Best villages to visit in Turkey
City travel is great fun, but visiting villages in Turkey is a different way of life. Some of the small communities are stuck in time, others have earned claims to fame for a reason, while most of them never appear in any guides and are off the beaten path.
Although life in Turkey seems to revolve around large cities such as Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, villages are still a core feature of many local societies. There are over 30,000, including fishing nodes of the Black Sea, Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea in the remote mountainous regions of the Kakar Mountains. Because rural people rely heavily on the environment and the natural environment, life differs everywhere from the dry southeastern plains to western sandy beaches.
What is the best part of visiting these villages? Well, we love old houses, study regional cuisine and study Turkish culture and traditions in its purest form. So, here are our favorite places to visit and see Turkey away from modern urban landscapes.
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The best villages in Turkey to visit
1: Simena: Turkey’s Mediterranean Delight
This is the sea, this is something special. Although many travelers may not have heard of Simen, also called the Cripple, the yachts inhabit her. The city of Kekova, its Byzantine castle, radiating a fantastic view of the peninsula, has no analogues in other places in Turkey.
Despite their popularity on the sailing stage, which is prestigious and stylish, the locals of Simena do not pretend to be who they are not, and therefore people fall in love with it. Another bonus is the traditional local ice cream, which has some flavors that you have not even heard of before.
2: The abandoned ghost village of Kayakoy near Fethiye
Before you visit the ghost village of Kayakoy, read the book by Louis de Bernier. He also wrote captain Corelli’s mandolin. Kayakoy was the place for this fantastic love story told against the backdrop of the Turkish War of Independence and the events that led to the status of the ghost of Kayakoy.
The once thriving village of Turks and Greeks, living side by side, put an end to the entire Lausanne Treaty, and today visitors are viewing collapsed roofless houses, churches and schools, the only traces of this once-lucrative community. Explore it on foot or on horseback, but take the time to enjoy traditional, quaint restaurants on the outskirts serving delicious delicacies such as tandoor lamb.
3: Beautiful Alacati: first-class village life in Turkey
Sitting side by side with Cheshme, Alacati’s profile has grown in recent years as the Turks hope to buy authentic stone cottages in the center of the village. Desperate to avoid the hustle and bustle of big cities, it is easy to understand why Alacati attracts vacationers and senior citizens.
Cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses and a laid-back Aegean lifestyle have made it one of the most popular places in Izmir. Alachati’s other claim to fame is the best place for windsurfing in Turkey, and on summer evenings there is nothing better than beach barbecue and music beach.
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4: Syrins Wine Village in Aegean Seljuk
Sirinds – the most famous village in Aegean Turkey, became famous for its local wine production using fruits from the surrounding gardens. Now sold throughout Turkey, visitors sample wine in one of the many village shops. Picturesque landscapes are a bonus, and local women sell handicrafts as souvenirs. Situated by liberated slaves from the ancient city of Ephesus, Sirins’ remote location demonstrates the stunning, old architecture of houses depicting its nostalgic roots as a Greek village. While there, tour the cobbled streets to find the remains of the church of Aziz Dimitrios.
5: Village Gumusluk: Bodrum gem
Mention the Bodrum Peninsula to any Turk, and they will talk about the vibrant nightlife, the famous reputation of sailing and the ability of local people to seek pleasure. Including the main city center and small coastal resorts, visitors visiting the country for the first time may think that they have arrived at the most cosmopolitan place in Turkey, but the village of Gumusluk does not care what the rest of the world thinks or does.
Known for its iconic Rabbit Island, it possesses rustic charm and perseverance to enjoy the moment no matter what it brings. The calm, indifferent attitude prompted many foreigners to buy villas in Gumusluk. Enjoying quiet beach days and evenings, enjoying fresh fish and seafood, as soon as you arrive, you will immediately find that the delights of Gumusluk are addictive.
6: Cıralı: Turkey’s hidden paradise
If ever there was a place to get away from all this, to be calm and indulge in Mother Nature, Cirali meets all the requirements. Located in the Antalya area, it shares a long sandy and pebble beach with Olympus, a favorite place for hiking.
In the background rises the Taurus mountain range, it is a quiet refuge and where to go if you want to see the burning fire of the Chimera. Think of mountain biking, swimming in the Mediterranean, an outdoor barbecue and beautiful flora and fauna that makes you temporarily forget about a fast-paced lifestyle.
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7: Amazing Views in Faralya
Sitting in the Mediterranean region of Turkey, in a quiet and peaceful place in the Mediterranean Sea. Anyone who wants to buy property in Fethiye will receive extra money if he chooses the village of Faralya.
She is a big bait for some real estate buyers. It has yoga, spa and wellness centers.
Remote Mountain Villages in Turkey
All of the above is located on the shores of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas of Turkey, but for this you need to go to the northeast ridge in Karkar. Traditional locals head to plateau areas to avoid the summer heat.
In some places, such as Demirkapi, they get their bread and milk, and in some villages there is no telephone or Internet access, so this part of Turkey is really cut off from the whole world.
Before visiting, you need to explore the Laz and Hemsin culture in Turkey in order to better understand their local cultural heritage. Also visit Savsat in the province of Artvin, which is covered by snow in winter.
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Towns to visit in Cappadocia, Turkey
You can spend a week exploring the village of Cappadocia in central Anatolia. All is well, but many other small communities open their doors to curious travelers.
Orthodox, a traditional working city, offers fantastic views of the sunrise and tuff carved houses, while the distant Mustafa Pasha is home to an old and strange Christian church. It has the highest point of view in Cappadocia, while Urgup, the fastest growing village, is home to some of Cappadocia’s top winemakers.
Ibrahim Pasha is located in a ghost town, and Cavusin, where the ancient ruins of St. John’s Church are located, is a delightful place to visit. Finally, our list of villages in Turkey includes neighboring Avanos. He is well known in all countries of the world for his craft pottery.