Turkey's cultural tourism potential is increasing!

In 2023, this interest continued to increase. According to the data of Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, in the first four months of 2023, Turkey hosted a total of 11 million 93 thousand 247 visitors. This figure represents an increase of 27.51% compared to the same period last year.

Turkey's cultural tourism potential stands out especially with its historical and archaeological sites. Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe, Troy Ruins, Arslantepe Open Air Museum, Patara Ancient City and Zeugma Mosaic Museum are among the important points that show the cultural tourism potential of Turkey. These areas attract the attention of both domestic and foreign tourists and increase the attractiveness of Turkey in the field of cultural tourism.

Turkey's tourism potential draws attention not only in terms of cultural but also natural beauties. In 2023, 551 beaches, 23 marinas, 14 tourism boats and 10 individual yachts were awarded the Blue Flag in Turkey. These awards stand out as an indicator of Turkey's natural beauty and sustainable tourism practices.

Turkey's cultural tourism potential continues to increase in the light of these data. Turkey continues to be an attractive destination for tourists with its historical and cultural riches and natural beauties.

Turkey's tourism sector continues its efforts to make the best use of this potential.

Turkey's cultural tourism potential is related to a number of places that host the country's historical and cultural riches.

Here are some of these places:

Göbeklitepe

Göbeklitepe, located 18 kilometers northeast of Şanlıurfa city center, is considered the oldest known temple complex in the world. Discovered by the Universities of Istanbul and Chicago in 1963, this area sheds light on the prehistoric period.

Karahantepe

Located 60 kilometers east of Şanlıurfa, Karahantepe has a history of 12 thousand years. Also known as the ancient city of Ur Kaśdim (City of the Chaldeans), this place offers important insights into the history of the region.

Troy Ruins

Troy, which has 10 different city layers from different periods in Çanakkale, has a complex and rich archaeological structure. It bears the traces of settlements dating back to the 3rd millennium BC.

Arslantepe Open Air Museum

Located 6 kilometers away from Malatya city center, Arslantepe Mound was inhabited from 5,000 BC to the 11th century AD. This area, which was included in the UNESCO World Permanent Cultural Heritage List in 2021, is an important stop for history lovers.

Patara Ancient City

Patara, located between Fethiye and Kalkan, is one of the most important and oldest cities of Lycia. Known as the birthplace of the famous thinker Apollonius, this ancient city draws attention with its historical and natural beauties.

Zeugma Mosaic Museum

Zeugma Mosaic Museum in Gaziantep is an important stop for visitors of all ages who are interested in history and culture, as well as art historians and archaeologists. Considered a reason to visit Turkey, this museum has the distinction of being the largest mosaic museum in the world.

These places are just a few examples of Turkey's cultural tourism potential. All over Turkey, there are many more historical and cultural riches for visitors to discover.