Exploring Turkey: A Cultural and Historical Paradise
Turkey links Europe and the Middle East, a genuine amalgamation of west and east. Suspended between the modern and the ancient, it burst with life. City boutiques and exotic bazaars clamour for attention, while the weekly tolling of church bells interrupt the daily call of the muezzin. Roman ruins, early Christian histories, and the presence of the Ottoman Empire all enjoy significance in the country.
The different regions of Turkey offer an assortment of landscapes and activities. There’s something for everybody, with enough cultural delights, urban treats, and beach comforts to satisfy the pickiest of travellers.
With one part in Europe and the other in Asia, the city of Istanbul is a fascinating metropolis of frenzied marketplaces, imperial residences, and climbing minarets. This is all set against a lively ambience of contemporary art and musical entertainment.
Out of the city, Cappadocia in Central Turkey offers an astounding landscape of eroded volcanic rock cones and fairy chimneys, remarkable subterranean cities and rock-hewn houses that merge harmoniously with the ochre-coloured landscape.
Further south, the Turquoise Coast is a haven for boat cruises. Here, visitors can enjoy a variety of water sports, sunbathe on golden sands, or explore the wonderful ancient cities of Troy and Ephesus along the shores of the Aegean Sea.
Most visitors concentrate on Western Turkey, with its picturesque seaside resorts along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, scenic and recreational attractions, well-preserved archaeological sites, and fascinating museums that bring its rich history to life. Wherever one ventures in Turkey there is certain to be a warm welcome and traditional hospitality, making this a deeply satisfying corner of the world in which to travel.
Key Facts
- Language:
- Turkish is the official language, but English is widely understood in the main tourist areas.
- Passport/Visa:
All passports must be valid for at least the period of stay. All travellers to Turkey are required to hold return or onward tickets, documents for the next destination and sufficient funds for the period of their stay. It is highly recommended that travellers’ passports have at least six months’ validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
- Currency:
The official currency is the Turkish lira (TRY), which is divided into 100 kurus. Currency can be exchanged at banks, exchange booths, post offices, airports, and ferry ports. Travellers should note that banks have the worst rates but will exchange lesser known foreign currencies. Banks open mainly Monday to Friday, but some are open daily in tourist areas. Major credit cards are widely accepted; the most popular are Visa or MasterCard, but American Express is also accepted in some areas. Some hotels in the most popular destinations accept US dollars as payment.
- Electricity:
- 220 volts AC, 50Hz. The European two-pin plug is standard.
Overview
Turkey is a varied destination with plenty to see and do for adventurous travellers. The largest city of Istanbul features some unique and world-class sights such as the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace, not to mention the shopping paradise of the Grand Bazaar, the largest and oldest covered market in the world.
Further afield travellers can find the ancient attractions of Ephesus, Troy, and Augustus’ Temple. Turkey is a year-round destination although it’s at its hottest during the peak summer months of July and August. Getting around the country is a simple matter of hopping on a short-haul flight or scheduled bus service while, in Istanbul, travellers can negotiate the services of a taxi driver.
Climate in Turkey
The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts of Turkey have very hot and dry summers. Winters, between October and April, are mild and wet, and Turkey’s coastal towns more or less shut down. Winter in Istanbul and Cappadocia can be very cold, sometimes with light snow cover.
The peak tourist season is during high summer, roughly between July and September, and this is the ideal time for a beach holiday in Turkey. The spring and autumn months are also a good time to to visit, with warm days, cool evenings, and no mosquitos. Eastern Turkey should be visited during summer as roads and mountain passes may close due to winter ice and snow.
Health Notes when travelling to Turkey
There are no vaccination requirements for travelling to Turkey other than that everyone 12 years of age and older should get fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before visiting. Mosquitoes can be an irritation in mid-summer but malaria is not considered a risk in the main tourist areas of the west and south-west. Most tap water in the larger towns and cities has been chlorinated, but bottled water is still recommended for drinking. Food from street vendors should be treated with caution unless it is obviously fresh or hot. The standard of healthcare is not high in state hospitals but the private health sector is well-regarded, and modern facilities exist in private hospitals in Ankara and Istanbul. Travel insurance is recommended.
Safety Notes when travelling to Turkey
Street crime is low, but visitors should guard their valuables at all times. They should also avoid any public demonstrations and remember that many parts of Turkey lie on a major seismic fault line and are subject to earthquakes and tremors. As in many Western countries, there is a threat from terrorism in Turkey and there have been a number of incidents, including explosions in Istanbul, the capital Ankara, and in the coastal tourist resorts. The Istanbul Ataturk International Airport has been the most recent target. There are also continuing incidents of local terrorism in eastern Turkey, particularly the southeast.
