10. Tourism in Turkey is focused largely on a
variety of archaeological and historical
sites, and on seaside resorts along its Aegean
and Mediterranean coasts. In the recent
years, Turkey is also becoming a popular
destination for the SPA and health care tourism
11. Turkey's largest city, Istanbul, has a number of major
attractions derived from its huge historical status as capital of
the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. These include the Sultan
Ahmed Mosque (the "Blue Mosque"), the Hagia Sophia, the
Topkapı Palace, the Basilica Cistern, the Dolmabahce
Palace, the Galata Tower, the Grand Bazaar, and the Pera Palas.
Istanbul has also recently became one of the biggest shopping
centers of European region by hosting malls and shopping
centers like Metrocity, Akmerkez and Cevahir Mall (which is
the biggest mall in Europe and second largest shopping center
in the world).
12. Major cultural and historical attractions elsewhere in
the country include the sites of Ephesus, Troy,
Pergamon, House of Virgin Mary, Pamukkale,
Hierapolis, Konya , Didyma, Church of Antioch,
religious places in Mardin and the ruined cities and
landscapes of Cappadocia.
13. Beach vacations, particularly for Turkish city-dwellers and
visitors from Western Europe, are also central to the Turkish
tourism industry. Most beach resorts are located along the
southwestern and southern Aegean coast, especially along the
Mediterranean coast near Antalya. Antalya is also accepted as
the tourism capital of Turkey. Major resort towns include
Bodrum, Fethiye, Marmaris, Kuşadası, Cesme, Didim and
Alanya.
23. April 23 – children day
May 19 – youth and sports day
August 30 – victory day
0ctober 29 – establishment of the
republic day
January 1 – new year