Turkey is a cutting-edge nation with an alluring fusion of antiquity and modernity, as well as of East and West. Find out fascinating facts about Turkey. Also, educate yourself about Turkish history, culture, and art, as well as nature, geography, traditional cuisine, and other topics. Everything you need to know about Turkey and beyond Turkish culture contrasts the West with the East, the modern with the old, creating a vibrant mosaic. In addition, there is a wide range of cultures and customs in Turkey, some of which date back hundreds of years and others that are of more recent origin. Any visitor to Turkey will encounter both strange and comfortingly familiar sights. Turkish culture is an astonishing fusion of East and West.
The culture of Turkey is distinctive worldwide. The extremes of Eastern and Western culture can perhaps only be found in Turkey. Turkish cuisine is renowned for its variety and flavor, absorbing influences from every region of the old Ottoman Empire. Turkish people are passionate about food.
The most crucial decisions you must make before creating your schedule are when and how long you will be in the country and how you will move around. Travelers can visit Turkey all year long. In general, April, May, September, and October are thought to be the best months to go to Turkey. They are months when the weather is warm, but not oppressively so.
THE IDEAL SEASON TO VISIT TURKEY
The majority of Turkey experiences extremely hot summers from June through August, making prolonged outdoor exploration difficult. So if you visit in the summer, be ready for the heat and sun. The busiest months to go to Turkey are April through September. So if you go at this time, just be aware that everything will be busy. So anticipate crowds at the most visited locations.
The winter months are the least busy times of the year. You can think about traveling between November and March if you don’t mind a bit of cold weather. Remember that they are typically the windiest, wettest, and coldest months. Additionally, several of Turkey’s attractions are seasonal and may be closed for a portion of this time.
The weather in Istanbul may differ significantly from that in Antalya, Bodrum, Ankara, or Kars at the same time of year because Turkey is a vast country. It is therefore advisable to research the weather and typical temperatures for the particular regions of Turkey you intend to visit.
HOW MUCH DOES A TRIP TO TURKEY COST
It is relatively cheap to travel to Turkey, and there are many options for cheap housing, food, clothing, and transportation. You may book a fancy hotel room in Istanbul for €400.00 or a hotel bed for €10.00. Travelers on a budget, in the middle of the pack, and in the luxury category may all enjoy Turkey.
If you are on a tight vacation budget, Turkey is a great place to go. A hotel room costs less than €10.00 while meals at budget eateries cost less than €6.00. Train and bus prices are likewise reasonably priced. Even domestic flights are typically inexpensive, particularly if you reserve in advance.
We advise visiting the website Numbeo to get an idea of what things are currently costing in Turkey. Here, you can look for average prices for everyday items like bananas, taxi fares, fuel, restaurant meals, and wine in Turkey or look up pricing for a specific city (see here for Istanbul).
While the majority of items tourists are likely to buy in Turkey are affordable in comparison to, for instance, the USA, Canada, Australia, and Western Europe, imported goods are frequently the same price or more expensive. This covers automobiles, gadgets, alcohol, and food imports. Additionally, fuel can be pricey.
TURKEY TRAVEL CONSIDERATIONS
Over 75 million people are living in Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkey. Ankara serves as the nation’s capital. Istanbul is the largest city in this country. In Turkey, which sits on the border of Europe and Asia, eastern and western cultural customs coexist. Before your travel, you should be aware of the following things about Turkey.
THE LANGUAGE SPOKEN IN TURKEY
Turkish is the official language and the majority of Turks grow up speaking it. Also, the most widely spoken in Turkey is Kurdish. The larger cities and all the major tourist destinations have English-speaking and German-speaking populations, although the majority of Turks don’t speak any or very little of it. It is a smart idea to have a Turkish-English or a German-Turkish phrasebook or translation software with you if you intend to travel freely.
THE RELIGION IN TURKEY
Turkey does not have a state religion, but the majority of its citizens are Muslims, with Sunni Islam being the largest group. However, it is also typical to have Jewish and Christian temples and churches. When visiting holy sites, it’s crucial to observe local traditions about modesty and attire. You may be asked to take off your shoes, and we ask that both men and women dress modestly. The heads of women must be covered. We advise women to always have a scarf or travel wrap with them to use as needed to cover their heads and shoulders.
