‘Dawn paints the statues gold’: readers’ favourite places in Turkey | Turkey holidays | The Guardian 12/07/2025, 11:33
Support the Guardian Support us
Print subscriptions Search jobs
Fund independent journalism with €12 per month
News Opinion Sport Culture Lifestyle
Readers' travel tips
Turkey holidays
‘Dawn paints the statues gold’:
readers’ favourite places in Turkey
Guardian readers
Fri 11 Jul 2025 08.00 CEST
Giant ancient sculptures on Mount Nemrut. Photograph: Okanmetin/Getty Images
Travellers share their holiday finds, from ancient ruins to
thermal pools, blissful waterside restaurants : and taxi
driver diners
Tell us about a favourite island in Europe E the best tip
wins a £200 holiday voucher
Sunrise with ancient gods in Anatolia
Rising from the rugged heart of Anatolia, Mount Nemrut offers one of the
world’s most surreal sunrise experiences. Here, colossal stone heads of
ancient gods and kings gaze silently across the highlands, remnants of a
long-lost kingdom. As the first rays of dawn paint the statues gold, visitors
are transported into an almost mythic realm. Begin your journey in
Gaziantep, often called Turkey’s culinary capital. Savour rich baklava and
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/jul/11/readers-tips-turkey-highlights Page 1 of 8
‘Dawn paints the statues gold’: readers’ favourite places in Turkey | Turkey holidays | The Guardian 12/07/2025, 11:33
Gaziantep, often called Turkey’s culinary capital. Savour rich baklava and
spicy kebabs before setting out through the hills toward Nemrut. After
experiencing the mountain’s majesty, continue to Göbekli Tepe – considered
the world’s oldest temple complex, predating Stonehenge by millennia.
Ickin Vural
Join the locals and eat at a büfe
Most viewed
Engine fuel
before Air In
killed 260, p
report finds
Blind date: ‘
bathroom b
returned sh
asked for th
‘Sheer luck’:
backpacker
was found a
lost in dense
outback
Bigger is alw
nine other s
How being c
14,000lb sno
Jeremy Ren
person: ‘I’ve
A büfe is perfect for visitors on a budget. Photograph: Khaled ElAdawy/Alamy more vulner
loving’
It’s become a little more expensive in Turkey recently, so my tip is: eat at the
büfeler, where the taxi drivers eat. You find them at every bus station in
every town and village. A light lunch of rice with kuru fasulye (beans) on top,
perhaps a side of vegetable stew (despite all those kebab shops, Turkish
people don’t eat as much meat as we like to think), and an ayran (yoghurt
drink) on the side would be my idea of a perfect lunch. Afiyet olsun! (enjoy
your meal), as they say in Turkey.
Anna
Profile
Readers' tips: send a tip for a chance to win a £200 voucher for a Coolstays break
Show
Exploring the vibrant city of Eskişehir
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/jul/11/readers-tips-turkey-highlights Page 2 of 8
‘Dawn paints the statues gold’: readers’ favourite places in Turkey | Turkey holidays | The Guardian 12/07/2025, 11:33
Eskişehir was founded 3,000 years ago. Photograph: Ozgur Senergin/Alamy
Eskişehir is a vibrant, studenty city less than an hour and a half’s train ride
from Ankara. Its name (“old city”) is a clue to the age of the place – it was
founded around 1,000BC – but unlike some of the much more visited ruins
and ancient cities in Turkey, it is very much a forward-looking, 21st-century
place. The Odunpazarı houses in the oldest part of the city are beautifully
multicoloured – it is a perfect area to enjoy an obligatory Turkish coffee and
piece of lokum (Turkish delight).
Michael Kuipers
Authentic Turkish charmers near Ephesus
The thermal pools at
Pamukkale. Photograph: Jan
Discover two gems near exquisite Ephesus: Alaçatı, on the coast near İzmir,
Wlodarczyk/Alamy is a picturesque, sleepy village complete with fresh fish restaurants and
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/jul/11/readers-tips-turkey-highlights Page 3 of 8
‘Dawn paints the statues gold’: readers’ favourite places in Turkey | Turkey holidays | The Guardian 12/07/2025, 11:33
Wlodarczyk/Alamy is a picturesque, sleepy village complete with fresh fish restaurants and
sandy beaches; a bit further south is Şirince, a beautiful flower village that
stays fresh even through July heatwaves. You can explore the coast, visit
thermal baths in spectacular Pamukkale, and Ilıca, or head to the Greek
island of Samos for the day, while still savouring the joy of a simpler and
more authentic Turkey.
