Turkey is one of the world's great travel destinations — a country where east meets west, ancient history walks beside cutting-edge culture, and the food is so good it has its own place in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. From the minarets of Istanbul to the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia and the turquoise coast of the Aegean, Turkey rewards every kind of traveller. Here is your complete guide, including how to get your Turkey visa online before you fly.
About Tourism in Turkey
Turkey welcomes over 50 million international visitors annually, making it one of the top 5 most visited countries on earth. Istanbul alone draws 15 million tourists a year — more than the entire population of Greece. Yet beyond Istanbul, Turkey is remarkably underexplored. Cappadocia's volcanic landscape, the Lycian coastal trails, the ancient ruins of Ephesus, Pamukkale's travertine terraces and the Black Sea highland villages each deserve a dedicated trip.
The best time to visit is April–June and September–November — warm, dry and with manageable crowds. Istanbul is pleasant year-round. Summer (July–August) is excellent for the coast but very hot inland.
Turkey Visa Online: How to Apply
Citizens of over 100 countries can apply for a Turkey e-visa online — a simple process that takes under 10 minutes. Travellers from the UK, USA, most EU countries, India, Australia and many others are eligible. The Turkey tourist visa is typically valid for 180 days from issue, allowing stays of 30–90 days depending on your nationality. Apply for your Turkey visa online through our portal, pay the fee and receive your e-visa by email — approved within minutes.
Best Cities & Hotel Booking in Turkey
Turkey is large and regionally diverse — matching your base to your interests is key:
- Istanbul: The inevitable starting point. Split across two continents, Istanbul has more to offer than a week can cover. Stay in Sultanahmet for history, Beyoğlu/Taksim for nightlife and culture, or Karaköy for boutique hotels and the best restaurants.
- Cappadocia (Göreme): The fairy-chimney landscape is best experienced by hot air balloon at dawn. Hotel booking in Cappadocia is a highlight in itself — cave hotels carved into volcanic rock are some of the most memorable stays in the world.
- Bodrum & Aegean Coast: Yacht charters, ancient ruins, azure coves and vibrant nightlife. Perfect for a beach holiday with historical depth.
- Antalya: Gateway to the Turquoise Coast — Roman harbour, excellent beaches and an extraordinary backdrop of the Taurus Mountains.
- Ankara: The capital is often skipped but shouldn't be — the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations alone is worth a half-day stop.
Top Things to Do in Turkey
- Hot Air Balloon, Cappadocia: Float over the otherworldly landscape of fairy chimneys and volcanic valleys at sunrise — one of the world's great travel experiences.
- Hagia Sophia, Istanbul: A 1,500-year-old cathedral-turned-mosque-turned-museum — a building that has no equal on earth.
- Topkapı Palace, Istanbul: The nerve centre of the Ottoman Empire for 400 years — an extraordinary complex of courtyards, treasuries and harem rooms overlooking the Bosphorus.
- Ephesus Ancient City: The best-preserved Roman city in the Mediterranean — the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre and the marble-paved main street are awe-inspiring.
- Pamukkale Travertines: Terraced white calcium pools fed by thermal springs — swim in the Cleopatra Pool and visit the ancient city of Hierapolis above.
- Bosphorus Cruise, Istanbul: A boat journey along the strait separating Europe and Asia — past Ottoman palaces, wooden summer houses and the bridges that link two continents.
Food in Turkey
Turkish cuisine is among the finest in the world — fresh, varied and deeply regional. Breakfast (kahvaltı) is a feast: olives, white cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggs, honey, clotted cream and fresh-baked bread. For street food, the simit (sesame-crusted bread ring) and balık ekmek (grilled fish sandwich) from a Bosphorus ferry are essential. Don't miss a proper iskender kebab in Bursa, meze and rakı in an Istanbul meyhane, and fresh Turkish delight in the spice bazaar.
Culture & Etiquette
Turkey is a secular republic with a predominantly Muslim population. Mosques are open to respectful visitors outside prayer times — remove shoes, cover heads (women) and speak quietly. Bargaining in bazaars is expected and enjoyable. Turks are famously hospitable — accepting tea when offered is both polite and inevitable. The Turkish tea culture (çay) is something you will come to love within hours of arrival.
Plan Your Turkey Trip Today
Apply for your Turkey visa online, book hotels in Istanbul and Cappadocia, and prepare for a trip that will reset your expectations of what travel can be.