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Türkiye

Capital

Ankara

Currency

Turkish Lira (TRY)

Language

Turkish

Best Time

Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct

Time Zone

TRT (UTC+3)

Sustainability Politics
Flag of Türkiye
Welcome to Türkiye

Türkiye's Bridge Between Continents

Welcome to Türkiye, a country spanning two continents, where ancient history, dramatic landscapes, and vibrant culture meet at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Istanbul's skyline, dotted with domes and minarets, reflects centuries of Byzantine and Ottoman grandeur along the Bosphorus. Cappadocia's surreal rock formations and fairy chimneys offer an unforgettable hot air balloon experience at sunrise. The ancient city of Ephesus reveals remarkably preserved Roman ruins among the best in the Mediterranean. Türkiye's Turquoise Coast offers stunning turquoise waters, ancient ruins, and charming seaside towns. Pamukkale's white travertine terraces, filled with mineral-rich pools, create a striking natural spectacle. Turkish cuisine, rich in kebabs, baklava, and Turkish tea, reflects centuries of culinary tradition. Türkiye invites travelers to experience a country of extraordinary history at the meeting point of two continents.

Popular City

Istanbul

Istanbul straddles two continents, its Hagia Sophia standing as one of the world’s great architectural achievements, having served as both a Byzantine cathedral and an Ottoman mosque across nearly fifteen centuries. The Blue Mosque, with its six minarets and cascading domes, sits directly across the square, its interior tiled in thousands of handmade Iznik ceramics. The Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, spreads across thousands of shops selling carpets, ceramics, and jewelry within a labyrinth of vaulted stone corridors. Topkapi Palace, the former residence of Ottoman sultans, houses treasures including the Topkapi Dagger and relics attributed to the Prophet Muhammad. A ferry ride across the Bosphorus offers views of waterfront palaces and mosques from both the European and Asian sides of the city. Istanbul’s layered Byzantine and Ottoman history make it one of the most historically significant cities on earth.

Travel News

Popular City

Cappadocia

Cappadocia’s surreal landscape of fairy chimney rock formations, carved by centuries of erosion, is best appreciated from a hot air balloon drifting over the valley at sunrise, one of the most iconic experiences in Turkey. The underground city of Derinkuyu, carved deep into volcanic rock, once sheltered thousands of people across multiple subterranean levels. Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site, preserves rock-cut Byzantine churches decorated with frescoes dating back over a thousand years. Uchisar Castle, the highest point in the region, offers panoramic views over the valley’s cave dwellings and rock formations. Many of Cappadocia’s cave hotels allow visitors to sleep within the same soft volcanic rock that shaped the region’s ancient dwellings. Cappadocia’s otherworldly landscape makes it one of the most visually extraordinary destinations in Turkey.

Travel Tips

Helpful information to consider before and during your visit.

Before You Go

  • Confirm passport validity and entry requirements.
  • Check whether a tourist visa is required.
  • Keep digital copies of important documents.
  • Consider purchasing travel insurance.

Money & Payments

  • Review the local currency and exchange rate.
  • Carry some cash for small businesses and markets.
  • Check for international bank transaction fees.
  • Learn the country's customary tipping practices.

Stay Connected

  • Review your mobile carrier's international plan.
  • Consider purchasing a local SIM or eSIM.
  • Download maps for offline use before traveling.
  • Avoid sensitive transactions on unsecured Wi-Fi.

Transportation

  • Research public transportation before arrival.
  • Use licensed taxis or reputable rideshare services.
  • Check which side of the road vehicles use.
  • Confirm whether an international permit is needed.

Electricity

  • Check the country's voltage and outlet type.
  • Bring the correct plug adapter for your devices.
  • Use a voltage converter when required.
  • Pack a portable charger for longer excursions.

Weather & Clothing

  • Review the seasonal weather before packing.
  • Bring layers for changing temperatures.
  • Pack rain protection when appropriate.
  • Use sunscreen even on cool or cloudy days.

