ISTANBUL
Welcome to our guide to holidays in Turkey! We offer comprehensive travel guides for a variety of destinations across the country, including Istanbul, Fethiye, Marmaris, Kusadasi, Didim, Antalya, Cappadocia, and Pamukkale. Whether you’re planning a luxurious getaway or a budget-friendly trip, we have plenty of information to help you make the most of your time in Turkey.
In addition to general travel tips, I also share personal experiences and insights from my visits to different locations in Turkey. Feel free to explore our recent posts, where you can find my thoughts, photos, and recommendations for specific places to visit.
If you’re looking for accommodations, you can easily book hotels in Istanbul or any other part of Turkey through our site. We also provide helpful maps and images of the top attractions, so you can plan your trip with ease.
You’ll also find interesting details about unique aspects of Turkish culture, such as famous movies shot in Turkey, the experience of visiting a traditional hamam, and the best places to shop in Istanbul. Below, you’ll find essential information to help guide you through your holiday in Turkey.
If you think you have stayed too long in Turkey, please check this list. It is kind of funny but also real…
Hospitality, sunshine, sandy beaches, and rich history await you when you travel to Turkey. This rapidly modernizing country straddles two continents, with one foot in Asia and the other in Europe. Turkey is the only place in the world where two continents meet in a single city—Istanbul. This unique position blends a history shaped by both Eastern and Western influences, creating a fascinating mix of cultures. In Turkey, European aspirations coexist with Asian traditions, and the vibrant energy of the Middle East blends effortlessly with the laid-back Mediterranean lifestyle.
But Turkey is not just about oriental mystery, intrigue, and whirling dervishes; it’s a dynamic fusion of ancient history and a rapidly changing present. Turkish people are renowned for their unmatched hospitality, making visitors feel truly welcome. The country’s delicious cuisine is a must-try, and its stunning coastline feels like something out of a dream. Many Turkish cities are home to magnificent mosques, castles, and ancient sites. While prices may be rising, Turkey still remains one of the most affordable destinations in the Mediterranean.
These are just a few highlights of what makes Turkey an unforgettable destination!
Turkey Holidays
Book Your Flight to Turkey for your cheap holidays to Turkey
Where to visit in Turkey ?
Istanbul , Fethiye , Marmaris , Didim, Kusadasi, Cappadocia or Pamukkale are the top destinations in Turkey. Click for the places to visit in Turkey according to the top destinations for your Turkey hollidays.
Turkey is a country with incredible diversity, divided into 7 regions, each offering its own unique climate, landscapes, views, and cultural traditions. The first four regions are named after the seas that surround them: the Marmara, Aegean, Black Sea, and Mediterranean regions. The remaining three are named according to their locations within Anatolia: Central Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia, and Southeastern Anatolia.
Straddling two continents—Europe and Asia—Turkey boasts an impressive 8,000 km of coastline. Whether you’re interested in art, archaeology, history, nature, or simply unwinding on the beach or enjoying a sailing holiday, Turkey has something for everyone.
When visiting Turkey, don’t just focus on the western part of the country; the east is equally rich in history and offers fascinating sites. Your Turkey holidays can also include alternative tourist attractions, offering experiences beyond the typical destinations.
Make sure to take in the stunning sights of Istanbul, including the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Explore the ancient ruins of Ephesus, enjoy a yacht cruise in Marmaris, and walk through the surreal cotton-like formations at Pamukkale. With so many options, your holiday in Turkey can be as adventurous or relaxing as you want it to be.
If you’re planning a trip to Turkey, be sure to include iconic destinations such as Istanbul, Fethiye, Marmaris, Didim, Kusadasi, Cappadocia, and Pamukkale on your list. Before you plan your Turkey holidays, explore the pictures and maps available in the navigation above for inspiration and guidance.
When to visit in Turkey ?
he best times to visit Turkey are in the spring and autumn, when the weather is ideal for exploring Istanbul, the Aegean, or the Mediterranean coasts. During these seasons, the climate is pleasant and perfect for outdoor activities. Central Anatolia can be cooler during these months, but it’s still quite manageable. If you’re concerned about mosquitoes, it’s best to visit before mid-June or after August.
April and September are particularly great for exploring the Black Sea coast, as you’ll experience mild rainfall without it being overwhelming.
When it comes to winter, Turkey doesn’t have a traditional winter tourism season, with the exception of Istanbul. The peak tourist season generally runs from July to September, as this is when most locals take their holidays.
If you’re planning to visit eastern Turkey, the best time is between June and September. However, it’s recommended to avoid visiting the eastern part of Turkey before May or after mid-October unless you’re prepared for snow.
It’s also a good idea to avoid traveling during Bayrams (religious holidays), which are among the most popular public holidays in Turkey. These times can be quite crowded, as many locals take their own holidays, making popular destinations busier than usual.
Weather in Turkey on your Turkey holidays?
When planning your holidays in Turkey, it’s important to consider the weather. The Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, including destinations like Fethiye, Marmaris, Didim, and Kusadasi, enjoy mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers.
In Istanbul, summer temperatures typically range from 28-30°C (82-86°F), while winters are chilly but usually stay above freezing, with occasional rain and possibly a light dusting of snow.
The interior of Anatolia, including places like Cappadocia and Pamukkale, experiences hot summers and very cold winters.
The Black Sea coast has mild, rainy summers and chilly, rainy winters. Eastern Turkey, known for its mountainous terrain, is cold and snowy during the winter, with only pleasant warmth in the high summer months.
In the southeast of Turkey, summers can be extremely hot, with temperatures reaching over 45°C (113°F), while winters are dry and mild.
