Mini Travel Guides

Turkey has always been an attractive country for visitors from all over the world due to its unique geographical position, the variety of climates and holiday spots it offers, its cuisine and of course its rich history. With Istanbul already covered on Europe a la Carte, here are my travel tips for some fun options of what to do in Turkey.

Discover the Saklikent (Hidden City) Canyon

Before you head over to Fethiye to swim in the famous Oludeniz (Dead Sea), you might want to visit the Saklikent Canyon that is about 50km away from Fethiye. This canyon is a great way to cool down as the river running through has very cold water- your feet might get cold even In the summer. This nature gem is Turkey’s biggest canyon. However the town of Saklikent has one hotel, so you might consider booking beforehand.

 Image via Dalyan.biz

Swim in Oludeniz, Fethiye

Fethiye is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Aegean Region. It is connected to the city of Mugla, and it is best known for its part of called Oludeniz. Oludeniz is about 12km from Fethiye, and its sea water consists of two parts: the wavy part and extremely calm (Oludeniz mean Dead Sea in English- it is that calm) part. The calm part is the beautiful color of turquoise and it is very clean and clear. You can enjoy a good swim, as well as a variety of water sports. It’s also possible to charter a plane to take in the gorgeous view from above. The plane ride takes about 30 to 45 minutes and costs $100. Sadly I have been to Oludeniz only once as a kid, but I look forward to going back.

Image via fethiyede.com

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Turkey might not be the first destination that comes to mind when you think of golf, but the country – or, more specifically, the up-and-coming Belek Golf Club – will soon be grabbing the attention of golf fans everywhere with its inclusion as a European Tour destination.

Currently under development, the Belek Golf Club will be the first fully integrated golf and residential development in the Antalya region of Turkey. Scheduled to open in 2012, the course will offer amenities such as its own beach club, 26 villas within the walls of a castle, and a fully navigable canal system more than four miles long. And then of course there is the 18-hole golf course, featuring the José Maria Olazábal-designed Championship Castle Course.

The location itself is known as one of Turkey’s prime tourism centers. Backed by the Taurus Mountains, an abundance of water and an ideal geographical system made the luxurious canal at the Belek Golf Club possible. Moreover, the city of Perge, a popular, nearby tourist destination, contains the extraordinarily well-preserved Hellenistic Aspendos amphitheater. And if you’re a nature lover, a visit to the Kursunlu Waterfall, home to more than 100 bird species, is a must.

While 2012 may seem like a long time to wait for what is sure to be a memorable golf / tourism destination, everything the Belek Golf Club has to offer is sure to make it worth the wait. Visit the Golf Channel’s golf tournament page to see details on the rest of the tours.

This post is sponsored by El Toro Interactive.

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So just what was it that brought me to Southeast Turkey? Well, I was standing in a small art gallery in Istanbul. Part of the gallery was dedicated to photography by contemporary Turkish artists. And, what caught my attention was a series of photographs depicting a town on the banks of the River Tigris. Some of the photos displayed were: the remains of a medieval bridge spanning the river; thousands of man-made caves carved into the steep limestone cliffs along the banks; a huge castle on one side of the river, and a towering mosque on the other. One of the photos was artistically taken as if through water, with the huge arches of the bridge shimmering through in the sun light. A true work of art, but what fascinated me even more were the written accounts of what was contained in the photos. The town and all its historic treasures were due to disappear forever under the waters of a huge hydroelectric dam. The gaps in the bridge started to look to me like accusing eyes, beckoning me to come and see it all for myself.

Knowing only the name of the town, Hasankeyf, and what I had just read about the impending construction of a dam, I made an instant decision: I had to visit. The question was, where is Hasankeyf? A look at the map showed me, that Hasankeyf is located approx. 100km northeast of the city of Mardin, Turkey, close to the border of Syria. Mardin, further research revealed, is also called the window to Mesopotamia as it is built on a sloping hill which overlooks the vast plain of Mesopotamia framed by the biblical twin rivers, Tigris and Euphrates.

