An intimate Aegean tale: Şirince, İzmir
Welcoming and peaceful, Şirince is a lovely blend of Ottoman and Greek culture. This charming Aegean village with a centuries-old history is in the Selçuk district of İzmir. Considered among Türkiye’s most popular historical villages, Şirince embodies the Aegean spirit by way of its stone streets, wine, olive groves and hospitable residents.
Book a flight to İzmir today to visit Şirince!
An authentic world heritage: Cumalıkızık, Bursa
Next is Cumalıkızık, one of the country’s most beautiful holiday villages and a popular destination for foreign and local tourists. Inhabited since the establishment of the Ottoman Empire, Cumalıkızık Village is a significant cultural heritage site in Türkiye, known for its rich 700-year-old history and traditional lifestyle. Set in Bursa’s Yıldırım district, the village, on the UNESCO World Heritage List, houses Ottoman-era structures such as homes, mosques, bathhouses and fountains.
Reaching towards the sky: Hamsiköy, Trabzon
Hamsiköy, a village in the Black Sea region, is in the Maçka district of Trabzon. With a centuries-old history, this lovely Black Sea village showcases the vibrant cultural texture of the area and is distinguished by its charming traditional architecture as well as its natural attributes — refreshing plateaus and lush green forests. The famous Hamsiköy sütlacı (rice pudding) is another draw. For anyone seeking to bask in the charm of Black Sea village life, fresh highland products and the stunning Black Sea highlands, Hamsiköy is a truly authentic and beautiful destination.
A Mediterranean beauty: Kaleköy, Antalya
We head to another historical village in Türkiye, the Mediterranean Sea. Kaleköy, in Antalya’s Demre district, stands out for its historical texture and extraordinarily peaceful atmosphere — The village is accessible only by sea! In addition to its emblematic historical castle, Kaleköy is home to the ruins of a sunken city from the Lycian period. In Kaleköy, you can visit stone houses, purchase handcrafted souvenirs made by the villagers, and relax in a tranquil setting scented by citrus trees.
A Central Anatolian village filled with mystery: Uçhisar, Nevşehir
Uçhisar Village, at Cappadocia’s summit, is known for its fairytale-like atmosphere. Uçhisar Castle is the most well-known landmark in the Nevşehir district; erected on a high hill, the castle offers gorgeous views of sunrises and sunsets as well as Cappadocia’s distinctive fairy chimneys and unique valleys. Uçhisar is a popular destination among regional Turkish villages thanks to its delicious local cuisine, warm hospitality and friendly atmosphere.
Book a flight to Nevsehir today to visit Uçhisar!
Named for the olive: Zeytinliköy, Çanakkale
We began with one Aegean paradise; let us end with another: Zeytinliköy, an oasis known for its tranquility and natural beauty. Time moves slowly in Zeytinliköy, which derives its name from the olive groves that surround the village. Resonating with the richness of the cultures that have left their mark over time, Zeytinliköy, with its stone houses, narrow streets and distinctive architecture, is one of Gökçeada’s most captivating villages. Zeytinliköy is a terrific place to experience western Türkiye’s deeply rooted culture in a peaceful setting.
