A transcontinental crossroads of civilizations where Byzantine mosaics face Ottoman minarets, Mediterranean coasts meet Cappadocian moonscapes, and spice bazaars sell the same goods they have for centuries.
- Capital
- Ankara
- Population
- 85,664,944
- Area
- 780,580 km²
- Languages
- Turkish
- Currency
- New Turkish Lira (TRY)
- GDP
- $1,437,406M
Good to know
Driving side
Right
National dish
Döner kebab, Kuru fasulye with pilav
Annual visitors
15,971,000 (2020)
Safety
Moderate (3.23/100k)
Big Mac
$5.90
Avg temp
11.7°C
Religion
Islam
Coast
Coastal
☎ Police 155 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 110
Travel guide
Turkey (Turkish: Türkiye), officially the Republic of Türkiye (Türkiye Cumhuriyeti), is a bi-continental country: an oft-repeated cliché about Turkey is that it is the bridge between Europe and Asia. This is true not only geographically, but also culturally, and many Turks value their European and Asian identities equally. Therefore, Turkey is the ultimate "exotic — but with a twist" destination for many: plenty of travellers to the country will find a charming novelty in every corner, yet at the same time, will have a feel of comforting familiarity, regardless of which direction or how far they are arriving from. Add the Turks' legendary warmth towards the visitors to the mix, and you get the idea. From the dome-and-minaret filled skyline of Istanbul to the ancient ruins alongside the western and southern coasts, heavily indented against a craggy backdrop in Lycia and wide and sunny in Pamphylia, to the cold and remote mountains of the East, Turkey offers a wealth of destinations. Crazy "foam parties" in Bodrum running wild find their place with the Middle Eastern-flavoured cities of Southeastern Anatolia in the same country. The lush and misty mountains of the Eastern Black Sea are only a few hours away from the vast steppe landscapes of Central Anatolia. So there is something for everyone's taste — whether they are travelling on an extreme budget by hitchhiking or by a multi-million yacht.
© Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)
Explore Turkey
Best time to visit
April–May and September–October are ideal for most regions. June–August for beaches but hot inland. Cappadocia is magical year-round, especially for hot air balloons in spring. Istanbul is best March–May and September–November.
Visa
Citizens of 90+ countries including USA, UK, EU members, and Australia receive e-Visa or visa-free entry for 30–90 days. The e-Visa is available online in minutes at evisa.gov.tr.
Highlights
Cappadocia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey. It is located in the centre of Turkey, almost 700km from Istanbul. It is a land of natural wonder famous for its picturesque valleys, unique cave hotels, mystical underground cities and fairy chimneys (unique rock formations). Cappadocia is also most popular for its breathtaking hot air balloon rides at sunrise. The ancient valleys of Cappadocia offer many hiking trails. There is so much hiking here that it will take you at least a week to explore them all. Goreme is one of the main highlights of Cappadocia. It is home to an open-air museum and historical sites, home to hidden churches and exotic frescoes. Unlike popular belief, Cappadocia is not a city but an entire region. It has small towns like Goreme, Uchisar, Urgup and Ortahisar, among others. These areas are surrounded by three dormant volcanoes - Mt Erciyes, Mt Hasan and Mt Gullu. These have contributed to the exotic landscape of Cappadocia and the unique cave hotels. These cave hotels are a sought-after experience, quintessential to Cappadocia. It is also the place where you don't want to miss a sunrise!
Public holidays
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (22)
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Major cities
Istanbul
Istanbul bridges two continents historically and geographically, home to Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, vibrant bazaars, and world-renowned Turkish cuisine.
Izmir
Izmir is Turkey's third-largest city, a cosmopolitan coastal gem close to the ancient ruins of Ephesus and the beautiful Aegean beaches.
Cappadocia
A lunar landscape of fairy chimneys, cave hotels, and early morning hot air balloon rides above the rock formations.
Antalya
Turkey's Riviera — a Roman harbor town with some of the Mediterranean's finest beaches and the Taurus Mountains behind.
Ephesus
One of the best-preserved ancient Greco-Roman cities in the world — the Library of Celsus, grand theatre, and Temple of Artemis site.
Trabzon
A Black Sea city with the extraordinary Sumela Monastery clinging to a cliff face, and access to the Pontic Mountains.
Bodrum
Turkey's Aegean jewel — whitewashed houses, the Castle of St Peter, and the most glamorous marina on the Turkish coast.