Turkey Travel Guide
Welcome to our comprehensive Turkey Travel Guide. Discover the rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes that make Turkey a must-visit destination.
Top Destinations in Turkey
- Istanbul: Experience the unique blend of East and West in Turkey’s largest city. Visit iconic landmarks such as the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace.
- Cappadocia: Explore the otherworldly landscapes of Cappadocia. Don’t miss the chance to take a hot air balloon ride over the fairy chimneys.
- Ephesus: Step back in time at the ancient city of Ephesus, home to the well-preserved Temple of Artemis and the grand Library of Celsus.
- Pamukkale: Relax in the thermal waters of Pamukkale’s travertine terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Antalya: Enjoy the beautiful beaches and historic old town of Antalya, the gateway to Turkey’s Mediterranean coast.
Travel Tips for Turkey
- Best Time to Visit: The ideal time to visit Turkey is during the spring (April to June) and fall (September to November) when the weather is pleasant, and tourist crowds are smaller.
- Currency: The official currency is the Turkish Lira (TRY). It’s advisable to carry some cash, especially in rural areas.
- Language: Turkish is the official language. While English is widely spoken in tourist areas, learning a few basic Turkish phrases can enhance your experience.
- Transportation: Turkey has an extensive public transportation system, including buses, trains, and domestic flights, making it easy to travel between cities.
- Cultural Etiquette: Dress modestly when visiting religious sites, and always ask for permission before taking photos of people.
Where is Turkey located?
Turkey is located between two continents, Europe and Asia. Around 97% of its land is located in Asia and also called Anatolia or Asia Minor. 3% of the country geographicaly is in Europe and called Thrace.
3 Sides of Turkey are surrounded by seas, Black Sea, Aegean Sea and Mediterrean. Sea of Marmara is a kind of inner sea and linked to Aegean and Black Seas through from Dardanelles and Bosphorus Straits.
Its neighbours are Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Irak and Syria.
Visa Requirements
Depending on your nationality, you may need a visa to enter Turkey. Check the official Republic of Turkey Electronic Visa Application System to see if you can apply for an e-Visa.
Weather in Turkey
Because of Turkey’s geographical conditions, one can not speak about a general overall climate. In Istanbul and around the sea of Marmara the climate is moderate. Winter is from December til March. During winter, the average temperature is 4 degrees Celsius (39.2 degrees Fahrenheit). It snows only 1-3 days. Summer is from June til September with 27 degrees Celsius (39 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit). It is generally hot and dry. In Western and Southern Costs, there is a mild Mediterranean climate with average temperatures of 9°C (48.2°F) in winter and 29°C (48-84°F) in summer.
The climate of the Inner Turkey is a continental climate. (there is a great temperature difference between day and night). Rainfall is low and there is more snow. The average temperature is 23 ° C (73°F) in summer and -2 (28°F) in winter. The climate in the Black Sea area is wet, warm and humid. In Eastern Anatolia there is a long hard winter and its almost like mountain climate. Winters are generally snowy, summers are dry and hot.
Getting to Turkey
Traveling to Turkey from anywhere in Europe is quite easy. Almost all the airlines have direct flights from all over Europe, Asia and Africa to all major Turkish cities such as Istanbul, Antalya, Izmir, Trabzon and Ankara. Besides, all the cities are connected to Istanbul throughout the year. For the detailed information on flights scheduled to Turkey consult the Skyscanner website.
Turkish Airlines has direct flights from United States and Latin America.
Also, here are websites for the main Turkish flight companies;
- Turkish Airlines – https://www.turkishairlines.com/
- Pegasus – https://www.flypgs.com/en
- Sunexpress – https://www.sunexpress.com/en/
Getting around Turkey
Turkey’s roads and highway are great and covers the entire country like spider web. So, the best way travelling around Turkey is by car. All the cities are connected to each other with 4 lane roads or highways. But you should study on a map first because of the distances. From one corner to the other is about 1300 miles = 2100 km
Turkish airports are very accessible too. There are 57 airports in Turkey and 36 of them offers both international and domestic flights while 19 offer regional flights accross Turkey. Flights are also very practical to travel in Turkey
Public Transportation is available in every towns and cities. There are public buses and shared minivans (dolmush) are available in every town. Also there are subways and trams are available in the big cities as well like Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. They cost less than a dollar.
Ferries are available especially in Istanbul and Izmir. They are very practical and save time because of dense traffic. Again they are very inexpensive and cost less than a dollar.