A center of the Syriac orthodox faith, Mardin is the site of unequalled buildings adorned with intricate Syriac stone masonry , mosques as well as churches, a medieval bazaar and, as if that were not enough, it’s the center for the best filigree gold produced locally by highly skilled goldsmiths.

The next thing I knew, I was on one of my beloved Turkish long distance bus coaches to cover the over 1000 km between Didim on the Aegean Sea where I live part of the year, and Mardin in the far southeast corner of Turkey. The coaches are comfortable, cheap, with many stops along the way and, as they are used by few foreigners, providing for an excellent opportunity to meet the locals.

A bit tired, a bit cramped but full of anticipation, I alighted at the bus station in Mardin’s new part of town. A taxi took me uphill to the old town and my hotel, the Zinciriye.  All fatigue was quickly forgotten when I set foot in the lobby. The boutique hotel is a converted ‘medrese’ ( an Islamic school) which was attached to an adjacent mosque and was once used to house and teach students. As I made my way to my room, I could not help admire the outstanding stone masonry and beautifully antique-furnished passageways. Upon entering my elegant room, I threw open my window and was rewarded with an incomparable view: the vast plain of Mesopotamia stretched out as far as the eye could see with the shimmering waters of the Tigris in the distance.

I was also quite hungry after my long journey and after freshening up, I climbed even higher up onto the roof terrace to sample the first of many culinary delicacies of Mardin: a Mardin kebab, made from minced lamb, mixed with spices, crushed walnuts and tiny pieces of dried apricot, all on a bed of a fresh salad.

Once fortified with a delightful meal, I climbed down for a foray into the medieval bazaar which lies just below the hotel. I came upon the workshops of the famous silversmiths and was hard pressed not to spend all my travel money there and then. The works of art produced from the thinnest threads of silver and gold are irresistible and renowned throughout Turkey and beyond. A somewhat cheaper option is the sweet smelling soap which is made in many a Mardin soap factory and sold by weight.

Thousands of years of civilization and over 20 cultures have left their mark on Mardin, all of which manifests itself in the mosques, palaces, churches and the fascinating Sabanci Mardin City museum. The Syriac Orthodox faith is still practiced by a good part of the population which is why Mardin is one of the few places in Turkey where you can hear the call to prayer from the mosque and the ringing of church bells simultaneously.

The next day, I decided to hire a car and driver to take me to Hasankeyf, a decision which I have not regretted because my driver was extremely knowledgeable and he showed me places I would otherwise not have known about.

Hasankeyf was all I expected and more! It’s an incredible feeling  when something  you only know from photographs appears in all its glory. The bridge is stunning and to think that it will all disappear soon is just so sad. I saw a flock of goats and their keepers lounging in the shadow of trees right down at the river bank and asked my driver if he could take me there. He did, and we spent some time playing with the goats, dipping our feet into the water, and chatting with the Kurds who guarded and milked the goats. It was a scene which could have played itself out, unchanged, hundreds of years ago. Although it was only the end of May, it was already very hot. So I dispensed with climbing up to the remains of the huge castle which gives the place its name: Hassan’s seat or Hassan’s delight. The blue tiled Hamam is currently being restored, so I could only see it from a distance. I did, however, get quite close to some of the caves.

I have to thank my driver for the visit to another marvelous place I didn’t know about as we made our way back to Mardin. Dara, an important East Roman fortress, played a crucial role in the Roman-Persian conflict of the 6^th century. Basically a Roman settlement, Dara was fortified by emperor Justinian whose engineers also constructed a huge underground cistern which today is a sight to behold and totally unexpected.

Dara’s necropolis, part above ground and part below ground, is still being excavated. It is vast, decorated with mosaics, and composed of tombs for the kings and royal family. Few people come here, so I was glad that my driver took me.

