From the ancient ruins of Ephesus to the craggy desert of Cappadocia to the beautiful beach resorts of Antalya, every corner of Turkey is worth visiting. As the bridge between Europe and Asia, the country boasts a diverse culture and heritage, while the number of things to do in Turkey also knows no bounds. Here is our Turkey Travel Guide that tells you all there is to know about this dynamic destination, including the best time to visit and how many days to spend in Turkey.

If you are planning a trip to Turkey, you can expect good food, unbeatable landscapes, and fascinating history. Known as “the country of four seasons”, Turkey offers great vacation options. With just 7 days in Turkey, you can cover its pristine beaches to biblical sites and find several other treasures along the way. If you visit Turkey in April you will be greeted by millions of Tulips in bloom in Istanbul. A trip to Turkey in September promises great weather with fewer crowds. Even light snowfall transforms the central highlands of Turkey into a show-stopping scene, and that is not even mentioning the treasure trove of cultural marvels on offer. Grand palaces, mesmerizing dances and music, intricate artwork, and delectable food all make up the bright tapestry of Turkish life.

Considering it is larger than any country in Europe, navigating the ins and outs of a tour to Turkey might be tricky, but this Turkey Travel Guide will have you clued up in no time.

Top Destinations in Turkey

Discover the highlights of Turkey.

Explore the Vibrant City of Istanbul

Explore the Vibrant City of Istanbul

Istanbul is the “City of the World's Desire”, a nickname it does not take lightly. The city not only oozes culture and tradition, but also embraces the “new”. Scour the Grand Bazaar for traditional wares or visit any number of museums, mosques, and galleries to get a glimpse of the ancient culture that makes this city tick. View Tours

Learn Turkish History in Ephesus

Learn Turkish History in Ephesus

For thousands of years, Turkey has been at the forefront of global events as the East and the West have made deep footprints through this corridor. Ephesus is one of the magnificent reminders of Turkey’s illustrious past where you can walk the streets of one of the most prolific ancient cities the world has known. View Tours

Ride a Hot-Air Balloon in Cappadocia

Ride a Hot-Air Balloon in Cappadocia

Taking a hot-air balloon ride above the karst sandstone cliffs of Cappadocia is one the top bucket list wishes of many travelers. Cappadocia is arguably one of the best places in the world to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime hot-air balloon ride at sunrise. Glide high into the air along with around 100 other airships and be a part of this fairytale experience. View Tours

What to do in Turkey

Read all about the top things to do in Turkey.

Top 14 Things to do in Turkey

Top 14 Things to do in Turkey

From hiking in the rugged mountains to relaxing in the sun-kissed Mediterranean beaches to exploring thousands of years of culture and history, Turkey has no dearth of activities and attractions. But for first time visitors, it can be hard to decide on th ...Read more

Cruise in Turkey: Our Recommendations

Cruise in Turkey: Our Recommendations

Cruise holidays in Turkey are fast becoming one of the most popular choices among travelers. From the eclectic Mediterranean in the south to the Aegean sea in the west and the tranquil black sea coast in the north, Turkey offers unmatched cruise experienc ...Read more

Turkey at a Glance

Quick facts about Turkey.

CAPITAL CITY

Ankara is the capital city of Turkey. It is the junction of most of the major roads in the country and is also Turkey’s largest industrial city. It might seem modern at first glance, but the city has been occupied since 2000 BC with significant expansion since 1000 BC.

SIZE

Turkey covers an area of 783,562 square kilometers. Most of Turkey’s major highways run through Ankara, and there is a high-speed railway connecting the capital to Istanbul.

COUNTRY CODE

+90. If you are in Istanbul, there are two area codes: 212 is for the Europe side and 216 for the Asian side.

CURRENCY

Turkey uses the Turkish Lira. The currency code is TRY. Most tourist cities have currency exchanges and card services are widely available. But ATM fees are high and you will need some cash for markets and transportation.

MAIN AIRPORT

Istanbul International Airport is the main airport in Turkey. Located around 40 kilometers northwest of central Istanbul, it is one of two large airports in the city. CODE: IST CLOSEST CITY: ISTANBUL

VISAS

Most visitors need an e-visa to enter Turkey. The process is simple and hassle-free and takes around 15 minutes to complete. The fee is different for most nationalities. We recommend checking your country's travel advisories in advance of booking a trip.

LANGUAGE

The official language of Turkey is Turkish. More than 90 percent of the country speaks Turkish as their first language. But in tourist-heavy cities, you will find many people speaking English. Greeting people in their native tongue is a great way to break the ice and “Merhaba” is the most common way to say hello.

