# Turkey Turkey straddles Europe and Asia, with Istanbul's domes and bazaars, the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia and a turquoise coast lined with ancient ruins. Istanbul on two continents, balloons over Cappadocia, Lycian ruins by the sea. Where to go in Turkey, what it costs and how to plan it in the Guided app. Canonical: https://www.go-guided.com/en/destinations/turkey # Turkey # Turkey travel guide: Everything you need to know before visiting Turkey Hagia Sophia was finished in 537, and since January 2024 foreign visitors have paid about €25 to see it from the upper gallery while the floor below carries on as a working mosque. That mix of very old and very much in use runs through the whole country. Türkiye, the name the UN registered in June 2022, puts a city split between Europe and Asia a short flight from the rock valleys of Cappadocia, where balloons lift off at sunrise. Further south, the Mediterranean reaches 29°C in August. Domestic flights of about an hour and a quarter join it all up, and overnight buses cover the rest. Greece shares the Aegean and plenty of ancient ruins, but Turkey adds Byzantine and Ottoman Istanbul and a huge Anatolian interior, and day-to-day costs are lower. We think it's the best country in the region for a first trip that mixes serious history with beach time, and the Lycian Way gives hikers a reason to come back. About 64 million international visitors arrived in 2025, so plan on sharing the big sites. This guide covers where to go and how to link it up, then the practical side, from seasons and costs to the rules worth knowing before you land. ## 5 reasons to visit Turkey Five is a tight limit for a country this size, but these are the reasons we'd put first. 1. Istanbul has the Bosphorus running through the middle, and a commuter ferry from Europe to Asia costs ₺53.20. 2. On a good morning 100 to 150 balloons lift off over Cappadocia at sunrise. 3. Ephesus, Hierapolis and Pergamon are among the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities anywhere. 4. The Turquoise Coast pairs Lycian rock tombs with boat days out of Kaş and Fethiye, including the sunken city at Kekova. 5. Breakfast is a long meal in its own right, and Turkish coffee culture sits on UNESCO's intangible heritage list. ## Where to visit in Turkey? Where should a first trip start? Istanbul, then Cappadocia, then the coast if you have the time. The places below run roughly in that order, with Safranbolu, Mardin and Trabzon at the end for a second visit or extra days. ### Explore Istanbul, the city on two continents Start in the old city on the European side. Hagia Sophia became a mosque in 1453, a museum in 1935 and a mosque again in 2020, and your ticket (about €25) covers the upper gallery only. The tourist entrance is on the northeast side near the Topkapı gate, not on Sultanahmet Square. Visits pause at prayer times, with a long Friday break from about noon to 2.30pm. Cover your shoulders and knees, and women cover their hair. The Blue Mosque next door is free outside prayer times and lends scarves. We'd start at Topkapı Palace at 8.30am, while the Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern queues are at their worst. Save the Grand Bazaar and its 61 covered streets for any day but Sunday, when it's closed. ```json:object { "_key": "ffd4a820adf5", "_type": "mainImage", "alt": "Hagia Sophia with its large dome and minarets in Istanbul", "asset": { "_ref": "image-6a90091075e746beefa2aed353bac18dbb832be8-2400x1600-jpg", "_type": "reference" }, "layout": "intrinsic", "markDefs": null, "metadata": { "_type": "sanity.imageMetadata", "blurHash": "VkG]aSIqt6oeWC.TNGj?a#j[9aoeayRkoeMyt6j[oeaz", "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.5, "height": 1600, "width": 2400 }, "hasAlpha": false, "isOpaque": true, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAANABQDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAGAAAAwEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUIBgf/xAAhEAACAgIDAAIDAAAAAAAAAAABAwIEABEFEjEGExUhYf/EABYBAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMABP/EABwRAAICAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAQMEFCIxQf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8A1h45FaLZ2ZRhBeiST7jfiqdB0FMg9f1s8lv9ZxUXrn4+qllt7D0G5ylsnE1tt2LigX7H0HUxDtoA/wAybNaY7My01KUtav8Ax/jWmtbtri6I2R7rDJ5Ry1lkOz5Bs/Ox9OGHsL7InA//2Q==", "palette": { "_type": "sanity.imagePalette", "darkMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#536338", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 8.74, "title": "#fff" }, "darkVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#45601c", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.03, "title": "#fff" }, "dominant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#536338", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 8.74, "title": "#fff" }, "lightMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#afc2ca", "foreground": "#000", "population": 6.37, "title": "#fff" }, "lightVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#dda576", "foreground": "#000", "population": 0.13, "title": "#fff" }, "muted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#5f95b1", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 4.32, "title": "#fff" }, "vibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#b97e49", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.13, "title": "#fff" } }, "thumbHash": "4+cNJYSGd3dvh4iDd2iIiYVgRggV" }, "objectFit": "fill" } ``` ### See Cappadocia's fairy chimneys from Göreme Nevşehir, the main town, sits at 1,224 m, and the region's soft rock has been carved into churches above ground and whole cities below it. Göreme's Open Air Museum (€20, Museum Pass valid, 8am to 5pm) holds rock-cut churches, and the Tokalı Church is the largest, with vivid blue frescoes. The Dark Church costs €6 extra and is worth it. Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı are the best-known underground cities. Book a balloon for the first morning of a three-night stay so the spare mornings can cover a cancellation. ```json:object { "_key": "7677df1b78c2", "_type": "mainImage", "alt": "Fairy chimney rock formations in Göreme, Cappadocia", "asset": { "_ref": "image-4a93507cf54812ba18451b7c8e61f6e085319ae4-2400x1800-jpg", "_type": "reference" }, "layout": "intrinsic", "markDefs": null, "metadata": { "_type": "sanity.imageMetadata", "blurHash": "ViEV~XENxCofR-t:%1NIt6s-t7ozozs:ax$xNHt6oeWX", "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.3333333333333333, "height": 1800, "width": 2400 }, "hasAlpha": false, "isOpaque": true, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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", "palette": { "_type": "sanity.imagePalette", "darkMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#574d32", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 2.05, "title": "#fff" }, "darkVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#281e04", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.32, "title": "#fff" }, "dominant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#6887a8", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 6.71, "title": "#fff" }, "lightMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#a8bdd0", "foreground": "#000", "population": 1.34, "title": "#fff" }, "lightVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#fae667", "foreground": "#000", "population": 1.09, "title": "#000" }, "muted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#6887a8", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 6.71, "title": "#fff" }, "vibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#e2b057", "foreground": "#000", "population": 6.48, "title": "#fff" } }, "thumbHash": "2/cNNYaEeHivhniYiYeGhpaQaAmJ" }, "objectFit": "fill" } ``` ### Walk the white travertines at Pamukkale and Hierapolis Pamukkale's white terraces and the Roman spa city of Hierapolis above them share one UNESCO listing and one €30 ticket (2026), which also covers the Archaeology Museum. The site is open 8am to 8pm, and shoes aren't allowed on the travertines, so bring a bag for them. Don't photograph the terraces and leave, because Hierapolis deserves a few hours. The theatre seated about 15,000, and the necropolis stretches