23/04/2022
Turkey has long been a favourite among tourists looking for an idyllic summer getaway. This country offers everything from charming cities, spectacular ancient ruins and monuments, historical sites, and spectacular beaches. With its compelling (and lengthy) history, colourful culture, delicious food and multiple shopping options, Turkey, particularly its largest city, Istanbul, is completely captivating.
Did You Know?
In Dec 2021, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a circular to change the country’s internationally recognised name from Turkey to Turkïye. The country has always been called Turkïye, in Turkish, since independence in 1923 from the occupying Western powers. Look out for “Made in Turkïye” products when you shop for local fare.
The national sport of Turkey is oil wrestling. Also known as grease wrestling, oil wrestling is one of the oldest sports in Turkey. Before the wrestling gets underway each man is covered in olive oil by the yağcı (oiler). Oiling the wrestlers’ bodies makes it harder to grab each other. This sport requires great strength and mastery.
Get ready to bargain as you shop in Turkey but take heart, vendors are not as pushy as they are in other parts of Asia.
There is truth to the saying ‘Istanbul is the new cool’. Every Turkey travel guide will recommend a trip to this wonderful city. Whether you’re a history buff, an architecture lover, or simply a traveller or shopper who loves to meander through beautiful neighbourhoods, Istanbul has something for you.
Oh, and foodies too! Traditional Turkish food is fresh, delicious, and unforgettable. We discuss mouth-watering Turkish food that will give even the hard-core foodies instant ‘foodgasm’ below.
Home to more than 4,000 stores covering 60 streets, the Grand Bazaar has been open since 1461. This is the perfect place to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Istanbul in a beautiful setting. Expect to find everything! If you need inspiration, look for an evil eye (see below), a Turkish lamp, Turkish delights (candy), a cup of tea, fabric, jewellery, shoes, and suitcases. Haggling is expected here, so be ready to play if you’re hoping to buy souvenirs.
Istanbul’s long and storied history and because it has been ruled by several of the world’s great empires makes it a fantastic treasure trove for history buffs. Turkey’s first museum, the İstanbul Archaeology Museum, has three sections: Archaeology, the Ancient Orient and Islamic Art. It holds an extensive collection of Ancient Greek, Roman, and Turkish artefacts.
You may associate Turkey with coffee. But having tea with a shopkeeper is a common practice in Istanbul. Don’t be surprised when you get offers of tea when shopping! About 96% of the population drinks at least one cup of tea every day. Turkish tea is robust and served in small tulip-shaped glasses.
The Evil Eye is the best-selling souvenir in Turkey. The Nazar boncuğu, or “evil eye”, is a stone made from molten glass, iron, and copper. It is believed to protect the wearer from evil forces. The blue colour of the stone has the power to shield off negative energy.
You will pass plenty of options for quick snacks as you explore the city. Expect to find fresh fruit juice, simit, corn on the cob, chestnuts, and kumpir (loaded baked potatoes). And kebab! This is a classic Turkish meal. The Turks also love bread and almost every meal comes with fresh bread ekmek. Make sure to soak up juices and oils of other dishes with your bread
The first signs of Turkish baths date all the way back to the 14th century, during the Ottoman Empire. Now, the Turkish bath experience can also vary depending on if you’d like individual treatments or to wash alone. We think you should treat yourself to an attendant that will wash and scrub you. The Turkish bath takes exfoliation to a new level.
You’ll be lathered up with soap and scrubbed down with an exfoliant paste, often a gommage or savon beldi, which are gentle and painless, then washed and rinsed again but with cool water. It is truly an experience not to be missed in Turkey.
In a nutshell: spring is the best time to visit Turkey, autumn is next, then summer, finally, winter.
* Spring is from March to mid-June and the weather is moderate while the days are long.
* Autumn is the next best time to travel to Turkey. This is from mid-September to the end of October. The days are shorter, but the weather is mostly mild.
* Summer from mid-June through to mid-September tends to be rainless and hot but cool in the evening.
* Winter, from November to February, is often chilly and rainy with occasional cold but sunny days. Frequent visitors tend to travel to Turkey between March and November.
Turkey is generally safe and peaceful. However, there is a risk of violence and acts of war along its borders with Syria and Iraq. Many governments caution against travelling within 10km of the border with Syria or to Diyarbakir city.
Note that Turkey has seen record levels of Covid-19 cases in February 2022 due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant. But with a little precaution and diligent SOP practices, you should be able to make the most of your Turkey experience and enjoy the wonders of this transcontinental country with its rich culture, long history, amazing food and warm people