Turkey is Black Sea and Mediterranean country.
On the one hand are the dynamics, innovation and modern style of life at the metropolis Istanbul, on the other hand is the province in which at many places the lifestyle is generally without changes in the last 100 or 200 years.
1. Istanbul
Istanbul City by Luiz Pantoja/Flickr
With its population of 11 million people, Istanbul is Turkey’s largest metropolis and the 19th largest city in the world.
It is always among the most advanced, largest and most significant economic and cultural centers, whether it was within the borders of Turkey (as today), Greece or Bulgaria.
Here get together Europe and Asia, the Orient and West, Christianity and Islam.
2. Ankara
Mausoleum in Ankara by Ankara’dan/Flickr
This is the second largest Turkish city with a population of more than 5 million inhabitants.
Although it is the capital of Turkey, Ankara relinquish the leadership to Istanbul.
The Turkish capital is a city with wide boulevards and European look.
It posses parks and gardens, modern office buildings, shopping centers and countless opportunities for leisure.
In Ankara, the progress of this country can be felt in everything.
And this is very important, because this city is Turkey’s business card to the world.
3. Izmir
Konak Square Izmir by Ahmet Batuhan/Flickr
With a population of around four million inhabitants, Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey.
1000 years BC Izmir was within the boundaries of Greece and bore the name Smyrna.
Today it is a gateway to the Turkish Riviera.
From this city on the south around the coast as a rosary are arranged the most beautiful and attractive Turkish resorts.
Many buildings in Izmir today are brand new, as in 1999 an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 on the Richter scale destroyed many buildings in this city.
The earthquake took thousands of casualties.
4. Bursa
Rainbow over Bursa by sk/Flickr
Bursa is the fourth largest city in Turkey.
The metropolitan area has a population of nearly 2,000,000 people.
The outskirts of the city have a rich history and beautiful sceneries.
Not far away lies the Sea of Marmara.
North of Bursa has beautiful beaches and around them has varied accommodation options in luxury hotels and villas.
5. Antalya
View of the port of Antalya by michael.berlin/Flickr
One of the most popular Turkish resorts is Antalya.
Furthermore, Antalya is a large city, which has a population of almost one million people.
It has beautiful beaches, luxurious villas and hotels, numerous restaurants and shops.
The city is struggling with the fierce competition of the smaller, but not less attractive competitor – Marmaris.
Antalya is located in wide, overlooking to the south bay.
The place is protected from cold north winds in winter and enjoys year round mild and very pleasant climate.
6. Marmaris
Marmaris Seaside by Martijn Russchen/Flickr
With a population of 35,000 inhabitants, Marmaris fight to become the number one tourism destination in the Mediterranean and if we have to be quite honest, we have to say it has all prerequisites for it.
Marmaris competes successfully with the giants into the travel industry throughout Europe.
The picturesque landscape in the area, sheltered mountains, crystal clear waters and warm climate are one of the biggest advantages.
Here you can find wonderful hotels, restaurants, villas and everything that even the most discerning tourists would demanded.
7. Kusadasi
Cruise Ship Kusadasi by Peter C/Flickr
In translation from Turkish Kusadasi means“ bird island“.
Even with a population of only 50,000 inhabitants, the city is known throughout Europe as one of the best and most comfortable places to rest.
The long season, warm waters of the Aegean Sea, the subtropical vegetation, the combination of European, Asian and Mediterranean culture attract crowds of tourists.
Not far from Kusadasi lies the ancient city of Ephesus, which is a real out door archaeological monument.
8. Adana
Taskopru Adana by Sefik Akkurt/Flickr
Adana is a city situated in the central southern parts of Turkey, not far from the Mediterranean.
It has a population of over 1.3 million inhabitants, which puts it on the fifth place after Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Bursa.
Adana is located about 40 km from the Mediterranean coast.
Due to the fact that to the north the city is protected by high mountains, there is a wonderful warm climate, which is a good precondition for development of agriculture.
9. Samsun
Amisos Hill Samsun by Seyfi Şeren/Flickr
Samsun is the largest Turkish city on the Black Sea.
It is home to around 800,000 people.
The city is beautiful with a picturesque location and looks pretty neat.
Here in the winter often falls very heavy snow.
The truth is that in fact the city is really very nice, but because of the strong competition, it does not enjoy very high popularity among tourists, who are usually attracted to the metropolitan Istanbul and the nearby town of Bursa, the capital Ankara and the Mediterranean Pearls – Bodrum, Kusadasi, Antalya and Marmaris.