Türkiye Through My Eyes: Places I Call Home and Love to Explore

From the streets of Istanbul to the Aegean coast, a personal guide to some of my favorite places in Türkiye.

Türkiye is a country with an incredible variety of landscapes, cities, cultures, and ways of life. From the busy streets of Istanbul to the quieter neighborhoods of Ankara and the beautiful coastline of Bodrum, there is always something different to discover.

Having lived in Istanbul, Ankara, and Bodrum, I've experienced three quite different sides of the country. Each has its own atmosphere, and over the years, I've developed a collection of favorite places that I enjoy returning to.

I've also had the opportunity to travel around other parts of Türkiye, from the Black Sea region to the Mediterranean coast and Central Anatolia.

Here are some of the places I particularly enjoy and would recommend to anyone interested in exploring Türkiye.

Istanbul   Life Between Two Continents

Istanbul is one of those cities where there is always something to do, whether it's walking along the Bosphorus, exploring different neighborhoods, or simply enjoying the atmosphere of the city.

On the Asian side, some of my favorite areas are Kadıköy and Caddebostan. I've spent a lot of time around Fenerbahçe, and I particularly enjoy the coastal areas around Caddebostan. They are great places for walking, spending time outdoors, and enjoying the sea.

On the European side, I really like Beşiktaş and Akaretler, as well as the area around Teşvikiye and Nişantaşı. These neighborhoods have plenty of cafés, restaurants, shops, and streets worth exploring. Akaretler also has a personal connection for me because of my family's history in the area.

Another place I particularly enjoy is Büyükada, the largest of Istanbul's Princes' Islands. I've spent a lot of time around the Nizam neighborhood. The island offers a different atmosphere from central Istanbul, with its historic houses, greenery, and quieter streets.

For visitors interested in exploring the historic and waterfront parts of Istanbul, I'd also recommend Karaköy, and the area around Galata Tower. I've visited these places on several occasions and enjoy walking around the surrounding streets.

I've also spent time around Yenikapı, particularly through running events. One of my memorable running experiences was crossing the Bosphorus Bridge and continuing towards Yenikapı. Running through different parts of Istanbul offers a completely different perspective on the city.

Other places I've visited include the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar, Zorlu Center, and Pendik on the Asian side.

What I particularly enjoy about Istanbul is how different its neighborhoods can feel. You can spend a morning walking by the sea in Kadıköy and an afternoon exploring the historic streets of the European side.

Ankara  A Different Side of Türkiye

My family and I lived in Ankara because of my father's diplomatic career, and over the years, I've grown quite fond of certain parts of the city.

Some of my favorite areas are around İnönü Park, Tunalı Hilmi Street, and Kuğulu Park. I know these neighborhoods well, and they're places I still enjoy returning to. Tunalı is particularly nice for walking around, visiting cafés, and spending an afternoon.

I also really like Mezzaluna, an Italian restaurant I've enjoyed going to in Ankara. It's one of those places I like returning to whenever I'm in the city. Another area I enjoy is Bilkent, where I attended high school. I have plenty of memories from that part of Ankara.

For anyone visiting Ankara, I would definitely recommend Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye. Beyond being one of the country's most important historical landmarks, it's a place that offers visitors an opportunity to learn about Atatürk and the founding of the modern Turkish Republic.

Another place I'd recommend is Eymir Lake. I've cycled around the lake before, and it's a lovely option if you want to spend a few hours outdoors. Ankara has more green spaces than people sometimes expect, and Eymir is one of my favorites.

I've also been camping around Işık Dağı, which was another enjoyable experience.

Ankara might not be the first destination people think of when visiting Türkiye, but I think it's worth exploring, particularly if you're interested in the country's history and want to experience a different side of Turkish city life.

Bodrum  Life on the Aegean Coast

Bodrum is one of my favorite places in Türkiye, and somewhere I enjoy spending a great deal of time.

Located on the Aegean coast, it is known for its beautiful sea, coastal towns, restaurants, and summer atmosphere. Having spent time living around Türkbükü and Gölköy, I've become particularly attached to this part of the peninsula.

The sea is one of the main reasons I love Bodrum. The coastline is beautiful, and there are many different bays and towns to explore.

Some of my favorite places include Türkbükü, Gölköy, Yalıkavak, Gündoğan, and Bodrum Center. I've also visited Akyarlar on several occasions.

Each area offers something slightly different. Türkbükü and Gölköy are particularly enjoyable for their seaside atmosphere, while Yalıkavak has its marina, restaurants, and shops. Bodrum Center is worth exploring for its streets, waterfront, and lively atmosphere.

Beyond Bodrum, I also really enjoy other parts of Muğla, particularly Fethiye, Selimiye, and Orhaniye, including the area around Martı Marina.

The Aegean coast is one of the parts of Türkiye I would most strongly recommend visiting, especially if you enjoy the sea, coastal scenery, and spending time outdoors.

Bodrum deserves an article of its own, so I'll be writing more about my favorite places around the peninsula separately.

I've also spent time in İzmir and Çeşme, another part of the Aegean coast that I really like. İzmir has a different atmosphere from Istanbul and Ankara, with its waterfront and more relaxed pace of life. Çeşme is particularly nice during the summer, with its beaches, clear water, and coastal towns. Both are places I'd recommend exploring if you're planning to spend some time along Türkiye's Aegean coast.

Beyond My Three Cities  Exploring Türkiye

Although Istanbul, Ankara, and Bodrum are the places I know best, I've also enjoyed visiting other regions of Türkiye.

The Black Sea Region

One of my memorable trips was a tour of the Black Sea region, where I visited Trabzon, Rize, and Artvin, including the Şavşat area.

The region offers a very different landscape from the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, with green mountains, forests, and beautiful natural scenery.

For anyone interested in discovering Türkiye beyond its major cities and beach destinations, the Black Sea region is worth considering.

Antalya and the Mediterranean Coast

I've visited Antalya several times, both for holidays and running events.

The city and its surrounding coastline are beautiful, and combining a running event with time by the Mediterranean has made some of my visits particularly enjoyable.

Antalya is a great destination for those who want to combine beaches, outdoor activities, and exploring the surrounding area.

Konya, Şanlıurfa, and Bursa

I've also had the opportunity to visit several other Turkish cities.

In Konya, I visited the Mevlana Museum, which was the main reason for my trip. It was an interesting opportunity to learn more about an important part of Türkiye's cultural and religious history.

I also visited Şanlıurfa, another city I enjoyed exploring.

And I've been to Bursa a couple of times, although my visits there have been relatively brief.

These experiences have given me the opportunity to see different sides of the country, each with its own history, culture, and atmosphere.

The Türkiye I Know and Love

One of the things I appreciate most about Türkiye is its variety.

Istanbul offers the energy of a major international city, Ankara has its own distinctive urban atmosphere and green spaces, and Bodrum brings a completely different pace of life by the Aegean Sea.

Traveling around the country has also allowed me to experience places that feel very different from one another, from the mountains of the Black Sea region to the Mediterranean coastline and the historic cities of Central and Southeastern Anatolia.

Of course, these are only some of the places I've personally experienced, and there is still much more of Türkiye that I'd like to explore.

For anyone planning a visit, I'd encourage looking beyond the most famous attractions and spending some time discovering different neighborhoods, coastal towns, and regions.

And for me, these places are more than just travel destinations. Many are part of my everyday life, my family memories, and the experiences I've had over the years.

They're some of the reasons Türkiye will always be an important part of my story.