THE MONEY AND CURRENCY IN TURKEY
The Turkish Lira is the currency in use in Turkey (TRY). Turkey accepts a broad variety of credit and debit cards, with Mastercard and Visa being the most widely used.
Most small shops, street vendors, cab drivers, and market vendors do not accept credit cards, however. Additionally, you’ll need money for tips. Thus, it is always advisable to carry Turkish liras with you when you travel. Once in Turkey, the best place to receive Turkish liras is from a neighborhood ATM. However, you can also purchase them at a bank or money exchange office before or during your trip. The current exchange rate is available here.
DRINKING WATER AND ELECTRICITY IN TURKEY
Regarding whether Turkish tap water is safe to drink, there are conflicting reports. In certain places, drinking tap water is deemed safe, but not in others. Therefore, it is often advised against drinking Turkish tap water by visitors. However, bathing and cleaning with water are thought to be safe. Despite the fact that bottled water is widely accessible, the harm that these plastic bottles cause to the environment is terrible. Therefore, we advise everyone to bring a water filter system or water purification pills, as well as a reusable water bottle. Following that, you can fill it up with tap water almost anywhere.
Turkey employs round-prong Type C or Type E plugs that fit into recessed wall sockets and runs on 220 volts/50 Hz power. You will need to bring plug adapters like these if your devices don’t have Type C or Type E connectors, which are common in many European nations like Austria and Germany. These countries (Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and others) don’t need any adapters.
Make sure to only carry electronics that can handle 220v voltage if you are traveling from a nation with 120v voltage (such as the United States or Canada), or else you will need a separate voltage converter. More information about picking a travel adapter is available in our guide.
INTERNET AND WIRELESS WLAN
In Turkey, the majority of hotels and other lodging options offer free wireless Internet. So that may be a free way to connect online and remain in touch. You might want to think about buying a local SIM card if you want to be able to use the service on your phone.
HOW SAFE IS TURKEY
Travelers have typically regarded Turkey as a safe destination. However, you should regularly review both the travel warnings issued in Turkey and those in your home nation.
The biggest lesson you can learn is that you need to exercise extreme caution when giving out cash or exchanging money. Make sure you receive the right change by carefully counting the amount. Last but not least Turkey is very safe and one of the safest countries in Europe.
IS A VISA REQUIRED TO ENTER TURKEY
Yes, the majority of visitors to Turkey will require a visa, but not everyone. Most citizens of Europe can now enter Turkey without a visa, thanks to a recent change in Turkish policy. Austrian, German, and Swiss nationals can stay in Turkey without a visa for 90 days.
You should research the most recent specifications for your particular nation. There can be additional admission requirements for some nations. The majority of countries that need visas are qualified to apply for an e-visa beforehand. There are visa application centers at Turkey’s main ports of entry, however, they can take longer and put you in a very awkward situation if your application is rejected for whatever reason.
TOURS AND TRIPS IN TURKEY
Turkey is a huge country, and traveling takes a while because famous tourist destinations are sometimes far apart. Although there is a respectable public transportation system, and it is possible to rent a car, we believe that for many visitors, taking a trip with a travel agency is the most convenient way to get around. By doing this, you can let someone else manage all the travel and lodging arrangements while you relax and concentrate on sightseeing.
You won’t need to bother about planning separate day trips to see out-of-town destinations. A tour guide will accompany you the entire time and can assist you with understanding all the fascinating things you encounter.
The variety of excursions available in Turkey, which range in length from a few days to a few weeks, is enormous. A wide choice of affordable and mid-priced options are available for the majority of items.
It’s crucial to select the type of tour that is best for you while selecting one. There are larger and smaller groups on different tours. Some are designed for younger travelers, while others are more targeted toward more experienced ones. Some people spend more time visiting historical and cultural landmarks, while others might prefer to spend more time at seaside resorts and beaches. Verify the level of comfort of the provided lodging and transportation.
When comparing tours, it’s also crucial to study the included options. Don’t only consider the tour’s cost, but; also consider what is and isn’t included. In order to help you plan your budget, a professional tour operator should be able to estimate the cost of all the extra attractions and optional activities.