Plan your visit
What helps at almost every ancient place in Türkiye. Each place page adds how long to allow there, where to stay and which trip it is on.
Museum Pass Türkiye
One card covers many of the state-run sites and museums. Some places, or parts of them, are ticketed separately.
- Opening hours and prices change with the season: check them on muze.gov.tr (opens in a new tab) before you go.
- Our pages do not list prices or hours, so they cannot go out of date.
April to June, September to October
Spring and autumn are the easy months. Inland and south-eastern sites have little shade and can pass 40 °C in summer; the eastern plateau around Van and Kars is snowy in winter.
Sleep in one town, drive out
Most ancient places are outside towns and buses rarely reach them. Pick a base, then go by car, taxi or a local tour. The trips are planned this way.
Go early
Arrive at opening time or for the last two hours: it is cooler and quieter, and the light is better for photos.
- Shoes with grip: ancient marble is polished smooth.
- Water, a hat and sun cream.
- Cash for small car parks and village cafés.
How far things are
Distances on this site are straight lines between places, as the crow flies. Roads wind, so allow more time on the road than the number suggests.