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.
What to do in Turkey
Read all about the top things to do in Turkey.
Turkey at a Glance
Quick facts about Turkey.
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.
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.
+90. If you are in Istanbul, there are two area codes: 212 is for the Europe side and 216 for the Asian side.
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.
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
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.
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.
Dialing 112 will get you in contact with an ambulance while 155 is the number for the police service in Turkey.
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.
- 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
- Excellent
- Good
- Fair
- Poor
Where to go in Turkey
Unravel the top destinations to visit in Turkey.
How long to stay in Turkey
Read about the ideal duration to stay in Turkey.
Turkey Tour and Holiday Packages
Select the tour type that you are looking for.
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 AtesTravel Expert in Turkey
- Kadir Ismail KuscuTravel Expert in Turkey
- Furkan GokcelTravel Expert in Turkey
Tour types
- Turkey trips
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- Eco tours in Turkey
- Turkey guided tours
- Turkey family tour packages
- Turkey luxury tours
- Turkey private tours
- Turkey self-guided tours
- Turkey small group tours
- Turkey solo trips
- Turkey tailor-made vacation packages
- Turkey tours for senior citizens
- Turkey tours for young adults
- Turkey group tours
- Turkey last minute deals
- Turkey travel deals
Popular Destinations
Popular Activities
- Active and outdoor
- Adventure
- Art and architecture
- Beach
- Bus tours
- City sightseeing
- Cruise
- Cultural, religious and historic sites
- Explorer
- Family
- Getaways and short breaks
- Gulet cruise
- Honeymoon
- Hot air balloon rides
- Local culture
- Luxury
- Museum and gallery visits
- Natural landmarks sightseeing
- Photography tours
- Sailing, yachting and motor boating
- Sightseeing Tours
- Trekking and Hiking
- Walking tours
- War sites