Top 10 Most Visited Historical Places in Turkiye

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.