Important facts and information to know when visiting Türkiye
Türkiye (formerly known by its anglicized name Turkey) is one of the most unique countries and is often challenged as being Middle Eastern, given it straddles both the European and Asian continents. It is a true fusion of East meets West and is home to many fascinating cultural, religious, and natural landmarks. (We’re very happy to claim it as part of the Middle East!)
Visiting Türkiye Important Facts
| Official Name | Türkiye Cumhuriyeti (Republic of Turkey) |
| Capital | Ankara |
| Currency | Turkish Lira (TRY) 1 TRY=0.247USD |
| Language | Turkish (minority languages include Kumanji, Arabic, Pomak, Zazaki) |
| Religion | Sunni Islam majority |
| Leadership | Parliamentary Republic |
| Important Dates | National Soverignty & Childrens Day April 23, Victory Day Aug 30 & Islamic Holidays |
| Climate | Mediterranean through to temperate |
| Electrics | 220V Type F (European) sockets |
| Visas | E-visa in advance or kiosk at airport |
| Safety | Hightened risk of Terrorism and certain no-go zones (see below) |
Türkiye safety information
Due to the ongoing conflict in neighbouring Syria, most international Governments have travel advisories for the following regions of Türkiye;
- all travel to within 10 km of the border with Syria and to the city of Diyarbakir
- the remaining areas of Sirnak, Mardin, Sanliurfa, Gaziantep, Kilis, and Hatay provinces
- the provinces of Diyarbakir, Tunceli and Hakkari
In regards to the remainder of the country, it is recommended that you remain vigilant as terrorist attacks have occurred in crowded places in the last 2 years. Avoid demonstrations and crowds and keep aware of alerts from the Government and international advisories, including The US State Department, UK Foreign Office, and Australian Smart Traveller. (Please check for your own Foreign Office exact warnings in place).
Türkiye visa information
- eVisa should be applied for 72 hours in advance, but there are also kiosks at the airport
- Fees applying in advance are cheaper than at the airport – current rates can be found here
Click here to find out more about Turkish Visas
Points for family visitors to be aware of in Turkey
- Ladies are not required to have their heads covered but should dress conservatively with knees and shoulders covered. We have a complete guide to the Turkish dress code here.
- Whilst many hotels and more modern establishments might have western-style sitting toilets, don’t be surprised to find squat toilets as your only option!
General travel tips for visiting Türkiye
- Turkish is the primary language, but also, in certain areas, they will speak Kurmanji, Arabic, and Zazaki. Many Turkish people, especially those that work in tourism, may also be fluent in many languages like English, French, and Spanish, but it wouldn’t hurt to brush up on some Turkish phrases before heading beyond the big cities.
- Don’t rely just on withdrawing cash from an ATM. Many travellers have reported issues with cards not being accepted in the machines and always have some USD or EUR as a backup.
- If you are planning on visiting many of the famous sites in Istanbul, then a Turkey Museum card may be a good investment.
- Carefully check which airport you will be landing in. Turkish Airlines have moved their hub to Arnavutkoy (previously it was Attaturk), but flights also land on the Asian side at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen – these airports are all a long distance apart if you get it wrong!
See our regional guide to culture and religion for more
When is it best to visit Türkiye
Türkiye has quite a varied climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters, including snow in many parts. Due to the size of the country – the weather varies hugely! Do pay attention to this when planning your travels.
For visiting Istanbul, April to May and from September to mid-November are ideal as temperatures are pleasant and the skies should be clear.
Be aware, though, that being located next to the sea, Istanbul can get quite chilly and windy year-round, especially in winter.
The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts enjoy a typical Mediterranean climate, making them ideal resort-style destinations year-round – albeit the ocean water is likely too cold for swimming in winter.
You can learn more about the best times to visit Turkey here.
Most popular attractions in Türkiye
Most visitors are introduced through the sprawling capital of Istanbul, but there are many fascinating regions to visit on both the European and Asian sides of Türkiye.
- Cappadocia – and the Göreme National Park, the surreal rock valley and underground city
- Ephesus Artemis Temple – also known as Artemision, one of the seven wonders of the world and UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the most complete standing Roman cities in the Mediterranean.
- The Turkish Riviera – the beautiful southern coastline encompassing the provinces of Antalya, Muğla and the southern Aegean of Izmir.
- Aya Sophia – one of the most beautiful buildings in the world the Hagia Sophia Museum in Istanbul
- Blue Mosque – arguably one of the most beautiful in the world in Istanbul
- Topkapi Palace – take a journey to the era of the Ottoman Empire and the opulent world of the sultans
- Pamukkale – one of the country’s most fascinating natural features in the Aegean region, the white terraces that cascade through the mountains.
You can check out a great guide to Turkey’s top attractions here.
Türkiye with Kids – Our Travel Stories
- Planning a Family Holiday in Turkey – a complete guide to the regions of Turkey, when to visit and what you should know before planning your trip
- Istanbul with Kids – favourite kid’s activities and best places to stay, plus our top tips for making the most of Istanbul in Winter
- Visiting Pamukkale – tips for exploring the limestone terraces with Carpe Diem Our Way
- The Best Turkish Ski Resorts for a family vacation in winter
- Discover the Best Beach Towns in Turkey for a stunning Turkish coastal vacation, along with our detailed guide to last-minute getaways in Antalya
- What to Wear in Turkey – advice for culturally appropriate dress and important things to pack when visiting Türkiye.
Contribute to this section
Have you been to Turkey with or without kids?
We are looking for more contributors to this category, can you help? Pop over and see our contributors page and find out how you can get involved in building our resource library for fellow visitors to Turkey
Further reading and resources on Turkey
Blogs & social
Do you know any local blogs or social channels we should share?
Resources
- The Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism – redirects you to their current tourism website, which is goturkiye
- Another government-affiliated website to try is www.goturkeytourism – also packed with useful visitor information guides, and all in English.
Transport, Tours and Drivers
- Getting between destinations within Turkey with kids may be easier tackled with domestic flights, but this can also be the most costly way to get around the country.
- Bus services in Turkey can be of quite a high standard, and although they take longer than flying, you should be in for a comfortable journey, and it’s an interesting way to see more of the countryside.
- Turkey also has a relatively good high-speed train system between major cities that is fast and relatively affordable.
- Jumping in with a tour group or hiring a private tour guide and driver is another convenient way of getting between the country’s major sites.
Do you have a driver or tour to recommend that works well for families?
Movies and literature
- You’ll find some fabulous reading ideas here for fiction and non-fiction books about Turkey
Kids Resources
- Sorry, nothing in this category (yet!) Can you help recommend something?
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NB please check facts with the appropriate authorities before travelling. Information is correct to the best of our knowledge as of the last update, February 2022. This page contains affiliate links
