Places to Visit in Turkey
A country that straddles two continents at a single strait, with the layered capitals of three empires still standing within one city's walls.
Turkey spans a hot-summer Mediterranean climate along its coasts and a more continental climate inland, with Istanbul — the country's largest city, though not its capital — straddling the Bosphorus strait between Europe and Asia. The city carries visible layers of Byzantine and Ottoman imperial history side by side, and ferries across the Bosphorus function as everyday public transport, not just a tourist activity. April-May and September-October offer the most comfortable sightseeing weather, avoiding both summer heat and winter rain; Istanbul's peak tourist season runs June-August. The Turkish lira has experienced significant inflation and volatility in recent years, so travellers should expect prices to shift and check current exchange rates close to travel rather than relying on older figures. Tipping (bahşiş) of roughly 10% is customary in restaurants; bargaining is expected in bazaars but not in fixed-price shops.
Capital
Ankara
Currency
Turkish Lira (TRY, ₺)
Time zone
TRT (UTC+3, no daylight saving)
Calling code
+90
Best months
Apr – May, Sep – Oct
Visas and entry
Many nationalities (including most EU countries, UK, and others) can enter visa-free for short tourist stays. Others, including US, Canadian, and Australian citizens, must obtain an e-Visa online in advance, typically valid for 90 days within a 180-day period — a straightforward process but one that must be completed before departure, not on arrival.
Where to start in Turkey
The place ranked first in each of our city guides.