Love Turkey? 10 Destinations That Are Similar To Turkey

We don’t need to convince anyone to visit Greece, but we have some strong points that’ll make you seriously consider visiting this European gem over Turkey. For starters, it’s a classic. Ancient ruins, buzzing city life, coastlines so beautiful you’ll think you’ve wandered into a screensaver, dramatic cliffs of Santorini, there’s truly no bounds to what Greece can offer.

Interestingly, the two share a lot of historical and architectural DNA (they were frenemies under multiple empires), but Greece has more of a Mediterranean-influenced culture. Where Turkey brings the Ottoman drama, Greece has the mythological clout. Instead of mosques, you get blue-domed churches and Greek-God-inspired architecture. It has a strikingly similar cuisine, a vibrant nightlife, especially in cities like Athens and islands that are tourist hubs, and a hot air balloon experience in Athens and Crete. Add to it the beauty of Santorini with its whitewashed cliffside villages, volcanic beaches, breathtaking sunsets and timeless charm and history. While Greece summers are pretty popular, the country has a year-round appeal with smaller crowds in spring and fall.

LBB Tip: It requires a Schengen visa, so you can make a trip to Greece a getaway for more Euro adventures.

Top Attractions: Santorini’s whitewashed villages, Athens’ Acropolis, Meteora monasteries, and Mykonos for the boujee vibes

Must-Do Things: Island hopping, wine tasting in Santorini, street food tours in Athens, sunset at Oia, beach days in Crete

Best Time To Visit: April to June and September to October

Best Suited For: People looking for a relaxed and chill vibe vacation and love island hopping, history buffs and mythology geeks

Georgia is a place that I wanted to gatekeep, yet here we are! This underrated gem is a fantastic blend of old-world charm, natural beauty and a dash of Soviet quirkiness. Like Turkey, it is at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and is a mix of Eastern and Western cultures. Think mosques sitting near Orthodox cathedrals, Persian-style streets with European cafes and splendid landscapes like the Black Sea coastline. 

If you gravitate towards Turkey for its historical sites and mountain escapes, Georgia has more to offer, sans the crowd. There's the Dahlonega Gold Museum, Gelati Monastery, Narikala Fortress and the Caucasus Mountains. However, Georgia’s own claim to fame is being the cradle of wine. It has tons of medieval wineries and a wine-making culture that is a one-of-a-kind experience in the world. Budget-friendly, safe and scenic, Georgia deserves a position on your travel bucket list.

Top Attractions: Tbilisi’s old town, Kazbegi mountains, wine region of Kakheti, Uplistsikhe cave city

Must-Do Things: Hot air balloon ride and cable car in Tbilisi, soak in Tbilisi’s sulphur baths, try khachapuri, visit ancient monasteries, sip qvevri wine, hike the Caucasus.

Best Time To Visit: April to October

Best Suited For: People who like to explore historical and cultural attractions or off-beat destinations, adventure junkies, solo travellers, nature lovers and wine lovers

If you don’t want to go to Turkey or are bored with it, then Egypt is your next best bet (but cooler!). The sheer scale of ancient wonders in Egypt rivals anything you’d ever find in Turkey. Replace Byzantine domes with pyramids that have stood for 4,000+ years. Swap spice-filled Turkish bazaars for Cairo’s Khan El Khalili, the Bosphorus for the Nile and hammams for a float in the Dead Sea (honestly, already love this picture).

Egypt also comes with historical drama (yay history buffs)— pharaohs, tombs, temples — a warm and welcoming vibe and street food that just hits the spot. Think falafel, ful (a stew of cooked fava beans served with olive oil, cumin and more vegetables) and koshari (a mix of rice, pasta, lentils, and chickpeas). Looking for beach vibes? Red Sea towns like Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh have the same beach break energy as Antalya or Bodrum. Whether you’re into archaeology, diving, or just simply unwinding, Egypt brings the same magic and often feels like you’re on the set of an adventure movie.