The last stop on our way back was the massive Saffron monastery. Also known as Deyrulzafaran Monastery, until 1932 it was  the seat of the Syriac Patriarch and today is the center of the Syriac diocese of Mardin. Located on a plain surrounded by mountains, the saffron colored monastery is composed of several churches and chapels. It was originally built upon the site of a pagan temple, the remains of which can be seen underground. Many of the monks and patriarchs were learned men and the library bears witness to their literary work. You can see orthodox Christian altars and art work as well as the throne of the patriarch. Nowhere is the proximity of Islam and Christianity so apparent as in Southeast Turkey. Here a small minority still speaks Aramaic, the language of the bible.

This ancient land offers so many more intriguing places to see. And, I will return, preferably in the Fall, because the summers in this region are so very, very hot.

Written by and photos by Inka Piesga-Quischotte  for EuropeUpClose.com

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On the edge of Europe, the fascinating Turkish city of Istanbul has more than enough to entertain pretty much every traveller. This round-up of posts about the city on Europe a la Carte will give you plenty of ideas of things to do in Istanbul.

Podcast on Things to Do in Istanbul

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Tourist Attractions in Istanbul

A must see in Istanbul is the Dolmabahce Palace – the largest palace in Turkey, situated right on the Bosphorus on the European side. It’s opulent and impressive, and you must take a guided tour to see inside.

Dolmabahce Palace by Kivanc Nis

The Bascilica Cistern was formerly a vast water reservoir which serviced the city during the Byzantine and Ottoman period. It’s now open to visitors who can walk along the wooden walkways and admire the three hundred marble columns.

Bascilica Cistern by Salim Virji

Although you can’t take the Orient Express these days, Sirkeci Gare train station is still well worth a visit. It’s an elegant building with a small museum and numerous reminders of the Orient Express days.

Front of Sirkeci Gare station by Inka Piegsa-Quischotte

Museums in Istanbul

Istanbul is full of interesting and varied museums, and one of the newest is also one of the strangest: this rather warm city is now home to an Ice Museum. The story of how the Vikings came to Istanbul in the ninth century is told through ice carvings and if you’re worried about the cold, don’t be – museum visitors are supplied with very warm capes to survive the temperatures – modelled below by Inka!

Outfits for the Ice Museum by Inka Piegsa-Quischotte

The Istanbul Museum of Modern Art opened in 2004. Don’t be put off by the unassuming warehouse building which houses it – there really is excellent art to be found inside.

The Istanbul Modern by Inka Piegsa-Quischotte

Eating in Istanbul

A highlight of any trip to Istanbul has to be enjoying some of the local Turkish food. One of the obvious must-eats are shish kebabs – or correctly, şiş kebabs – and Marcus will get your mouth watering with his tip to visit the Umut Ocakbaşi restaurant to get a great example of this food.

The grill at umut ocakbaşı by Marcus Cedestrom

Inka was advised to try a fish bun at the Galata Bridge, which sounds delicious (and not even too unhealthy – the perfect snack!). Inka reckons that the Flower Passage is the place for fish restaurants in Istanbul.

The two tier Galata Bridge by lobh

Shopping in Istanbul

When you want a break from sightseeing, then you might want to follow Inka’s unique shopping tips for Istanbul, as well as exploring the famous bazaars like Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar and the gorgeous Arasta Bazaar,

Embroidered boots in an Istanbul shop by Inka Piegsa-Quischotte

Day Trips from Istanbul

We’ve got several tips for day trips from Istanbul, and the first is to head out to Yoros Castle, over on the Asian side of Istanbul. The castle ruins are open any time and free to visit, and Marcus suggests coinciding your visit with sunset so you can get this great view over the city lights of Istanbul.

View of Istanbul from Yoros Castle by Marcus Cedestrom

Another day trip possibility is to take a boat ride out to the Princes’ Islands. These are a group of nine islands off the shore of the Asian side of Istanbul and with almost no cars permitted, you’re bound to experience a relaxing day – and perhaps a horse and cart ride!

