Turkey Tours & Holidays

Turkey has a strong national identity still heavily influenced by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey. You’ll see his likeness everywhere – grand statues, on money and in pictures hanging on the walls of some home and businesses. Your familiarity with his name and at least a few of his key policies will be very well received by locals.

Both its location and the legacy of the Ottoman Empire have contributed to a cultural mix of influences from Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Cultural practices vary significantly depending on which region of Turkey you are travelling in. It's important to remember that while most Turkish cities are modern metropolises, Turks can still be quite traditional.

Travellers will find Turkish people to be polite and quite formal in their greetings, kind and hospitable as hosts and friendly as new acquaintances.

Frequenting hamams (Turkish bathhouses) and coffee houses are popular pastimes for Turkish people, although contemporary hangouts like bars and nightclubs are the standard entertainment for most young people in the big cities, with Istanbul having one of the world's hottest nightlife scenes.

While Turkey is nominally secular, the vast majority of the population identify as Muslim and Islamic holidays like Ramazan (Ramadan) and Eid are widely observed and recognised with public holidays.

Clothing and behaviour

Restrained behaviour and clothing that covers you from elbows to below the knee is appropriate in (or even around) mosques. Female travellers should carry a scarf on them to wear when visiting mosques.

While bars and nightclubs are common in big cities like Istanbul, outside of these environments it’s a good idea to take your cues from the locals and behave in a subdued manner. This doesn’t mean you can’t have fun, but raucous behaviour should be contained to the appropriate venues and kept off the street.

How to be a respectful traveller in Turkey

1. Clean your plate
   If you’re eating with locals (particularly as a guest in their home), you’ll make them very happy if you eat multiple servings and finish everything on your plate. Plan ahead and arrive on an empty stomach for extra points.
2. Know when to haggle
   Remember the first rule of bartering is to decide how much you’re willing to spend beforehand and use that as your guide. In regular shops – as opposed to markets – don’t attempt to haggle over prices.
3. Respect the elderly
   Small gestures like letting elderly folks go ahead of you through doors, offering them your seat on public transport and generally being considerate and respectful of older people will be greatly appreciated.  
4. Keep criticism private
   It’s a good rule of thumb not to criticise the culture, government or politics of Turkey. While not all Turks are strict nationalists, you could cause a lot of trouble and offense. You should especially avoid discussing topics related to the Kurdish or Armenian people. When in doubt, follow the conversational lead of the locals. If you’re travelling with Intrepid, ask your leader for guidance. If you’re after a little insight into the geopolitical complexities of Turkey, check out the 'further reading' list below for some perspectives from Turkish authors. 

Ancient history

There is evidence of hominin habitation in the region known as Anatolia, or Asian Turkey, that dates as far back as 500,000 years and ample evidence of numerous Neolithic settlements popping up between 8000 and 10,000 years ago. 

Notable civilisations who occupied the prehistoric Anatolian region were the Hattians (circa 2500 BC to 2000 BC), the Hittites (circa 1700 BC to 1200 BC) and Assyrians. From around 2000 BC, Greeks began settling in north-western Anatolia and the southern coasts, establishing individual city-states.

Pre-modern history

The majority of Anatolia was conquered by Alexander the Great in 334 BC. After his death a succession of various Greek-Macedonian rulers controlled the area until 133 BC when the region was given to the Roman Republic.

Roman control had little impact on the dominant classical Greek culture, which continued to thrive in Anatolia until the region’s absorption into the Byzantine Empire.

Between the sixth and 11th centuries a massive wave of what is known as the ‘Turkic migration’ occurred, and millions travelled across Central Asia into Europe and the Middle East. Among this migratory wave were various Turkic tribes who brought the Islamic religion and Turkic languages that dominate modern Turkey.

The Byzantine Empire sustained a number of invasions and limped forward before finally collapsing in the 14th century, by which point much of Anatolia was already controlled by tribal micro-kingdoms. One of these Turkic tribal groups, the Ottomans, emerged as the dominant regional power during the 15th century and enjoyed a few hundred years of expansion and growth until territorial losses forced its eventual decline in the 19th century.

