Istanbul is located on two shores, on different continents and in different centuries. More than three thousand architectural and cultural monuments reflect the history of the four empires whose capital was Istanbul. The Bosphorus Strait divides it into two parts – Europe and Asia. Istanbul has absorbed the best from each of them. This is a city of fairy tales and greatness, the silhouette of which is drawn not only by mosques and palaces, but also by skyscrapers, banks and shopping centers.

This is a 30 km long strait separating Europe and Asia Minor. Its maximum width is 3700 m, the minimum is 700. The strait was formed about 7.5 thousand years ago after the melting of a large amount of ice and snow. The Bosphorus is the heart of Istanbul, which gave life to the city and became its symbol. After taking a walk along the strait, you can admire the beautiful landscapes of the capital of Turkey.

In the heart of Turkey there is a unique area rich in history and sights. The first thing that surprises Cappadocia – landscapes. Here you can see mushroom-shaped rocks and low mountains. There is also a real underground kingdom preserved here. The first Christians dug cave depressions here, creating cities underground. Their depth reached 85 meters, and up to 10 thousand people lived in them.

It is a world-famous thermal resort. It was created by nature itself. Except that the water Pamukkale healing springs look like copied from the pages of a fairy tale. Due to the deposition of salts, they are like snow-white terraces. Vacationers also bask in such salt pools. Next to Pamukkale is another interesting place – the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis.

Dolmabahce Palace owes its appearance to the desire of Abdul-Majid I to be closer to European riches. This is the most "non-Turkish" residence of the Sultan in Istanbul. The palace was built from 1842 to 1853 in the Baroque style, spending only 14 tons of gold. Dolmabahce consists of three parts, in which there are 285 rooms and 44 halls. Also on the territory of the complex there are charming park pavilions and a summer palace.

Mount Ararat is located in the east of Turkey. According to biblical legends, the ark of Noah once moored to it. Ararat consists of the cones of two volcanoes, fused bases: Greater Ararat and Lesser Ararat. The height of the first one is 5165 meters. This is the highest point in Turkey. On the slopes of the mountain there are many glacial caves, a national park, blooming valleys and picturesque glades, as well as ancient monasteries.

This cathedral is a symbol of the "golden age" of Byzantium, the best example of Byzantine architecture. The history of the cathedral begins in the IV century. For more than a thousand years, the cathedral was the largest Christian church. Its height is 55.6 m, and the diameter of the dome is 31 m. An amount equal to two annual budgets of Byzantium was spent on the construction of a luxurious cathedral.

The mosque stands on the shore of the Sea of Marmara. It is a symbol of the city that has no analogues in the world. The first thing that distinguishes the Blue Mosque from the others is six, not four minarets. According to legend, the fault is the mistake of the architect, who did not hear the sultan's instructions well. The mosque was built from 1609 to 1616, using marble, stone and ceramics. The structure turned out to be majestic, causing delight and awe.

The palace was built in 1479 on the instructions of Sultan Mehmed. Its area is 700 thousand m2, it is surrounded by a wall with a length of 1400 meters. Topkapi Palace witnessed the life and reign of 25 sultans. It was within its walls that the love story of the concubine Hurrem, who became the wife of the Sultan, and Suleiman the Magnificent developed. In the series "Magnificent Century" events take place in the luxurious Topkapi Palace.

This is one of the oldest attractions in Istanbul. Back in the V century there was a tower in this area. The extant structure was built by the Genoese in 1348-1349 on a hill. The height of the building is 61 meters, and due to its location on a hill, it is visible from almost anywhere in the city. There is an observation deck at the top of the tower, with amazing views from it.

The Maiden Tower is located on a small rocky island of the Bosphorus Strait. Its history begins centuries before our era, it is shrouded in legends and romantic stories. Today it is very popular with tourists, it has a restaurant, a museum, a souvenir shop, an observation deck, a cafe and a bar. The tower was depicted in the painting "View The Leander Tower in Constantinople" Aivazovsky.

One of the largest indoor bazaars in the world is located in the historical center of Istanbul. The Grand Bazaar was built back in 1461, and it became the soul of the city. The bazaar occupies several blocks, 61 streets are intertwined inside it, there are 4,400 shops, more than 2,000 ateliers, 18 fountains, mosques and even a school. Here you can buy everything, including handmade carpets, gold, silver, amulets and spices.

This is an underground reservoir built by the Greeks in the IV century. At first glance, it resembles a palace, because it consists of 336 nine-meter columns that differ in appearance. They were brought from ancient temples. 100 thousand tons of water were placed in the cistern of the Basilica. The walls of the tank were fireproof and covered with a water-insulating solution. The Basilica was used for its intended purpose until the XVI century.

Ephesus is a huge open–air museum. The history of the city began in the V century BC, and in the XV it was destroyed. Archaeologists restored it and prepared it for tourists to see. The main attraction of Ephesus is the Temple of Artemis – one of the seven wonders of the world. You can explore the city by entering from the upper or lower entrance, but it is more convenient to walk along the road leading from top to bottom.

