Plan the perfect trip to Turkey | Turkey Holiday Guide

Sometimes the unknown can sound a little bit scary, but it can also become a great adventure, that is why traveling is a great pleasure for many people. This time we recommend a beautiful country than can surprise you with its incredible places and attractions that will let you breathless.

Turkey, the country where the east meets the west located between Asia and Europe. With a population of more than 83 million inhabitants, this country has some of the most beautiful mosques, basilicas, and historical places in the world, in addition to the incredible outdoor activities you can do in the Turkish country. Keep reading and learn more about all the things you can do and enjoy in this incredible transcontinental country!

How to get there

If you want to enjoy your vacation to the fullest, you have to start by choosing the corresponding way to get to your destination. Traveling is an important part of every vacation, and as it should be enjoyable and comfortable, we recommend you to choose one of the following airports to get to Turkey:

The first one on the list is located in Istanbul, which is the most populous city in the country and one of the most popular and visited around the world. It is Istanbul Atatürk Airport. It is the largest airport in the country, with many facilities that make passengers’ arrival much easier. It has two terminals, restaurants, and stores.

If you are traveling to Turkey to enjoy the beautiful beaches that it has, then the perfect airport to land is the Antalya Airport. This international airport in the Mediterranean is located in Antalya, ranked as the 5th most visited city in the country.

Now, if your first plan is to visit the capital (Ankara), then we recommend the Ankara Esenboğa Airport. The title of the best airport in Europe was given to this airport in 2009, which means that it is one of the best options you have to get to Turkey. 

Visa Information

If you are visiting this country for the first time, then you should know that probably you would need to get a visa before arriving in the country. If you do need or not a visa will depend on your country of origin and the time that you are going to remain there. For more information about this topic, we suggest you visit the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey website where they specify all the requirements you need to apply for a visa. 

Best time to visit the country

There are many reasons to want to visit this country. Maybe your wish is to go to Turkey and visit the beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean. In that case, the best time to visit the country is in summer (from mid-June through mid-September). The temperatures during this season vary from 27°C to 33°C, just perfect to enjoy your vacation in a seaside resort. If you are traveling in summer, we suggest you book in advance because this season is very popular for tourists and the prices tend to be higher.

However, the best time of the year to visit Turkey is in spring (from March through mid-June). The temperature in spring reaches 20°C and 23°C, and get cooler at night. During spring, the country and its landscapes are at their best, with the most important holidays taking place and the beautiful tulip plantations making the spring flower festival an amazing thing to see. 

Safety

It is important to know that terrorism has partially affected Turkey. However, that does not mean that you should cancel your plans to travel to this spectacular country. We suggest you keep an eye on the news during your stay to stay on top of potential problems that may occur. During your trip, you will find many security personnel in public places such as airports and tourist sites.

Some useful tips to keep in mind while being in Turkey are to carry your stuff (passport, phone) with you everywhere you go, in case of an emergency, and try to avoid discussions on political issues in public places and also in social media. 

Remember that traveling is about learning more about the culture and people of the country that we are visiting, even if we disagree with some rules and policies. 

Budget

Are you preparing your trip to Turkey? Do you want to know how much things cost in the country? Do you think that your budget is not enough for your vacation? Continue reading and find more information about this topic! 

The costs in the country can vary depending on the season and the city. You should expect higher prices in cities like Istanbul, and lower prices in small towns. However, the average amount of money that a tourist need for one day in Turkey is around TRY163 ($24). That means that for a week you will need TRY1,142 ($161.86) and for two weeks TRY2,285 ($323.86).

Let’s see what you can afford with TRY163 ($24) per day: 

• Hotel or Hostel: TRY102 ($14.45)
• Food: TRY31 ($4.39)
• Local transportation (taxis, buses, subway): TRY12 ($1.70)
• Entertainment (shows, movie tickets): TRY49 ($6.94)

Let’s break down some more specific food and drinks prices:

1. Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: TRY6 ($0.85) – Grilled meat in pita bread and salad.
2. Mid-range restaurant: TRY50 ($7.09) – Three-course meal.
3. Soft Drink: TRY4.19 ($0.59) – 0.33-liter bottle.
4. Beer: TRY15 ($2.13) – 0.5-liter draught

Prevent unforeseen expenses by planning your budget!

Currency

The official currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira, which is equivalent to 0.145 USD. You can use dollars in Turkey to pay for hotel rooms, and car rentals (large travel expenses); however, it is going to be much better if you exchange your money first. So if you take some dollars to Turkey, the best thing you can do is exchange it into Liras. There are exchange shops where you can get excellent rates.

The best and easiest way to get Turkish Liras in cash is by using an ATM that you can find at airports and cities. Make sure to consult first with your bank, which ones are the rates when you withdraw from one of these machines. The most popular card in Turkey is Visa; however, MasterCard, Eurocard, and American Express are also accepted. It is important to know that the credit card system in Turkey requires a PIN when you are making a purchase, so if you do not have a credit card with a PIN, then be prepared to pay in cash. 

Interesting facts about the culture

Turkey is a transcontinental country, which means that it is located in more than one continent (Asia and Europe). The official language there is Turkish, which is spoken for around 80 million speakers. 

Food is one of the best things to enjoy when we travel to a new country. And Turkey is not the exception! There are so many delicious options to try, that you will be fascinated by the flavors. One popular dish that you can find in most bakeries, is a dessert called Baklava, which consists of a baked pastry with nuts, syrup, and pistachios. If we talk about salty food, the most popular dish is the Doner Kebab. Doner kebabs are normally little pieces of beef or lamb that you eat with pita bread. They are tasty and spicy! 