Horse and cart ride on the Princes’ Islands by Inka Piegsa-Quischotte

Finally, another great place to visit on the Asian side of Istanbul is Kadiköy. You’ll find fewer tourists there and instead, be able to explore the flower markets, local restaurants and patisseries and old wooden mansions.

Shop window in Kadiköy by Inka Piegsa-Quischotte

Where to Stay in Istanbul

To help you find a hotel for your stay in the city, you can check out our round-up of the Best Places to Stay in Istanbul, which includes a range of hotels from budget through to luxury. You can search for more Istanbul hotels using the LateRooms search box below.

Your Istanbul Travel Tips

Of course, we’ve just scratched the surface on things to do in Istanbul. What is your favourite attraction in Istanbul? Please leave any tips you have in the comments.

The Best of Istanbul Travel Tips

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I was intrigued when I first heard about one of Istanbul’s latest attractions: an ice museum because that’s one of the last things you would associate with a city in a generally hot country. In fact, the ice museum which opened its doors in April 2010 is the only one in Europe created in a warm country.

Located in FORUM Istanbul, one of the city’s most fashionable shopping malls, a visit to the ice museum is a brilliant choice. Apart from the show, history and exhibits, the museum is open every day of the week, whereas many other museums and historical places in Istanbul are closed on Mondays. So, why not combine a Monday looking at ice sculptures with doing some shopping – window or otherwise – in the pleasant surroundings of FORUM Istanbul. The FORUM is easily reached because it has a separate stop on the METRO (clearly indicated) and is located close to the Central Bus station  in Bayrampasha.

FORUM Istanbul shopping mall in Bayrampasha

Entering the forum from the Metro stop, you descend two floors and find the entrance to Magic Ice right opposite the escalator. Admission is TYL 20 and then the fun begins , because first you have to dress up. You are given an ice blue, protective, hooded  cape with gloves dangling from the collar to put on over your clothes to protect you from the freezing temperatures which are needed to preserve the art behind the ice tunnel. Very fetching outfit, I think.

Wrap up warmly!!

Then you delve into the blue lighted world of ice, walking between semi transparent walls with elaborate lamps over head. The theme of the museum is based on the history of the voyage of the Vikings to Istanbul in 880 and the story is etched into sheets of ice, thankfully in Turkish and English. You can admire an entire Viking boat, a house, an elk and, of course a Viking and read the story of one of the warriors by the name of Halvan who visited the Hagia Sofia and etched his name in runes into one of the walls.

Part of a Viking boat

At the end of the walk an ice bar awaits and you are offered a drink in a glass made from ice. That’s when you need to gloves, so your fingers won’t freeze off. A fabulous chandelier made from ice hangs over the bar.

Chandelier hanging over the bar

Take off your cape and visit the museum shop. Plenty of carved Vikings are in evidence but the souvenirs  I liked best are glass enclosed replicas of some of the exhibits in the museum. You are not allowed to take photographs inside the museum but the PR lady kindly gave me permission when I told her that I was writing about it.

The nicer souvenirs from the museum shop

Then, if you like, go to the upper floors of the shopping mall, have a snack and enjoy two bookshops where you can get a great selection of English language books, something not easy to come by in Turkey outside of Istanbul .Or else, stock up on any imaginable brand of international cosmetics and browse the displays of designer shops as well as more affordable but very chic local creations.

You can find some great deals on Istanbul hotels using the LateRooms search box below.

Magic Ice – Istanbul’s Ice Museum

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Known as one of the world’s most glamorous and opulent palaces, Dolmabahce on the European side of the Bosporus in Istanbul, attracts thousands of visitors each year. You should experience the overwhelming architecture and decorations of this Istanbul attraction for yourself.

