebrated church of Christianity; the majestic mosques Sultan Ahmet, Suleymaniye and many others. You have to spend at least four days to visit all of these sites. Having chosen Istanbul as a base for your sightseeing holiday, there is a place which is a must to see: Troy near Canakkale with its famous mythological Trojan Horse.
In Central Anatolia, Cappadocia is the perfect destination, if you want to get lost in the wonders of nature. This region is very rich in natural and historical sites. Goreme, Nevsehir, Urgup, Hattushas (Bogazkale) are important sites in this region.
In the Aegean Region, Izmir is the most appropriate center for a sightseeing holiday. From here you can easily visit the ancient cities of Ephesus and Pergamum, Hierapolis (Pamukkale) and Aphrodisias, which stand in dream-like beauty, to the east of Izmir.
Antalya, although famous as a resort of sun and sea also offers special opportunities for sightseeing. It is located just in the middle of the historical sites of Side, Perge, and Aspendos. The Dim Cave near Alanya is worth visiting for sure.
The Eastern Anatolian and Black Sea regions are treasures of history and nature where sightseeing turns out to be an adventurous holiday. Mount Nemrut, famous for its gigantic statues of the gods on its summit, is the most visited site. In the Black Sea Region, the Monastery of Sumela near Trabzon is one of the other most attractive sights in Turkey.