Turkey Travel Guide: Arrange the Ideal Vacation

There is plenty to do in Turkey for every type of traveller. Tourism is centred in Istanbul and along the coast during the long, hot summer months, but even a beach vacation may be coupled with cultural touring easily because most of the main resort towns are conveniently close to some of the most well-known classical-era ruins in the nation.

But as you get inland from Turkey’s celebrated shore, you can see the country’s actual diversity. A trip to Turkey can easily combine epic history and an amazing variety of landscapes, from vast ruins perched on mountain summits to fresco-covered Byzantine-era cave churches and Ottoman mosques, hiking trails following ancient pilgrimage paths to the bustling foodie and café culture of the cities.

Wonderful Inspiration for Arranging Your Turkey Vacation

Whether your travel plans centre around history, beaches, exploring Turkey’s diverse landscape, or a combination of these, use our overviews to learn about the top attractions to include during your trip.

Best Time to Visit Turkey

Summer: This is Turkey’s peak travel season, when travellers from all over Europe arrive by plane to enjoy some beach time on the Mediterranean, while locals also take advantage of the extended summer break to hit the beach. Every weekend, Istanbul is bustling with tourists on quick city breaks, and the resorts all along the coast come alive.

The entire nation is experiencing blue skies and warm temperatures. The temperature soars in the east of Turkey. Nevertheless, it is the ideal time of year to visit the mountains for climbing or to see the stone heads atop Mount Nemrut. It’s a good idea to reserve rooms in advance at well-known tourist locations like Cappadocia, Istanbul, and the entire coast. In addition, hotel rates in the aforementioned locations should be at an all-time high.

Autumn: (September & October) Travelling to Turkey now is highly recommended. Although hotel rates are lower and the area is less crowded along the coast, the weather is still generally pleasant and sunny. With plenty of blue sky and temperate temperatures (though bring some cold-weather clothing, as the first snowfall in the east can occur as early as October), exploring eastern Turkey becomes ideal once the summer heat has subsided.

Winter: A lot of coastal resorts totally close, and those that do stay open significantly reduce their rates. A lot of rain is predicted along the coast, and snow is expected inland. Hotel rates are among their lowest in both Istanbul and Cappadocia, yet many visitors come to Cappadocia especially to witness the fairy chimneys covered in snow during this time of year. November marks the start of ski season.

Spring is the ideal time to visit Turkey, unless you’re going there for a beach vacation. The countryside is blanketed with wildflowers, lodging costs in popular locations are still reasonable, and historic sites aren’t overcrowded. In April, tulips blanket Istanbul’s public parks. In coastal areas, many hotels don’t open until May. By mid-April, Mount Nemrut is usually open for visitors.

With its temperate temperatures, May is one of the greatest months of the year to visit eastern Turkey. Since spring is Turkey’s wettest season, make sure you bring an umbrella.

Visitors Guide to Istanbul

Istanbul in and of itself is a destination. One of the greatest cities in the world was once Constantinople, the magnificent capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.

Istanbul is renowned for its historical sites, but it’s also the centre of modern, cosmopolitan Turkey, home to the nation’s most intriguing and diverse dining, shopping, and café scenes as well as a booming modern art, music, and cultural scene.

Visitors Guide to Antalya

Antalya is the main entry point to the Mediterranean coast in the Turkish summer.

But this city is more than a jumping-off point for trips to the beach. Aspendos, Perge, and the ruins of Side are just a few of the well-known classical-era ruins in Turkey that are easily accessible for day trips, and Antalya is a great place to begin or end travel routes that showcase the country’s stunning coastline and historical sites.

Best Towns in Turkey

While the majority of tourists flock to the beach destinations along the Aegean and Mediterranean, Turkey’s regional cities and villages also provide plenty of opportunities for historical and cultural sightseeing.