20th century

The final dissolution of the Ottoman Empire after defeat at the hands of the Allies in WWI was followed by a brief period of Allied occupation before the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk became the republic’s first president and introduced radical reforms to modernise Turkey and imbue it with a unique identity that was separate to that of the former empire. His ideas continue to be influential on contemporary politics today.

In the decades since the death of Ataturk in 1938, Turkey has seen a number of swings between democratic and autocratic governance, interrupted by brief periods of military governance and occasional political chaos.

Today

Turkey today is a presidential republic where the ruling political parties have historically been nationalist and somewhat economically liberal, with a varying amount of Islamic influence. 

Far-left political activist groups and minority rebel groups have waxed and waned in terms of public and political influence. The most notable is the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a militant political group originally formed with the intention of creating a Kurdish separatist state. The arrest of PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan in 1999 was a crushing blow to the once-powerful group, though they continue to operate with the stated aim of ensuring the rights and autonomy of the Kurdish people in Turkey and beyond.   

More recently, Turkey has experienced relative prosperity and political stability, though the economy – based on mineral mining, agriculture, tourism and construction – continues to fluctuate between growth and stasis.

Home to some of the tastiest produce you can get your hands on, traditional cooking methods and influence from Asia, Europe and the Middle East, Turkey’s food is surprising, delicious and delightful (pun definitely intended).

Plant-based options

Many Turkish favourites are already non-meat. Gozleme, simit and cig kofte are all vegetarian and easy to find in markets, street corner food stands and restaurants. Vegans will have a tricker time finding pre-made dishes that contain no animal products. However, Turkey has an abundance of markets selling fresh produce, bread and extras like hummus and fava bean dip. With a little planning, vegans will be able to assemble meze-style lunches when pre-made options aren’t available.

In dishes like soups and stews it’s a good idea to watch out for beef stock – called et suyu – as it is used frequently even in ‘vegetarian’ dishes.

Must-try Turkish dishes and beverages

1. Gozleme
   This spinach and cheese pastry is a tasty budget-friendly bite that will satisfy everyone (especially vegetarians).
2. Lokum
   Love it or hate it, this divisive treat (known internationally as Turkish delight) can be found in shops, bazaars and street stalls nearly everywhere in Turkey. Made from rosewater, lemon, sugar, cornflour and water, it's relatively easy to make… and even easier to eat.
3. Simit
   As far as quick and easy snacks go it’s hard to pass up simit, a bread similar to a sesame-encrusted bagel. Carts selling simit can be found at bus and train stations, main streets and other busy thoroughfares in most cities.
4. Cig kofte
   Made with bulgur, onion, tomato paste and spices, this south-eastern specialty is essentially a big ol’ vegetarian ‘meatball’. The traditional kind (made with raw meat) is now banned, so you can eat without fear of food poisoning.
5. Fish sandwiches
   Particularly if you’re spending time in the Bosphorus, a fish sandwich (or balik ekmek) is a must-try local dish. Made with white fish, onion and salad, it’s a simple classic that hits the spot.
6. Manti
   Though the ingredients that fill these handmade dumplings vary, the best kind are filled with lamb and served with yoghurt and butter. It’s hard to move after polishing off a plate, but so worth it.
7. Turkish coffee
   Turkish coffee is known around the world for its unique brewing method. It's made with arabica beans which are ground into a fine powder and boiled with cardamom and water in a cevze – a pretty copper or brass pot with a long, thin handle.

Learn more about what to drink in Turkey

A fairly mountainous country sharing borders with Bulgaria, Greece, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, Turkey also has wide stretches of coastline along the Aegean, Mediterranean and Black Seas.

Blessed with large tracts of fertile soil, Turkey is one of the world's biggest agricultural producers, and visitors can expect to see many farms, orchards, plantations and areas of permanent crops occupying certain regions.

Due to its location, Turkey is home to a wide variety of landscapes, from the rocky, forested coastline of the Black Sea region to the fertile plateaus of the Marmara, the white sand beaches of the Aegean and the limestone formations of the Mediterranean. Adding further environmental diversity, the Anatolia highlands (considered the heartland of the country) feature rugged snow-capped peaks and crystalline lakes.

With one of the biggest bazaars in the world, flea markets aplenty and a cutting-edge contemporary fashion scene in the bigger cities, shopping in Turkey is more diverse than you might think.

