Istanbul or Alanya are the most popular tourist cities in Turkey. Those who want to relax by the sea, book their tours to Antalya and Side.

Not many people know the hidden side of Turkey—the areas inhabited by the indigenous population. They can be found in every city. Unfortunately, most people who want to immerse themselves in the reality of modern Turkey ignore the majority of the cities that deserve to be visited. If you want to learn about Turkish culture, take a look at our selection of the best regions to visit if you’re pursuing this aim.

We have already written about Underground Istanbul. Now, let’s move on and learn about the rest of the cities on our must-see list.

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Bodrum

Population: 181,541 (2020)

Location: Mugla province in the Aegean region of Turkey

Bodrum was home to one of the Ancient World’s seven wonders, the Mausoleum of Mausolus. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by earthquakes in 1494 BC. Bodrum is a port city with a strong tourism industry.

The castle of St.Peter is the most famous local tower remaining from the past. It is one of the World Heritage Sites in Turkey. The castle served as a mosque for the Islamic Ottoman Empire for almost 400 years.

Bodrum’s ancient theater, which was in high demand in the 4th century, reminds us of the famous Italian coliseum and can be a nice spot to take pictures.

If you would love to see more of Bodrum, go on a 1-day long tour. You will not only find out much about the history of Bodrum, but also visit some highlights of the area. Besides the Castle of St.Peter, mentioned above, the list of sights for those who go on this tour includes the famous Myndos Gate and Mouseleum of Halicarnassus. 

When visiting Bodrum, take some time for shopping. Bodrum’s handymen are the best in terms of needlework and crafts. With their own hands, they’re making shoes, bags, carpets, and other things you can use at home or in daily life. These things are of high quality and have a unique character.

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Bursa

Population: 3,101,833 (2021)

Location: Bursa province in the Marmara region of Anatolia

Bursa is well known for being the first major capital of the Ottoman state. At the moment, Bursa is one of the main industrial and automotive areas of the country. When visiting Bursa, remember about the souvenirs: local art, including pottery and textiles, is in huge demand. 

Bursa is famous for its historical sites. Go to Miradiye Tombs, with the ancient tombs of Turkish sultans and artworks. Visit Bursa Grand Mosque, built around 1399, which includes 20 domes on the roof and is the biggest mosque in Bursa. It was initiated by Sultan Beyazit I. Make sure you don’t pass the Green Mosque & Tomb, created by Sultan Mehmed I in the Ottoman style. 

There are a lot of other things to do in Bursa. If you love modern attractions, visit the Panorama 1326 Museum, the largest panorama in the world. This is a high-tech installation of the 14th century Bursa Conquest. One of the greatest features of the museum is a 3-D installation of the conquest, with a 360-degree angle. 

One extreme thing to do is ride the Bursa Teleferik. This attraction is for those who are looking for extreme and new emotions. Watching the area from a height of 1,180 meters can be scary, but it will definitely take your breath away!

If you want to go for a cable car ride and see Bursa in all its beauty, book your place on the Bursa City Tour. In one day, you ascend Mountain Uludag and Tophane to look at Bursa from above. Another fun thing to do is taking a ferry ride!

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Kaş

Population: 53,633 in the district and 7,258 in the city (2012) 

Location: Antalya province of Turkey.

Kas is a small town, famous as a very progressive industry in diving, yachting, and fishing. Your shopping list, when you go for supplies in Kas, should include cheese, olives, and oil Kas is famous for. Most things can be found at the local market. 

Kas is mainly known for its historical sites. You might be interested in the following historical relics:

In Kas, you can discover Telmessos, an ancient city of Lycia. Here, you will see tombs and an amphitheater, carved into rock. 

Sunken areas of Kas, Kekova Island, still have remnants of ancient civilization: the city was damaged during the earthquake long ago. On your way to Kekova island, you can discover the Lycian coast and the beautiful sea. 

Have a walk on the beach in Kas. Buying tickets in advance is worth spending time in this lovely place. Soft white sand, blue waters, and ancient Patara city, just a few steps away from the sea, are especially beautiful at dawn. Better watch it from the water.

To make your trip more diverse than an ordinary excursion, explore this area on sea kayaks. You will be able not only to ride them, but also to swim with them and even look at the ruins of an ancient city underwater. Paddling is not the only thing to do in Kas. You can also try famous delicacies in Simena Village and discover Crusader Castle. 