for more than 2 km with about 1,200 tombs. The Antique Pool costs extra, and you swim in 36-57°C water over columns toppled by a 7th-century earthquake. ```json:object { "_key": "50e194fed7d0", "_type": "mainImage", "alt": "White travertine terraces at Pamukkale", "asset": { "_ref": "image-7a0b5b98092d9c1372ddd962b41bffcdb8627435-2400x1600-jpg", "_type": "reference" }, "layout": "intrinsic", "markDefs": null, "metadata": { "_type": "sanity.imageMetadata", "blurHash": "VADdO;_3McIotR^j_NozV?RPPE-;.8x[ay4TyE-:%gx]", "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.5, "height": 1600, "width": 2400 }, "hasAlpha": false, "isOpaque": true, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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", "palette": { "_type": "sanity.imagePalette", "darkMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#3e5670", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 5.18, "title": "#fff" }, "darkVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#29515b", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0, "title": "#fff" }, "dominant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#99b3c1", "foreground": "#000", "population": 6.89, "title": "#fff" }, "lightMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#99b3c1", "foreground": "#000", "population": 6.89, "title": "#fff" }, "lightVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#7aacc0", "foreground": "#000", "population": 0.05, "title": "#fff" }, "muted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#6293ac", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 6.85, "title": "#fff" }, "vibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#6cacbc", "foreground": "#000", "population": 0, "title": "#fff" } }, "thumbHash": "IMcFFYJNlXjJaHarmwecc5iaoMoH" }, "objectFit": "fill" } ``` ### Get to Ephesus early from Selçuk Ephesus takes the cruise crowds from Kuşadası, and that should shape your visit. Be at the gate for the 8am opening. Entry is €40 (2026), payable in lira or by card, and the big set pieces are the Library of Celsus, built about 125 AD, and the Great Theatre, with room for 24,000 to 25,000 people. The Terrace Houses cost €15 more and aren't covered by the Museum Pass. Pay it anyway. These six Roman houses sit under a protective roof with their mosaics and frescoes, and they stay quieter than the main street. In summer 2026 the site also opened Wednesday to Saturday nights from 7pm to 11pm. ```json:object { "_key": "645ff004616c", "_type": "mainImage", "alt": "Visitors in front of the ruins at Ephesus", "asset": { "_ref": "image-e11b5a2ba6c55864d3b69cc62700793640a1848a-2400x1600-jpg", "_type": "reference" }, "layout": "intrinsic", "markDefs": null, "metadata": { "_type": "sanity.imageMetadata", "blurHash": "VjK_8xIBf+ozNG.T%LRkt7t6%g%MWBRjofRPR+oeaeWB", "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.5, "height": 1600, "width": 2400 }, "hasAlpha": false, "isOpaque": true, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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", "palette": { "_type": "sanity.imagePalette", "darkMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#573b30", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.81, "title": "#fff" }, "darkVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#553823", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.43, "title": "#fff" }, "dominant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#937f6c", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 9.84, "title": "#fff" }, "lightMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#d3c5ab", "foreground": "#000", "population": 5.15, "title": "#fff" }, "lightVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#eee7d7", "foreground": "#000", "population": 7.54, "title": "#000" }, "muted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#937f6c", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 9.84, "title": "#fff" }, "vibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#b48c5c", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0, "title": "#fff" } }, "thumbHash": "aQgOHYSCaHivl3irZ1iHeGiQpAVI" }, "objectFit": "fill" } ``` ### Base yourself in Fethiye for Ölüdeniz and Kayaköy Fethiye is the oldest resort on this coast and its biggest town, with few beaches of its own, which is exactly why it works as a base. Lycian rock tombs from the 4th century BC are cut into the cliff above town. Ölüdeniz and its Blue Lagoon are the famous swim, packed in July and August. Kayaköy, 8 km south, is the stop we'd least want you to skip. About 500 houses stand roofless on the hillside, abandoned after the 1923 population exchange. Saklıkent Gorge, where you wade through icy water, is close too. ```json:object { "_key": "510e6cba0201", "_type": "mainImage", "alt": "Roofless stone ruin among trees near Fethiye", "asset": { "_ref": "image-59e541c5fe06f1a7e73e15bb638348b77d9f6304-2400x1600-jpg", "_type": "reference" }, "layout": "intrinsic", "markDefs": null, "metadata": { "_type": "sanity.imageMetadata", "blurHash": "VlDct6-oxuoffk?w%Lxuofj[yExZs.ayWBxvWARiayWB", "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.5, "height": 1600, "width": 2400 }, "hasAlpha": false, "isOpaque": true, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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", "palette": { "_type": "sanity.imagePalette", "darkMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#473e2e", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 6.33, "title": "#fff" }, "darkVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#574e19", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.13, "title": "#fff" }, "dominant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#847b6a", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 7.57, "title": "#fff" }, "lightMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#9ab9cf", "foreground": "#000", "population": 1.95, "title": "#fff" }, "lightVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#9cc4ec", "foreground": "#000", "population": 0, "title": "#fff" }, "muted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#847b6a", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 7.57, "title": "#fff" }, "vibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#5ca4cc", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.2, "title": "#fff" } }, "thumbHash": "2PcRHYSaeHifeYiLeKdmd4qQowhK" }, "objectFit": "fill" } ``` ### Slow down in Kaş and boat out to Kekova Kaş is smaller and prettier than Fethiye, and pricier, and we'd pick it for a few slow days. It's a low-rise harbour town built over ancient Antiphellos, with Lycian sarcophagi standing in the streets and a free ancient theatre looking out to the Greek island of Kastellorizo (Meis), a 20-minute ferry away. Take your passport. Divers come for the underwater sculpture park and a WWII B-24 wreck at about 55 m. Boat trips go to Kekova, where a Lycian town sank in a 2nd-century AD earthquake. Swimming and diving over the ruins is banned, so you see them from the boat or a kayak, then swim near Simena (Kaleköy), whose castle can only be reached by sea. ```json:object { "_key": "77194003cdfd", "_type": "mainImage", "alt": "Aerial view of Kaş and its harbour on the Mediterranean coast", "asset": { "_ref": "image-85ac30da5505fe5bc0f5b07d7da64da315ceb231-2400x1800-jpg", "_type": "reference" }, "layout": "intrinsic", "markDefs": null, "metadata": { "_type": "sanity.imageMetadata", "blurHash": "VGCjX~VCIVxtNHyZD%i]xas;1lw@waNHoIu6wbjYadWB", "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.3333333333333333, "height": 1800, "width": 2400 }, "hasAlpha": false, "isOpaque": true, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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", "palette": { "_type": "sanity.imagePalette", "darkMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#5f5439", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 2.89, "title": "#fff" }, "darkVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#045477", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 2.87, "title": "#fff" }, "dominant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#ccb49f", "foreground": "#000", "population": 