Thomas
Lesser visited Lycian ruins around Kaş
The ruins of Phellos near Kaş. Photograph: Valerii Shanin/Alamy
Just above the popular seaside town of Kaş, tucked high in the hills, lie the
ancient ruins of Phellos. The steep hike can be tough – especially in the heat
– but the reward is worth it. Massive Lycian tombs and weathered stone ruins
appear unexpectedly, like a scene from Indiana Jones. With no crowds or
noise, it’s an off-the-beaten-track adventure into ancient history. If you’re
seeking something beyond beaches and tourist spots, Phellos offers solitude,
mystery and a stunning glimpse into a forgotten world.
Pinar Greenwood
Mardin’s heady mix and sweeping views
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/jul/11/readers-tips-turkey-highlights Page 4 of 8
‘Dawn paints the statues gold’: readers’ favourite places in Turkey | Turkey holidays | The Guardian 12/07/2025, 11:33
Mardin has views to Syria.
Photograph: Tminaz/Alamy
My top secret Turkey tip would be Mardin, in the south-east. Honey-
coloured houses on a hilltop cascade down to the Mesopotamian plateau,
and just about every hotel has a terrace with sweeping views across to Syria.
The history is a mix of Assyrian, Armenian, Chaldean and, of course Turkish,
with museums, medreses and narrow streets. It’s a taste of the Middle East
but with the safety of travel in Turkey. And the food …
Ann Ozsivadjian
Sign up to The Traveller Free newsletter
Get travel inspiration, featured trips and local tips for your next break, as
well as the latest deals from Guardian Holidays
Enter your email address
Sign up
Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside
parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Chilled dining in Antalya’s waterside retreat
The Dim River, Alanya. Photograph: Ekin Yalgin/Alamy
The Dim River lies on the outskirts of Alanya, in the Antalya region. A short
taxi or bus ride will transport you from the bustling seaside town to a
cascading waterfall which flows from the Taurus mountains to the
Mediterranean Sea. Trees and natural vegetation provide shelter from the
searing summer sun, while the waterside restaurants offer traditional
Turkish food and drinks. Relax at tables nestled in the trees, perch at the
water’s edge, or take a dip in a pool filled with icy mountain water – if you
dare!
Natalie
Paddling off the Lycian coast from Fethiye
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/jul/11/readers-tips-turkey-highlights Page 5 of 8
‘Dawn paints the statues gold’: readers’ favourite places in Turkey | Turkey holidays | The Guardian 12/07/2025, 11:33
Sea kayaking off the coast of
Turkey. Photograph: Hocus
Sea kayaking along Turkey’s wild south-west coast from Fethiye is an
Focus/Getty Images unforgettable experience. Paddle past hidden coves, ancient ruins and
dramatic cliffs, before friendly local guides prepare delicious traditional
Turkish meals, and the sunsets glow deep red over crystal waters. Fethiye is
a culturally rich town nestled between mountains and the sea, and the
perfect launch point for a trip. If you’re after beauty, solitude and authentic
connection, this is paradise.
Mikey
Hike to stunning ancient Termessos
The ruins of the theatre at Termessos. Photograph: Ian Dagnall/Alamy
We visited Antalya in February, and viewing some of the ancient sites on a
crisp, sunny day with snow on the mountains in the background was
brilliant. But the highlight of our trip was taking a hike in the Mount Güllük-
Termessos national park to see the ancient Solymi city of Termessos, and
particularly the stunning theatre, set atop the mountain with panoramic
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/jul/11/readers-tips-turkey-highlights Page 6 of 8
‘Dawn paints the statues gold’: readers’ favourite places in Turkey | Turkey holidays | The Guardian 12/07/2025, 11:33
particularly the stunning theatre, set atop the mountain with panoramic
views. You pass many interesting ruins on the way up, but this is the jewel in
the crown. We went on our own, but if you want to make a day of it I’d
suggest joining a hiking group for an in-depth exploration.
Alison
Winning tip: timeless charm at Akyaka
Akyaka village and the Azmak
River. Photograph: Alamy
On a spontaneous road trip through Turkey’s south-west, I stumbled upon
Akyaka – a peaceful, pine-fringed village untouched by mass tourism. The
Azmak River, so clear it seemed unreal, flowed past riverside cafes where I
watched turtles drift by. Locals welcomed me like family, and evenings
meant fresh seafood and golden sunsets. The architecture – wooden houses
with carved balconies – gave the town a timeless charm. Paddleboarding on
the calm sea at sunrise was a moment I’ll never forget. Debbie Skudra
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/jul/11/readers-tips-turkey-highlights Page 7 of 8
‘Dawn paints the statues gold’: readers’ favourite places in Turkey | Turkey holidays | The Guardian 12/07/2025, 11:33
Comments V…X
Sign in or create your
Guardian account to join the
discussion
Most viewed
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/jul/11/readers-tips-turkey-highlights Page 8 of 8