Top Attractions: The Pyramids (obviously), Sphinx, Valley of the Kings, Nile River cruises, Luxor temples, Red Sea resorts in Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh

Must-Do Things: Camel rides at Giza, cruise down the Nile, explore the Valley of Kings, scuba/snorkel in the Red Sea

Best Time To Visit: October to April

Best Suited For: History buffs, adventure junkies, archaeological nerds and travellers who love dramatic desert views

Cyprus is part Greek, part Turkish and a 100% vibe. A cultural crossover? Check. Ancient ruins? Check. Dreamy beaches? Check. And a chill European flair? Double check. You can literally call Cyprus Turkey’s cool Mediterranean cousin. You have got clear blue waters here, Ottoman-style architecture and food eerily similar to a Turkish meze platter. 

Some of Cyprus’ highlights include sun-drenched beach towns like Ayia Napa and Limassol, historic spots like Paphos, and a capital city (Nicosia) that’s still split between two countries. Additionally, it’s way less crowded and way easier to get around. A gold mine for laid-back explorers, Cyprus gives you a European and Middle Eastern feel in one country.

Top Attractions: Nicosia’s split city charm, beaches of Ayia Napa, ancient ruins of Kourion, and Troodos Mountains

Must-Do Things: Sunbathe on Blue Flag beaches, hike nature trails, explore Byzantine churches and check out Greek and Turkish fusion food

Best Time To Visit: April to October

Best Suited For: People looking for culture meets coast vibes and relaxed travellerS

One of the most underrated destinations in the world, Montenegro’s is similar to Turkey with a chill Balkan twist. From blue waters, medieval towns, and cliffside cafés to Ottoman influences, hearty food, and charming stone towns with red-tiled roofs, Montenegro is Turkey-lite with European flavours. The Bay of Kotor is very similar to major Aegean-meets-fjord, while Budva has a crazy beach club scene, and every corner looks straight out of a fairytale.

LBB Tip: It’s small enough to explore in a week and super easy on the wallet. 

Top Attractions: Bay of Kotor, Sveti Stefan island, Budva Old Town, Lovćen National Park, and Ostrog Monastery.

Must-Do Things: Sail in Kotor Bay, hike the mountains, party in Budva and visit medieval towns

Best Time To Visit: May to September

Best Suited For: Nature lovers, photographers, people wanting to go on Eurotrips, Adventurers

Attracted to Turkey’s blend of ancient and mystical? Jordan takes that and dials it up a notch. To begin with, Petra alone will blow your mind, but there’s so much more that you can do in Jordan. Float like magic in the Dead Sea, stroll through Roman ruins in Amman that give Ephesus a serious run for its money, or camp under a million stars in Wadi Rum, or go for a hot air balloon ride to fulfil your Turkish dreams.

The food? Shawarma, falafel, and mezze heaven! The vibe? Like Turkey, Jordan balances ancient cultural vibes with a modern charm minus the crowds, of course. Regardless of your expectations from a Jordan trip, it has been known to deliver over and above almost always. Pack your sunscreens, hiking shoes and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime.

Top Attractions: Petra, Wadi Rum desert, Dead Sea, Amman Citadel, Jerash ruins and Aqaba beaches

Must-Do Things: Trek through Petra by day and see it lit by candlelight at night, camp with Bedouins in the desert, float in the Dead Sea and eat mansaf (Jordan’s national dish)

Best Time To Visit: March to May, and September to November 

Best Suited For: Adventure seekers, cultural travellers, photographers and people looking for no-crowds getaways

Armenia is for travellers who like to keep things off the radar. It’s seriously one of the most charming countries in the world that most people have been sleeping on. The low-key legend has everything you love about Eastern Turkey with double the beauty and views. Picture dramatic monasteries carved into cliffs, sparking lakes and locals who’ll insist you try just one more shot of the homemade apricot brandy. 

The capital city of Yerevan is pink-coded with Soviet retro vibes while the countryside is pure road-trip gold. Armenia also has temples, medieval architecture, deep spirituality and the world’s longest cable car. The only place where it lacks is that it is not at all coastal. (Although, it has the Lake Sevan). The food scene here is iconic with khorovats (BBQ), lavash, and cheesy flatbreads. Underrated? Yes. Unmissable? Also yes. 