7.45, "title": "#fff" }, "lightMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#ccb49f", "foreground": "#000", "population": 7.45, "title": "#fff" }, "lightVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#74acdc", "foreground": "#000", "population": 0, "title": "#fff" }, "muted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#948475", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 7.1, "title": "#fff" }, "vibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#c44c34", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0, "title": "#fff" } }, "thumbHash": "mtcFLYhTeIYvlniEaNh4iXxn0HcF" }, "objectFit": "fill" } ``` ### Wander Kaleiçi, Antalya's old harbour quarter Antalya is the big airport city on the Mediterranean coast, and its walled harbour quarter, Kaleiçi, is the reason to stay a night rather than pass straight through. You enter through Hadrian's Gate, built for the emperor's visit in 130 AD, and wander past the Yivli Minaret down to the old harbour, now a marina. The Tahtalı cable car climbs from 730 m to 2,365 m in 10 to 12 minutes, for about €41 return. Avoid July and August if you can, when highs reach 34°C with heavy humidity. ```json:object { "_key": "61344ea124b5", "_type": "mainImage", "alt": "Kaleiçi, the old town of Antalya, with its clock tower", "asset": { "_ref": "image-7735810298b1ceac7c76a612441e24d8e2150826-2400x3600-jpg", "_type": "reference" }, "layout": "intrinsic", "markDefs": null, "metadata": { "_type": "sanity.imageMetadata", "blurHash": "dqGS7MofWCfl.ToLoLbIN|WXWCoLRQkCa|oJM{oLoeWB", "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 0.6666666666666666, "height": 3600, "width": 2400 }, "hasAlpha": false, "isOpaque": true, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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", "palette": { "_type": "sanity.imagePalette", "darkMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#684e38", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.36, "title": "#fff" }, "darkVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#6f350e", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 2.21, "title": "#fff" }, "dominant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#a0bacc", "foreground": "#000", "population": 3.66, "title": "#fff" }, "lightMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#a0bacc", "foreground": "#000", "population": 3.66, "title": "#fff" }, "lightVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#efd2a0", "foreground": "#000", "population": 3.1, "title": "#000" }, "muted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#967e62", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.32, "title": "#fff" }, "vibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#bc4f17", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.02, "title": "#fff" } }, "thumbHash": "nBgWJQh4iI94d3doeIaIh3eAcgdJ" }, "objectFit": "fill" } ``` ### Visit Bodrum's castle and shipwreck museum Bodrum Castle is the best museum visit on the Aegean coast, in our view. The Knights Hospitaller began building the Castle of St Peter in the early 1400s, reusing stone from the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, another of the Seven Wonders, and the Ottomans took it in 1523. Inside is the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, and its star is the Uluburun shipwreck from the 14th century BC. Entry is €23 (Museum Pass valid), 8.30am to 7pm from April to October and to 6pm in winter. In peak season the town around it has an expensive party and luxury scene that won't suit everyone. ```json:object { "_key": "069a1c46c73a", "_type": "mainImage", "alt": "Bodrum Castle (Castle of St Peter) on the sea", "asset": { "_ref": "image-06abc96ed4998d8ba5453ff4119146572641343c-2400x1350-jpg", "_type": "reference" }, "layout": "intrinsic", "markDefs": null, "metadata": { "_type": "sanity.imageMetadata", "blurHash": "M5DbyNJ:g4JB~A00My9b9bV@0G-UWC-nE3", "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.7777777777777777, "height": 1350, "width": 2400 }, "hasAlpha": false, "isOpaque": true, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAALABQDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAGQAAAgMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUDBAYH/8QAIxAAAgEEAQMFAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDAAQFEQYSEyEiMTJBQ//EABYBAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIDBP/EABwRAAEEAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAgMREhNSkf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8A5hbcQkspkbJszRneljHmr+Q4y7oJcbcskbfmw+Nau7nkmkLSOWbVQdRChQTofVZHRTk3kFUPiAqkqsuD921jebLCOQj1Lr2opuHYgbY0UNM/Q8S2w8r/2Q==", "palette": { "_type": "sanity.imagePalette", "darkMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#4e4f2c", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 2.6, "title": "#fff" }, "darkVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#844404", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.01, "title": "#fff" }, "dominant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#4e4f2c", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 2.6, "title": "#fff" }, "lightMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#acac82", "foreground": "#000", "population": 0.01, "title": "#fff" }, "lightVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#f4d698", "foreground": "#000", "population": 0.1, "title": "#000" }, "muted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#9e835e", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 2.45, "title": "#fff" }, "vibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#b45c04", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0, "title": "#fff" } }, "thumbHash": "1BgKJIR3l4dwdoiGh3lmdGBGBw==" }, "objectFit": "fill" } ``` ### Step back into Ottoman Safranbolu Is Safranbolu worth six or seven hours on a bus from Istanbul? For one or two nights, yes, and it's about three hours from Ankara. The town lies about 200 km north of the capital and takes its name from saffron and the Greek word polis. Its UNESCO listing (1994) covers 1,008 registered historic artefacts, including hundreds of Ottoman timber houses. Cinci Han, a 17th-century caravanserai, is the main visit. Walk 20 minutes up Hıdırlık Hill for sunset over the rooftops. ```json:object { "_key": "53b5d53a57b1", "_type": "mainImage", "alt": "Aerial view of the old town of Safranbolu", "asset": { "_ref": "image-cc6d5c39fd226b399a0455d20dd1fb1ea97b94d7-2400x1600-jpg", "_type": "reference" }, "layout": "intrinsic", "markDefs": null, "metadata": { "_type": "sanity.imageMetadata", "blurHash": "VZI}npw@i]M{R*K-InROadaK.AIUV?WAadktNHjERiR*", "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.5, "height": 1600, "width": 2400 }, "hasAlpha": false, "isOpaque": true, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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", "palette": { "_type": "sanity.imagePalette", "darkMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#6b4230", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 1.85, "title": "#fff" }, "darkVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#676d2b", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 6.47, "title": "#fff" }, "dominant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#676d2b", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 6.47, "title": "#fff" }, "lightMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#a9bcd0", "foreground": "#000", "population": 0.76, "title": "#fff" }, "lightVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#a4cbf3", "foreground": "#000", "population": 6, "title": "#fff" }, "muted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#9b6554", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 2.86, "title": "#fff" }, "vibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#cd7534", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.23, "title": "#fff" } }, "thumbHash": "4wgKJYZXdIg6dXZPZpZ3iaqQkwln" }, "objectFit": "fill" } ``` ### Look out over the Mesopotamian plain from Mardin Mardin's stepped limestone houses face the Mesopotamian plain, and the old town has been on UNESCO's tentative list since 2000. Climb through it past the Zinciriye Medrese towards the citadel. Five kilometres southeast, Deyrulzafaran Monastery (Mor Hananyo) was founded in 493 AD