Turkey (Türkiye) Holiday

Turkey has so many beautiful sights that it is hard to list them all together. It is known as the land of contrasts, spices, figs, the Silk Road, sweet tea and water pipes. It also boasts a rich nature, from long sandy beaches and unique rocky landscapes to green forests and mountains. The Turks receive visitors with an incomparable combination of hospitality and tradition, making Turkey the perfect place for wellness and relaxation. Hammams are an integral part of the Turkish culture - you won't get more authentic than this.

Facts & Figures

Official name: Türkiye Cumhuriyeti (Republic of Turkey)
Location: Part of south-eastern Europe, Southwest Asia. Between Bulgaria and Syria on the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea
Area: 783.562 km²
Capital: Ankara
Population: 79.8 million
Religious and ethnic groups: 99% Muslims / 75% Turks, 18% Kurds
Language: Spanish (official language), Kurdish
Geography: Central Plateau, narrow coastal plain, many mountain ranges. Highest point: Mount Ararat (5166m)
Time zone: Eastern European Time (UTC + 02:00)
Political and economic: parliamentary democracy, GDP: 731,9 billion (EUR 2016)
Currency: Turkish lira (current exchange rate can be found online)

Arrival and departure

Visa:
Vaccinations:
On site: The country's roads are considered good but are less developed in more rural areas. The rail network is far more advanced in contrast to buses or taxis, but are usually considered slower. Wherever possible, there is a wide range of ferries available.

Climate and best time to travel

The climate in Turkey is temperate with hot, dry summers and humid-mild winters. In the inland, the fluctuations are slightly more extreme.
Winter average temperature: 11°C: Coastal/domestic/-1°C (average minimum temperatures around 6°C/-4°C in January)
Summer average temperature: Coastal/domestic: 27°C/21°C (maximum temperatures of around 34°C/30°C in August)
Water temperature: 25°C in July

The best travel time for the Riviera are spring and autumn, as it can be very hot in midsummer. The same applies for city breaks, but they can also be very beautiful in the winter, sometimes with snow.

The most beautiful holiday regions

Datça/Turkish Aegean Sea - Sandy beaches and rocky towns
Antalya/Turkish Riviera - Turquoise blue sea and two wonders of the world

Public holidays and celebrations

New Year (January 1), National Sovereignty Day and Children's Day (April 23), Labour Day (May 1), The Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day (May 19), Fasting Break (always changing), Victory Day (August 30), Victory Day (always changing - takes 4 days), Republic Day (October 29).

DOs and DON'Ts

DO's
•    Haggle. This is common practice at the bazaars and can lead to unexpected bargains.
•    Wear appropriate attire. If you enter a mosque, cover your shoulders and legs and always take off your shoes.
•    Learn gestures. The "Yes" will be displayed like in Europe. Only the "No" is different. Raising your chin and making a “tut” sound means “No.” Shaking your head is often not understood.

DON'TS
•    Don't show the soles of your feet. The sole of the foot is the lowest part of the body and is considered unclean.
•    Don't make disparaging remarks or jokes about Atatürk. Most Turks are very proud of the founder of the state and you will be resented if you are overheard making disapproving remarks.
•    Don't take pictures without asking. You should not take photos of people unless you have obtained permission to do so.

Top tips and discoveries

Istanbul
Where Orient and Occident meet, Istanbul has become an extraordinary city with a unique culture and atmosphere. Even at a time when the city was still called Byzantium or Constantinople, it was of outstanding importance for world events. Their pride and awareness of this is still evident today. Whether you come to Istanbul because of the imposing buildings from various empires and epochs such as the Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque, or because of the incomparable nightlife with clubs and bars in backyards and on roofs, you will not be disappointed. Split across two continents traversable with a small boat trip, the city is an enchanting work of art.

Pergamon
Pergamon is a true paradise for archaeology enthusiasts. The remnants of the city, which once sought to outdo Athens, extend from the foot of the hillside to the high plateau of the castle hill. In addition to an amphitheatre on the flank of the Acropolis, ruins of a Roman imperial temple, a sanctuary of Asclepius, a temple of Dionysus and a Greek castle can all be found, illustrating the past cultic and cultural significance of the place. The view from the highest point of Pergamon stretches out across a vast expanse of the country. Popular ancient tourist destinations are also Troy and Ephesus.

Pamukkale
Pamukkale offers two attractions at once. On the one hand, you have the remains of the ancient city of Hierapolis with the amphitheatre and temple of Apollo. On the other hand, you have the white travertine terraces. For millions of years, the warm water emenating from nearby thermal springs have made their way through the area, with mineral deposit build-up creating a unique landscape full of steps and pools. Even if bathing is no longer allowed today; the beauty of the white terraces with their blue waters is overwhelming, especially at sunset.

(Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the above text, SpaDreams cannot be held responsible for any out-of-date or incorrect information.)

Regions in Turkey (Türkiye)

• Turkish Aegean Coast