Top Attractions: Yerevan, Tatev Monastery, Garni Temple, Lake Sevan, Geghard Monastery, and  Mount Ararat views

Must-Do Things: Ride the world’s longest cable car to Tatev, feast on lavash and khorovats, explore Soviet-era cafés, hike through Dilijan National Park and shop at Vernissage market.

Best Time To Visit: May to October

Best Suited For: People who like to visit off-beat destinations, solo travellers (it’s safe!), culture nerds and adrenaline junkies 

Craving bazaars, spices, and tiled architecture that makes you gasp? Morocco’s got your back. Much like Turkey, it’s a sensory overload in the best way possible. Ancient medinas instead of bazaars, riads that serve straight-up fairytale energy and stunning minarets, Morocco will surprise you with its charm. 

Go crazy in the Blue streets of Chefchaouen and take tons of photos, or explore the dunes of the Sahara desert, the range of things you can do here is endless.

Much like Turkey, it has East-meets-West magic with a strong food game with tagines, mint tea and harira soup. The best part? You can go from beach to mountain to desert in just one trip that’s relatively cheaper than a Turkey trip. Don’t forget to pack your flowy fits for bomb IG pictures.

Top Attractions: Marrakech’s Medina, Chefchaouen (the Blue City), Fes, Sahara Desert, Essaouira beach town and Atlas Mountains

Must-Do Things: Get lost in souks, ride camels into the dunes, stay in a riad, eat tagine and couscous, and go surfing or hiking

Best Time To Visit: March to May and September to November

Best Suited For: Bold and curious spirits, explorers and people looking for unique yet fun travel destinations

Yes, we know you’re surprised Italy is on this list but hear us out, maybe? A coastline that fits perfectly on a mood board, ancient ruins that whisper the tales of the past, and food that’ll literally leave you spoilt for choices — Italy basically delivers the same vibe but ensures you're in a different outfit. 

Swap Istanbul’s spice bazaar for Rome’s pizza, Bordum’s beachy glow for Positano’s pastel perfection, and Turkish mezze for endless pasta. Whether you’re walking through the Colosseum, sipping espresso in a hidden alleyway or, sailing along the Amalfi Coast, Italy hits that sweet spot between romantic and real. It’s also loaded with a variety of experiences like mountains, beaches, vineyards, and most importantly fashion capital energy all in one trip.

Top Attractions: Rome’s Colosseum, Venice canals, Amalfi Coast, Florence’s art scene, Dolomites, and Pompeii ruins

Must-Do Things: Eat your weight in pasta and gelato, hop coastal towns by train, explore ancient Roman ruins, sip wine in Tuscany, and boat through Venice

Best Time To Visit: April to June, and September to October 

Best Suited For: Luxury travellers, foodies, fashion girlies and history buffs

If you’re a Game Of Thrones fan, we don’t have to convince you that Croatia is full of history and culture. But if you haven’t seen it , let me do some convincing. From medieval cities, and turquoise waters to historic forts, and seafood so fresh that it might as well still be swimming, Croatia is effortlessly cool. 

Dubrovnik has a real life King’s landing feel while Split has one of the best blends of ancient ruins and coastal chill. Dalmatian islands, on the other hand, are widely popular for sailing, sunbathing, and catching a tan. Add to it a Euro-chic aesthetic and yiu have the best alternative for Turkey. Hike waterfalls in national parks or sip cocktails on a yacht, Croatia’s got something for everyone. 

Top Attractions: Dubrovnik Old Town, Plitvice Lakes, Split, Hvar Island, and Krka National Park

Must-Do Things: Island-hop on a catamaran, walk Dubrovnik’s city walls, chill on pebbled beaches, go truffle hunting in Istria, and kayak on turquoise lakes

Best Time To Visit: May to September 

Best Suited For: Beach lovers, photographers, and GOT fans