Best Day Trips From Istanbul
Introduction
Best Day Trips From Istanbul – Need to escape from Istanbul for a day? There are plenty of historical and natural sights within day tripping distance of Istanbul. The most popular trips are to the World War I battlefield sites of the Gallipoli Peninsula and to the world famous archaeological site of Troy. As long as you’re willing to fly there and back, you can even get to Ephesus in one day. For less travel time, and a more relaxing day, head to a nearer sight such as the tranquil Princes Islands or the popular Black Sea beach resort of Sile; both are tempting downtime diversions in any Istanbul itinerary. Find the best places to visit with our list of the best day trips from Istanbul.
Gallipoli Battlefields of First World War
For many Istanbul visitors, the number one-day trip is the gorgeous Gallipoli Peninsula, but the main objective is usually not to admire Gallipoli’s verdant shoreline scenery. Instead, most who arrive are here to pay their respects to the fallen of World War I. Scattered across the rugged coast of this thin finger of land are the cemeteries of both Turkish and Allied forces, who fought against each other in the bloody battles of 1915’s Gallipoli campaign. The battlefields and memorials here are now part of the Gallipoli Historical National Park, which honors both sides of the war. In total, over the course of the nine-month campaign, there were more than half a million casualties here, including just over 130,000 deaths, with 86,700 lives lost on the Turkish side and 36,000 deaths for the Allied forces.
For Turkish visitors, Gallipoli holds deep significance, as it was here that a young commanding officer named Mustafa Kemal (who would later become known as Ataturk – founder of the modern Turkish Republic) first made his name.
For foreign visitors from Australia and New Zealand, Gallipoli is also a point of pilgrimage, as soldiers from these countries (known as ANZACS) were deployed in great numbers and suffered heavy casualties here. The main sites are at Anzac Cove (where the Allies first landed on 25 April 1915) home to the Anzac Commemorative Site; at Lone Pine, which holds a mammoth cemetery for ANZAC soldiers; Chunuk Bair (where the New Zealand memorial is situated); and 57 Alay, commemorating Mustafa Kemal’s Ottoman 57th Regiment, which suffered brutal losses trying to stem the ANZAC advance.
A great way to experience the site is on the Istanbul to Gallipoli group day tour, which includes transport from Istanbul and guided tours of the Anzac Cove cemeteries and other battlefield sites of the Gallipoli Peninsula, plus lunch. To spend more time in the area, contact us for a two-day Gallipoli and Troy tour which includes transport from Istanbul, overnight accommodation in Çanakkale, guided tours of both the Gallipoli Peninsula battlefield sites and Troy, plus some meals.
Ancient Troy
Few archaeological sites are as mythologized as Troy. The ruins here are (supposedly) the site of the famed Trojan War from Homer’s Iliad, which pitted the Greeks against the city of Troy. Heinrich Schliemann first declared this spot Troy in the 1870s, and although archaeological debate rages on, the site is significant for many factors beyond the Greek legend. This is a multi-layered site of various trading cities that dates from the early Bronze Age right up to the Byzantine period. Consequently, it has huge importance for archaeological understanding on the contact between the ancient Mediterranean civilizations and it was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1998. The site can be difficult to navigate due to the number of ruins from different eras here (investing in the audio-guide is a good idea to make sense of what you’re seeing). The main highlights, though, are Troy VIII’s outer walls and nearby fortifications of Troy VI, the ruins of the fortified town of Troy VI and its Greco-Roman Temple of Athena, and Troy II’s megarons. Whether the ruins are the place where Paris brought Helen, thus beginning the mighty war where Odysseus and Achilles made their names, is probably moot, as Troy is a fascinating site for anyone with a love of history. If you’re short of time and don’t want to base yourself in Çanakkale to visit Troy and other sights in the area, this Troy day-tour from Istanbul includes transport from Istanbul, entrance, and a guided tour of Troy plus lunch.
