One of the world’s truly transcontinental countries, Turkey is an astonishingly rich cultural melting pot spanning Europe and Asia. The result is a diverse and characterful landscape, where you can sail glittering Mediterranean shores, ski powdery slopes or soak in thermal spas. Few countries possess such a rich assortment of forests, mountains, deserts and coastlines to satisfy nature-lovers of every stripe – from listless loungers to adrenaline junkies.

At the centre of Turkey’s charm is its living and breathing history. With such a long and tumultuous succession of invaders, rulers and traditions, Turkey provides a snapshot into multiple dynasties, from Ancient Greece to Ottoman splendour. There are few countries in the world that you can visit with links to such well-told histories as Troy, Cleopatra and Alexander the Great. You can visit dusty hillside ruins that date back millennia or explore treasured artefacts at the Istanbul Archaeological Museums.

While history made Turkey, food sustained it. Turkish cuisine is a fun and mouth-watering affair that’s designed for sharing. No trip to the country is complete without sampling many of the regional specialities Turkey has to offer. From sweet and moreish baklava to appetising meze platters, you’re never short of a good meal. Sip on Turkish wine, nibble on sizzling street food and get to know Turkey through its cuisine.

Spend some time in Istanbul, and you’ll soon be captivated by what modern Turkey has to offer. Fashionable boutiques, cutting-edge galleries and award-winning gastronomy all describe contemporary, cosmopolitan Turkey. With its array of music festivals, theatre productions and performances, Turkey’s modern culture is every bit as captivating as its rich historical sites.

Destinations

Best time to travel

Turkey is an expansive country with regional climates that are attractive during different seasons. While there’s always somewhere to visit, no matter the month, some locations benefit from particular weather. The summer’s high season is the best for Black Sea hikes and south-coast beach stays, while the winter season brings skiing trips and low-priced city escapes. The shoulder seasons provide a happy medium to avoid crowds at major sites.

March – June

Spring is pleasantly warm and one of the best times to visit Turkey. Coastal trails like the Lycian Way are great for hiking while the interior warms up.

Weather

Spring arrives in late March with max temperatures of 16 °C (60.8 °F) across most of the country, with Anatolia being a few degrees warmer. This climbs to around 16 °C (68 °F) by May. The season begins with light rain for an average of 11 days before petering off to around 9 days over May.

Events & parties

There are plenty of festivities throughout the Turkish spring season. Kurdish communities celebrate the beginning of the season, with Newroz and İzmir hosting an international jazz festival. April sees festivals of tulips in Istanbul and Anzac Day for visitors to Gallipoli. May sees the folk festivity of Hıdrellez,

Price evolution

Prices are low during the early spring season across hotel and flight bookings, making it an ideal time to grab discounts. You’ll be able to find particular bargains among package stays in May just before the summer crowds.

June – September

Summer is the peak tourist season, with packed beach resorts and sizzling weather. Many parts of the country get excessively hot, making the north and south coasts the most popular destinations.

Weather

Turkey’s summer starts in June, with soaring day temperatures reaching 26 °C (78.8 °F). The summer season lasts through September, with daily highs of 28 °C (82.4°F) that frequently top 30 °C (86 °F). Its hottest day ever was recorded in July in Cizre, Anatolia, at 49.1 °C (120.4 °F). Chances of rain greatly diminish as the season progresses.

Events & parties

Summer is the outdoor festival season in Turkey, with highlights including the Istanbul Music Festival and International Bursa Festival, both in June. July sees several jazz festivals across the country and the unique Cappadocia Balloon Festival. There is also the Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race and Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Championship. August festivities include the Gümüşlük Classical Music Festival and Bodrum Ballet Festival.

Price evolution

Summer is the peak tourist season, and inflated hotels, flights and sightseeing prices are expected. It’s always best to book early when visiting Turkey during the summer months. Many visitors save money with heavily discounted package stays at an Aegean or seaside Mediterranean resort.

September – December

Autumn is a beautiful time to visit Turkey and one that opens up plenty of discounts while still retaining some warmth from late September. The forests of Yedigöller and Altındere Valley are simply spectacular with their red and golden hues. Crowds also dwindle at bustling destinations like Ephesus.

Weather

Turkey’s autumns start off warm, but a great cooling hits in October. Areas like the Black Sea see increased rainfall, which continues through the season. November’s average high temperatures sit at 14 °C (57.2 °F). Winds pick up, and things turn wintry at high elevations, making warm and waterproof gear essential.

Events & parties

The cooler weather in Turkey brings a range of fun festivities in October, including the Istanbul Design Biennial and Cappadocia Ultra-Trail. October 29 also sees the major public holiday, Republic Day, with closures across most areas. From November, Istanbul boasts a wide range of festivals, including a Theatre Festival and a traditional Puppet Festival. Likewise, there’s the Bursa Karagöz Shadow Puppetry Festival.

Price evolution

Autumn is a shoulder season with excellent deals on accommodation and travel. Many resorts shut their doors during this time, but you can still snag some late-September savings to catch the very last operating hours.

December – March

Winter can be bitterly cold in Turkey, particularly inland. Still, the weather brings some incredible natural scenes and empty museums, from the beauty of Cappadocia to Pamukkale.

Weather

Winter is cold with plummeting temperatures from December. Istanbul, for instance, sees highs of just 10 °C (50 °F), while parts of Anatolia will see minus temperatures and severe snow. Other areas of the country see a lot of rain, sometimes up to 20 days per month. While January and February see reduced rainfall, temperatures are still low and the weather brisk.

Events & parties

Turkey’s major winter festivals include international celebrations, like New Year’s Day, Christmas and Orthodox Christmas. More unique to Turkey, the Mevlana Festival in Konya takes place in December with traditional whirling dances. January sees the beginning of the epic 3-month Camel Wrestling Festival in Selçuk, and February hosts the Datça Almond Blossom Festival in celebration of the blooming trees.

Price evolution

Winter is the low season across the country, except at ski resorts. For city stays like Istanbul, you’ll see reduced hotel prices and bargain hammams that are worth taking advantage of. However, many tourist spots close for the season. Coastal holidays, in particular, need to be booked in major cities or towns to have access to provisions.

Visas, currency and restrictions

Visa

Most European citizens can travel to Turkey for tourist purposes for up to 90 days, visa-free, in a 180-day period. For those planning to stay longer than 90 days, a longer visa to Turkey will be required. Ensure that your passport is date-stamped when entering the country by a land border. No additional documents are required, only a passport.

Currency

The currency of Turkey is the Turkish lira (Türk Lirası), expressed as ₺. Coins are available in 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 kuruş coins and 1 lira coin. Notes are printed in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 lira delimitations. Some tourist shops will accept both euros and US dollars, but it’s not a given, so it’s best to convert currency beforehand. Airports, however, will let you purchase with euros. Hotels, too, will often display prices in euros alongside lira. You’ll find currency exchanges upon arrival at the airport and in major cities, although the rates are not always predictable.

Most major hotels and larger businesses, including restaurants, will accept Visa and MasterCard payments. American Express is less likely to be accepted. However, small, local businesses like inexpensive restaurants will only accept cash payments. As for tipping etiquette, 10% is acceptable at most restaurants and bars but is unheard of at fast-food eateries. You can tip similarly for good hammam service, but it isn’t required.

Restrictions

Turkey has lifted all its COVID-19 entry restrictions. You are no longer required to either present proof of vaccination status or provide a negative PCR test result for entry. This means that the country is essentially open to all valid passport holders regardless of COVID-19 precautions. Be aware that requirements may change at short notice, and check with your airline before traveling.