With a history going back several thousands of years, when civilization just started to blossom, Turkey was the homeland of lots of incredible civilizations and people. Turkey occupied a strategic crossing point between Asia and Europe. Now, it’s no wonder this place is home to a plethora of ancient sites.

As of today, Turkey has 18 internationally recognized UNESCO World Heritage sites. All these showcase its history and make the country a gem of a spot to explore for history lovers. In this blog, we have made a list of the top ancient Turkey UNESCO World Heritage Sites to highlight its fascinating history.

Turkey UNESCO World Heritage Sites: A Gold Mine for Travelers 

Starting from the old capital of Edirne to the culturally rich Erzurum, you will find lots of ancient sites belonging to civilizations. Over the centuries, these sites grew and scattered throughout the Anatolian and European countryside. Whether they’re the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus or the scattered statues of Mount Nemrut, Turkey is a gold mine for travelers. Here is the list of Turkey’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites you must visit on your trip:

1. The Ancient City of Ephesus

Starting in Izmir, the Ancient City of Ephesus is one of the most popular sites in Turkey’s cultural travel scene. It features the remains of an ancient Roman city with Roman and Hellenistic cultural influences. You can see the remains of houses belonging to the Roman Era, a large theater, and a library. It became a UNESCO site in 2015 and ranks high in the list of UNESCO sites in Turkey.

Check Out: 3 Days Ephesus and Pamukkale Package

2. The Old City of Troy/Troya

Perhaps the most famous ancient site of all in Turkey, due to the iconic and culturally famous film Troy, this site ranks at the top, particularly in terms of how much is now known about Troy. Built nearly 4000 years ago, Troy is one of the best Turkey UNESCO World Heritage sites that you must visit during your tour.

The site gained popularity due to the discovery of the writings about the Siege of Troy, in which the Achaeans besieged Troy for quite some time before gaining entry to the city, hiding in a giant wooden horse. The horse can still be seen today and has been built to its original build.

Check Out: 3 Days Gallipoli and Troy Tour Package

3. Gobekli Tepe Ancient Site

The oldest ancient site in Turkey, the site of Gobekli Tepe is where some say that the signs of the first civilization can be seen. Its history goes back nearly 12,000 years when humanity took its first step towards civilization. Today, the remains of ancient farming practices and structures can be seen, which makes it an instant hit with history lovers.

Check Out: 4 Days Urfa and Mardin Tour

4. The Old Ottoman City of Bursa

The first proper capital of the Ottoman Empire in the 14th century, Bursa’s ancient streets and buildings have also been inducted into Turkey’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. Although its history goes back to before the Ottomans came into existence, it started gaining popularity when Orhan Gazi captured the city in 1335 and declared it the capital of the fledgling Ottoman state.

Today, some sites belonging to the Ottoman Empire in Bursa are UNESCO sites together with the village of Cumalikizik. The sites in Bursa are: The Grand Mosque of Bursa/Ulu Cami, Orhan Gazi Complex, Cumalikizik Village, and many more. Bursa is one of the best cities to look into the history and the start of an empire that went on to dominate Europe, Asia, and North Africa.

Check Out: 3 Days Bursa and Bilecik Package

5. Çatalhöyük Ancient Site

The Catalhoyuk Archaeological site’s history goes back to 7000 BCE, in today’s Konya, Turkey. This site became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012 and contains the remains of ancient structures. The area near Catalhoyuk is also an old region where ancient remains have been found. Here, people can explore the ruins of some buildings dating back to the Neolithic Era.

Check Out: 8 Days Istanbul, Cappadocia & Konya Tour

Frequently Asked Questions About Turkey’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Q. How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites does Turkey have?

A. There are nearly 21 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Turkey, each belonging to amazing civilizations.

Q. Is the Hagia Sophia still a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

A. Yes, it is still a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Turkey UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Must-Visit Places On A Trip

Turkey is one of the best destinations to visit as a traveler and offers not just history but so much to do as a traveler. Food, culture, modern landmarks—you name it, it has. Wherever you go in Turkey, whether a village or a city, know you will have the best possible experience while on a trip.

So are you ready to embark on a fantastic and exciting journey to the Gateway to Ancient Wonders, also known as Turkey, where you’ll experience wonderful cultures and rich culinary delicacies, all with pre-booked accommodations and guided tours? iLinkTurkey offers a diverse range of guided tour packages for destinations in Turkey. Head over to our packages and book one of our featured Turkey packages now.

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