Türkiye: Tourist & Vacation Guide

Country's codes

International phone code for Turkey: +90

Standard ISO 3166-1:

3 letters: TUR

2 letters (internet domain): .TR

Digital country code 792

Standard EAN-13 (country barcode): 869

Olympic country code: TUR

FIFA code: TUR

Turkey Travel Guide

Turkey is a captivating destination where Europe meets Asia. From ancient ruins and vibrant bazaars to stunning Mediterranean beaches and unique landscapes like Cappadocia, Turkey offers travelers an unforgettable blend of culture, history, and natural beauty.

RegionEurope & Asia

Famous forHistoric cities & cuisine

Best time to visitApril – June, September – October

CurrencyTurkish Lira (TRY)

Why visit Turkey?

Turkey offers a unique travel experience with magnificent mosques, ancient archaeological sites, vibrant markets, and beautiful coastlines along the Mediterranean and Aegean seas. It is a country rich in culture and history spanning thousands of years.

Top Attractions in Turkey

Istanbul & Hagia Sophia

Istanbul is Turkey’s cultural heart, famous for landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar. The city uniquely spans both Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait.

Cappadocia

This magical region is known for its surreal “fairy chimney” rock formations and breathtaking hot-air balloon rides at sunrise.

Pamukkale

Pamukkale’s dazzling white travertine terraces are filled with warm mineral water. Nearby are the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ephesus

One of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean, Ephesus features grand Roman streets, temples, and the famous Library of Celsus.

Best Cities to Visit

Istanbul – A vibrant city blending Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern culture.
Antalya – A Mediterranean resort city known for beaches and historic sites.
Izmir – A lively coastal city with a modern atmosphere and access to ancient ruins.
Konya – Known for its rich spiritual heritage and the Mevlana Museum.
Bursa – Famous for Ottoman architecture and nearby ski resorts.

Travel Tip: Turkey’s domestic flights are affordable and save time when traveling between distant destinations such as Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Antalya.

Things to Do in Turkey

Take a hot-air balloon ride over Cappadocia.
Explore historic mosques and palaces in Istanbul.
Relax on the beaches along the Turkish Riviera.
Visit ancient ruins such as Ephesus and Troy.
Shop for souvenirs in traditional bazaars.

Local Experience: Enjoy Turkish cuisine including kebabs, baklava, and Turkish tea or coffee. Visiting a traditional Turkish bath (hamam) is also a memorable cultural experience.

Travel Tips for Visitors

The best travel seasons are spring and autumn when temperatures are pleasant.
Modest clothing is recommended when visiting mosques.
Public transport and intercity buses are efficient and widely available.
Bargaining is common in markets and bazaars.

Useful Country Information

Useful country information

Total area: 301,382 sq mi (780,580 sq km)

Population (2023 est.): about 85 million

Capital: Ankara, approximately 5.6 million

Ankara: Capital City Profile

Largest cities: Istanbul (over 15 million metropolitan), Izmir (about 4.4 million metro), Bursa (about 3.2 million metro), Adana (about 2.3 million metro), Gaziantep (about 2.1 million metro)

Monetary unit: Turkish lira (TRY)

National name: Republic of Türkiye (Trkiye Cumhuriyeti)

CurrencyRate

Current government officials

Languages: Turkish (official), Kurdish, other minority languages

Ethnicity/race: Turkish 70-75%, Kurdish 18%, other minorities 7-12% (2008 est.)

Religions: Islam (mostly Sunni) 99.8%, other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews)

National Holiday: October 29, Turkey Republic Day.

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Background:

A Brief History of Turkey

Turkey sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and has been home to some of the world’s oldest civilizations, empires, and trade routes.

Ancient Beginnings

Anatolia is often called the “Cradle of Civilization” due to its deep human history stretching back more than 12,000 years.

Near Şanlıurfa lies Göbekli Tepe, the oldest known monumental religious site in the world, dating back to around 9600 B.C. — thousands of years older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids.

Greek & Roman Influence

From around 1200 B.C., western Anatolia became heavily influenced by Greek civilization, especially the Aeolians and Ionians.

Great cities such as Ephesus, Miletus, Smyrna (modern İzmir), and Byzantium became important centers of culture, trade, and philosophy.

Byzantium later became Constantinople and eventually modern-day Istanbul.

Seljuks & Ottoman Empire

In 1071, the Seljuk Turks defeated the Byzantine Empire at the Battle of Manzikert, marking a major turning point in Anatolian history.

Turkish culture and Islam gradually spread throughout the region, eventually leading to the rise of the Ottoman Empire — one of the most powerful empires in world history.

The Republic of Turkey

Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire after World War I.

Atatürk introduced sweeping reforms that transformed Turkey into a secular and democratic republic with a parliamentary system.

Turkey joined the United Nations in 1945 and became a NATO member in 1952.

Turkey Today

Today, Turkey is one of the world’s most visited destinations, famous for its ancient ruins, Mediterranean coastline, vibrant bazaars, rich cuisine, and warm hospitality.

From Cappadocia and Pamukkale to Istanbul and the Turquoise Coast, Turkey offers a unique blend of East and West unlike anywhere else in the world.