They have their national sport called Oil wrestling, and yes, before it starts the wrestlers douse their bodies with olive oil! The most famous and important oil wrestling festival takes place in Edirne, a city located in the northwestern. 

Turks are very patriotic, they are very proud of their nation. Always remember wherever you go be respectful, and enjoy your trip to the fullest! 

What to do in Turkey

Turkey is a country that will impress you with the magnificent buildings that it has, like the mosques and basilicas. But that is not all, Turkey has many outdoor activities to do for people who love incredible experiences like flying in a balloon. Also, there are places to enjoy the peaceful landscapes of Turkey like the thermal hot springs or the views of the sunset in the fresh beaches.

The adventure usually begins in the outside, with exciting activities to do. Turkey will blow your mind and will show you that this country is more than you think. 

The best outdoor activities

• Hot air balloon Cappadoccia, in Göreme/Nevşehir: This activity is an incredible experience. Ride a hot air balloon over Cappadoccia with many balloons around, is one of the things you must see.
• Hiking: The most common activity and good exercise for the people who want to explore the landscape of a place. The best places are The Valley of Love in Göreme/Nevşehir, Pigeon Valley in Uçhisar/Nevşehir, Ihlara valley in Aksaray, Taurus Mountains in South Turkey.
• Paragliding, in Ölüdeniz: Fly on a paraglider over the landscape of Ölüdeniz, and feel the adrenaline inside and the air on your face with this amazing activity.
• Kayaking, in the Ruins of Kekova: Explore the old ruins of a town in this travel on a kayak, and have a vision of the past through the clear water of Kekova.

One of the things that attract the most attention in the cities is the big buildings since they are very remarkable to look at and very beautiful to see. Hours of design and construction in a building.

The best buildings

• Hagia Sophia, in Istanbul: Old great building that has gone through several changes, from a basilica to what is known now as a mosque.
• Sultan Ahmed Mosque, in Istanbul: One of the great mosques of Istanbul located next to Hagia Sophia separated by a garden. Design by Sedefkâr Mehmed Agha.
• Topkapı Palace, in Istanbul: Huge and luxurious 15th-century palace (actually a museum) that the Ottoman Empire used for 400 years and which houses treasures of the time.
• Ephesus, in İzmir Province: Ancient Greek city, actually a museum that contains years of history of Greek and Roman culture.

Hundreds of beaches cover the 7,000 km coastline of Turkey, clear and freshwater, and the views of the sunset in the beaches are a wonder you must see. Besides the lakes and thermal hot springs with rejuvenating water and amazing landscapes.

The best beaches and water places

• Blue lagoon, in Ölüdeniz: Perfect turquoise water in this beach, besides of deluxe hotels, aqua parks and more to enjoy the peaceful attractions.
• İçmeler Beach, in Marmaris: Popular and beautiful large beach, with many hotels nearby.
• Para beach, in Gelemiş: a 12-mile long beach that is also a National Park.
• Cleopatra Beach, in Alanya: Fantastic beach with clear and freshwater to swim. Nice beach bars nearby.
• Thermal Hot Springs, in Pamukkale: Amazing pools of milky mineral water with magic and surreal views. These hot springs will let you fresh and a few years younger.

How to get around in Turkey

Moving through Turkey is not a problem due to the many transport connections, the only problem will be the service you want to choose to move around the country. There are so many!

The common services that the Turks use are local buses, minibusses (dolmus), taxis, metro, and tram. Besides, the plane and ferry services are a good choice too. All towns and cities have local buses, which are one of the cheapest options. You can purchase a smart ticket for a small deposit, which, once loaded with credit, can be used not only on the buses but also in the metro, tram, and ferries. The dolmus are a good alternative to local buses; get a ride on standard routes posted on the front screen of the minibus. 

Taxis are the most common and comfortable transport, payment is according to the on-board meter. The major cities have underground metros, which is a rapid transit train system. You only need to buy a smart ticket to travel by the metro. The quickest transport for long distances is the plane. 

With so many good options, we recommend choosing the transport that suits better with your needs and budgets.

How to stay connected in Turkey

Do not think that we forget about this key aspect of your trip: How to stay connected in Turkey? There are three major mobile operators in the country.

The one that is recommended for tourists is called Turkcell; because it is the leading mobile company in Turkey (it has more than 68.9 million subscribers). The next on the list is Vodafone. This multinational company operates in 25 countries around the world, including Vodafone. It is an excellent idea if you need a lot of data to use with social media apps. Last but not least is Türk Telekom, which is the smallest of the three, but will also provide you with the services you need. 

Another good option is to order a prepaid SIM card from an international company such as SimOptions. It is easy to buy online and you will have your SIM Card ready for Turkey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I rent a car?

If you want to travel around cities on your own, you can rent a car. However, you are going to be perfectly fine traveling by bus.

Which airports can I fly to?

The best airports are Istanbul Atatürk Airport, the Antalya Airport, and the Ankara Esenboğa Airport.

What are the most popular types of hotels?

The most popular accommodation types are boutique hotels, resorts, and hostels.

How much does a holiday cost?

You can spend around TRY163 ($24) daily, including standard accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment.

What are the best things to do?

If you are traveling to Turkey, you must enjoy the beaches and ride a hot air balloon over Cappadoccia.

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