Food & Water

  • Research whether tap water is safe to drink.
  • Communicate food allergies clearly.
  • Try traditional dishes from reputable vendors.
  • Observe local dining customs and meal times.

Safety

  • Secure valuables in crowded tourist areas.
  • Avoid displaying large amounts of cash.
  • Share your itinerary with someone you trust.
  • Review current government travel advisories.

Language & Etiquette

  • Learn a few polite words in the local language.
  • Respect dress requirements at religious sites.
  • Ask permission before photographing people.
  • Follow local traditions, laws and social customs.

Emergency Planning

  • Save the country's emergency telephone number.
  • Locate your nearest embassy or consulate.
  • Keep medication in its original packaging.
  • Store emergency contacts offline and on paper.

Smart Packing

  • Pack comfortable shoes for walking and tours.
  • Keep essential medication in your carry-on.
  • Bring a reusable bottle where appropriate.
  • Leave room for locally purchased items.

Local Research

  • Check attraction hours and reservation policies.
  • Review national holidays and local closures.
  • Download important addresses before departure.
  • Leave flexibility for unexpected discoveries.
Important: Entry requirements, transportation rules, weather conditions and safety guidance can change. Verify important information with official sources before traveling.

Popular City

Antalya

Antalya’s old town, Kaleici, preserves narrow Ottoman-era streets leading down to a picturesque harbor, with the fluted minaret of the Yivli Minare Mosque rising above the rooftops. Duden Waterfalls, just outside the city, cascade dramatically into the Mediterranean, visible both from land and by boat. The Antalya Museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts from the region’s ancient Lycian and Roman past, including statues recovered from nearby archaeological sites. Nearby, the ruins of Perge and Aspendos, with one of the best-preserved Roman theaters in the world, offer easy day trips from the city. Antalya’s beaches and turquoise coastline have made it Turkey’s most popular resort destination along the Mediterranean. Its blend of ancient ruins and beach resort infrastructure make it an easy base for exploring Turkey’s southern coast.

Local Food to Try

Discover some of Türkiye's most popular flavors, traditional dishes and memorable local treats during your visit.

Döner Kebab

Döner Kebab is a well-known part of Turkey's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Mantı

Mantı is a well-known part of Turkey's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

İskender Kebab

İskender Kebab is a well-known part of Turkey's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Menemen

Menemen is a well-known part of Turkey's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Lahmacun

Lahmacun is a well-known part of Turkey's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Karnıyarık

Karnıyarık is a well-known part of Turkey's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Börek

Börek is a well-known part of Turkey's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Baklava

Baklava is a well-known part of Turkey's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Künefe

Künefe is a well-known part of Turkey's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Dining tip: Regional specialties and preparation styles vary throughout Türkiye. Explore local markets, independent cafés and family-owned restaurants for an authentic taste of the destination.

Little-Known Facts

Türkiye

Türkiye is one of the very few countries in the world that spans two continents, with the city of Istanbul physically straddling both Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait, making it the only major city in the world located on two continents simultaneously. The country is home to Göbekli Tepe, an archaeological site now considered by many researchers to be the oldest known monumental structure built by humans, predating Stonehenge by thousands of years and forcing a reconsideration of when organized human society first began constructing large ceremonial architecture.

Türkiye contains Cappadocia, a region famous for its surreal landscape of cone-shaped rock formations called "fairy chimneys," beneath which ancient inhabitants carved out entire underground cities, some capable of sheltering thousands of people along with their livestock during times of invasion. The country is also home to Pamukkale, meaning "cotton castle," a series of brilliant white mineral terraces formed by mineral-rich hot springs cascading down a hillside over thousands of years.

Türkiye is also credited as one of the possible birthplaces of the cultivation of wheat and other early domesticated crops, tying it, along with neighboring parts of the Fertile Crescent, to some of the very earliest developments of agriculture in human history.