Türkiye travel guide
Where Europe meets Asia — Istanbul’s mosques and bazaars, Cappadocia’s balloons and a turquoise coast.
#5 most visited country60.6 million international arrivals in 2024 (UN Tourism)Capital: AnkaraCurrency: TRY
Top destinations
Hagia Sophia
Istanbul
An active mosque — dress modestly; visitor entry is ticketed
Cappadocia
Nevşehir
Fairy chimneys and sunrise hot-air balloons
Ephesus
Izmir
Vast Greco-Roman ruins — go early to beat the heat
Pamukkale
Denizli
White travertine terraces — barefoot only
Grand Bazaar
Istanbul
One of the oldest covered markets in the world; closed Sundays
Topkapı Palace
Istanbul
Ottoman sultans’ palace; closed Tuesdays
Ölüdeniz
Fethiye
Blue Lagoon and tandem paragliding
Mount Nemrut
Adıyaman
Giant stone heads at sunrise
🏝 Top islands
BozcaadaGökçeadaPrinces’ Islands (Istanbul)Cunda (Alibey) IslandKekovaTurkish Riviera coast
Top cities
Route & transport
From the airport
✈️ Istanbul — Istanbul Airport (IST)
- M11 metro line to Gayrettepe (connects to M2)
- Havaist buses to Taksim, Sultanahmet and other districts
- Taxis are metered — make sure the meter is on
✈️ Istanbul — Sabiha Gökçen (SAW)
- M4 metro to Kadıköy on the Asian side
- Havabüs buses to Taksim and Kadıköy
✈️ Antalya (AYT)
- Tram to the city centre
- Shuttle transfers and buses to the resorts
🚆 Getting around
- Cheap domestic flights link Istanbul with Cappadocia, Antalya, Izmir and Bodrum
- Comfortable intercity coaches cover the whole country
- High-speed YHT trains link Istanbul, Ankara and Konya
- Istanbulkart for metro, trams, buses and Bosphorus ferries
Money & currency
- Currency: Turkish lira (₺, TRY)
- Inflation is high — prices change often, so check recent figures
- Cards widely accepted in cities; cash for bazaars, small shops and dolmuş minibuses
- Prefer bank ATMs and decline paying in your home currency
- Tipping around 5–10% in restaurants is appreciated; haggling is normal in bazaars
Live exchange rate — Turkish lira (TRY)
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Rates by ExchangeRate-API, updated daily. Money changers and banks add their own margin.
What to avoid
🙏 Culture & etiquette
- Cover shoulders and knees in mosques; women cover their hair — scarves are usually provided
- Remove shoes in mosques and homes
- Avoid visiting mosques during prayer times, especially Friday midday
- Be respectful during Ramadan — avoid eating or drinking in front of fasting people in conservative areas
📍 Places, scams & seasons
- Government advisories warn against travel to areas near the Syrian border — check official advice before going to the south-east
- Watch for the “shoe-shine” and friendly-stranger bar scams in Istanbul
- Earthquake risk — note the safety information at your hotel
⚖️ Laws & restrictions
- Insulting the Turkish nation, the state or Atatürk is a crime
- Exporting antiquities is illegal — keep receipts for carpets and old items
- Carry your passport or a copy; police checks happen
- Drug penalties are severe
💬 Words & topics to avoid
- Avoid political debates about Kurdish issues, Cyprus or Armenia
- Don’t mock Atatürk, the flag or Islam
- Don’t refer to Türkiye as part of the Middle East or Greece in a dismissive way
Safety situations change. Always check the latest official advice: UK Foreign Office — Türkiye · US travel advisories.
Accommodations
Istanbul
Sultanahmet (sights), Beyoğlu/Karaköy (nightlife, cafes), Kadıköy (local, Asian side)
Stay near a tram or metro stop
Cappadocia
Göreme or Ürgüp
Try a cave hotel
Antalya
Kaleiçi old town or Lara/Konyaaltı beaches
Budget idea
Pansiyons (family guesthouses)
Friendly, simple and often with breakfast
Available, but a 2024 law requires short-term rentals to have a permit from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Choose listings that show it, or licensed hotels.
See today’s best-rated and best-value places (live prices):
Istanbul: Booking.com — best rated & valueAgodaAirbnb
Antalya: Booking.com — best rated & valueAgodaAirbnb
Top restaurants
Kadıköy Market
Istanbul
Fish, meze and Turkish delight on the Asian side
Karaköy
Istanbul
Baklava, cafes and fish sandwiches by the Galata Bridge
Spice Bazaar
Istanbul
Spices, dried fruit and lokum
Kemeraltı Bazaar
Izmir
Historic market with street food
Top-rated restaurants right now: Istanbul on Google MapsAntalya on Google MapsIzmir on Google MapsAnkara on Google Maps
Top foods
Kebab
Döner, Adana and İskender kebabs
Meze
Small cold and hot starters shared at the table
Turkish breakfast
Cheeses, olives, eggs, honey and tea
Baklava
Layered pastry with pistachios — Gaziantep is famous for it
Lahmacun & pide
Thin spiced flatbread and Turkish pizza boats
Turkish coffee & tea
Çay is served everywhere in tulip glasses
Language
Official: Turkish
English: Common in tourist areas and hotels; limited elsewhere
Also spoken: Kurdish is widely spoken in the south-east
| English | Local | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Merhaba | MER-ha-ba |
| Thank you | Teşekkür ederim | teh-shek-KEWR eh-deh-rim |
| Please | Lütfen | LEWT-fen |
| How much? | Ne kadar? | neh ka-DAR |
| Yes / No | Evet / Hayır | eh-VET / HAI-ur |
Festivals
Ramazan Bayramı (Eid al-Fitr)
Dates follow the Islamic calendar
Nationwide
Istanbul Tulip Festival
April
Istanbul
Istanbul Music Festival
June
Istanbul
Kırkpınar oil wrestling
Early summer
Edirne
Republic Day
29 October
Nationwide
Şeb-i Arus (Mevlana festival)
10–17 December
Konya
Dates shift each year — confirm before booking.
Internet & SIM
📱 SIM & eSIM
- Main networks: Turkcell, Vodafone, Türk Telekom
- Tourist SIMs from official stores (passport needed); eSIMs are easy
- Foreign phones using a Turkish SIM get blocked after 120 days unless registered
📶 Coverage & Wi-Fi
- Good 4G in cities and resorts; 5G is newly rolling out
- Free Wi-Fi in most cafes and hotels
🔌 Power plugs
230V, 50Hz — plug types C and F
News
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Explore Türkiye with a local
TourGuyed guides are ID-verified locals and students who know the hidden spots, the fair prices and the customs. Chat first, pay safely and only release payment when you meet.
Sources: Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA), UK FCDO travel advice (Open Government Licence), UN Tourism, national tourism boards. Last reviewed 2026-10-11. Prices, rules and schedules change — double-check before you travel.