Cities of Turkey
81 provinces, historical cities, vacation destinations and natural wonders
About Turkey's Cities
Turkey has rich cultural and geographical diversity with 81 provinces. Each city stands out with its unique history, culture, cuisine and natural beauty. From Mediterranean and Aegean coasts to Black Sea highlands, from historical Istanbul to ancient Anatolian cities, each region offers different experiences.
List of Turkey's Cities
Recommended Cities for Summer & Sea Vacation
Mediterranean Region
Antalya
Turkey's most popular vacation destination with turquoise coves, ancient ruins and modern tourism facilities.
Mersin
Hidden treasure of the Mediterranean with historical Tarsus, beautiful beaches and delicious cuisine.
Muğla
Unforgettable vacation in the blue waters of the Aegean with famous vacation spots like Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye.
Aegean Region
İzmir
Pearl of the Aegean with historical Kemeraltı bazaar, beautiful waterfront and delicious cuisine.
Aydın
Vacation spots like Didim, Kuşadası and ancient Milet, Priene ruins.
Balıkesir
Nature and history together with Edremit Bay, Kaz Mountains and ancient Assos.
Turkey's Safest Cities
Cities with high security, cleanliness and quality of life
Rize and Highlands
Rize is one of the cities that stands out in terms of security and quality of life. Paradise for nature lovers with green highlands, tea gardens, waterfalls and magnificent Black Sea views. Famous for Ayder, Pokut, Sal highlands, Rize is also a leader in world tea production. It offers climbing in Kaçkar Mountains, hiking in highlands and relaxation in tea gardens.
Other Nature Destinations
Artvin
Adventure tourism with Kaçkar Mountains, highlands and wilderness.
Trabzon
History and nature with Sümela Monastery, Uzungöl and highlands.
Historical Cities
İstanbul
Unique city connecting two continents, capital of Byzantine and Ottoman empires.
Bursa
First capital of Ottoman Empire, famous for historical baths and silk production.
Edirne
Second capital of Ottomans, UNESCO World Heritage with Selimiye Mosque and historical bridges.
Konya
City of Mevlana, important as Seljuk architecture and religious center.
Gaziantep
Pearl of Southeast with ancient Zeugma city, mosaic museum and delicious cuisine.
Şanlıurfa
City of prophets, mystical atmosphere with Balıklıgöl and historical houses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cities
How many provinces are there in Turkey?
There are a total of 81 provinces in Turkey. These provinces are distributed across 7 geographical regions: Marmara, Aegean, Mediterranean, Central Anatolia, Black Sea, Eastern Anatolia and Southeastern Anatolia.
Which city is best for vacation?
Different cities are recommended according to vacation purpose: Antalya, Muğla, İzmir for sea vacation; Istanbul, Bursa, Edirne for cultural tourism; Rize, Artvin, Trabzon for nature and highlands; Konya, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa for history.
What is Turkey's largest city?
Istanbul is Turkey's largest city with approximately 16 million population. Ankara is the second, İzmir is the third largest city.
In which cities can you do highland tourism?
Highland tourism has developed in Rize, Artvin, Trabzon, Giresun provinces in the Black Sea Region. Ayder, Pokut, Sal, Gito, Pokut highlands are the most popular ones.
What is Turkey's oldest city?
Şanlıurfa has the world's oldest temple remains dating back to 12,000 BC with Göbeklitepe ruins. Also, cities like Konya, Istanbul, Bursa have very old histories.
In which cities has sea tourism developed?
Sea tourism has developed in Antalya, Mersin in the Mediterranean; İzmir, Aydın, Muğla in the Aegean; Balıkesir, Çanakkale in Marmara; Trabzon, Rize provinces in the Black Sea.
What are Turkey's safest cities for foreigners?
Large cities like Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Antalya, Bursa, Eskişehir and Trabzon are safe for foreigners. These cities have developed tourism infrastructure, high police security and foreign language support.
In which cities can you do winter tourism?
Winter tourism has developed in cities like Erzurum, Kars, Bursa (Uludağ), Bolu (Kartalkaya), Kayseri (Erciyes) and Antalya (Saklıkent). These cities have ski resorts and winter sports facilities.
What is Turkey's cleanest city?
Cities like Eskişehir, Bursa, Antalya and Trabzon stand out in terms of cleanliness. Especially Eskişehir is known for its environmentally friendly practices and green areas.
In which cities has health tourism developed?
Health tourism has developed in large cities like Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Bursa and İzmir. These cities have modern hospitals, specialist doctors and affordable treatment options.
What is Turkey's hottest city?
Cities like Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Diyarbakır and Antalya in the southeast and south are Turkey's hottest cities. Temperature can exceed 40°C in summer months.
In which cities is education quality high?
Education quality is high in cities like Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Bursa and Eskişehir. These cities have prestigious universities, private schools and educational institutions.