What Not To Miss In Turkey: Explore Turkey's Iconic Landmarks

Turkey is a destination with almost everything to do. It has endless things to do, including touring its cultural and natural wonders. It is a place with rich culture and diversity. Starting from visiting the cosmopolitan capital to the natural wonders of Sanliurfa, Turkey houses many varied wonders and unique places to go to. Read on to this blog to know more about what not to miss in Turkey.

2 Not-To-Miss Things In Turkey

Either take your family or your bae to tour Turkey; there are innumerable things to do in Turkey. Turkey has beautiful attractions which will mesmerise you and take your breath away. Listed below are some of the most exciting activities that you can do with your family or friends.

Wander aound the Historic Treasures of Istanbul
Watch the Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne

1. Wander aound the Historic Treasures of Istanbul

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey — Image Courtesy: Unsplash

As the sky begins to turn a pitch of dark blue, the decorations inside the Blue Mosque come to life and start to sparkle. Once you are standing at the right part of town, you will be able to hear the religious songs accompanied by the songs directly coming from the three or four mosques all at once.

If you want to experience the magnificent call to prayer, stand in Sultanahmet Park, which is present right at the centre of the two most attractive ancient mosques, the Aya Sofia and the Sultanahmet. While you are in Turkey, experience these two giant museums, which are situated at the core of the ancient city of Istanbul. The Hagia Sophia, also known as the Aya Sofia, no longer performs a call to prayer as it is currently a museum and one of the top attractions in Istanbul. Inside you will find many eye-catching things like converted religious symbols and hidden shambles. Before becoming a museum, the monument was first a Christian Cathedral and then converted to a mosque.

Attractions

Opposite the plaza located is in the Sultanahmet mosque, also renowned as the Blue Mosque. The name ‘Blue Mosque’ was given due to the blue-coloured tiles that cover the insides of the huge monument. Before entering the mosque, you will be needed to remove your shoes inside a bag, which will be provided by them and women will be required to cover their heads with scarves, which will also be given by them. You should cover up as much as possible before entering any mosques in Istanbul.

Apart from the above, there are other must-see attractions in Turkey with a cultural history of their own which you can visit in your next Istanbul tour package. Another must-see attraction behind the Aya Sofia is Topkapi Palace. The grounds inside the Topkapi Palace are an incredible example of how the Ottoman emperors lived. Not only this, but here you will also witness marvellous examples of Ottoman architecture and decorated artefacts. Here, these three destinations are one after the other, so you will face no difficulty in your travel.

2. Watch the Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne

Watch the Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne, What Not To Miss In Turkey — Image Courtesy: Pexels

As the name suggests, this wrestling is done with the use of oil. On the ground, fifty men gather round while shrill horns play regularly in the background and drums beat constantly. The bodies of the men remain covered with oil, and they wear only shank-length leather pants. After this, they engage in fierce combat. Surrounding the ground is a large stadium where some famous wrestlers fight, and cheers and applauds fill them equally from all directions.

This event is held annually in Edirne and is the longest-running sporting competition in the world.

Edirne is a small city on the European side of the country, which welcomes hundreds of visitors from all over Turkey and Europe. This bout takes place on the final three days, and after the wrestling match ends, the head wrestler takes the crown home. It still holds the authentic and ancient history of Turkey. The Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival takes place on the edge of town at a stadium. If you want to indulge in extra-curricular things, head to the downtown area where you will get to observe fireworks, a parade, music concerts, among many other activities.

Tips for your Turkey Trip

Research equally before you make your itinerary.
Learn a few popular Turkish words and book an appropriate accommodation.
Respect the culture and dress according to the occasion.
Before travelling, make sure to get vaccinated.
Use public transport and carry an International adapter.

I hope this article on ‘What not to miss in Turkey’ has taken your heart away. Make sure to experience the things mentioned above. Nevertheless, don’t wait more and start packing your bags. To do so, go to Pickyourtrail and book a fantastic Turkey holiday packages from India or Turkey Honeymoon package. Also, feel free to customise your Turkey itinerary and choose what suits you the most. Enjoy your vacations to the fullest!