Customs in Turkey
While it is difficult to make sweeping statements about a country that runs from Armenia to Greece, the Turkish people are generally welcoming and hospitable. Most visitors will stay in modern Istanbul or in one of the popular holiday resorts, where locals are likely to be fairly open-minded; however, tourists should respect religious customs, particularly during the month of Ramadan. Visitors should dress modestly when visiting mosques or religious shrines; there is a smoking ban on all forms of public transport and in outdoor venues.
Duty Free in Turkey
Travellers to Turkey do not have to pay duty on the following items: 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 200g tobacco; 1 litre of alcohol over 22 percent volume or 2 litres under 22 percent volume; 120 ml of perfume or eau-de-cologne; and 1,5 km of (instant) coffee and 500g of tea.
Doing Business in Turkey
In Turkey, business associates are addressed by their first names. If the associate is male, then his name is followed by ‘bey’, and ‘hanim’ is used for females. A formal, conservative dress code is observed in Turkey, and women should be careful to dress particularly conservatively. Gifts are common and are usually something the associate would use in business such as a pen or other office stationary. Business hours throughout Turkey are generally 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday with an hour taken over lunch.
Communication in Turkey
The international country dialling code for Turkey is +90. WiFi is increasingly easily available, and visitors can purchase local prepaid SIM cards for unlocked phones.
Tipping in Turkey
Tipping is a way of life in Turkey and it is customary to give some small change for most services, or a small percent of the bill. In bigger hotels and restaurants if a service charge is not added to the bill, it is customary to tip between 10 and 15 percent. For taxi fares it is enough to round up the bill. Attendants at Turkish baths expect to share between 10 to 20 percent of the total bill if service has been good.
Passport/Visa Note
All passports must be valid for at least the period of stay. All travellers to Turkey are required to hold return or onward tickets, documents for the next destination and sufficient funds for the period of their stay. It is highly recommended that travellers’ passports have at least six months’ validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Entry Requirements
- Entry requirements for Americans:
US passport holders must have a passport that is valid for six months beyond date of entry. A visa is required.
- Entry requirements for Canadians:
Passports must be valid for at least 60 days beyond the duration of stay. Canadian nationals require visas to enter Turkey.
- Entry requirements for UK nationals:
Passports should be valid for at least 6 months from the entry date. British Citizens travelling to Turkey for tourist or business purposes are able to travel without a visa for visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- Entry requirements for Australians:
Australian passport holders must have a valid visa. Passports must be valid for at least 150 days from the date of arrival.
- Entry requirements for Irish nationals:
Irish nationals require a visa to enter Turkey. Passports must be valid for at least six months longer than the expiry date on the requested visa.
- Entry requirements for New Zealanders:
New Zealand nationals require a visa to enter Turkey. Passports must be valid for at least six months longer than the expiry date on the requested visa. Visas are required for stays longer than 90 days.
- Entry requirements for South Africans:
South African passports must be valid for at least six months from the intended date of arrival. South African nationals require a visa to enter Turkey.
Tourist Offices
Turkish Tourist Office: +90 212 573 4136 (Istanbul) or http://www.tourismturkey.org
Turkey Embassies
- In the United States:
Turkish Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 612 6700.
- In Canada:
Turkish Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 789 4044.
- In the United Kingdom:
Turkish Consulate, London, United Kingdom: +44 20 7391 6900.
- In Australia:
Turkish Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 2 6234 0000.
- In Ireland:
Turkish Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 1 668 5240.
- In New Zealand:
Turkish Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 4 472 1290.
- In South Africa:
Turkish Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 12 342 6055.
Foreign Embassies in Turkey
- American Embassy
United States Consulate General, Istanbul: +90 212 335 9000.
- Canadian Embassy
Canadian Embassy, Ankara: +90 312 409 2700.
- British Embassy
British Embassy, Ankara: +90 312 455 3344.
- Australian Embassy
Australian Embassy, Ankara: +90 312 459 9500.
- Irish Embassy
Irish Embassy, Ankara: +90 312 459 1000.
- New Zealand Embassy
New Zealand Embassy, Ankara: +90 312 446 3333.
- South African Embassy
South African Embassy, Ankara: +90 312 405 6861.
Public Holidays Around the World
Planning your year? Knowing public holidays in different countries can help you plan trips, schedule events, or understand global schedules. Below, find a comprehensive list of public holidays sorted by country.
