Türkiye is home to an extraordinary cultural heritage shaped by thousands of years of history. From ancient Greek and Roman cities to Byzantine and Ottoman monuments, Neolithic settlements, and underground cities, historic sites can be found throughout the country.

According to 2025 visitor statistics from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, museums and archaeological sites across Türkiye welcomed 33,129,106 visitors in total. For the full year, the officially reported top five were Ephesus, Hierapolis (Pamukkale), Göreme, Zelve-Paşabağlar, and Galata Tower.

The following list combines the latest available visitor figures with the historical and cultural importance of the sites.

1. Ephesus Ancient City – İzmir

Ephesus is the most visited archaeological site in Türkiye. In 2025, it welcomed 2,550,458 visitors, making it the country’s most visited historical site.

One of the most important cities of the ancient world, Ephesus is famous for monuments such as the Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, Temple of Hadrian, Marble Street, and Terrace Houses.

During the Roman period, Ephesus became one of the most important commercial, cultural, and religious centers of Anatolia.

Main highlights:

• Library of Celsus
• Great Theatre
• Temple of Hadrian
• Terrace Houses
• Marble Street
• Remains of the Temple of Artemis

2. Hierapolis Ancient City and Pamukkale – Denizli

Hierapolis and Pamukkale ranked second among Türkiye’s most visited archaeological attractions in 2025, receiving 2,299,914 visitors.

Hierapolis forms a unique cultural and natural heritage landscape together with the famous white Pamukkale travertines, created by mineral-rich thermal waters.

Visitors can explore the ancient theatre, Roman baths, necropolis, temples, and other archaeological remains.

Main highlights:

• Pamukkale travertines
• Hierapolis Theatre
• Antique Pool
• Necropolis
• Temple of Apollo
• Ploutonion

3. Göreme Open-Air Museum – Nevşehir

Located in the heart of Cappadocia, the Göreme Open-Air Museum is one of the region’s most important historical attractions. It welcomed 1,184,285 visitors in 2025.

The area is famous for its extraordinary volcanic rock formations, rock-cut churches, monasteries, and valleys.

Important structures include the Tokalı Church, Apple Church, Chapel of St. Barbara, and Snake Church, many of which preserve remarkable examples of early Christian art.

4. Zelve–Paşabağlar – Nevşehir

The Zelve–Paşabağlar Archaeological Site welcomed 1,141,219 visitors in 2025, making it one of the most visited historical attractions in Türkiye.

Zelve Valley contains rock-cut houses, churches, monasteries, tunnels, and spectacular geological formations that illustrate both the natural and cultural history of Cappadocia.

Paşabağ is particularly famous for its distinctive multi-headed fairy chimneys.

5. Galata Tower – Istanbul

One of Istanbul’s most recognizable landmarks, Galata Tower welcomed 951,338 visitors in 2025.

The medieval tower has become an integral part of Istanbul’s historic skyline. Its observation level offers impressive views over the Golden Horn, Bosphorus, Historic Peninsula, and European side of Istanbul.

Galata Tower is also an excellent starting point for exploring the historic Galata and Karaköy neighborhoods.

6. Göbekli Tepe – Şanlıurfa

Göbekli Tepe, dating back approximately 11,000 years, is one of the most important archaeological discoveries in human history.

During the first eight months of 2025, Göbekli Tepe received 497,394 visitors, placing it among Türkiye’s most visited archaeological sites.

The site’s famous T-shaped pillars and animal reliefs provide important information about the symbolic world and social organization of Neolithic communities.

Göbekli Tepe is also the best-known archaeological center within the wider Taş Tepeler (Stone Hills) project in the Şanlıurfa region.

7. Kaymaklı Underground City – Nevşehir

Kaymaklı Underground City is one of Cappadocia’s most fascinating historical attractions.

It is a multi-level settlement carved into the volcanic rock beneath the ground. During the first eight months of 2025, it welcomed 460,262 visitors.

The underground complex contains living areas, storage rooms, passageways, places of worship, and communal spaces.

Its narrow tunnels and interconnected chambers demonstrate the remarkable ability of Cappadocian communities to adapt their living environment to both everyday life and security needs.

8. Derinkuyu Underground City – Nevşehir

Derinkuyu is another famous underground city in Cappadocia.

During the first eight months of 2025, it received 375,870 visitors.

