Queue up your favourite fairy tale for inspiration – Turkey delivers when it comes to castles, with plenty of variety across the country. Unlike similar structures in Europe, Turkish castles hold a fusion of multicultural history. Ottoman, Byzantine, and Islamic influences can be seen in the architecture of Turkey's castles, creating a unique melange of design. From the Black Sea to the Mediterranean and destinations in between, these are the best castles in Turkey.
1. Simena Castle
Located along Turkey's Lycian coastline, Simena Castle stands tall over the glittering Mediterranean Sea. Not only is the seaside setting absolutely stunning, but the ancient grounds themselves also offer a fascinating place to walk. With both Roman and Byzantine origins, this ancient castle is accompanied by a necropolis with rock-carved tombs, a small theatre, and surrounding homes built from stone.
Panoramic views from the top of Simena Castle reveal the azure waters of the coast, plus neighbouring towns that dot the sage-coloured hillsides. Most travellers arrive on a boat tour, and seeing the views along the way is part of the experience.
How to get to Simena Castle
It's a long ride from where many travellers start their Turkey trip – in Istanbul, an 11-hour drive – but you can easily fly into Kaş, which is less than an hour's drive away.
2. Ankara Castle
With a wow-worthy view over the city, Ankara Castle's strategic positioning atop a mountain is part of its lure. Located in Ankara – Turkey's capital city in the Anatolia region – this sturdy fortress is protected by rock walls that remain strong and intact to this day. It's one of the oldest sights to see in the country's capital, a noteworthy structure that was built in the 8th century BC.
Within the castle's walls, you'll find a mosque, inn, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which is home to a ton of artefacts in an impressively historical setting. Stroll through the inner citadel and then take in the stately views of Ankara from the castle's edge; this location offers prime views of the capital.
How to get to Ankara Castle
Ankara is roughly five hours by car from Istanbul or a one-hour flight. Once you're in the city, you'll find Ankara Castle right in the centre.
3. Mamure Castle
Facing the island of Cyprus, Mamure Castle is perched right on the Mediterranean Sea in Turkey's Mersin Province. Towering stone walls and well-preserved architecture hint at the castle’s rich history, plus it has a stunning backdrop thanks to the azure waters just beyond the fortress walls.
Once a military stronghold, Mamure Castle has 39 towers, a moat, and three different courtyards. It's impressive now, making you wonder just how magnificent it was way back in its heyday during the 3rd century BC.
How to get to Mamure Castle
Mamure Castle is between the cities of Alanya and Mersin, easily reachable from the highway that goes along the coast. It takes about two hours by car from Alanya and 3.5 hours from Mersin.
4. Seytan Castle
In the northeastern corner of Turkey near the border with Georgia, Seytan Castle isn’t that easy to reach, but it's certainly worth the trek. Also known as “Devil's Castle,” this fortress was built atop a rugged bluff that shoots up between both sides of Karaçay Canyon. It looks like something out of Lord of the Rings, for both the mystical architecture and the surrounding geographical features.
For centuries, it was a Georgian stronghold known as Qajis Tsikhe, believed to have been built by Urartian people who once lived in the ancient Near East.
How to get to Seytan Castle
In the Çildir district of Turkey's Ardahan Province, Seytan Castle is an 18-hour drive from Istanbul, which is quite a journey, unless you're into road trips. You can, however, fly into Kars and then drive 1.5 hours north.
5. Uchisar Castle
Uchisar Castle might hold the unofficial title of the world's most unique castle. This fortress is in Cappadocia, one of Turkey's most famous destinations known for its peculiar and awe-inspiring landscape, underground city, and hot-air balloon sightseeing. The castle is carved right into one of the region's many massive rock formations, a mythical-looking organic-shaped fortress that you might expect to see in a Dr. Seuss book.
Fairy chimneys, cave lodgings, and panoramic views of the Cappadocia landscape make this setting extra enchanting, and it’s one of the most-visited places by travellers in Turkey.
How to get to Uchisar Castle
To get to Cappadocia and Uchisar Castle, you can fly from Istanbul to either Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport (40 minutes from Cappadocia) or Kayseri Erkilet Airport (one hour from Cappadocia).
6. Boyabat Castle
Boyabat Castle overlooks the town of Boyabat in Turkey's Sinop Province, and its history dates back to the 6th century BC. Its strategic hillside position was beneficial for defense back in its prime, but today, its location offers sweeping views of the horizon. Classic-looking castle walls might have you thinking you're somewhere in the United Kingdom, at least until you take in the backdrop of Boyabat. This town in the Black Sea region of Turkey sprawls over soft-sloping mountains covered in vegetation, a quiet place compared to the buzz of Istanbul.
How to get to Boyabat Castle
Boyabat Castle is a one-hour drive from Sinop, a city on the Black Sea. Sinop is about a one-hour flight from Istanbul.
7. Bodrum Castle
Bodrum, a popular holiday town in southwest Turkey, is home to Bodrum Castle, a medieval fortress built right on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Set on a craggy rock peninsula, it's in the heart of Bodrum, making it easy to pop over for a quick visit in between lazy beach afternoons around the area.
Built in Gothic-style architecture, this fortress was used as a military base during the Ottoman period and was transformed into a prison in 1895. Today, it houses the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, which has ancient shipwreck artefacts. With all the beaches, restaurants, and cafes that Bodrum has to offer, the castle makes it all the more worth adding this town to your itinerary.
How to get to Bodrum Castle
A flight from Istanbul to Bodrum takes about one hour. Bodrum Castle is in the city centre.