Dolmabahce Palace

Photo from wikipedia, author: SBarnes

Dolmabahce is Turkey’s largest palace, built by Sultan Adbülmecid I between 1843 and 1856. The mono block building covers 45.000 square meters and features 285 rooms and 68 toilets. The cost was the equivalent of 35 tons (!) of gold and 14 tons in the form of gold leaf were uses to gild the ceilings. In addition, the palace entrance hall is illuminated by  the world’s largest Bohemian crystal chandelier, which was a gift from Queen Victoria and a sweeping staircase with banisters made from Baccarat crystal.

Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical styles are combined with Turkish ottoman features to create a unique building. Surrounded by gardens, the palace overlooks the Bosporus on a site which originally served as public gardens, a fact from which the name Dolmabahce (full garden in Turkish) is derived.

Clock Tower adjacent to Dolmabahce Palace

The palace was the administrative center of the last Ottoman sultans and became the presidential summer residence of Atatürk, who died here on 10^th November 1938 at 9.05 am. All clocks in the palace remain stopped at the time of Ataürk’s passing.

Whereas you can stroll around other museums and monuments at your leisure in Istanbul Dolmabahce palace can only be viewed with a guided tour.  And you are not allowed to take photographs of the interior.

Sultan's Gate

The tour leads around the most important sections of the palace and you can admire works of art as well as marvelous palace carpets. You can walk around freely in the gardens and to the separate clock tower.

I like to visit by taking the tramway from Sultanahmed to the last stop, Kabatas and then walk along Ciraghan Caddesi , gazing at  the waterfront and admiring  many old mansions which line the street. The walk takes about 30 minutes. Calculate 1 to 2 hours for  the visit to Dolmabahce with the guided tours starting every 20 to 30 minutes.

We’re written about ten of the best hotels in Istanbul for all budgets. You can search for the lowest prices on all Istanbul hotels on the HotelsCombined price comparison site.

Dolmabahce, Istanbul: A Palace of Superlatives

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Where in the world can you travel from one continent to another for less than a simple London bus fare? Exactly, only in Istanbul.

For a very enjoyable day trip take the ferry from either Eminönü or Karakoy and embark on a 40 minute ‘cruise’ to Kadiköy. Arriving at the ferry terminal you feel the much more sedate, typically Turkish middle class atmosphere of the ‘other’  Istanbul. There is no sign which says Welcome to Asia, people don’t look different or speak another language, but the first thing you notice is the absence of camera toting tourists.

Typical shop window in Kadiköy

Instead you are greeted by a sea of flowers, as right opposite the ferry terminal, in a vast square is one of the most beautiful flower markets I have seen in Istanbul. Right next to it you find another historical train station: Haydarpasa station, very much in the style of Sirkeci Gare but less spectacular. Once the terminal for the famous Bagdad-Istanbul line, it now serves trains to Asia.

Flower market near ferry terminal

The beauty of Kadiköy is not as eye catching as the overwhelming array of world famous buildings and monuments which you find at every twist and turn in Sultanahmed and beyond. Hence the absence of tourist groups. You have to look a bit closer to find the charm of Kadiköy. A lot of the attraction is about food and drink and many cafes and restaurants which  excellent Turkish dishes, at much lower prices than on the other side. I loved this patisserie which specializes in sweets and decorations for new babies.

Sweets and gifts for babies

The main street, Bagdat Caddesi is a commercial place with department stores and other outlets ,much frequented by locals from both sides of Istanbul. A streetcar runs along, blue and white in color but, sadly, plastered from top to bottom with adverts.

You will find art as well in Kadaköy, like this bronze hand, but, again, rather subdued as opposed to ostentatious. Stroll along, shop or window shop, sit in one of the restaurants and then make your way to the bank of the Bosporus to admire some very fine, old, wooden mansions.

Bronze hand in Bagdat Caddesi

Return to the European side either again by ferry or over one of the bridges where, indeed, you will see a sign saying: Welcome to Europe.

