Are you ready to peel back the layers of fascinating Turkish history on your next getaway? Join us on a journey across this sun-soaked country and we’ll show you all the best history-stuffed attractions.

Turkey (Türkiye) is a real melting pot of cultures after the rise and fall of various empires across thousands of years. From Antalya to Bodrum and Dalaman to Izmir, you’ve got so much to explore. And whether it’s crumbling prehistoric ruins, tremendous temples or captivating churches and mosques that you can’t get enough of, you’ll be spoilt for choice with this Turkish treasure trove of time-worn delights!

Not sure what should be top of your sightseeing list? Here are some of our favourites…

Ephesus, Izmir

Ephesus, also known as Efes, isn’t just one ancient attraction, it’s an entire Roman port city, with whole streets lined with temples, theatres, bath houses and iconic ruins to explore! It started to take shape more than eight thousand years ago with the foundations of a small settlement called Apasas, built by the Hittites – Anatolian people who established the first kingdom in today’s Turkey (Türkiye).

It draws in around one million visitors from across the world each year and is one of the most significant UNESCO World Heritage sites in the country. The most important features are the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre and the world-famous Temple of Artemis – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Unfortunately, only one column of the original Temple of Artemis remains standing today, but you can still really get a feel for how grand this place once was thanks to the impeccably preserved buildings.

Most of the site is made from marble so it absorbs a lot of the sun’s rays. If you’re visiting when it’s hot and sunny, wear light clothing and take a bottle of water to help keep you cool as you wander around. Entry tickets to the Ephesus Archaeological Site are around £5 per person.

Just next door, you’ll find the Ephesus Archaeological Museum which houses many of the interesting artefacts that were found during excavation of the site. You can also see fascinating videos that show reconstructions and animations of the city of Ephesus complete. It costs around £2 per person to enter the museum.

Ancient City of Kedrai, Marmaris

Marmaris is where the Mediterranean meets the Aegean, where verdant green forests meet the famous turquoise sea and where modern culture meets ancient civilisations. Cleopatra Island, also known as Sedir Island, where Egyptian Queen Cleopatra swam and lay on the sand, offers a unique experience with its soft, golden shore and aquamarine waters.

You can reach the island by boat and visit the ancient city of Kedrai that dates back to the 6th century BCE. The Dorians were the first to settle in this city, which is only 200 meters above the beach!

Temple of Apollo, Didim

On the edge of the Didim resort is where you’ll find the historic ruins of the Temple of Apollo. The marble columns and pillars are bigger than you could imagine, and they stand tall among the large rocks and leafy trees on the site. The temple was constructed then destroyed in an earthquake and never finished, so only some of what you see today is part of the original structure. Many rulers visited the site during its development, including Alexander the Great!

If you’re sticking around in the area until night-time, you’ll see this magnificent structure lit up with hundreds of lights. For an extra-special evening, grab a table at one of the nearby restaurant terraces and enjoy your meal with the temple as your backdrop.

Kayakoy, Hisaronu

Between the popular holiday resorts of Fethiye and Olu Deniz, you’ll find the mysterious ‘ghost town’ of Kayakoy. It may look like an ancient settlement, but this is, in fact, a fairly modern piece of history after the town was abandoned in the 1920s. More than 350 buildings now remain roofless, and all the homes, churches, schools, shops and fountains have been left to weather and age.

Although a little eerie, it’s still a beautiful town to explore and once you know the history of the place, it becomes even more interesting.

Bodrum Antique Theatre, Bodrum

This huge theatre overlooks the city of Bodrum and showcases stunning views across the city streets and out across the glittering Mediterranean Sea. The best part? It’s a totally free attraction, so you can wander up as many times as you like! This gigantic structure was originally built back in the 4th century BC, but it then went on to be made much bigger by the Romans nearly 600 years later!

In the summer, there are often music concerts and theatre productions held here, so don’t miss out if you’re lucky enough to be there when they’re on – the acoustics are second to none and it can seat up to 13,000 spectators!

Amyntas Rock Tombs, Fethiye

These intricate rock tombs would be an impressive sight if they were created today, but to hear that they date back more than 2,500 years is nothing short of mind-blowing! You’ll find them up in the southern hills of Fethiye, but they’re easily seen from the valley below on a boat trip or if you fancy the hike up there. Beware though, you’ll have to climb 200 steps to reach the site, so wear your comfy shoes and pack a bottle of water to keep you hydrated!

These tombs were the final resting place for local Lycians that once called this place home. They believed that people were taken into the afterlife by magical winged animals, so made sure their loved ones were buried in high places such as atop a hill or on a high cliff. Some of the detail and intricacy has started to naturally erode from the stone, but this has just helped to document their age without taking away from their character.

Alanya Castle, Alanya

You’ll feel some Game of Thrones vibes at this dramatic, 13th-century hilltop fortress. Within the 6km-long wall that surrounds it, you’ll find 140 trembling towers, ruins of houses and cisterns and a stunning 11th-century Eastern Roman church with a courtyard adorned with ancient frescoes. In total, the site covers a whopping ten hectares!

You can travel halfway up to the castle by coach then make the rest of the walk on foot, or if you’re feeling fit, you can walk all the way up there from downtown Alanya in around an hour. Once there, take some time to drink in the spectacular views across the city below and see ships coming into the harbour. Visit at sunset and you’ll be blown away by the tangerine-tinged backdrop.

Please note that Game of Thrones is not responsible for any element of this blog and has in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered this blog.