It's a good idea to check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are able to bring certain items back into your home country, particularly perishable items. Australia and New Zealand, for example, generally have strict quarantine laws.

A note on ceramics

While beautifully decorated tiles and ceramics overflow from Turkey’s market stalls, you should keep in mind that their point of origin can be hard to decipher. In other words, watch out for fakes. The real deal tends to be pretty expensive (but worth it, if you ask us). Of course, if you’re just after something pretty to remind you of your travels, don’t feel too bad about reaching for the inexpensive option.

Things to buy in Turkey

1. Handwoven carpets
   Turkish carpets are a worldwide phenomenon and represent centuries of artistic tradition woven into a beautiful work of art. Go in with an idea of how much you’re willing to pay and don’t be afraid to bargain a little. Just keep in mind that quality craftsmanship deserves to be rewarded by a fair price. A lot of vendors and stores will give you the carpet in a bag suitable to transport as luggage, or you might consider shipping it back home.
2. Nazar boncuk (evil eye talisman)
   Want to bring home a little piece of Turkey and ward off evil spirits and intentions at the same time? An evil eye talisman is the perfect thing. You’ll see these little blue ‘eyes’ in every shop and the majority of Turks carry one with them wherever they go.   
3. Jewellery
   Turkey's artisan-made gold and silver earrings, rings and bracelets are good buys. Bazaars, boutiques, museum gift shops and silversmiths offer a wide range of designs from modern to Ottoman-inspired.
4. Brass and copper
   You can find an assortment of brass and copper decorative objects for the home in the bazaars of Turkey. Serving platters, pitchers, trays, pots and urns will add some souvenir flair to your kitchen.

If you want an adventure with a point of difference, consider planning your travels to coincide with these popular events.

Ramazan

Whether or not you want to travel during Ramazan (Ramadan) will depend on what kind of adventure you’re after. If you love immersing yourself in local culture and religious practices (and don’t mind a little inconvenience) you might just find travelling during this holy month a fascinating and enriching experience. While the days are dedicated to fasting and contemplation, the evenings are full of colourful celebration and, of course, feasting! Plus, there are fewer tourists around to compete with.

Anniversary of the Anzac campaign

Thousands of people head to Gallipoli every year to pay their respects to fallen Australian, New Zealand and Turkish soldiers who died during the bloody Gallipoli campaign of WWI. The moving dawn ceremony is an iconic event that grows in popularity with each year, so if you're hoping to head to Gallipoli in April for Anzac Day, plan ahead.

Efes Pilsen One Love Festival

This annual summer music festival held in Istanbul presents two days of rock, pop, folk and electronica entertainment for masses of locals and visitors keen on soaking up some tunes and summer love.

Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Championships

Want to see thousands of oiled-up men wrestle and grapple with each other? Then this is the festival for you! This wrestling championship is held over several days, usually in late June, where Turkey's national sport is celebrated with gusto and fanfare. Apart from the one-on-one wrestling bouts, there’s Romani bands, traditional food and belly dancers providing the perfect sideshow attractions.

Cappadox Festival

Set in the otherworldly landscape of Cappadocia, this eco-friendly music festival features artists and musicians performing on solar-powered stages and inside the ancient caves that the region is famous for. Held around June, the festival was originally an annual event but has moved to a biennial timetable.

Learn more about festivals and events in Turkey

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously, and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:

From Australia?

Go to smarttraveller.gov.au

From Canada?

Go to travel.gc.ca

From the UK?

Go to fco.gov.uk

From New Zealand?

Go to safetravel.govt.nz

From the USA?

Go to travel.state.gov

From South Africa?

Go to gov.za

From China?

Go to 12301.cn

The World Health Organization also provides useful health information. Go to who.int for more details.

For inspiring stories to prepare you for your Turkey adventure, check out these books:

• Turkey: A Short History – Norman Stone
• The Bastard of Istanbul – Elif Shafak
• Last Train to Istanbul – Ayse Kulin
• Poems of Nazim Hikmet – Nazim Hikmet
• Istanbul: Memories and the City – Orhan Pamuk
• Portrait of a Turkish Family – Irfan Orga
• A Fez of the Heart – Jeremy Seal
• Turkish Coast Through Writers' Eyes – Rupert Scott (ed.)