Discover Turkey: Where History, Culture, and Natural Beauty Meet
From ancient civilizations and legendary landmarks to sun-soaked beaches, vibrant culture, and world-renowned cuisine, Turkey offers an unforgettable travel experience. This guide explores everything you need to know—weather, history, culture, food, and practical travel tips—making it the perfect introduction to a country where East truly meets West.
Turkey is a country of remarkable diversity, breathtaking scenery, warm hospitality, and a wide range of resorts and activities to suit every taste. Spanning two continents where East meets West, and shaped by over 10,000 years of civilization, Turkey is truly a treasure trove of history and culture.
Weather in Turkey
Southern Mediterranean and Aegean Coasts
Turkey’s Mediterranean and Aegean coasts enjoy a classic Mediterranean climate with low humidity. The long summer season stretches from May to October, with temperatures ranging from the low 20°Cs at the start and end of the season to the mid-30°Cs during the hottest months of July and August.
Spring brings cool, sunny days, lush green hills, and the fragrant scent of citrus blossoms—ideal conditions for hiking and sightseeing. Autumn offers pleasant temperatures perfect for exploring historical and natural sites, as well as taking advantage of end-of-season shopping bargains. Winters are generally mild, with occasional showers and plenty of sunshine, and it is not uncommon to be able to swim in the sea even in November.
Turkish Culture
Turkey’s rich cultural heritage is one of its greatest attractions. Influenced by both Europe and Asia, Turkish culture reflects centuries of blended traditions visible in its arts, language, music, and handicrafts. Turks are especially proud of their ancient musical traditions, which share similarities with those of nearby Islamic regions such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and northern India.
As a cosmopolitan nation, Turkey has also embraced Western ideas while preserving Asian and Arabic elements, creating a culture that is both diverse and distinctive.
The Family
Family is central to Turkish life. Children often remain with their families until marriage and continue to be a primary focus afterward. Grandparents commonly help care for children, allowing parents to work. Respect for elders is deeply rooted in Turkish culture, often demonstrated by younger people kissing an elder’s hand and touching it to their forehead as a sign of respect.
Turkish Women
Equal rights for women were officially incorporated into the Turkish civil code in 2002. Women now have equal authority in family matters, shared rights to property and assets in divorce, and the freedom to work without spousal consent. Married women may also continue using their maiden names if they wish.
The Evil Eye
The “evil eye” is one of Turkey’s most widespread and ancient beliefs. It is thought to be caused by intense envy, bringing misfortune to its target. To protect against this, the nazar boncuğu—a blue glass eye—is widely used as a symbol of protection. These charms can be seen in homes, buildings, cars, and even worn by babies and young children.
Hamam (Turkish Bath)
The Hamam, or Turkish bath, has its roots in Roman and Byzantine traditions and was adopted by the Seljuk Turks in the 11th century. It has played an essential role in Turkish society ever since, serving as both a place of cleanliness and social interaction. Today, Hamams remain popular across Turkey, offering a relaxing yet invigorating experience through exfoliation, bathing, and massage.
Family Holidays in Turkey
Turkey is a welcoming destination for families, as children are genuinely loved and warmly received. Gently shelving beaches are ideal for young holidaymakers, while activities such as walking, cycling, horse riding, and watersports cater to more active families.
Did You Know?
Turkey is home to two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (modern-day Bodrum).
St. Nicholas, known today as Santa Claus, was born and lived in Turkey.
Noah’s Ark is believed to have landed on Mount Ararat in eastern Turkey.
Turkey produces around 70% of the world’s hazelnuts.
The English language adopted words such as turquoise, yoghurt, kismet, kilim, and parchment from Turkish.
Turkey introduced tulips to Holland and still supplies tulips worldwide; the tulip is also Turkey’s national flower.
The Lydians in Turkey were the first to mint and use coins over 2,700 years ago.
Turkey appointed the world’s first female Supreme Court judge and granted women the right to vote in 1934.
Religion
Although approximately 99% of Turkey’s population is Muslim, the country is a secular state that allows freedom of worship for all religions. In resort areas, visitors may notice little difference apart from the call to prayer heard five times daily. When visiting mosques, modest dress is recommended, and visits should be avoided during prayer times or on Fridays.
During Ramadan (Ramazan), some locals fast from sunrise to sunset, though this has little impact on tourists, especially in resort areas.
Public Holidays in Turkey
Government offices and banks close on public holidays, but life in tourist resorts continues largely as normal. Most shops, restaurants, and exchange offices remain open.
History of Turkey
Historically known as Asia Minor or Anatolia, Turkey boasts one of the world’s most fascinating histories, with settlement dating back to the eighth millennium BC. Over time, Anatolia was home to countless civilizations, including the Assyrians, Hittites, Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines.
Sites such as Troy, Lycia, and the magnificent ruins of Ephesus reflect the region’s Hellenistic past. Ephesus is also believed to be where the Virgin Mary spent her final days, making it an important pilgrimage site today.
From Persian rule under Cyrus the Great, to conquest by Alexander the Great, Roman peace, Byzantine Christianity, the Seljuk Empire, and finally the six-century reign of the Ottomans, Turkey’s history is vast and layered. In 1923, the modern Turkish Republic was founded under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, whose reforms shaped the nation into what it is today.
Turkish Food & Drink
Turkish cuisine is considered among the best in the world, benefiting from diverse climates that allow a wide range of ingredients to be grown locally. Beyond kebabs, Turkish meze—small appetizer dishes—offer incredible variety, from simple combinations to elaborately prepared vegetables.
Rakı, an anise-flavoured spirit, is Turkey’s national alcoholic drink, while popular beers include Efes Pilsen and Tuborg. Turkish wines are steadily improving, with Kavaklıdere and Doluca among the best-known producers.
Shopping in Turkey
Shopping in Turkey is a vibrant experience. Traditional handicrafts such as carpets, kilims, ceramics, copperware, jewellery, and leather goods are popular souvenirs. In resort areas, shops often stay open late into the evening, and bargaining is common in markets and souvenir stalls.
Transport
Hiring a car is one of the best ways to explore Turkey freely. Local transport includes dolmuş minibuses, which operate flexible routes and allow passengers to hop on and off along the way.
Things to Do in Turkey
Turkey offers activities for all ages, including watersports, scuba diving, trekking, and countryside walks. Calm, clear waters make it an excellent destination for beginner divers.
Currency in Turkey
The official currency is the New Turkish Lira (YTL), introduced in 2006. Currency exchange is widely available at banks, hotels, exchange offices, and airports. ATMs are common throughout the country, and while some tourist areas accept foreign currency, it is advisable to carry Turkish Lira when traveling inland.
Passports & Visas
British citizens require a passport valid for at least six months after return and must purchase a tourist visa on arrival. Non-UK passport holders should consult their respective embassies for visa requirements.
