Turkey · Middle EastTurkey
Where East meets West - mosques, markets, and fairy chimneys
from $40/day Generally safeculturehistory
Quick Facts
Capital
Ankara
Largest city
Istanbul
Best airports
IST (Istanbul), AYT (Antalya)
Straits
Bridges both Europe and Asia
Avg temp (peak)
32°C / 90°F (coast)
Safety
Generally safe
Vibes
culturehistoryfoodadventureunique
Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best months This month
Daily Budget
Backpacker
$40
per day
Mid-range
$95
per day
Luxury
$280
per day
Top Experiences
🎈$180–250
Hot Air Balloon Cappadocia
Float above fairy chimneys and cave villages at sunrise - Turkey's bucket-list #1
🕌~$25 (Hagia Sophia), Free (Blue Mosque)
Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque
Istanbul's greatest masterpieces - 1,500 years of history in two breathtaking buildings
🛒Free entry
Grand Bazaar Istanbul
4,000 shops, 250,000 daily visitors - the world's oldest and largest covered market
Must-Try Food
Döner Kebab
The original - slow-roasted meat shaved into fresh bread with tomato, onion, and yogurt sauce
Baklava
Dozens of flaky filo layers with pistachio or walnut, soaked in sugar syrup
Turkish Breakfast
An entire table of cheeses, olives, eggs, tomatoes, honey, cream, and tea - the world's best breakfast
Getting Around
🚇
Istanbul Metro/Tram$0.50 per ride
Efficient network across both European and Asian sides - get an IstanbulKart
🚌
Intercity bus$10–25
Turkey has the world's best long-distance bus network - luxurious coaches with service
✈️
Turkish Airlines domestic$20–60
Extensive network of cheap domestic flights between 50+ cities
🚐
Dolmuş (shared minibus)$1–3
Fixed-route minibuses fill gaps in smaller cities and coastal towns
Cultural Tips
Remove shoes before entering mosques and homes
Dress modestly at mosques - headscarves provided for women
Men and women may be separated in more conservative areas
Bargaining is expected at bazaars but not in regular shops
Turkish hospitality is genuine - accepting tea is always the right choice
Avoid political topics - sensitivities around Atatürk, Kurdish issues, and the government
Hidden Gems
Safranbolu - UNESCO-listed Ottoman town with the world's finest concentration of wooden konak mansions
Mount Nemrut - ancient heads of colossal statues scattered on a remote mountaintop at 2,100m
Uzungöl - Black Sea mountain lake surrounded by tea plantations and pine forests, far from standard tourist routes
Going beyond the trip?
Explore the Turkey country profile
Cost of living, visas, healthcare, taxes, expat life and everything you'd need to actually move and stay long-term.