Türkiye Travel Guide

Türkiye is a peninsula that bridges European and Asian continents and is surrounded by the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Aegean Sea. It is one of the most popular destinations worldwide, for its culture, history, nature, warm hospitality, diverse attractions, and mouth-watering cuisine. Its long history of different rulers, and population of diverse backgrounds, results in a mixture of West and East, which oddly makes Türkiye an exotic yet familiar destination for many.

Türkiye offers numerous destinations, from Istanbul's iconic mixture of urban city and historic neighborhoods to ancient ruins along the Aegean coast like Ephesus, and from vibrant seasides like Bodrum to remote plateaus of the Black Sea, like Rize. This diversity caters to travelers of all tastes, whether they're on a tight budget or traveling luxuriously

Türkiye's climate is often stereotypically described as Mediterranean, with sunny summers and warm seas, but this simplification doesn't capture the full picture. The climate varies significantly across the country. Türkiye's climate is far more diverse than the Mediterranean stereotype suggests, and travelers should plan according to the specific region they intend to visit.

Black Sea Coast: This region has an oceanic climate, with warm but rainy summers, making it prone to floods and mudslides. Winters are mild to cold, featuring occasional snowfall, especially in mountainous areas.

Marmara Region: The coastal areas, including Istanbul, have a dry-summer oceanic climate. Winters are characterized by frequent rain, with up to 20 rainy days a month, making it quite miserable. Summers are warm and humid, and occasional snowfall can impact road conditions.

Aegean and Mediterranean Coasts: These areas have a typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. Snowfall is rare, except for occasional periods in Gallipoli.

Inland Regions: Inland areas generally have a continental climate with hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. Summers in the southeastern part can be very hot, with daytime temperatures exceeding 35°C, while winters in the eastern part can be extremely cold, with nighttime temperatures dropping below -18°C. Spring in inland locations is generally accompanied by thunderstorms.

Türkiye has 59 airports, and 37 of them conduct international flights. You can visit Türkiye from hundreds of destinations worldwide, both with direct and connected flights.

Apart from flights, you can opt for buses, which are available from nearby countries, especially from Greece and Bulgaria to Istanbul, from Iraq to Diyarbakır, from Iran to Istanbul, and from Georgia and Azerbaijan.

Ferries also operate from Ukraine, Greece, and Cyprus, excluding cruise ships that commonly dock in Istanbul.

Türkiye has a vibrant nightlife with numerous bars, clubs, and other entertainment options. Istanbul and sea sides like Izmir, Bodrum, and Antalya are generally ideal for bar crawling and clubbing. You can also find different local and international alcohol brands in almost every bar and club. 

For those who seek quieter and non-alcoholic entertainment options, Türkiye has so much to offer. Tea and coffee are a significant part of socialization so you can find coffee shops on almost every corner, and many of them are open until late hours.

Meanwhile, İstanbul is considered the epicenter of the entertainment in Türkiye. Whether you seek bars and clubs, or coffee and tea shops, İstanbul is the right place to do so. For the best options, visit Taksim and Kadıköy, where you can find the best cafes and bars. 

If you are searching for a souvenir, you will have a hard time in Türkiye as you will have endless options to choose from. Türkiye is known for many things, and almost every city has its own souvenirs. To list some of the most famous things to buy, you can consider these:

• Leather clothing: Türkiye is a significant leather producer, offering affordable leather clothing in various districts of Istanbul.
• Carpets and kilims: Handmade carpets and kilims are abundant throughout the country, with symbolic designs rooted in ancient Anatolian beliefs.
• Silk: Bursa is a prime location for silk, especially for those interested in bargaining.
• Earthenware: Cappadocian pottery and Ottoman-style tiles from Kutahya are famous, and you can watch their production in Cappadocia, or produce one yourself.
• Copperware: Mardin, Diyarbakır, and Gaziantep are famous for their “copper markets” and Turkish copper items like pots, trays, and coffee sets are functional and decorative.
• Turkish delight and Turkish coffee: These popular treats are widely available and come in various brands and flavors.
• Honey: Türkiye offers unique honey varieties, including pine honey, but check import regulations.
• Chestnut dessert: Bursa's chestnut dessert is a specialty, with variations like chocolate-coated ones.
• Meerschaum souvenirs: Eskişehir is the only place in the world where meerschaum, also known as Sepiolite, is extracted, and it's crafted into smoking pipes and decorative items.
• Olive oil soap: Natural, olive oil-based soaps are prevalent, and you can find them in various regions, including the Aegean and Marmara.

