Ultimate Turkey Travel Guide: Your Gateway to an Unforgettable Journey

Where is Turkey located?

Turkey bridges Europe and Asia, with 97% of its landmass in Anatolia (Asia Minor) and 3% in Thrace (Europe). It is bordered by Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq, and Syria, and surrounded by four seas: the Black Sea, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and the Sea of Marmara.

Visa Requirements

Most visitors need a visa to enter Turkey. Check the Republic of Turkey Electronic Visa Application System for eligibility and application.

Weather in Turkey

Istanbul & Marmara Region: Mild climate, with winters around 4°C (39°F) and summers up to 27°C (80°F).

Mediterranean & Aegean Coasts: Mild winters (9°C / 48°F) and hot summers (29°C / 84°F).

Central Turkey (Cappadocia & Anatolia): Continental climate with hot summers (23°C / 73°F) and cold winters (-2°C / 28°F).

Black Sea Region: Humid and rainy year-round.

Eastern Anatolia: Harsh winters and dry summers.

How to Get to Turkey

Turkey is well connected with direct flights from Europe, the U.S., Asia, and beyond. Main airlines include:

• Turkish Airlines (https://www.turkishairlines.com/)
• Pegasus Airlines (https://www.flypgs.com/en)
• SunExpress (https://www.sunexpress.com/en/)

Getting Around Turkey

Must-Visit Historical & Natural Wonders

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 – Unique rock formations and underground cities.
• Pamukkale – Thermal travertine terraces.
• Istanbul – Capital of three Empires
• Antalya Area – Perge, Aspendos, Side, Termessos, Duden Waterfall, Kuşunlu Waterfall, Olympos Mountain and more
• Aphrodisias – (A roman world heritage site)
• Ephesus – Ancient ruins with Greek and Roman heritage.
• Pergamon
• Troy – Sites of legendary history
• Gobeklitepe – The world’s oldest temple (10,000 BC).
• Assos – center of intellectual thought in antiquity
• Gallipoli National Park – Sites of and WWI significance.
• Nemrut Mountain – Home to giant statues from the 1st century BC

Top Holiday Destinations

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.

• Beach Resorts: Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye, Antalya, Kaş, Belek, Side, and Alanya.
• Cultural & Adventure Destinations: Bursa, Trabzon, Kars, Mardin, Diyarbakır, and Lake Salda.

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

1. The most popular religion of Turkey is Islam – over 90% of the population is muslim.
2. The part of Turkey in Europe is called ‘Thrace’, while the land in Asia is called ‘Anatolia’.
3. The highest peak is Mount Agri (5,166 m) which some historians also suspect is the resting place of Noah’s ark.
4. Two of the seven wonders of the ancient world is in Turkey. The Temple of Artemis and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus in Bodrum.
5. St Paul (Saul) was born in Tarsus, situated to the East of Mersin.
6. 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.
7. St. Peter’s Church, in Antioch (Antakya) was the first church in the world.
8. St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) was born in Demre, on the Mediterranean coast.
9. Turks introduced coffee to Europe during the Vienna War in the 16th century.
10. The Seven Churches of Revelations mentioned in the Bible are in the Aegean region
11. The oldest known human settlements have been found in Catalhoyuk and Gobeklitepe. Gobeklitepe dates back to 10th millenium BC