and was the seat of the Syriac Orthodox patriarchs until 1932. Mardin is about a two-hour flight from Istanbul and about 20 km from the Syrian border. That puts it outside the UK and US no-travel zones, but check your government's latest advice for border provinces before you book. Skip July, when average highs reach 35.9°C. ```json:object { "_key": "a32d7247b541", "_type": "mainImage", "alt": "Mardin old town on its hillside above the Mesopotamian plain", "asset": { "_ref": "image-8eef08632718418769bbe06eda29bdadd525093b-2400x1600-jpg", "_type": "reference" }, "layout": "intrinsic", "markDefs": null, "metadata": { "_type": "sanity.imageMetadata", "blurHash": "V;MtQ^NGt7j[jY*0M|oLa}WCNIkCV@bHkCVsfRkCayj[", "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.5, "height": 1600, "width": 2400 }, "hasAlpha": false, "isOpaque": true, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAANABQDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFwAAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUHCP/EAB8QAAICAgMBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQABRESQSETYf/EABUBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIE/8QAGhEAAgMBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQCA2ERUf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AriX9XEAXsKCR8HpxlpN7qp5uqyKjefp85yU3bEh2EKHp0I4I64p21l6ocxeN6cjeskUoVx96aYS3E6hlsREfxhhmVoNlclDsliRF7HhQxPGGFzBKaf/Z", "palette": { "_type": "sanity.imagePalette", "darkMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#745946", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 1.05, "title": "#fff" }, "darkVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#541c04", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0, "title": "#fff" }, "dominant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#957150", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 8.79, "title": "#fff" }, "lightMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#9bbdd0", "foreground": "#000", "population": 0.16, "title": "#fff" }, "lightVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#fbd49a", "foreground": "#000", "population": 0.02, "title": "#000" }, "muted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#957150", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 8.79, "title": "#fff" }, "vibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#b55c2a", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.01, "title": "#fff" } }, "thumbHash": "rAgSLYiGh4hveHeGh2iHd3dwdwd2" }, "objectFit": "fill" } ``` ### Climb to Sümela Monastery from Trabzon Sümela Monastery clings to a cliff about 300 m above the Altındere Valley, at about 1,200 m altitude, and was traditionally founded around AD 386. It's 47 km from Trabzon, an hour to an hour and a quarter by road, followed by a 300 m forest walk and narrow stairs, so it isn't step-free. It closed in 2015 for restoration, partly reopened in 2019 and reopened fully on 1 May 2022 after rockfall works. In August 2026 it was open daily from 8am to 7pm but listed as partly closed, so check what's open before you go. Black Sea fog and rain are common, so pack a waterproof. ```json:object { "_key": "b9f68f50fcbe", "_type": "mainImage", "alt": "Sümela Monastery built into a forested cliff near Trabzon", "asset": { "_ref": "image-ea3c2ffdd7dcd82a32d3d1a318dce7c6bca02ba6-2400x1596-jpg", "_type": "reference" }, "layout": "intrinsic", "markDefs": null, "metadata": { "_type": "sanity.imageMetadata", "blurHash": "VgGSDXD%9Zt7t7~WIVIoj[s:%2NGWCayjZ%1R*WBWBfQ", "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.5037593984962405, "height": 1596, "width": 2400 }, "hasAlpha": false, "isOpaque": true, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAANABQDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFwAAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYHCP/EACAQAAEEAgIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAIBAwQRAAUGMRIjUXH/xAAVAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACA//EABoRAQEAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAERITIVH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AFXi889fs4U2Mqep1Ov3L3M5kQB5oYilXWZV1r5tgLgKqKi33j2xtJEiEBuLa1XeRML3HdKiTucPnIIhcOl+LWGSGTsnUeJKTDHqU+R9v//Z", "palette": { "_type": "sanity.imagePalette", "darkMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#374739", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 6.7, "title": "#fff" }, "darkVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#724312", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0, "title": "#fff" }, "dominant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#68766e", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 7.7, "title": "#fff" }, "lightMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#d7c5ac", "foreground": "#000", "population": 0.02, "title": "#fff" }, "lightVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#f8e6d3", "foreground": "#000", "population": 5.99, "title": "#000" }, "muted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#68766e", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 7.7, "title": "#fff" }, "vibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#dc8223", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0, "title": "#fff" } }, "thumbHash": "XvgNDYIxmWhvdoh4d5d3iDw/j/am" }, "objectFit": "fill" } ``` ## Turkey itinerary ideas for your trip A domestic flight from Istanbul to Kayseri or Nevşehir takes 1h15 to 1h30, and that one hop is what makes a week-long trip work. For a first visit we'd keep Istanbul and Cappadocia together and add the coast only if you have a second week. ### 5 to 7 day Turkey itinerary - **Day 1-3**: Istanbul, with old-city sights in the mornings and a Bosphorus ferry one afternoon. - **Day 4**: Fly to Kayseri (ASR) or Nevşehir (NAV) and settle in Göreme. NAV is 40 to 45 minutes from Göreme, ASR 60 to 75. - **Day 5-6**: Cappadocia, with two balloon mornings as a buffer, the Open Air Museum and an underground city. - **Day 7**: Fly back to Istanbul, or take the overnight bus to Pamukkale (about ten hours) and keep going. ### 10 to 14 day Turkey itinerary - **Day 1-3**: Istanbul, including the Grand Bazaar on a weekday. - **Day 4-6**: Cappadocia for three nights, then the overnight bus to Pamukkale on night 6. - **Day 7**: Pamukkale and Hierapolis. - **Day 8-9**: Selçuk, with Ephesus at opening time. It's about three hours by bus from Pamukkale. - **Day 10-11**: Fethiye, Ölüdeniz and Kayaköy. Allow 3h45 from Selçuk by car. - **Day 12-13**: Kaş, about two hours on, and a Kekova boat trip. - **Day 14**: Drive to Antalya (about 3h35) and fly home. A rental car makes the Aegean and coast half far easier, and we'd pick one up in Selçuk. You can build this route or shift the days around in the **Guided trip planner**.## Fun things to do in Turkey Book the balloon first and fit the rest around it, since it's the activity most at the mercy of the weather. ### Take a sunrise balloon flight over Cappadocia A standard basket holds 16 to 24 people and stays up for 45 to 60 minutes. Prices in 2026 run from about €80 off-peak to €250 for a deluxe flight, and children under 7 can't fly. Early each morning the civil aviation authority (SHGM) gives one go or no-go decision for the whole region, and cancellations are common enough that you should never rely on a single morning. May and September are the most reliable months, and if the balloon is the point of your trip, that's when we'd go. ```json:object { "_key": "efc939834c88", "_type": "mainImage", "alt": "Hot air balloons flying over a valley in Cappadocia", "asset": { "_ref": "image-e0d3c15d9024acad0f2005856bccffe7b95dd4a2-2400x1920-jpg", "_type": "reference" }, "layout": "intrinsic", "markDefs": null, "metadata": { "_type": "sanity.imageMetadata", "blurHash": "VlHoXdD*t7ayoLYRRPj]WVj[0:xZoJj[ayE2ofR*j[j[", "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.25, "height": 1920, "width": 2400 }, "hasAlpha": false, "isOpaque": true, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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", "palette": { "_type": "sanity.imagePalette", "darkMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#4e3d2e", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 