Be sure to watch the sunset in Turkey's best spots

Wherever you are on vacation, watching the sunset is a calming moment that takes you away from life's regular routine, even for a short time. Many of us do not hesitate for a second to capture the best sunset views for an Instagram share, but their beauty can make you put down your phone and just soak up the moment. Make sure you have some time to yourself while watching the sunset and take a look at some of the best spots to experience it in Turkey's different regions, either in a historical or natural setting.


Cercis Murat Mansion & Kasımiye, Mardin

The name of Mesopotamia brings centuries-old mythical stories to mind. The honey-colored city of Mardin in Turkey's southeastern region is where multicultural history exists in its liveliest form. The city is where one can witness the union of its cultural scene with a beautiful sunset view. Situated in a traditional 19th-century stone mansion, Cercis Murat Mansion is the ultimate address for a magnificent sunset in Mardin. Lying on the skirts of a hill, the mansion is only one of the traditional stone dwellings in Mardin and the sunset view from its balcony brings an authentic Mesopotamian landscape, a true visual feast for all tourists. Also offering a tasteful dining experience, Cercis Murat Mansion is run as a restaurant serving Assyrian food as well as kebab varieties rich in local flavors.

The next stop for watching the sunset in Mardin is Kasımiye Madrasa, one of the city's biggest madrasa complexes, which was designed during the Artuqids' rule, but the construction was suspended following the Mongolian invasion. In the 15th century, Qasım bin Cihangir, the sultan of the Turkic tribe Ak Koyunlu, completed the madrasa's construction. The madrasa is a must-stop for professional photographers searching for the best sunset shots.


Otağtepe, Istanbul

You have already heard about plenty locations to watch the sunset over a panoramic city view in Istanbul. You can choose the Maiden's Tower in Üsküdar or the monumental Galata Tower in the historic Galata neighborhood, but there is a lesser-known site that is worth discovering during your Istanbul trip. The Otağtepe Park, also called "Fatih Grove," in Beykoz district on the Asian side has a great sunset view. The word "Otağ" means "imperial tent" and the park located on a high hill close to the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge was given this name to honor Ottoman Sultan Mehmed's conquest of Constantinople. The sultan ordered his soldiers to establish a giant imperial tent there during the conquest. Today, the park houses observation terraces, a small cistern and cafes, which are busy on the weekends. Other recommended places to watch the sunset in Istanbul are Çamlıca, rooftop restaurants and even ferry tours.



Lake Mogan, Ankara

Some may find living in a city like Ankara without the beauty of the sea view a bit overwhelming, but the city's fresh water resources fulfill the void with their landscape and rich habitat. The Lake Mogan, commonly called "Gölbaşı" among locals, is one of them. The Gölbaşıarea has always remained attractive for photographers, as the alluvial set lake offers some of the most beautiful sunset views with a pure natural scene. Covered with reeds, Lake Mogan is open to the public as a recreational park, housing a variety of birds. Many of these birds migrate to warmer climates during winter, but visitors can see cormorants, ducks and kingfishers there throughout the year. Take your bicycle to the park in the evening and enjoy cycling in the sunset.


Gulf of Gökova, Muğla

From history to food and entertainment to tranquility, Turkey's Aegean region has something to satisfy travelers' needs and is home to peaceful bays where tourists can have a romantic evening with a stunning sunset view. Situated on the south of the Bodrum peninsula, the Gulf of Gökova in the city of Muğla would not disappoint you. A very popular blue voyage destination, the Gulf of Gökova is ideal for tourists seeking some serenity. If you are still around Muğla, take a blue voyage along Gökova, Datça and Marmaris and watch the hues of yellow and red during the sunset while sailing in a wooden gullet into the bays and coves.


Mount Nemrut, Adıyaman

Watching the sunset on Mount Nemrut, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Turkey's southeastern Adıyaman province is an exquisite experience. Crowning one of the highest peaks of the Eastern Taurus Mountain, the 2,134-meter high Mount Nemrut is a well-known necropolis housing monumental sculptures built under the commission of Hellenistic King Antiochus I of Commagene. The mountain has retained a great deal of its authenticity as it is protected under the National Conservation Law and preserved as a First Degree Archaeological Site. The Mount Nemrut Archaeological Site was placed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1987 and was established as a national park the following year.