Turkey

Turkey is best for...

Couples: Gifted with a rich heritage, Turkey is the perfect getaway for two with enchanting land, seascapes and fascinating cultural landmarks. You can escape to the magnificent Istanbul's historical quarters to soak in the spectacular sights and traditional culture.

Visit the romantic Cappadocia or one of the many beautiful beaches of Antalya. There are so many lovely restaurants where you can relax in each others company and for a truly stress free escape, you can choose from one of the many luxury Turkey all-inclusive resorts.

Families: Find your ideal spot on one of the many stunning beaches in Fethiye, Alanya and Didim. Filled with excellent restaurants and bars, they offer beautiful azure waters and child-friendly surroundings.

When you fancy a change of scenery, take a trip to the magnificent Istanbul. Surrounded by incredible historical heritage, you can book on a family-friendly tour where you can discover one of the most amazing cities in the world.

You will also find Turkey is filled with theme parks and water parks offering exhilarating rides and adrenalin-pumping rollercoasters.

Night owls: Whether you want to dance all night or spend your evenings in a more relaxed fashion, Turkey has you covered. Explore the raki nights with Turkish art or traditional music in the background, or visit one of Istanbul's many bars and nightclubs where you can party till morning.

Turkey's nightlife is ideal for those who love cities that never sleep.

Getting around Turkey

By bus: Buses take travellers between cities across Turkey at any hour of the day or night, which are supported by an extensive network of 24-hour rest stops. Many long-haul buses also stop every few hours, allowing passengers to eat, drink, smoke, pray and shop for local food produce and souvenirs. Some of the smaller villages are also served by at least one daily dolmuş or shared taxi.

By metro: Metro and train lines are very popular along the busier cities like Istanbul and Ankara. Smaller cities will have fewer options, but with the rapid improvement of the railways, you will find easy transport between cities.

By air: With almost 50 cities in Turkey with active domestic or international airports, travelling by air is a convenient way to explore at your own pace as you can fly from one end of the country to the other in just under two hours.

By car hire: With an extensive and well-maintained system alongside picturesque villages and fascinating sights off the beaten track, hiring a car in Turkey is the ideal way of exploring the stunning country, with road-tripping making an exceptionally rewarding experience in Turkey.

Fast facts for Turkey

Language: Turkish. Most people speak English in more touristy areas but make sure to bring a phrasebook or a translation app if you’re going to visit off-the-beaten-path locations.

Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY)

Local time: GMT+3

Fly to

· Antalya Airport: For visits to Alanya, Antalya, Belek, Kemer, Lara, Side

· Bodrum Airport: For visits to Bodrum, Gümbet, Torba, Turgutreis

· Dalaman Airport: For visits to Dalya, Fethiye, Içmeler, Ölü Deniz, Marmaris

· Izmir Airport: For visits to Çeşme, Kuşadası, Izmir

· Istanbul has two airports with connections domestically.

Flight time from the UK: It takes around 4 hours of flight from the UK.

Tourist Information: For more information on all Turkish locations, please visit the official tourism website here.

Visa/health: If you are a UK citizen and have a valid passport, you do not need a visa for Turkish holiday visits for up to 90 days. Visit the official UK travels website for restrictions, travel advice, visa requirements and health advice here.

More travel guides: Curious for more? We have a range of travel guides and holiday destinations from all over the world! Here are a few: Cyprus | Greece | Bulgaria | Canary Islands | Spain

Your Guide to Turkey holidays

  • Food & Drinks
  • Beaches
  • We Love
  • At a Glance

Food & Drinks

Known as the country where East meets West, Turkish cuisine is a melting pot of different cultures and traditions. The best part is that it speaks to everyone, whether you’re looking for a hearty dish made of meat or a fresh vegetarian option.

  • Turkey’s food culture revolves around sharing, and this is best experienced with a mezze platter. Usually consisting of lighter food such as feta cheese, olives, sour yoghurt and a variety of dips, some also include meat and fish that serve as starters. Another selection of rice dishes made of pilau can be served either plain, with chicken or with beans as a side dish.
  • A hearty meal usually includes meat-based food in a great variety, except for pork. You could try the Turkish roasted lamb tandoori or kebab cooked in a sealed clay pot for a filling dinner, or try stew with meat and aubergine. For a more vegetarian dinner, make sure to give dolma a try; these are baked peppers or courgettes stuffed with bulgur wheat and tomatoes, a fresh and filling alternative to their meat-filled counterparts.
  • If you’re looking for a more social outing, visit a local meyhane where you’ll be served the traditional Turkish drink rakı along with a selection of mezze and fish dishes. Usually live music and livelier conversation accompany such dinners, and are an amazing way to glimpse into the local communities.
  • Turkish people are fond of their sweets, which means there are plenty of options to choose from. Lokum or Turkish delight might be the most well-known dessert, but if you prefer something more local, try kabak tatlısı made of fresh pumpkin and spices. Another refreshing dessert is sütlaç, a rice pudding made with milk and sugar.
  • For a more traditional experience, try aşure – also known as Noah’s Pudding, this dessert usually signifies spring and harvest times with its abundance of boiled whole grains and fresh seasonal fruit and is usually made on special dates such as religious holidays or a baby’s first tooth.

Beaches

Turkey is a haven of crystal waters, clear skies and sandy beaches, but some of them stand out amongst the rest as holiday favourites. Each beach comes with its own unique colours and experiences, where you can go from swimming next to seaside cliffs to lounging on tranquil sand.

  • Alaçatı is a beautiful Turkish beach found in a town full of old stone houses and chic restaurants. A relatively sheltered bay, Alaçatı offers good and steady winds that make the waters perfect for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The town is also full of surf clubs where you can get kitted out or visit the friendly surf schools for lessons to help you safely enjoy the waters.
  • The best place to bring your kids when on a Turkey family holiday is Lara Beach. Close to the Antalya airport and city centre, you’ll have plenty of transport links and exploring to do, when you’re not enjoying the nine-mile-long beach. The resorts also offer many family-friendly activities and kids’ club entertainment, allowing you to enjoy the calm as your kids build sand castles or take a banana boat ride on the shallow waters.
  • For those who prefer something a bit livelier, the beaches of Çeşme are much sought after by locals and visitors alike. Ayayorgi Bay is an especially popular spot with its abundance of beach clubs that fill the calm turquoise cove, where live music and DJs keep the crowd dancing late into the night.

We Love

Turkey is a land full of ancient mysteries and modernity, a true adventure that allows you to experience both oriental and European elements. Whatever you are looking for, you’ll find something that speaks to you on a Turkey holiday.

  • Lose yourself in the many bazaars that Turkey offers, filled with unique spices and handcrafted traditional arts, all lined up in bustling alleys. Why not watch an artisan craft stunning glass vases, or witness the process of a handwoven kilim coming into being? You’ll have plenty of souvenirs to bring back home to remember your visit.
  • When you’re not relaxing by the beach, you could visit one of the many hammams where all your worries will be washed away. As a traditional bathhouse, the natural soaps and cold tiled floors in the hammam will be an unforgettable experience.

At a Glance

The average flight time from the UK to Turkey is around 4 hours.

You can fly from all UK airports depending on the final Turkish destination.

Most Turkish destinations offer a pleasant climate.

The time difference between the UK and Turkey between April and October (BST) is 2 hours. During November to March it is 3 hours (GMT).

travel advice

Get advice about travelling abroad, including the latest information on coronavirus, safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings on the

FCDO website.

Frequently Asked Questions