4.69, "title": "#fff" }, "darkVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#147cac", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.29, "title": "#fff" }, "dominant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#a1835e", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 5.72, "title": "#fff" }, "lightMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#b4d5d9", "foreground": "#000", "population": 3.82, "title": "#000" }, "lightVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#f6d591", "foreground": "#000", "population": 1.36, "title": "#000" }, "muted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#a1835e", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 5.72, "title": "#fff" }, "vibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#0c90c2", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 5.46, "title": "#fff" } }, "thumbHash": "IugJPo6Sh4dveHiQiCdniIh4h4BxCCg=" }, "objectFit": "fill" } ``` ### Get scrubbed in an Istanbul hammam Çemberlitaş Hamamı was designed by Mimar Sinan and opened in 1584, and it still runs the classic routine of kese scrub, foam wash, rinse and a glass of tea. Çemberlitaş starts from about €50, while Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan, the upmarket choice, starts from about €120. We'd pick Çemberlitaş for the building alone. ```json:object { "_key": "62658517c76f", "_type": "mainImage", "alt": "Marble basin and tap inside a traditional Turkish bath", "asset": { "_ref": "image-cd5a80a5f62605afafbb8565bb7cde6ae7e38f20-2400x1800-jpg", "_type": "reference" }, "layout": "intrinsic", "markDefs": null, "metadata": { "_type": "sanity.imageMetadata", "blurHash": "VPPG87?Go~D%~qS%WCxWoe%N-;IoM|xuM{-pR+ofoJRP", "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.3333333333333333, "height": 1800, "width": 2400 }, "hasAlpha": false, "isOpaque": true, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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", "palette": { "_type": "sanity.imagePalette", "darkMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#585040", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 6.42, "title": "#fff" }, "darkVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#74550f", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0, "title": "#fff" }, "dominant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#585040", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 6.42, "title": "#fff" }, "lightMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#dbc8b1", "foreground": "#000", "population": 6, "title": "#000" }, "lightVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#efcf89", "foreground": "#000", "population": 0.32, "title": "#000" }, "muted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#9c8057", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.01, "title": "#fff" }, "vibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#e0a31e", "foreground": "#000", "population": 0, "title": "#fff" } }, "thumbHash": "sRgKDYCL9JZ3iIpsl6WHlzpwuAJ4" }, "objectFit": "fill" } ``` ### Ride the Bosphorus by ferry Want the cheapest good view in Istanbul? The commuter ferry from Eminönü to Üsküdar cost ₺53.20 on an Istanbulkart in summer 2026. With a whole day, take Şehir Hatları's Long Bosphorus Tour instead, a six-hour return trip from Eminönü with about three hours at Anadolu Kavağı for the walk up to Yoros Castle and a fish lunch. The Short Tour takes two hours. ```json:object { "_key": "9247ba038658", "_type": "mainImage", "alt": "A ferry crossing the Bosphorus with the Eminönü skyline behind", "asset": { "_ref": "image-a91e9f0028e9d901dd52c13b36be94153a92e28f-2400x1607-jpg", "_type": "reference" }, "layout": "intrinsic", "markDefs": null, "metadata": { "_type": "sanity.imageMetadata", "blurHash": "VmE:;=W;WBofaz.Tjuazfkj[F4f6j[ayf6MxWCj[f6az", "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.4934660858742999, "height": 1607, "width": 2400 }, "hasAlpha": false, "isOpaque": true, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAANABQDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFwAAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMHBv/EACAQAAIBBQACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAEBREhFCIxUWH/xAAWAQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAX/xAAbEQACAwADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQMEURQkUv/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8A1y5LEiQobqLY+jThkMUUJF1Fz9qIxQKCjbbbcPtTEkKzErsEc+ao7GozFLV8ssCZzDuu/JVe60eUVFbu4eaYs5OxzhoouRqDlq4z/9k=", "palette": { "_type": "sanity.imagePalette", "darkMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#3c3327", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 7.39, "title": "#fff" }, "darkVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#0c545d", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.09, "title": "#fff" }, "dominant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#3c3327", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 7.39, "title": "#fff" }, "lightMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#9cbbc8", "foreground": "#000", "population": 3.81, "title": "#fff" }, "lightVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#9cccdc", "foreground": "#000", "population": 0, "title": "#fff" }, "muted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#4f8e9a", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 1.65, "title": "#fff" }, "vibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#7bb4cb", "foreground": "#000", "population": 6.43, "title": "#fff" } }, "thumbHash": "occNLYp3eIiPeHiGeFeHiHd1cHgI" }, "objectFit": "fill" } ``` ### Walk a stretch of the Lycian Way Kate Clow's Lycian Way runs from Hisarönü and Ovacık near Fethiye to Geyikbayırı near Antalya, and its length is quoted anywhere from 520 to 760 km. The whole trail takes about five weeks, so most walkers pick a few days of it, following the red and white waymarks. Spring and October to November are the walking seasons. We wouldn't attempt it in July or August. ```json:object { "_key": "dde415e3599c", "_type": "mainImage", "alt": "A trail through trees and wildflowers on the Lycian Way", "asset": { "_ref": "image-ee85dbb659883f84d52de9f52151881a2621b861-2400x1800-jpg", "_type": "reference" }, "layout": "intrinsic", "markDefs": null, "metadata": { "_type": "sanity.imageMetadata", "blurHash": "VXH2TOoI9ExajYAgRjrpbHWA^-ogngaxRiT1t8R*WBsl", "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.3333333333333333, "height": 1800, "width": 2400 }, "hasAlpha": false, "isOpaque": true, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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", "palette": { "_type": "sanity.imagePalette", "darkMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#4a552f", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 1.91, "title": "#fff" }, "darkVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#363b11", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 1.26, "title": "#fff" }, "dominant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#ccad8a", "foreground": "#000", "population": 7.19, "title": "#fff" }, "lightMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#ccad8a", "foreground": "#000", "population": 7.19, "title": "#fff" }, "lightVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#80abe3", "foreground": "#000", "population": 6.4, "title": "#fff" }, "muted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#5c84ac", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0, "title": "#fff" }, "vibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#c8b830", "foreground": "#000", "population": 0, "title": "#fff" } }, "thumbHash": "YPgNNYYneYhnh4ePd4Z5hpmAhQiH" }, "objectFit": "fill" } ``` ### Paraglide from Babadağ over Ölüdeniz Tandem flights launch from 1,700 to 1,900 m on Babadağ and spend 20 to 40 minutes in the air above the lagoon. Expect to pay US$120 to US$180 in 2026, and the season runs from April to November. ```json:object { "_key": "894faabef9a9", "_type": "mainImage", "alt": "Paragliders above the beach at Ölüdeniz", "asset": { "_ref": "image-cb65ce1edaa5130e0dea01631b202a76def8414d-2400x1600-jpg", "_type": "reference" }, "layout": "intrinsic", "markDefs": null, "metadata": { "_type": "sanity.imageMetadata", "blurHash": "V$F84KXmaKbIkCysxZWCj?j?x^RjofkCWCMyV@ofazay", "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.5, "height": 