2025 Calendar: Did You Know About These Fascinating Turkish Sites?
A journey through 12 European countries: February in Turkey
For all of you following and using my 2025 Calendar, you know what this is about. And for all of you who aren’t using it, you have to start!
So, what’s it about?
For Christmas 2024 I wanted to give a special gift for all my readers — a chance to explore Europe in 2025. I wanted to thank all my readers and I wanted it to be something that can be used for:
daydreaming,
learning something new each day and/or
adding new places to your wish lists.
This calendar journey through 12 European countries discovers new iconic landmarks, hidden gems, and fascinating historical and cultural sites each month.
After we spent January in France, February was dedicated to Turkey.
Why Turkey?
From the ancient wonders of Troy to the historical bazaars of Istanbul, Turkey is a country where history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes intertwine.
Here’s a month-long journey through Turkey filled with fascinating facts, travel tips, and cultural insights, featured in my 2025 travel calendar.
Get my free GetYourGuide recommended tours and day trips from Turkish cities!
The Grand Bazaar: The Oldest Shopping Mall in the World
Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar was established in 1461, making it one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, with over 4,000 shops today.
Cappadocia: Land of Fairy Chimneys and Underground Cities
Cappadocia’s surreal rock formations, known as fairy chimneys, were shaped by wind and water over millennia. The region is also home to ancient underground cities, such as Derinkuyu, where entire communities once lived in secret.
Ani Ruins: The Ghost City of Empires
Once a thriving city on the Silk Road, Ani was known as the “City of 1,001 Churches”. Its beautiful ruins include Armenian cathedrals, Islamic mosques, and medieval fortifications.
The Blue Mosque: Istanbul’s Architectural Masterpiece
Officially named the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the Blue Mosque is famous for its six minarets and over 20,000 blue İznik tiles adorning its interior.
Ephesus: One of the Best-Preserved Ancient Cities
Ephesus was once a major Greek and Roman city, home to the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), and an amphitheater that could seat 25,000 people.
Pamukkale: The Cotton Castle of Turkey
Pamukkale, meaning "Cotton Castle", is known for its white travertine terraces, formed by mineral-rich thermal waters. This site has been a spa destination since Roman times, with nearby Hierapolis offering ancient ruins and a well-preserved theater.
Göbekli Tepe: The World’s Oldest Temple
Predating Stonehenge by over 6,000 years, Göbekli Tepe is the earliest known religious structure. Discovered in the 1990s, its intricately carved T-shaped pillars reshaped our understanding of early human civilization and spirituality.
Hagia Sophia: The Crown Jewel of Istanbul
Built in 537 AD by Emperor Justinian, Hagia Sophia was once the largest cathedral in the world. Over centuries, it has been transformed from a Byzantine church to an Ottoman mosque, then to a museum, and back to a mosque.
Mount Nemrut: The Kingdom of Giant Stone Heads
At an altitude of 2,134 meters, Mount Nemrut is famous for its colossal statues of gods and kings, built by King Antiochus I of Commagene in the 1st century BC.
Mevlana Museum: Home of the Whirling Dervishes
Dedicated to the 13th-century mystic and poet Rumi, the Mevlana Museum in Konya is a spiritual and cultural landmark. The Whirling Dervishes, followers of Rumi’s teachings, perform a sacred dance representing the soul’s journey to enlightenment.
Troy: Myth Meets Archaeology
Immortalized in Homer’s Iliad, Troy is an archaeological site where visitors can see ancient walls, gates, and a replica of the Trojan Horse.
Dolmabahçe Palace: A Symbol of Ottoman Elegance
Built in the 19th century, Dolmabahçe Palace is one of the most opulent residences in Turkey, featuring crystal chandeliers, gold ceilings, and lavish ballrooms. It marked the modernization of the Ottoman Empire, blending European and Ottoman architectural styles.
Pergamon: An Ancient Center of Learning
Pergamon housed one of the greatest libraries of the ancient world, second only to Alexandria. It’s also home to the steepest ancient theater and the remains of the Great Altar of Zeus, once considered one of the wonders of the ancient world.
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The Bosphorus Strait: Where Continents Meet
Dividing Europe and Asia, the Bosphorus Strait has been a crucial trade route for centuries. Along its shores, visitors can see Ottoman palaces, mosques, and traditional wooden mansions.
Safranbolu: A Living Museum of Ottoman Architecture
Safranbolu is a well-preserved Ottoman town famous for its timber-framed houses, historic inns, and saffron production. Once a key stop on the Silk Road, it now serves as a charming open-air museum of Ottoman heritage.
The House of the Virgin Mary: A Sacred Christian Pilgrimage Site
Believed to be the final home of Mary, the mother of Jesus, this small stone house near Ephesus has been a Christian pilgrimage site for centuries. It was rediscovered in the 19th century based on the visions of German nun Anne Catherine Emmerich, and later recognized by the Vatican as a place of religious significance.