Edirne
Best known for its oil-wrestling festival, which takes place annually in either June or July, Edirne is liberally peppered with Ottoman buildings, thanks to its role as the empire’s second capital. The Selimiye Mosque is the grandest structure in town, built by the renowned Ottoman architect Sinan (who also built Istanbul’s Süleymaniye Mosque). The interior dome, even wider than the dome of the Hagia Sophia , is stupendously impressive. The exterior courtyard here is host to the Edirne Turkish and Islamic Art Museum, with an excellent display of ceramics, clothing, and woodwork from the Ottoman era. While just behind the mosque is the Edirne Archaeological Museum, which holds some interesting exhibits of Thracian steles.
Other mosques here are worth a look, including the rather beautiful Sultan Beyazit II Mosque, the Üç Serefeli Mosque (with its four different minarets), and the aptly named Old Mosque (Edirne’s oldest mosque building). The real joy of a trip here, though, is wandering the old town streets that were once the medieval heart of the city. Here, you’ll find a wealth of Ottoman traditional wooden houses, many gracefully dilapidated and brimming with old-world ambience.
Ephesus
If you have very little time and don’t mind an exceptionally early morning and long day out (think 15 hours), then a day trip to Ephesus from Istanbul is doable. There will be little time to look at the many other sights in and around Selçuk, but you’ll be able to fit in a decent tour of the Ephesus remains. To do this, you’ll need to fly from Istanbul to Izmir and then take the train south to Selçuk, which sits next to the ruins. Due to the logistics involved, many visitors planning to do this decide to take a tour. The Ephesus day trip from Istanbul is a small-group tour and includes round-trip flights from Istanbul, bus transport onward to Ephesus, entrance and a guided tour of the ruins, a visit to St. Mary’s House (Meryamana), and lunch.
Bursa
Backed by the tall peaks of Turkey‘s Uludag (Grand Mountain), Bursa is a modern industrial city with a fascinating historic core. This was the Ottoman Empire’s first capital, from where they cast their eyes to Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) and decided to conquer the Byzantine city. Although Bursa is quite spread out, most of the historical sites are within easy walking distance from each other, right in the central district. The mammoth Ulu Camii (grand mosque) is the city’s focal point, built by Seljuk Sultan Beyazit I with 20 domes on its roof. Bursa Citadel only has scattered remnants to see but is also the site of the tombs of Sultans Osman and Orhan, founders of the Ottoman Empire. Bursa’s prettiest mosque is the Yesil Camii, with intricate tile work and calligraphy on show, while opposite the mosque is the Yesil Tomb, with a tile-covered mihrab (prayer niche). The medrese (Islamic school of learning) nearby is now the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, which is well worth a look for travelers interested in Ottoman art and design.
A Bursa Day trip can be easily done from Istanbul. Our private Bursa day tour includes all transport (ferry plus minivan); a guided tour of the central city’s glut of Ottoman architecture, including entrance to the Yesil Camii; lunch; and a trip up Bursa’s cable-car for views over town. Contact us to book your private Bursa Day trip.
Princes’ Islands
One of Istanbul locals’ favorite escapes from the city, the Princes’ Islands sit in the northeast corner of the Sea of Marmara offering serenely beautiful scenery just half an hour’s ferry ride away from the city’s bustle. Jumping on the ferry for a day trip to the islands allows travelers to soak up the gorgeous coastal scenery along the way. Princes’ Islands consists of nine islands, but two of them are the most popular stops for day trippers.
Heybeliada Island has plenty of opportunities for swimming and sunbathing, which are among the most popular things to do for visitors, but it is also home to the lovely Merit Halki Palace, now converted into a hotel, and the Hagia Triada Monastery, built in 1844. Büyükada Island has the Monastery of St. George and the Museum of the Princes’ Islands. There are no cars on the islands, and horse-drawn carriages offer the main form of transport.
Cappadocia
Lying in south central Turkey, the moonscape region of Cappadocia, southeast of Ankara, is most famous for unique geological features called fairy chimneys. The large, cone-like formations were created over time by erosion of the relatively soft volcanic ash around them. Past cultures have dug into them to create dwellings, castles (like Uchisar) and even entire underground cities like Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, used as hiding places by early Christians. Nearby Kayseri is the gateway to the area.
