Turkey is like a living museum where continents collide, cultures blend, and landscapes shift from Mediterranean coastlines to moon-like volcanic formations. It’s a destination where ancient ruins tell stories of civilisations that shaped the world, while natural wonders provide adventures that’ll have you reaching for superlatives you didn’t know existed.
This transcontinental country bridges Europe and Asia both geographically and culturally, offering the kind of diverse experiences that usually require visiting multiple countries. From hiking trails that wind along turquoise coastlines to underground cities carved from volcanic rock, the beauty of Turkish adventure travel lies in its accessibility, as most of the country’s incredible natural and historical sites are surprisingly easy to reach.
What makes Turkey particularly special for outdoor enthusiasts is how seamlessly it combines exciting activities with profound cultural experiences. Ready to start planning an adventure holiday in Turkey and discover why it should top every adventure traveller’s bucket list? Here are four of the best things to do around the country.
Hike the Lycian Coast
Looking to explore the Turkish landscape on foot? The Lycian Way stretches for 540 kilometres along Turkey’s stunning Mediterranean coast, creating what many consider one of the world’s most spectacular long-distance hiking trails.
This waymarked path follows routes used by the ancient Lycian civilization over 2,000 years ago, winding past crumbling Roman amphitheatres, Lycian tombs, and Byzantine churches. Most hikers tackle sections rather than the entire route, with 3-7 day segments providing the perfect balance of challenge and reward.
The trail can be accessed from multiple points between Fethiye and Antalya, with popular starting sections including the dramatic coastal stretch from Kaş to Demre, where hikers traverse pine-scented headlands offering panoramic views of islands scattered across impossibly blue waters. The Lycian Way suits confident hikers who appreciate well-marked trails with occasional challenging terrain, though some sections require scrambling over rocks and navigating steep coastal paths that demand sure footing and a head for heights.
Explore Cappadocia’s Landscapes
Visiting Cappadocia feels like stepping onto an alien planet, which is a big reason why it’s one of the best things to do in Turkey. Volcanic activity and millennia of erosion have sculpted a landscape so surreal that early Christians believed it must be where heaven touched earth.
The region’s famous “fairy chimneys” – towering rock formations with caps of harder stone – create a dreamscape that’s been further enhanced by humans who carved entire cities into the soft volcanic rock. The valleys are dotted with cave churches and rock-cut dwellings that date back to Byzantine times, which are best viewed from a hot air balloon.
Cappadocia appeals to photographers, history buffs, and anyone who appreciates landscapes that seem too fantastical to be real. The region centres around the towns of Göreme, Ürgüp, and Avanos, which are all easily accessible by bus from major Turkish cities or via flights to nearby Nevşehir or Kayseri airports, making this geological wonderland surprisingly convenient to reach.
Discover the History of Ephesus
Walking through Ephesus is like taking a perfectly preserved journey back to the height of Roman civilisation. Marble streets still bear the wheel ruts of ancient chariots, and the world’s most complete ancient theatre continues to demonstrate perfect acoustics.
This archaeological marvel near modern-day Selçuk was once the second-largest city in the Roman Empire, serving as the capital of Asia Minor and home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – the Temple of Artemis. The site’s crown jewel, the Library of Celsus, stands as one of antiquity’s most beautiful buildings, its ornate façade restored to showcase the sophistication of Roman architecture and engineering.
Ephesus lies just a short drive from Selçuk, which is connected by regular trains to İzmir, making this world-class archaeological site easily accessible as a day trip. History enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and anyone curious about how our ancestors lived will find Ephesus endlessly fascinating – it’s one of those rare places where imagination perfectly meets reality.
Relax at the Pamukkale Thermal Pools
Pamukkale, meaning “cotton castle” in Turkish, is one of nature’s most surreal spectacles. Millennia of mineral-rich hot springs have built gleaming white travertine terraces that cascade down a hillside like frozen waterfalls of marble.
These thermal pools have been attracting visitors since Roman times, when the ancient city of Hierapolis was built directly above this natural wonder. The site allows visitors to wade barefoot through the warm, mineral-rich waters that are said to have healing properties for various ailments, though the main pools are carefully managed to preserve their pristine appearance from the wear of millions of annual visitors.
This natural wonder appeals to travellers seeking unique photographic opportunities, those interested in combining relaxation with cultural exploration, and anyone who appreciates geological formations so striking they seem almost too perfect to be real. Above the travertines, the ruins of Hierapolis offer another layer of exploration, including one of Turkey’s best-preserved ancient theatres, a necropolis with over 1,200 tombs, and the legendary Plutonium – an ancient gateway to the underworld.
Start Planning Your Trip to Turkey
These four things to do represent just a glimpse of Turkey’s incredible diversity. The country’s well-developed tourism infrastructure means that even remote natural wonders remain accessible to travellers with varying levels of experience and comfort preferences, while its rich history ensures that every outdoor adventure comes with a fascinating cultural context.
Whether you’re drawn to coastal hiking trails, surreal volcanic landscapes, perfectly preserved ancient cities, or natural thermal wonders, Turkey offers the kind of transformative travel experiences that remind you why exploration matters. From the moment you arrive, you’ll understand why Turkey has been captivating travellers for thousands of years.
