Turkiye Travel Guide

Turkiye, the name the country officially requested for international use in 2022, is bigger than most visitors imagine. It has 81 provinces in seven geographic regions and measures roughly 1,600 km from east to west. First trips usually pair Istanbul with two or three more regions, and choices about routes and seasons count for more here than in smaller countries.

Reasons to go

Not many countries stack up history in this many layers. Within one border you find Roman Ephesus, Byzantine Constantinople, Neolithic Gobeklitepe, Greek and Hittite cities, and Ottoman and Seljuk palaces and mosques. Add the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, the scenery of Pamukkale and Cappadocia and one of the great cuisines of the world, and it is clear why so many travellers return.

How long to stay

• 7 days: 3 days in Istanbul, 2 in Cappadocia, 2 at Ephesus or Pamukkale.
• 10 days: the same four stops (Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale) at an easier pace.
• 14 days or longer: add a gulet cruise, Konya, or Antalya and the Mediterranean.

These combinations are the basis of our Turkey tour packages, which range from three-week routes down to short city breaks. We also run small group departures.

When to go

Almost every region is pleasant from April to June and from September to October. In July and August the coast is at its best, while inland areas and the southeast are hot. Winter works well for Istanbul and museum cities, and snowy Cappadocia is lovely, but many coastal resorts close between November and April.

Getting around

Most domestic flights go through Istanbul, with most cities a 1 to 2 hour flight away. Konya and Ankara have high-speed trains to Istanbul. Long-distance coaches are comfortable and reach every part of the country. Out in the countryside, having a private car and driver saves a great deal of time.

Easy trips out of Istanbul

• Edirne, once the Ottoman capital, close to the Greek and Bulgarian borders and home to the Selimiye Mosque by Sinan. Try our day in Edirne.
• Iznik, once Nicaea, hosted the first Church council in 325 and later produced Ottoman tiles. Try our Iznik private day trip.
• Bursa, which was the first Ottoman capital. Read our guide to Bursa.

Things to do

• Explore Istanbul's old city and take a Bosphorus cruise.
• Fly in a balloon over Cappadocia.
• See Ephesus and the white terraces at Pamukkale.
• Sail the Turquoise Coast on a gulet.
• Visit Mount Nemrut and Gobeklitepe in the southeast.
• Taste wine along a route near Urla outside Izmir, or in Cappadocia.

Food

Each region cooks differently: Istanbul has meze and pastries, the Black Sea has cornbread and anchovies, the southeast has spices and kebabs, and the Aegean has vegetables cooked in olive oil. A Turkish breakfast is worth a long, slow morning.

Practical tips

• Visa requirements vary by nationality; many travellers need no visa, while others apply on the official e-Visa site. Check before you go.
• The Turkish lira is the currency. Cards work almost everywhere, but carry cash for villages and small shops.
• In mosques, dress modestly; a headscarf is required for women.

Browse all our tours across Turkiye.