Money/Cost – Cheap holidays to Turkey
If you’re looking to have an affordable holiday in Turkey, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the local currency: the Turkish Lira (TL). The Lira comes in banknotes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200. Additionally, the kurus (Kr) is the coin used in Turkey, with denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 kuruş.
In Turkey, the official currency is the Turkish Lira (₺), which is subdivided into 100 kuruş. However, due to economic factors, the use of kuruş coins has become increasingly rare in daily transactions. As a result, prices are often rounded to the nearest whole lira, and smaller denominations are seldom used.
Please click on the picture for TL samples :
When traveling to Turkey, especially in major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, or highly populated areas like Marmaris and Fethiye, it’s best to rely on credit or debit cards for payments. However, remember to withdraw some cash before visiting smaller towns or villages, as cash can be handy for unexpected situations.
Exchanging money is easy in Turkey, and you can do so at exchange offices, post offices (PTTs), shops, and hotels. However, banks may offer less favorable rates. The best option for exchanging money in tourist areas is usually the post offices, as their rates are slightly more competitive. Some shops, hotels, and restaurants also accept foreign currency. If you run out of cash, simply visit an ATM to withdraw money from your home account. Many banks in Turkey also offer Western Union or MoneyGram services.
When it comes to tipping, it’s customary to leave a small amount after dining at more affordable restaurants—just a few coins will suffice. For higher-end restaurants, a larger tip is expected. A service charge of 10-15% may already be included in the bill, but it’s still common to give around 5% directly to the waiter. Porters typically expect $1 or more, and it’s polite to round up the fare in taxis. In Istanbul, be cautious on longer trips, as taxis may charge higher rates.
If a tip is initially refused out of politeness, try offering it again, and perhaps a third time. If it’s still declined after three attempts, it’s best to take it as a sign they don’t wish to accept it. For massages at Turkish baths (hamams), a tip of 10-20% of the service price is customary.
These small gestures will help ensure an enjoyable and affordable holiday in Turkey!
How to travel to Turkey?
Click to book flights to Turkey for your cheap holidays to Turkey
You can get into and out of Turkey mostly by air or sea and also rail and bus. On your Turkey Holidays, you can chose a trip to the international airports at Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Izmir. Turkish Airlines has direct flights fromIstanbul to many cities around the world for your holidays to Turkey. Tax for departure is about US$12.00 but is normally included with the price of the ticket. The daily Bosfor Ekspresi connects Bucharest to Istanbul by train via Sofia. You can also find a bus from major European cities to Istanbul. Dostluk Ekspresi connects Istanbul to Thessaloniki and it can be a popular option from Greece. It is also possible to travel by train and bus to Syria, Iran. And also by bus to Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Ferries from Cesme to Ancona and Brindisi are available. You can expnad your turkey holidays by travelling to Greece with some private ferries which are also available between the Greek islands and Turkey’s Aegean coast. So you are not limited about options during your holidays to Turkey.
It is very easy and safe to have Turkey Holidays’ flight by Turkish Airlines. It connects all of the major cities to Istanbul. Buses go almost everywhere around Turkey very frequently, cheaply and somehow usually comfortably. Trains may not the best option with long-distance compared to buses for speed, but you can sleep ina bed on the trains linking Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara. High speed train is available at Ankara to Konya and Ankara to Eskisehir only. If you’re driving around the country on your Turkey holidays, you can find mechanical services very easily and relatively cheap. Driving in big cities should be avoided because traffic is terrible and complex comapred to most of the western European cities. Alsoparking is very difficult especially in Istanbul. Dolmuses (shared taxis) are a very good option for short trips. On your Turkey holidays, When driving from Istanbul to the south of Turkey ( Fethiye, Marmaris, Didim, Kusadasi, Cappadocia and Pamukkale)., take the ferry from Yenikapı to Bandırma or Pendik to Yalova .
Some key facts for your Turkey holidays:
| Population | 70.586.256 |
|---|---|
| Capital | Ankara |
| Religion | Muslim, mostly Sunni, small Christian minority. Turkey is a secular state which guarantees complete freedom of worship to non-Muslims. |
| Currency | Turkish Lira, TRY, YTL |
| Electrical Plugs | 220V 50Hz |
| Languages Spoken | Turkish |
| Time Zones | GMT/UTC +2 |
| CountryDialing Code | +90 |
| Weights/Measures | Metric |
Popular places to visit on your Turkey holidays : Istanbul, Fethiye , Pamukkale, Marmaris, Cappadocia, Didim and Kusadasi.
Social Conventions tips for your Turkey Holidays:
Ok, you chose your place at your Turkey holiday and you have traveled to Turkey but do not forget these small tips :
Shaking hands is a normal greeting all around Turkey. Hospitality is widely seen . Visitors should respect Islamic customs. Informal wear is no problem, but beachwear should be worn at the beaches or the pool. Smoking is acceptable at open areas but it is prohibited at closed areas like restaurants, cinemas, theaters or at transportation vechiles like buses, coaches and dolmuses (collective taxis).
Sometimes gestures for `yes` and `no` can be confusing: `yes` is achieved by raising the head up, while`no` is achieved with a gesture of lifting your eyebrows and making a sound by clicking your tongue at the same time.
If you do not want to call a person homosexual at a bad manner on your holidays to Turkey, do not put your the index finger and thumb together in a circle. It does not mean `OK` in Turkey . Actually you are insulting to them.
Turkish people stare at people more than the westerner people used to. If a Turk simply finds you interesting, he will stare at you. This does not mean that he will attack you or something, relax.
It is one of the most vulgar gestures of placing the thumb under the index and middle fingers in Turkey. Avoid it during your holidays to Turkey or be prepared for an argue.
The most important thing to be known is the Turkish word for beer `bira` especially for football fans. Efes and Tuborg brands are widely available for you during your holidays to Turkey.
