Turkey is one of the world's most extraordinary travel destinations — a country that straddles two continents, where Byzantine mosaics and Ottoman mosques stand alongside Roman ruins and Hittite temples. Istanbul is one of the great cities of the world. Cappadocia's fairy chimneys and hot air balloons are unlike anything else on earth. The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have some of the finest ancient ruins and turquoise waters in the world. And Turkish food — from the kebabs of Gaziantep to the mezes of Istanbul — is one of the great cuisines.
Visas & Entry
Most Western nationals require an e-Visa to enter Turkey — apply online at evisa.gov.tr before you travel (do not use third-party sites that charge extra fees). The e-Visa costs $50 for most nationalities (including UK, USA, Canada, Australia) and is valid for 90 days within 180 days, multiple entry. Apply at least 48 hours before travel. EU citizens (most) can enter visa-free for 90 days with a valid passport or national ID card — check the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for your specific nationality. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months. Turkey is NOT in the Schengen Area — a Turkey visit does not count towards your 90-day Schengen allowance. Turkey uses 220V electricity with Type F (Schuko) plugs. The emergency number is 112.
Currency & Money
Turkey uses the Turkish lira (TRY). The lira has depreciated significantly in recent years — check the current rate before you travel. Turkey is excellent value for Western visitors as a result. Budget: TRY 600–900/day (£15–22; guesthouse, street food, local transport). Mid-range: TRY 1,500–3,000/day (£37–75; hotel, restaurant meals). A street food meal (döner, simit, börek): TRY 50–150 (£1–4). A beer in a bar: TRY 150–300 (£4–7). A mid-range hotel: TRY 1,500–4,000/night (£37–100). ATMs are widely available. Card payments are accepted in hotels and larger restaurants but cash is useful for markets and street food. Exchange money at banks or PTT post offices for the best rates — avoid airport exchange counters. The Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar in Istanbul have exchange offices but rates vary — compare before exchanging.
Getting Around Turkey
Turkey has good transport links between its main destinations. Istanbul: the metro, tram, and ferry network is excellent — the Istanbulkart (rechargeable smart card) gives discounted fares on all public transport. The tram T1 line connects the main tourist areas (Sultanahmet, Grand Bazaar, Galata Bridge, Karaköy, Beyoğlu). Ferries cross the Bosphorus between the European and Asian sides — a beautiful and cheap way to travel. Intercity: Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines operate extensive domestic networks — Istanbul to Cappadocia (1.5 hours, from £30), Istanbul to Antalya (1.5 hours, from £25). Long-distance buses (Flixbus, Metro Turizm) are comfortable and cheap — Istanbul to Cappadocia (10 hours overnight, from £15). Car hire is useful for the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, Cappadocia, and eastern Turkey — roads are generally good.
Turkish Culture & Etiquette
Turkey is a predominantly Muslim country with a secular constitution — the culture is generally relaxed and welcoming to tourists, but some cultural awareness is important. Mosques: remove shoes before entering, dress modestly (cover head for women, cover shoulders and knees for both sexes), and be quiet and respectful during prayer times. The call to prayer (ezan) sounds five times daily — a beautiful and atmospheric part of Turkish life. Hospitality: Turks are extraordinarily hospitable — accepting tea (çay) when offered is polite and the tea is excellent. Bargaining: expected in the Grand Bazaar and other markets — start at 50–60% of the asking price and work up. Don't feel pressured to buy. Alcohol: widely available in tourist areas, restaurants, and bars — Turkey is not a dry country. Ramadan: during the holy month (dates vary), some restaurants close during daylight hours and alcohol may be restricted in conservative areas. Turkish bath (hamam): a traditional Turkish bath is one of the great cultural experiences — the Çemberlitaş Hamamı and Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamamı in Istanbul are the most historic.
Turkish Food
Turkish cuisine is one of the world's great food cultures — a synthesis of Central Asian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Balkan influences. Must-try dishes: döner kebab (the original — thinly sliced meat from a rotating spit, served in bread or on a plate), İskender kebab (döner on bread with tomato sauce and browned butter — Bursa's greatest contribution to world cuisine), meze (small dishes — hummus, baba ganoush, stuffed vine leaves, ezme, cacık — the best way to eat in Turkey), pide (Turkish flatbread pizza — the Black Sea version with egg and butter is extraordinary), lahmacun (thin crispy flatbread with spiced minced meat — the best fast food in the world), baklava (layers of filo pastry with nuts and honey syrup — Gaziantep makes the finest), and Turkish breakfast (kahvaltı) — a spread of cheeses, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggs, honey, and bread that is one of the world's great morning meals. Turkish tea (çay) and Turkish coffee (türk kahvesi) are essential daily rituals.
Best Places to Visit
Istanbul is one of the world's great cities — the Hagia Sophia (a 6th-century Byzantine cathedral converted to a mosque), the Blue Mosque, the Topkapı Palace, the Grand Bazaar, and the Bosphorus are unmissable. Allow 3–4 days. Cappadocia is unlike anywhere else on earth — a landscape of volcanic "fairy chimneys", underground cities, and cave churches, best experienced from a hot air balloon at sunrise. Ephesus (near Selçuk) is the best-preserved ancient Roman city in the world — the Library of Celsus is extraordinary. Pamukkale has extraordinary white travertine terraces filled with thermal water — the ancient city of Hierapolis is on the same site. The Turquoise Coast (Ölüdeniz, Kaş, Kalkan, Antalya) has some of the finest beaches and ancient ruins in the Mediterranean. Troy (near Çanakkale) is the legendary city of the Trojan War — the archaeological site and museum are excellent.