In the Turkish capital of Ankara, you may find two of the most significant monuments. Whirling dervishes originated in Konya, foodies travel to Gaziantep just to taste its famous baklava and Bursa to try its Iskender kebap, and Safranbolu is an exquisitely restored old town from the Ottoman era.

Mardin and Şanlıurfa are two of the most well-liked locations to explore the untamed scenery, diverse cultural legacy, and desolate ruins of eastern Turkey.

Selçuk and Izmir are excellent starting points for seeing the well-known classical-era ruins along the Aegean Coast, while Fethiye and Kaş provide day trips that include plenty of ruins and outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking.

Outdoor Attractions & Activities in Turkey

Two of Turkey’s most well-known landscapes are the fairy chimney landscape of Cappadocia and the calcite travertines of Pamukkale. Both serve as excellent starting points for a wealth of historical buildings and ruins as well as outdoor pursuits including hiking, horseback riding, paragliding, and hot-air ballooning.

While there are many possibilities to get off the sand, the beaches are the main draw along the coast. Other activities include hiking, sailing, kayaking, and paragliding.

Don’t skip include a journey along the Black Sea coast on your schedule if you want to witness some of Turkey’s most gorgeous scenery. Additionally, the mountains and lakes surrounding Eğirdir are a simple way to extend a coastal vacation and give you a taste of the diversity of Turkey’s countryside.

Historic Highlights of Turkey

The history of Turkey is astounding. Many visitors come here especially to view the remains of classical times, like Ephesus, but they soon discover that there is much more to see.

From the oldest temples and Neolithic communities ever found to the magnificent mosques and monuments of the Ottoman era, the archaeological sites here span the whole span of human history.

Essential Stats & Facts

Turkey’s population: 82 million people live there. Turkey’s population has experienced a dramatic increase in urbanisation; currently, 76% of people live in urban regions. With 20% of the nation’s population residing in Istanbul, the northwest of the country has the densest population.

Capital of Turkey: Ankara serves as Turkey’s capital. There are five million people living there.

Turkey’s geographical location places it as the 38th largest nation in the globe, with a total area of 783,562 square kilometres. Eight nations border Turkey: to the west are Greece and Bulgaria; to the east are Syria, Iran, Iraq, and the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhichivan; and to the south is Georgia.

Languages in Turkey: Turkish is the official language of Turkey. The populace speaks Kurmanji, or Northern Kurdish, and about 10% of them are Kurdish.
Turkish Lira: The Turkish Lira is the currency of Turkey.
Time Zone of Turkey: UTC + 3 is the time zone of Turkey.

First-Time Traveler Tips for Turkey

Tourist Visas: Turkish tourist visas are required and must be purchased pre-arrival through the official e-visa website.

Electricity: Turkey uses two-prong European-style plugs.

Hotel Rates: Hotel rates in Turkey normally include breakfast and Wi-Fi.

Visiting Mosques: Outside of prayer times, mosques in Turkey are open for non-Muslims to visit. Wear modest clothing and always take your shoes off before entering the prayer hall (a shelf for shoes is normally provided at the entrance). Women should don a headscarf before entering. At larger famous mosques, there is usually a bin full of headscarfs you can borrow.

The National Drink: Turkey’s national drink is tea, served black in small tulip-shaped glasses. Turkey consumes the most tea in the world, and tea (grown in the Black Sea region) is also one of its most profitable agricultural exports. You will be offered tea everywhere. When using a tea self-service urn (at hotel breakfasts) there is one tap for straight tea and another for hot water. You are supposed to mix it to your required taste. Try one third tea to two thirds water.

Shoes: If you’re invited into a home in Turkey, always take your shoes off at the door.

Smoking: In Turkey, smoking is officially banned in all indoor spaces, including restaurants and hotels. The ban is strictly enforced in Istanbul and in areas that receive a lot of tourism (such as the coastal resort towns and Cappadocia) but be aware that it tends to be more loosely adhered to outside of these areas.

FAQ’S: