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Why Should I Visit Turkey?

Turkey is a country full of history, culture, and beautiful landscapes. The country has many ancient ruins, beautiful beaches, and great cuisine to check out. If going on a hot air balloon ride is on your bucket list, Turkey is one of the best places in the world to do so.

Is it safe to travel to Turkey? We had no issues while traveling in Turkey and there were no points where we felt unsafe. Turkey can get a bad reputation as being a dangerous place due to being in the Middle East; however, it is relatively safe. As long as you avoid the region of Turkey near the Syrian border, it is no more dangerous than anywhere else in Europe.

When Should I Visit Turkey?

The spring (April and May) and fall (September and October) are the best times to visit Turkey. The summers in Turkey can get very hot and the winters can get very cold so the spring and fall is best due to the moderate temperatures. If you don’t mind the hot or cold, visiting in the winter and summer months has the benefit of less crowds. The winter brings snow to Turkey which can make for unique photos with the Turkish landscape.

What Should I Pack?

Here are the items you should pack on your trip to Turkey:

  • Hiking boots or tennis shoes – There are many great hikes in the Cappadocia region. You can hike them in tennis shoes, but hiking boots can make the experience more comfortable.
  • Comfortable walking footwear – You will be doing a lot of walking in the Turkish cities, especially Istanbul. Make sure to bring comfortable footwear as we were averaging 25,000+ steps per day in Istanbul.
  • Lightweight jacket – The mornings in Turkey can be chilly. In particular, if you are doing a hot air balloon ride, it can get very cold before and during the ride since the ride starts before sunrise.
  • Scarf or shawl – Mosques will require women to have a head cover in order to enter. Most mosques will have scarves available at the entrance, but it is nice to have your own just in case.
  • Shirts and pants (which covers your shoulders and knees) – Mosques require clothing which covers your shoulders and knees so make sure you dress accordingly. 
  • Lightweight clothing – Turkey can get very warm during the summer months so make sure you have lightweight clothing for walking around. Even during the spring and fall, it is still warm and sunny.
  • Swimsuit – If you plan on spending any time on the coast of Turkey, bring your swimsuit so you can enjoy the beaches.
  • Sunglasses – Turkey is sunny almost year round so bring your shades with you.

Here is a full packing list of items you should pack with you on every international trip.

Top Places to Visit

  • Istanbul – Formerly known as Constantinople, Istanbul is full of history that extends several millennia. Istanbul is one of the busiest cities we have ever visited. You will run into lots of people no matter what time of day. The food scene in Istanbul is incredible and there are many famous landmarks to visit while there, such as Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Galata Tower, and so much more. We often don’t like spending too much time in big cities, but Istanbul is unlike any other city we have visited and you can easily spend 3-4 days here because there is so much to do.
  • Cappadocia – The most famous place in the world to ride hot air balloons. Cappadocia is a must visit. The sunrises and sunsets here are incredible. There is great hiking in the area, including Rose Valley, Red Valley, Love Valley, and Pigeon Valley. There is an impressive of underground cities in the Cappadocia region. We have seen some pretty impressive things throughout our travels, but the Derinkuyu underground city is right up there.
  • Izmir – Izmir is home to ancient ruins, bustling markets, and a vibrant nightlife scene. Its proximity to Ephesus and Pamukkale make it a great location to fly into.
  • Ephesus –  Ephesus is one of the most well-preserved ruins in the world. It was once the capital of the Eastern Roman empire and one of the largest cities in the world. There are many other famous ruins and landmarks in the surrounding area of Selcuk to visit as well.
  • Pamukkale – Famous for its thermal pools and the ancient city of Hierapolis, Pamukkale is a very popular tourist destination and another good location for hot air balloon rides.
  • Antalya – Antalya has a rich history and a great summer destination because of its beautiful beaches and location on the Turkish Riviera. Antalya is full of natural beauty, including its amazing beaches and nearby waterfalls. There are ruins in the proximity to visit as well.
  • Bodrum – Located on the Turkish Riviera, Bodrum is smaller than Antalya so you won’t have to deal with as many crowds. Bodrum is home to a stunning coastline, beautiful beaches, and fun nightlife.
  • Ankara – Located in the center of Turkey and has served as its capital since 1923. Ankara is more modern, but not as crowded as Istanbul. There are some historical sites and ruins to visit here as well. If you are doing a road trip through Turkey, you will likely pass through Ankara, but otherwise, you can skip it on your itinerary.

What are the best foods in Turkey?

  • Turkish breakfast – An assortment of dishes consisting of eggs, bread, cheese, olives, jams and spreads, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
  • Menemen – Traditional Turkish breakfast dish which is essentially scrambled eggs with tomatoes, peppers, spices, etc.
  • Simit – Turkish version of a bagel, which is covered in sesame seeds. You can get them with cream cheese or fruit jam.
  • Meze Platter – A dish containing an assortment of Turkish appetizers. Depending where you go, each meze platter could be a little different, but they can contain olives, yogurt, vegetables, eggplant, cheeses, hummus, etc.
  • Pide – Turkish pizza, often shaped like a boat and the trough in the middle is filled with sauce, cheese, toppings, etc.
  • Lahmacun – The cousin of pide, lahmacun is a thin flatbread without cheese, but topped with a variety of toppings.
  • Borek – Thin, flaky phyllo dough filled with meat, cheese, vegetables, etc.
  • Islak hamburger – “Wet burger” in Turkish. Imagine a greasy McDonald’s hamburger dipped into a garlic tomato sauce then left in a steam box. It may not sound or look appetizing, but it is tasty and a great late night drunk food.
  • Durum – Turkish wrap filled with doner kebab meat from a vertical rotisserie.
  • Balik Ekmek – Turkish fish sandwich which consists of bread, mackerel, onion, lettuce, tomato, and lemon. The fishing boat restaurants near the Galata Bridge in Istanbul is a very popular place to get these fish sandwiches.
  • Kofte – Small Turkish meat patties with various herbs and spices. Often eaten with bread, yogurt, and vegetables.
  • Cag Kebab – Similar to durum, but with a horizontal rotisserie. The chef inserts skewers into the meat and cuts it off of the rotisserie. The skewered meat will then be served with wraps or “tortillas”, vegetables, yogurt, tomato sauce, etc.
  • Testi Kebab – A traditional Turkish dish from the Cappadocia region which is prepared in a clay pot. The dish consists of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. and is often eaten with rice. The clay pot is sealed and the ingredients are cooked for hours in advance. When it is brought to your table, the clay pot will be cracked open to serve the food inside.
  • Midye dolma – A popular Turkish dish which you will see served on many street carts throughout the country. This dish is mussels stuffed with rice and spices and served with lemon.
  • Kunefe – A sweet, crispy, cheese dessert which is topped with pistachios. It might sound strange to have fried cheese as a dessert, but this dish is delicious.
  • Baklava – The popular Turkish dessert which consists of phyllo dough, nuts, and honey. You can find several varients of baklava at the many bakeries throughout the country, including chocolate, pomegranate, etc. Baklava originated in Turkey so this is a can’t miss while you were there.
  • Halka tatlisi – A popular Turkish street food which is essentially a Turkish churro. 
  • Turkish ice cream (dondurma) – You will find ice cream stands or shops throughout Turkey. Turkish ice cream is unique as it is more chewy than normal ice cream. If you get ice cream from one of the ice cream shops in Istanbul, the server will put on a show and mess with you while he serves you your cone.
  • Turkish delight (lokum) – A popular chewy Turkish dessert which comes in many different flavors and is often cut into small cubes.
  • Turkish coffee – Similar to Greek coffee, Turkish coffee consists of unfiltered finely ground coffee beans. The coffee is dense, strong, and has a grainy texture. Due to the strength, Turkish coffee is often served with a glass of water on the side.
  • Turkish tea – Turkish people have the highest consumption of tea in the world. You will often see locals with a glass of tea throughout the day and you will see people running around with tea glasses to serve others with tea. The tea also comes in other flavors such as apple.
  • Pomegranate juice – Turkey is a large producer of pomegranates and you will likely see pomegranate trees while visiting. There are many juice stands where you can get fresh pressed pomegranate juice, often consisting of 2-3 pomegranates per cup. Pomegranate juice is tart, sour, and a little sweet, but it is pretty refreshing.
  • Raki – Turkey’s signature liquor which is made with anise and grapes. It has a strong licorice taste and is very similar to ouzo from Greece. It is often mixed with water and ice to dilute it. When mixed, raki has a milky appearance, hence its nickname “Lion’s milk”. We didn’t know to mix it when we drank it and it is quite potent by itself.
  • Ayran – Very popular Turkish yogurt drink which is often drank with meals. It is essentially a liquid yogurt and tastes great with meats. You will see most locals drinking a plastic cup of ayran with every meal.

