Turkey

Turkish is the official language, written in the Latin alphabet since a 1928 reform, so navigation signage is easy to read even without speaking Turkish. English is common in Istanbul, coastal resorts, and major tourist sites, but far less so in smaller inland towns.

Buying a Turkish SIM or eSIM requires showing a passport, and coverage is strong nationwide, including most rural areas. Travelers bringing a foreign phone should know Türkiye registers device IMEI numbers: a phone used with a Turkish SIM for more than about 120 days can be blocked unless registered with authorities, though this rarely affects a standard vacation-length trip.

Tap water is chlorinated and generally not harmful, but most residents and visitors drink bottled or filtered water, which is inexpensive and widely available. Pharmacies (eczane), marked with a red or green cross sign, are common and can advise on minor ailments; larger towns have a rotating 24-hour pharmacy. No special vaccinations are required for entry, though routine vaccines should be up to date.

Entry requirements vary significantly by nationality. Citizens of the US, UK, and most EU countries can enter visa-free for short tourist stays, typically up to 90 days; citizens of countries such as India, Mexico, and South Africa instead need an e-Visa purchased online in advance through Türkiye's official e-Visa portal before departure, and a smaller number of nationalities need a full visa. Do not use third-party sites that charge extra for this service.

Visa and entry requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements with the official immigration authority or your country's embassy before travel.

Remove shoes when entering a home, and dress modestly at mosques — shoulders and knees covered for everyone, with a headscarf for women; scarves are usually available to borrow at entrances. Avoid visiting mosques during Friday midday prayers unless there specifically for prayer.

Being offered tea is a common gesture of hospitality, and accepting it is polite even for a short visit. Elders are treated with particular respect, including in small courtesies like being served first.

Religious holidays — Ramadan Bayramı (Eid al-Fitr) and Kurban Bayramı (Eid al-Sacrifice) — shift each year on the lunar calendar and are the busiest domestic travel periods; book transport and hotels well ahead if traveling during them.

Most shops, including many in tourist areas, stay open daily with long hours; malls typically stay open every day of the week.

• By bus: intercity coaches are extensive, comfortable, and often the most practical way between cities not connected by high-speed rail. Major operators sell tickets online.
• By air: domestic flights are common and often the fastest way to cover Türkiye's size, especially reaching the east or the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.
• By train: high-speed rail (YHT) connects Ankara with Istanbul and a few other cities, but the network is limited outside these routes.
• By ferry: in Istanbul, ferries are a practical and scenic way to cross the Bosphorus and reach the Princes' Islands, often faster than the bridges at busy times.

Breakfast (kahvaltı) is a substantial, shared spread of cheeses, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, honey, jam, and bread, often lasting a leisurely hour on weekends. Lunch and dinner both commonly start with meze, small shared plates, before a grilled meat or stew main course.

Regional cooking varies widely: the Aegean coast leans on olive oil and vegetables, the southeast is known for spicier kebabs and rich stews, and the Black Sea region has its own cornbread and cabbage-based dishes. Turkish tea is drunk constantly throughout the day in small tulip-shaped glasses, while Turkish coffee, thick and unfiltered, is more of an occasional treat, often followed by having your fortune read from the grounds.

Istanbul is the typical starting point for most visits, with Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks packed into its historic peninsula and a food and nightlife scene that spans two continents. Ankara, the capital, is quieter and more government-focused, worth a stop mainly for its museums and Atatürk's mausoleum.

On the coast, Antalya pairs Mediterranean beach resorts with a well-preserved old town and easy access to ancient ruins like Aspendos. Inland, the Göreme Historical National Park protects Cappadocia's cave churches and fairy-chimney rock formations, best known for its sunrise hot-air balloon flights. Ephesus, near the town of Selçuk, and the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale are two more major highlights further west, both easy day trips or short stops from the Aegean coast.