1600, "width": 2400 }, "hasAlpha": false, "isOpaque": true, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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", "palette": { "_type": "sanity.imagePalette", "darkMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#325265", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 7.6, "title": "#fff" }, "darkVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#0d4058", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.42, "title": "#fff" }, "dominant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#325265", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 7.6, "title": "#fff" }, "lightMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#9bc7cf", "foreground": "#000", "population": 0.29, "title": "#fff" }, "lightVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#8cddfb", "foreground": "#000", "population": 5.87, "title": "#000" }, "muted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#527b99", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 7.56, "title": "#fff" }, "vibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#3aadd5", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.11, "title": "#fff" } }, "thumbHash": "qJYNHYZoiIifd3dsiDeGlpPANwla" }, "objectFit": "fill" } ``` ## When to go to Turkey? The Mediterranean is still 25°C or warmer in October, long after the July and August crowds have gone home. For a trip that combines Istanbul, Cappadocia and the coast, aim for late April to May or September to early October. - **Spring (Apr-May)**: Mild in Istanbul and Cappadocia (both 16°C highs in April) and the best time for the Lycian Way. The sea is still cool at 21°C in May. - **Summer (Jun-Aug)**: Swim season, with the sea at 27°C in July and 29°C in August. Antalya hits 34°C with high humidity and peak crowds, so June is the kinder month. - **Autumn (Sep-Nov)**: Our favourite season. September is one of the most reliable months for balloons, the sea stays above 25°C into October and October to November suits hiking. - **Winter (Dec-Mar)**: Snow settles on Cappadocia's fairy chimneys. December is Antalya's wettest month, and Istanbul has about 19 rainy days in January. Ramadan runs from about 8 February to 8 March 2027, followed by Şeker Bayramı from about 9 to 11 March. Tourist areas work normally, but museums and bazaars may close on the first day of the holiday, and transport and hotels fill up around it.[grid: non-text section] ## Where to stay in Turkey? We'd book Sultanahmet for a first visit, since it's a short walk from Hagia Sophia and Topkapı. Outside Istanbul we'd use three or four bases, and these are the ones we'd choose. ### Istanbul Sultanahmet puts the old-city sights and the Grand Bazaar on your doorstep, with the T1 tram running through. It's busy by day and quiet in the evening, and the dining is weaker. Karaköy and Galata sit between the old city and Beyoğlu, with tram and ferry links and much better cafés and restaurants, though the streets are steep with luggage and noise varies from block to block, so check the exact street before booking. Kadıköy, on the Asian side, is young and food-focused, with the Moda waterfront. It's the wrong base if you want the old-city sights within 15 minutes. ### Cappadocia Stay in Göreme on a first visit. Cave hotels run from budget to mid-range, and you can walk to the Open Air Museum and watch the balloons from close by. Ürgüp is bigger, with the widest hotel choice and livelier restaurants, plus tastings at Turasan Winery. Uçhisar is quieter and more panoramic, and it's where couples and luxury travellers tend to end up. ### Selçuk Pensions and small hotels in restored houses sit 2 to 4 km from Ephesus, and many run free shuttles. St John's Basilica is walkable, and the hill village of Şirince is about 10 km away. ### Fethiye or Kaş Fethiye is bigger and more practical, and closer to Dalaman Airport. Kaş is smaller and prettier, and pricier in summer. > **Guided tip: **If you end the trip in Antalya, spend the last night in Kaleiçi. Its Ottoman houses have been turned into boutique hotels inside the old walls, but rooms are small and less suited to young families. ## Getting around when visiting Turkey The overnight bus from Göreme to Pamukkale takes about ten hours, which shows how much ground a Turkey trip covers. We'd fly at least one leg and let buses and fast trains handle the rest. ```json:object { "_key": "2c6f62eb60e9", "_type": "mainImage", "alt": "Istanbul's historic red tram near Taksim", "asset": { "_ref": "image-cbd2f3e74f7b44b5cf7857c2240139c698e7a1d1-2400x4267-jpg", "_type": "reference" }, "layout": "intrinsic", "markDefs": null, "metadata": { "_type": "sanity.imageMetadata", "blurHash": "cbG*]7?at,~p%Mt7tmxujFr?WVNGS}ofso", "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 0.5624560581204593, "height": 4267, "width": 2400 }, "hasAlpha": false, "isOpaque": true, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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", "palette": { "_type": "sanity.imagePalette", "darkMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#3a424c", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 8.07, "title": "#fff" }, "darkVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#195e5c", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.01, "title": "#fff" }, "dominant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#94807f", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 9.07, "title": "#fff" }, "lightMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#cbad9f", "foreground": "#000", "population": 1.15, "title": "#fff" }, "lightVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#df8180", "foreground": "#000", "population": 1.51, "title": "#fff" }, "muted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#94807f", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 9.07, "title": "#fff" }, "vibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#cd2d37", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 3.44, "title": "#fff" } }, "thumbHash": "HBgODASr+ImXeHaHeIcqm4BwCA==" }, "objectFit": "fill" } ``` ### Domestic flights Turkish Airlines, its low-cost subsidiary AJet (rebranded from AnadoluJet in March 2024 and based at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen and Ankara), Pegasus and SunExpress cover the main routes. For Cappadocia, fly into Nevşehir Kapadokya (NAV) or Kayseri Erkilet (ASR). Dalaman (DLM) serves Fethiye and Kaş. ### Intercity buses Metro Turizm, Kamil Koç and Pamukkale Turizm run comfortable coaches, many with seat-back screens and USB charging, and overnight buses are normal. Solo passengers are seated next to someone of the same gender. Long routes cost about US$10 to US$23. Book at obilet.com or at the official company counters in the otogar (bus station), and ignore touts. ### High-speed trains TCDD Taşımacılık runs the YHT high-speed trains. Istanbul to Ankara takes 4h15 to 4h30. Book on ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr, which has an English version, and where sales open about 60 days ahead. ### Car hire For the Aegean and Mediterranean stretch, a car is the easiest option. You drive on the right, the minimum age is usually 21, and an International Driving Permit is often requested. Toll roads and bridges take HGS electronic tags only, with no cash or cards, so check at pickup that your rental has one. > **Guided tip: **In Istanbul, buy an Istanbulkart (₺165 for the card) rather than tapping a bank card. A ride costs ₺46.20 on the card against ₺65 by contactless, you get transfer discounts, and it works on the Marmaray rail tunnel, which doesn't take bank cards. ## Food and drinks you should try when visiting Turkey Türkiye drinks more tea per person than any other country, over 3 kg a head each year, and it comes in tulip-shaped glasses without milk. ### Kahvaltı The word for breakfast literally means "before coffee", and the meal starts with tea, not coffee. It's long and filling, with regional variations wherever you go. Order it at least once at a proper sit-down café rather than your hotel buffet. ```json:object { "_key": "b9b7f1131357", "_type": "mainImage", "alt": "A Turkish breakfast spread with small dishes on the table", "asset": { "_ref": "image-37b815a7f19b1f6802f5908f7a801a6c1fac61ae-2400x1600-jpg", "_type": "reference" }, "layout": "intrinsic", "markDefs": null, "metadata": { "_type": "sanity.imageMetadata", "blurHash": "V8IMvL^,0LH?