The 8 Most Incredible Ancient Ruins in Türkiye You Must Visit

There are tons of unique activities to do in Türkiye, from riding a hot air balloon in stunning Cappadocia to visiting underground cities. But if there’s one thing every history buff must do when they visit this historically rich country, it’s to get lost in its many ancient ruins from the world’s first civilisations.

Türkiye is located between the East and West worlds. Its prime position has drawn the interest of many civilisations throughout history. From the Hellenistic Greeks and Romans to the Ottoman and Byzantine empires, many different cultures have left their mark on the region.

Today, these lost cities and ruins are well-preserved archaeological sites travellers near and far flock to. Want to turn back the hands of time and transport yourself to a bygone era where emperors ruled and magnificent temples were built to honour the gods?

Here are eight of the most impressive ancient ruins in Türkiye any traveller should visit.

Ephesus

vOne of the most popular ancient sites Türkiye has to offer is Ephesus, one of the most important cities during the Greek and Roman periods. While most of the once-glorious city are mere remnants of what it once was, the ruins are still well-preserved enough that you’ll feel like you’ve travelled back to the days of the ancient Greeks.

Must-see spots in Ephesus include the Library of Celsus, which boasts many marble facades and imposing columns spanning two storeys. It’s also home to the remnants of the Temple of Artemis, one of the enigmatic Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Troy

Greek mythology enthusiasts shouldn’t miss a trip to Troy, the ancient city that was the backdrop of Homer’s epic Trojan War. A giant wooden horse sits at the entrance of the ruins—a reference to one of the literary masterpiece’s most climactic moments.

You’ll also see ruins of once-strong walls that defended Troy from war and attacks from empires and armies across the centuries.

Aphrodisias

Another must-see location in Türkiye is Aphrodisias, the enchanting Hellenistic city named after the goddess of love, Aphrodite. The site is dotted with tall columns and beautiful marble sculptures, which is no surprise as the ancient city was once known for its fine marble.

Among the most interesting areas on the site are the ruins of the Temple of Aphrodite and the Tetrapylon, a grand gate of four columns leading to many of the site’s attractions.

Hierapolis

Hierapolis is one of the most popular Türkiye ancient ruins today. It’s an old Roman city that sits atop the Pamukkale terraces and is known for its beautiful staircase of cerulean hot spring pools on gorgeous rock formations.

The highlight of Hierapolis is its thermal spa, where people today can still swim and reap the healing benefits of the hot spring while surrounded by centuries-old Roman statues. So, don’t forget to pack swimwear when heading off on a tour of this ancient city.

Other sites to see include the well-maintained Hierapolis theatre and the old city’s necropolis.

Lycian Rock Tombs

If you love touring the catacombs and otherworldly ancient sites, pay a visit to the Lycian Rock Tombs in Fethiye, Türkiye.

These ornate tombs are hewn straight into the side of a mountain, creating a majestic atmosphere at the site. This was something the ancient Lycians did to honour their dead, although today, the tombs are empty due to looting throughout the centuries.

The most extravagant of these tombs is the Tomb of Amyntas, built with huge columns and an entrance carved with rock. To get to this iconic tomb, head up the rocky steps by the hillside. Don’t worry, the views along the Lycian coast are stunning and make the trek extra worth it!

Göbekli Tepe

Türkiye is known for its ancient ruins from the world’s most prosperous early civilisations. But it also boasts its fair share of Neolithic archaeological sites, too.

The most famous of these is arguably Göbekli Tepe in Southeastern Anatolia. The site is home to the world’s oldest megaliths—round structures held up by stone pillars—some of the first manmade structures the world has seen.

It is believed that humans settled here in the pre-pottery Neolithic age around 8,000 BCE. In 2018, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site to protect this monumental location of some of the first human settlements in history.

Termessos

Termessos, an ancient amphitheatre perched at the top of Türkiye’s Güllük Mountains, is one of the most stunning ancient ruins in Türkiye for its scale and dramatic views. The main theatre was built thousands of years ago directly into the side of one of the mountains.

Aside from the ruins of the once-majestic theatre, there is also a palaestra (or wrestling school) and gymnasium where boys would be trained for the legendary Olympic Games held in Ancient Olympia, one of the must-see ancient sites in Greece’s Peloponnese region.

Ani

Ani is an old, mediaeval Armenian city in eastern Türkiye, right across the Akhuryan River. It was once the capital of the Bagratid Armenian kingdom and was dubbed “the city of one thousand and one churches.” The ruins live up to this name, as modern-day excavations have recovered at least 50 churches and 53 chapels (33 of which are built into caves).

Perhaps the most impressive of these structures is the Cathedral of Ani, which emulates early Gothic cathedral styles that would one day influence the most important churches in Europe.

Add These Ancient Ruins to Your Türkiye Bucket List

Türkiye is the perfect place to visit if you want to marvel at ancient ruins and remnants of once-glorious architecture from history’s first civilisations. From the mystical Troy and Ephesus to the Neolithic Göbekli Tepe, you’ll never run out of ancient sites in Türkiye to explore.

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