Whether you are a history buff, nature lover, sun seeker or a food connoisseur, Türkiye has it all. It is a country that boasts a rich array of stunning ancient archaeological sites, vibrant cultures and natural beauty, from its 5,000 miles of coastline and sandy beaches to idyllic forests and mountains and of course wonderful sunshine most of the year.
The vibrant mix of cosmopolitan cities and traditional villages with bustling bazaars and food markets, make it a haven that continues to attract visitors of every kind.
You can enjoy sunshine for much of the year, however if you prefer a slightly milder climate to the soaring summer temperatures and want to enjoy a less crowded visit, why not plan a trip this spring?
Türkiye’s low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines operates daily direct flights between Manchester Airport, Istanbul and Antalya, with fares starting from £69.99 one-way, as well as affordable connecting flights to Dalaman and other incredible destinations across Türkiye.
Pegasus has one of Europe’s most modern fleets and it has also quickly gained reputation for providing excellent hospitality, sought-after destinations and seamless connections to Europe and beyond, such as Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.
Founded in 2005, the company has invested in environmentally-friendly aircraft and now flies to 134 destinations, 36 of which are in Türkiye, across 50 countries with its fleet of more than 100 aircraft.
Everything is waiting for you in Türkiye and here is a taste of why you should make the culturally rich, diverse and beautiful country your destination of choice this year –
Take a dip in the Pamukkale Hot Springs
Travertines of Pamukkale are the iconic symbol of the city and visited by millions of tourists every year. Thanks to its one of a kind thermal waters over 17 pools, and fairy white rocks creating an otherworldly quality.
Pamukkale means “Cotton Castle” and is just 32 miles from the city centre. It is a fascinating structure, providing a dreamy atmosphere and epic views while walking into the thermal waters.
The area is also one of the most historical in the region with ruins from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome at the Hierapolis Ancient City and the Ancient Pool. You can take a guided tour to ensure you don’t miss a thing.
Visitors can also enjoy paragliding and balloon tours, as well as fascinating views from an ancient hilltop theatre and visit Pamukkale National Park.
Go hiking along the Lycian Way
Tracing the ancient trade route of the Lycians along the Mediterranean coastline, the Lycian Way actually stretches 332 miles and connects 18 ancient cities from Antalya to Fethiye.
Although it would take around three weeks to walk it all, you can explore shorter routes – you could stop off to visit the home of sea turtles and ruins at Çıralı Bay as well as hike to the ancient ruins of the city of Olympos which was a centre for trade and a pirate stronghold for many centuries.
Explore the sunken city of Kekova
Just off the coast of Antalya you will find the uninhabited Kekova Island, where there are ancient ruins of the tiny city of Dolchiste – the sunken city – which has remains of homes, workshops, churches, watch towers and even a harbour.
While you cannot go onto the island itself or swim nearby, you can take a boat tour to get pretty close – giving you views of both above and below the water of building foundations, stairways, ceiling beams, window and door frames and even some ceramic pottery at the bottom of the sea.
Discover the ancient city of Ephesus
One of the most historical places in the entire Aegean Region, dating back to 6,000 BC and somewhere you won’t forget – millions of tourists flock to see the UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the biggest ancient cities in the world – Ephesus Ancient City.
Visitors enjoy both ancient history and the natural beauty of the region. You will discover how people used to live, walk the same glorious paths of great emperors, philosophers, and of course the Greek gods, is a memory that you will never forget for your lifetime.
See the site of international and domestic trade at Commercial Agora where you can still see the remains of ancient stores, the city square of State Agora and the world’s biggest open-air theatre.
Besides the ancient city itself, you can visit the Ephesus Museum, the House of the Virgin Mary, Selçuk Castle, and the Ruins of Artemis Temple or visit villages like Şirince.
Go paragliding in Ölüdeniz
If you’re a thrill-seeker looking to combine an adrenaline rush with some spectacular scenery, look no further than Ölüdeniz, a world-famous paragliding spot.
Launching from the side of Babadağ Mountain – one of the highest zones in the world in which to take off from – and at around 2000 metres above sea level, it’s definitely not for the faint of heart.
Those brave enough to take the leap of faith are rewarded with a bird’s eye view across the picture-perfect coastline, including the beautiful azure oasis of the Blue Lagoon, before landing right on Ölüdeniz beach.
Follow the Bosphorus to the heart of Istanbul
The Bosphorus Strait is the heartbeat of Istanbul, a breathtakingly beautiful waterway which connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and marks the border between Asian and European continents.
Take a boat trip and view landmarks like lighthouses, the magnificent Topkapı Palace, the Ortaköy Mosque, Küçüksu Pavilion and many other incredible buildings.
In order to experience the astonishing historical peninsula itself, it’s worth taking a tram or metro. Visit Blue Mosque Square, with its stunning buildings like the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Museum and Hagia Sophia Mosque.
A short boat ride from the pier will take you to the historical Maiden’s Tower, or head to the Galata Tower which offers stunning views from the top.
Chill out in Butterfly Valley
Butterfly Valley is famous for its diverse species of butterflies. One of the most magnificent places in Fethiye, Butterfly Valley is a must see. You can visit the beautiful natural marvel and see them for yourself.
Its name of course comes from the fact it has more than 80 butterfly species, making it a very magical place.
Afterwards why not head out on more sightseeing around Ölüdeniz – the Ölüdeniz Natural Park where you can go for a swim, Babadağ with its stunning views from the top of the city, Saklıkent Canyon with its ice cold river and the rock cut King Tombs.
Flying with Pegasus Airlines is easy
Pegasus offers a range of ways to make travelling easy, with seamless and contactless travel, including a mobile app for bookings, online check-in, special offers, travel information, contactless boarding and more. You can also join its Loyalty Programme to earn and spend points.
Add Pegasus Flex to your booking to easily amend or cancel your ticket up to 12 hours before your flight. Download the Pegasus mobile app to manage your trip, book flights, check-in, and add boarding passes or extras.
Moving towards a more sustainable future
Pegasus Airlines’ commitment to sustainability in aviation includes pledging to reach net zero emissions by 2050 through adding new-generation fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo aircraft and adopting an eco-flying platform to reduce CO2 emissions from its flights.
To find out more and start planning your trip visit Pegasus airlines
