Sitting pretty at the intersection of Europe and Asia, Turkey has an amazing array of Western and Eastern influences: Roman emperors and Ottoman sultans, the Mediterranean and the Middle East, the Balkans and the westernmost part of Asia. You’ll see evidence of Turkey’s diverse past in its culture, world-famous cuisine, and historical sites. Truly, the country offers something for everyone. And we haven’t even said anything about Istanbul, one of the world’s greatest cities!
Is it any wonder that affordable getaways to Turkey will be one of the biggest travel trends of 2022? To help make your trip extra memorable, our ultimate Turkey Travel Guide has everything you need to know about this magical country.
Find our team’s expert tips on the best things to do on our tours to Turkey!
Currency: The Turkish lira is the country’s official currency. However, some shops, hotels, and restaurants in popular areas, especially in Istanbul, accept euros or U.S. dollars.
Language: Turkish is the country’s official language. It might seem complicated at first, but its pronunciation is phonetic.
Getting around: On our Grand Tour of Turkey, a private motor coach will help you see as much of the country as possible. You’ll take the scenic sea route—a short ferry ride—from Istanbul to Troy, and take a quick flight from Cappadocia, in central Turkey, back to coastal Istanbul. In your free time, Turkey’s public transportation can take you wherever you want to go. To reach the country’s small towns and villages, take a dolmus, a minibus or van that carries passengers on set routes. You can hop on or off wherever, but don’t expect luxury or privacy—dolmus means “stuffed” in Turkish.
Phrases to know: “Tesekkür ederim” means “Thank you,” a useful phrase when appreciating the kindness of strangers. “Birsey degil” means “You’re welcome.”
You’ll probably want to know how to ask, “Do you know English?”: “Ingilizce biliyor musunuz?”
And for shopping, “Bu ne kadar” means, “How much is this?” (Though it might help to know how to count in Turkish, too!)
The best time to visit Turkey probably isn’t in winter, which is cold and can be snowy. Hotels in certain areas are closed between November and March. That said, traveling during the off-season often means fewer crowds and lower prices. Summer in Turkey is hot and usually rain-free, and it’s peak season for travelers.
April and May are prime months for visiting Turkey. The weather is pleasantly balmy, warm but not too hot, and flowers are in bloom across the country. Fittingly, May 6 is when Turkey celebrates Hidrellez, a joyful festival of song and dance that marks the arrival of spring.
September and October are also great months for visiting Turkey. The warmth of summer still lingers, but the biggest crowds have gone home, leaving Turkey peaceful and picturesque. We’re predicting that shoulder-season travel will be one of the top group-travel trends this year, so plan a trip to Turkey before it gets too popular!
Packing for a trip to Turkey means preparing for the unpredictable. But, as experienced travelers always say: There’s no bad weather, just bad preparation.
Turkey offers such a wealth of sights and experiences that it’d be impossible to do everything on just one trip. “From the markets of Istanbul to the travertines of Pamukkale and all the way to the otherworldly rock formations of Cappadocia, every part of Turkey had new and interesting things to offer,” said Go Ahead traveler Chelsea. Still, there are some things to do in Turkey that you don’t want to miss.
Needless to say, you won’t go hungry in Turkey. The country’s cuisine, a blend of Asian, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern flavors, is mind-blowingly good—truly among the world’s best. Kebab is a Turkish standby, but there are so many gastronomic delights to explore.
Your memories and pictures might be the most meaningful things to bring home from your trip to Turkey. But there are certain Turkish souvenirs that will make you or your loved ones think of Turkey often.