Ishak Pasha Palace: A Fusion of Ottoman, Persian, and Armenian Styles
Perched near Mount Ararat, the Ishak Pasha Palace is a 17th-century fortress blending Ottoman, Persian, and Armenian architecture. Unlike traditional palaces, it features intricately carved stonework, hidden courtyards, and a mosque with stunning tile patterns.
Ölüdeniz: The Blue Lagoon of Turkey
With turquoise waters and a white sandy shoreline, Ölüdeniz is one of Turkey’s most photographed beaches. This stunning lagoon is part of a protected national park, ensuring its natural beauty remains untouched.
Turkish Coffee: A UNESCO-Protected Tradition
Prepared in a small copper pot (cezve) over low heat, it’s served unfiltered, creating a strong, rich taste. Tradition says that after drinking, you can turn the cup upside down and read your fortune in the coffee grounds.
Tulips Originated in Turkey, Not the Netherlands!
Tulips were so highly prized in the 16th century that they became a symbol of wealth and beauty. The period known as the Tulip Era (Lale Devri) saw tulips decorating royal gardens, textiles, and art, influencing Ottoman culture and design.
Get my free GetYourGuide recommended tours and day trips from Turkish cities!
The Whirling Dervishes: A Spiritual Dance Like No Other
The Whirling Dervishes are followers of Mevlana Rumi, the 13th-century Sufi poet and mystic. Their mesmerizing dance (Sema) symbolizes the soul’s journey to enlightenment, with each movement representing spiritual devotion.
Turkish Delight: A Royal Sweet with Centuries of History
Known as Lokum, Turkish delight has been a beloved sweet since the Ottoman Empire, often served in royal courts. Made from sugar, starch, and flavors like rose, pistachio, and lemon.
Perge: An Ancient City with a Greek and Roman Legacy
Dating back to 1500 BCE, Perge was a thriving city of Pamphylia, later influenced by Alexander the Great and the Roman Empire. Visitors can explore a grand colonnaded street, Roman baths, a stadium, and Hellenistic gates. The city is also mentioned in the Bible, as Saint Paul preached here around 46 CE.
Topkapı Palace: The Heart of the Ottoman Empire
Built in 1460 by Sultan Mehmed II, Topkapı Palace served as the royal residence and administrative center of the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. The palace is a treasure trove of ornate courtyards, the famous Imperial Harem, and the sacred relics of Islam.
The Origin of Yogurt: A Turkish Invention Enjoyed Worldwide
Did you know that yogurt originated in Central Asia and Anatolia, with the word itself coming from the Turkish "yoğurt"? This nutritious staple has been part of Turkish cuisine for thousands of years, served plain, in soups, or as a refreshing drink (ayran).
The Turkish Bath (Hamam): A Tradition of Purification
A visit to Turkey isn’t complete without experiencing a traditional hamam. Dating back to Roman and Ottoman times, these bathhouses were centers of social gatherings and relaxation. A Turkish bath session includes steam, deep cleansing, and a full-body scrub, leaving visitors feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Nazar: The Evil Eye Amulet of Protection
Ever noticed the blue eye-shaped amulets hanging in homes, shops, and jewelry across Turkey? This is the Nazar, believed to ward off the evil eye and negative energy. The tradition dates back to ancient Anatolia, where it was thought that a jealous glance could bring misfortune.
The Basilica Cistern: An Underground Marvel of Istanbul
Hidden beneath the bustling streets of Istanbul, the Basilica Cistern is an ancient underground reservoir built in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian, supplying water to the Great Palace of Constantinople. With its cathedral-like columns, eerie lighting, and famous Medusa-head pillars, it’s one of the most atmospheric sites in the city.
Get my free GetYourGuide recommended tours and day trips from Turkish cities!
Which of These Have You Visited?
Which of these sites have you been to? Which ones are on your travel list? Let me know in the comments!
For more things Turkish, check out my posts on Turkey:
Ancient Metropolis of Ephesus: UNESCO Sites in Turkey: Ephesus
Inside Istanbul’s Topkapı Palace: A Journey Through Ottoman History: UNESCO Sites in Turkey: Historic Areas of Istanbul
The Theatre and Aqueducts of the Ancient City of Aspendos, Turkey: A Timeless Marvel of Roman Engineering
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Thanks this review, Gabi! I visited Turkey for the first time in February 2024 and I loved it! (I think February was an excellent time to visit!) I didn’t make it east of central Turkey but did experience about half of what you list. Thanks again for the memory prompt.
I just saw where there were links to like different things so I look at the bathhouse because I'm a massage therapist and I wanted to see what they offered. I cannot believe how inexpensive it is to get what they give there. I mean in America that would cost near $250 and they were charging like $48.75.
I absolutely could not believe it.
For those of you who can travel, it's very inexpensive compared to what we pay in America .