Turkey travel guide
Turkey, officially known in English as Türkiye, spans Europe and Asia, with Istanbul's mosques and bazaars, the fairy-chimney valleys of Cappadocia, Greek and Roman cities along the Aegean and a turquoise Mediterranean coast. It suits history lovers, food lovers and beach holidaymakers, and rewards anyone willing to go beyond the resorts.
Places worth the trip
Istanbul
Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace stand close together in the old city, with the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar nearby. Take a public ferry across the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia, and explore neighbourhoods such as Balat and Kadıköy.
Cappadocia
Volcanic valleys of rock pinnacles known as fairy chimneys, with frescoed cave churches at the Göreme Open-Air Museum and multi-level underground cities such as Derinkuyu. Hot-air balloon flights at sunrise are weather-dependent.
Ephesus
One of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean, with the Library of Celsus, a great theatre and marble streets, near the town of Selçuk on the Aegean coast.
Pamukkale and Hierapolis
Brilliant white travertine terraces formed by mineral-rich hot springs, with the ruins of the Roman spa city of Hierapolis on top, including an ancient pool you can still swim in.
The Turquoise Coast and the Lycian Way
Between Fethiye and Antalya, the coast has the lagoon at Ölüdeniz, the harbour town of Kaş, rock-cut Lycian tombs and the sunken city near Kekova. The Lycian Way long-distance trail links many of them.
Göbekli Tepe
Near Şanlıurfa in the south-east, a site of carved stone pillars set in circles more than 11,000 years ago, thousands of years before Stonehenge. Şanlıurfa itself has sacred carp pools and a busy bazaar.
Mount Nemrut
A mountaintop tomb sanctuary with giant stone heads of gods and a king of Commagene, visited at sunrise or sunset. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Safranbolu
A well-preserved Ottoman town of timber-framed houses and old caravanserais in the north, known for its Turkish delight and saffron.
Interesting facts about Turkey
- In 2022 the country asked the United Nations and other international bodies to use the name Türkiye; travellers and most English speakers still widely say Turkey.
- Istanbul spans two continents, Europe and Asia, divided by the Bosphorus strait, and public ferries cross between them all day.
- Göbekli Tepe was built by hunter-gatherers more than 11,000 years ago, which makes it one of the oldest known monumental sites in the world.
- Saint Nicholas, the historical figure behind Santa Claus, was a bishop of Myra, in what is now the town of Demre on Turkey's Mediterranean coast.
- Turkish coffee culture and tradition are inscribed on UNESCO's list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Best time to visit Turkey
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) are the best times for sightseeing in Istanbul, Cappadocia and the archaeological sites, with mild weather. July and August are hot and busy, the peak season for the Aegean and Mediterranean beaches. Winter is cold and can be snowy in Cappadocia and eastern Turkey, which makes for quieter, atmospheric visits, while the coast is mild but many resorts close. During Ramadan, some restaurants in conservative areas close during the day.
Getting around
Turkey is large, so domestic flights save time between Istanbul, Cappadocia, Izmir, Antalya and the south-east. Long-distance coaches are comfortable and cover the whole country. High-speed trains link Istanbul, Ankara, Eskişehir and Konya. In Istanbul, an Istanbulkart pays for metros, trams, buses and ferries. Hire a car for the coast and the countryside, where public transport between smaller places is limited. Dolmuş minibuses run local routes in towns and resort areas.
Practical details
- Capital
- Ankara
- Currency
- Turkish lira (TRY)
- Languages
- Turkish
- Plug types
- C, F
- Voltage
- 230 V, 50 Hz
- Emergency
- 112 (all emergencies)
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- Around 5 to 10 percent in restaurants is usual; round up for taxis and tip guides and hotel staff.
Staying online in Turkey
Mobile coverage is good across cities, resort areas and along main roads, with 4G widely available. Coverage is weaker in some mountain regions, along parts of the Lycian Way and in the far east of the country. Free Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafés and many airports, often requiring a sign-up. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
Turkey eSIM plans
1 GB
1GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Turkey, V2
Ilimitado
Unlimited eSIM Data for 1 Day for Turkey, V2
Ilimitado
Unlimited Plus eSIM Data for 1 Day for Turkey, V2
3 GB
3GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Turkey, V2
Useful apps
- BiTaksi: Call licensed yellow taxis in Istanbul and other cities, with the route and driver shown in the app.
- Uber: Available in Istanbul, mainly for booking taxis.
- Google Maps: Public transport and walking directions in Istanbul and navigation on the coast.
- Google Translate: Turkish menus and signs, with an offline pack for rural areas.
Turkey travel FAQs
The country's official English name is now Türkiye, which the UN and many governments use. In everyday English, and in most travel searches, Turkey is still widely used. Both refer to the same country.
Yes. Coverage is good in cities and tourist areas. Roaming on home plans is often expensive, so a travel eSIM is an easy way to get local data from the moment you land.
Remove your shoes, cover shoulders and knees, and women should cover their hair. Scarves are often available at the entrance of major mosques. Avoid visiting during prayer times.
No. Flights depend on wind and weather and are cancelled when conditions are unsafe. Allow two or three mornings in Cappadocia if a balloon flight is a priority.