Anatolia, at the heart of modern Turkey, is the region at the heart of the "Fertile Crescent" south of the Black Sea, east of the Aegean Sea, north of the eastern Mediterranean and west of the Caucasus and Azerbaijan districts. A very roughly dissected mountainous region, Anatolia has been both a place of residence and a communication route for a bewildering variety of peoples for thousands of years. This list of the best ancient cities in Turkey will give a brief overview of the Anatolian chronology from the earliest times to the present day.
Alacahoyuk
Located in the Alaca district of Çorum province, Alacahöyük shows mainly Hittite influence during the Bronze Age, although ruins belonging to four different cultural phases can also be seen.
Aphrodisias
With a history dating back to 5000 BC, the ancient city of Aphrodisias was established during the Greek and Roman periods and is one of the most valuable settlements that have survived to the present day.
Asclepeion
The Asclepeion, an ancient medical centre in the province of Izmir, was built near the renowned healing springs of the region.
Assos
Assos, a Greek Trojan city, was built on a dormant volcano of andesite rock, in the modern city of Canakkale. Its history dates back to the 6th century BC.
Cappadocia
Cappadocia, a Unesco World Heritage Site, is a historical region in Central Anatolia, mainly in the provinces of Nevşehir, Kayseri, Kırşehir, Aksaray and Niğde.
Çatalhöyük
Founded 9 thousand years ago in the city of Konya, in the Cumra region, Çatalhöyük is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ephesus
Located in the city of Selçuk, in the province of Izmir, Ephesus is one of the twelve cities of Ionia. It is one of the best ancient cities in Turkey.
Halicarnassus
Named Halicarnassus in ancient times and one of the most beautiful districts of Muğla province.
Harput
Located in the province of Elazığ, Harput has a history dating back to 2000 BC.
Kalamaki
Located in the town of Kas in the province of Antalya, Kalamaki. Also known as Kalkan, it impresses with its proximity to the ancient cities of the region and its natural beauty.
Knidos
Among the major settlements of ancient times, Knidos. It is one of the best ancient cities in Turkey. Located on the edge of the Datça Peninsula, a district of Muğla famous for its natural wonders.
Laodikea
The ancient city of Laodikea, in the province of Denizli, was one of the most famous and important Anatolian cities in the 1st century BC.
Letoon
On the Fethiye-Kas highway, Letoon was originally founded as Leto, mother of the Olympian deities Apollo and Artemis.
Lotape
Located in the province of Antalya among the Mediterranean cities with the warmest climate. The ancient city of Iotape was named after the wife of King Antiochus of Commagene.
Milet
Located near Soke, a city in the province of Aydin, Miletus gained its independence in 38 BC with the help of Roman emperors.
Myra
An ancient Lycian city, Myra is located on the fertile lands of the city of Kale in Antalya.
Pamukkale (Hierapolis)
Located near the natural wonder of Pamukkale, the ancient city of Hierapolis was founded in 190 BC.
Patara
Located between Fethiye and Kalkan, the ancient city of Patara is known as the birthplace of the Greek sun god Apollo.
Pergamon
Pargamon was founded in Bergama County (Izmir), at the crossroads of the Aegean and Anatolian regions.
Perge
Located in the city of Aksu, in the province of Antalya, Perge was founded in the Bronze Age.
This city is very distinctive for its overall visual perception compared to other archaeological cities among its contemporaries in the wider region.
Phaselis
Nestled in the lush nature of the Antalya province, the ancient city of Phaselis was founded in the 7th century BC.
Priene
An ancient Ionian city, Priene is located within the boundaries of the province of Aydin.
Ruins of Ani
The ancient citadel of Ani Ruins is located on the arid plains above the Arpaçay Valley, which separates Turkey from Armenia.
Sagalassos
Sagalassos is located in the southwest of Turkey, near Aglasun, a town in the province of Burdur. It is characterised by its natural beauties. Sagalassos is known as the first of the Pisidian cities.
Sardis
Sardis, the capital of the Kingdom of Lydia, is located in the city of Salihli, in the province of Manisa.
Smyrna
Smyrna is the ancient name of Izmir, which is not only one of the earliest settlements, but also one of the most beautiful cities in the Aegean region.
Stratonikeia
The ancient city of Stratonikeia, located near the town of Yatağan in the province of Aydin. It was a member state of the Khrysaor Union. It was founded in the 3rd century BC.
Telmessos
Located near Fethiye, Telmessos is named after the son of the sun god Apollo. It is located on the road from Bodrum to Turgutreis, 3 kilometres past Ortakent.
Termessos
It was built on a natural platform on top of Güllük (Solymos) Mountain. Termessos is one of the best preserved ancient cities in Anatolia.
Ani, city of 1001 churches
The ancient city of Ani, in the province of Kars, is another highly recommended ancient site worth visiting.
Troy
One of the richest cities of antiquity and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. Troy is located in the heart of nature in the province of Çanakkale. It was founded 5000 years ago and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Xanthos
Located around Fethiye, the ancient city of Xanthos was once the capital of the Lycian League.
Zeugma City
Founded around 300 BC by the generals of Alexander the Great. Zeugma is located in the city of Gaziantep in Nizip.
Archaeological Sites
There are many ancient ruined cities in Turkey. You can see the legacy of the Neolithic period to the beginning of agriculture. But also, the magnificent cities of the classical and medieval period. From the Neolithic site of Catalhoyuk to well-preserved Greek and Roman ruins, Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques, the strata of Turkish history contain a myriad of architectural, archaeological and religious legacies.