10 Day Itinerary

Istanbul – 1 day

  • Day 1: Fly into Istanbul. Relax and try some Turkish cuisine in Hocapasa.

Izmir – 3 days

  • Day 2: Fly to Izmir. Rent a car and drive to Selcuk. Spend a half day exploring the ancient city of Ephesus and visiting the House of the Virgin Mary.
  • Day 3: Explore the other ancient sites near Ephesus, including Basilica of St. John, Isa Bey Mosque, and Temple of Artemis. Drive to Pamukkale and spend the night there.
  • Day 4: Wake up early and spend a half day exploring Hierapolis-Pamukkale before the crowds arrive. Drive back to Izmir airport and fly to Cappadocia.

Cappadocia – 3 days

  • Day 5: Wake up early and do a hot air balloon ride. Hike Rose and Red Valleys in the morning after the hot air balloon ride before it gets too hot out. Visit Goreme Open Air museum in the afternoon.
  • Day 6: Wake up early and watch the sunrise and all the hot air balloons from your hotel or the Goreme sunrise viewpoint. Hike Love Valley in the morning. Hike Pigeon Valley and visit Uchisar Castle. Do a Turkish Nights show in the evening.
  • Day 7: Wake up early and watch the sunrise. Hike Zemi Valley. Visit Derinkuyu underground city and Devrent Valley.

Istanbul:

  • Day 8: Visit Sultan Ahmet Park, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace in the morning before it gets too crowded. Head to Taksim Square and walk down Istiklal Street towards Galata Tower. Walk across Galata Bridge back to Old Town. Stop at the many restaurants, cafes, and bars along the way.
  • Day 9: Wander the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar and try to find some good deals. Visit Suleymaniye Mosque for one of the best views of the city. Take a sunset cruise on the Bosphorus River.
  • Day 10: Do any last second shopping, explore the great Turkish food scene, and wander around the city some more before you fly back home.

There are often cheap flights into Izmir so you can switch Istanbul with Izmir in the itinerary if you decide to fly into Izmir instead.

Transportation in Turkey

Language

Turkish is the native language in Turkey. We found that most people in the tourist areas asa or near Istiklal Street

knew English so we didn’t have too many issues with communication. Not everyone will be great at English, but most understand enough to be able to communicate. For the locals you meet that don’t know any English, it is easy to find someone nearby who knows some English to be able to translate for you.

Visa Information

According to the Turkish embassy website, a Visa is required for US citizens visiting Turkey. This can be done in advance as an E-visa or as a visa on arrival. For US citizens, the visa costs ~$50 as of 2022. We did the E-visa in advance, but when we arrived in Turkey, we were never asked for this documentation. If you want peace of mind and not want to risk having to wait in line for a visa on arrival, you can purchase the Visa in advance. Otherwise, we would recommend just waiting until you arrive as you may end up not needing a Visa at all. For additional information on Turkey Visa requirements, see the link here.

Payment Methods & Currency

The currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira. Inflation in Turkey has been crazy the past few years and as of 2022, it is ~18 Turkish Lira to 1 US Dollar. Overall, Turkey is very affordable and you will get a lot of bang for your buck while you are there.

Souvenirs