Turkey Travel Guide

Where East meets West, bazaars, balloons, and ancient empires

Capital Ankara
Population 85 million
Currency Turkish Lira (₺)
Language Turkish
Time Zone TRT (UTC+3)
Visa Information

Some nationalities require a visa before travelling to Turkey. An e-Visa is available online at evisa.gov.tr, takes minutes to apply, valid for 180 days, allows 90-day stays. Cost is approximately USD $60.

Best Time to Visit

Spring Apr – May

Best time to visit. Mild weather across Istanbul and the coast. Cappadocia is striking with wildflowers. Perfect hot air balloon conditions.

Summer Jun – Aug

Hot and dry. The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts (Bodrum, Antalya) are at their best. Istanbul gets crowded and humid. Peak beach season.

Autumn Sep – Oct

Second best time. Warm but not sweltering. Crowds thin out after August. Excellent for Istanbul sightseeing and Cappadocia balloon rides.

Winter Nov – Mar

Cold in Istanbul, snowy in Cappadocia. Snow-dusted fairy chimneys are atmospheric. Fewer tourists, lower prices. Skiing in the Uludağ mountains near Bursa.

Top Things to Do

Culture

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

Built in 537 AD, this architectural masterpiece has been a cathedral, mosque, museum, and mosque again. Its massive dome and golden mosaics are dramatic.

Adventure

Hot Air Balloons, Cappadocia

Floating over the fairy chimneys and valleys of Cappadocia at sunrise is one of the world's great travel experiences. Book 2-3 months ahead in high season.

Culture

Grand Bazaar, Istanbul

One of the world's oldest and largest covered markets, 4,000+ shops across 61 covered streets. Spices, carpets, ceramics, and the art of haggling.

Nature

Pamukkale Thermal Pools

Bright white calcium terraces filled with warm blue water cascading down a hillside. Swim in the thermal pools at this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Culture

Ephesus Ancient City

One of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world. Walk the marble roads of this former Roman metropolis of 250,000 people, including the Library of Celsus.

Culture

Bosphorus Cruise, Istanbul

A boat trip along the Bosphorus Strait connecting Europe and Asia, passing Ottoman palaces, fortress ruins, and fishing villages. The best way to see Istanbul from the water.

Nature

Bodrum & the Aegean Coast

Turquoise bays, ancient ruins, whitewashed villages, and excellent seafood. Bodrum is the gateway to gulet (wooden yacht) cruises along the Turquoise Coast.

Food

Turkish Breakfast

A full Turkish breakfast (kahvaltı) is a spread of olives, cheeses, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggs, honeycomb, clotted cream, and fresh bread. A cultural place worth worth waking up for.

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Turkey eSIM Plans

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Staying Connected in Turkey

Networks

Turkcell, Vodafone Turkey, Türk Telekom

Speed

Strong 4G/LTE coverage in cities and tourist areas. 5G rolling out in major cities. Rural areas can be patchy.

Airport WiFi

Free WiFi at Istanbul Airport (world's third busiest) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Registration with email required.

Apps That Need Data

Google MapsGoogle Translate (Turkish offline pack)BiTaksi (taxis)Yemeksepeti (food delivery)WhatsAppIstanbul Metro app

Travel Tips

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Useful Links

Did You Know?

Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans two continents, Europe and Asia, divided by the Bosphorus Strait.
Turkey is the world's largest producer of hazelnuts, figs, apricots, and cherries.
Cappadocia has been inhabited for over 4,000 years. Its cave dwellings were carved by ancient civilisations to hide from invaders.

Frequently Asked Questions

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