+a00Mxpb~V-p7#-SiyROtMpZ%Kz;ENJ-", "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.5, "height": 1600, "width": 2400 }, "hasAlpha": false, "isOpaque": true, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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", "palette": { "_type": "sanity.imagePalette", "darkMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#5e302f", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.59, "title": "#fff" }, "darkVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#580f05", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 7.55, "title": "#fff" }, "dominant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#580f05", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 7.55, "title": "#fff" }, "lightMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#d8bdac", "foreground": "#000", "population": 7.32, "title": "#fff" }, "lightVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#e8a5a0", "foreground": "#000", "population": 0.05, "title": "#fff" }, "muted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#9a7164", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 7.07, "title": "#fff" }, "vibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#dc2c11", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.74, "title": "#fff" } }, "thumbHash": "mGkKFYI6hWlwyZmJZ4lpeIacgPUZ" }, "objectFit": "fill" } ``` ### İskender kebap İskender Efendi created this in Bursa's Kayhan Bazaar in 1867, when he turned the spit upright, and it was first called "dönen kebap". Thin slices of meat go over buttered pide. Eat it in Bursa if your route passes through. ```json:object { "_key": "de809f7bf70e", "_type": "mainImage", "alt": "The İskender Kebapçısı restaurant in Bursa, serving since 1867", "asset": { "_ref": "image-11df1c362eddf5caf4a3e2e7e453635b9a30be70-2400x1213-jpg", "_type": "reference" }, "layout": "intrinsic", "markDefs": null, "metadata": { "_type": "sanity.imageMetadata", "blurHash": "MDEM2g.T0#%ft3.T%hx]M|M|.8xXV@NLoz", "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.978565539983512, "height": 1213, "width": 2400 }, "hasAlpha": false, "isOpaque": true, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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", "palette": { "_type": "sanity.imagePalette", "darkMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#604730", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 6.37, "title": "#fff" }, "darkVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#613c0a", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 1.66, "title": "#fff" }, "dominant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#604730", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 6.37, "title": "#fff" }, "lightMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#bbcfd6", "foreground": "#000", "population": 1.66, "title": "#000" }, "lightVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#efd3ae", "foreground": "#000", "population": 0.12, "title": "#000" }, "muted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#5386a6", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 3.54, "title": "#fff" }, "vibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#c88d2c", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 1.78, "title": "#fff" } }, "thumbHash": "VwgGFIQOfEu8amaMZn0AREZgdA==" }, "objectFit": "fill" } ``` ### Kayseri mantı These tiny dumplings come with garlic yogurt and chilli butter, and Kayseri mantı has had Turkish geographical indication status since 2009. Tradition says a Kayseri bride-to-be should be able to fit 40 on one spoon. ```json:object { "_key": "a3f31c789a4f", "_type": "mainImage", "alt": "Mantı dumplings with yogurt sauce and chilli oil", "asset": { "_ref": "image-88d762b7656dab651c44074bc6fdf31ed95c4172-2400x2397-jpg", "_type": "reference" }, "layout": "intrinsic", "markDefs": null, "metadata": { "_type": "sanity.imageMetadata", "blurHash": "eFINsmKN4o;hwO~Uxss;$kjcDjwM?GSzS0=zw}R*ScJQ%3WCR%X7Rl", "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.0012515644555695, "height": 2397, "width": 2400 }, "hasAlpha": false, "isOpaque": true, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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", "palette": { "_type": "sanity.imagePalette", "darkMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#5b542e", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 6.02, "title": "#fff" }, "darkVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#895213", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 2.91, "title": "#fff" }, "dominant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#c2ac93", "foreground": "#000", "population": 6.93, "title": "#fff" }, "lightMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#c2ac93", "foreground": "#000", "population": 6.93, "title": "#fff" }, "lightVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#dab58f", "foreground": "#000", "population": 6.19, "title": "#fff" }, "muted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#a6ad67", "foreground": "#000", "population": 3.55, "title": "#fff" }, "vibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#e9880e", "foreground": "#000", "population": 1.58, "title": "#fff" } }, "thumbHash": "nTkGDwImmJefmXhzfbd5p3d4CtQdwHUM" }, "objectFit": "fill" } ``` ### Antep baklava In December 2013 Antep baklava became the first Turkish product to receive EU protected status. We think it's the one baklava worth going out of your way for. ```json:object { "_key": "3bd4eef775c0", "_type": "mainImage", "alt": "Pistachio baklava with syrup being poured over it", "asset": { "_ref": "image-04f8bee986df18d7686c07d4fa18c0857fe02ff0-2400x3600-jpg", "_type": "reference" }, "layout": "intrinsic", "markDefs": null, "metadata": { "_type": "sanity.imageMetadata", "blurHash": "deN11B?bx^WB.TWVWBWBI9t7ofayadWBtRa}x^fkV?of", "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 0.6666666666666666, "height": 3600, "width": 2400 }, "hasAlpha": false, "isOpaque": true, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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", "palette": { "_type": "sanity.imagePalette", "darkMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#68646c", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.01, "title": "#fff" }, "darkVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#6f2d06", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.26, "title": "#fff" }, "dominant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#b7a686", "foreground": "#000", "population": 5.76, "title": "#fff" }, "lightMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#cbc3b1", "foreground": "#000", "population": 4.13, "title": "#fff" }, "lightVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#dadefc", "foreground": "#000", "population": 0.03, "title": "#000" }, "muted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#b7a686", "foreground": "#000", "population": 5.76, "title": "#fff" }, "vibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#d9953b", "foreground": "#000", "population": 0.48, "title": "#fff" } }, "thumbHash": "bggKJQS8dm92KIlnl3tWp0aAawPI" }, "objectFit": "fill" } ``` ### Rakı and meze Rakı is an anise spirit of 40 to 50% ABV that turns milky when you add water, which is why Turks call it "aslan sütü", lion's milk. You drink it slowly with meze or fish, often in a meyhane. Rakı with fish is called rakı-balık, and we'd make it a long dinner. ## Culture and local habits you'll notice when visiting Turkey Why does every shopkeeper offer you tea? Hospitality runs deep here, and a free glass of çay in a shop or restaurant is normal. Greetings start with a handshake on first meeting, and friends kiss on one or both cheeks. Greet elders first, and add Bey or Hanım after a first name to be polite. The blue nazar bead against the evil eye hangs almost everywhere, even on babies' clothes. In mosques, take your shoes off and walk behind anyone praying. Bargaining is expected in the bazaars, and we'd keep it friendly and