Why visit Turkey?
Turkey sits at the meeting point of Europe and Asia, where layered history, sea views, and lively streets come together. You can stroll from ancient ruins to modern galleries in a single afternoon.
What to expect
Your journey will likely start in Istanbul, with its skyline of domes and bridges and neighbourhoods that feel like small villages. Beyond the city, coastal resorts, high plateaus, and historic towns each offer their own pace and scenery.
Plan your trip
You can pair a stay in Istanbul with short hops to beach regions, cave landscapes, or lakeside escapes. Turkey also works well as a stop on a wider trip through Europe, the Middle East, or Central Asia, thanks to its strong air and road links.
Discover Turkey
Discover Turkey
Top experiences in Turkey
Explore Istanbul’s historic peninsula
Wander among grand mosques, museums, palaces, and old bazaars clustered around the city’s Golden Horn.
Cruise along the Bosphorus
Take a ferry or cruise to see Istanbul’s skyline, waterside mansions, and suspension bridges from the strait itself.
Uncover ancient cities at Ephesus and beyond
Visit archaeological sites where theatres, streets, and temples reveal centuries of Mediterranean trade and culture.
Relax on Turkey’s Aegean and Mediterranean coasts
Swim in clear bays, join boat trips, or unwind in harbour towns backed by hills and pine forests.
Experience Cappadocia’s otherworldly landscapes
Walk or drive through valleys of soft rock formations and explore cave dwellings carved into cliffs and hillsides.
Soak in traditional hammams
Step into tiled bathhouses for steam, scrub, and rest in spaces that blend old rituals with modern comforts.
Taste Turkish tea and coffee culture
Pause at cafés or teahouses where strong brews, small glasses, and relaxed conversation set the pace of the day.
Experience Turkey’s way of life
Getting around
From Istanbul, domestic flights link you quickly to major hubs across Turkey, with buses and intercity trains covering popular routes. In cities, you can combine metro lines, trams, buses, and taxis to move easily between districts.
Local life & culture
Daily life in Turkey unfolds in public squares, waterfront promenades, and café-lined streets. You will notice strong neighbourhood ties, a love of conversation, and regional accents and customs that shift as you travel across the country.
Where to unwind
You can slow down along sea promenades, in leafy urban parks, or by heading out to forests and plateaus just beyond the cities. Many coastal towns and spa areas offer thermal baths, seaside walks, and quiet viewpoints over the water.
A taste of Turkey
National dishes & specialties
Across Turkey you will find grilled meats, savoury pastries, rich stews, and vegetable dishes built around seasonal produce. Istanbul brings together flavours from many regions, so you can sample a wide cross-section of the country’s cooking in one place.
Casual & modern dining hubs
In big cities, simple eateries, bakeries, and cafés sit alongside contemporary restaurants experimenting with traditional recipes. Waterfront districts, busy avenues, and side streets offer everything from quick snacks to lingering shared meals.
Signature & scenic dining
Rooftop terraces and hilltop viewpoints create memorable settings for dinner with city or sea views. Along the Bosphorus and coastal harbours, waterside restaurants combine fresh seafood with a relaxed sense of place.
Retail therapy in Turkey
Malls & lifestyle hubs
In Istanbul you will find large shopping centres that mix international labels with local brands, cinemas, and dining. These modern complexes offer air-conditioned comfort and are easy to reach by public transport or taxi.
Markets & local crafts
Historic bazaars and neighbourhood markets are ideal for browsing textiles, ceramics, and decorative items. Cities and regions across Turkey each highlight their own specialties, from woven pieces to contemporary design.
Evening retail scene
After dark, major shopping streets and central districts stay lively with illuminated storefronts and open cafés. In some areas, late-opening boutiques and small stalls create a relaxed, sociable atmosphere well into the evening.
Best time to visit Turkey
Peak season: June to August, especially along the coasts, brings warm to hot conditions around 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F) and busy resorts.
Shoulder season: April to May and September to October offer milder temperatures around 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F), ideal for city visits and sightseeing.
Low season: November to March is cooler, from about 5°C to 12°C (41°F to 54°F), with shorter days, fewer crowds, and colder conditions inland.