The multi-level underground complex includes living spaces, storage areas, stables, religious spaces, ventilation systems, and defensive features.

The site offers an extraordinary insight into how communities in Cappadocia created extensive underground environments for living and protection.

9. Sumela Monastery – Trabzon

Located in the Maçka district of Trabzon, Sumela Monastery is one of the most spectacular historical monuments in the Black Sea region.

Built dramatically into the side of a steep mountain cliff, the monastery is particularly impressive because of the way its architecture blends with the surrounding landscape.

During the first eight months of 2025, Sumela Monastery welcomed 392,976 visitors.

Main highlights:

• Rock church
• Historic frescoes
• Monastery courtyards
• Aqueduct
• Mountain scenery
• Altındere Valley National Park

10. Republic Museum – Ankara

The Republic Museum in Ankara is an important museum for understanding the political and institutional history of the Republic of Türkiye.

During the first eight months of 2025, it welcomed 454,048 visitors.

The historic building played an important role during the early years of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Exhibitions include historical documents, photographs, personal belongings, and other materials connected with the foundation and early development of the Republic.

Visitor Statistics

Rank	Historical Site	Location	Visitors
1	Ephesus Archaeological Site	İzmir	2,550,458
2	Hierapolis (Pamukkale)	Denizli	2,299,914
3	Göreme Open-Air Museum	Nevşehir	1,184,285
4	Zelve–Paşabağlar	Nevşehir	1,141,219
5	Galata Tower	Istanbul	951,338
6	Göbekli Tepe*	Şanlıurfa	497,394
7	Kaymaklı Underground City*	Nevşehir	460,262
8	Republic Museum*	Ankara	454,048
9	Sumela Monastery*	Trabzon	392,976
10	Derinkuyu Underground City*	Nevşehir	375,870

* The figures for positions 6–10 refer to the first eight months of 2025 and should not be interpreted as a definitive full-year ranking.

Türkiye’s Extraordinary Historical Heritage

These destinations demonstrate the extraordinary diversity of Türkiye’s historical heritage.

Ephesus and Hierapolis represent the ancient Greek and Roman worlds; Göreme and Cappadocia preserve remarkable evidence of early Christianity; Göbekli Tepe takes visitors back to the Neolithic period; Galata Tower reflects Istanbul’s medieval and later history; while Sumela Monastery represents the religious and architectural heritage of the eastern Black Sea region.

Türkiye’s archaeological and cultural attractions continue to attract millions of visitors every year. With 33.1 million visits to museums and archaeological sites in 2025, cultural heritage remains one of the country’s most important tourism assets.

From prehistoric monuments that predate the pyramids by thousands of years to spectacular Roman cities and medieval monasteries, Türkiye offers an extraordinary journey through more than 10,000 years of human history.

Karahantepe, located near the Haliliye district of Şanlıurfa, southeastern Türkiye, is one of the most important archaeological sites for understanding the Neolithic Age. Part of the same cultural environment as Göbekli Tepe, the site is particularly notable for its T-shaped standing stones, human and animal representations, stone architecture, and monumental structures.

Karahantepe is important not only for Türkiye but also for understanding the development of early settled societies throughout the ancient Near East.

History of Karahantepe

Karahantepe dates back to the 10th millennium BC, making it approximately 11,000 years old. Archaeological research in the region began in the late 20th century, while systematic excavations have intensified particularly in recent years.

The site is being investigated as part of the Taş Tepeler (Stone Hills) project, which examines a wider network of Neolithic settlements. This network includes Göbekli Tepe, Sefertepe, Sayburç, Gürcütepe, and several other important archaeological sites.

Karahantepe is especially significant because it demonstrates that, during the period when humans were still transitioning toward permanent agricultural village life, communities were already capable of organizing large groups, constructing monumental architecture, and developing sophisticated symbolic traditions.

Where Is Karahantepe?

Karahantepe is located approximately 55 kilometers from the center of Şanlıurfa, in the archaeological landscape around the Tek Tek Mountains.

The site can be reached from Şanlıurfa by private vehicle. Visitors should check current access arrangements and visiting conditions before planning a trip, as archaeological excavations and conservation work can affect access.

What Makes Karahantepe Important?

One of the most remarkable aspects of Karahantepe is the presence of monumental architecture dating to an extremely early period of human history.