Bored of traditional oil paintings at art galleries? Academic still-life and sculptures don’t seem thrilling and engaging? Modern and contemporary art are two art styles that might make a visit to a museum more colorful and exciting for anyone, including children. Throughout the years, the artistic tradition has been becoming more and more liberal, and now we can experience absolutely mind-blowing artworks, inspired by life itself. From vibrant impressionism from the 19th century to immersive installation art, from spiritual abstract art to mesmerizing performances, museums of modern and contemporary art have a lot to feast eyes and other sensory organs on.

Modern art and contemporary art: what’s the difference?
If you are not an arts major, you might confuse the two, since in general language the words “modern” and “contemporary” can be used interchangeably. In art styles, however, there is a certain difference.
Modern refers to an art movement that started in the 1860s. Modern artists, such as Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, and Paul Gauguin, experimented with new ways of seeing reality and using materials.
Contemporary art describes the current art style, used by living artists. It started forming in the late 20th century and represents the present-day global community, culturally diverse and dynamic. Its eclectic freeform has outgrown modern art, presenting works on any medium imaginable, be it video, interior design, or graphic art.

Casting aside the specifics, many museums feature both modern and contemporary art, uniting the two styles as they defy traditionalism and academism. Here are our top modern and contemporary art museums – put one down in your travel itinerary for a fun and enriching artistic experience.

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Tate Modern, London, United Kingdom

The world’s most renowned modern art museum, and not for no reason. Tate Modern features an extensive collection of exhibits covering numerous styles. The museum is located in the center of London, inside a spacious building, which accommodates the vast collection without making the place feel cramped.

Highlight: Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms

As it is with all Britain’s national museums, there is no admission fee to see the museum’s general display. You’ll have to buy tickets for most temporary exhibitions, however – including Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms installations, which often come to Tate Modern. The myriads of star-like lights reflected in the mirrors around you is definitely not an experience to miss.

Museum of Modern Art, New York City, USA

Museum of Modern Art, also known under its acronym MoMA, challenges the conservative framework of traditional museums. From only a dozen paintings and prints at its opening in 1929, it has grown into one of the largest global collections of contemporary art on this globe, from the late 19th century to the present. MoMA is proud of its accessibility and inclusiveness for everyone; besides the general collection and temporary exhibitions, it features film screenings and various art-related activities, like artist talks and workshops.

Highlight: The Artist Is Present

In 2010, Marina Abramovich engaged in a performance piece at MoMA. She had an empty chair for anyone to sit in front of her, just locking her gaze. For three months, every day, she sat motionless in the MoMA lobby for anyone to come and participate in the performance, to experiment with the concept of the present, and to explore the potential of time in art.

Centre Pompidou, Paris, France

This is one of the rare cases when a book can be judged by its cover. The building of the Center Pompidou is an intricately illuminated structure of glass and metal, reminiscent of a heart irrigated by monumental arteries in bright and primary colors. As eccentrically industrial outside as it is inside, Centre Pompidou features paintings and sculptures, as well as artistic furniture, interior designs, and metal frameworks. Among the museum’s collection are artworks of some of the most emblematic artists of the 20th and 21st century, such as Vassily Kandinsky, Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, and Frida Kahlo.

Highlight: “Dali” retrospective exhibition

With over 7,000 visitors per day, the exhibition dedicated to Salvador Dali’s art was the most successful in the history of the museum.

Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney, Australia

Museum of Contemporary Art celebrates works by living artists, both Australian and international, established and emerging. Access to its galleries, containing over 4000 art pieces, and temporary exhibitions, is free. Located at the edge of Sydney Harbour, on the territory of native tribes, the museum acknowledges their cultural heritage and greatly supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. There are also interactive programs, organized by the National Centre for Creative Learning of the Sydney Museum, that allow audiences of all ages to engage with contemporary art, explore their creativity, and reflect on ideas.

Highlight: War Is Over! (if you want it)

Yoko Ono’s War Is Over! (if you want it) project was started in the 1960s and culminated in 2013 in the Museum of Contemporary Art, spanning over five decades of artistic work. Many elements of the exhibition were interactive and ‘participatory’, like inviting visitors to write letters to their mothers and attaching them to a wall.

