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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Turkey
Turkish World Heritage Sites · UNESCO sites in Turkey map · historical landmarks in Turkey
Turkey has 23 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 20 cultural and 3 mixed inscriptions, inscribed between 1985 and 2025. This map of UNESCO sites in Turkey covers every listing, with a short description, the inscription year and the nearest airports — the fastest way to see the country's most important historical sites and landmarks in one place.
Turkish World Heritage Sites range from Aphrodisias onwards; Göreme & Cappadocia was the country's first inscription, added in 1985; Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe is the most recent, listed in 2025; recurring threads across the list include ancient civilizations, sacred places and lost cities.
Start with Aphrodisias, Archaeological Site of Ani and Archaeological Site of Troy, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 23
- Cultural
- 20
- Mixed
- 3
- First inscribed
- 1985
Sites on the map
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Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- DNZDenizli2 sites
- MLXMalatya2 sites
- NAVNevşehir2 sites
- KYAKonya2 sites
- LWNGyumri1 site
- CKZÇanakkale1 site
Prints from Turkey
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All 23 sites in Turkey
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Turkey
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| AphrodisiasLocated in southwestern Turkey, in the upper valley of the Morsynus River, the site consists of two components: the… | 2017 | Cultural | Located in southwestern Turkey, in the upper valley of the Morsynus River, the site consists of two components: the archaeological site of… |
| Archaeological Site of AniThis site is located on a secluded plateau of northeast Turkey overlooking a ravine that forms a natural border with… | 2016 | Cultural | This site is located on a secluded plateau of northeast Turkey overlooking a ravine that forms a natural border with Armenia. |
| Archaeological Site of TroyTroy, with its 4,000 years of history, is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. | 1998 | Cultural | Troy, with its 4,000 years of history, is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. |
| Arslantepe MoundArslantepe Mound is a 30-metre-tall archaeological tell located in the Malatya plain, 15 km south-west of the Euphrates… | 2021 | Cultural | Arslantepe Mound is a 30-metre-tall archaeological tell located in the Malatya plain, 15 km south-west of the Euphrates River. |
| Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman EmpireThis property is a serial nomination of eight component sites in the City of Bursa and the nearby village of… | 2014 | Cultural | This property is a serial nomination of eight component sites in the City of Bursa and the nearby village of Cumalıkızık, in the southern Marmara… |
| City of SafranboluFrom the 13th century to the advent of the railway in the early 20th century, Safranbolu was an important caravan… | 1994 | Cultural | From the 13th century to the advent of the railway in the early 20th century, Safranbolu was an important caravan station on the main East–West trade… |
| Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural LandscapeLocated on an escarpment of the Upper Tigris River Basin that is part of the so-called Fertile Crescent, the fortified… | 2015 | Cultural | Located on an escarpment of the Upper Tigris River Basin that is part of the so-called Fertile Crescent, the fortified city of Diyarbakır and the… |
| EphesusLocated within what was once the estuary of the River Kaystros, Ephesus comprises successive Hellenistic and Roman… | 2015 | Cultural | Located within what was once the estuary of the River Kaystros, Ephesus comprises successive Hellenistic and Roman settlements founded on new… |
| Göbekli TepeThe world's first temple, twelve millennia old. | 2018 | Cultural | The world's first temple, twelve millennia old. |
| GordionLocated in an open rural landscape, the archaeological site of Gordion is a multi-layered ancient settlement,. | 2023 | Cultural | Located in an open rural landscape, the archaeological site of Gordion is a multi-layered ancient settlement,. |
| Göreme & CappadociaFairy chimneys and underground cities. | 1985 | Mixed | Fairy chimneys and underground cities. |
| Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of CappadociaIn a spectacular landscape, entirely sculpted by erosion, the Göreme valley and its surroundings contain rock-hewn… | 1985 | Mixed | In a spectacular landscape, entirely sculpted by erosion, the Göreme valley and its surroundings contain rock-hewn sanctuaries that provide unique… |