This is the main archaeological area of Turkey, as well as one of the most popular resorts. It is located on a peninsula 75 km from Antalya. Walls have been preserved on the territory of the ancient city, there are dilapidated columns, public baths, and a museum is located in them. Then you can see the ruins of the temple of Dionysus, Tyche and Fortuna, a huge theater where gladiator fights were held.

60 km from Antalya, at the foot of the described Homer in the Iliad of the Mountain Takhtaly are the ruins of the ancient city of Phaselis. It was founded in the VII century BC by colonists from Rhodes. Tourists can see in the city the ruins of an aqueduct that supplied water to the whole city, an ancient wall, a theater, temples and a necropolis. They say that it was here that Alexander the Great was buried.

The city is located in the northwestern part of Anatolia. It is included in the UNESCO Heritage List. But he is already very popular. Everyone has heard about Troy, but not everyone knows what the legendary city is from the pages of the Iliad. At the entrance to the city there is a copy of the Trojan Horse, there is also a museum, a garden and ruins of buildings, houses, temples.

The fortress was built in the XIII century in the south of Turkey. It is located on a rocky peninsula 250 meters high. The total length of the massive walls surrounding the buildings is 8 km. The fortress had 160 towers, there are more than 400 underground reservoirs in it. On the territory of the fortress there was a mint, a bathhouse, a mosque, a winter palace, places for trade, a church, a platform for military exercises. Now there is a museum in the fortress.

This tower is a symbol Alanya. It was built in 1226 by order of Aladdin Keikubata. The tower got its name because of the red color of the brick from which it is made. Although the building looks laconic externally, everything is very intricately built inside. Up to 2 thousand soldiers were placed on five floors of the tower, and the light that comes from above the tower reaches the first floor.

The height of the mountain is 2150 meters, but the rise does not frighten anyone. A rather unusual attraction is located here. In 62 BC, King of Commagene Antiochus I Theos built a tomb for himself on the top of the mountain. Its center was a mound almost 50 meters high and 150 meters wide. Under it is the coffin of the king, in the surrounding — statues, which tourists come to see.

Lycia is an ancient country on the territory of modern provinces Mugla and Antalya. The Lycians inhabited it in the I millennium BC. Of all the cultural heritage of this people, the tombs are the best preserved. On the territory of Lycia, more than 1,000 of them were found, carved into rocks or on the tops of mountains. Some tombs had two rooms, were decorated with columns, and some were of enormous size.

The arched gate in Side is the main entrance to the once thriving city, the most important port Pamphylia. They were built in 71 BC in honor of the Emperor Vespasian and his son. The height of the gate exceeds 6 meters. And although the appearance has changed many times over the time, their walls have been preserved as they were. On the sides of the gate there are statues of famous and respected people.

It is the largest canyon reservoir in Turkey. It is located in the Taurus Mountains, at an altitude of 350 meters above sea level. The place owes its appearance to the construction of a hydroelectric power station. 27 natural springs continuously feed the reservoir with a depth of up to 100 meters. The canyon is cool and very beautiful. This is one of the best destinations for excursions in Antalya.

It is believed that the monastery was founded by a monk Barnabas at the end of the IV century. It is located on the chalk cliff of Trabzon. After the foundation, until 1923, the icon of the Virgin Panagia Sumela was kept in the monastery, which, according to the legend, was painted by the apostle Luke. This is a popular place of pilgrimage, hundreds of thousands of tourists come to the monastery every year. In addition, it is located in an incredibly picturesque place.

In the centre Alanya has a beautiful salt cave Damlatash. It is very easy to get to it yourself. The cave is famous for its healing properties, staying in it is very useful for people with asthma. Inside it, nature has formed bizarre figures and landscapes from multicolored stalactites. There is a special route for tourists in the cave.

The pool is located in Pamukkale, a place known for its thermal waters. It is said that it was in it that the queen took a bath to be beautiful and look young. The reservoir maintains a constant temperature of 35 ° C, the water is healing and not only mineral, but also carbonated! It's like bathing in champagne. Staying in the water is limited to 2 hours.

Dalyan is a resort town with a comfortable and pleasant climate. Among its main attractions are turtles. Dalyan is the second place in the world where Mediterranean turtles of the endangered species "Caretta" live. Here they lay eggs, and tourists can lie on the beach, sunbathe and watch the birth of small turtles.

This is a group of nine islands. They are located near Brega Istanbul in the Marmara Sea. They got their name because of the reference to them during the Byzantine Empire of princes and people close to the emperors. Popular with tourists are day tours to the islands, which depart daily from Istanbul.

This is a waterfall on the river Manavgat in Antalya province. Settlements were formed on its shores as early as the VI century BC. Although the waterfall itself is not high, it is very picturesque. On it you can relax from the heat, sit in a shady restaurant, swim in cool and refreshing water. On Mondays at Manavgate has a bazaar where you can buy delicious fruits and spices.

Cascade of waterfalls formed by a river Duden is located in Antalya and consists of two parts. The bubbling, powerful stream of cool water of the upper waterfall falls from a mountain 20 meters high and creates an incredible picture. The water is divided into several streams, making it even more beautiful. A beautiful coniferous forest grows around it. The height of the lower Dudensky waterfall is 40 meters. Its waters fall into the sea.