walk away with a smile if the price doesn't work. Some rules are taken seriously. Insulting Atatürk or the Turkish flag is a crime, including online. You're legally required to carry photo ID. Shops can't sell alcohol between 10pm and 6am, although restaurants can still serve it, and most Turks don't drink. Tip 5 to 10% in restaurants (10 to 15% somewhere upmarket) in cash, because tips usually can't go on the card, and round up taxi fares. ```json:object { "_key": "47013f1baf17", "_type": "mainImage", "alt": "Blue nazar evil eye beads hanging from a nazar tree in Cappadocia", "asset": { "_ref": "image-98cb86df185fd9c474e2cd7e807404a7344b5c22-2400x1600-jpg", "_type": "reference" }, "layout": "intrinsic", "markDefs": null, "metadata": { "_type": "sanity.imageMetadata", "blurHash": "V8D][84.9_~U^+F~W.xvsmbdt5t8$%i{9xNf%N?GWBV@", "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.5, "height": 1600, "width": 2400 }, "hasAlpha": false, "isOpaque": true, "lqip": "data:image/jpeg;base64,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", "palette": { "_type": "sanity.imagePalette", "darkMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#5a4134", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 0.55, "title": "#fff" }, "darkVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#071777", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 1.7, "title": "#fff" }, "dominant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#5d809b", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 4.74, "title": "#fff" }, "lightMuted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#c6b1a8", "foreground": "#000", "population": 1.35, "title": "#fff" }, "lightVibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#79a8d2", "foreground": "#000", "population": 4.73, "title": "#fff" }, "muted": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#5d809b", "foreground": "#fff", "population": 4.74, "title": "#fff" }, "vibrant": { "_type": "sanity.imagePaletteSwatch", "background": "#d3aa0d", "foreground": "#000", "population": 0.04, "title": "#fff" } }, "thumbHash": "HecFDYJg/0WHipiaaXS7hkKAPgOW" }, "objectFit": "fill" } ```[newsletterForm: non-text section] ## Costs of a holiday to Turkey Turkey isn't the bargain it once was, and the headline sights are priced in euros, so Hagia Sophia (€25) and Ephesus (€40) are where your budget goes. Day to day, it's still clearly cheaper than Greece. Numbeo's mid-2026 cost of living index puts Turkey at 40.2 against Greece at 53.3, close to Bulgaria (42.0) and above Georgia (34.9). The Post Office's 2026 family holiday report ranked Marmaris 7th of 22 resorts at £158.33, behind Sunny Beach in Bulgaria (£142.16) but well ahead of Rhodes and Crete. The lira prices below are October 2026 prices (€1 is about ₺55.7) and move quickly with inflation.[grid: non-text section] ## Practical tips for visiting Turkey Six things are worth sorting before you fly, from passport validity to which water to drink. ### ✔ Check the entry rules for your passport Many nationalities, including the UK, most EU countries, the US and Canada, can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and Australians joined that list on 17 April 2026. Citizens of the Republic of Cyprus need a visa. By law your passport must be valid for 60 days beyond your permitted stay, which means 150 days from arrival for a 90-day visit, and the Turkish foreign ministry and the US State Department advise six months. Leave one blank page. If you do need a visa, apply only through the official e-Visa site, and beware look-alike sites. Confirm the rules for your passport with the Turkish foreign ministry and your own government before you book. ### ✔ Pay in lira and carry some cash Cards work widely in cities and resorts, but you'll still want cash for bazaars and dolmuş minibuses. Always pay or withdraw in lira and decline dynamic currency conversion, which adds about 5 to 8%. Some Turkish bank ATMs charge foreign cards high fees, and a licensed döviz (exchange office) beats the airport desks. ### ✔ Book the fast trains early YHT trains sell out around holidays, so book as soon as your dates are fixed. If you hire a car, confirm the HGS toll tag before you drive away. ### ✔ Know the advisory zones and the common scams As of October 2026, the UK FCDO advises against all travel within 10 km of the Syria border, and the US State Department, which rates Turkey Level 2 overall, says the same for the Syria and Iraq borders. There's a terrorism risk in crowded places, and earthquakes happen (an M6.2 quake in the Sea of Marmara in April 2025 was felt in Istanbul). In Istanbul, watch for the shoe-shiner who drops his brush and the friendly stranger who steers you to a bar. Taxi meters set to the night rate are another trick, so book through BiTaksi or Uber. ### ✔ Dress for mosques and respect Ramadan Cover shoulders and knees for mosque visits, and women should bring a scarf. During Ramadan, eat and drink discreetly in public during the day in more conservative areas. ### ✔ Drink bottled water Istanbul's tap water is treated and officially safe, but locals and the US State Department advise bottled water for drinking. We'd follow the locals. ## Fun facts about Turkey Two of these go back more than 9,000 years. - **The monumental structures at Göbekli Tepe date to about 9600 to 8200 BCE.** - **Çatalhöyük, one of the earliest large settlements, dates to about 7400 to 6200 BCE.** - **Turkey grows about 70% of the world's hazelnuts.** - **St Nicholas, the origin of the Santa Claus legend, was a 4th-century bishop of Myra, now Demre in Antalya province.** - **Tulips reached the Netherlands from the Ottoman world, and Clusius planted them in Leiden in 1593.** - **Ankara, not Istanbul, has been the capital since 13 October 1923.** Istanbul and Cappadocia make the right first trip, in our view. Mardin and the Black Sea coast are the reasons to plan a second.Ready to map out your trip to Turkey? We hope this Turkey travel guide has given you a clear starting point for your trip. Stay tuned for more inspiration, itineraries and practical tips to help you shape your perfect holiday to Turkey. And don't forget to check out our Guided app, where you can create your own trip or use trips shared by other travellers for free.## FAQS about visiting Turkey ### How many days do you need in Turkey? Ten days is about right for a first trip, with three in Istanbul, three in Cappadocia and four on the coast. A week covers Istanbul plus one region. Inside the **Guided app**, you can create your own trip route and find out how many places you can fit into your trip.### What is the best part of Turkey to visit? For a first visit, Istanbul plus Cappadocia. In summer, the Turquoise Coast between Fethiye and Kaş is where we'd go for boat trips and Lycian ruins.### What is Turkey known for? Turkey is known for Istanbul's mosques and bazaars and for the sunrise balloons over Cappadocia. Ephesus and the white terraces of Pamukkale are the other big names, and the food matters too, from long breakfasts to meze with rakı.### Can you travel around Turkey without a car? Yes. Domestic flights, intercity buses and YHT high-speed trains connect the main destinations. A car makes the coast between Selçuk and Antalya much easier, but it isn't essential.### Is Turkey expensive? It's cheaper than Greece and close to Bulgaria for everyday costs. The big sights are the expensive part, because they're priced in euros, with Ephesus at €40 and Hagia Sophia at €25.### Is Turkey safe to visit? Yes, for most visitors to the main tourist areas, though you should read your government's advice first. The US State Department rates it Level 2 (exercise increased caution), and both the UK and US advise against travel within 10 km of the Syria border, with the US adding the Iraq border.### Do I need a visa to visit Turkey? Many nationalities, including the UK, most EU countries and the US, can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180. Citizens of the Republic of Cyprus need a visa. Anyone who needs one should apply only at evisa.gov.tr.### Is it Turkey or Türkiye? Both. The UN registered "Türkiye" as the country's official name on 2 June 2022. Turkey is still the usual English name, and the one this guide uses.