| Great Mosque and Hospital of DivriğiThis region of Anatolia was conquered by the Turks at the beginning of the 11th century. | 1985 | Cultural | This region of Anatolia was conquered by the Turks at the beginning of the 11th century. |
| Hattusha: the Hittite CapitalThe archaeological site of Hattusha, former capital of the Hittite Empire, is notable for its urban organization, the… | 1986 | Cultural | The archaeological site of Hattusha, former capital of the Hittite Empire, is notable for its urban organization, the types of construction that have… |
| Hierapolis-PamukkaleDeriving from springs in a cliff almost 200 m high overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters have created at… | 1988 | Mixed | Deriving from springs in a cliff almost 200 m high overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters have created at Pamukkale (Cotton Palace) an unreal… |
| Historic Areas of IstanbulWith its strategic location on the Bosphorus peninsula between the Balkans and Anatolia, the Black Sea and the… | 1985 | Cultural | With its strategic location on the Bosphorus peninsula between the Balkans and Anatolia, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, Istanbul has been… |
| Nemrut DağThe mausoleum of Antiochus I (69–34 B.C.), who reigned over Commagene, a kingdom founded north of Syria and the… | 1987 | Cultural | The mausoleum of Antiochus I (69–34 B.C.), who reigned over Commagene, a kingdom founded north of Syria and the Euphrates after the breakup of… |
| Neolithic Site of ÇatalhöyükTwo hills form the 37 ha site on the Southern Anatolian Plateau. | 2012 | Cultural | Two hills form the 37 ha site on the Southern Anatolian Plateau. |
| Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural LandscapeThis site rises high above the Bakirçay Plain in Turkey’s Aegean region. | 2014 | Cultural | This site rises high above the Bakirçay Plain in Turkey’s Aegean region. |
| Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin TepeSardis was the capital of the Lydians, a powerful Iron Age civilization (8th-6th centuries BCE) known for its wealth… | 2025 | Cultural | Sardis was the capital of the Lydians, a powerful Iron Age civilization (8th-6th centuries BCE) known for its wealth and early coinage production. |
| Selimiye Mosque and its Social ComplexThe square Mosque with its single great dome and four slender minarets, dominates the skyline of the former Ottoman… | 2011 | Cultural | The square Mosque with its single great dome and four slender minarets, dominates the skyline of the former Ottoman capital of Edirne. |
| Wooden Hypostyle Mosques of Medieval AnatoliaThis serial property is comprised of five hypostyle mosques built in Anatolia between the late 13th and mid-14th… | 2023 | Cultural | This serial property is comprised of five hypostyle mosques built in Anatolia between the late 13th and mid-14th centuries, each located in a… |
| Xanthos-LetoonThis site, which was the capital of Lycia, illustrates the blending of Lycian traditions and Hellenic influence… | 1988 | Cultural | This site, which was the capital of Lycia, illustrates the blending of Lycian traditions and Hellenic influence, especially in its funerary art. |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Turkey
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Turkey?
- Turkey has 23 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 20 cultural and 3 mixed.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Turkey?
- Göreme & Cappadocia was inscribed in 1985. Fairy chimneys and underground cities.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in Turkey?
- Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe, inscribed in 2025. Sardis was the capital of the Lydians, a powerful Iron Age civilization (8th-6th centuries BCE) known for its wealth and early coinage production.
- Which UNESCO sites in Turkey are easiest to reach?
- Each site page lists the closest airports with distance, so you can pick the gateway city first and work outwards. The "Flying in" panel on this page shows the main gateways for Turkey.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Turkey?
- The 23 UNESCO-listed sites above are Turkey's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Göreme & Cappadocia (1985). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.
- Is there a map of Turkish World Heritage Sites?
- Yes — the map on this page plots all 23 Turkish UNESCO World Heritage Sites; click any marker to open that site's page.