Where to visit in Turkey in November

November is the last chance to visit Turkey's mesmerizing destinations before the harsh winter weather arrives



November is always a good time visit Turkey. The weather is still warm in many places and the bustling crowds have left. The hotels in famous places across the country are also more affordable. For those planning to visit Turkey this November, here are the best options.CappadociaCappadocia is one of the best places for a honeymoon, as foreign tourists come specifically to have their wedding photos taken.Located in the middle of the country, Cappadocia represents the finest work of mother nature and a great way to witness the region's history. A place of natural beauty, Cappadocia has such a charming atmosphere that a one daytrip is never enough to enjoy all its attractions. With its volcanic landscape offering gorgeous scenery and slick rocks with lush, green tracks and caves, tunnels and canyons waiting to be explored, Cappadocia is a paradise. Through wind and melting snow, the region has been carved out of volcanic rock over the centuries and displays unique colors and shapes, such as the fairy chimneys. This magical region invites you to explore the heart of Anatolia with its historic remains standing as some of the most renowned ancient natural wonders. Cappadocia is among one of the most visited destinations in Turkey and will be packed with local and foreign tourists even in the harshest season. The only way to understand why it is among the top-visited spots is to take a trip to this magical land. It is also one of the best places for a honeymoon, as foreign tourists come specifically to have their wedding photos taken. All the leaves and natural beauty seem to keep pace with the colors of the area during this season and it feels like the sun sets differently when November arrives. Pamukkale Also known as Hierapolis, Pamukkale - cotton castle in Turkish - is located in western Turkey. It was included on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1988 based on natural and cultural criteria. Famous for its hot springs and travertines (terraces of carbonate minerals left by flowing waters), Pamukkale is for those who are looking for a relaxing experience. There are dozens of historical sites to visit, including the ancient city of Hierapolis and Greek monuments around the city. With ruins from different civilizations, natural wonders and pure white travertines formed from hot calcium-filled mineral waters, Pamukkale has three different thermal regions - Sarayköy, Karahayıt and Gölemezli - offering healthy benefits with springs and mud baths. In Pamukkale, you can spend a day or just a few hours having a completely organic cure for your skin ailments. You can also find an opportunity to visit the amazing travertines that enable you to see the kind of beauty nature is able to create. Since it is located in the west, November is an ideal time to visit with no harsh weather conditions. If you would like to see amazing natural ambiance, Pamukkale should be on your travel list.PhaselisLocated in the Kemer district in the north of Tekirova, Antalya, and overlooking the Mediterranean coast, Phaselis is an ancient Lycian settlement dating back to 700 B.C. Because of its location on a peninsula that separates two harbors, Phaselis became the most important harbor of western Lycia and an important center of commerce between Greece, Asia, Egypt and Phoenicia. Persians captured the city after they conquered Asia Minor and it was later taken by Alexander the Great. An escape from the bustle of Antalya's city center, Phaselis offers both history and joy of the Mediterranean at the same time. The ancient city is also situated in Olympos National Park in Antalya. The good news is that you can still swim in Antalya in November, so if what you are looking for is both to enjoy the sea and the historic beauties, Phaselis should be a place for you.Zeugma The ancient city of Zeugma in Gaziantep's town of Nizip was founded by Alexander the Great's generals in 300 B.C. and was originally called Selevkia Euphrates. One of the four biggest cities of the Commagene Kingdom, Zeugma was conquered in 64 B.C. and ruled by the Roman Empire, which renamed the city Zeugma, meaning bridge or passageway. Witnessing huge wealth and glory under Roman rule, the city became one of the region's attractions due to the commercial potential originating from its geo-strategic location along the Silk Road, connecting Antioch to China. In 256 A.D. the city was invaded and completely destroyed by the Sassanids and later ruined again by a huge earthquake that buried the city. Due to the invasion and the earthquake, the city and its magnificent structures were left undiscovered for a long time. In the 1980s, the Gaziantep Archeology museum conducted the first excavation in the city and found graves and statues. But the main excavation in 1992 unveiled beautiful mosaics and brought Zeugma onto the archeological scene, attracting many foreign and local tourists to see its ruins. There are also many villas, an amphitheater, baths and temples waiting beneath the ground to be uncovered. It is said that the real beauty of Gaziantep is to be seen much more below than above the ground. If you are interested in history and ancient civilizations, Zeugma should be at the top of your list when you visit Turkey.Seven LakesLocated in the northwest, Abant Yedigöller, meaning seven lakes, is one of the most renowned getaway spots for those who live in Istanbul or in the capital city, Ankara. Abant, which includes Yedigöller National Park, is like heaven on earth with its beech, oak, mahogany, alder, elm and fir trees covering the land. You can find numerous hotels and camping sites in Abant to discover how summer's evergreen nature embraces the colors of fall. Abant, offering pure tranquility to its visitors, makes you feel as though nature were a pastoral work of art. During your stay in Abant, you can try various activities such as photography, painting, hiking, angling and lake fishing. To better experience the nature's beauty, Yedigöller offers you amazing landmarks. So if you want to enjoy silence and serenity during your stay, Yedigöller is ready to give you just that. Yedigöller National Park is 42 kilometers north of Bolu and can be reached via Yeniçağa Road, 152 kilometers off the Ankara-Istanbul highway. Abant is where you will walk into the heart of nature and see how it can come alive. It is one of the few places that allow you to fully appreciate the mesmerizing beauty of autumn with its changing colors and the fall season is the best time for outdoor photography.EphesusLocated in the western province of İzmir, Ephesus - Efes in Turkish - is one of the ancient Greek cities in the region. Built in the 10th century B.C., the city was founded by Attic and Ionian colonists. The Temple of Artemis is the most famous ancient remnant in the city, being one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. This ancient city is home to one of the seven churches of Asia, as cited in the Book of Revelations. Along with the Temple of Artemis, the House of the Virgin Mary is another destination that makes Ephesus worth a visit. Legend says that the Virgin Mary spent her last days in Ephesus, and since the 19th century, the house of the Virgin Mary has been regarded special for that reason, with many Catholics visiting the House of the Virgin Mary on pilgrimage. The ancient city of Ephesus is also believed to be where the story of the Seven Sleepers took place. According to Muslims, Catholics and Orthodox Christians, the seven sleepers slept in a cave in Ephesus for centuries because they were persecuted for their belief in God. To be part of a mesmerizing journey into the past, Ephesus is only a short flight from Istanbul. You need to fly from Istanbul to İzmir's Adnan Menderes Airport, and then rent a car to head towards İzmir's Selçuk district where Ephesus awaits.