Archaeological excavations have uncovered:

• T-shaped standing stones
• Human figures
• Representations of wild boars and other animals
• Stone sculptures
• Large communal spaces
• Rock-cut architectural features
• Various everyday tools and objects

These discoveries provide important evidence that the people living in the region around 11,000 years ago were not simply small groups focused on basic survival. They were capable of producing monumental structures and sophisticated symbolic art.

Human Figures

One of Karahantepe’s most distinctive features is the large number of human representations found at the site.

While animal imagery is particularly prominent at Göbekli Tepe, human figures are especially significant at Karahantepe. This provides valuable clues about the symbolic and social world of Neolithic communities.

Archaeologists have discovered stone sculptures representing human heads and bodies. Some figures emphasize human posture, including seated and standing positions.

The precise meaning of these representations remains the subject of ongoing research. Therefore, it is more appropriate to describe them as artistic and symbolic expressions of Neolithic society rather than assigning them a definitive religious interpretation.

The T-Shaped Standing Stones

One of the most important similarities between Karahantepe and Göbekli Tepe is the presence of T-shaped standing stones.

Some of these stones feature details such as:

• Human arms
• Hands
• Animal figures
• Various carved and relief decorations

Some researchers believe that the T-shaped stones may symbolically represent the human body. However, interpretations of their exact meaning are still being debated and studied.

Karahantepe and Göbekli Tepe

There are strong cultural connections between Karahantepe and Göbekli Tepe.

Feature	Karahantepe	Göbekli Tepe
Main period	Mainly 10th millennium BC	Mainly 10th millennium BC
Region	Şanlıurfa	Şanlıurfa
T-shaped standing stones	Yes	Yes
Animal representations	Yes	Very prominent
Human representations	Particularly significant	Present
Monumental architecture	Yes	Yes
Part of Taş Tepeler	Yes	Yes

Karahantepe therefore helps researchers understand that Göbekli Tepe should not be viewed in isolation. Instead, it forms part of a much larger Neolithic cultural landscape in the Şanlıurfa region.

Is Karahantepe the “Oldest City in the World”?

Karahantepe is sometimes described online as the “world’s oldest city” or the “first city.” Such descriptions should be used cautiously.

The site is extremely ancient, but the concept of a city generally refers to later settlements characterized by larger populations, permanent occupation, greater population density, and more complex social and economic structures.

A more accurate description would be that Karahantepe was one of the important monumental and settlement centers of the Early Neolithic period.

Everyday Life at Karahantepe

Karahantepe provides important clues about how people lived approximately 11,000 years ago.

The communities of the region:

• Practiced hunting and gathering
• Hunted and consumed animals
• Used stone tools
• Built large communal structures
• Organized themselves into groups for collective activities
• Produced symbolic art and sculpture

This was a critical period in human history, when communities were moving from mobile hunter-gatherer lifestyles toward increasingly permanent settlements.

Karahantepe and the Neolithic Revolution

Karahantepe suggests that the Neolithic Revolution was much more than simply the invention of agriculture.

During this period, humans were also:

organizing into larger communities → constructing communal buildings → creating sophisticated symbols and art → developing new social relationships → moving toward increasingly permanent settlements.

Karahantepe is therefore extremely valuable for understanding how early human societies became more socially and architecturally complex.

Visiting Karahantepe

Travelers visiting Şanlıurfa can include Karahantepe as part of a broader archaeological tour of the region.

Other important historical and archaeological attractions in and around Şanlıurfa include:

1. Göbekli Tepe
2. Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum
3. Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum
4. Balıklıgöl
5. Şanlıurfa Castle
6. Harran
7. Bazda Caves
8. Soğmatar Ancient City

Combining Karahantepe and Göbekli Tepe provides a particularly interesting way to explore the development of Neolithic societies in southeastern Türkiye.

Why Should You Visit Karahantepe?

The importance of Karahantepe is not simply that it is extremely old. Its real significance lies in the questions it raises about how humans thought, organized themselves, expressed ideas, and created symbolic worlds more than 10,000 years ago.

The monumental structures, sculptures, and carved stones suggest that humans possessed remarkable architectural, social, and symbolic abilities much earlier than previously assumed.

Karahantepe opens a remarkable window into one of the greatest transformations in human history. Together with Göbekli Tepe and the other sites of the Taş Tepeler region, it demonstrates that the Şanlıurfa landscape was one of the world’s most important cultural centers approximately 11,000 years ago.