Thrace is rich in historic and natural sites. Istanbul is at its centre, but the area also features the two old imperial capitals of Edirne and Bursa. The Selimiye mosque in Edirne is often spoken of as being the greatest mosque complex built by the Ottomans.
The best time to visit Edirne is in June when the annual grease wrestling competition occurs. Bursa has a greater ratio of tombs and mosques located within its boundaries than any other Turkish city. The principal attraction of the region is the Gallipoli peninsula, which was the scene of the aborted Allied invasion of 1915. With reconstructed trenches and an excellent museum at Kabatepe, visitors can view the site of the landings plus the various battlefields.
The Bird Paradise National Park, a favourite with amateur and professional birders, is on the migration route between Europe and Asia with more than 3 million birds from 250 species stopping over.