EMERGENCY CONTACT

Dialing 112 will get you in contact with an ambulance while 155 is the number for the police service in Turkey.

WHAT'S UNIQUE

Turkey is predominantly an Islamic country so you will hear the call to prayer five times a day. Keep prayer times in mind, as many of the mosques are closed to visitors when worshipers are inside. Women should also carry a headscarf around, as many tourist attractions have religious sites where you will need to cover up.

When to visit Turkey

Read the below travel guides to find the best time to visit Turkey.

°C°F
  • Excellent
  • Good
  • Fair
  • Poor
  • JanAvg Daily: 3 ° CAvg Nightly: -5 ° C
  • FebAvg Daily: 5 ° CAvg Nightly: -4 ° C
  • MarAvg Daily: 11 ° CAvg Nightly: -2 ° C
  • AprAvg Daily: 16 ° CAvg Nightly: 3 ° C
  • MayAvg Daily: 20 ° CAvg Nightly: 6 ° C
  • JunAvg Daily: 25 ° CAvg Nightly: 9 ° C
  • JulAvg Daily: 28 ° CAvg Nightly: 12 ° C
  • AugAvg Daily: 28 ° CAvg Nightly: 12 ° C
  • SepAvg Daily: 25 ° CAvg Nightly: 8 ° C
  • OctAvg Daily: 18 ° CAvg Nightly: 3 ° C
  • NovAvg Daily: 11 ° CAvg Nightly: -1 ° C
  • DecAvg Daily: 5 ° CAvg Nightly: -3 ° C

Where to go in Turkey

Unravel the top destinations to visit in Turkey.

Top 11 Places to Visit in Turkey

Top 11 Places to Visit in Turkey

From karst expanses to tranquil coasts and cities teaming with life, Turkey has it all. On the cusp of the East and the West, a unique destination awaits hungry travelers. The sunrise views over Cappadocia, the towering Minarets of Istanbul, and the gleam ...Read more

Western Turkey: Must-Know Travel Tips

Western Turkey: Must-Know Travel Tips

When we speak about western Turkey, most of us think of the Aegean coast. But western Turkey covers a large part of the country, encompassing Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Antalya, the Lycian Way, and more. With a vibrant and mixed landscape, there are pl ...Read more

How long to stay in Turkey

Read about the ideal duration to stay in Turkey.

FAQs for Turkey

Read the most frequently asked questions and answers about traveling to Turkey below.

  • What is the best time to visit Turkey?
  • How many days should I spend on a visit to Turkey?
  • Where should I visit in Turkey as a first time visitor?
  • How much does a tour to Turkey cost?
  • Is Turkey a tourist friendly country?

Sustainable travel — How to travel through Turkey responsibly

In line with Bookmundi’s vision, we wish to provide our travelers with a sustainable travel experience through Turkey. As part of this effort, we carbon-offset any Turkey tour that you purchase through us. You can read more details about our carbon offsetting efforts.

Here’s what you can do to travel Turkey more responsibly:

  • Carbon-offset your transport to Turkey via Turkish Airlines. The moment your tour starts in Turkey, and provided that you have purchased your tour through Bookmundi, we will carbon-offset your tour from its starting point to its ending point.
  • Calculate your carbon footprint at Carbonfootprint.com and choose from a list of projects you can donate to offset your carbon footprint. For instance, the Yesil Hydroelectric Power Plant is an innovative project in Turkey, looking to reduce carbon emissions.
  • As part of Turkey’s “Safe Tourism Certification Program” more than 12,000 tourism facilities have been granted the certificate. You can go with the certified facilities to make your travel sustainable. Under the program, all aspects of the tourism industry are made sustainable, from accommodation to food to activities and transportation.

Turkey travel tips and insight

  • The Turkish people are amazing hosts and you will receive a warm welcome.
  • Do not show disrespect to national symbols and local customs.
  • Most cities have ATMs and you should not have a problem using your debit or credit cards in resorts or cities.
  • Traffic can be chaotic in Istanbul.

Ready to customize your Turkey Vacation

Book your trip when it is perfectly designed and customized, just for you.

  • Ozgur Ates
    Ozgur AtesTravel Expert in Turkey
  • Kadir Ismail Kuscu
    Kadir Ismail KuscuTravel Expert in Turkey
  • Furkan Gokcel
    Furkan GokcelTravel Expert in Turkey
Looking for a different destination? Explore here
Customize Tours Bookmundi

Why book with Bookmundi

FINEST SELECTION

Hand-picked selection of the best multiday tours and trip packages globally.

BEST PRICE

We guarantee you the best price. Found a lower price? We will match it.

CUSTOMERSUS

4.8 stars of more than 25,000 trip ratings.

Reviews.io badge