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, Japan

With democracy as the main concept of its architecture, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art has 4 identical entrances and 18 separate gallery spaces – so that visitors can make their own unique route through the extraordinary exhibits. The whole structure is designed as a park where people can meet up anytime. The sculptures outdoors complement the indoor exposition, separated by glass walls, which are used specifically to create a feeling of translucency and openness and avoid turning the museum into an introverted space. 

Highlight: Swimming Pool

Leandro Erlich’s “Swimming Pool” is in fact a swimming pool, as the name implies. The trick is that from the top, the people inside the installation seem like they are walking underwater completely dry, while they are simply under a layer of transparent plastic.

To plan an itinerary that incudes a visit to a museum, or to find a guide to show you around, visit GetExperience.com.

Some time ago, we told you about the Istanbul Shopping Festival, a Turkish analogue of Black Friday, where people sell and buy goods at huge discounts. If you want to get to Turkey this year, check out our list of the greatest markets in Istanbul that will definitely satisfy your needs.

Tahtakale Market

Location: Hasircilar and Kantarci and a couple of streets nearby.

It is worth visiting, if you’re looking for a national Turkish character.

For sure, you are familiar with the movies, in which Turkish bazaars are often described in detail. A wide variety of open stores, stalls of which are overstocked with spices, delicacies, and many more things… This is exactly what the Tahtakale Market looks like. It is very easy to become puzzled in all this hustle and bustle. ‍

Hasircilar Street is where you will find Turkish delight, nuts, and a range of sweets. One important landmark to stop by is Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi’s shop. In this place, the best coffee has been sold since 1871. Mehmet Efendi’s shop is definitely a must-go if you want to take some kahve back home.

On other streets, adjacent to Hasircilar street, candles, pharmacies, home and kitchen utilities are in great demand.

If you are interested in Turkish architecture and want to explore some of its history, don’t pass by Balkapani Han, one of the biggest buildings of the Ottoman Empire located nearby. Many more attractions in the city are available with the Istanbul E-Pass. In two days, you will visit different sights with fast pass tickets and make the most of your journey to the capital of Turkey.

Grand Bazaar 

Location: the Faith district of Istanbul.

Don’t miss it if you want to learn more about the history of Turkey. 

The Grand Bazaar is the world’s oldest and most famous market. Check out our article on the Istanbul Shopping Festival to learn more (there is a little section in the text, dedicated to the Grand Bazaar and the shopping tour).

Here are some things you should pay special attention to:

The Grand Bazaar has a large collection of hammam and beauty products, gifts, Turkish food and ceramics, textiles, lighting, brands, and many more. 

‍The Old Bazaar, or Iç Bedesten, located in the center of the Grand Bazaar, is a beautiful corridor where lamps and chandeliers are sold. This is also the oldest building in Grand Bazaar.

Kalpakçılarbaşi Caddesi is the street where you find gold. To look for traditional Turkish carpets, head off to Halıçılar Caddesi. Metal products are available to be bought on Cebeci Han street. Traditional sweets and drinks can be found almost everywhere. ‍

A symbol of shopping in Turkey and other Arabic countries, a carpet of Turkish textiles, is installed almost in every store. To distinguish a good carpet seller from a bad one, pay attention to their behavior. If they pressure you to look at their assortment, they may turn this experience into an uncomfortable one. The best place to shop for carpets is Zincirli Han. 

Egyptian Spice Market

Location: Eminonu Square, not very far from the Grand Bazaar

If you love cooking, visiting this market will contribute to your future culinary masterpieces.

What does it mean?

Well, the Egyptian Spice Market is famous for what it’s called: spices. One of the best ways to keep a memory of the country you’ve been to is by enjoying the local kitchen after arriving home. More than one hundred shops and restaurants are providing tourists with tons of spices and herbs to choose from. 

The best spices from Asia and Africa to buy are sumac (replacing lemon in salad dressings), corek otu (which can be added to cakes, bread, and other pastries), and pul biber (perfectly coupled with meat).

Some stalls are dedicated to other foods rather than spices. It includes Turkish delight, Turkish cheese, and smoked pastrami. 

Spices are often added to foods to induce one’s appetite. Take some time to satisfy your appetite by attending our Istanbul Street Food Experience in Eminonu. During the tour, you will get to taste food from more than ten street cafes. Coffee and desserts, for sure, will make your tour a relaxing and fun session!

There are way more markets and shopping districts to visit during the year. However, we recommend doing it this summer because of discounts and sales. Find and book the best experience in Istanbul on our website!

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