Turkey Travel Guide
Tourist season
Are November and December good months to visit Turkey?
November
Shoulder
season
December
Shoulder
season
Did you know?
The surface area of Turkey is 302.5 thous. mi², which puts the country in position number 38 in terms of the area in the world.
How far is it?
1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings
The distance between Ankara (TR) and Washington D.C. (US) is 5421 miles
To calculate distance between your location and Ankara click here
Time • Timezone
Safety
General travel safety level in Turkey on a scale of 1 (safe) to 4 (unsafe).
Level 2 • Exercise a high degree of caution (plus additional regional warnings).
Update: 13 Oct 2024Currency
Turkish Lira (TRY) - rate compared to selected currencies
EUR 
GBP 
USD Get ready for your next trip
With just a few clicks you can find the best accommodation, airline tickets, or buy insurance that provides comprehensive protection for your next journey.
Cities and Top Tourist Attractions
From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to Turkey
| Miles | Istanbul | Ankara | Izmir | Bursa | Adana | Antalya | Trabzon | Edirne |
| Istanbul | - | 217 | 205 | 58 | 440 | 301 | 560 | 134 |
| Ankara | 217 | - | 324 | 201 | 243 | 241 | 369 | 351 |
| Izmir | 205 | 324 | - | 160 | 458 | 223 | 692 | 227 |
| Bursa | 58 | 201 | 160 | - | 404 | 245 | 562 | 166 |
| Adana | 440 | 243 | 458 | 404 | - | 255 | 364 | 569 |
| Antalya | 301 | 241 | 223 | 245 | 255 | - | 562 | 399 |
| Trabzon | 560 | 369 | 692 | 562 | 364 | 562 | - | 684 |
| Edirne | 134 | 351 | 227 | 166 | 569 | 399 | 684 | - |
A Brief History of Turkey
Important historical events that significantly shaped the nation's trajectory throughout the centuries
330
ByzantiumConstantine, the ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire (also called Byzantium), founds New Rome. It later becomes Constantinople.
1288
Ottoman EmpireOsman, a warrior chieftain, founds the Ottoman Empire.
1453
Powerful empireSultan Mehmed II conquers Constantinople and extends Ottoman control. The powerful empire lasts 600 years.
1520 - 1566
Suleyman ISultan Suleyman I expands the empire and builds mosques and monuments.
1914
World War IAfter World War I, Ottomans and foreign troops occupy the region.
1919 - 1938
AtaturkMustafa Kemal, called Ataturk (Father of the Turks) leads a rebellion. He becomes president of the Republic of Turkey in 1923. Ataturk launches sweeping reforms.
1930
IstanbulConstantinople is officially renamed Istanbul.
1974
Turkey invades CyprusBoth Greece and Turkey want control of the island.
1982
New constitutionAfter a military takeover, a new constitution is adopted.
1984 - 1999
Kurdish–Turkish conflictThe government and a separatist Kurdish group battle. More than 30,000 are killed in the fighting.
1999
EarthquakesTwo earthquakes in northern Turkey kill more than 17,000 people.
2005
Turkish liraA new currency, called Iira, is introduced. It has six fewer zeroes.
Best Ways to Experience Turkey
- Cuisine
- Art
- Animals
Practical Information for Travelers
- Budget
- Currency
- Vaccinations
- Visa
- Electricity
Determine the expenses for your travel or vacation budget, as well as the expenditures associated with residing in another country
MoreBackpacker's budget
Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel in a standard close to 1 star (hostels, public transport). When traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher (hotel room) or the same (dormitory accommodation).from
Tourist's budget
Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel (they share the cost of a hotel room, taxis, etc.) to a standard close to 3 stars. Costs for a solo traveler will be higher.from
Currency
MoreTurkish Lira (TRY)
- EUR
- GBP
- TRY
- USD
- EUR
- GBP
- TRY
- USD
| = |
Vaccinations
MoreAll travelers
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Turkey.
Most travelers
Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.
Some travelers
Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Avoid sharing body fluids
- Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment
With or without a visa?
Visa requirements for citizens of
- United States
visiting 
Turkey for tourism
A visa is required, but can be obtained through the relevant website.
- Allowed stay: 3 months
- Single or multiple entry visa
Electricity
230V (50 Hz)
In Turkey the standard voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Type C, F sockets are used.
Click on the socket icon to see more information
Type C
Type FFacts and Figures
Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country
Population | 17 / 231 Ranking | 84 339 067 Turkish 70-75%, Kurdish 18% |
Area | 38 / 230 Ranking | 302.5 thous. mi² It is approximately 8% of the territory of United States. |
Life expectancy | 95 / 196 Ranking | 76 Life expectancy expressed in years.men 73.6women 78.5 |
Median age | 83 / 157 Ranking | 32.2 Average age of population expressed in years.men 31.7women 32.8 |
Population growth | 107 / 172 Ranking | 0.7% The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss. |
Literacy | 31 / 131 Ranking | 96.7% Ability to read, write and count.men 99.1%women 94.4% |
GDP | 54 / 194 Ranking | 28 114 INT$ GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population. |
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