Blue Mosque - Turkish Culture & Tourism Office
Turkey Destination Guide
by Jonathan Milligan
Summary
Turkey is best known to British visitors for its gorgeous, beach-strewn west coast and the fabulous city-break destination of Istanbul, which both draw hordes of tourists every year. Those heading for summer holidays in resorts such as Gumbet, Bodrum and Olu Deniz can expect shimmering stretches of sand, plenty of watersports, a wide range of accommodation, great food and lots of good nightlife. Culture vultures can explore the palaces and mosques of Istanbul or the immaculately preserved ruins at Ephesus and the more adventurous traveller can venture inland to see the fairytale landscapes of Cappadocia. Whether you're looking for a honeymoon or enjoy luxury family holidays, Turkey more than fits the bill.
Getting there, getting around Turkey
Budget airlines now fly to Turkish destinations and there are lots of charter and scheduled flights to airports all over the country. The local bus network in Turkey is cheap and efficient but probably the best way to get around is in a dolmus, a small minibus. The fares are minimal and you can flag one down anywhere along your route, making them the best way to get between beaches.
Quick facts
Currency: New Turkish lira
Language: Turkish
Flight time: 3.5 hours
GMT: +3 hours
Weather: April to June and September to October are perfect months to visit the Aegean or Mediterranean coasts. In July and August temperatures can hit 104F (40C)
Dialling code: 00 90
Electricity: 220V; you'll need an adapter for the mostly two-round-prong plugs
Bosphorus - Turkish Culture & Tourism Office
Beaches in Turkey
Take your pick of any number of wonderful sandy spots along the length of the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. Kusadasi has the bizarrely named Ladies Beach, two miles south of town, which actually allows gentlemen as well.
Bitez beach, near Bodrum, has good facilities (cafés, bars, sun-loungers etc.) and plenty of watersports, as does nearby Gumbet, where you can also try parasailing. Icmeler beach, near Marmaris, shelves gently into the water, making it a good family spot with fantastic watersports and separate areas for swimmers. Olu Deniz has some of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey and a landlocked lagoon which is perfect for children. Some beaches there charge a small fee but Belcekiz Beach, in the centre of town, is free.
Sightseeing in Turkey
The wealth of natural and man-made attractions in Turkey is astounding, making it a great honeymoon destination for couples interested in culture and the natural world. In Istanbul, tour Topkapi Palace, which has a fabulous jewellery collection, and the Blue Mosque, named after the colour of its 21,000 tiles. For history buffs, Ephesus, the best-preserved classical city on the eastern Mediterranean, is a must and there are many other archaeological treasures including Aphrodisias, Priene and Miletus.
Natural attractions include the limestone waterfalls at Pamukkale and, in central Turkey, the bizarre rock formations and underground cities of Cappadocia. What better way to admire the landscape and the famous 'fairy chimneys' than on an early morning hot-air balloon ride.
Family attractions in Turkey
Turkey excels in luxury family holidays. Aside the beach, lots of the big resort hotels have kids' clubs where your little darlings can enjoy organised activities and watersports while you kick back for a few hours on the beach or head off for a spot of sightseeing. There are also several waterparks, including a huge new one in Bodrum. Most kids will love the vibrant bazaars, but keep them close as it's easy to get lost.
Day trips in Turkey
If you fancy visiting two countries on one holiday, you can easily pop over to the Greek islands for the day. Kos is just a 20-minute hydrofoil trip from Bodrum and services run daily between May and September. Rhodes is about two hours away by hydrofoil so you'll need to set off a bit earlier to enjoy a fuller day.
Side's amphitheatre - Turkish Culture & Tourism Office
Eating out in Turkey
Despite the kebab-laden preconceptions of many tourists, Turkish food is actually extremely varied and both vegetarians and meat-lovers are well catered for. Unlike in the UK, the kebabs in Turkey are delicious, lightly spiced and served with delicious flat breads and fresh tasty salads. Savoury treats include borek, a pastry stuffed with cheese and spinach, and sweet desserts such as the world-famous Turkish delight are wonderful. Turkish wines are very good and if you enjoy strong, sweet coffee you're in for a treat. In the big seaside resorts you'll find plenty in the way of English grub too.
Nightlife in Turkey
Many of the big resorts have a wide array of nightclubs where you can dance the night away. Marmaris is one of the liveliest with the appropriately named Bar Street at the heart of things. Bodrum is also bustling come nightfall and the locals claim that Halikarnas Disco is the loudest club on the Aegean. Istanbul has lots of bars and nightclubs as well as good concert, opera and ballet venues. Taksim and Beyoglu are home to the real Istanbul nightlife where you can boogie with the locals and if you want a romantic evening, take in the city lights as you cruise on the Bosphorus.
Shopping in Turkey
No visit to Istanbul is complete without a trip to the incredible Grand Bazaar. You name it and you can probably buy it in this maze of stall-lined narrow streets. Carpets, leather goods, handicraft, Turkish delight, jewellery and silverware are all good buys. Turkish carpets knotted in silk, wool and mixed fibres are a very popular buy in Turkey.
Shop owners can sometimes seem a little pushy and they'll often tell you that you'll offend them if you refuse the offer of a chai; however, a polite refusal is fine. Also in Istanbul are the covered market in Beyazit and the Egyptian market in Eminonu, where you'll find pottery, brassware, leather goods, spices, dried fruit, glassware and jewellery. You'll find similar goods at markets all over the country.
Related destinations
If you're interested in Turkey you may also like to look at these related destinations:
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