March: İzmir European Jazz Festival

April: Ankara International Music Festival

April: Istanbul Film Festival

June: Balloon Fest Cappadocia

June-July: Traditional Kırkpınar Oil-Wrestling Festivities Edirne

August: International Cappadocia World Dance Festival

September: Teknofest Istanbul

September: Izmir International Fair

September: Ürgüp Grape Harvest Festival

January 1 - New Year's Day

April 23 - National Sovereignty & Children's Day

May 1 - Labor and Solidarity Day

May 19 - Atatürk Commemoration, Youth & Sports Day

July 15 - Democracy & National Unity Day

August 30 - Victory Day

October 29 - Republic Day

Eid Al-Fitr

Eid Al-Adha

• Türkiye’s emergency number is 112, dial 112 to contact the police or for an ambulance, free of charge.
• Turkish people are friendly and polite, cheek kissing is common among friends and family, while hand-kissing is a gesture of respect. But be aware before physical contact as some people do not prefer.
• Respect for elders is quite important in Turkish culture, including offering seats to them on public transportation.
• While visiting mosques wear modest clothes, remove your shoes before entering, and be respectful.
• In less touristic areas, avoid excessive public affection, avoid public drunkenness, and do not use rude body language and gestures.  
• Learn basic phrases to communicate better, and be polite saying “teşekkür ederim” which means thank you, and “lütfen” which means please.

Türkiye has a comprehensive transportation network, including air travel, buses, trains, and driving. Domestic air travel is competitive with Turkish airline companies serving various regions.

Buses, operated by Turkish companies, provide comfortable travel with refreshments and numerous stops. Trains range from fast options like YHT connecting Istanbul to Ankara and Konya to slower, scenic journeys. The Turkish Republic State Railways (TCDD) manages train services.

Türkiye's road network is well-maintained with good highways, but driving can be intense. Speed limits and rules are enforced, and toll motorways are common. Use RFID stickers for seamless payment. Road signs are in kilometers due to the metric system. Be mindful of local customs and stay cautious when driving in winter, especially in eastern Türkiye where heavy snow can lead to road closures.

Historically Türkiye is home to one of the world’s oldest temples, and has numerous archeological and historical sites of different civilizations, leading to having a diverse population of different backgrounds. The diversity and the harmony of different cultures can be seen in parts of the country. But one shared value stands and has a worldwide reputation, which is that Turkish people are very hospitable.

Due to its diversity, Turkish culture has numerous cultural elements, such as literature, architecture, cinema, sports, cuisine, festivals, nature, and more. All seven regions of Türkiye are slightly different from each other, and each of them has something unique to offer.

Turkish cuisine is another significant element of Turkish culture. From soups, appetizers, meat, and vegetable dishes to desserts and beverages, every region has several dishes that are famous and must-try. Here are some of the most famous examples:

• Mantı: Turkish Dumplings
• Kofte: Meatballs
• Meze: Appetizer
• Ayran: Cold drink made with yogurt
• Sutlac: Rice Pudding
• Baklava: Dessert made with pistachio and thin layers of dough
• Lahmacun: Turkish Pizza
• Dolma: Rice-stuffed vegetables
• Sarma: Leaves filled with saucy rice
• Menemen: Breakfast eggs, made with tomatoes, peppers, and onion
• Tea: Turkish-style tea is one of the most consumed beverages in Türkiye

In the late 1990s, Türkiye struggled with high inflation rates, and in response, it partnered with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to implement a program for curbing inflation. During the early 21st century, Türkiye experienced robust economic growth, though this progress was interrupted briefly in 2009 due to the global economic crisis.

Türkiye is also very rich in terms of natural resources; coal, oil, hydroelectric sources, metallic ores like iron, chromite, manganese, and various agricultural products are some of Türkiye's resources. Agriculture occupies around one-third of Türkiye's land, with cotton, sugar beets, tobacco, and livestock farming playing substantial roles, influenced by regional differences.

The industrial sector in Türkiye is diverse, activities like steel production, nonferrous metallurgy, engineering, chemicals, and textiles are highly important sectors for the Turkish economy.

Türkiye's foreign trade has seen significant expansion, transitioning from predominantly agricultural exports to manufactured goods. Key trade partners include European countries, Russia, China, and Middle Eastern nations like the United Arab Emirates and Iraq.

Currently, Türkiye provides visa-free access to 115 destinations and ranks 52^nd among global passports. Passport holders of said 115 countries can enter Türkiye without a visa and can stay between 30-90 days, depending on their country. Additionally, more than 100 countries can apply for an e-visa, simply by filling out an online application and paying a fee, which is determined by the country of origin.

Türkiye has the fifth-largest diplomatic mission network in the world. With more than 250 diplomatic and consular missions worldwide, Türkiye represents its interests, promotes cultural and diplomatic relations, and provides consular services both to Turkish citizens abroad and foreigners.