Turkey Holiday Destinations
Turkey offers more for history and nature lovers too. On the other hand, If you are a this kind person, it is better to join a group or private tour. Itineraries are prepared first and you follow it with your guide. In this kind of a vacation, you can not stay in the same hotel as you need to keep moving for the next destination. Just to see some of them, you need at least 10 days in Turkey. (not all) . Therefore, Our recommended Tour Operator in Turkey is Bosphorus Gate Travel Agency. Here are the some sights and cities for history and nature lovers;
- Cappadocia
- Pamukkale
- Istanbul
- Antalya Area – Perge, Aspendos, Side, Termessos, Duden Waterfall, Kuşunlu Waterfall, Olympos Mountain and more
- Aphrodisias (A roman world heritage site)
- Ephesus , House of Virgin Mary
- Pergamon
- Troy
- Assos
- Gallipoli National Park
- Bursa
- Bodrum Archeology Museum
- Trabzon Area , Highlands , Sumela Monastery, Zilkale, Polovit Waterfall
- Kars – Ani Ruins
- Akdamar Island
- Diyarbakır
- Salda Lake
- Mardin
- Nemrut Mountain
- Abant Lake
Also, Turkey has holiday resorts mainly located by the Aegean and Mediterrean cost line. All the resorts are very popular with their sandy beaches, sea front resort hotels. They mainly welcome holidaymakers from Russia, Germany and UK. Generally hotels are on all inclusive basis and visitors stay at the same hotel during the entire vacation. So, here are the list of the famous Holiday Resorts in Turkey.
- Bodrum
- Marmaris
- Fethiye
- Kaş
- Kemer
- Antalya
- Belek
- Side/Manavgat
- Alanya
Before you Travel to Turkey, it is better to make a plan forhead. As the country is so big and the numbers of the sites are too much, time can be an issue.
Hotels in Turkey
Today the country offers visitors 715,692 beds and 2800 hotels.
The majority of these are located in the southern city of Antalya which has a long background in tourism offering over 400,000 beds and 260 five-star hotels. Istanbul offers 94,000 beds across 1320 establishments, while Muğla and Izmir hold 90,000 and 29,000 beds, respectively.
Within Turkey there are 165 chain hotels, with internationally branded facilities comprising 15% of the total. Hilton International’s portfolio is the largest in the segment, offering 22 facilities spread across 15 cities, with a further 23 under development. Hilton International are followed by Intercontinental Group with 16 hotels, Anemon Hotels (16), Best Western International (15), Dedeman Hotels (14), and Crystal Hotels Resorts and Spa (11). Others, including Accor Hotels Turkey, Rixos Hotels, Wydham Hotels and Marriott, Mandarin, Four Seasons, Kempinski also have a presence in Turkey.
So, Turkey offers hotels for every budget and requirement from Hostels to 5 Star Hotels. If you need consultancy about accommadation or your Travel to Turkey, just mail me on info@impetustravel.com
Electricity, Adapters and Chargers in Turkey
Turkey uses 220V, 50 Hz frequency, and standard European type C & F plugs. Both are similar plugs with two round prongs with 19 mm between the two.
If plugs of your devices are different, you will certainly need an adapter in order to charge them. It is better to get one before you arrive. Sometimes receptions may not have it. You can find one here.
Toilets in Turkey (Bathrooms & WCs)
Western Style flushing toilets are used in hotels, restaurants, museums and public toilets in Western Turkey while traditional “squat” toilets are often found in bus stations and more rural areas, especially Eastern Turkey. Many public toilets in Turkey require payment (normally around 10-15 Turkish Liras).
Tipping in Turkey
Most tour and hotel staff appreciate small tips given with discretion but it is not mandatory. Taxis do not expect tips but rounding up the fare for convenience is common. In restaurants, the normal amount to tip is 10% of the bill depending on how happy you are with the service.
Must-Try Turkish Cuisine
- Kebabs: Savor various types of kebabs, such as Adana and Iskender, each offering unique flavors.
- Meze: Enjoy a selection of small dishes, including hummus, baba ghanoush, and stuffed grape leaves.
- Baklava: Indulge in this sweet pastry made of layers of filo dough, filled with nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey.
- Turkish Delight (Lokum): Taste these chewy confections, often flavored with rosewater, lemon, or pistachio.
- Turkish Tea and Coffee: Experience traditional Turkish tea and the rich, thick flavor of Turkish coffee.
Some Facts about Turkey
- The most popular religion of Turkey is Islam – over 90% of the population is muslim.
- The part of Turkey in Europe is called ‘Thrace’, while the land in Asia is called ‘Anatolia’.
- The highest peak is Mount Agri (5,166 m) which some historians also suspect is the resting place of Noah’s ark.
- Two of the seven wonders of the ancient world is in Turkey. The Temple of Artemis and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus in Bodrum.
- St Paul (Saul) was born in Tarsus, situated to the East of Mersin.
- Istanbul, formally Constantinople, was the capital of the Byzantine & Ottoman Empires. It spread over two continents and is the only city in the world on two continents.
- St. Peter’s Church, in Antioch (Antakya) was the first church in the world.
- St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) was born in Demre, on the Mediterranean coast.
- Turks introduced coffee to Europe during the Vienna War in the 16th century.
- The Seven Churches of Revelations mentioned in the Bible are in the Aegean region
- The oldest known human settlements have been found in Catalhoyuk and Gobeklitepe. Gobeklitepe dates back to 10th millenium BC