Kadiköy on Istanbul’s Asian side

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With all the stunning historical sites in Istanbul around you, it’s easy to forget that Turkey has prestigious modern artists too. To create a home for their work and give Turkish modern art the exposure it deserves, the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, commonly referred to as ‘Istanbul Modern’ opened its doors in 2004.The museum has become quite the ‘in’ place for the sophisticated Istanbul art and literature crowd to see and be seen at vernisages and other cultural events.

Istanbul Modern Cafe on the top floor

You should not miss a visit to this remarkable Istanbul attraction when planning your sightseeing. Located in Tophane, just across the Galata bridge, the museum is situated in a vast former dock warehouse right on the shore of the Bosporus. It’s extremely stark, a gray concrete block with a bright red  stripe down the side emblazoned with the words Istanbul Modern. It’s really an impressive contrast to all the opulence of the other buildings which are Istanbul’s landmarks.

The museum is located in a former dock ware house

Picture by nerostrateur taken from wikipedia free licence

Take the Kabatas tram and get off at the Tophane stop. Don’t miss to look at the  fishermen on the Galata bridge and cast your eye over the Galata tower looming in the background.

View of the Galata Tower crossing Galata Bridge

Cross the street towards the waterfront, turn left and start walking. Your route leads you past the baroque Tophane mosque and, next to it, a row of quaint nargile cafes.

Follow an arrow towards the gate to the parking lot and make you way to the entrance of the museum. You can’t miss it anyway as the red sign which is higher  than the building is visible from quite a distance.

In the small park in front of the museum are a few sculptures by modern artists. Whereas the exterior is bare, the interior is beautifully distributed and dedicated to changing exhibitions of Turkish as well as foreign artists. They also have slide shows, videos and audio guides.

Modern sculpture in front of the museum

You are not allowed to take pictures inside the museum, but you can photograph in the museum shop which offers a wide range of art books, posters and such things as stationary and note books  adorned with reproductions of the paintings inside.

The museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm but, like most museums in Istanbul, closed on Mondays. Admission is TYL5.

After you have walked through, climb up an iron staircase and enjoy a coffee and snack in the museum café with a nice view over the water.

You can find our recommendations for Istanbul hotels for all budgets or use the LateRooms search box below.

A visit to Istanbul Museum of Modern Art

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Orient Express and Sirkeci Gare are two tightly connected key words. Although the famous luxury train no longer runs all the way to Istanbul, a visit to the station is a worthwhile trip down memory lane.

Sirkeci Gare's main front

The pink brick, white stucco and black wrought iron structure is a prime example for late 19th century Ottoman architecture which sought to combine oriental elements with western modern style. The architect of the train station was a German, August Jachmund, who had come to Istanbul to study Ottoman architecture and ended up lecturing at Istanbul’s polytechnic. The building was completed in 1888 and inaugurated in 1890.

Side entrance of the train station

Approach the station from the street car stop of the same name and admire a gleaming steam engine which is exhibited at the left of the side entrance. The exterior is beautifully maintained whereas the interior serves as a modern day train station which connects Istanbul to the Balkans and Greece.

Steam engine outside Sirkeci Gare

However, 19^th century nostalgia remains very much in evidence. First is the Orient Express restaurant which serves excellent food and is full of photographs and memorabilia of times gone past.

Orient Express restaurant

Next to it is a tiny museum. Admission is free and it’s only one room, but you can admire a lot of exhibits connected to the Orient Express, like old log books, the reconstruction of a luxury dining car, a conductor’s uniform, even cutlery and crockery which was used on the famous train. The charm of this museum lies in its small size and the fact that, short of touching, you can get really close to the exhibits and study them at your leisure.

Memorabilia in the Railway Museum

Also within the station is a community hall. For some reason this is the venue where several nights a week the Sufi lodge of Istanbul arranges a performance of the whirling dervishes, the best I have seen outside of the festival in Konya because the performers are Sufi who have trained many years to achieve perfection. Tickets to the event can be obtained from many shops and kiosks in the vicinity or along Divan Yoglu.

Whirling Dervishes performing in a hall in Sirkeci gare

Leave by the front entrance, cross the square and take a last look at the graceful structure which is an important historical landmark of Istanbul before crossing the Galata Bridge to sample some fish buns and perhaps proceeding to visit the Galata Tower.

You can see our recommendations for hotels in Istanbul for all budgets and use the LateRooms seach box to look at all Istanbul hotels.

Sirkeci Gare – Istanbul’s emblematic train station

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

If, like me, you are on your way to the east of Turkey, either to Cappadoccia or even further to Lake Van and you travel over land, you are bound to pass Kayseri. Many travelers neglect to visit the city because it’s definitely not in the Top 10 must see list of Turkey attractions. Which is a shame, because Kayseri has a lot to offer, not least new insights and perspectives into Turkish life.

There must be something in the air or in the water or else it has to do with the fact that Kayseri once was an important trade stop of the ancient Great Silk Road, but it’s a fact that no other Turkish city is the home town of so many Turkish entrepreneurs. The city conveys an impression of wealth, modernity, business life and provincial charm all rolled in one.

Kayseri Bus Terminal (Otogar)

Wealth and modernity start already at the nearly futuristic Bus Terminal which resembles more a small airport than a stop for long distance  coaches.

I took the local bus outside the terminal for my journey into town. It’s a straight run, so you can’t really get lost. I asked for the old town and got off where directed, then asked for the Grand Bazaar, walked through an underpass and ended up in front of a very new Hilton Hotel, built in the shape of a wing.

Hilton Rooftop Bar and Mount Erciyes

I asked in the lobby for a map of the city and found myself right in the middle of things. The concierge also told me that they have a roof top Bar where I might want to have a coffee. I did and was rewarded with a fantastic view of the snow covered Mount Erciyes, Kayseri’s most famous landmark. The now inactive volcano’s eruptions were responsible for much of the bizarre formations of Cappadoccia. For those who love trekking and alpinism, the region around Erciyes is a well known destination.

The view from the rooftop also gave me a great orientation of the sites I wanted to visit. Leaving the hotel and turning left, I happened upon a lovely flower market with cute displays of arrangements as  gifts for births and weddings.

Flower arrangement for the birth of a boy

Crossing the very busy Park Caddesi I saw the Atatürk Watchtower and just behind it the castle. It’s a very well preserved structure dating from Byzantine times and what is so ‘Typical Kayseri’ about it is that it’s not treated like a historical site reserved for visitors but totally integrated into every day life. You can enter any one of the many openings in the thick walls and find inside shops, stalls and thriving trade. The same goes for the Covered Bazaar. It dates only from the 1800 but is a place were the people from Kayseri go and do their shopping. None of the tourist trappings are in evidence, in fact no tourists at all are about. That there is a lot of money in Kayseri though became evident to me when I looked at the jewelers. The sheer opulence and size of the many gold necklaces and bracelets far surpassed the ones I had seen in the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul.

Inside Kayseri castle

Much older than the bazaar is the adjacent Kayseri attraction of the Vezir Hani caravanserai which dates from the 1500. Defined by huge bundles of sheep wool which is collected there and brilliant carpets for which the city is also famous, it’s a sight of a caravansera I have never seen anywhere in Turkey before.

Carpets displayed in Vezir Han Caravanserai

Kayseri features several museums and notable mosques too but my time was limited. I couldn’t resist another visit to the Hilton rooftop to have a final glance at Mount Erciyes before returning to the bus terminal. My visit to Kayseti was one of the rare occasions where I didn’t feel like a sightseeing tourist but rather totally integrated. I might have been a business woman on her way to a deal with one of Kayseri’s  entrepreneurs.

Three famous sons of Kayseri:

1. Abdullah Gül – current president of Turkey
2. Elia Kazan – movie director
3. Aristoteles Onassis – although born in Izmir he came from a Kayseri family!

If you’ve visited this Turkish city, what would you recommend as the best things to do in Kayseri?

Why you should stop in Kayseri, Turkey

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.