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Turkey

fllag  of  Turkey Turkey is one of the most popular countries among European tourists. More than 49 million foreign tourists visited Turkey in 2023. This allowed Turkey to rise to third place in the ranking of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Istanbul was named the most visited city in the world in 2023. In 2023, Turkey ranked third in the number of beaches marked with the “blue flag” for cleanliness and safety.

The Mediterranean, Aegean, Black and Marmara seas wash Turkey on three sides, and, thanks to this, Turkey has a very long coastline. This means that Turkey has a wide variety of beaches, which, combined with a warm climate and friendly people, makes Turkey one of the best places for a Summer (autumn, spring) vacation.

The Mediterranean Sea is located south of Turkey. This is the warmest coast of Turkey.
The Aegean Sea is located in the southwest of the country, west of Marmaris, between Turkey and Greece.
The country's most popular resorts are located on the Mediterranean and Aegean seas. This coastline is often called the "Turkish Riviera".
Türkiye also has coasts on the Black and Marmara seas. The Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits are located in the western part of Turkey and separate its European and Asian parts. On both banks of the Bosphorus Strait lies the city of Istanbul, one of the most visited cities in the world by tourists.

Turkey

Tourism in Turkey

What attracts people to Turkey? Warm Mediterranean climate, warm sea, a large number of historical attractions, safety, good service and reasonable prices. These qualities are appreciated by all travel lovers in all countries. This is enough to attract tourists to Turkey. But in Turkey there are also interesting historical sights, beautiful nature, and even ski resorts.

Tourists are attracted to Turkey mainly by beach holidays. A fairly small proportion of foreign tourists travel inland or to the Black Sea coast. But not only beaches. Turkey is often visited by yacht owners who travel around the Mediterranean Sea. There are good golf courses there too. Some Europeans buy property in coastal cities and spend a lot of time in Turkey (working remotely or being retired).

The beach season at Turkey Mediterranean resorts lasts quite a long time, longer than in many other Mediterranean countries. Experience shows that the sea can warm up as early as May and remain warm even until mid-November. If the sea is cool, then most resort hotels have swimming pools. There are also resorts with heated pools. In fact, the weather on the Mediterranean coast can be comfortable even in winter.

A long beach season, favorable prices and high quality service are what tourists from many countries value Turkey for.

Istanbul is a special city. Tourists come to this city not for a beach holiday, but to visit attractions, cultural events and shopping, among other things. There are many attractions, hotels, cafes in the city.

Look also: Turkey tourist map.

Learn more: Antalya, Marmaris, Alanya.

Turkey is very interesting country for history lovers. Anatolia, the Asian portion of Turkey, is the birthplace of many history and legends figures, such as the poet Homer, King Midas, Herodotus (philosopher) and Saint Paul.

Two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were located in Turkey: the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus in Bodrum. The oldest known human settlement in the world (dating to 6500 B.C.) is located in Catalhöyük. The world’s first landscape painting was found on the wall of a Catalhöyük house, illustrating the volcanic eruption of nearby Hasandag.

Turkey has many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Cultural attractions include the sites of Ephesus, Troy, Pergamon, House of the Virgin Mary, Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Trabzon, and the ruined cities and landscapes of Cappadocia.

Useful information about Turkey

  • Official language: Turkish.
  • Capital: Ankara.
  • Largest cities: Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Bursa.
  • Government structure: parliamentary republic.
  • Area: 780,000 km2.
  • Population (2023): 85.2 million.
  • Currency: Turkish Lira
  • Internet domain - tr.
  • Telephone code: +90.
  • The local currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TL). It is available in the denominations: banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50 &100 TL; coins: 10, 25 & 50 kuruş and 1 TL.
  • The electricity voltage in Turkey is 220V; 50Hz. Wall sockets in Turkey take two-pin plugs. You will need an adaptor if your appliances use three-pin plugs.
  • Driving in Turkey is on the right-hand side (as in continental Europe). All visitors may drive with an international driving license. Tourists should have a copy of license, passport and insurance documents, while using a car at all times. All of the major international car rental companies have offices at airports and all major centers.
  • Use common sense when deciding what to wear. Bikini, shorts and short dresses are suitable if staying on a beach. Change clothing when going into town to shop or eat. For walking in the city suitable clothing is comfortable shoes and casual trousers (a dress).
  • When visiting mosques you should take off your shoes at the entrance and ladies should cover their hair; often scarves are provided on the way in. Both sexes should dress modestly with no shorts and arms and shoulders covered during visits to mosques.

Airports

Turkey is a very large country and you need to look for flights to the right airport when planning a trip to Turkey. You can see the location of the airport on the map. Find flights to Turkey a.

Antalya Airport (IATA: AYT) is an international airport located 13 km (8.1 mi) northeast of the city center of Antalya. It is a major destination during the European summer holiday season.

İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport (IATA: ADB) is an international airport serving İzmir and most of the surrounding province in Turkey. It is located 18 km (11 mi) southwest of the city center.

Dalaman Airport (IATA: DLM) is an international airport and one of three serving south-west Turkey. Look for flights to this airport if you are heading to Marmaris or Fethiye.

Milas–Bodrum Airport (IATA: BJV) is an international airport that serves Bodrum and Milas towns. The airport is situated 36 km northeast of the town of Bodrum, and 16 km south of Milas.

Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport (IATA: GZP). The airport is located near the town of Gazipasa and about 40 kilometers southeast of the city of Alanya. Unfortunately, you will find few flights to this airport.

Istanbul Atatürk Airport (IATA: ISTA) is the main international airport serving Istanbul, and the biggest airport in Turkey by total number of passengers.

Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (IATA: SAW) is one of the two international airports serving Istanbul. It is located 35 km (22 mi) southeast of central Istanbul.

Antalya Turkey
In the photo: a view of Antalya from a landing plane.

Direct flight time from London to Istanbul:
Distance - 2,500 km.
Flying time - 3 hours and 40 minutes.

Direct flight time from London to Antalya:
Distance - 2,900 km.
Flying time - 4 hours and 20 minutes.

Find flights to Turkey a.

Accommodation

There are many hotels in Turkey's coastal cities, from mini-hotels and guest houses to luxury five-star resorts.

As in most countries, you can rely on the number of stars when choosing a hotel.

Many Turkish hotels offer all-inclusive accommodation. This is very convenient if you are looking for a relaxing beach holiday.

Most hotels have swimming pools. Some hotels have swimming pools in which the water can be heated. This may come in handy if your vacation falls in autumn, winter or spring.

Some five-star resorts invite artists and organize concerts and festivals in the summer. Please inquire before booking if this is of interest to you.

Some tourists prefer to choose hotels that do not have noisy entertainment. Read reviews from hotel guests.

You will surely find a hotel that suits you.

Links to the best hotel reservation services can be found here.

You might also be interested in: the best five-star resorts in Antalya.

Useful links for those planning to travel:

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